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Chapter 30

The Academy was abuzz with parent-teacher conferences. The students were excited that their parents were coming to school, and the parents were nervous about meeting the professors. It was a valuable opportunity to learn firsthand how their children were adjusting and how their grades were doing. It was also a chance for parents to network with each other, so everyone had clearly put great care into their attire.

"Gasp—wait, Mom? Is that really you?"

Some students looked bewildered by their parents' unfamiliar, dressed-up appearances.

And for Lamiya, this was her first parent-teacher conference.

"Sorno is doing fine without any major issues. His magical potions grades are near the bottom, but that's up to him going forward. His class participation has been neither particularly diligent nor particularly negligent."

"Ah... yes, Professor."

Sorno's parents looked somewhat awkward.

"How are his relationships with classmates...?"

Lamiya paused as if recalling something.

"Hmm... I'm not sure. What you see isn't necessarily the whole picture. He hasn't come to me with any issues of that nature."

The answer was strangely vague. Sorno's father needed something more concrete.

"I noticed his arm was bandaged when I saw him earlier... I was wondering if there was any problem. Given the nature of his major, it's hard to trust his assurances. I heard the magical potions class had a match against the swordsmanship class—apparently they've been crossing dangerous lines, but every time I ask, I get vague answers..."

Lamiya recalled Sorno's calm face.

"I think I understand what you mean. He hasn't lied to you, so you needn't worry. However, the wound has healed, yet he continues to wear the bandage."

"...Sigh."

Sorno's father rubbed his face in embarrassment. Watching him, Lamiya thought that Sorno might not be simply a quiet child after all.

"You must be Vassen's father."

"Good day, Professor."

He had the flashy appearance befitting a wealthy merchant—tall and smooth-talking, clearly resembling Vassen in many ways.

"I heard you're the longest-serving professor in the magical potions department—I never imagined you'd be so young! Seeing you in person is even more surprising!"

"Is that so."

Lamiya nodded absently and reviewed Vassen's file.

"Vassen has been attending class without any major issues. From his recent activities, he seems more proactive than I expected. According to the other students, he has excellent situational judgment. Of course, his magical potions exam scores could use some improvement."

Vassen's father beamed at that. He seemed to have a good relationship with his son. He asked a few more questions, and Lamiya did her best to answer within her knowledge, but since she'd only been in charge for a few months, her insight was limited.

"He looks cheerful on the outside, but he's actually quite frail."

Vassen's father looked concerned. Lamiya sensed this was what he truly wanted to say.

"He's been prone to illness... but seeing him do so well, I'm relieved. I hope you'll keep an eye on him, Professor."

"Of course."

Lamiya nodded calmly, and Vassen's father regained his cheerful demeanor as if nothing had happened.

"An interesting professor. Haha."

Lamiya conducted several more interviews. Having been newly appointed, she honestly had little to say beyond academic performance. She didn't know how other professors conducted their interviews, but she sensed the parents were somewhat taken aback.

"I asked Benjamin, and I followed the guidebook... what could be wrong?"

Muttering quietly, Lamiya saw that she had about two hours before her next interview and decided to step out of the laboratory for some fresh air. She took a leisurely walk and pulled a folded paper from her pocket with the schedule. The Headmaster's office had prepared it for her, so it only listed times—not which parent belonged to whom. The Headmaster had assured her that parental identities would be verified for precautionary reasons, though she didn't know exactly why.

"Three left..."

Actually, the magical potions class had far fewer parent-teacher interviews than other classes. In a way, that wasn't surprising. Nobles were ashamed of children who had ended up in the magical potions class, and commoner families weren't much different. Perhaps, once their children had been assigned there, they saw no reason to take further interest in their school life.

"As expected, life is a solitary journey."

Parents don't give unconditional love. Expecting it only leads to hurt. Some might be different, but you can't choose your family. You shouldn't take love for granted—Lamiya could say that from personal experience.

Anyway, that meant Lamiya had free time now.

"Professor Lamiya!"

As she strolled along leisurely pondering life, a male voice called from behind. It was Headmaster Kamirgold. He was also a key figure in the parent-teacher conferences—busier than she was, surely. Why was he here...?

"Perfect timing."

"Good day, Headmaster."

Lamiya looked at Kamirgold, who had quickly approached, and her brow twitched slightly. He looked pleased.

"I just remembered something urgent—I need you to go to the main gate and bring a guest who's here as a guardian to my office. It should take about thirty minutes, so just keep them occupied until then."

"...Pardon?"

For once, even Lamiya was taken aback by the request. Was he really asking her to make small talk with a complete stranger...?

"Don't feel pressured. I'm counting on you. There'll be a carriage waiting at the gate."

"I'm sorry, but someone else would be more suitable—"

"Oh dear, I'm already late. I'll see you in my office!"

Checking his watch, Kamirgold hurried away. Lamiya was left speechless, staring blankly at his retreating back.

"If the Headmaster himself was going to greet this person... they must be an important guest. What was he thinking, asking me?"

Lamiya knew all too well that she had zero social skills, which made the Headmaster's request even more puzzling. But... what could she do? He was her boss.

"Just do as I'm told."

Lamiya quickened her pace and headed for the main gate. The Academy grounds were so vast that even at a brisk pace, it took quite a while.

A magnificent white carriage stood before the large iron gate—opulent and extravagant. Even the horses were white. Wow, blinding.

The coachman waiting by the carriage knocked on the door, and a man stepped out. Fiery red hair and eyes just a shade darker—a strikingly prominent figure. His lightly tanned, bronze skin complemented his red eyes, giving him a strong, commanding presence.

Even at a glance, his solid build suggested years of swordsmanship training. He seemed to be here as a guardian today. Lamiya bowed politely to the man, clearly the Headmaster's guest.

"Hello. I'm Lamiya, magical potions professor at Mariposa Academy. The Headmaster had a sudden urgent matter, so I've come in his stead. I hope you'll understand."

The man smiled and introduced himself. Despite his appearance, his demeanor was gentle and kind.

"Pleased to meet you. I'm Edward. My younger sibling attends Mariposa Academy. I came to see how they're doing and to meet the Headmaster as well."

Though clearly of high status, he hadn't given his family name, and he didn't seem at all offended that Lamiya—not the Headmaster—had come to greet him. His smile was striking. Lamiya clasped his extended hand.

"If it's not too forward, may I take you on a walk along the path to the Headmaster's office?"

"I'd appreciate that. I'll get to see my alma mater properly after a long time."

Edward readily agreed.

Fortunately, Lamiya didn't have to strain her nonexistent social skills while walking to the Headmaster's office. Edward kept the conversation flowing effortlessly and even made her feel at ease. Having attended Mariposa himself, he seemed to know the place better than she did.

"Headmaster Kamirgold praised the new magical potions professor—he said she's exceptionally talented. Apparently, she was hired against fierce competition."

"Ah, really."

Lamiya, unaccustomed to praise, gave perfunctory responses.

"He's the type to see others' strengths first, but I've never seen him praise anyone so highly... I didn't expect to be greeted personally."

"Not at all."

"I also heard you're the longest-serving magical potions professor since the department was established..."

"...Ah, really."

Lamiya wondered just how far these rumors had spread. Well, since he had a sibling at the Academy, he'd naturally know. Which department? At least it didn't seem to be a magical potions student...

"So I imagined someone much older and more distinguished—I never expected you to be so young. You seem about my age."

Lamiya readily revealed her age.

"I'm twenty-three."

Edward had come as a guardian and seemed mature and sociable, so she'd assumed he was older—at least twenty-six.

Edward hurriedly waved his hand.

"It would have been impolite of me to ask your age—I wasn't trying to pressure you."

Lamiya didn't consider it rude at all. A guardian might naturally want to know the professor's age. But what followed made her eyes widen as well.

"But... I'm actually younger. I'm twenty-one."

...Twenty-one?

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