"What on earth are they learning?"
"I know right, why do they keep doing downward cuts to death?"
It was a bizarre phenomenon.
For some reason, those who are clearly the top elites of Glasco's Combat Department were constantly doing downward cuts, which is the basic of basics, no, too empty to even be called a basic.
An instinctive swing that even a newborn could do if they held a sword.
However, they were swinging it seriously as if it were some peerless swordsmanship.
The answer that returned when someone asked was even more spectacular.
'Have you ever seen a 'real' downward cut? I... saw it.'
That wistful expression.
'A downward cut is a downward cut, what's this about real and fake?'
But since the conversation didn't progress beyond that, it was impossible to understand.
Fortunately, that doubt was resolved by Professor John Michern.
"What are you all doing right now?"
"Ah, that is..."
"What? That is Professor Lucas's sword?"
"It was a truly perfect downward cut. We wish to reach that sword..."
"Even if a downward cut is perfect, it is just a downward cut. Man, I thought they gathered aces, but it turns out they were running a swordsmanship kindergarten."
A sneer formed at the corners of the professor's mouth.
Mockery leaked out snickeringly among other students as well.
"I knew it, there was a reason Professor Lucas didn't select Student Jesse! Hahaha!"
Other students were also in an atmosphere of agreeing to some extent.
Except for those taking Lucas's lecture, the atmosphere became harmonious.
However, the expression of the person directly involved, Jesse Athlon, was not bright.
'Shit-for-brains idiots.'
Only Jesse, who experienced what kind of monster-like guys gathered in that lecture, could know the true intention beyond that abnormal behavior.
No, even they must be feeling it a little bit.
In other words, that is the 'Sour Grapes Phenomenon'.
It is self-rationalization regarding something they cannot reach.
Jesse was just annoyed by this whole situation.
***
<'Everything About Battle' Lecture Notice>
Announcement to students of Everything About Battle.
We plan to conduct practical training at
-Content: Real combat simulation for improving combat proficiency.
-Date: Month X, Day XX, Year XXXX.
-Target: Limited to students of 'Everything About Battle.'
-Application: Receipt until Month X, Day XX
(Tactical Researcher Rit)
-Personal armaments must be brought.
***
I'm screwed.
I wanted to live as if we didn't exist to each other without running into Rit as much as possible, but the setting I wrote caught my ankle.
That is the setting 'A teaching assistant is absolutely necessary'.
At that time, I put it in without knowing anything.
Just because I considered grad students suffering while receiving care(?) from professors as a kind of meme.
To express such realism where even in a fantasy world, grad students suffer because of professors.
...I am receiving punishment for that sin sweetly like this now.
A situation arises where I inevitably have to work together with Rit.
Considering 'only' the thesis, I don't need Rit.
Because footnotes and citations are all fiction coming out of my head.
But the work in reality was different.
There were things that had to be processed through the teaching assistant, and things that had to be prepared in company with the teaching assistant.
Especially facing the practical training season this time, the existence of the teaching assistant is highlighted even more to the extent that I have to face him all day long.
Furthermore, since he has to prepare a dissertation like grad students in reality, he has to stick with me, the advising professor, continuously during work hours.
Damn past self.
Thanks to that, I'm dying of fatigue from preparing lectures, minding Rit, and spending the day with nerves on edge all day long.
Digestion doesn't work well, and it feels like I might get sick at this rate.
Of course, because of the daily reward Super Recovery, that won't happen.
Anyway, since Rit is my only teaching assistant, naturally there was much more work to process than teaching assistants of other professors.
I was dying from walking on eggshells.
"You may leave work first."
"Ah, no, Professor. How could I leave work first? Please do not mind me. I will just go photocopy this."
Since he holds out saying he won't go even when I give hints to go first, it is just troubling.
Only when Rit empties his seat like this occasionally can I loosen my mind and be at ease to my heart's content.
'Since he's a demon, does he not sleep either... well, I'm like that too, but still.'
Sometimes when I work absent-mindedly, there were many cases where the day changed before I knew it.
Since I became a body that opens eyes at 5 AM whether I sleep or not, and I have Super Recovery, let's say that's fine for me, but what about him?
He doesn't leave work and doesn't sleep; I'm dying of worry.
...Of course, for myself.
You know, if you look on the internet, aren't there many stories like that?
Those dizzying posts where grad students suffering from sleep deprivation and overwork confess they want to kill their professors.
The screams that they thought they became grad students but feel like they will become devils instead.
At the time, I laughed and passed it over, but now I cannot laugh and pass it over.
Because now I am in that professor's position.
And my teaching assistant is a devil in the true sense....
***
"W, what did you just say."
"Did you not hear correctly? Bewitch Lucas, that man."
"B, but..."
Rit doubted his own ears.
Bewitch Lucas.
Isn't that something close to impossible?
"You are also of the clan of Succubi/Incubi (Dream Demons). Bewitchment magic should not be difficult."
"But I am a hybrid. A hybrid, not a pureblood. In the first place, I do not possess such outstanding bewitchment arts either. Please withdraw the command."
Rit prostrated and begged.
However, that existence only smiled broadly.
'Oh no.'
It was already decided.
That is just a notification.
They... intend to discard me.
"I have prepared essence to drastically increase the success rate of bewitchment arts. Since the Queen of Succubi/Incubi bestowed it herself, the effect should be proper."
...Or not?
If it is essence bestowed by the Queen of Succubi/Incubi herself, it can pull up the stats of all Succubi/Incubi tribes by more than 3 times.
Of course, since he is a hybrid, he only receives benefits limited to bewitchment arts.
"How about it. At this level, wouldn't it be worth a try?"
Don't I have no choice anyway?
"I will... do my best."
"Good."
But even with the Succubus Queen's essence, he cannot easily guarantee success against a strongman of Lucas's level.
He had to be fully prepared.
From that day on, while Lucas was away from his seat, Rit made preparations for the bewitchment art.
Little by little, bit by bit.
Very faintly so he wouldn't notice.
He drew a magic circle centered on Lucas's seat and installed mediums on each axis.
And he infused the Succubus Queen's essence into the magic circle and synchronized it with his mana.
With this, the preparation is finished.
But he couldn't attempt bewitchment hastily.
Because if he fails by any chance, the price is only death.
Rit watched for an opportunity vigilantly and waited for the right time.
Just in time, a suitable opportunity called practical training arrived.
Because of that preparation, he could watch for an opportunity all day long.
Discomfort that seemed to constrict his soul encroached on Rit, but he had to endure.
Failure is only death.
After holding his breath and watching for an opportunity for a long time.
Finally, the time came.
"Excuse me, Professor."
Having met all requirements, Rit called Lucas.
Now, if only their eyes meet, the bewitchment magic is a success.
***
"Excuse me, Professor."
Rit called me.
However, at that moment.
[sis45778 has donated 100G.]
[sis45778 has donated 100G.]
[sis45778 has donated 100G.]
[sis45778 has donated 100G.]
[sis45778 has donated 100G.]
[sis45778 has donated 100G.]
[sis45778 has donated 100G.]
[sis45778 has donated 100G.]
[sis45778 has donated 100G.]
[sis45778 has donated 100G.]
A total of 10 donation windows.
Embarrassment followed along with overwhelming gratitude.
'Oh my, you could have just given it at once. It must have been bothersome.'
It felt like the donation increased to 10 times so it wasn't bad, but worry that it might have been cumbersome came first.
In the midst of worrying about useless things, Rit's figure is seen beyond the semi-transparent notification window.
And with a tremendously flustered appearance at that.
'Don't get excited. I am in front of a wicked demon bastard right now. It won't be strange even if I get torn to death anytime. Let's get a grip. Get a grip!'
I quickly turned off the notification window and asked in a kind and gentle tone as much as possible so as not to be offensive.
"Are you done?"
If he's not done, I should help him.
***
'Is, is it done?'
The magic circle operated properly.
At this level, I can guarantee that even a high-grade demon can be made to fall into bewitchment.
Rit pulled up his mana and met Lucas's eyes.
A flicker of bewilderment formed in his eyes.
It was a very slight change in expression, but Rit could know at once.
'Yes, done!'
Rit, who sensed success, wore a triumphant smile.
But that was also brief.
'Something is a bit strange...?'
Rit's face, sensing something strange, gradually hardened stiffly.
'C, clearly the bewitchment magic should have been cast properly?'
As if denying such conviction of Rit, Lucas's pupils moved.
As those cold eyes touched him, Rit couldn't budge an inch.
Fear on an instinctual level constricted his body.
'N, no. The bewitchment magic must have been cast. Right now, I am intimidated because of that guy's racial trait. Now that guy is my faithful servant....'
However.
"Are you done?"
As if asking if the trick he prepared ends here, even a faint sneer was underlying.
Goosebumps broke out all over Rit's body.
The existence in front of his eyes, who nonchalantly broke through a trap that even a high-ranking demon would have been helplessly caught in, was so.
Terrifying.