NOVPUBThe timeframe I gave Sedina Roschen was two days.
I had told her she could take her time and submit the application form by then.
But Sedina made that deadline completely pointless by bringing me a perfectly filled-out application just one hour later—to my quarters, no less—panting for breath from how fast she’d rushed over.
“......”
I hadn’t expected her to want the position that badly, so I took it with a slightly dazed expression. And just like that, Sedina became my official assistant through proper procedure.
The following day during class.
I had handed Sedina the materials beforehand and told her to bring them up to the podium before I arrived. Now, I was slowly making my way to the lecture hall.
‘It’s important to make sure the students recognize who my assistant is.’
Even if Sedina seemed a bit timid and delicate, she acted sharply and thoroughly when dealing with others.
She often showed signs of wariness around people. I suspect it might be related to why she joined the Black Dawn Order in the first place.
That awkward, jittery behavior only came out when she was in front of me—thinking I was a First Order.
Whether I should find that amusing or troubling, I’m not sure. But either way, she’s easy to work with.
‘Alright. Time to go in.’
Click.
I opened the classroom door and stepped inside. Sedina, who was already standing at the podium, spotted me and quickly bowed her head.
“Well done.”
“Y-Yes!”
All I said was a single word, yet Sedina trembled with emotion and exited the classroom as if she were overwhelmed.
I stepped up to the podium naturally and scanned the students.
‘Something about this reaction is... odd.’
Most of them were staring at me wide-eyed, as if they couldn’t believe what they were seeing.
It was clear this reaction was because I’d appointed Sedina as my assistant.
Was that really so shocking?
‘And what’s with her.’
Flora Lumos, in particular, was glaring at me with such a sharp expression that even among the students, she stood out.
She was clearly trying not to show emotion, clenching her teeth, but her gaze could’ve cut steel. For a second, I felt like I was on trial.
I ignored her and looked over the rest of the students.
‘Seems like some of their expressions have started to change. Maybe it’s because we’re far enough into the semester now.’
At the beginning of the term, a lot of students had hidden themselves—gauging each other, keeping low profiles.
But now, the feeling of a preliminary round was gone.
Some of the students’ auras had changed significantly since the first class.
The catalyst, no doubt, was Aidan.
“Hm?”
Aidan flinched the moment he felt my gaze on him.
The public duel between Aidan and Jeban Pellio had been enough to send ripples through Seorn’s once-calm atmosphere.
Sure, the werewolf incident had stirred things before, but the blatant conflict between commoner and noble students had been the real breaking point.
Not that it was Aidan’s fault.
It was bound to happen eventually. He had just happened to be the one to set it off.
In some ways, you could call it bad luck for him.
But regardless, it was true that a shift had been triggered at Seorn.
And now the students influenced by that shift were beginning to reveal their true colors.
The problem was, no one could predict whether that shift would lead to good... or something else.
‘That probably explains the current tension in the room.’
All this fuss over a teacher appointing a single assistant. Shocked reactions, whispered speculation, suspicious glances.
It reminded me once again—students really are just students.
“Silence.”
The moment I spoke, the chatter stopped.
Whatever nonsense they were caught up in, it was still just student gossip.
It wasn’t worth my attention.
“Class begins now.”
All a teacher needs to do is teach.
* * *
“That’s all. What we covered today will be on the next exam, so make sure to review it once you’re back.”
After two full hours of lecture.
I had given out a brief assignment and was gathering my materials to leave the classroom when—
“Professor Ludger. I have a question.”
A student raised their hand high.
Though I didn’t usually reject personal questions after class, this was the first time anyone had asked so directly.
Why?
Because up until now, they’d all been too nervous to even approach me.
“What is it?”
Since there was no reason not to answer, I looked toward the raised hand.
The first thing I noticed—hair as white as snow.
The exact same hue as the eternal snow I’d seen in the Arret Mountains before I came to the Exilion Empire.
That symbolic hair color immediately brought her name to mind.
“Julia Plumehart.”
“Oh my. You remembered my name?”
“You attend my lecture.”
Julia Plumehart.
White hair, pale skin, and an aura so icy it felt like you’d freeze if you got too close.
Yet she wore a subtle, captivating smile the entire time.
To put it bluntly—it was a smile that looked insidiously sweet.
But what made her truly memorable was the fact that she ranked first in this year’s entrance exam—Seorn’s top first-year student.
Even the Mage Tower had their eyes on her, already pushing her forward as a rising star.
‘She’s been quiet until now. I didn’t expect this.’
She had kept to herself so well that I’d assumed she preferred to lay low. Now she was suddenly raising a hand.
“So, what’s your question?”
Coming from a prodigy backed by the Mage Tower, it would probably be a technical one—something about magic, perhaps?
I waited patiently for her question.
“How did you select your assistant?”
...That was it?
She was curious about my assistant?
Well, nothing I couldn’t answer.
“I chose her myself.”
“Were there any conditions? Like—was she selected for her outstanding magical ability?”
The moment she said that, the entire class turned their eyes toward me with curiosity.
* * *
Julia’s question may have seemed innocent, but it wasn’t.
Her real intention was to probe Ludger.
He’d suddenly appointed an assistant—but did that person actually deserve it?
Her question was an indirect challenge, implying: Did your assistant get the role through proper merit?
“Or... is she from some prestigious family? Someone whose name speaks for itself?”
When Ludger didn’t respond right away, Julia followed up with something more pointed.
The implication was clear:
Did she give you something in exchange? Was this favoritism?
Anyone else might have been offended by the veiled accusation—but Ludger merely stared back at her with calm, steady eyes.
And once he had everyone’s attention, he finally spoke.
“When I select someone as my assistant, I look for one thing only.”
“And that is?”
“Character.”
The answer was so blunt, Julia was momentarily speechless.
“I don’t care about social status, rank, or reputation. All I look at is character. I appointed my current assistant because she has a good heart.”
“So you’re saying that magical ability or background weren’t considered at all?”
“Exactly. If someone has good character, I welcome them. Of course, they must first have a one-on-one meeting with me. A basic Q&A session.”
And then, without missing a beat, Ludger turned directly to Julia.
“But you, Julia—I don’t see you as someone who could be my assistant.”
“...”
Her coy, teasing smile shattered like glass.
His words were a direct hit—he was plainly telling her her character wasn’t up to standard.
Ludger didn’t even bother watching her reaction. He looked around at the rest of the class.
“Anyone else have questions?”
“Ah, yes! Over here!”
His gaze turned toward the voice.
It was Leo, flanked by Aidan and Taishy. Leo had spoken up, but it was Aidan who looked caught off guard.
“What’s your question, Aidan?”
“Uh—what?”
“You raised your hand, didn’t you? I assume you have a question.”
Aidan hesitated.
Leo had raised his hand, but somehow the focus had shifted to him.
Leo gave him a subtle nudge and mouthed, You got this, tapping his shoulder.
Aidan couldn’t exactly blame Leo. This was a rare chance to ask Ludger something directly.
But the words that came out of his mouth... were something else entirely.
“Um... have you heard about the rumor? About the... wish-granting stone?”
The moment he said it, Aidan wanted to bury his head in the ground.
He’d panicked, his brain froze, and the first thing that popped out was the dumbest thing possible.
He’d meant to ask about his mentor.
Taishy and Leo, who had been encouraging him just seconds ago, now stared at him like what the hell was that?
“I’ve heard it.”
“...!”
The students stared, shocked.
He’s actually answering this?
“I’ve heard it—but let me be clear. It’s nonsense. Or don’t tell me—you’re a student in my class and you actually believe in that absurd fairy tale?”
This translation is the intellectual property of Novelight.
No one ➤ NоvеⅠight ➤ (Read more on our source) could answer that question.
Everyone knew that Aidan hadn’t asked it out of genuine curiosity.
“If you’ve got time to waste on ridiculous rumors, then spend it honing your magic instead. You’re all aware the first evaluation is coming up soon, aren’t you?”
Ludger’s voice dropped to a heavier, more oppressive tone, pressing down on the entire classroom.
The first evaluation exam.
It was the first major test that all grades at Seorn had to face soon after the start of a new term.
And now, it was practically right around the corner.
“Anyone who fails to produce proper results on that day will be considered to have neglected their studies—too busy chasing idle gossip to focus on their work. It’ll be obvious.”
At his closing words, a few students visibly swallowed hard.
“Any more questions?”
“......”
“If not, I’ll be going.”
With that, Ludger turned and left the classroom.
Sedina, who had been waiting with her back against the wall just outside the door, quickly perked up when she saw him exit.
“Ah—th-thank you for your hard work, Professor!”
“Don’t tell me you’ve been standing here the whole time?”
“Yes, sir. Just... ended up that way.”
“From now on, wait comfortably in the assistant’s room. Don’t waste time standing around like this.”
“Y-Yes!”
Even after answering, Sedina fidgeted, clearly wanting to say something else.
“You have more to say?”
“Um, that is...”
Ludger recalled Sedina’s reaction earlier, as well as the earlier exchange with Julia Plumehart.
“This is about Julia Plumehart, isn’t it?”
“N-No, I mean—!”
“Judging by your response, I’m right. Don’t worry. I’m not about to pry into personal matters.”
“O-Okay...”
Sedina let out a quiet breath of relief and nodded.
“Take this.”
“Y-Yesss?! Aah—!”
Ludger handed her a thick stack of assignments. Caught off guard, Sedina fumbled to grab it in time.
Though she nearly toppled over, she managed to regain her balance.
“Sort through it by the end of today.”
“Y-Yes!”
“One answer is enough.”
“Yes!”
“Good.”
Just then, the rear door of the classroom opened, and a girl with long bluish-indigo hair approached Ludger.
Flora Lumos.
Seeing her, Sedina quietly stepped back, still hugging the stack of papers tightly.
“Flora Lumos. What is it?”
“I, uh... I heard you selected an assistant...”
“As you can see. I’ve appointed one. Why do you ask?”
“I, well...”
Flora had wanted to ask Ludger why he hadn’t offered the position to her.
But she suddenly realized how absurd that thought was.
God, was she seriously about to demand an explanation? That would make it seem like... she was jealous or something.
This wasn’t like her.
As she struggled internally, clenching and unclenching her fists, Ludger asked dryly,
“Or were you planning to apply?”
“W-What?! Me?! No, of course not!!”
Flora blurted out louder than she meant to.
Realizing how ridiculous she sounded, she quickly covered her mouth with both hands.
Her porcelain cheeks flushed a vivid red.
“I see. If you’re not interested, that’s fine.”
“N-No, I mean...”
“Still, the offer’s always open. If you change your mind, you’re welcome to apply. You might just qualify.”
With that, Ludger turned and walked away.
Flora stood frozen, staring blankly at his retreating figure as he disappeared down the hallway.
You might just qualify.
What exactly did that mean?
Flora clenched her fists tightly, biting her lip.
...So irritating.
She didn’t know what was more frustrating—her own ridiculous reaction to something so trivial, or the fact that Ludger had been stuck in her mind since their very first class.
How had things gotten to this point?
“Hmph.”
Still, she didn’t let any of it show on the surface.
At Seorn, she always had to be composed and dignified.
* * *
Back in his private office, Ludger had barely returned before he had to rise again.
[Professor Ludger? Could you come to my office for a moment?]
The request had come directly from the Headmaster herself.
Why, though?
He hadn’t had time to ask.
The communication device had shut off immediately after the message was delivered.
In the end, Ludger had no choice but to head to the Headmaster’s office.
He rode the elevator up to the very top floor of the main building.
Crossing the corridor, he arrived at the office door and knocked crisply.
Knock knock.
“Ludger Cherish here.”
“Come in.”
The door opened automatically at the sound of the Headmaster’s voice.
Inside, she was alone. Ludger stepped in and sat in the empty seat opposite her, naturally and without hesitation.
“What is the reason for calling me?”
“Professor Ludger. Have you heard the rumor?”
Instead of answering, she responded with a question of her own.
A rumor?
“What rumor, exactly?”
“The one about the wish-granting stone.”
“The... wish-granting stone?”
Ludger nodded.
“I’ve heard a bit. Seems it’s become quite popular among the students.”
“I thought as much.”
“Still, I dismissed it as idle nonsense. Didn’t see a reason to pay it much mind.”
“Oh. So you do believe it’s nonsense, then?”
The Headmaster smiled cryptically and slowly shook her head.
Then, she dropped a bombshell.
“In truth... the wish-granting stone actually exists.”
