I absolutely must request private lessons

Fletta-chan's got that first-wife composure down pat. According to her, even someone as… problematic as me could become Dea-kun's concubine.

"I-I mean, I won't, okay? I won't, but still?"

"Oh, you definitely will. Or what, are you aiming for the primary wife position? Hmm, I wouldn't recommend it. You'd be competing with me, and besides, being a concubine or mistress is much easier, you know? No diplomatic duties and all that."

"Sure, that does sound better, but… I'm not becoming one, okay!?"

"I hereby grant you, Karina-san, permission to become a concubine! You may thank me now!"

"… U-um. Thanks?"

And so, having somehow received permission to become a concubine, we returned to the classroom.

But the classroom was in an uproar. C-could it be!? A fight over Dea-kun!? Heart racing, I hurried inside — only to find a beautiful bespectacled elf woman.

"Hm? So you're not Karina-san? Wait, now that I look closer, you are indeed an elf, but I don't recall having a beautiful girl like you among my students?"

"Uh, well, I'm sort of…"

A beautiful elf was chatting up Dea-kun. An adult woman who clearly wasn't a classmate, looking sharp in a suit.

The fact that she wasn't in uniform meant she was probably a teacher — the type of beautiful teacher you'd want to put in a uniform just to hear her go "ugh, this is mortifying" while you humiliate her. Though honestly, she'd probably look great in one anyway.

The classroom chatter went something like, "Someone tell her already." "Nah, can't. I still can't believe it myself." "Besides, you think Iz-sensei listens to us?" "Fair point."

"Ah. She's back."

"Oh! A human, so you must be the transfer student, Karina-san?"

"Ah, yes. That's right, I'm Karina-chan."

The beautiful bespectacled elf flashed me a smile.

"I'm Izumikane. The homeroom teacher for Class A. Please call me Iz-sensei."

"Oho… This is definitely a teacher I must request private lessons from."

"Hm? Ah, well, certainly. Motivated and talented students are always welcome."

"Oh, really? I'm totally motivated. Let's head to the nurse's office right now."

"Hmm? Why the nurse's office???"

Ah. She agreed to the normal kind of private lessons. Right, of course. She's just a regular teacher after all.

"Anyway, I actually came here to scout you, Karina-san — Lakto-sensei mentioned you were talented, so I was hoping to have our class teach you magic."

"Ah, no thanks. I'm taking classes with Dea-kun."

"… You're rejecting my recruitment!? W-well, fine then. Private lessons it is. Come to Class A after school today."

With that, Iz-sensei left the classroom with a big smile.

Ah, crap. My careless remarks just locked me into private lessons.

"Um, Onee-san?"

"Excuse me. Karina-san?"

Oof. Double judgmental stares from Dea-kun and Fletta-chan.

Suggesting we go to the nurse's office when there's still class to attend was definitely not okay! I'll reflect on this!

 

*

 

After that whole encounter with Iz-sensei, I somehow managed to get my head back in the game and attend the afternoon classes with a calm mind. That was a relief.

That said, the content went completely over my head. Magic theory? I mean, I get the whole elemental advantage/disadvantage thing, but…

If it had at least been about Spatial Magic, I might have understood more, but there was absolutely nothing about that.

"Now then, regarding Peperpoi's Law based on Assault Belt's Quad Interaction Theory…"

Yeah, no clue. Absolutely none.

Apparently, understanding this Peperpoi's Law lets you use powerful magic more efficiently, but it's way too confusing for me.

"Dea-kun, Dea-kun. What does this mean?"

"… Um. By casting the four basic elements in proper sequence, you can theoretically strengthen them infinitely, but in practice there's a cap based on your mana capacity."

Something this Assault Belt-san came up with, apparently. Huh. Dea-kun's explanations are a lifesaver.

"Karina-san. Actually, the same theory exists for attenuation as well. It's called Popolpei's Law, and it…"

"Ohh? That's educational."

Fletta-chan's explanations are helpful too. By the way, she'd moved her seat to the opposite side of me from Dea-kun.

Probably because Dea-kun's other side has the window, so there's no seat there. But is this really okay? Well, I certainly don't mind. Being sandwiched between two cute kids is making me all giddy.

And so, after more or less flirting with the two of them all through class, the final lesson of the day ended. It was now after school.

Lakto-sensei came over to us.

"Karina-kun, I heard you asked Iz-sensei for private lessons?"

"Ah, well, um, it's not that I'm unsatisfied with Lakto-sensei's classes, you know? I just happen to like beautiful women and was curious about what private lessons with a beautiful teacher would be like…"

"… Ah, yes, that's fine. Um, the thing is. Iz-sensei was originally my student, and, well, I wanted to ask you to please go easy on her. She's not a bad person, but she can be a bit harsh with her words… she might actually mean harm, but she's not a bad person. Really. Yes."

What is this, a criminal's mother insisting "that child is really a good kid" while defending them?

Also, what does Lakto-sensei think I am? Even I wouldn't make a move without consent, you know?

"Right, I'm worried, so I'll come along too."

"Dea-kun?"

"Ah. In that case, I shall accompany you as well."

"Fletta-chan?"

"If you two are going along, that's reassuring… actually, wait, no it's not. I'll come too."

"Even Lakto-sensei?"

Do they really think I'm going to cause that much trouble!? How rude!