Chapter 15
The evening after the major event of the Job assessments.
That evening, in the headmaster's office, Duke Vandamdo Fagner, whose Santa-like beard was impossible to miss, sat facing Phyllis Reactone, the young staff member who had been in charge of the student who'd acquired the much-talked-about 【Hero】 Job.
"Well done, Phyllis."
"Not at all. This was a learning experience. Besides, I was the one who insisted on being allowed to take part."
When the two of them were alone, Vandamdo called her Phyllis.
That was because they were grandfather and granddaughter.
Vandamdo was a great noble who held the title of duke here in the Kingdom of Shiyatona and oversaw the 〈National Dungeon Exploration Support Academy, Main Campus〉.
Phyllis Reactone was the eldest daughter of the Marquis Reactone, and her mother was Vandamdo's daughter.
Her grandfather had doted on her from a young age, and since she'd attended the Labyrinth Academy Main Campus as a student, the two were close.
When Phyllis graduated, Vandamdo invited her to work at the Labyrinth Academy Main Campus, and she had joined as a teacher starting this year.
Given her family's rank, Phyllis would normally have been assigned to the Noble Tower or the Noble Academy. However, she'd chosen the 〈Dungeon Strategy Major〉 division—specifically, the 〈Combat Course〉.
At an academy devoted to studying Jobs and mastering their use, it was one of the academy's flagship divisions, but also a tough place for a newly appointed teacher to start.
Still, Phyllis expected to marry within a few years and wanted to work in the 〈Dungeon Strategy Major〉 as soon as possible. She'd insisted, and Vandamdo had arranged a position for her.
"Still, I'm amazed. I never thought someone would acquire the 【Hero】 Job."
Vandamdo grunted.
The 【Hero】 Job was all but legendary.
Records showed it had last appeared five hundred years ago, and though unofficial, there was a record of a party including a 【Hero】 having conquered a top-ranked high-tier dungeon.
The authenticity of that account was unknown. However, another record stated that 【Hero】 was an exceptionally powerful Job, excelling at offense, magic, defense, and healing—and the royal family vouched for that information.
In other words, the royal family acknowledged the strength of the Job known as 【Hero】.
What came to Vandamdo's mind was the young man with an air of mysterious charm, brimming with confidence and unbothered by the commotion around him.
In Vandamdo's experience, anyone suddenly thrust into the spotlight like that—even a child of royalty or nobility—would feel at least a little intimidated and nervous.
But Zephyrus showed no such signs. He'd accepted it all as though it were only natural.
It made Vandamdo wonder what sort of life someone who wasn't even a noble had led to develop such nerve.
In his sixty years in this line of work, he'd never seen anyone with so many Jobs. He couldn't hide his surprise that many of them were Jobs even he, Vandamdo the Headmaster, had never seen or heard of.
And despite possessing so many possibilities, Zephyrus had boldly chosen the 【Hero】 Job without a moment's hesitation.
Vandamdo couldn't shake the feeling that Zephyrus was going to do something momentous—something that would go down in history.
"Yes. This happened during my very first Job assessment as a new teacher. I was so astonished I couldn't even speak. I was grateful when you took over for me, Grandfather."
"Haha, whether that was good luck or bad... Unexpected things like this do happen from time to time in the 〈Dungeon Strategy Major〉. Keep working hard."
"Understood. This has been a valuable experience."
"Mm. As for Zephyrus-kun, he'll be joining the 〈Dungeon Strategy Major〉's 〈Combat Course〉. By chance, he's your junior. I'd like to assign a homeroom teacher from among my staff. Phyllis, would you be willing to take it on?"
Phyllis blinked in surprise.
She had been in the 〈Dungeon Strategy Major〉's 〈Combat Course〉 as a student—or rather, up until just recently.
"…Would that be all right? Wouldn't it be better to have someone more capable take charge?"
"Of course, you won't be on your own. I'll assign two other assistant homeroom teachers. Learn the ropes from them first. Besides, there isn't a teacher who's ever handled a 【Hero】 before, so it won't make much difference. I'm hoping that since you're closer to his age, you might be able to guide him more personally and from a student's perspective."
"…I see. Understood. I'd be happy to accept."
"Very well. I'm counting on you, Phyllis."
And so, Zephyrus's homeroom teacher was decided: a beautiful nineteen-year-old, newly appointed teacher.