I Got a Fake Job at the Academy-Chapter 775

Chapter 775 - Side Story 48: Amazing Change (4)

Telaron O’Valley, befitting the title of Grand Chieftain, possessed an extremely robust physique. His arms and legs were all thick, and his muscles were considerable. Those blazing eyes were like the sun rising in the sky.

'I thought Pantos was uniquely large among his clan, but there was someone comparable to him.'

It wasn't just the outwardly visible muscles or physique that were similar to Pantos.

The aura flowing from Telaron was extremely strong even to Rudger's senses. Considering that the position of Grand Chieftain was occupied by an outstanding warrior, it was a natural result.

In terms of level alone, he had already reached the realm of master long ago, and gave the feeling of aiming beyond that.

'However, he's aged more than I thought.'

Now that he had grown quite senile, he was closer to barely holding onto his declining skills. He was different from Luther Wardot, who was so strong that he had transcended a certain realm.

'I thought he'd be quite young since he's Iona's father, but that wasn't the case.'

Telaron was actually older than expected. Considering Iona's age, he would be closer to grandfather age rather than father age.

It seemed Iona was born quite late.

'That guy Pantos. He said he liked fighting strong beings, but did he not fight the Grand Chieftain?'

Come to think of it, it wasn't something that could be easily done just because he wanted to.

At the time, Pantos was a wanderer, having left his tribe and drifting here and there. How could such a person challenge the Grand Chieftain of the Beastfolk Tribal Alliance to a fight?

Even if he went there on his own, he would have been turned away at the door.

It meant that just because Pantos wanted to fight didn't make it possible.

Perhaps given Pantos' personality, he might have secretly waited for when the Grand Chieftain moved alone. But someone at the level of Grand Chieftain doesn't move alone wherever they go.

'Well, that's all in the past. He wouldn't even give him a glance now.'

Still, he was the Grand Chieftain and the strongest warrior, so this evaluation might sound harsh, but that was the reality.

Pantos was so strong now that even if you searched the entire continent beyond just the beastfolk, you could count on one hand those comparable to him. What caught his eye now was not a powerful warrior who had refined his skills, but transcendent beings born that way, like Elemental Lords.

Anyway, Rudger gazed at Grand Chieftain Telaron O’Valley who had asked him a question and answered.

"I was wandering to meet an old disciple when I happened to hear the news and came to visit." 

"An old disciple. Hehe. You're speaking of my son-in-law."

Telaron's voice when mentioning Leo was full of goodwill.

One might have expected fierce opposition to a young brat of another race marrying his daughter, but it seemed to be the opposite. Rudger recalled that beastman who had picked a fight with him and was now lying in the training ground.

He too was the Grand Chieftain's son, and considering that he was the best among the children at that level. Grand Chieftain Telaron must also have been deeply troubled about raising his children.

"I expected someone quite remarkable since you're my son-in-law's teacher, but meeting you in person changed my mind."

Telaron gazed at Rudger with the deep and clear eyes characteristic of a sage who had lived long.

He had clearly recognized Rudger's skills that others didn't know, that Rudger was trying hard to conceal.

'Indeed. Is this because a Grand Chieftain is a Grand Chieftain?'

He hadn't sat in the position of Grand Chieftain simply due to high military power. Military power was naturally something that had to be fundamentally possessed. What he needed beyond that was the insight to lead the tribes to the right future.

The impression of being simply large and lion-like was only superficial. Grand Chieftain Telaron's greatest strength lay in that discerning eye that saw through others.

"You're too kind."

Rudger smiled lightly, neither actively responding to nor stubbornly denying his words.

When he showed this subtle attitude, Telaron's eyes lit up with interest.

From that action alone, he realized that Rudger didn't wish to continue this kind of conversation. Beyond that, he even understood that Rudger didn't want to reveal his skills.

Since Telaron possessed excellent perception that didn't match his outward appearance, he said with a hearty laugh.

"Right, this old man can't interfere with a reunion with your disciple. Iona, you may go now. You're also busy with wedding preparations, so you can't waste time in a place like this." 

"Yes. Father."

Iona bowed her head and withdrew from her seat.

Rudger and Aidan Lee naturally followed behind Iona and came out to the courtyard behind the tent. It was a wonderful place where the vast plain could be seen at a glance.

"It's been a while. Teacher." 

"Yes, Iona. Have you been well?"

Iona had also changed a lot in the time they hadn't seen each other. First, her hair, which had been a short cut, was now grown to her shoulders.

Before, she had just been taciturn, with an atmosphere that felt unorganized, but now it was different.

Perhaps due to preparations for succeeding as the next Grand Chieftain. Having matured considerably mentally, her atmosphere had become remarkably calm.

Her expressionless face that didn't show emotions well remained the same, but that was only superficial. Her eyes were full of gladness toward Rudger.

"I heard from Aidan on the way here that you two are getting married. Congratulations." 

"Thank you."

Iona bowed her head at Rudger's congratulations. Then Leo asked.

"How long are you planning to stay here, Teacher?"

Leo was sending a subtly earnest gaze. Rudger wondered why Leo was showing such a reaction and was able to realize the reason quickly.

Leo owed Rudger a debt of gratitude. When he was being forced to follow orders by the Liberation Army, it was Rudger who had saved Leo.

But before Leo could properly express his thanks to Rudger, Rudger was kidnapped by the Demon King and suffered serious injuries.

Eventually Rudger left Theon, and Leo could never meet him again. That remained as an indelible weight on Leo's heart.

When he had half given up, he met Rudger again. Moreover, by some twist of fate, he had come just before Leo was about to hold his wedding ceremony with Iona.

Leo's honest feelings were that he wanted to treat Rudger with the utmost hospitality for as long as he stayed here.

"Staying, you say. Originally I just planned to check if you were doing well."

Rudger saw Leo's eyes and added.

"Since I don't have anything urgent to do anyway, staying for a few days should be quite possible."

At those words, Leo's expression brightened considerably. Aidan beside him also rejoiced while shaking Leo's shoulders.

"That's great, Leo! Teacher says he'll stay here longer!" 

"Hey, hey. I got it, so stop shaking my shoulders. Idiot! I'm getting dizzy!"

Leo frowned as if it didn't matter, but there was an indelible smile on his lips.

Seeing his old disciples enjoying themselves together while grown, Rudger felt proud for no reason.

Perhaps because of that, he felt a bit regretful. He had wanted to see with his own eyes these children, whom he taught for the first time, graduate as they grew up.

'That would be excessive greed.'

It was already a matter of the past. Rudger himself knew better than anyone that there was no use holding onto it.

So let's just enjoy this moment. That would also be for the sake of his old disciples.

"So when exactly is the wedding?" 

"It's tomorrow. Today is actually the eve festival." 

"Eve festival. Is that a tradition of the beastfolk tribes?" 

"Yes. Guests from various countries will probably come starting from the evening. We need to prepare to welcome those people. It'll get busy once the sun starts to set."

Iona was the next Grand Chieftain recognized by Telaron, the current Grand Chieftain and she was marrying a human of another race.

Even for people with no interest in beastfolk, this was undoubtedly big news.

Those coming to congratulate were a minority. However, that minority were people with very great influence when considering the entire continent.

People who could step on the bridgehead established between humans and beastfolk tribes before anyone else. From Leo's standpoint, they were targets with whom he had to desperately build friendships. The same was true for the Tribal Alliance.

'In the past, the beastfolk would have strongly resisted, but now the beastfolk have also accepted the changes of the world.'

So this matter couldn't be seen only negatively. Rather, it would be a good opportunity for the beastfolk tribe that chose change.

"Aha. That's why there seem to be more people than before."

Aidan belatedly realized that fact and nodded.

"More importantly, Aidan. When are you going to marry Tracy?"

Leo asked Aidan, thinking it was the right moment. Rudger wasn't particularly surprised since he had already heard that the two had that kind of relationship.

Rudger observed Tracy's reaction. She was trying to act nonchalant, but seemed to be subtly expecting Aidan's answer.

Rudger let out an internal groan. If it had been in front of everyone, Aidan would have just laughed it off, but when only a small group of acquaintances gathered like this, it was difficult.

How should he put it, this moment needed to be taken seriously.

'Aidan. You need to answer well.'

Of course, since Aidan was naturally in a relationship with Tracy, marriage wouldn't take very long, as Leo said.

However, planning to do so in the future and specifying a clear date were strictly different matters.

"Hmm. Actually, I've never thought clearly about the date of marriage."

What Aidan chose was a frontal breakthrough. Given the atmosphere, Aidan spoke honestly.

"I definitely think I should do it someday, but I have a lot of things I want to do to just do it right away." 

"You said you wanted to become an adventurer."

Leo nodded as if he understood Aidan's situation. Aidan had decided to become an adventurer, and actually had become one.

What adventurers did was simple: wandering around the world searching for ruins or relics.

They never stayed in one place. Naturally, if they got married, it was a profession where they had no choice but to neglect their family.

Moreover, even in this modern era where humanity's living territory had expanded vastly due to the development of science. This world still had too many secret places that hadn't been revealed.

The Kasar Basin where the Mysterious Night opens was just one example. That place filled with the unknown was still a dangerous place where one could lose their life if not careful.

And this world was still full of such places. No matter how talented a mage Aidan was, it meant he could die if he carelessly set foot in such places.

"You can't not do such dangerous work?" 

"Leo. You know too. How much I've wanted to do this."

At Aidan's words, Leo nodded with a sigh. He knew well from watching for a long time that no one could break Aidan's stubbornness. Once Aidan decided to do something, persuasion didn't work.

More than that, he had a strong desire to support the path his friend truly wanted.

"I'm sorry. Tracy."

Aidan told Tracy so with an unusually serious face. Rudger thought Tracy would be considerably hurt by those words, but Tracy's reaction was surprisingly calm.

“I knew you'd answer like that."

In fact, because Tracy knew Aidan would be like this, she wasn't particularly shocked.

"After all, I'm the one who fell for your foolishly frustrating straightforwardness."

Then she casually uttered embarrassing words. At those direct words, Aidan couldn't help but smile brightly.

"Thanks, Tracy! Still, I won't make you wait long." 

"You fool, of course you should. If I had felt even the slightest sign of it taking a bit longer, I would have grabbed you by the collar and dragged you to the wedding hall."

Seeing the two couples conversing amicably, Leo let out a groan.

"Hmm. Did I say something unnecessary?" 

"No. I think you spoke well at the right moment."

Iona comforted Leo beside him. The two engaged couples soon looked at Rudger.

"Come to think of it, Teacher Rudger...you're still single, right?" 

"That's right." 

"We're doing it unusually early compared to our peers. Have you never thought about it, Teacher Rudger?"

‘Marriage.’ 

Rudger rolled that word in his mouth for a moment.

The word marriage with someone felt strangely resonant. Right. Until then, he had lived too busily, so he hadn't paid any attention to forming relationships with anyone.

But the current Rudger was different. He was no longer being chased by anyone, nor did he need to live bound by something. It was literally a free life where he could choose what he wanted to do.

Naturally, like other people, he could marry someone and build a family.

Realizing this anew, Rudger felt a strange feeling.

"I haven't thought about it yet." 

"Oh. Really?" 

"Yes. But it's also a matter to think about." 

"I see. By the way, have you heard? Among the guests coming this time, there are people you know, Teacher." 

"People I know?" 

"Teacher Selena."

The moment that name came from Leo's mouth, Rudger could picture one woman.

His Theon colleague with hair like the blossoms of brilliant spring flowers and wearing a warm smile.

She, whom he would have met if he had returned to Theon, was coming here in person.