Joint Training Camp

—Several weeks have passed since my encounter with Letitia’s sister, Olivia-san.

By the way, I haven’t revealed to Letitia that I met her.

I intended to tell her normally, but Olivia-san asked me to please keep it a secret.

Apparently, she “doesn’t want to cause her sister unnecessary worry.”

Well, there are indications that Letitia intentionally distanced herself out of concern for her family in the first place.

It might certainly be better not to say anything.

I made Leonil, Ivan, and the others promise not to speak of it, so I don’t think there’s any worry of it leaking for the time being.

I intend to tell her eventually, but it should be fine to wait until school life settles down a bit more.

Or so I thought, but—

“—Class E and Class D proposed a joint training camp?”

“Yes! They said, ‘By all means, please’!”

During break time, Paula-sensei conveyed this in a crisp manner.

It was a story far too abrupt.

“…Is a student-led training camp something that gets approved that easily? I mean, won’t it disrupt the class schedule and stuff…?”

“That point is fine! We will conduct normal classes at the camp destination, so no disruption will occur in the schedule! Rather, since night classes are included, we will proceed faster than usual!”

“I-Is that so…”

What a pain…

That just means we’ll be made to study even more than usual…

Maybe I should just refuse normally…

Actually, I want to refuse.

Because I don’t see the point.

“Besides, this is not a student-led training camp! It is a proposal from Class D’s homeroom teacher, Raymond Quadra-sensei!”

“! Class D’s homeroom teacher…?”

Why would a homeroom teacher suddenly suggest a training camp?

If it were Class E, whom I humiliated, I’d understand.

…What is this?

I feel like something is suspicious…

I really should refu—

“Isn’t it fine, Baron Odrant? To accept the invitation.”

While I was vaguely hesitating, Ivan spoke up with his arms crossed.

“Hah? Hey Ivan—”

“Paula-sensei, what is the main lesson content to be conducted at the camp?”

“Let’s see, it relates to practical magic application!”

When she answered, Ivan adjusted his glasses with his middle finger, saying, “As I thought.”

“Class D’s Raymond Quadra-sensei is a former official of the Ministry of Magic. Most likely, he thinks that if it’s his own students, he can show off the difference in talent compared to us and Class E.”

“That is a possibility! Because the evaluation of the class becomes the evaluation of the teacher as well!”

“Class D is plotting to increase their points using this opportunity. However, that is advantageous for us as well.”

Ivan smiled fearlessly.

A face that seemed to say, “This is a chance.”

“If we play our cards right… we might be able to efficiently steal points from two classes, you know?”

“Look here… I don’t really have the motivation to actively earn points.”

“You cannot say that. Either way, the other side is motivated. Besides, sooner or later, the fact that our points will be targeted won’t change.”

“That, might be true, but…”

“That’s right, Baron Odrant! You should definitely show your power to Class D as well!”

Now Leonil joined the conversation.

Another troublesome guy has increased the pressure…

“You won’t lose to anyone! Let’s happily accept this challenge!”

“Leonil… You…”

“So he says—Letitia-san, what do you think?”

Ivan passed the conversation to Letitia, sitting in the seat behind me.

After thinking for a moment, she said,

“…Right, it might certainly be as Ivan says.”

She agreed with Ivan.

At the same time, she looked at Paula-sensei.

“Paula-sensei, what happens if we refuse this invitation?”

“In that case, we would have to deduct points from Class F!”

Hearing the reply, Letitia shrugged, “Ah, just as I thought.”

In contrast, I was shocked.

“—Hah!? Why!?”

“Because it can be judged that Class E and Class D have more motivation than Class F! The difference in motivation is the difference in talent!”

Dammit, what a pain in the ass!

That means we practically have no right of refusal!

Don’t screw with me!

I mean, Paula-sensei, show us a little favoritism, will you…

We’re your students!

You’re too ruthless!

“Since that is the case, I think we have no choice but to do it, Alban.”

“…Fine, I got it. If Letitia says so, I’ll participate…”

It’s a pain, but it can’t be helped.

I can’t stand having points deducted just for non-participation.

Besides, if Letitia says she’ll do it, I can’t show a pathetic side.

Good grief, I’ve been dragged into quite a mess…

While I was grumbling internally like that, “…Even so, former Ministry of Magic—huh.”

Letitia muttered mixed with a sigh.

She sounded somewhat lonely.

…? What’s wrong? Does the sound of the Ministry of Magic ring that—

—Ah.

Come to think of it, Letitia’s sister Olivia-san is…

At that moment, an idea suddenly floated into my mind.

—Honestly, I don’t know what Class D is plotting.

In that case, there’s no harm in keeping them in “check.”

Besides… with this, couldn’t I let the two of them meet under the pretext of official work?

Alright—

“Paula-sensei, do you have a moment?”

“Yes, what is it!”

“That training camp—is it possible to invite a Special Guest Lecturer?”

▲ ▲ ▲

—The Sea.

For students, it is the supreme spot to create memories of youth.

The sound of water rushing in and retreating, zaa, and the unique briny scent of the sea breeze.

Those with youthful blood to spare surely can’t help but shout “It’s the sea—!” upon seeing the vast ocean extending from the sandy beach.

…However, I couldn’t quite get into that tension.

“Well then everyone, the fun Joint Training Camp begins! Let’s enjoy it to the fullest!”

Paula-sensei greeted the gathered students crisply.

Three pensions built on a hill overlooking the sea.

Gathered in the front garden, we, the students of the Royal Academy, lined up.

The mood is exactly like a forest school trip.

…Though the atmosphere is somewhat savage.

The bunch from Class E is clearly looking at us with eyes that see an enemy.

Incidentally, I don’t see that Michel-something, the Class E “King” whom I beat to a pulp with magic.

Did he already get expelled?

No, I feel like that’s too fast, but…

Well, whatever.

I don’t really care.

“—Students of each class, I am Raymond Quadra, the one who proposed this joint training camp. Pleased to make your acquaintance.”

Standing next to Paula-sensei, a man with a monocle greeted us with a pleasant smile.

Class D’s homeroom teacher, Raymond Quadra.

His age is roughly mid-thirties to forty; at a glance, he seems like a gentle, kind man.

But—there is a shadow somewhere.

In a word, suspicious. The atmosphere he wears.

It feels like he is casually hiding something.

This is just intuition, though.

But I think there’s no mistake that he’s not just a simple good-natured person.

Otherwise, would anyone normally propose a joint training camp right after I beat the Class E “King” to a pulp?

It is fully possible he might try something.

Often, guys like this have an ulterior motive.

However… Apart from that, it is also a fact that I feel a high magical power from him, fitting for someone who used to belong to the Ministry of Magic.

There is no doubt he is a mage with considerable ability.

“For this camp, I will be the person in charge, with Class E’s Julian-sensei and Class F’s Paula-sensei serving as assistants. We will strive to ensure everyone becomes even more well-versed in academics and magic, so I look forward to working with you.”

—He talks big.

The reality of this joint camp is probably more accurately called a “Class D Reinforcement Camp,” right?

His real intention must be to have his own class kick down the other classes and earn points using this opportunity.

Otherwise, there’s no way the Royal Academy, which condones kicking each other down, would hold a chummy training camp.

Well—as long as Letitia and I are here, I won’t let it go that smoothly.

“Also… this time, we have invited a Special Guest Lecturer from the Ministry of Magic.”

When Raymond-sensei said that—suddenly, a woman appeared fluently next to him.

In an instant, the students buzzed, zawa.

Teleportation magic—no, that’s not it.

I don’t see a magic circle like the one from when I fought the Cyclops.

Most likely, she was using a spell to make her body invisible.

Did she cancel it to make it look like she teleported instantly?

Either way, there is no doubt it is very high-level magic.

Plus, I didn’t sense her presence until now.

As expected—she’s impressive.

Seeing the figure of that woman, Letitia—

“────Sister… wait…!?”

Her eyes went wide in extreme surprise.

It seems even Letitia couldn’t predict her appearance.

Alright, alright, surprise for my beloved wife is big success.

The woman who appeared pinched her skirt with her fingertips and introduced herself.

“Nice to meet you, everyone from the Royal Academy. I am Olivia Barrow, from the Ministry of Magic.”

“Barrow…? Barrow, you mean the Barrow Duke house…!?”

“Does that mean—!”

“Could it be, she is Letitia-san’s older sister!?”

“A-Amazing, they look exactly alike…!”

The students of Class D and E, and of course the members of Class F, looked greatly surprised.

The reaction of the girls was particularly interesting to watch.

But, well, of course they’d be surprised.

She really looks just like Letitia.

Olivia-san glanced toward Letitia, and, “Since I will be serving as the Special Guest Lecturer for this camp—please treat me well.”

▲ ▲ ▲

“Letitia! I missed yooooouuu!!!”

During the Break time after the greetings ended.

As if she had been waiting for this, Olivia-san hugged Letitia with great force.

“S-Sister, I can’t breathe…!”

“Aah, my cute, cute little sister…! I’ve been worried about you forever and ever!”

Rub, rub.

Olivia-san was rubbing her cheek against her sister’s with all her might.

She must have been truly, from the bottom of her heart, worried.

That feeling was conveyed more than enough from her actions.

Yeah, yeah, I understand…

Being separated from Letitia is too painful, right…

If she were to get kidnapped, it’s on the level where you’d want to slaughter everyone involved, right…

I nodded to myself alone, empathizing fiercely with Olivia-san.

“B-But why are you here, Sister…? Alban only said he had an ‘acquaintance in the Ministry of Magic’…”

“Yes, he and I are splendid acquaintances. We met by chance in the castle town a little while ago.”

“…Alban, you hid it from me, didn’t you?”

My wife looked at me with a sullen face.

In response, I whistled and looked away.

It pained my heart to keep a secret too, but more than that, I wanted to see her happy face.

So I’d like her not to be angry, I hope.

…Because the guilt of keeping it secret gets even stronger.

“But I’m glad you look well. And you’ve become even more beautiful in the short time we haven’t met.”

“S-Stop it… I’m not a child anymore…!”

“Ufufu, to a sister, a younger sister is like a child forever.”

Olivia-san stroked Letitia’s head with a heartwarming smile.

In response, Letitia blushed in embarrassment.

Oh? This is an unexpected side of her.

To think I’d see a side of Letitia being treated like a child.

Since she usually acts more mature than her age, I can’t help but feel the gap.

It was so cute that my chest inadvertently throbbed, dokiri.

I feel like I’m going to fall for my wife all over again…

Oh my, is this love…?

While I was thinking that, Letitia’s expression clouded just a little.

“But… if you meet me, Sister, won’t Father make a sour face…”

“Don’t worry about that! This is official business of the Ministry of Magic, so even Father can’t complain. More importantly—”

Olivia-san continued, looking toward me.

“…You met a good husband, truly.”

“Sister…”

“I think from the bottom of my heart that it is good that Alban Odrant is the person who treasures you. If it is him, I can entrust my sister to him.”

Olivia-san gave a wink, pachi.

Letitia also smiled somewhat happily, and,

“—Yes. I also think from the bottom of my heart that it is good that Alban is my husband.”

She said it.

O-Oh…

Being told that so formally, I’m actually a little embarrassed…

But… I’m happy.

To have her say that.

“Now then—let’s leave the touching reunion at that.”

Olivia-san clapped her hands, pan.

As if to say, let’s reset.

“Since I am here technically as a person of the Ministry of Magic, I will fulfill my duty properly.”

▲ ▲ ▲

And so began Olivia-san’s magic instruction.

Since she holds a post in the Ministry of Magic, I had no doubts about her skill—but in reality, it was beyond my imagination.

“Right, imagine yourself using magic.”

“Ideally, sense the magical power welling up from deep below your navel, and release it.”

“Magic is certainly something influenced by individual talent. But that is not everything. What is important, ultimately, is repetitive practice, imagination, and a little ingenuity.”

—Olivia-san’s instruction was easy to understand, and moreover, precise.

She didn’t use complicated terminology or try to show off her own ability at all; she taught the basics so that even complete magic beginners could understand.

Thanks to that, in just one day, the magic level of everyone in Classes D through F improved.

Within Class F, Rowen and Ester were somewhat weak at magic, but even those two succeeded in increasing their magic output.

I think this is quietly astounding.

When I trained in magic under Sebas, it took about a week to increase my output.

Just like the sword, handling magic and mana requires sense.

How concretely can you imagine the scene when you activate magic… this could be called a world of sensitivity.

Polishing that sensitivity is quite difficult.

Especially if it’s to be polished in a short period, high sense and sensitivity are required of the teacher as well.

Thinking about it that way, I can reaffirm that Sebas was a possessor of excellent sensitivity as an instructor—but Olivia-san might be even above that.

Considering the illusion magic I was hit with before, the title of Ministry Department Head isn’t just for show.

“Good feel, Shanoa-chan. You catch on very quickly.”

“I-Is that so…?”

“Yes, you have a lot of mana and seem to have good intuition. I’m sure you will become an excellent mage.”

“E-Ehehe…”

Shanoa seems to have aptitude even among the students, showing dramatic growth.

In both study and martial arts, it is sometimes said that “meeting a good teacher can transform a person in a single day.”

I’m looking forward to seeing what kind of mage she will become.

▲ ▲ ▲

<Olivia Barrow Perspective Side>

“—As expected, you haven’t changed. You are skilled at both handling and teaching magic.”

I was spoken to from behind.

It was Raymond’s voice.

“…Let me tell you, flattery will get you nowhere.”

“I didn’t mean it like that. I just stated a fact as a fact.”

Wearing his usual smile, Raymond came to my side.

—Raymond and I are technically acquaintances.

Originally, he held a position equal to mine.

To think we would reunite in this form…

Personally, I would have preferred not to meet him if possible.

“However, I was surprised. Just when I thought Class F started saying they wanted to invite a Special Guest Lecturer from the Ministry, to think you would be dispatched.”

“Oh my, teaching and passing on magic to students with a future is a splendid duty. If asked, I will gladly do it.”

“Fufu, in reality, didn’t you just come to see your sister?”

—Lacking in delicacy, as usual.

Since long ago, I did not like Raymond, who lacks so much consideration for others.

“You may interpret it however you like. However, let me just say I won’t do anything irresponsible.”

“That is excellent.”

“More importantly… so you were working as a teacher at the Royal Academy. I wondered what on earth you were doing after being chased out of the Ministry.”

“I am a genius mage, after all. There are plenty of places for me.”

Raymond said it openly.

As I thought, this arrogant part of him hasn’t changed either.

“With that phrasing, it seems you haven’t reflected much—On the fact that you dabbled in magic designated as ‘Taboo’ by the Ministry.”

“Ah… that was regrettable. Even though a great magic that would overturn history was about to be born with just a little more.”

—The moment I heard those words, I mentally prepared myself to fire offensive magic at any time.

Thinking that depending on the situation, I might have to punish him right here and now.

“That said, I am reflecting, you know. That is why I withdrew from research and am solemnly engaged in teaching duties like this.”

“…”

“More than that… your sister and her husband, Letitia Barrow and Alban Odrant—they are wonderful.”

Just when I thought he suddenly changed the subject, he spoke with admiration.

As if groaning, as if in ecstasy.

“Those two are a lump of possibility. Baron Odrant’s mana goes without saying, but I feel a talent from Letitia-jo not inferior to yours… It is nothing but regrettable that they did not transfer into my class.”

Curiosity dwelled in Raymond’s eyes as he spoke.

A curiosity that anyone who researches magic could possess, but clearly abnormal.

I sensed the same danger from those eyes as before.

“…It is fortunate that didn’t happen. As if I could entrust my sister to a human who calls people ‘that’.”

“Oops, was that a slip of the tongue? My apologies, but there is no malice here.”

Laughing Hahaha, he took a step forward.

“Besides, look… those two haven’t been engaged for long, right? There is no way I, a teacher, would destroy that happiness.”

Saying that with a smile, he walked toward the students, saying, “Now, let’s move to the next lesson item.”