“Perfect.”

After reading the contract once more, Arthur put it in his magical bag and enjoyed the cool breeze passing through the open windows.

No longer was he possessing Old Arnold, instead, Principal Sonia gave him a new host. As he had asked, it was that of a relatively man with a thin beard and above average facial features.

Unlike the other teachers, who had frail and slim bodies, Arthur’s new vessel was that of a bronze-skinned man named Khalil. He was over 185cm in height, fairly muscular, and with long raven-black hair tied up into several braids.

‘She said he was from the Desert of Commerce and Peace? He’s certainly the best human host I’ve gotten.’

Khalil had only a few skills, most of which Arthur already had. The only new skill was [Survival(Passive Lv4)]. It was a skill that increased his stats in harsh climates like a sweltering host desert of a blistering cold environment.

In addition to the body, Sonia gave him a nice private quarters in the Administrative Bureau Building, which was where all the teachers resided.

Plus, he was given 150 Blakin Gold Coins, which could come in handy. After all, Arthur had given Evelyn all of his Gold and even left the new spatial artifact with her.

Looking at the white badge with the insignia of the Nemia Academy, the parasite grinned,

‘I should be able to move freely with this. Sonia wants the spies gone, but I need them for now. They'll be the path that leads me to the Circle of Damnation.’

…

After taking a brief respite and organizing his things, Arthur spent the day touring the Nemia Academy. He first checked on Nader Coach, Verno, and Jonathan, but they were behaving normally and like all students.

The next target was the youth he was supposed to protect; Joshua Boulard.

Since Arthur knew his face and enough information, it wasn’t particularly hard to find him.

The First-year student, Joshua, was on the campus. Just like the picture had depicted, the youth was timid-looking with a ruffled auburn hair, large round spectacles, a short height, and pitifully thin physique. Then again, the majority of the students in the academy aspired to be mages, so they paid little heed to their bodies. Magic relied on Mana and thorough understanding of the spells, therefore, a weak physique wasn’t detrimental.

However, there were students that excelled in close-quarter combat and magic, and those were the ones Arthur was going to teach. Unfortunately, he didn’t have any degree and was supposed to rely on alternative means to educate the youngsters.

“A-ah!”

Like a frightened pup, Joshua let out a terrified cry as the book in his hands was sent flying to the side. With a shaky body, he lifted his head and saw a young girl with long raven-black hair.

“I say, haven’t you learned to show respect?”

“...”

Joshua looked at the girl with a pale face and quivering lips. He wanted to ask for help but the girl was accompanied by two youths, both of which looked menacing.

“What? Bow down your head and act like a proper Southerner. Boulard family, my ass!”

The girl harrumphed and kicked Joshua’s knee, making him fall from the bench while groaning pitifully.

“This is how you should act.”

Pleased with his reaction, the girl chuckled in triumph. She glanced at her two friends, who had similar expressions of contempt and gloating.

One was Frey Starlight and the other was Feylord Lernon. Both were First-year Students and had recently gotten acquainted with the girl, but thanks to their impressive ass-licking skills, they happily obliged when she appointed them as her ‘followers’.

‘Oh…’

Arthur’s eyes focused on the girl. She was the one he had bumped into a couple of days ago. However, now that he had learnt more about the so-called ‘special’ students, her identity was no longer a secret.

She was an esteemed person hailing from the Global Azakin Empire. To be precise, she was Reyna Vos Azakin, first daughter of Elric Vos Azakin, the younger brother of the current Emperor.

Even the Nemia Academy preached non-discrimination, there were still a handful of people that were treated with special care. Reyna was such an individual, especially as she was part of the Imperial Family and the niece of Augustus Azakin.

‘Typical spoiled child. Considering her status, it’s no wonder someone like Feylord is willing to act like a lackey.’

Comparatively, Feylord was a noble born in a backwater town. Even Arthur was impressed that the cunning youth was able to get close to Reyna.

‘Is this why the Principal wanted me to protect him? No, it couldn’t simply have been due to bullying. The Boulard family is no less inferior to the Azakin Imperial Family, yet he seems to be a loner.’

Even after publicly ridiculing Joshua, Reyna didn’t seem to have had enough. The book flew to her hands, but she merely glanced at it before holding a paper, seemingly about to shred it.

“Reading pointless stuff, as usual. Are you not even ashamed? Defects like you shouldn’t be allowed in here.”

Someone held Reyna’s hand and took the book from her hands. Surprised, she looked at the tall and bronze-skinned man smiling back at her.

“You two are fellow students. Instead of mocking him, how about you teach him?”

Arthur beamed at the girl deeply frowning as she gauged him up and down.

“Who are you?”

He flashed his new badge in front of her, but even then, she didn’t flinch.

“Oh, a teacher. So? What do you want?”

“Want? Nothing in particular, miss Reyna. Just that… my kind heart couldn’t withstand seeing a student being bullied.”

Reyna snorted and took a step closer, glaring at him menacingly.

“How about you piss off? Teacher or not, I don’t care.”

Hearing this, Arthur chuckled and patted her head lovingly. “So cute. Class is about to start. Go on then… you wouldn’t want to be late, right?”

Reyna was rendered speechless by his actions, but she quickly snapped out of it and shoved his hand away while hissing like a cat.

Arthur had expected her to lash out more violently, but, unexpectedly, she mumbled something before turning out and leaving along with Feylord and Frey.

“Here, your book.”

“T-thank you.” Joshua, who had yet to process what happened, gratefully bowed his head while stuttering.

He stuffed the book in his bag and scurried away with hastened steps.

Barely ten minutes later, First Year Class ‘Alpha’ was grouped in the training facility. 17 students were impatiently waiting for the teacher to arrive.

Joshua Boulard, Reyna Vos Azakin, Feylord Lernon, and Frey Starlight were part of the same class. There were some talented students in their midst, but first year students were randomly grouped together regardless of their status or talents.

However, Third-year students and up were split up based on their school rankings and overall talents in specific magical fields, such as Alchemy and Theoretical Magic Studies.

A loud clapping noise echoed across the training facility, garnering everyone’s attention.

Arthur came in wearing his new uniform while smiling excitedly at his new students.

“Hello there! I’m Khalil, your new close-quarter combat teacher.”

Right after his brief and lacking introduction, the surprised students started whispering to each other while eyeing him curiously.

“It’s you!” Said Reyna as she pointed at Khalil. “Where’s Professor Jimmy?”

“Poor ol’ Jimmy couldn’t keep his hands to himself, you see.” Arthur groped the air in a perverted manner as he stared back at the irritated girl.

He clapped one last time before stating, “Well, we only got one hour, so how about we make the most out of it?”

“Wait! How do we know you’re qualified to teach us?”-Reyna

“Hm… I’d say the approval of the Principal is more than enough. Your discontent is irrelevant to me.”

Arthur approached the group of students and carefully scrutinized each and everyone of them while [Magic Sense] was active.

Although it was a crude method, it allowed him to gauge the Mana in their bodies and determine their strength.

Stronger mages tended to have a bigger Mana Reservoir and an imperturbable circulation of Mana, so that was the criteria Arthur relied on. Then again, in close-quarter combat class, students were proficient in Magic as well as melee fighting.

Alas, he had no way of determining their physical prowess.

“I refuse to partake in this class without an affirmation. You could be a fraud.” Adamantly protested Reyna as she raised her voice.

With her status and aggressive attitude, it didn’t take long before some of the students nodded in agreement.

‘Ugh… children are really annoying.’

Arthur’s smile widened as he shrugged in disinterest, “I’m not going to repeat myself. I am your teacher and you will do as I say. Disobey and you’ll be sent to the Dean… after I educate you first, that is.”

“And what is that supposed to mean? Are you threatening us? You’re nothing but a second-grade teacher.”

“...”

Seeing the man’s smile suddenly vanish, the students flinched and stopped their subtle protests. As for Reyna, she puffed her flat chest and stood at the center.

“Okay. Want some approval? Try attacking me.”

“Hehehe…” Reyna giggled evilly as she stepped to the front and unleashed her magic.

Professor Jimmy was someone she was close to, and he promised to give her perfect grades. Now that he was gone, along with Khalil’s earlier interference, Reyna wanted to exact a bit of sweet revenge and ridicule the new teacher.

With remarkable agility, she shot at Arthur like a bullet and punched his chest. Her fist was enveloped by a purple fire, which exploded upon contact.

“Aw!!”

Reyna fell back while holding her aching fist and groaning in pain. She looked at the immobile Khalil, who was unscathed by her attack.

She felt her fist hit his chest, but it was like punching something indestructible. Even her unique and strong purple flames dealt no damage whatsoever.

Even though teachers were strong, Reyna was still a genius amongst her peers. That and the Hell Fire ability unique to the Azakin Imperial Family.

“Satisfied? Go stand with your classmates.”

Arthur paid no more heed as he started splitting them into groups of two and three.

“Since I don’t know much about you, I need to see you fight. My first class will be simple sparring.”