Chapter 63
—
“Let’s switch classes for a day.”
The next day, as agreed, we made an unannounced appearance in each other’s classrooms.
I don’t know how things went for Victor, but this side was utter chaos.
Originally, these students wouldn’t have been able to attend my class until the semester ended, around summer.
They seemed quite startled by the unexpected visitor.
A few of them even stood up and clapped enthusiastically.
“Professor, are you teaching us directly?”
“Yes, just for today.”
“Wow!”
“Whoa!”
Did Victor get the same reaction?
Probably not.
There’s a rumor that the academy in the capital is often called the “Anton Academy” for some reason.
It’s not entirely untrue, so I’ll let it slide.
Anyway, because of that, my presence here is almost overwhelming.
I feel awkward saying this myself, but everyone seems desperate to attend my lectures.
That’s why Victor and I had already agreed to rotate our student groups after the semester ends.
Should we consider implementing a course registration system soon?
No, that doesn’t seem feasible.
Let’s set that aside for now.
“Today, I’ll be your instructor. Just follow along as you would with Professor Kosolin.”
There was another reason for this switch, but I didn’t mention it.
As I did yesterday, I started by correcting their postures.
Then I handed out individually printed sheet music and let them practice on their own.
At the same time, I observed the atmosphere in the classroom.
It wasn’t bad, but it felt different from the other group.
There was a certain stiffness in the air.
To put it bluntly, it was like watching little kids too scared to press three piano keys, worried the sound might escape.
The difficulty of the sheet music I gave them was at a level even a five-year-old could play.
As long as they could read a staff, they should have no trouble practicing it.
After all, this session was meant to focus on posture correction, so there was no need to assign difficult music as homework.
Even so, everyone seemed hesitant, fumbling stiffly with their fingers.
There must be another reason behind this.
Is Victor’s personality the problem?
That can’t be it.
Based on what I’ve seen, he’s the type to get along with everyone without conflict.
“This must be the reason,” I thought.
Crossing through the rows of students hunched over their pianos, I stopped in front of two people.
Dirk and Beatrice.
As Victor said, Beatrice showed at least some effort.
It was a relief to see her actually pressing the keys.
In contrast, Dirk sat slouched, flipping through the sheet music with disinterest, yawning as if bored.
He didn’t seem to notice I was standing right in front of him.
“Dirk Wendelin.”
I called his name.
“Professor?”
His response was immediate.
“Try practicing. It’s not that difficult.”
“I’ve already finished.”
“Everything? The lecture started less than five minutes ago.”
“With something this simple, I don’t even need to play it to understand.”
His tone left me at a loss for words.
This was probably what Victor had an issue with.
It was a comment only someone like Dirk could make.
But still, this is a class.
His overconfidence is effectively a challenge to the academy’s system.
Well, I’ve seen students like him in my previous life too.
Those who claimed they already knew the material and just slept through school.
From a teacher’s perspective, it’s hard to view such behaviour favourably.
At least in that world, private education had effectively surpassed public education, so it made some sense.
Though it’s undeniable that it caused problems.
In contrast, here in the Empire, this academy is the only place where music can truly be studied.
In other words, there’s no other school or institution capable of teaching him properly.
So what exactly is he relying on to reject the lessons here?
There’s no alternative school or academy waiting for him if he leaves.
Still, I can’t just scold him outright.
What does it mean to be an educator?
Even if the student is uncooperative, they must be treated as if they were your own child.
You have to nurture them with your whole heart and effort.
“Damn it, Anton.”
You knew this was the kind of path you were walking into.
Let’s do this.
I asked Dirk in the gentlest tone I could muster.
“Do you dislike the academy’s methods?”
Though my tone was kind, the question itself was blunt.
Even so, Dirk answered as if he had been expecting it.
“It’s not that I dislike them. I just question whether they’re ‘useful’ to me.”
“You think my class doesn’t suit you?”
“To be honest, yes.”
Should I call this arrogance, or confidence?
Of course, there’s no single correct answer in art.
If he only wants to learn what he finds interesting and play what he wants, then so be it.
Everyone has their preferences.
Who am I to dictate otherwise?
But this is still a school, with a structured curriculum.
My ultimate goal is to train everyone here to a professional level.
To achieve that, there are essential steps and skills they must learn.
“I won’t stop you from practicing freely during your spare time. In fact, I encourage it. After all, the academy lectures alone can’t fully stimulate individual creativity. But attending classes diligently is important. It’s not like we’re teaching nonsense here.”
Dirk tilted his head back and avoided my gaze, as if tired of my speech.
“I honestly think learning the basics is a waste of time. Why should I bother with what I already know?”
“I see. Understood.”
“What?”
If I’ve said this much and he still won’t listen, there’s no point in continuing the conversation.
I’m not talking to a grade-schooler.
Dirk is an adult, and he has the freedom to make his own choices.
“I won’t force you. From tomorrow onward, you don’t have to attend the lectures.”
His face brightened at last.
What on earth is this kid?
At this point, a forgotten question resurfaced in my mind.
If he dislikes the academy classes so much, why did he enroll in the first place?
Was he forced here by his family?
That makes some sense.
Another plausible assumption would be that, at first, he was satisfied with being placed in the advanced class, which suited his skills.
But when told to relearn the fundamentals from scratch, he grew tired of it.
“You’re the one who caused this in the first place.”
If he had quietly attended school without showing off or belittling the other students, none of this would have happened.
Why take the test twice and make the other students question the system?
Anyway.
After glancing around the classroom one last time, I stepped out for a moment.
From the window, I carefully observed Dirk’s behaviour.
Sure enough.
There he was, pressing the piano keys however he pleased.
Judging by his dramatic movements, he must be playing some loud, disruptive music.
Other students turned to look at him, their gazes full of discomfort, but he paid no attention.
“So, that’s how it is.”
No wonder the students were so lukewarm during practice.
Dirk was causing trouble from the back row.
If he openly asserts himself like that during class, of course the others will feel uneasy.
Beatrice, sitting next to him, looked visibly flustered, her eyes darting around uncomfortably.
What should I do with this headstrong friend of ours?
***
In the break room, I ran into Erdi and discussed the situation.
I had asked him to look into Dirk.
“After investigating, I found that they serve the Herring Count’s family.”
“I’ve never heard of them.”
“They’re a household renowned in the south for producing esteemed knights. Ainz, whom you met earlier, is also from the Herring family.”
“Ah, I see.”
So, that’s how it is.
I thought he might be some hidden child of the emperor, given how arrogant he acted.
“Did you find out anything else?”
Erdi began explaining further.
Apparently, the Herring family is known for producing royal guard knights.
The head of the family, Count Herring, is one of the emperor’s closest confidants.
Whenever the emperor visits the south, he always stops by the Herring estate.
But there’s something strange.
“Isn’t that the Herring family’s honour? What does it have to do with the Wendelin family? From what I’ve heard, the Wendelin siblings aren’t from a particularly notable household.”
“That’s what I thought too, but…”
What came next was quite shocking.
“I heard that Dirk is in talks to marry the daughter of the Herring family. The ceremony is scheduled to take place as soon as he graduates from the academy.”
“…Why?”
It’s not common for the daughter of a count’s family to marry someone from a vassal household.
“There are rumours that the young lady has feelings for Dirk.”
“Unbelievable.”
Still, how did he find out all of this in such detail?
While the information provided some clarity, it also raised more questions.
“Count Herring has already given his blessing, and apparently, their relationship is well-known in the south.”
Now it all makes sense.
With a connection like that, it’s no wonder Dirk looks down on other students—and even Victor and Erdi—thinking they’re beneath him.
Fortunately—or unfortunately—our academy hasn’t had many students from prominent noble families enroll this year.
Most seem to have stayed in Valcares, which has a more established reputation.
That allows Dirk to act as if he’s the apex predator here.
He has no competition.
“Dirk and his younger sister, Beatrice, have been receiving music education since childhood. It seems he takes great pride in his skills. That’s likely why he doesn’t want to mingle with the other students.”
“Where on earth did you hear that?”
“I contacted Count Seneca in the south.”
Iolin?
Now that’s surprising.
At any rate.
The legal background check is complete.
Given Dirk’s aversion to basic education, he probably won’t show up to class starting tomorrow.
What will happen from here?
Once again, this is a mess he brought upon himself.
No matter how talented Dirk is, the academy isn’t generous enough to accommodate a student who outright refuses to attend classes.
Especially not someone whose personality is as rotten as his, relying on family connections to flaunt superiority.
“I’ve got a plan for all of this.”
—
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