"What do you mean?"
Argus stopped at a heavy carved door and, lowering his voice slightly, explained. "This country is now a battlefield where several factions are waging a hidden war. The king is ill and won't last long. Behind the scenes the battle for the throne is already underway." He looked down. "The problem is that some who have no right to the inheritance are still striving for power. They're using the distorted ones, drawing innocent people into it, turning them into weapons."
Cedo nodded quietly. I see, he noted to himself. So that lord wasn't the only one involved in this. It's much bigger than that.
"The most dangerous players are hiding here, in the capital, operating from the shadows," the paladin added. "We need to uncover them as soon as possible."
Cedo narrowed his eyes slightly. "And the most suspicious place is the Harness Academy."
Argus stopped by the door, turned around and answered firmly, "Exactly."
Then he knocked and, opening the door slightly, said, "She will help you get inside. I'll introduce you. My younger sister studies there. Her name is Lismeria."
A girl with a fan sat by the window in the room.
"Lismeria."
She barely glanced at the people who had entered before raising an eyebrow. "Brother. Are you seriously telling me you're going to rely on this lowly creature to infiltrate the academy, the way you're planning?"
Argus raised his voice sharply. "Lismeria. That's rude."
She merely shrugged. The very existence of such creatures within the academy's walls was rude. She could understand the village girl, but a lowly creature as an instructor — unthinkable.
Cedo sighed quietly and remarked calmly, "You're too biased, young lady."
Argus lowered his head. "I'm sorry. Don't take it to heart."
Karina leaned towards Cedo and added in a whisper, "She's a genius, but terribly biased against lesser beings."
He replied that he had already understood that.
Lismeria flicked her fan. "Brother, does he even understand how difficult it is to infiltrate the academy? And if he becomes a teacher, he'll have to do more than just be listed there. He'll have to actually teach classes. Do you really think this lowly creature can teach anything?"
Hakama stepped forward. "Cedo can't read."
Lismeria rolled her eyes. "Can't read? Then what kind of teaching are we even talking about?"
But Hakama continued firmly. "Even so, there are things only Cedo can teach. Things that can't be found in books. Things that are more important than any words."
Lismeria looked at Cedo in silence, as if trying to discern something worthy in him. Then she slowly walked past, remarking as she went, "Well. At least he's strong enough to keep the students in line. But that alone isn't enough for the role of teacher."
With those words she left, quietly closing the door behind her.
Karina scratched her head. "Those students, then. That was her doing after all."
Argus sighed heavily, placing his palm to his forehead. "Forgive me. I'll have a serious talk with her about this later."
"No need to worry," Cedo replied calmly. He tilted his head slightly. "So what exactly do you want me to teach?"
Argus looked him straight in the eyes. "Spiritual arts. From what I've seen, you're incredibly strong in them. Or am I wrong?"
Cedo frowned slightly. "What exactly should I teach in spiritual arts?"
"Just the basics. Fire, lightning, ice, healing. If you can use at least two of the four basic elements, that will be enough for the beginner course."
"Just," Cedo said.
Argus suddenly leaned forward. "Just? Could it be that you possess special spiritual arts — ones that only a few can access?"
Cedo froze for a moment, then said calmly, "Special spiritual arts."
So that man is considered outstanding even for this era, he thought. He tilted his head slightly. "Interesting. But fine. I'll have to shake up the common sense of this era a little."
A week later came the entrance exam at the Harness Academy. Applicants were receiving their tickets outside while Hakama concentrated on completing the test assignments.
After a while Ledman came up to Argus in the hallway and said calmly, "Thank you for coming. The Seventh Paladin Squad must be especially busy right now."
"Nothing special," Argus replied calmly. "It's simply our turn today."
Cedo came closer and asked quietly, "Turn? What do you mean?"
"Once a year the paladin squads alternate," Argus explained. "Which one sends its man as a special instructor. This year it's the seventh squad's turn."
Cedo frowned slightly. Is he sure I'm the best choice?
At that moment Ledman looked at him carefully, then waved a hand towards the door. "This way, please. The director is waiting for you."
The door swung open. The director of the academy sat behind a massive desk. She folded her hands in front of her and bowed her head slightly.
Argus bowed. "Long time no see, director."
She smiled warmly. Ever since he had graduated at the top of his class he had grown into a remarkable man. She was glad he continued to help them with his strength.
"It's my duty," he replied curtly.
The director leaned forward slightly, resting her palms on the armrests of her chair. She had heard rumours. It seemed they were now fighting not only the distorted ones, but also getting involved in political squabbles. She paused, as if giving him a chance to justify himself. But when he did not respond, she continued.
"I understand that the Seventh Squad has enough on its plate. You can't simply pluck someone out of the core team. But still, that's no reason to treat this academy's reputation so frivolously. Be honest with me. Are you seriously considering appointing this man as an instructor?"
At those words everyone's gaze turned to Cedo. Argus bowed again. "You can be certain that he is capable of surpassing any fighter of the seventh division, at least when it comes to combat skill."
The headmistress closed her eyes, as if collecting her thoughts. If that was what he thought — but what was she supposed to do?
And then a sharp voice rang out. "Headmistress. I must object."
It was Gita. He stepped forward, pointing a finger at Cedo. "In our prestigious sacred academy, lesser beings have never been allowed to hold the position of teacher. Do you want to disgrace the academy by appointing someone like him to this post?"
The headmistress slowly turned her gaze to Ledman. "Lord Gita has made his position perfectly clear. And what do you think, Lord Ledman?"
Ledman bowed his head slightly. He agreed with him. Most of their students came from noble families. If a lesser being taught them, it would cause a scandal among students and teachers alike.
The headmistress sighed heavily and waved a hand. Well, in fact she thought so herself. But since they had already come, she would hear them out.
Then Cedo stepped forward and, bowing deeply, said that he apologized for making her waste her time. He was Cedo, from Kodama village.
The director raised an eyebrow slightly. How calm he is, she thought. And this after all the insults.
Cedo continued. He understood her concerns. But tell him — if a lesser being is not suitable for teaching, is that because of his origin, or because he lacks the ability?