Chapter 112
"Hmm... A visitor?"
Just as he finished unpacking his belongings, the doorbell rang.
When Clael went to the entrance and opened the door, a large man was standing there.
He was a few years older than Clael, a muscular man wearing a tank top.
"Oh, you're the new theology teacher, huh?"
"Yes, I am... and you are?"
"Ah, my name's Big Rock. I teach physical education at the academy."
The man introduced himself with a bright, friendly smile.
He was a teacher Clael didn't know. He must have joined after Clael graduated from the academy.
"Mr. Rock, right? My name is Clael Byrne."
"Nice to meet you, Mr. Byrne... So, about why I'm here—we're holding a welcome party for you in the lounge on the first floor. I'd be really happy if you could join us..."
"A welcome party... Yes, of course. Mr. Rock."
They went out of their way to prepare something like that.
Turning down such things could hurt workplace relationships. He decided to gratefully accept the gesture.
"Ah, great. Then... come down to the first floor at six in the evening."
That was exactly one hour later. Clael nodded.
"Understood. Well then, see you later..."
"Yeah, see you later."
Leaving behind a refreshing yet somehow sweaty-smelling smile, Rock walked away.
"Alright... let's finish the rest of the unpacking."
Clael rolled up his sleeves and quickly completed the remaining tasks.
By the time the moving was done, exactly one hour had passed.
"Okay, I'm heading out."
"Kuma kuma~"
Leaving the plushie bear in charge of the house... Clael left the room and headed to the lounge in the shared space on the first floor.
"Excuse me..."
"""Welcome to the staff dormitory!"""
"Whoa!"
The moment he opened the lounge door... pop, pop—bursting sounds echoed.
Colorful confetti flew through the air... and he quickly realized it was from party poppers.
"Ah, sorry for startling you, Mr. Byrne."
Rock, holding a party popper, apologized with a smile.
Next to him stood Yurii, along with several unfamiliar men and women.
On the lounge table were dishes like pizza and fries, along with alcohol and glasses.
"I'm surprised. That's quite the enthusiastic welcome."
"Hahaha! It's a tradition in this dorm. Please don't be mad."
"Of course, I'm not upset... More importantly, if you don't mind, could you introduce me to everyone?"
"Ah, right."
Rock pulled a nearby woman close by the shoulder.
"This is my wife. She's a bit preachy and naggy, but I'd appreciate it if you could overlook that."
"That's because I have a husband who gives me reason to preach... Nice to meet you, I'm Arisa Rock."
While pinching her husband's hand, Mrs. Rock greeted him with a smile.
"I teach literature at the academy. Pleased to meet you, Mr. Byrne."
"Nice to meet you too... So, even though you're married, you both live in the staff dormitory?"
The staff dormitory had separate rooms for men and women. Even for married couples, there shouldn't be exceptions.
"That's right. If my husband were more capable, we could commute from a proper residence, you know?"
With a sarcastic tone, the wife spoke, and Rock grimaced and scratched his head.
"Teachers ranked as department heads or higher are given private residences and can commute with an escort... but only a few teachers get that."
Due to security concerns, academy staff are required to live in the staff dormitory.
However, for older teachers or those with families, this often becomes an issue.
Therefore, teachers ranked as department heads or higher are allowed to live in residences owned by the academy.
"Come on, for now—let's drink! Let's have a toast!"
While receiving greetings and introductions from the other teachers... Clael's welcome party began.
There were about ten teachers present, both men and women. All were in their twenties to thirties. The Rocks were the only married couple.
"Still... all this talk about security, they seem really concerned. Is it really that important?"
"Ah, I thought the same thing! Like, you even need to submit a request just to go shopping—isn't that a bit strict?"
Yurii agreed with Clael's question.
Requiring all teachers to live on academy grounds... wasn't that a bit too strict?
"Well..."
"Hah! You really don't know anything, do you?"
Just as Rock was about to answer... a mocking voice came from the corner of the lounge.
"That just shows how important a post teaching at the Royal Academy is. After all, we're involved in educating the next generation, including royalty. There have even been past cases of teachers being kidnapped or brainwashed with magic... Any new teacher should be aware of that, really."
"...And you are?"
The one who spoke snidely was a male teacher with a hairstyle that looked like seaweed on his head.
He wore a black robe and was drinking alone at a corner table, not mingling with the other teachers.
"Ah—That's Areiji Shawett. He teaches magical theory."
Rock introduced him with a troubled expression.
Shawett snorted with a "hmph" and took a sip from his glass.
Once the sarcasm ended, he didn't even glance their way, as if the conversation was over.
He seemed to be quite the difficult personality.
"Ugh... What is that guy's deal, seriously?"
Yurii pouted and whispered her complaint.
"He's unfriendly, antisocial... and yet he still shows up to these things. I can't tell if he wants to get along or pick a fight!"
"Ah... just don't let it get to you. That's just the kind of guy he is."
Rock sighed as he tried to cover for him.
"Apparently, he used to be a court magician, and he's really skilled as a teacher... Though, the students don't like him much, and the other teachers... well, yeah. There's a lot going on."
"That's... not really helping, Mr. Rock."
It seemed his attempt to defend him had fallen short.
In short... Shawett was just that kind of person.
(A reclusive, socially awkward type... and yet, he still shows up to events like this, so I guess he doesn't like being left out...)
He was the type of person Clael didn't want to get too involved with.
Clael shook it off and popped a potato into his mouth.
He'd gotten tangled up with one odd person, but... his first day at the staff dormitory, surrounded by coworkers, turned out to be fairly enjoyable.
With a workplace like this, there probably wouldn't be any major trouble.
At the very least, that's what Clael thought at the time.