She Banished Me Yesterday, But Today She Calls Me Master? - Episode 15

The schoolyard had turned into a grand event, with all the students gathered together. Sitting in a specially prepared viewing area, Eltrinde looked down on us with her hands clasped. For some reason, Ambie was standing behind her, eyes sharp as she kept watch over the surroundings.

So, she was connected to Eltrinde…? I always thought she seemed suspicious.

As I stood there in surprise, someone approached me.

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“Feeling nervous, Professor Asto? Of course you are. Just look at your students—it’s a clear reflection of your competence as a teacher. And now, you’ll be disappointing Lady Eltrinde as well.”

“Professor Arnold…?”

Arnold surveyed the gathered students, then raised his voice so everyone could hear.

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“Professor Asto, I’ve thought this for a while now, but seeing your students really makes me sad. They still can’t use anything beyond basic spells?”

Smirking as he looked at my beginner class, he turned back to the crowd and continued.

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“Everyone, if you continue learning from a teacher like this, you’ll never grow as mages. Especially you lot in the beginner class—you haven’t even mastered intermediate magic yet!”

“That’s only because Professor Asto makes sure we thoroughly learn the basics!” Teresa fired back.

But Arnold ignored her and pointed directly at the students.

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“Your talents are being wasted under Asto’s guidance. If you’d taken my lessons, you could’ve become true magicians by now. What a waste.”

Whispers of doubt and sadness began to spread among the students. I clenched my fists.

I don’t care if he mocks me… but these kids, especially Teresa, have believed in me and worked hard.

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“You’re wrong. My students are following my teachings and focusing on fundamentals. Unlike you, I don’t force them to use magic beyond their capabilities.”

“Oh? So now you’re saying my elite teaching methods are flawed?”

As we glared at each other, the principal raised his voice.

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“Let’s begin the magic contest! First round—accuracy with basic spells!”

With a smug grin, Arnold stepped forward. When our eyes met, he sneered.

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“I’ll go first. Flame Magic: Crimson Waltz!”

Drawing a complex magic circle mid-incantation, he conjured a dazzling bloom of fire in the air, drawing cheers from the crowd.

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“Amazing… such beautiful flames.”

“Even with such a complex structure… Arnold-sensei really is incredible.”

Basking in their praise, Arnold turned to Eltrinde.

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“What do you think, Lady Eltrinde? This is the technique of a true elite instructor.”

Eltrinde merely nodded without expression, then turned to glare at me, as if to say Don’t you dare lose.

I get it, Eltrinde… You want me to show what I’m capable of. And after he insulted my students, there’s no way I’m losing.

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“Professor Asto…”

Smiling gently to reassure the students, I stepped forward. With a simple motion and no incantation, I conjured a water flower into the air. It twined with the fire bloom, dancing gracefully and radiating rainbow light.

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“Two elements… without chanting?”

“And that level of control…?”

“That’s supposed to be a basic spell? It’s stronger than Arnold-sensei’s intermediate magic!”

“As expected of Professor Asto! So cool!!”

The crowd buzzed with excitement. Arnold’s face twisted in disbelief.

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“See? Even basic spells become powerful when combined properly. And with enough practice, any spell can be cast without chanting. I’m sure you know that too, Professor Arnold.”

“Guh… but if I got serious—”

The truth was, I wasn’t even using my full strength. I only made it look like I was a bit better than Arnold. My students already knew the value of chantless casting, so this was just putting it into action.

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“Professor Asto… to think you were this skilled…”

“Well, that should suffice. Let’s move on.”

Even the principal, eyes wide with surprise, was urged by Eltrinde to proceed.

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“Next, we’ll test the strength of defensive magic! Are you ready, Professor Arnold?”

“Of course! Defense magic is my specialty. I’ll show you what a real elite spell looks like!”

Once again, Arnold drew a complex circle and shouted, “Iron Wall Shield!” A thick wall of magical force appeared in front of him. A test magic blast was fired at it, dissipating harmlessly.

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“This elite barrier can’t be broken, even by high-level magic. Truly impenetrable. Honestly, I pity the students stuck learning from you.”

I silently conjured a faint shimmering membrane, without a chant. It looked fragile—so of course Arnold laughed.

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**“That flimsy thing? You really think it’ll hold?”

“Just watch.”

As the test projectile flew toward the shield, it not only stopped—it bounced back in the opposite direction.

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“It reflected!?”

“Beginner defense magic with reflection properties?”

“Awesome, Professor Asto! But please don’t reflect my feelings!”

Teresa said something weird, and I noticed Eltrinde’s cheek twitch slightly.

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“Don’t you think it’s more efficient to combine spells with synergistic effects, using minimal mana, rather than waste energy on brute force walls?”

“Guh…” Arnold could only groan in frustration.

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And then, a final blow came.

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“Which means, Professor Asto’s methods were the correct ones all along. Mastering the basics is the shortest path to true strength.”

“Eltrinde…?”

I couldn’t hide my shock at her words. After all, I was the one who taught her that long ago.

Staring at her in confusion, I saw no change in her usual blank expression.

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“The final test: application of combat magic! Professors Arnold and Asto will duel. First to land a hit wins. Begin—”

“No need to wait—I’ll start! In battle, action beats words!”

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Arnold, clearly panicked, unleashed a spell without waiting for the signal. His magic circle was sloppy compared to usual.

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“That’s… advanced summoning magic?! Ifrit, the Fire Demon?”

“Even court magicians struggle with that spell!”

“By my name, I command you—Flame Demon King, appear! Infernal Summon!”

A colossal fire spirit materialized, waves of heat rippling through the yard. Arnold, panting but triumphant, shouted—

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“Behold! This is what true elite magic looks like! Fundamentals can’t save you from this!!”

“You dare command me, lowborn insect…?”

The spirit’s demeanor changed in an instant, fire erupting toward Arnold.

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“W-Wait! Why aren’t you obeying?! I’m an elite!!”

“I bow to no weakling. Die, worm.”

“Gyaaaaahh!!”

The explosion sent Arnold flying with a pitiful scream.

But there was no time to worry about him—the spirit now turned its gaze on the students.

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“He’s out of control!”

“Eek!”

“A fireball’s coming!!”

As the spirit hurled flames toward the school building, I rushed forward and cast a spell.

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“Spirit of time, grant me the power to defy divine causality!”

“Frozen river of the underworld, heed my call. Freeze time, halt life, and bring silence to all. Fall into eternal ice—

Cocytus!”

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In an instant, the fire spirit and its blazing attacks froze mid-air, then were pierced and consumed by a glacial magic.

It was I who stopped time… but the ice magic came from Eltrinde.

For a moment, I thought I saw her smirk at me—but maybe that was my imagination. Meanwhile, I noticed Ambie helping the charred Arnold back on his feet.

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The silent courtyard erupted.

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“Time magic…? That’s a lost ancient spell!”

“Only Lady Eltrinde can use that—wait, no… there’s one more…”

“She had a brother who could…”

Rosalie, an Eltrinde superfan, looked straight at me with widening eyes. Cold sweat ran down my back.

Has my true identity been exposed…?