During ss, I peered into the ssroom from the hallway.


    Fortunately, today was the day Fore held his weekly ss.


    By the way, since it was a rare magic ss taught by a senior teacher, many students, including senior section students, attended it.


    He seemed to be teaching water magic, but the content wasn''t particrly difficult. Likely, he would teach how to apply this magic in the future based on today''s ss.


    "… In this way, the full chant for the [Water Ball] spell actually holds the key to advanced magic. This means you can transform water into ice or shoot a stream of water in a straight line. In fact, there are simr lines in fire and earth magic chants. Although wind magic has some differences, understanding thesemonalities correctly can lead to the creation of new magic."


    Fore began his chant. "… [Frozen Ice, Diamond Mist]."


    The moment he spoke, a shimmering mist enveloped the podium. The white mist swirling around Fore instantly froze everything it touched.


    As the ss buzzed excitedly, Fore lightly tapped thepletely white walls and podium and continued his exnation. "This is an original spell I developed, a type of water magic. It is quite difficult to defend against such a formless mist. Also, I activated it withinin a small range, but it can freeze an entire ssroom if unleashed fully."


    "Entire ssroom?!"


    "That''s water magic…?"


    "Indeed, if you were caught off guard, you''d be frozen before you could think of a way to defend."


    The students listened intently, impressed by Fore’s demonstration. Hmm, so the sses of senior teachers got this much attention, huh? For some reason, it was frustrating.


    While I watched from the window, gritting my teeth, Fore sighed and narrowed his eyes at a break in his lecture.


    Then he began speaking in a conversational tone. "Recently, I''ve heard a lot about the new teacher, Aoi Konominato. It’s indeed impressive that she can use advanced magic and shorten chants so much that you can''t even tell when she''s casting. However, teaching things students can''t do is not a teacher''s job."


    My name came up. It didn’t sound like apliment…


    Fore continued. "… Reaching such a level as amoner must have involved painstaking training. But in the end, she''s the kind of person who’s a so-called genius. Geniuses generallyck the ability to teach ordinary people. You all should think carefully about what you want to learn and gain during your precious time at the academy."


    With that, Fore returned to his lesson.


    "… Could those words be the cause?" I looked back. Strass and Eliza had difficult expressions.


    Beside the groaning pair, Ayle said angrily, "It''s definitely this. Fore-sensei, one of the academy''s top senior teachers, is practically telling students not to take your sses."


    Cote smiled ambiguously at the pouting Ayle. "However, Fore-sensei didn''t explicitly say not to attend. It''s all his advice based on his assumptions. He probably means no harm…"


    Eliza sighed and shook her head. "However, that’s not something a senior teacher like Fore-sensei should say, especially since his words could significantly influence students who want to take his sses."


    Everyone fell silent at Eliza’s words.


    As we discussed, Fore''s ss was about to end. If we didn''t act, he would leave.


    Shaking my head lightly, I stood up and opened the ssroom door.


    "Wait, Aoi-sensei…?!"


    I ignored Eliza''s shriek.


    Regardless of whether he realized it or not, Fore''sments affected my sses. I needed to let him know that.


    I entered the ssroom, and all eyes, including Fore''s, turned to me.


    The bell signaling the end of ss rang.


    "Fore-sensei, may I have a word?"


    "… Go ahead." Fore agreed without resistance.


    As the students began to chatter, I gestured toward the hallway. Fore followed me out.


    Fore nced at Strass, Eliza, and Cote, then fixed his gaze on me. "… I thought you were a smarter kid."


    Cote chuckled and let out a short sigh, while I raised an eyebrow.


    "… Is attending my sses foolish?" I asked.


    Fore furrowed his brow slightly. "I wouldn''t say it''s foolish, but it''s a waste of time. Without intensive study, research, and training, you can''t rise to the top as a magician."


    "… Fore-sensei, have you ever seen my sses?" I asked to make sure.


    Fore shook his head as if it were obvious. "No. But it''s easy to guess without attending the sses. The rumors alone speak of advanced magic and remarkable methods to shorten chants. Such magic is too early for students. As a teacher, I do not recognize someone who unts their skills without considering the learners."


    His words made meugh. Fore looked puzzled, which amused me further.


    "Fore-sensei, I agree that your sses are easy to understand, even for senior section students, as you teach the basics of magic. However, you underestimate the talent and potential of students. I''m sure they can grasp more advanced magic."


    Fore scoffed and looked at me disdainfully. "It''s as I said. You don''t understand ordinary people''s feelings. Well, try it your way. Eventually, you''ll realize that expecting everyone to keep up will lead to frustration when progress is slow."


    He folded his arms and red at me.


    "Judge me after seeing the results of my methods. It''s unpleasant to be judged without even being observed. Attend one of my sses first."


    Fore''s expression twisted with clear displeasure at my words. "… Youck respect for your seniors. Is it because you''re amoner?"


    "If you''re a noble, show more grace. Seeing you now, who would think you''re a noble? At best, you seem like nothing more than a small-time upstart…"


    "Wait! Wait, please! I-i-it''s my fault! So both of you, please stop!"


    Eliza hugged me while crying, so I closed my mouth for a moment.


    Fore, his interest waning, averted his gaze and resumed his usual expression. "… If you insist, I''ll attend your next ss. I''ll see firsthand what kind of lesson you conduct."


    With that, Fore turned his back on us.


    Eliza watched him walk away, then slumped to the ground in exhaustion. "Th-that was scary…"


    At Eliza’s tearful muttering, Strass nodded lightly. "Senior teachers are second only to the principal here. No one dares toin about them. It''s no wonder Fore-sensei got so emotional."


    Ayle raised her arm in anger. "But those were terrible things to say! Aoi-sensei''s sses are so interesting, and I learn a lot from them!"


    While we calmed the angry Ayle, I began thinking about the next ss.