Chapter 118: Hilda is the Teacher?

"Guten Tag, Meine Freunde! I, Hilda Hertel, will be your teacher for last period!"

BAM!

"What!?" Nadia reflexively slammed her hands on her desk, shooting up to her feet, dumbfounded.

’What do you mean, teacher?!’ She thought, shocked by the revelation, then noticed everyone’s attention on her.

With a small gulp, she slowly lowered herself back down to her seat with a face slightly pinkish from embarrassment.

Though she quickly composed herself the moment she caught sight of Hilda’s gloating smirk. "Grr..."

Herman, recovering from Nadia’s abrupt outburst, coughed lightly.

"I’m aware this is quite a surprise to all of you, so I’ll explain. Since you all are still in the middle of recovering from your injuries, some of you more so than others, the Academy has changed the curriculum to better fit your condition until you all have gotten better, of course.

"Under normal circumstances, this period would’ve been reserved for physical training, where you all would either be in the sparring range or gym. Obviously, we can’t do that; thus, we substituted such lessons for theory-based ones."

He then gestured towards Hilda, who was modestly leaning on the teacher’s podium.

"Every period that would’ve had you all outside working out will be replaced with lessons about The Heart, Vitality, and Predicaments. All of which will be taught by your peer over there."

Herman then paused briefly before adding, "Any questions?"

Nadia, being the obvious suspect, raised her hand earnestly. "Yeah, I have one."

She pointed at Hilda.

"Why is she the one teaching this subject? I understand the reason why we’re not doing physical training, but shouldn’t a more qualified and... experienced person be the one teaching? Like you, sir?" Nadia inquired, being careful with her words.

Herman crossed his arms and nodded. "I understand your concern. In any other case, I would’ve been the one teaching. However, that would’ve only been because I was more qualified. As it stands..."

He unbuttoned his coat and revealed two white badges underneath, which caused many to compare with the two red ones on Hilda’s chest.

"Hilda is more qualified than me when it comes to this subject. Despite her age, she has more experience when it comes to combat and using Vitaliy, which I’m sure many of you have seen."

At his words, everyone gulped heavily and remembered Hilda’s extraordinary exploit back in Calais. It was an event that was forever going to be remembered by each and every one of them.

Nadia, who was initially against this arrangement, was left in shock. ’Unbelievable...’

Although it took her a moment, she eventually accepted the arrangement, though only after a deep sigh.

Herman, noting that no one opposed the arrangement or was unsatisfied with it, let out a soft exhale.

In truth, he hadn’t planned on making Hilda take over as a teacher, even if she was more qualified than he was. Not because he hadn’t thought of it, which was certainly one of the reasons, but rather... because of her request.

’The only reason this arrangement is accepted is because of her transaction.’

A day before starting the Academy, Hilda had requested to work as a teacher.

Obviously, given her age and identity as a student, the Academy was inclined to reject her request. But that changed the moment she offered up a large portion of her Contribution Points.

’What was it... 150, did she offer?’ Herman pondered.

Since Contribution Points were used to exchange for nearly anything, she was accepted for a teaching role. Though only as an apprentice, given the amount she was willing to exchange.

’Nobody should’ve known how many points there were, given that the app only reveals it a day after inauguration. But I suppose she was confident enough in achieving first place to spend so much in one go.’ Herman chuckled inside, then stroked his chin curiously. ’Though... to spend it on a teaching role... I wonder why.’

As he was pondering this—

"Seeing as no one else opposes to me teaching, let’s begin shall we?"

—Hilda had begun the lesson.

...

As Hilda taught the class...

’What the fuck.’ A certain transmigrator had begun to panic in the back, her Heart flipping several times in fear and confusion.

’This didn’t ever happen before!’ Seraphine freaked out, trying her best to hide her panic, though occasionally letting it slip with shake of her fingers.

There hadn’t ever been a scenario or storyline where Hilda took on a teaching role. At least... not this early on.

’So why the hell is she doing it!?’

Watching how passionately Hilda taught, Seraphine glanced around, her eyes landing on a few key figures in the class. ’Roxy, Beatrice, Ross, Elias... Could it be because everyone is here?’

In the Visual Novel, there was never a storyline where all four of them were still alive. Could that be the reason as to why Hilda was suddenly teaching?

’No... that just doesn’t make sense.’ Seraphine shook her head. Why on Earth would Hilda take on a teaching job for a reason like that?

’There’s obviously something else at play here... something that influenced her decision.’ With that thought in mind, Seraphine randomly turned to look at Nadia, who was studiously jotting down notes.

Although the Heroine was clearly against Hilda teaching at first, the woman was extremely engrossed in what the German had to say — to the point that she hadn’t even noticed Seraphine’s gaze yet.

’She was always depicted as a hard-working student, so it isn’t that surprising...’ Seraphine thought nothing of it, resting her chin in her palm.

’Although...’ She couldn’t help but think back on the differences in the Heroine’s relationship with German, compared to what they had in the story.

’Since those two met, they’ve been rather close... although, evidently one-sided.’ Seraphine tapped her finger against her chin.

Obviously there was something going on between the two women, something that she hadn’t accounted for.

’But if I look past that for now, wouldn’t Nadia be the most fitting reason why Hilda is doing this?’ Seraphine paused at this conclusion.

If Nadia really was the reason why Hilda was now in this position, didn’t that mean that the only reason Hilda was doing this was to...

Show off?

The moment Seraphine came to this conclusion, feeling everything click together, Nadia eventually sensed her gaze.

Looking up from her notebook, the Heroine turned to the Transmigrator and tilted her head. "Is... something the matter?"

"H-huh? O-oh... nothing’s wrong at all..." Seraphine waved dismissively with an awkward smile. "I was just lost in thought, is all...!"

"Oh, okay." Nadia nodded, then said, "If you’re confused anywhere, do ask."

She then watched as the Heroine returned to jotting down notes. By now, the woman had already filled a page with words.

It was clear she was learning a lot in such a short amount of time.

’I guess I should do the same as well...’ Seraphine turned around. Although her memory of the story was pretty good, that didn’t mean she knew or memorised every single little detail.

’Anything on Vitality will help me a lot.’

...

’Seems like everyone’s engaged with my lesson,’ Hilda mused, still calmly leaning against the teacher’s podium.

She always had a knack for teaching, even deriving some enjoyment out of it. But due to her ambition, she was never really motivated to sign up for any teaching position — not like it would’ve been accepted, given her age.

’But of course, things change.’

She glanced over at Nadia and smiled brightly inside, seeing how studious the woman looked. It made her happy seeing hard-working individuals, especially when it was because of her efforts.

’It’s good that she’s reasonable enough to take advantage of me this way, instead of sulking und not paying attention.’ Hilda hummed inside.

She then noticed a student raise his hand at the front.

"Miss Hilda, could you explain to us what Heart Limit is? I heard it was an important topic from the second years."

"Heart Limit?" Hilda repeated curiously before smiling.

"Sure, I can do that. But before I do... I should remind everyone what Strength of Heart is first."

She spun around and grabbed the board’s pen, then began to draw a large Heart diagram.