"……Originally, I come from an elven country. Even though it was in the form of being driven out, the fact remains that I came to the Verted Kingdom from a foreign land. As an outsider, I was fortunate enough to receive a title and even became the head of a magic academy. You could call it unexpected good fortune, but there are those who envy and resent me for it... both within the country and abroad."

"Are you saying that your rise in status, Headmaster, caused losses for some people?"

When I asked, Glenn shook his head from side to side.

"'Caused losses' is slightly incorrect. For example, if I hadn't come, someone else would have become the Court Magician. And perhaps they might have even become a Marquis. If I weren't here, another magician might have appeared whom His Majesty would entrust with the Magic Academy... All of these are merely fantasies and ideals, groundless hypotheticals. People unknowingly incur resentment in this way."

"Leaving aside those who competed with you right up to the last moment, Headmaster Glenn, the others are just counting their chickens before they hatch. Even if you weren't here, I can't imagine those people becoming Marquis or Headmaster of the Magic Academy."

I felt a sense of dissatisfaction with Glenn's explanation. I understood his point, but resenting Glenn for that seemed misguided.

However, at my words, Glenn's shoulders drooped and he sighed.

"Well, that's certainly true... but then again, it's not certain they wouldn't have become Headmaster or Marquis either. In the end, resentment and envy are matters of the other party's convenience. There's nothing I can do about it from my end... Given those circumstances, it's undoubtedly true that I'm cautious in my dealings with royalty and nobility."

He muttered this, then narrowed his eyes, picked up the cup placed before him, and brought it to his lips. He sipped the liquid inside once and exhaled.

"……However, I did strictly warn the students from the elven country to return home, and I also strictly cautioned the students who went along with them and spread malicious rumors."

"Just cautions?"

At Glenn's words, Shenley spoke up as if involuntarily. When my eyes and Glenn's turned to her, she hurriedly shrank back. Glenn smiled wearily at her reaction.

"The Fiddiq Academy has become too famous, in both good and bad ways. Some powerful royals and nobles from various countries aim to send their children to my Magic Academy. Also, there are probably newly risen nobles who send their children here to forge connections with such established royalty and nobility. There are also many children of wealthy merchants who can speak their opinions to nobles. In such a situation, what do you think happens to a student about whom bad rumors spread?... If they were to be expelled, not only within the academy, but even back in their hometown, people would look at them that way. Also, the reputation from other countries would worsen, and depending on the case, someone might have to take responsibility."

"Responsibility? The student? Or perhaps the noble house that produced such a student?"

"Both. Actually, this happened once before... It was the eldest son of a Marquis family. Due to his excessively outrageous behavior, we expelled him. However, the child he was bullying was an important figure from another country, one of the nobles deeply involved in diplomacy. Because of this, it was deemed that he caused great damage to the country. The family's rank was lowered, and the expelled student himself, bearing the responsibility, also seemed unable to act freely anymore. It's fair to say his future as a noble was cut off."

Saying this, Glenn sighed deeply. He seemed to regret that incident. Glenn was probably an educator at heart. He wanted every student's future to be bright.

However, there was also the saying, 'as you sow, so shall you reap.'

For example, if Shenley were to be bullied again and ended up committing suicide... I don't think I could forgive the perpetrator, nor myself.

"……I understand that you, Headmaster Glenn, have been trying to resolve the bullying issues among students with deep consideration. Indeed, if we were to impose careless punishments and incur the resentment of high-ranking nobles, someone might appear outside the academy who would harm Solare someday."

When I answered, voicing Glenn's feelings, he nodded solemnly.

"That's right... I make judgments considering various situations. Do you understand?"

Glenn said this as if seeking my confirmation, so after nodding slightly, I spoke.

"Yes. I understand your consideration for each individual. However, I think your methods are too lenient."

When I stated my opinion, Glenn's face suddenly looked like he was about to cry.

"……I knew you would say that, Aoi."

2 chapters today to make up for the missed release on Monday