Episode 3: Lecture (Physical)
I, who had resolved myself to sell my soul to a demon. If selling my soul to a demon was all it took to save Cornelia, then it was a small price to pay.
Before my eyes were children with expressions of fear mixed with suspicion. They were the children from within the domain, aged three to fifteen, whom I had gathered.
“Listen up!”
My shrill voice cut through the murmuring and echoed all around.
“From now on, you all will receive an education.”
“Education?”
“What’re ya gonna do with us?”
One of the older children among those gathered voiced their question. Interrupting a noble while they were speaking was not a praiseworthy act. However, in this domain, etiquette was practically non-existent to begin with. There was no point in correcting every little thing.
Well, that won’t be the case from now on, though.
Acting all high and mighty isn’t my style, and I do like the idyllic atmosphere of this domain where everyone gets along despite the harsh life, but this, too, is unavoidable.
“I’m planning mainly on etiquette, reading and writing, arithmetic, and physical training. I intend for you all to use what you’ve been taught to go work in other domains.”
“Work in other domains…”
“We’re already doin’ that, though…”
It’s a poor domain to begin with. Many already go elsewhere to work.
“As you are now, you can’t get any decent jobs! If you can read and write, you can get jobs with better pay than now! If you learn etiquette, if you can do arithmetic, if you’re strong! The reason you’re receiving this education is to get better jobs and increase your wages! In other words, the harder you work, the higher your future salaries will be!”
“Oooh!”
I won’t mention negative things like education expenses or child-rearing costs. I don’t want to dampen their motivation.
“That is all! I expect great efforts from you all!”
The servants in the house are only Old Man, Old Man’s son, and the maid my mother brought with her—just three people.
The maid will look after Cornelia, so it’ll probably be tough for Old Man and his son to educate the children by themselves. I plan to help with the children’s education too. It’s clear that things will fall apart if I don’t.
I learned arithmetic back in Japan, and I’ve mastered the writing system here. As for etiquette, Old Man drilled it into me when I had an audience with the King. So I can teach the children too.
However, I’ll probably only be able to teach for about two more years. When I turn seven, I will receive a Gift from God. This Gift is the Healing ability.
After I receive the Gift, I intend to devote everything to its growth. I probably won’t have time to be involved in the children’s education anymore.
◇
“Alright, it’s time for arithmetic. Today, I’ll be the one teaching.”
The largest room in the mansion. It was a bit run-down, but gathered inside were twenty-five children. They had been provided with long desks and chairs. Though hastily prepared, it probably passed for a classroom.
I’m about to teach them arithmetic, but…
“So then, right? I punched ‘im, and the guy, he fell right into the manure pit!”
“Seriously? Beating an adult, that’s awesome!”
“Piece o’ cake for me! Next time, I’m gonna beat up that old geezer here too!”
“Awesome!”
There are idiots everywhere, huh… A brat, probably twelve years old, was loudly boasting about his heroic exploits. Or maybe he’s looking down on me because I’m younger.
I took the teaching pointer and headed towards the guys who were chattering idly.
“Refrain from private chatter.”
“Huh? Go suck on your mommy’s tits, kid.”
I swung the pointer with all my might. My target was the face of the brat acting all high and mighty.
“Ouch!? What the hell d’you think you’re doin’, bastard! I don’t know if you’re a noble or what, but don’t get carried away!”
The brat shot up from his chair. He was huge. Looked to be about twice my size.
If I recall, this guy had the Boiling Gift, right? It’s a Gift that only boils water, but apparently, he himself boils over easily too.
“Your manners towards a noble are lacking.”
We should have had the etiquette lesson already, though?
I drew the dagger I wore at my hip.
This is a world where nobles are permitted to strike down those who are disrespectful. This should calm him down a bit.
“Somethin’ like that don’t scare me!”
Perhaps out of excessive confidence, the brat swung his arm at me. This guy’s a genuine idiot.
However, I’m no sword master. There’s no way I could pull off a feat like dodging a fist and cutting down an opponent.
“Haaah!”
All I managed to do was swing the dagger blindly and slightly cut the brat’s stomach.
A heavy impact struck my head, and my body was sent flying. It was a blow so intense I thought I’d lose consciousness. The only reason I didn’t pass out was probably because I had braced myself for a mutual strike.
“It huuuuurts!”
The brat was making a racket. Blade wounds really hurt, after all.
As I staggered to my feet, the brat was clutching his stomach, crouched over.
“The blood, the blood won’t stooooop!”
“Hey! You over there! Go call Old Man!”
I pointed to one of them, and though they had a frightened expression, they quickly ran off.
I approached the crouching brat and kicked his head upwards.
“You cur! What do you mean by raising your hand to a noble! I could kill you right here, you know?”
“D-don’t kill meeee~. Please, just spare me that~.”
“That depends on your future conduct.”
Saying only that, I turned and declared to the children who were watching me with frightened expressions.
“If you lot don’t want to end up like this, then you’d better apply yourselves to your studies!”
Afterward, Old Man arrived and stitched up the brat’s wound. Of course, there was no anesthesia. The brat was crying while his wound was being sewn.
Even someone like this is a valuable resource, after all.
After this incident, it was a pleasant miscalculation that the children became obedient and started listening to what I said.