The Villains I Taught Became Heroes - Chapter 101



100 – Not Much Left – 5

I remained unshaken by their unwavering words.

“To think my disciples do not trust me like this. As a master, I am deeply saddened.”

“You’ve told so many lies that we have to believe it.”

“Y-yeah.”

“I am sad. Arisha, do you trust your teacher?”

“Yes! I trust you, teacher! So I think you’ll trust me too!”

Arisha, who held my hand tightly, beamed with a smile.

“From now on, I won’t let you be alone!”

Since I don’t know when I might leave, she’s saying she’ll stay by my side.

Well, that’s fine.

It’s not like I didn’t expect this situation to arise.

“If you insist that much, then I have no choice.”

“Then…?”

“Do as you wish. Still, I hope you manage to keep up with the academy’s schedule properly.”

The true ending of Ragnarok can only be seen after defeating the final boss and going through the winter break event.

In other words, it means I have to stay put until then.

I could accept the fact that they would be watching me with a smile.

“If that’s what you wish, I’ll accept it. But in return, I hope you’ll also accept our request.”

Sowol, holding my hand, spoke seriously.

The emotions reflected in her gaze were worry and concern.

“We’re always worried. It feels like one day you might leave us.”

Could it be because she had already experienced it once? Sowol looked as if she were afraid.

Sigh. What can I do when my students say things like this?

I smiled and embraced Sowol, Lena, and Arisha.

“I thought you were all grown up, but you’re still just kids.”

“…Teacher…”

“Yes. Let’s stay together.”

Until we see the true ending, that is.

After defeating the heirs of the Mage Empire and returning to the academy, a grand welcome ceremony awaited us.

The welcome event, akin to a festival supported by various nations, was quite enjoyable.

“Of course, that doesn’t mean you won’t have to take your final exams.”

“Woohoo~!”

After the festival ended, I spoke to the students gathered in the classroom with a smile.

In truth, asking these kids who saved the world to take final exams might be a bit harsh.

But that’s that, and this is this.

“Originally, the world is a place devoid of blood or tears.”

“Isn’t there any bonus points?”

“I will give extra points during the practicals. But the other classes will also earn quite a few points, so don’t let your guard down.”

“Should we just fail spectacularly? I still think we could advance anyway…”

“By the way, this time’s reward is a resort pass for Longbake Mountain.”

Just like the Emerald Resort event during summer vacation, if you come in first for the year, you’ll get to see the winter vacation event.

Of course, not seeing this doesn’t mean you can’t reach the true ending, so from my perspective, it didn’t matter whether they saw it or not.

But it seemed to be a different story for the kids.

“Longbake Mountain!”

“Isn’t there a hot spring there?!”

“I heard there’s a ski resort too!”

“I’ve heard the food there is amazing!”

The expressions of the students changed upon hearing about the reward for coming in first.

They sparkled with excitement, as if they wanted to go there immediately, and I smiled at them.

These materialistic kids.

It seems they only move properly when there’s something in it for them.

“Well, I believe you’ll handle it well.”

“Eh~. Teacher~. You seem unmotivated~.”

Honestly, whether I went there or not didn’t matter to me.

But with my students’ passionate gazes fixed on me, I couldn’t say that.

“Alright. You want me to be motivated, right? Then you all stay after class. We’ll have a supplementary lesson.”

“Ugh~!”

“Is there really a need for supplementary lessons?”

Do these kids underestimate coming in first?

If they knew how hard the other classes were working, they wouldn’t be saying such things. I shook my head at the students who were in an uproar.

“From now on, I will show you my true intentions.”

After the morning assembly ended and I returned to the instructor’s office, it seemed everyone was busy there too.

As the exam approached, there were instructors preparing questions and others placing bets on who would take first place.

“Instructor Lee Hyun, what do you think this time?”

“Who knows.”

Perhaps it was because they had taken first place last time? Class A seemed to have a pretty high win rate.

After reading what was written on the board, I shrugged my shoulders.

“Don’t you think our kids will take first place?”

“Such confidence! Alright, should I trust Instructor Lee Hyun then?”

I watched as the instructor, smiling, cast a vote for Class A and settled comfortably into my chair.

These noisy days would soon come to an end.

After stretching lightly, I began my work.

Time flows even if you leave it be.

Days passed as I held supplementary classes and special lectures for the students aiming for first place, and finally, the exam day arrived.

I could see everyone was tense.

Standing at the podium, I looked around at my kids.

They had been nothing but inexperienced kids at the beginning of the semester, but now they were different.

They had transformed into individuals who could manage on their own, no matter where they were thrown.

Of course, in my eyes, they were still just kids.

“Is everyone well prepared?”

“Yes~!”

“Good. I won’t give you any empty words of encouragement. I hope you get the results you deserve for the effort you’ve put in.”

For the next week, it would be written exams.

During that time, there was nothing I could do for them.

All I could offer was my support.

“Instructor! Is there nothing for the top student?”

“Am I taking the exam just for my own sake?”

“Oh come on~! Still!”

“First in class… Hmm. What would be good?”

Receiving the eager gazes of the students, I shrugged my shoulders.

I had almost exhausted my remaining funds trying to get them artifacts.

The best I could offer would be to buy them a cup of tea in town.

“How about a date?”

Lumina, sitting in front, raised her hand and spoke. A date? Would the boys be okay with that?

“How about something other than a date, like a full day of training?”

Ludwig said with a face full of anticipation.

I wondered if it was really necessary to volunteer for such a tough task, but there were quite a few who seemed to want it.

Hmm… It wasn’t particularly difficult, so I might as well go along with it.

“I’ll set aside a day during the break. Work hard. I’ll teach something good to whoever comes in first.”

I could probably pass on a useful technique or two, right?

As I gave my permission, I could see the students’ motivation rising even higher.

They were kids with a strong desire to grow.

If these kids are around, they should be able to manage just fine next year.

“Then do well on the exam.”

“Yes!!”

Hearing their spirited shout, I stepped outside.

As the proctor who had been waiting entered, I looked over at our kids through the window.

Seeing their serious faces flipping through the exam papers made me feel that I had indeed taught them well.

Do well, you guys.

“Teacherrrr~!”

While I was working in my room, I heard the door burst open and turned my head that way.

It was Arisha, looking tired.

Was the exam already over? Checking the time, I realized it was already late afternoon.

I had been working without even having lunch.

“Did you do well on the exam?”

“Umm~! I don’t know~!”

“As the class president, you should be working hard.”

“But it was difficult, you know?”

Was the first exam today a required general studies exam?

I patted Arisha, who was clinging to me and whining.

“Arisha, you shouldn’t bother the master.”

“I-I’ll go in now.”

Through the open door, Sowol and Lena also came in.

The once quiet room was now bustling with the three beauties.

I could see students and instructors passing by in the hallway, glancing this way and smiling as they went.

“You guys, if you cling to me like this, others will tease you.”

“I don’t care about what others think. By the way, Master, do you have any special plans during the break?”

Plans? Not really.

I was just thinking of staying cooped up and getting some good sleep.

From noble mtl dot com

“Then aren’t you going to the Eastern Pavilion?”

“Hmm…”

“My father wants to see you again. And so do the others at the Pavilion.”

“The, the Crystal Tower is the same. Th-there are a lot of people who want to see their m-master.”

“Well, I don’t have anything in particular, so I guess it’ll just be the two of us going out to have fun!”

It doesn’t seem like they’re planning to leave me alone during the break at all.

However, during the break, I also had to meet various people, so it would be difficult to spare a lot of time.

“Still, I think a day or two should be fine.”

“Really?”

“Hey, it’s a promise.”

They were excited.

I patted the heads of the happy kids.

Chattering excitedly about going out to play, Sowol and Lena left the room.

—

“Why aren’t you going out?” I looked at Arisha, and she smiled brightly, intertwining her fingers with mine.

“I want to stay with the teacher today! Even at night!”

“Is that really possible?”

“Is it not allowed?”

“No.”

“Really not allowed?”

“Really not allowed.”

Even if I whined, what’s not allowed is not allowed.

I stretched Arisha’s soft cheeks.

“I don’t know what you’re worried about, but I won’t suddenly leave. So don’t be like that, just go inside and get some sleep.”

“…That’s unfair. I like the teacher this much, but it seems like the teacher doesn’t like me back.”

Holding Arisha’s pouting face, I kissed her forehead.

With her eyes wide open, Arisha began to smile softly at me.

“Ahahaha~! That’s nice~!”

“Alright. Go on and study some more.”

I gently patted Arisha’s back, and only then did she finally step away from me and go out of the room.

Left alone in the suddenly quiet room, I comfortably sat in the chair.

They’ve started to keep a close watch on me.

I’ll have to be careful from now on.