Vol. 4 - Chapter 11 - Class G's farewell ceremony
I looked around the faces of everyone sitting in their seats. Half of the current professors were in control of purebred aristocrats. If the students passed, I would be relieved from their charge. So, this meeting was technically my final day of teaching them.
"Hey, Sensei, what\'s the grading process like?"
Teresa leaned forward, asking me what she was naturally curious about. It wasn\'t something that could be brushed off easily, which was why I hadn\'t told them anything about the test.
"The allocation is 100 points each for academic skill and practical skill, with a total of 200 points. This is how the exam will be graded."
"I can\'t believe it\'s 100 points for academic skill! Wasn\'t it 20% academic and 80% practical skill last year?"
Pluto chimed in with an astonished voice.
"That\'s right. Still, the content of the lesson is too different for each class. There\'s no way the exam can be uniformed."
Cliff immediately interjected.
"Don\'t worry, the scope of the exam is generally based on what I teach in class. You guys... should be able to get a passing grade."
"Well, does it mean Sensei made the content of the exam?"
"No, I haven\'t touched a single question on the exam this time. But the scope of the exam will not be out of the contents I have taught in class."
Of course, roughly around three months ago, I\'d outlined the exam question of Class G and handed it to the academy, but unsurprisingly, they refused to accept it.
At that time, I was informed that the content of the exam was the same as that of Class S, and they\'d also told me about the subjects and the scope of the exam. Surprisingly, there would be seven subjects: physics, chemistry, biology, medical science, agriculture, economics, and political science.
All of them were subjects that I was currently teaching in Camelot, and the scope of the exams was mostly from the subjects I had taught.
"But you know, if it\'s not Sensei, who is the one making exam content?"
Touching her chin with her forefinger, Teresa asked.
"Most likely, it should be the professors of Class S."
Judging from the exam subjects and scope, there was no doubt that this exam had something to do with Sylphy. I didn\'t know what she was preparing, but she most likely must have ushered in a member of Sagami Co. as a lecturer.
According to what I\'d heard, each professor of the class had a certain amount of discretionary power and had the authority to nominate a temporary professor. Originally, it seemed the purpose of this system was to effectively teach the content outside of the expertise area, but Sieg, the instructor of Class S, must have used this system to its full extent.
"You mean we will take the same exam as Class S?"
"Yeah, that\'s the case."
"Wait a minute. Then what about the other classes!?"
Cliff seemed to have noticed it. This was the biggest trap of this exam.
"As long as it was the question outlined by the teacher in charge of each class, there\'s no doubt they would indirectly teach them about the exam content. I can see everyone getting the highest marks."
"Whaaat!? Isn\'t it unfair!? Or rather, where\'s even the meaning of the exam then?!"
Pluto pouted and criticized.
Since the content of the academic test was more or less different for each class, the tendency might have been similar until now. But, with the rise in mark allocation in academics, the more serious the class was, the more foolish it looked. To begin, each class would probably lower the difficulty level of the exam content.
"Nothing can\'t be done. This is a challenge Class G has to bear. You guys must have known it before the exam, right?"
"..."
With a despondent expression, everyone became quiet.
"The grading will be fair. I can guarantee that much at least. In other words, everyone in Class S is standing in the same position as you guys. Are you guys planning to make such a face even then?"
"Same position..."
After chewing on the meaning of my words multiple times, Pluto enthusiastically stood up from his chair.
"That\'s right! That\'s right! They are on the same starting line as us! That means we can surpass Class S!"
He shouted so loudly that the classroom almost trembled.
"You seem to be saying that so easily, aren\'t you? But I also agree with Pluto. It\'s outrageous to be afraid of my little sister or maid."
Cliff crossed his arms and raised the corner of his mouth.
"Me too. I also have the reason to not drop out of the academy. I will definitely not lose!"
"Mia is the same."
Teresa and Mia agreed.
"I… originally joined this class to grow, so honestly, I didn\'t really care about the exam."
Eight stared at me with a strange look I\'d never seen before as he began his monolog.
"Hmm, so?"
"But, after experiencing and learning things with everyone, for the first time in my life, I think this world is interesting. I want to experience more things with everyone in the future too. That\'s why, now I really want to win with everyone. That\'s what I think."
"I see, then you guys have no choice but to win, alright!"
"Yes!"
As I listened to everyone\'s cheerful reply, I clearly felt the success of my teaching this one year, and I could picture their graduation from Class G.
"The practical exam is an individual ability exam and a team battle. I believe you guys must be able to do well."
I stopped and looked around at everyone.
"Sensei?"
"So, now I am going to hold a simple farewell ceremony."
Magic Knight Academy ended the classes for the year right after the exam was over. They would no longer use this classroom. I felt a bit lonely, but I guess that\'s how it is when children grow up.
"If it\'s about a farewell ceremony, isn\'t there still enough time?"
I stopped Pluto, who was already packing up his items.
"No, we will do it now."
I took out five packages from the universal storage and placed them on the teacher\'s desk.
"Then first, Pluto Browser!"
"Yes."
He stood up, straightening up his posture. Pluto had really become composed. In the beginning, it was quite easy for him to lose his temper, and he used to have frequent clashes with Cliff. But lately, he had better self-control, as long as it wasn\'t a major problem.
"Deep down, you\'re an earnest boy, and someone who takes everything seriously. However, in contrast to that, you lose sight of your surroundings when you focus too much on one thing. Even in the future, you might hit a bottleneck, but try to take a step back at that time. I\'m sure it will broaden your horizon."
"Congratulations, this is your Class G certificate for this year."
I handed the certificate to Pluto, along with the long and thin package.
This was the finest thing I had prepared for this day. I was sure it would be useful for them in the future.
"Well... Open and check it later. Next, Cliff Millard."
"Yes!"
He stood up straightforwardly and bowed. Honestly, he was quite polite in this way.
Cliff\'s impression had changed a lot from when he\'d been in the Millard family. Although his words were still harsh, unlike before, he had almost stopped assessing others based only on their status, and he also had become more attentive towards other people\'s feelings. Lately, he seemed to be more interested in improving the lifestyle of Millard territory, which was objectively considerable growth.
"Cliff, you\'ve learned to think from the perspective of others. This is great growth. You are now able to analyze and judge things much more calmly than before."
"T-Thank you for very much."
Scratching his cheek with his finger awkwardly, he thanked me.
"You still have some prejudicial thinking. You\'re still too young, so your perspective can change over time. Read plenty of books, chat with other people, gain more experience, and come to your own conclusions. It will help you grow even more. Congratulations!"
As I handed the certificate and the package, Cliff turned to the other side and looked down at the seat.
"You can\'t be feeling emotional, do you?"
Pluto said, teasing.
"Shut up!"
Cliff interrupted him in rage.
"Teresa Hartwig."
With a dull and quiet voice, she grabbed the hem of her skirt and bowed.
She had become quite mature during this one year. I thought her childish thinking and actions that she\'d had in the beginning had diminished quite a lot. Well, she was still as clumsy as before, though.
"Teresa is fine as she\'s now."
"Huh?"
Maybe because of my unexpected words, she let out a stupid voice.
"People will change one day, whether you want to or not. You\'re smart and rational. When push comes to shove, you will not make the wrong decision. That\'s to have self-confidence and go ahead. That\'s who you are."
"Yes, I will do my best!"
As Teresa gave a loud nod with a naive smile, I handed her graduation certificate and expressed my congratulations.
"Congratulations on your graduation."
"Thank you."
I turned to look at Mia and called her name.
"Mia Cyrus!"
"Yes!"
She stood up energetically and straightened her back. Maybe because of her upbringing, she\'d often put up walls between herself and other people. But now, she was no longer such a boorish person.
By nature, Mia was a kind-hearted girl. If you got to know her when she didn\'t have a wall up against you, I\'m sure there would no longer be anyone who discriminated against her, even if she was the blood relative of Lord Cyrus. To be frank, I was already relieved about her improvement. My only concern was her relationship with her father.
"Mia, you are a kind and considerate person. That\'s why, you should forgive your father."
Mia bit on her lower lip, as if she didn\'t expect her father\'s name to appear here.
And then一一
"I will try."
"It\'s fine with that."
Facing Mia, I walked up to her and handed her certificate and package.
"Congratulations."
"Yes, I\'m grateful."
I smiled, caressing her head lightly as I always did. She turned red and looked downward. As usual, a person with a strange reaction.
I turned to the last person, Eight.
"Eight."
"Yes!"
Eight might be the one with the highest level of growth in this one year. He was now even the spiritual support of Class G, and Pluto and the others often relied on him to make decisions.
"You\'re sharp and resourceful. What are they for you now?"
Eight immediately looked up at my question and tapped a finger on his cheek. But then, his eyes met mine as he said.
"For me, they are like siblings."
His reply was as I\'d expected. It was obvious from his actions lately.
That\'s why-------
"Take care of them from now on too, Eight."
"Y-Yes, of course!!"
Eight\'s eyes turned round from bewilderment, but he nodded strongly.
Handing the graduation certificate and the package to Eight, I stood at the podium and looked at everyone.
"Listen. You will face countless trials awaiting you from now on."
"I know, you\'re talking about tomorrow\'s exam, right?"
"Moron! Something like tomorrow\'s test isn\'t important. Whether you pass or fail, there\'s nothing for you to lose."
The students all frowned.
That\'s right. They didn\'t seem to understand it yet. That was a blessing in disguise, I guess.
Because that is一一
"I don\'t know what choices you\'ll make when the trials come. But don\'t lie to yourself. If you choose to be honest with yourself, you are on the right path. I can guarantee it. I wish you all the best!"
"I\'m deeply moved by the fact that those puny little kids have grown up like this."
You... Who was the one craving after one of those little kids? A double standard guy like usual.
Ignoring the sobbing Mura, I turned my back to the students and left the classroom of Class G.