“So, Father, does that mean another reckless magic tutor is coming today to challenge big brother Gawain?”
At one corner of the dining table, still wearing a camel-colored thick coat, Rudeus held a teacup, his face full of sympathy.
Paul’s mouth twitched as he smacked Rudeus on the head, causing tea to splash onto the table.
The head of the household said irritably:
“Wasn’t the last teacher rejected by you, brat?!
And this is to find a suitable teacher for the three of you, not some kind of debate competition!”
Seeing her husband vent his embarrassment on their son, Zenith immediately came over with a stern face and smacked Paul on the head with a tray.
Lilia followed up by wiping the spilled tea from the table and then used a handkerchief to clean the young master’s hands.
Under Zenith’s watchful gaze behind him, Paul held his head and almost pleaded with the black-haired boy in simple white short sleeves and shorts sitting on the other side:
“Anyway, Gawain, just bear with it.”
But Gawain simply kept his eyes on his adorable little sister, who was nibbling pancakes like a small animal, and waved his hand casually, agreeing:
“Then we’ll go with what we agreed last time—if Rudeus thinks it’s acceptable, then we’ll accept.
But speaking of which, do we know what kind of teacher is coming this time?
Some candidates already look completely unqualified just from their resumes.”
This was Gawain’s requirement: in the posted request, they had specified minimum qualifications.
Applicants who passed the guild’s initial screening then had to send in a rough résumé in advance and arrange a specific visiting date.
If they failed the interview, their round-trip travel expenses and mailing costs would be reimbursed—but this also meant that each rejection cost as much as one Asura silver coin.
Incidentally, despite the many rejections, one reason people still stubbornly came to try was that the price Gawain suggested was fairly generous.
Covering travel expenses aside, the teacher’s monthly salary had increased from Paul’s original proposal of “five Asura silver coins per month, room and board included” to “nine Asura silver coins per month, room and board included, with additional bonuses depending on teaching ability.” According to their agreed AA split, Laws’s family would cover six silver coins.
Paul’s family naturally found this more cost-effective than hiring a teacher alone and had no objections, while Laws and Debbie even felt a bit embarrassed, since the money had originally been left by Elinalise for Gawain.
Well-prepared, Paul took out a sheet of paper and read:
“This time, the magic teacher applying is a middle-aged scholar who has long studied magic, graduated from Ranoa Magic Academy, specializes in water-attribute offensive magic, and is also a high-level adventurer.”
Rudeus stroked his smooth chin and commented:
“That sounds familiar, Father.”
Gawain pointed it out:
“Because you said the exact same thing last time.”
However, when Paul had said it before, Rudeus hadn’t been present—he had probably read the information sent by the guild in advance.
Rudeus sighed, no longer expecting much:
“Looks like it’ll be the same result again.
Big brother Gawain, I feel like if we keep self-studying, we won’t even need a tutor anymore.”
Gawain disagreed:
“Your discoveries alone prove that the general textbook your family owns contains quite a few errors.
That book can only serve as a reference.
The same applies to any tutor we hire, and even the knowledge we’ll learn at Ranoa Magic Academy in the future.”
“The truth becomes clearer through debate.
In that process, we need a large amount of critical learning.
So as long as a tutor can bring us new knowledge, new perspectives, and new ways of thinking, they are qualified.”
After this topic ended, everyone chatted casually again.
Until the sound of knocking came.
Gawain jumped off his chair and, quite familiarly, went to open the door first.
The others followed behind.
As the head of the household, Paul had no objections—after all, it was always Gawain who relentlessly tormented the applicants.
Honestly, after experiencing this repeatedly, Paul almost wanted to run away.
But Paul was dragged forward by Rudeus, who had an expression of watching a show, making Paul feel as if he were the son instead.
The door opened.
What appeared before everyone’s eyes was an unexpected sight.
Standing at the door was a very young girl.
She didn’t seem to be even fifteen yet.
She wore a brown robe in a mage’s style, with light blue hair braided into a plait.
Her appearance could be described as petite and neat.
Her snow-white skin had not been tanned by sunlight, her eyes were slightly narrowed as if she were sleepy, and her lips were pressed into a faintly indifferent line.
Even without glasses, she gave the impression of a literary girl who spent all day in a library.
In her hand was only a leather bag and a staff that clearly looked like something a mage would carry.
Everyone gathered at the doorway was stunned.
Rudeus even blurted out in shock:
“So small.”
At this moment, Paul once again showed the reliability of an adult.
He immediately stepped in front of Gawain—though it was unclear whether he intended to handle this apparent misunderstanding for little Gawain or to protect the girl from Gawain.
He tried his best to straighten his tongue:
“You… are you the tutor here to apply?”
“Did you read our recruitment requirements?
Could there have been a mistake on the guild’s side?”
It seemed the one being guarded against was little Gawain.
The blue-braided girl sighed as if she were used to this.
She took off her wide triangular hat and held it against her chest as she explained:
“Don’t let my appearance fool you.
I’ve been an adult for a long time—this is just due to my race.
I’m thirty-eight this year.
I’m also an outstanding graduate of Ranoa Magic Academy, a Saint-level Water Mage, and an A-rank adventurer.”
It did indeed sound impressive, so everyone instinctively looked toward Gawain, who stood in the middle, hoping that the one who was effectively the decision-maker would say something.
But Gawain only responded to the gaze beside him.
He gave a slight nod and said:
“She can be given a try.
Her total mana is about the same as Sylphiette’s current level—quite good for a traditional mage.”
The blue-haired girl’s eyes instantly sharpened.
Magic-related ability was the part she was most proud of, and being evaluated in such a dismissive manner by a mere child was not something she could easily accept.
With the resolve to ask clearly even if she were rejected immediately, the blue-haired girl spoke up at once:
“And who exactly is this Sylphiette you’re referring to?”
She scanned the group.
Was it that maid?
Or that blonde lady who looked like a noble?
Or someone this black-haired brat knew?
Then, right before her eyes, the black-haired little brat pulled out an even younger green-haired long-eared girl from behind him.
The little girl covered her hair and gave a timid smile, politely introducing herself:
“Hello, I’m Sylphiette.”
Green hair…
And her own mana only being comparable to that of a three-year-old child…
Both of these facts dealt a heavy blow to the genius teacher who had come to apply.
In the next moment, the black-haired brat pulled over the brown-haired boy at his other side and stabbed once more at her pride:
“This is Rudeus Greyrat.
His current mana is about a hundred times yours.”
The brown-haired boy waved shyly.
Then, somewhat dazed, the blue-haired girl looked again at the black-haired boy standing at the center, unable to imagine just how absurd this irritating brat himself might be.
As if reading her mind, Gawain said calmly:
“Don’t worry.
My mana is only about half of Sylphiette’s.”
“And the three of us are your future students.”
“As long as you can pass my next simple questions.”
Ten minutes later, in the courtyard.
“Congratulations, Teacher Roxy.
Shall we officially begin classes tomorrow?”
Unfortunately, Roxy Migurdia, who was sitting on a stone bench, was already like a withered husk, her face pale.
She could not hear, nor could she speak.
She was brain-dead.