As I left Professor Ferrent's office, I thought I heard something strange, but it must have been my imagination. Or maybe it was just Ferrent trying to make a joke. Yeah, a joke. For someone who used to be a royal knight commander, I never expected him to have a sense of humor.
"Oh? Isn't that our Elysia? On your way back from your consultation?"
No. It seems I really am hearing things. Maybe it's just my poor condition today causing all these strange sounds.
Lately, I've been staying up late reading novels I couldn't get to during midterms, which probably explains my lack of energy. I still have a whole list of books Cilly recommended, but maybe tonight I should skip reading and just get some rest.
"How about it? Still not considering transferring to Class 2?"
Ignoring the persistent voice was clearly a wasted effort as Professor Sellen kept up with his clingy attempt at conversation.
"Honestly, Professor, I don't think I'll ever be in your class."
"Hm. I guess I must've really gotten on your bad side, huh? Well, we'll save that discussion for another time. How about stopping by my office for a cup of tea?"
Even though I coldly turned him down, Professor Sellen upped the ante, inviting me to his office. Despite my personal feelings toward him hitting rock bottom after the incident, he still approached me with a friendly attitude.
"I'll see you in the next class, Professor."
"C'mon, don't be so stiff. I just wanted to hear a bit about Yuri."
"...Yuri?"
Since Yuri had been Sellen's former student, I couldn't just brush off the subject, and so, reluctantly, I followed him to his office.
Great. This makes twice in one day that I've been called to a professor's office. Anyone who saw me would assume I'm a problem student.
Sellen's office was rather plain, the only notable feature being a few medals from his adventurer days. He was one of only nine platinum-ranked adventurers across the continent, and though he had initially planned to retire in his hometown, for some reason, he took up a teaching position here at Griffin Academy.
I sat down at the table in the center of the room, and Sellen, clearly accustomed to it, started preparing a cup of tea.
I had just finished a cup of tea with Ferrent, so I wasn't particularly keen on having another, but it felt impolite to refuse.
"Ah, sorry. Since I'm an ex-mercenary, all I've got to serve you is this cheap tea."
As I took the cup, I could feel the warmth of the tea radiating through the cup. I cautiously touched the tea to my lips, worried it might be too hot, but it was pleasantly warm, so I took a small sip.
The bitter taste filled my mouth. After the bitterness passed, a faint but distinct aroma followed.
"Dephel tea."
Dephel was a common weed that grew everywhere on the continent, so much so that calling it "tea leaves" was a stretch. It was more like soaking random leaves in hot water than a proper tea.
It was the exact opposite of the refined tea I had back in Ferrent's office.
The bitterness made it nearly undrinkable, and it didn't even provide any sense of fullness. Hardly anyone drank it, and even those who did were just there to appreciate the slight aroma that followed the bitterness. Not many could enjoy that.
"Oh? You know Dephel tea? Most of the kids in my class don't even know what it is. They take one sip, spit it out, or grimace and never touch it again."
I let Sellen's laugh pass over me as I took another sip. The taste brought back memories.
As I said, Dephel tea was a tasteless, bitter concoction made from a weed anyone could find. No one drank it... but that also meant anyone could drink it.
Back during my assassin days, when food was scarce and there wasn't much time for indulgences, I used to gather Dephel leaves whenever I went outside and brew tea from them. Sometimes, when I was really bored, I'd just chew on the leaves directly.
Of course, since arriving at the academy, I hadn't needed to touch the stuff, but now, encountering it again, I felt a strange sense of nostalgia.
Sellen poured himself a cup as well, taking a seat across from me.
"Truth be told, I could afford fancier teas now, but this stuff suits my taste because it reminds me of the old days."
I could relate. Even though I'd been eating well for some time now, there was something comforting about old, familiar things. Still, just because we shared some common ground didn't mean I liked Sellen any better.
"Could you please just get to the point? I'm actually quite busy, even if I don't look it."
My dislike for Professor Sellen made my words sharper than necessary. Honestly, I didn't have anything pressing to do.
But I didn't care. For some reason, Sellen seemed to favor me, and I figured he'd let a few rude comments slide. Worst case, he could dock some points in his class, but I could handle that. And surely, a platinum-ranked adventurer wouldn't stoop so low, right?
"It's nothing serious. I just wanted to know how Yuri's doing these days."
There didn't seem to be any deceit in his tone, which was strange, considering what had happened with Yuri before.
"Why are you concerned about her? She's not even your student anymore."
Sellen set down his cup, shrugging before answering.
"That makes it easier to ask now. Her parents are old friends of mine."
"You mean…?"
"I've known Yuri's parents for a long time, especially her father. I think it's only natural to care about the daughter of an old friend, right?"
Sellen didn't seem to be lying, at least from what I could tell.
"But if you're so close to them, why didn't you help her before?"
"I've told you this before, haven't I? My teaching philosophy doesn't change. No exceptions, even for friends. Actually, Craig—the father—was the one who asked me not to treat Yuri any differently."
"Craig... Yuri's father?"
"Yeah. He didn't want her to take up the sword at all. He's incredibly protective of her. After Linis passed away, he became even quieter... He doesn't talk much, and Yuri's too focused on following in his footsteps to notice."
This was news I hadn't heard before.
"Then why ask me to get involved instead of speaking to Yuri directly?"
"Isn't it a bit awkward for me to call her in for a chat at this point? That's why I'm asking you. I'm not asking you to make her give up the sword, but just... be there for her."
I lifted the cup to my lips again, only to find it empty.
"But wouldn't that go against Craig's wishes?"
Sellen chuckled, downing the rest of his tea in one gulp.
"I always liked Linis more than Craig anyway."
* * * *
"You're late."
As soon as I walked into the classroom, Yuri greeted me.
From my conversations with Yuri, it was clear she had no idea what her father thought of her. She believed he was strict and uninterested, and that the rest of her family didn't care about her at all.
But according to Sellen, things were a bit different. Craig wasn't cold—he was just terrible at expressing himself. And the family wasn't indifferent; they were intimidated by Yuri and kept their distance.
"I made a quick stop on the way back."
Still, I didn't tell Yuri what I'd heard from Sellen. After all, I had no way of verifying the truth, and it wasn't something I, an outsider, should be meddling in. I'd talk to her about it when the time was right.
"Really? What did they ask you during your consultation? Did they bring up your midterm scores?"
"Yeah, I'm sure that'll come up. Ugh... Next time, I'll do better on the written exam, no matter what!"
Hearing Yuri's guess, Annie, sitting next to her, clutched her head dramatically. But, knowing Annie, I could confidently predict that her determination would fade within three days. I'd bet on it!
During midterms, too, Annie had barely managed a few days of study before trying to quit, only for Yuri to drag her back and make her study.
Yuri deserved Annie's gratitude. Without her, Annie's written scores would've been much worse.
"How about I help you study starting today? Like I did during midterms?"
Yuri's enthusiasm shone through as she offered to tutor Annie again.
"W-Wait! No, I think I'm fine for now!"
See? Not even a minute after swearing to do better, Annie was already turning down Yuri's offer.
Ah, always the same Annie.