After Stealing Hero's Mother, I Reincarnated in the Fantasy World!

Principal Ophelia was apparently in a good mood, humming to herself, her long legs crossed as she sat in her center seat.

In front of her, she had a great view from the balcony of the grand stage paved with bleachers on all sides. The battle that would determine the winner of this year's tournament was about to unfold on it. And along with that would decide their further distribution among the classes.

Next to Ophelia was a group of senior professors and instructors, the best experts in their fields from across the continent, gathered in one place to teach the younger generation.

…Though not all of them looked like that right now.

"Get ready to lose your money, old geezer."

"It's time for the best part of my job."

"Pfffhahaha, are you really going to bet on him? Looks like you lost all remnants of your mind along with your hair."

"At least I don't prioritize my bets based on the size of the candidates' breasts."

"Ignorant old man! Large breasts and innate amount of mana are inextricably linked! Just by looking at a girl's breasts, I can determine her future potential!"

"...Tsk."

Knowing that this theory had a basis in fact, the old professor could only snort unhappily.

Perhaps if any of the students had seen this picture, they would have been shocked. Their highly respected teachers, of whom they were proud and whose teachings they faithfully followed, were here transformed into something completely different.

And of course, their favorite teachers knew about everything that was going on at the academy, including the bets that were spread among the students.

But they didn't stop it in any way.

After all, betting was also an experience. Especially lost bets, full of despair and pain.

Since the goal of the academy was to develop their students as comprehensively as possible, they allowed these things to happen.

...or was it all about Ophelia's laziness to deal with it.

In any case, the faculty preferred to cite the first reason.

As Ophelia watched the lively friendly arguments of her teachers, she noticed her deputy Wallace, who as always maintained his serious face, not participating in the arguments.

She asked him in a teasing tone.

"Who are you going to bet on, Sir Wallace~?"

"On Gray, of course."

"You have quite a lot of faith in him, don't you~?"

"It's not just a faith. It's the smartest choice. Especially given his recent track record."

Wallace replied calmly, but still showed a satisfied smile.

"Your confidence in him is so sweet! Who would have thought that Mr. Wallace' stern and cold heart would one day melt to this young man~"

Although she spoke in a cheerful tone, her eyes darkened for a second as only one question resounded in her mind.

'Will the one who touches my heart ever come?'

It only lasted a moment before she regained her previous attitude, whistling happily to herself.

Wallace squirmed in his seat, sensing some unusual hint in her words, but knowing Ophelia's typical whims, he decided to let it pass. After all, he really believed in Gray.

When he first met Gray as a regular student, he watched his growth, which was phenomenal in some places, normal in others, and most importantly stable. And while there were people who didn't speak as well of him, he wrote it all off to their jealousy. He didn't know what it was exactly, but there was something about him that pulled him towards this young man...

His old eyes gleamed with youthful passion.

'He reminds me of myself as a young man. The same impetuous temperament and desire to be a hero.'

He lowered his gaze down and, although he couldn't see his legs because of his belly, he felt very encouraged.

'Although I'm not in the best shape right now, I'm still a romantic at heart. I believe in you, Gray!'

Unable to contain his emotions, Wallace let a slight smile appear on his face. He was ready to jump for joy, which, with his weight, was no easy task.

'It's like I've gone back to my youth...'

"He's going to lose."

Suddenly, a cold, rough voice interrupted his fantasy. It came from a two-meter tall, battle-hardened instructor named Eric Brake, who radiated sternness and military bearing with his appearance.

"...What did you say?"

"I said he was going to lose."

Eric remembered the look in Rain's eyes, the one he'd watched during the fights, and was even more convinced he was right. His eyes and fighting style reminded him of the Woman he'd met on the battlefield when he was just a boy.

She was beautiful as an ethereal fairy, and yet her blade was precise and ruthless, always finding its way to the heart of the enemy. Her style was an incredible combination of the incompatible, wild yet quiet, hard yet smooth.

Seeing something so beautiful for the first time, he was mesmerized.

Young Eric's impression of her sword style was so high that he was willing to beg Her day and night to become his Master.

But he wasn't given a chance. She explicitly stated that she wasn't taking students.

It wasn't until many years later, having gained experience in countless battles, that Eric learned the name of the Woman he had once met but never forgot.

Sword Empress, Astrid Bladefury.

Even now, all these years later, he had never forgotten Her and vividly remembered every movement of Her sword that he had once witnessed.

So when he saw Rain today, he couldn't help but think.

Could She have changed her mind over the decades and taken on a disciple?

The answer came quickly.

No.

Eric saw Astrid as a person as strong and straight as the most hardened sword, who would never stray from her convictions or bend to anyone.

But if not that, how else could this young man possess this sword style?

It was on this difficult dilemma that his confidence in Rain was built.

"Senior Instructor Eric… Ah, sorry, I completely forgot that you're still a mere Instructor. Anyway, what makes you think that, Instructor Eric?"

Wallace's eyes radiated an aura of superiority that was read in his every word.

Eric, on the other hand, simply cast a look devoid of any respect at him.

"You'll understand if you try to get out of your chair for once and do something useful."

A couple veins swelled on Wallace's forehead, but thanks to all the years he'd spent in social power struggles, he managed to contain himself.

Wallace never got along with instructor Eric. They were too different. He would have fired such a rude man long ago if he could. Unfortunately for him, Ophelia valued each of the teachers here and would never let him do that.

'Does he really think a couple of war medals makes him superior to others? While he was fighting on the battlefield, I was fighting a brutal social battle for a better place in this world. I'm sure I've earned as many scars as he has while climbing my career ladder.'
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Eric really never aspired to power, so despite all his experience, remained a simple soldier until now.

If Ophelia hadn't happened to notice his skills, hardened in hundreds, thousands of battles, he would never have been able to get into the Eldorin Imperial Academy. After all, no matter how good a soldier was, he was still just a soldier.

Unable to accept his attitude toward him, Wallace gritted his teeth.

Today, using Gray as his candidate, he would go to any lengths to shut that rude man up once and for all.

'I'm cheering for you, Gray.'