I Got a Fake Job at the Academy

Chapter 772 - Side Story 45: An Amazing Change (1)

Rudger's assessment of Aidan was that he was a very exceptional mage. Though he possessed unusually excellent physical abilities for a mage, that didn't mean his magical abilities were lacking.

'If I had to say, Aidan is first-rate as a mage too. His theory isn't bad, but more than anything, his practical experience is outstanding.'

On top of that, he had even learned special magic, so he was bound to succeed wherever he went. Truly a chosen one. That was what Aidan was like as a mage.

Then what about Aidan as a person, not as a mage?

'He's a good person.'

The word 'good' has a very broad meaning, but Rudger thought it was fitting. Anyone else he might ask would probably say the same thing.

Aidan had a good personality. He never came into conflict with others, had no rough edges to his character, and got along well with everyone. He didn't discriminate whether someone was a commoner or noble and treated everyone equally.

Occasionally, that attitude would rub some overly prideful nobles the wrong way. But using that to tarnish Aidan's character was simply impossible.

'However, he has one very big flaw.'

It wasn't the only one, but it was a serious flaw that overshadowed all his other shortcomings. Namely, he was oblivious.

He would casually approach even Rudger, whom others feared, and ask personal questions without hesitation. Especially when it came to matters related to women, it was like a curse that Aidan himself never recognized. At least in Rudger's assessment, it was indeed a curse.

'Just during his first year when I was teaching him, there were women getting involved with him besides Tracy.'

The problem was that this excluded numbers he hadn't seen with his own eyes. Just looking at what happened in the capital of the beastmen this time was enough to make a rough guess.

A considerable number of the beastmen women here were targeting Aidan. Luina who had guided them was the same, and so were the two women who had been competing with Tracy. Perhaps there might even be someone else somewhere else in this capital.

'That's why I thought this guy's obliviousness wouldn't change even after more than three years.'

That was also why the furious Tracy hadn't scolded Aidan too harshly. Because she knew that getting angry at Aidan, who didn't even know the reason, would be pointless anyway. Rather, from Aidan's perspective, since he didn't know why she was angry, it had the effect of making the person acting emotionally feel foolish.

Rudger had thought this was Aidan's nature, that is, an unintentional result.

But now. At Aidan's bombshell of a statement, Rudger couldn't help but realize.

"You, don't tell me you knew from the start?" 

"Huh, knew what?" 

"That Tracy is angry." 

"Well, with such intense energy radiating like that, it's impossible not to know, isn't it?"

No, you didn't know before. Rudger was about to snap back like that but stopped. Right. Three years. A considerable amount of time had passed.

There was nothing strange about Aidan having been with Tracy longer during that time and coming to know her more deeply.

He might not have known before, but it was natural in a way that he would notice now. Setting aside the strangely moving fact that this guy hadn't just wasted those three years.

"You know she's angry but you're not trying to placate her?" 

"How should I put it? I think about it in my head like that, but when I actually try to act on it, I end up doing what I usually do. Should I say it's more comfortable and easier to just pretend I don't notice like this, rather than trying to make her feel better? Like a feeling where it's hard to even attempt other methods now?"

Rudger felt dizzy. So in other words, even when he noticed she was angry, he used a play-ignorant strategy.

"Do you know why Tracy is angry?" 

"Uh, actually I don't really know that far..."

Aidan scratched his head awkwardly. Rudger seriously pondered whether he should be relieved or lament at that answer.

He had developed the sense to notice that Tracy was angry, but still didn't know why she was angry.

"Aidan. I have something to ask. From what Tracy said, it seems you've been in a relationship with her for quite a while." 

"Huh, right? Tracy and I, Leo and Iona have known each other continuously." 

"It seems you're still close even after graduating." 

"Yes, that's right. Leo and Iona are busy so I can't see them often, but I meet Tracy frequently. We live close by too." 

"Hmm. Then I'll ask one more thing. What is your relationship with Tracy Priad?"

Rudger's expected answer was simple. This frustratingly straightforward guy would say with his usual smiling face that they were obviously friends.

"Obviously she's my fiancée." 

"Right, friends... what?" 

"My fiancée." 

"......"

For a moment Rudger thought he must have heard wrong. But when Aidan said it twice, he realized it was the truth, or furthermore, a cruel reality.

"......When did you two start dating?"

Probably they had started dating during the blank period when he wasn't there. Of course, three years passed but from first year until graduation, Tracy must have been stuck with Aidan.

Although Theon's student schedule was quite busy, there were still vacations and when they rested, they could rest properly.

There were quite a few people who dated during that time. Wasn't it a space where talented young men and women in their prime gathered?

Even so, for Tracy to pursue a romantic front against that oblivious Aidan. Honestly speaking, he couldn't even imagine it.

"Uh, um. We started dating during the second year festival." 

"Explain in more detail."

So during the festival in second year, at the final ball when they were dancing, Tracy had directly and explicitly confessed to Aidan.

Not saying she liked him as a friend, but making it clear she liked him as a romantic interest.

Of course, there were more stories behind it. Like how a newly enrolled first year who sometimes took the same class as Aidan fell hard for him and launched a very aggressive romantic offensive.

Or how one of the third year seniors started getting particularly close with Aidan, growing closer to him and inviting him to join her club.

Astonishingly, all these seniors and juniors making such requests were beauties with undeniable charm even in Tracy's eyes.

How Tracy, feeling anxious in the midst of all that, finally seized victory with the support of Leo and Iona. Even Rudger didn't know about all that. Perhaps it was better not to know. If he had known, Rudger would have been even more dismayed.

"So after dating like that, you're now engaged." 

"Yes. That's right. But why?" 

"......"

Rudger had to endure the impulse to reach out and wring the head of his former student who had become an adult.

So this guy had just let other women approach him despite having a fiancée?

But at the same time, he realized that scolding him pointlessly would be useless. The approach from Luina and other beastmen women was likely something Aidan hadn't particularly been conscious of.

This was Aidan who treated nobles and commoners alike and was friendly with everyone. Treating men and women the same was as natural as breathing to him.

Aidan looked questioningly at Rudger who was sighing. Rudger gazed at the back of Tracy walking ahead with a look of sympathy.

Truly a child who has suffered much. Not only had she raised a ruined family, which was an amazing feat, but he could fully feel her efforts to hold onto this oblivious guy.

"Aidan. Open your ears and listen carefully."

So Rudger briefly explained to Aidan why Tracy was angry and what she might be feeling now.

"What? Tracy is jealous?" 

"Isn't it strange to think she normally wouldn't be?" 

"Well, um. I suppose that could be true."

Aidan nodded while stroking his chin with his hand. Rudger felt a glimmer of hope at that sight.

It was a more positive response for him to accept it like this rather than being completely oblivious and saying 'No way that could be true, right?'

"Ah. Now that you explain it like that, I think I understand why. From Tracy's perspective, she can't help but worry." 

"......I'm somewhat relieved that you understand that." 

"As expected of you, teacher! Your insight is outstanding!"

No. This is something even a nearby kid, not a teacher, could figure out. Rudger didn't bother adding such an explanation.

"Anyway, when you get the chance, apologize to her separately when you're alone." 

"Yes. I should do that."

Fortunately, Aidan was the type who would apologize sharply when such things happened. Aidan was the exact opposite of people who refuse to admit their mistakes to the end.

After passing through several districts with various buildings, they reached a place where there was a building noticeably larger than the others.

"This is a large tent."

Compared to the surrounding buildings built with bricks, this was a giant tent that maintained the traditional beastmen style intact.

However, its size was so large that it was several times bigger than the brick houses. If anything, it felt like looking at a small mansion or castle made of animal hides.

At the entrance, beastman tribal warriors armed with weapons were standing guard. They spotted them and were about to point their weapons, but immediately released their guard when they recognized Tracy at the front.

"It's been a while. Can we go in now?" 

"Yes. They're waiting inside." 

"Okay. Then." 

"But that man over there......"

One of the beastmen on guard glanced at Rudger and asked. As far as he knew, the only expected visitors were Tracy and Aidan.

"He's a new guest." 

"We cannot let in anyone other than those who have permission." 

"You won't need to do that. Chief Iona will surely welcome him too."

When Tracy spoke with confidence, the guard was uncertain. However, knowing they wouldn't carelessly bring someone, he seemed willing to let them in.

If only someone hadn't interfered in the middle.

"Even so, you can't just let someone in as you please."

Suddenly interrupting and appearing was a large beastman male with short red hair. At his appearance, the guards straightened up and Tracy's expression crumpled noticeably.

"Theor."

The beastman male called Theor stood before Tracy with a swaggering gait.

"Can't do it, no way. No matter what, how could we send that human whose name and identity we don't even know before the future Grand Chief?" 

"How surprising. I didn't know you cared about Iona so much. Didn't you dislike her?" 

"Oh my, what harsh words. Me? I could never have such disrespectful thoughts toward Chief Iona who took her position with legitimate succession rights." 

"Despite your bear-like build, you're still as sly as a fox."

Listening to their conversation, Aidan whispered beside him.

"That's Theor O’Valley. He was one of the candidates for the Grand Chief's successor."

In other words, that man was also Iona's half-sibling.

"After Tenaron stepped down, he was the person who opposed Iona the most. Because of that, he thinks his position was stolen, so he still has a bad relationship with Iona."

He could do this because there were still many within the tribe who supported Theor himself. So he was doing things that interfered with Iona at every turn, backed by his supporting forces.

"There are rumors that he's the one supporting the surrounding raiders. Of course, there's no proof."

Meanwhile, Theor's gaze turned toward Rudger.

"We're not like those weak tribes of the past anymore, we've grown into a proper nation. How can we let in someone with no background as we please? Don't you think you've crossed the line, even if you do have deep ties with the future Grand Chief?"

At those words, Tracy bit her lips hard. Of all people, she had gotten caught by the most annoying one.

"Interesting."

Then Rudger stepped forward and asked Theor.

"Then what should I prove?" 

"......Ha!"

Perhaps it was because Rudger stepped up boldly. Theor burst into loud laughter.

"Wow. Well, this person is tougher than he looks. From the way you're talking, it seems you're confident?" 

"I wouldn't have stepped forward if I wasn't." 

"Whew. Good. Very cool. This person says he'll prove it himself, anyone have objections?"

Neither Tracy nor Aidan could say anything. Taking that as an opportunity, Theor grinned and said.

"Well, although we're changing, proof has always been simple and straightforward. Let's do it the beastmen's way."

Theor proposing a method suitable for himself as if he had been waiting for these words. The moment he saw that, Aidan let out an "Ah" in realization.

Theor thought Aidan was reacting like that because he was troubled. But that wasn't it.

Aidan's gaze was directed at Rudger, and he was asking with his eyes.

'You'll go easy on him, right?'

'We'll see.'