Professor Scott dislikes being treated like an old man.
Of course, objectively speaking, he is indeed getting older.
Even so, it’s not right to call a person who is just about to turn seventy a young man.
However, despite this, Scott hated being treated like an old person.
This is similar to how a woman approaching forty would feel if called “auntie,” causing her to tremble and feel sick.
I am still vigorous.
In terms of ability, I am superior to most young people.
These days, they curse him behind his back as a stuffy old man, but what’s wrong with trying to uphold manners and rules?
The fault is not mine.
I am certainly not a behind-the-times old man.
Scott had lived with such thoughts.
He had never once doubted that this belief might be wrong.
Until today.
“I apologize for being late. I suddenly had an urgent matter.”
On the first day of work, no less.
Especially on a significant day with a final interview, the newly appointed professor made a grand entrance late.
Instead of feeling embarrassed about being late, he didn’t even concentrate on the interview and was lost in thought, which was not something Scott could appreciate.
Despite Scott’s cough to signal him, the brazen attitude of not even apologizing led Scott to immediately label him as “an impolite youth.”
When he spouted some bizarre remarks about cotton pickers and such, Scott was enraged.
However… the one at fault was actually Scott.
“How did you figure out my identity!”
The boy was, in fact, a demon hiding his true nature.
Professor Riyan was not zoning out; he was sensing the sinister presence alone and remaining vigilant.
The earlier bizarre remarks were, in fact, a kind of code hinting at the other’s true identity.
If Scott had only noticed it, the situation would have been easily resolved.
“I’m disappointed. I expected a bit more from the professors of such a prestigious academy.
In the end, they are all just low-level humans.”
At first glance, it seemed like he was blaming the professors for not realizing his blatant insinuation.
However, the quick-witted Scott knew better.
That professor couldn’t be so foolish as to mindlessly criticize his allies in a crisis.
There must have been another intention hidden behind it.
“Get out of here, you ugly thing! Did you really think you could hide your vile nature in front of me?”
His exaggerated expressions were clearly meant to protect them.
Everyone was unable to face the threat of the enemy.
In such a situation, if the enemy had launched a surprise attack, not just the other professors but even Scott would not have escaped unharmed.
That’s why he drew attention with such excessive actions.
He provoked the opponent to focus their attacks on him rather than the others.
In the end, Riyan maintained his composure even in a critical situation and made the best move.
He even used himself as bait to save those who were cursing him.
Yet, Scott dismissed that young man simply because he was young.
He didn’t listen to his words, and because of that, many casualties almost occurred.
“I realized that and tried to somehow make up for my mistakes.”
Rather than making amends, he ended up repeating the same mistakes.
Before Riyan stepped in, Scott had not considered that the demon might harm the children.
The professor was so preoccupied with the enemy in front of him that he completely forgot the students he was supposed to protect.
He had lost his mind.
A terrible disgrace that he could not defend even if criticized.
That’s why Scott came to Professor Riyan now.
To apologize for his mistakes and to make proper amends.
“I’ll give you the right to be in charge of the top class of new students this year. Class A.”
Pathetically, his mouth wouldn’t move well.
The saint of the Holy See and the princess of the Empire.
An opportunity to become their teacher.
Scott understood better than anyone the political value this held.
How much the powerful figures of the Empire had fought for this position.
And how fiercely he had fought behind the scenes to attain this honor.
I want to forget, but I can’t.
Whenever I think about the time the professor, who had a golden ball, tried to assassinate me, my heart still sinks.
Yet, even so…
“What suits this place is you. A backroom old man like me would only look foolish by being greedy.”
It was time to slowly acknowledge it.
I truly am just a stuffy old man.
As I age, my thinking has hardened. Because of my prejudices, I couldn’t even recognize the character of that young man.
Education is about nurturing people.
But how can someone who can’t even see people properly nurture students?
Maybe it’s time to consider stepping back from the teaching profession.
“I’ve already informed the principal. Please help the students grow well in my place.”
He patted the new professor on the shoulder and turned away.
The old man exits, and a capable young person steps onto the stage anew; thus, today’s incident comes to an end.
That was definitely Scott’s intention, but…
***
“Please wait a moment!”
The voice from behind stops him.
Riyan urgently called out without giving him a chance to react.
“How could that guy possibly take your place? That’s impossible!”
No matter how you look at it, those words seemed superficial.
The polite young man is trying to uphold the old man’s pride until the very end.
‘Thinking that, Scott turned his head, and his face turned pale with shock.’
It was no wonder he was shocked.
“I’ve heard about you, senior. How much you have achieved and how many talented individuals you have nurtured with your own hands.”
There was no hint of falsehood in his words.
The best opportunity that anyone would envy.
Yet, despite having obtained it, the man didn’t look happy at all.
He only seemed to be filled with a sense of burden.
…It was sincere.
That expression could not be an act.
Riyan was genuinely saying those words now.
“I respect you, senior! It’s because of you that I tried to enter the academy!”
Riyan shouted, even getting choked up.
Overwhelmed by his desperate voice, Scott couldn’t say anything.
No words would come out.
“Even if you call yourself a backroom old man, I know better. Your integrity has never changed even after decades.”
He acknowledges his own mistakes and works to correct them.
His desire to be right still exists.
That is why you are noble.
That is why your spirit has not aged.
The professor in front of him shouts that at Scott.
Scott is not a stuffy old man.
He is always striving to be upright, and that is why he is the goal that I want to emulate.
…Emotions swell up.
The words he wanted to hear most come from the mouth of the person he wanted to hear them from the most, and he couldn’t contain his feelings.
Tears welled up uncontrollably.
He felt like he might collapse and wail at any moment.
Fortunately, he still had the presence of mind not to show such disgrace in front of his respected junior.
He turned his head away so that Riyan wouldn’t see his face and quickly wiped away his tears with a handkerchief.
He handled it skillfully, showing the experience that comes with age.
Without any hint of trembling in his voice, Scott straightened his chest and declared confidently,
“I will never forget today’s grace.”
When the new professor takes on the significant role of leading the royal guidance, there will undoubtedly be people raising issues.
And he is such an outstanding young man.
Any sharp stone will inevitably attract attention.
There will be those who envy his talent and those who fear his growth and try to crush him beforehand.
But that no longer matters.
“If you need help, just let me know. If an old man’s hands are okay, I will gladly assist.”
Once, a knight who conquered a nation alone.
‘Iron-Blooded Duke’ Scott Fenrir will stand by his side.
After I praised him, the professor suddenly burst into tears and left.
Left alone, I stood there in shock, and soon realized one important fact.
Professor Scott, who said he would transfer the responsibility of Class A to me and that he had already spoken with the principal, did not withdraw that statement until the very end.
He kept changing the subject to strange things, avoiding my gaze, and even suddenly ran away.
Given the situation, I guessed that if I brought it up again tomorrow, Professor Scott would never cancel the decision he made.
So, in other words…
“Did I just get my work assigned by my superior?”