We spent a lot of time in various cities along the way, so it took us a good three weeks to get back to the Imperial Capital.
　Imperial City, a large city with a population of two million.
　Due to the prolonged recession, the city is a little less vibrant than it used to be, but that doesn't change the fact that the Imperial City is the center of the continent's economy.
　It was early in the morning when we arrived, so when we walked through the market, there were countless fishmongers and cooks crammed into the market.

　It might not be a bad idea to open a restaurant in the imperial capital, I thought.
　Fortunately, I have enough savings from my time as a member of the Knights, so it looks like I won't have any trouble finding funds to open a restaurant.
　I'm still a servant boy of a nobleman's house.
　I learned how to cook from the house's top chef.

　However, although I'm confident in my cooking skills, I'm not good enough to compete with professional chefs in the imperial capital.
　In the end, I run into the problem of being "halfway decent" and "poorly skilled".

　Anyway, first of all, I have to finish the essential business.
　Our destination is the Imperial School of Magic.
　It's the school we graduated from.

　You're going to meet the school's Professor Lucy.
　He was our mentor.
　He was also a key ally of the Order of Saint Sophia.
　The professor told me to be sure to show up when I returned to the imperial capital.

　The magic school is located in the eastern district of the imperial capital. I looked up at the clock tower that stood against the blue sky.
　The school's clock tower was one of the tallest in the imperial capital.

　I paused for a moment, not feeling nostalgic.
　Both Sophia and Creon had been my friends when I was here.

　We came to the front of the room where Professor Lucy was.

'Excuse me.'

　When I entered the room, Professor Lucy was sitting deep in a brown chair, no matter how expensive it looked.

'It's good to see you, Solon. What's wrong with you, coming back to the Imperial City all of a sudden?

　She said quietly, then looked at me with blazing crimson eyes.
　Professor Lucy was only in her late twenties.
　With her outstanding grades and research, she got a professorship at the Imperial School of Magic at a young age.
　There is no shortage of words to praise her as a once-in-a-century genius or the reincarnation of a legendary great wizard.
　But I know her other side as well.

　I stood there without saying a word.
　She brushed back her long, beautiful red hair and said, "What's wrong?

'What's wrong?　Maybe you were just admiring me?

A little bit.

　I said honestly, and Professor Lucy chuckled.

'Isn't it?　Because I'm a beautiful woman!

If you hadn't said that, I'm sure people would say you have a beautiful personality.

So you approve of the fact that I'm pretty on the outside?

It's a fact.

　I said matter-of-factly.
　The striking red hair and red eyes, along with the translucent white skin, and a rather young-looking but neat face.
　The loose-fitting robes worn by the teachers of the magic school also look great on her.
　Usually they are black faculty robes, but Lucy's is a specially made, bright crimson, which also makes her presence stand out.

　Every guy I went to school with treated her like an idol, but I think I understand.

"Back in the day, when I was chosen as your instructor, weren't your friends quite envious of you?

He's very self-conscious.

So, how did it go?

'They were already jealous of that. I get a barrage of resentment every day.

Oh, my God.

They really challenged me to a duel or something, and it wasn't a laughing matter.

　I protested with a reluctant look on my face.
　Lucy giggled with her cheekbones.

'It's good. You have to put up with that much trouble. Don't you think it was the best of luck to have a beautiful, genius, and very kind teacher like me to teach you?

'Well, yes. I guess I was lucky.

'Oh, you're so straightforward. I was afraid you'd say no to that.

'It's strange because I think I was lucky. Why did Dr. Lucy choose me?

　In this school, each student in the senior class is assigned an advisor.
　Students and teachers select each other to decide who will be assigned to each student. Students want the teacher who they feel will understand and help them develop the most. The teacher uses the student's wishes to assess the qualities of the student and to decide who will be his or her own student.

　In this way, naturally, the best students will have the best instructors. Conversely, a good instructor will only take pupils with outstanding talent.

　Then why did Lucy, an outstanding genius, choose me?
　I had always wondered.
　Lucy's answer was clear: "I thought you were talented.

"Because I thought you were talented.

I don't have any talent.

'You've created the most powerful Order in the Empire. You're also a great magician!　Isn't that right?

But I got kicked out.

　Lucy froze for a moment.
　Then, "What do you mean? He turned serious and asked me a question.
　I was forced to explain the sequence of events.
　I blurted out the areas where Arte and the others had cursed me, but still, it seemed to get through to Lucy enough.
Lucy's beautiful eyes were filled with sadness and she sighed deeply.

'Yeah. It's a shame.'

It's inevitable.

'I don't have a choice!　You're terrible!　Isn't it just too unreasonable for you to be betrayed by your friends and kicked out of the Order you created for you?

'I'm glad you said that. But it doesn't change the fact that I'm no longer of any use to them. I can't change anything now. I can't be Creon, Sophia, Arte, or even like Dr. Lucy.

　Lucy was crestfallen and depressed.
　After all, Lucy-sensei is a genius just like Sophia and Arte and the others.
　It's not like me.
　Lucy asked in a small, whispered voice to me.

'Your talents with swords and magic aren't everything. I know that you have other powers.

Are you going to comfort me?

'If Solon wants, I'll give him a hug and a pat on the head.

No, thanks.

　I shrugged and Lucy gave a small smile.

'What are we going to do now?'

'I plan to stay in Teito for a while, but I don't have any plans, so I guess I'll start looking for a job.

Yeah. I see.

　Lucy took a sheet of paper from her desk drawer and handed it to me, writing the words in pen.
　I looked at it sullenly.

'What's this?'

"Jobs.

A job offer?

Master's orders. Ready?　You are to be the tutor to Her Highness Princess Filia.

　It didn't immediately sink in what Lucy was saying.
　I asked the professor in horror.

'By imperial princess, do you mean the emperor's son's daughter?'

'What else is there?　Her Royal Highness Princess Filia, the 18th Crown Princess of the Empire, is 14 years old. Don't you know that her beauty is like a pretty lily and her intelligence is comparable to that of the wise confessor of old?

I've never heard of it before.

He's just a great guy.

How could I be a tutor to such a nobleman?

"It's what the Princess wants. Her Highness has longed to be an adventurer. Specifically, someone like Vice Commander Solon of the Knights of St. Sophia, who is strong enough to fight alone with sword and magic.

"Huh?

His Highness himself said that he wanted a wizard like Solon to be his tutor, but he couldn't find anyone to suit his highness. Then I found someone who was just right for the job.

That's right, I'm Solon himself, but why do you admire me instead of admiring Sophia or Arte?

'Why don't you ask His Highness about that directly?　You're famous. No wonder.

　People think I'm a hero. You mean to tell me that Her Royal Highness is no exception.
　In my mind's eye, I pictured Clarice talking passionately about the magic swordsman Solon. With her sparkling eyes, Clarice was making an impassioned speech about what a wonderful person Solon was.
　It was a false image. There is no such fine Solon anywhere.
　He is an outcast, a mere magic swordsman.

''However...''

　Lucy put her index finger to my mouth as I was about to say, "I'm sorry.

'Your lovely mentor is introducing you to her, so do it honestly.

I don't know if I can do it.

Oh, I think you'll be a good teacher.

How do you know that?

'Because I know you well. You are my proudest disciple.

　Lucy smiled softly.　
　In the end, I accepted the job.

　According to Lucy, the tutor of the Princess's Highness will also receive the high-ranking position of chamberlain.
　In addition, the salary is also said to be quite high.

　Besides, I couldn't refuse Lucy's request.

　After getting out of the magic school, I looked for an inn and left my belongings there, and got myself ready for the day.
　As soon as next week, I'll be going to the Imperial Palace.