Chapter 120
As the performance of Canon ended and they moved on to the second and third pieces... he suddenly noticed something.
At some point, the doors of the sanctuary had opened, and a few students were peeking inside.
Some of them looked on with sparkling eyes full of interest, others were absorbed in the performance and singing, and some gazed at Reina with enchanted eyes... each reacting differently as they peeked into the sanctuary.
"Oops... is it that time already?"
It seemed that the students had arrived.
When he looked at the clock, it was already time for class to begin. Clael lightly adjusted his clothing and stood up from the organ bench.
"Please, feel free to come in."
When Clael gave permission, the students exchanged glances and entered the sanctuary.
After confirming that the students were gradually taking their seats at the tables, Clael turned back toward Reina.
"Reina, shouldn't you be in class too...?"
"Today, I'll be assisting you all day, Clael."
Reina responded promptly and clearly.
"But don't you have classes yourself...?"
"My grades are fine, so there's no problem. I also have permission from the headmaster."
"............"
He couldn't help but wonder if that was really okay, but if she had the headmaster's permission, there was nothing Clael could say.
"...Alright then. I'll be counting on you."
"Yes!"
Reina smiled like a blooming flower.
As always, he wondered just what made her so happy.
While they were having that conversation, the students had taken their seats.
Clael moved to the front of the lectern, cleared his throat with a small cough, and opened the attendance book.
"Alright... once again. Starting today, I'll be your theology instructor. My name is Clael Byrne. It's nice to meet you all."
As he gave a brief self-introduction and glanced over the students... their reactions fell into three categories.
The first group were students who stared at him with curiosity about the new teacher. Most of them were girls, and for some reason, they also glanced at Reina and whispered to each other.
The second group were students who showed no interest. Some were already focused on self-study with their eyes on their textbooks, while others stifled yawns with sleepy faces.
And... the third group were students who glared at him with hostility or malice. Most of them were boys, and their gazes were filled with jealousy and resentment.
(Ah... this kind of look again. I've gotten used to it by now.)
Clael let out a small sigh, careful not to be noticed.
These stares were something he had experienced plenty of back in Eggbell.
They were exactly the same as the looks Reina's fans gave him, as she was the Saint.
(In other words... they're jealous. Because I'm close with Reina.)
He didn't know how much they understood about his relationship with Reina... but after seeing the two of them perform together earlier, they surely wouldn't think they were strangers.
"Some of you may already know, but I'm also the foster parent of Reina Laurel here. We're from the same town, and she was discovered as a Saint at the shrine I oversee."
"Um, may I ask a question?"
One of the female students raised her hand.
She was one of the girls who had been watching with great interest.
"Yes? What is it?"
"So... does that mean you lived under the same roof as the Saint?"
"............!"
The atmosphere in the sanctuary shifted with a stir.
Almost every student present... even those who had seemed uninterested, now turned their eyes toward Clael.
"Ah... yes, it's true. We lived together until she was adopted into the Duke Laurel family."
When Clael answered honestly, the female students let out a chorus of squeals.
In contrast, the stares of jealousy and hatred directed at Clael grew more intense.
Some even gave off an aura as if cursing him while biting their fingers.
(Well... this has gotten way out of hand for a first day of work...)
Young people tend to act on their emotions.
Clael himself had been that way in his youth, and it was obvious just by looking at Reina.
And... often, students' pent-up emotions end up directed at their parents or teachers.
(It'd be nice if I could get through this teaching job without incident... but is that even possible?)
Hatred and jealousy directed at him by the male students.
Interest and curiosity directed at him by the female students.
Realizing that he'd have to deal not just with Reina and the capture targets, but also with all of them... Clael quietly held his head in his hands.