Chapter 38: Scathach-sensei is the best teacher
The calendar pages turned one after another—three days had passed.
[During the next three days, you devoted yourself entirely to studying.]
[You listened attentively and took detailed notes during class; after school, you reviewed diligently, studying late into the night.]
[Even in your dreams, you found yourself studying.]
[Your academic ability slightly increased, and your mana capacity improved.]
[With five days left before midterms, you completed a mock test and finally achieved a passing score.]
[Your goal of "reaching the grade's average score" now seems within reach.]
...
May 25th — Five days before the midterm exam.
Inside the teachers' office.
"Mochizuki Eikou."
Sunlight streamed through the window into the office. Scathach had changed into her light and alluring summer outfit, sitting in her chair behind the desk, lightly swinging her high heels — the firm curves of her legs exuding a subtly irresistible charm.
Her seductive crimson eyes glanced at the test paper in her hand — one that could barely be called "acceptable" — before turning toward the boy standing before her.
"Although it's still far from what I expected, you've performed decently lately." Scathach spoke in a cool tone. "At the very least, your progress is quite fast."
Eikou nodded, answering loudly, "It's all thanks to your excellent teaching, sensei!"
"Who taught you to say that? Such flattery is useless on me." Scathach slightly furrowed her delicate brows, her tone suddenly sharp.
"But it's an objective fact, isn't it?"
"Hmph..." Her pink lips curved faintly upward. "Say whatever you like. But if you screw up the midterm, don't you dare say I was the one who taught you… You understand the consequences, right?"
Faced with her sudden sharp gaze, Eikou swallowed nervously.
If he failed the midterm, he'd have to undergo hellish training in the Land of Shadows — and miss his date with Baobhan Sith.
That was definitely not a light consequence!
"...I understand completely."
"And one more thing — lately, you and Melusine seem to have grown a little too close." Scathach said, "Melusine is absolutely unfit to be your desk partner. She's careless, overly clingy, and distracts you terribly in class… Has that idiot Finn still not noticed this danger?"
"You're absolutely right!"
Eikou nodded furiously, agreeing more strongly than ever.
"For the sake of your grades, I plan to move Melusine to another seat." Scathach continued, "As it happens, a new transfer student will be joining tomorrow — a sincere, diligent, and hardworking girl. She'll be a far better partner for you than Melusine. What do you think?"
"Uh… another transfer student?"
Eikou tilted his head slightly, puzzled.
"There's no helping it. The number of Servants belonging to the Britain faction is simply too many."
She said,
"In any case, I won't allow Melusine to continue disrupting your studies — at least not while I'm still in charge of this class."
Eikou nodded, feeling that Scathach-sensei had truly been considerate, so he quickly said: "I'll follow your arrangement, Sensei!"
But deep down, he was still a little surprised. Although his closeness with Melusine was no longer a secret in class, it was quite impressive that Scathach-sensei had paid attention to it.
After all, there were plenty of strong-willed students in the class who needed guidance, and yet she still cared about his grades.
This teacher, who looked so cold and distant, was actually much more caring toward her students than she appeared.
"Very good. Then tomorrow, when the transfer student arrives, I'll help you two switch seats."
Scathach nodded in satisfaction.
"I've already arranged everything to create the most suitable environment for your studies. I hope you won't let me down. The exam is coming soon, so don't use studying as an excuse to sneak out and play. If I catch you, the consequences will be quite serious."
"I won't, Sensei. I've really just been studying lately."
Eikou hurriedly shook his head.
For this exam, he had given up all forms of entertainment these past few days — even his free time was entirely devoted to studying.
"That's good. Keep maintaining that attitude," Scathach said. "The weather's been unpredictable lately, and the season's changing, so remember to stay warm and don't catch a cold. You may go now."
Meanwhile, Scathach herself was casually wearing a tight, cool summer outfit that perfectly accentuated her mature, voluptuous, and alluring figure.
She was either too fitting — or too unfit — for this kind of outfit, to the point where Eikou didn't even dare lift his head to look directly at her.
"Thank you, Scathach-sensei," he said with genuine emotion. "You've done so much for me, I really don't know how to thank you enough."
"Don't say meaningless things like that — they're pointless. Better to prove it through action."
Scathach spoke in a tone that wasn't exactly cold, but still held little emotion:
"Besides, I'm a little curious to see how much potential the student Finn praised so highly can actually display. So, you'd better not disappoint me."
Eikou nodded firmly.
[You've promised Scathach-sensei that from now on you'll study diligently.]
[Under her arrangement, a new transfer student will become your desk partner tomorrow.]
[After the conversation ends, you leave the teachers' office.]
[On your way back to class, you can't help but wonder… just who could this transfer student arriving tomorrow be?]
[Carrying that question, you take your grade sheet and return to class.]
[As usual, the moment you enter, you start reviewing seriously, but the Round Table Knights sitting behind you keep trying to strike up a conversation.]
"Sir Eikou, did Scathach-sensei just call you up for a talk?"
Sitting behind him, Tristan asked.
"Umu, just some stuff about studying," Eikou replied without turning his head, eyes still fixed on the mistakes on his grade sheet. "Why? Is there a problem?"
"No, it's just strange. Scathach-sensei seems to care about you quite a bit."
"Really?"
Eikou shrugged indifferently.
"Jealous, Tristan? Come on, your type is married women, isn't it?"
But Tristan immediately shook his head. "No way. Scathach-sensei isn't within my range… due to age difference, it's a bit too much."
"You don't get it, Tristan!" Eikou suddenly became serious. "Do you know Soldier Boy? He once said something absolutely right — women are like fine wine, the older they are, the richer the flavor…"
Beside them, Oberon suddenly spoke up, "Ah, isn't that Scathach-sensei over there? Since when did she get here?"
"!"
Eikou instantly took a sharp breath, hurriedly burying his head into the grade sheet, pretending to study hard.
"Ha ha, just kidding." Oberon burst out laughing.
"You really are…"
Eikou sighed helplessly.
The longer he spent time with Oberon, the more he realized that while this Fairy King appeared obedient and gentle on the outside, deep down he was cunning and loved to tease people.
"But you know, I've always liked topics about romance or love stories," Oberon said politely. "Eikou, could it be that you've fallen for Scathach-sensei?"