[Roxy’s POV]
When Gawain knocks on the door while holding Sylphiette.
Greets everyone present politely, then receives today’s lunch or snacks from Lady Zenith, perhaps exchanging a few words with Mr.
Paul.
I will then join up with Rudeus and the two of them, and together we will walk along the path in front of the house, pass through the village, go to Gawain’s home, and say goodbye to Mr.
and Mrs.
Laws in the fields.
Thus, a new day begins.
For the past month, it has always been like this.
The only difference from before is that I am carrying a suitcase, dressed exactly the same as when I first arrived in this village a month ago.
Roxy raised her hand to block the dazzling morning sunlight.
After adjusting for a moment, the blue sky and the wisps of white clouds drifting rapidly were beautifully reflected in her eyes.
The wind today is also very nice.
Blowing on her body, it brings a feeling of happiness.
But such days will end today.
Roxy felt some regret.
Would it have been better if she had admitted from the beginning that her abilities were limited?
That way, at least everyone would have good memories of her, instead of remembering her in the future only as a useless stubborn person who would inexplicably throw tantrums.
I really wish I could continue enjoying such good times…
Roxy lowered her hand, picked up her staff again, and followed the three children ahead.
Let me end this like an adult.
First, they visited Gawain’s house.
Mrs.
Debbie:
”Oh my, only this much luggage?
That’s fine, if anything is missing, it’s very convenient to go back to Sir Knight’s house to retrieve it.
Please let me carry your luggage, Roxy-sensei.”
”This is your room from now on.
If you feel it’s too far inside, you can choose this one as well.
This used to be Sylphy and Gawain’s room.”
”This is the kitchen, this is the dining room, and over here is the cellar.
To go to the toilet and bath, you need to go through this door.
I’ll explain in more detail when we come back this afternoon!”
”Today’s dessert is my proud creation!
After tasting it, please give your usual feedback.
Thank you, Roxy-sama!”
——What…?
Then they passed through the fields.
Mr.
Laws:
”Roxy-sensei, please bear with us if there is anything lacking in our hospitality during this period!”
”If that child Gawain does anything to make you angry, there’s no need to endure it even at home—just teach him a lesson!”
”In any case, please treat this as your own home!”
——What… what…?
Finally, they arrived at the lesson site, their open-field classroom.
Gawain:
”So, Roxy-sensei, you’ve been acting crazy for about half a month just for such an illogical reason?
To put it in Rudeus’s words, Roxy-sensei, you’re unexpectedly a fool.”
Rudeus:
”What do you mean my words!
I have never slandered you like that!
Please see clearly, Roxy-sensei!”
Gawain:
”I only said, please teach us the new knowledge you know.
Who told you to solve all the problems independently and then hand us the answers?
These topics are not something that can be solved in a day or a month, nor by one or a few people.
With this level of situation, you should be able to understand it with a bit of thought, right?”
”To be honest, Roxy-sensei, even if you’re a fool, I’m beginning to feel that hiring you has value.
Before, I couldn’t understand what some of the things Rudeus often muttered meant.
But after seeing you, I immediately understood what ‘rigid thinking,’ ‘fool,’ and ‘dead end’ mean.
So that’s what they mean.”
Rudeus:
”Gawain-nii, please spare me.”
Gawain:
”In short, your job is still to teach us what should be taught.
As for the problems in the notebook, at the very least, they should only be studied in detail after mastering the current magic knowledge system.
Moreover, with your level, you can surely tell that we didn’t seriously try to nitpick, right?
Those six pages of questions are only the parts derived from my and Rudeus’s practical experiences.
The problems within the current knowledge system are far more than that, perhaps needing reconstruction from the root.”
Rudeus:
”Let us lift the clouds hanging over the magic academic world!”
”Sounds cool, right?!”
——What… what… what…?
Roxy completely deflated.
So, Rudeus was right.
I was just drilling into a dead end all by myself.
The girl desperately picked through her remaining “weapons,” as if she couldn’t rest unless she destroyed the horn, she had wedged herself into.
She picked up the first one in embarrassment:
”Even putting that aside!
Are you fine with how I ‘went crazy’ before, attacking you and venting my temper recklessly?
Someone like me, someone who behaves like this, has no right to be a teacher, right?”
Gawain raised his eyebrows.
Those familiar with him would know that this meant he was surprised—something very rare:
”So, what you did before is considered losing your temper?
I see, I understand now.
Thank you for providing an important reference.
I previously believed that losing one’s temper must involve insulting language or even physical attacks.”
”Roxy-sensei, you are indeed very valuable.”
Rudeus, seriously using his own eyes to record this rare moment of Gawain, couldn’t help but laugh.
He had to admit he always felt Gawain had a talent for deadpan humor.
Roxy panicked:
”Rudeus!”
Relying on Gawain’s protection, Rudeus straightened his back and issued a formal demand:
”Even if Gawain-nii doesn’t care, I would like you to apologize to me, who has been dragged into this countless times for no reason.”
Roxy obediently stood up, covered her chest with one hand, and bowed deeply:
”I’m sorry, Rudeus, I kept taking it out on you.”
Rudeus smiled smugly:
”I’ll forgive you for Gawain-nii’s sake.”
After sitting down, Roxy again dejectedly searched for other “weapons,” picking up a rusty second one:
”Then, Gawain, not telling me in advance about the move—was that because you wanted to see me make a fool of myself?”
Gawain had already started reading, completely ignoring her.
Roxy grew embarrassed and angry, but she couldn’t think of a third thing to bring up.
After raging incompetently in place for a while, she simply gave up and slumped onto the table.
The dignity of being a teacher had shattered beyond recovery.
She looked at Sylphiette, raised one hand, and shamelessly requested:
”Can I eat lunch first?”
She hadn’t eaten breakfast.
“Of course!”
Sylphiette was always so gentle and adorable, like a little angel.
Roxy immediately felt healed.
At noon, Roxy ate another portion, while Gawain had one less, only finishing his sister’s leftovers.
After returning in the evening, everyone even prepared a grand welcome party for Roxy at the Laws house.
In the end, the atmosphere she felt in the morning had been correct.
Lady Zenith and Lilia had been helping to prepare in advance—exactly the surprise she had subconsciously imagined.
Roxy thought:
Aren’t there people who like to use “turning point” to describe key moments in life?
Especially some playwrights.
If she were to do the same.
She felt that today should count as one of them.
And if her future self were to evaluate it, then it would be an extremely important one.
Even if every time she recalled it, she would become so embarrassed and angry that she wanted to beat someone up.