Transferred to Another World and Became a Teacher Chapter 17 - Evaluation

"Well done," Strass said and patted my shoulder repeatedly. Despite his usual expressionless face, I could tell he was genuinely pleased.

"Hey, Strass-san! Why are you praising her?!" Eliza raised her hands in anger.

Strass tilted his head in response and said seriously, "She scolded those fools who were being disruptive and interrupting classes. What's wrong with that?"

Eliza held her head in her hands and placed her elbows on the table. Ignoring the dejected Eliza, I glanced around the restaurant.

It was a slightly dim but spacious restaurant. There were wooden tables and leather sofas, with potted plants placed along the walls and around the pillars.

Both the staff and the custors were refined, making it clear at a glance that this was a high-end establishnt.

" … Are you okay with the bill?"

I had earned so money during my travels, and I didn't have the impression that these two were financially well-off. I rembered Eliza ntioning sothing about it to the dormitory director.

When I voiced my concern, the two of them looked at with serious expressions.

"Teachers at Fiddiq Academy are well paid! A al like this is no problem!"

"Co to think of it, Aoi, you haven’t received your salary yet, right?"

Strass's words made Eliza's eyes widen in realization. I had been misunderstood.

"No, I'm fine with the paynt, but… Eliza-san, you ntioned being worried about the cost of inns in town before."

Strass looked at Eliza.

She arched her eyebrows and averted her gaze. "… My research funds are tight. Occasional als aren’t an issue, but regular expenses are another matter. I've heard rumors that senior teachers earn three tis as much as general teachers…"

Eliza looked at with a hint of longing.

Strass gave her a half-lidded stare. "Don't mooch, Eliza. Aoi is a new teacher."

Eliza looked reproachfully at Strass, who naturally called by my first na. "I'm older than you, Strass-san. You should show so respect and sponsor my research…"

"Don't beco like this, Aoi."

Listening to their amusing conversation, I voiced a question. "I have one question. I believe that any magician capable of becoming a teacher at Fiddiq Academy can earn sufficient money elsewhere. Why choose this academy?"

The two of them exchanged looks.

"There are various reasons, but broadly speaking, there are two… no, three main reasons," Strass said.

Eliza nodded and raised her index finger. "The first is for country. People co to the academy to make their presence felt. For example, there’s Famous Grouse-sensei. Famous-sensei teaches to elevate the status of his earl family and showcase the high level of mages in the Karvan Kingdom."

She followed with her middle finger for the second point. "The second reason is for family. For example, people from noble families that have fallen into decline find it extrely difficult to rise again within their country. Well, rising noble families tend to be more highly regarded than those who have failed once. Such people co to Fiddiq Academy, where they can be evaluated fairly and make a na for themselves."

She raised her ring finger for the third point. "The third reason is for themselves. So dedicate their lives to magic, aiming to develop a particular type of magic. So are even looking for a marriage partner."

I nodded in understanding. "So, what about you two?"

"For myself."

"It's for myself."

They both answered imdiately upon being asked.

"For yourself?" I confird.

Strass nodded. "The Verted Kingdom already has a senior teacher. My family is only of baron rank. Just becoming a teacher here has raised the na enough. Therefore, I want to test how far I can go as a magician."

Strass said sothing that sounded like the protagonist of a shounen manga and quietly sipped his drink.

Eliza nodded with a laugh. "I'm similar. While it would be great for the Grandsands to produce many magicians, the number of teachers and students has increased significantly compared to before. So I'm developing new magic for my own goals."

Eliza clenched her fists in front of her chest.

"New magic?" I asked.

"Yes! Earth magic can be used in a variety of places, from road construction to building walls! However, once the mana is exhausted, it all turns to soil. This is true for both advanced and special-grade magic. Even if you change the nature to stone, it crumbles. So I want to develop earth magic that lasts! If successful, it can be used to build structures, bridges, and so on!" Eliza explained passionately.

Strass let out a groan. "I check every ti, but is such lasting magic possible? Wouldn't it require continuous mana output?"

"Magic has infinite possibilities! I believe there is potential in lost ancient magic circles! After all, there are ancient ruins with structures that clearly seem man-made…"

Before I knew it, the two of them were engrossed in a discussion about magic.

"What do you think, Aoi-san?!" Eliza asked.

"Honestly, I think it's a sha to waste ti on impossible research," Strass answered.

"Don't say such pessimistic things!"

With the two of them closing in on as I was eating a chicken wing, I answered with a wry smile, "I don't think Eliza-san's research is wrong. In fact, there are still weapons, armor, and buildings made using magic circles. The magic circles lose their effect if the lines break, so they are protected and hidden by covering them with the sa material."

Both Eliza and Strass widened their eyes.

"Y-y-you know about magic circles?!"

"… Aoi, could you also be researching magic circles…"

While they were both shocked, I suddenly sensed soone standing nearby.

When I looked up, I saw Speyside.

Speyside looked at each of our faces in turn, frowned, and let out a deep sigh. "Could you please be quieter? This is a public restaurant. Please consider the people around you."

Eliza imdiately looked startled and bowed her head. "S-sorry! We got a bit carried away. We apologize!"

Speyside looked down at apologizing Eliza, snorted, and turned on his heel.

Although Strass seed slightly annoyed by his attitude, we were clearly in the wrong, so we couldn't complain.

However, there was one thing that concerned .

"Excuse ."

Speyside stopped and turned his head slightly towards .

"I apologize for the disturbance. By the way, are you here alone, Speyside-sensei?"

He looked displeased for a mont but soon answered. "… I'm with Fore Pern Roses-shi. Please make sure not to cause any more trouble."

Speyside returned to his seat. It seed they were eating in a private room at the back.

"Is this person called Fore also a teacher?" I asked.

Strass grimaced, and Eliza nodded with a wry smile.

"He's one of the senior teachers. He's… a person with a strong sense of nobility. Strass-san and I don't have many opportunities to talk with him…"

Hearing that, I sowhat understood the look on Strass's face.