Who would have thought that a mere three-hour class on elemental spirits could lead to such an extraordinary event?

A divine beast, of all things.

In the high school’s Spirit Forest!

‘Well, whatever it is, it’s all good.’

My suit was covered in dirt from dealing with the divine beast, and I even ended up with a cut inside my mouth.

– Crackle.

Look at this mana.

All my complaints just vanish, you know?

It’s all good.

‘At this rate, I could take on a bishop, maybe even an archbishop.’

Not that I actually want to face an archbishop. I’m just saying I have enough mana now to prepare more spells.

I’d love to pour all this into research, but that’s not an option.

‘The full moon is coming soon.’

The Dark Cult must be itching to get rid of me. With Hana and me both here, they’re bound to try something when the full moon rises, so I need to conserve my mana.

“What happened, teacher!? Are you hurt!?”

“Oh, I just tripped and rolled a bit.”

The first to spot me when I returned to the students was Liz.

Her exclamation was like a signal, and soon all the students gathered around, forcing me to sit on a rock.

“Teacher! What happened!?”

“You can’t get hurt! Who will teach us if you take a leave?”

“Exactly! Teacher! Over here!!! Someone call 911!”

What’s with the 911? Anyone would think I’ve broken a couple of bones.

“…It’s just a scratch.”

Amidst the commotion, Shin Haeryeong approached calmly.

“Please wait a moment. I’ll heal you.”

She rummaged through her pocket and pulled out a handkerchief with a magic circle drawn on it.

“Is that a healing theme?”

“I prepared it for outdoor practice.”

They engrave those on handkerchiefs these days? Fascinating. I should get one next time.

– Swipe, swipe.

As Haeryeong’s handkerchief brushed over me, the small cuts on my mouth and body healed quickly.

“All done. Are there any other injuries?”

“Wow. That’s effective. Thanks, Haeryeong. You saved me.”

“Don’t get hurt. You promised to teach me everything until my mana runs dry.”

She smiled brightly as she said that.

Is she worried about me?

“Don’t worry. I’ll live long enough to see you all graduate and still be around to cast fire spells at walls.”

“…No matter how old you get, please refrain from casting fire spells at walls. I don’t want to be the disciple of a criminal.”

I gave her a thumbs-up, and Haeryeong chuckled in response.

Finally, the students around us sighed in relief.

“Is the teacher okay? He said he’s not in any danger?”

“He’s fine. Just some scratches.”

“Phew. I thought something serious happened.”

What a fuss over a few scratches. It’s touching to have so many students worried about me.

[Looks like your students really like you.]

Cynthia’s voice made me smile.

‘Seems like it.’

In my past life, I was content to be holed up in my lab, researching alone. The only one who worried about me was Shin Haeseong.

‘This isn’t so bad.’

Feeling a bit emotional, I realized it’s because I’m alive.

In this second life, I vowed once more to live more earnestly than anyone else.

“Alright, let’s wrap things up.”

I took out a mana stone and shot it into the sky.

As the light attribute magic fired off as a signal, the students began to gather.

Once a sizable group had assembled, I spoke up.

“Is everyone here?”

The commotion from their concern for me had lasted a while, but thankfully, it settled down quickly.

It was time to conclude the class.

“Wow, look at this. I’ve got a spirit now. I thought my spirit affinity was rock bottom!”

“Me too! I never imagined I’d contract with a spirit right after enrolling!”

“Taking Mr. Jaesang’s class was the right choice.”

As I had mentioned at the start of the class, most students managed to contract with a low-level spirit.

Considering that some students give up on spirit-themed magic even in college, this was a remarkable achievement.

‘Not everyone contracted, though.’

I had hoped everyone would contract with a spirit this time, and in the next class, we’d work on building rapport with them.

But one student, Shin Haeryeong, hadn’t contracted with any spirit.

– …I won’t contract with low-level spirits.

I don’t know what her stubbornness is about.

It’s not that she doesn’t have any spirits. She just released all the ones she contracted with.

It’s definitely not a lack of talent.

In fact, Haeryeong’s spirit affinity might be higher than mine. Even now, several low-level spirits in the forest are glancing at her.

‘Let’s just watch for now.’

I decided not to interfere further. Although I haven’t known her long, Haeryeong is a sharp student. She must have her reasons.

For her, it seemed enough to guide her in the right direction rather than meddling in every detail.

“Alright. Let’s wrap up.”

I announced the end of the class, and the eventful lesson on elemental spirits came to a close.

***

Back in the lab, I sat down at my desk.

Since Hana joined, the lab has been much tidier.

It hasn’t been long, but when I was alone, the lab was quite messy.

Compared to when I had stacks of books on my desk, now it’s almost empty.

Hana placed a cup of coffee she brewed herself on the clean desk.

“Ah, thanks.”

I thanked her, and she shyly smiled before resuming her cleaning.

It’s a bit odd seeing her brother’s face in hers, but she’s quite a capable assistant.

Besides cleaning, she’s good at organizing schedules and other administrative tasks.

Hiring Hana as an assistant was definitely a good decision.

‘Hmm.’

Sipping my coffee, I stood by the desk.

My mana was so abundant it crackled.

I reached out to the floor and spoke.

“Mana Blade.”

The only spell etched into my mana circuit, Mana Blade, shot towards the floor with a swoosh.

– Pop!

“Eek!”

Hana, who was cleaning the sofa, fell on her backside in surprise.

But I didn’t have the luxury to worry about her.

“It’s still not working….”

Despite the abundant mana flowing through my hands, the mana used for the Mana Blade didn’t regenerate.

‘It’s a one-time use.’

Unfortunately, the mana the divine beast gave me was a one-time deal.

‘Hmm!’

I smacked my lips and sat back down, twirling a pen.

– Rattle, rattle.

I watched the pen roll for a moment.

– Thud!

“This just isn’t enough!”

I stood up abruptly, exclaiming.

The mana from the divine beast was plentiful, but being a one-time use, it wasn’t reliable.

What if bishops from other regions come one after another?

Can I guarantee victory under the full moon?

‘I need something else….’

Being content with the current situation would be foolish.

Whether it’s a new spirit or a magical artifact, I need to prepare something.

With that conclusion, I turned my head and saw Hana first.

“Is it… not enough?”

For some reason, she was hunched over, looking like she was about to cry.

What’s with her?

“I-I’m new to cleaning… and I just learned how to make coffee….”

With teary eyes, Hana looked at me anxiously.

Oh, no.

‘Did she think I meant her?’

I wasn’t talking about you.

[You made Hana cry! Hana’s crying!]

I decided to ignore the voice in my head that chimed in as if it had been waiting.

I approached Hana cautiously.

“I’m sorry….”

Hana doesn’t have many memories.

Most of them are nightmares of being experimented on by a dark sorcerer.

Even a normal person would be traumatized by such horrific memories, so it’s understandable she’s skittish.

‘It won’t be fixed overnight.’

Even as I approached, Hana was trembling, her shoulders hunched.

I watched her for a moment before placing a hand on her head.

– Stroke, stroke.

As I patted her head, Hana looked up at me in surprise.

“T-Teacher?”

“You’re doing well.”

Why worry about every little thing?

You’re doing just fine.

“Do you remember what the lab was like when you first came?”

Honestly, I’m not the tidiest person.

If you weren’t here, the place would probably be piled high with books, with no room to step.

Just like my old lab.

– Professor, your desk is a pigsty. Move aside. I’ll clean it.

– Oh, Haeseong. Leave it.

– …You mean the leftover fries?

– Yeah. I’m researching them.

– It’s bound to be pointless, but I’ll listen. What’s the research about?

– It’s about keeping fries from getting soggy… Hey! Don’t throw them away! I said don’t!

…Compared to Shin Haeseong, Hana is the best assistant.

She listens well, works hard.

Even if I said I was researching fries, she wouldn’t throw them away.

I briefly thought she might eat them herself, but at least she wouldn’t throw them away.

“Am I really doing well…?”

“Of course.”

The father of modern magic guarantees it.

Hana, you’re an excellent assistant.

“So don’t lose confidence. I’m counting on you.”

“…Yes!”

With a sigh of relief, Hana began humming a tune as she resumed cleaning.

“Cynthia.”

I called out to Cynthia as I returned to my desk.

In an instant, the water spirit with her shimmering blue hair appeared before me.

“I’ve been thinking, and I’m just not satisfied with how things are.”

“Right? You should totally become an idol. It’d be a waste not to with your looks.”

“I’m not doing that!”

Why is she so obsessed with the idea of me becoming an idol?

She must have gotten into something strange while cooped up at home when I wasn’t around.

“Then what? Is there something else?”

Cynthia pondered seriously, her expression thoughtful.

Sigh.

“I was talking about ways to get stronger.”

“Oh, I see.”

What do you mean, “I see”?

“But aren’t you strong enough already? You’ve got me, and that dog gave you a ton of mana.”

“You’re the only one who’d call a divine beast a dog. Anyway, that’s a one-time thing. I need other means.”

If my mana circuits could naturally regenerate mana, I wouldn’t even have to worry about this.

Even if I could contract just a few more top-tier spirits with this vast mana…

‘It’s a shame it’s not possible.’

Contracting top-tier spirits is not just about the contract itself; the upkeep is no small matter.

So, making a contract right now is out of the question.

And if, as Cynthia says, it takes a massive amount of mana to restore a “ruined spirit,” it’s not worth it.

“So, I’ve been thinking.”

Fortunately, an idea had come to me.

“Do you think the old man is still alive?”

In the world of magic scholars, “the old man” referred to one person.

A merchant who dealt in everything from magical materials to artifacts.

“…!”

At my words, Cynthia quickly retreated, peeking out from behind Hana.

“Are you going to see the old man?”

“Yes.”

Hearing this, she started hiccuping.

“T-then I’m not going.”

“?”

“Go on your own, contractor!”

Cynthia hid behind the desk, covering herself with water.

‘A slime?’

Come to think of it, even in my past life, Cynthia was reluctant to meet the old man.

– I’m not going! I’m not going! I’m not going!

– How about I buy you something tasty?

– No need! Go by yourself, contractor!!!

This is troublesome.

I need Cynthia to meet the old man.

‘Hmm…’

An idea flashed through my mind, and I grinned.

Could this work?

“Cynthia.”

At my voice, she turned her head slightly from within the water.

“Will you come with me?”

I didn’t add any persuasive words or offer a big reward.

I simply said,

“I’d really like it if you came with me.”

And gave her the brightest smile I could muster.

“…!”

Seeing my smile, Cynthia’s face turned red, and her eyes darted back and forth.

“Are you really going to send me alone?”

“!!!!!”

With eyes as bright as a puppy’s, I gave her the most radiant smile I could.

Perhaps the idol she dreams of would smile like this all the time.

“If I go alone and something happens with the old man…”

“…You’re right. It’d be a shame if that face got hurt.”

Cynthia said, dispelling the water around her.

“Let’s go! I’ll come with you. At least to the shop’s entrance, to protect that face of yours!”

Watching her newfound determination, I felt a strange sense of déjà vu.

– If you come with me, I’ll grant you a real wish.

– Get lost! You filthy primate!!!

– …

That’s how it was in my past life.

They say good-looking people have it easy.

“Great. Let’s go this weekend.”

Tomorrow’s Saturday, so the timing is perfect.

“Alright. I’ll brace myself.”

“Is it that big of a deal?”

“You don’t understand, contractor. The old man is… pure terror for spirits.”

Cynthia shivered, hugging her arms.

“So be grateful I’m coming with you! Got it?”

“Got it.”

“Whew. That face is really unfair…”

After grumbling for a moment, Cynthia suddenly remembered something.

“So, what are you planning to ask for?”

Her face was full of curiosity.

“Everything in the old man’s shop is expensive.”

“True.”

“And you don’t have much money.”

“Right.”

“And since this is personal, you can’t get school funding.”

“Exactly.”

“…You’re being unnecessarily honest. Wouldn’t it be better to buy a reasonably priced artifact with your current budget? You don’t have to see the old man.”

Cynthia clearly didn’t want to visit the secret shop.

“No, there’s something there I can only get from him.”

I shook my head.

I know of an item that’s reasonably priced and has great potential.

“Hopefully, he still has it.”

Recalling the magical artifact I saw in the old man’s secret shop ten years ago, I smiled. It was exactly what I needed now.