Chapter 68 – Weiss is discovered

What is this… Am I going senile…?

I was supposed to be the teacher in charge of an underclassmen class, but it looks like there’s a pretty big boy mixed in there…

“Good morning. Let me introduce myself again. My name is Esmeralda Eisenburn, and I will do my best not to be outdone by your youthful energy. It’s nice to meet you… Hihihi.”

““Good morning Miss Esmeralda!””

That big good morning chorus… It feels so nostalgic. It really makes me feel like a teacher again. I don’t know how many decades it’s been since I had an underclassmen class, but this is nice.

…When they become upperclassmen, they like to act like adults and lose that energy. Like that one in the back with his arms crossed.

Why is he here, really? He even used transparency magic. Did he think I wouldn’t notice?

“Well then… Let’s start with some nice introductions from all of you. At this age it’s hard to remember names, so sorry, and bear with me.”

I’ve always been bad with names… There was even a time when it took me a year to remember the whole class. I hope I can remember them more painlessly this time.

“…My favorite food is…”

“…My hobby is…”

“…Nice to meet you all!”

…Yes, this is pretty bad, I can’t remember any of them. Wait, which kid likes sweets and which kid is good with fire magic?

Now that I think about it, when I was in charge of the class of that one over there listening to the kids and nodding, theirs were all pretty easy to remember. There was him and Sieglinde, Medici is from a noted family too… And they’re all parents now. Time really flies. Well, Medici is one thing, but there’s something going on with the other too.

It was obvious to everyone that Sieglinde liked him back then, and apparently he was the only one who didn’t know. From my point of view, it feels really weird to see them get close after all this time.

They didn’t feel like husband and wife yesterday either. Is Sieglinde ever going to be rewarded…

Oh, and just as I’m thinking of them, it’s that girl’s turn. The one who’s the whole reason why I’m back in magic school.

“Ririh… Hum… Fre? Fran… I’m Ririh! I like pancakes and my daddy! I wanna be a great sorcerer and help my daddy!”

It’s Ririi Frenberg. Take better care of the nice name you got from your dad.

“…”

Speaking of him, it looks like he’s about to cry. Weiss, were you always like this?

◆

“So what are you doing here?”

The first class with Miss Esmeralda, that was actually just everyone introducing themselves, is over, and all the students are leaving to another room to have their magic energy measured. I was just about to follow them, when Miss Esmeralda called me out.

“So you did notice me.”

“Of course I did, who do you think I am? What a doting parent you are, bringing out high level magic like transparency and presence obstruction just to see how your daughter’s doing.”

“Me, a doting parent?”

I commend her on seeing through my transparency magic, but she’s way off. I guess no matter how good you are with magic, that doesn’t make you understand people’s hearts.

“I just wanted to see if you still got it. And it looks like I shouldn’t have worried.”

“I don’t remember getting so old that my students have to start worrying about me. You can rest easy and leave that girl to me.”

“Is that why you came back so suddenly?”

“I just asked the magic school a tiny favor. You can’t leave a legendary high elf to a new teacher, now can you?”

“Well, if there’s one thing you’re not, it’s unqualified to be a teacher. I know that better than anyone.”

Although it is a double-edged sword. We’re talking about a teacher that roasts a nearby forest and calls it a lesson.

“Make sure you train her well. I want her to be able to defend herself.”

Ririi is a survivor of the high elf race that was thought to be lost forever, so I’m sure she’s going to face problems in the future. It’s my goal to raise her so she can live on her own… I’m not going to be with her forever.

“You can leave her to me. Well, she’s your and Sieglinde’s kid, so that covers both practical skill and schoolwork.”

“…I told you before, we’re not related by blood.”

“I know. Nevermind that, pay a little more attention to Sieglinde.”

“Sieglinde? What about her?”

“Isn’t it normal for a husband to care about his wife?”

“She just wants the role of mother to be able to study Ririi, it’s not like we actually have that kind of relationship… But sure, I’ll think about that.”

Pay attention… All I can really do is wander around the commercial street with her like we did in the old days. The capital is thriving, but it’s no match for Zenith in terms of entertainment.

But oh well, no point in thinking about it now. I’ll ask her out somewhere later.

“…That’s it for me then. Please look after Ririi.”

“Don’t you want to see the magic energy measurement?”

Her words grab me just as I’m about to leave.

“Aren’t you curious about her aptitudes?”

“…If you insist, I guess I have to go watch.”

“Hihi… You really are a big doting parent.”

“What parent doesn’t care about his daughter?”

I really feel like she’s misunderstanding. Someone who has known me for so long should know I’m not that kind of person.