She Banished Me Yesterday, But Today She Calls Me Master? - Episode 16

“I thought the name ‘Asto’ was just a coincidence, but… no way…”

“Professor Rosalie, there’s an explanation for this…”

As I struggled to find a way to deflect the excited Rosalie charging toward us, a calm, dignified voice rang out.

“Everyone, please remain calm.”

It was Ertrinde. She stood up and, after glancing around at the crowd’s reaction, spoke in a composed tone.

“I offered him a bit of assistance with his magic. During our earlier lesson, I was able to gauge Professor Asto’s foundational abilities. In magic, the basics are everything. I trust you’ve now seen what happens when one neglects the fundamentals and tries to wield flashy spells without proper grounding.”

At the sight of the ruined school building and the weight of Ertrinde’s words, the students began to nod in agreement.

“As expected of Lady Ertrinde!”

“So, she really did use time magic! I can’t believe I saw it in person!”

“Professor Asto is incredible too…”

I was taken aback for a moment, but soon understood Ertrinde’s intention and gave her a silent nod. Was she… covering for me?

Just then, Arnold suddenly whipped out his wand and pointed it at me, about to unleash a spell.

“You… YOU! You dared to humiliate and provoke me!!”

But before he could act, Anbie—who had been standing by—moved with astonishing speed and seized Arnold’s arm.

“Hostile individuals must be eliminated. In my homeland, it’s acceptable to kill those who strike without warning.”

Her voice was cold, and her eyes burned with murderous intent. Arnold visibly trembled with fear. Anbie’s movements were nothing like those of an ordinary mage—her swiftness and precision were more akin to a palace assassin from the royal special forces. A faint black aura gathered at her fingertips, completely suppressing the magical flow in Arnold’s arm.

“S-Stop! Let go of me!”

“Anbie, that’s enough. He’s nothing but a fool—hardly worth killing.”

At Ertrinde’s words, Anbie released him immediately. But Arnold had already lost control in fear, a wet stain spreading across his expensive formal attire. Laughter broke out among the students.

Ertrinde turned a cold gaze on Arnold.

“You lack the self-awareness of your own limitations. You belittle others, and you recklessly used dangerous magic you couldn’t control. You are unfit to be a teacher.”

Arnold’s face turned pale as he dropped to his knees, forehead pressed to the ground.

“P-Please forgive me! I… I…”

“Headmaster.”

Ertrinde didn’t even glance at the groveling Arnold as she addressed the principal.

“Y-Yes, ma’am!”

“If you continue to employ a teacher like him, the royal family may have to reconsider its support for this institution.”

“My deepest apologies! We’ll take immediate action!”

Arnold’s expression crumbled in despair. In front of the entire school, he had made a fool of himself. The students who once feared him now looked on with scorn.

Rosalie, ignoring the atmosphere entirely, spoke up with gleeful excitement.

“Incredible! To witness Lady Ertrinde’s time magic firsthand…!! Please, make me your apprentice! I want to learn your magic!”

Rosalie reached out to grab Ertrinde’s hand in her fervor, but grasped only empty air.

“My apologies, but I am still learning myself. I don’t take disciples.”

“Then at least a handshake… The gloves you touched will become a priceless artifact in magical history! May I touch you, even for a moment?”

“Professor Rosalie… Lady Ertrinde looks rather uncomfortable…”

I gently placed a hand on Rosalie’s shoulder, chuckling awkwardly, but for some reason, Ertrinde frowned. The air around us seemed to drop a few degrees.

Feeling a bit uneasy, I stepped back—and Teresa came rushing over.

“Professor Asto, that was amazing! I can’t believe you stopped such a powerful spell!”

Another student chimed in, still thrilled.

“Professor, can you teach us that defensive spell too?”

Even the advanced students—who used to envy Arnold’s class—began to gather around me.

“I finally understand what you meant about the importance of basics.”

“I’m going to start over and study properly from the ground up!”

Their eyes sparkled with respect I hadn’t seen before. Embarrassed, I smiled gently at them.

“If you lay a solid foundation, any of you can become great mages one day. Don’t rush—just take it one step at a time.”

The students nodded enthusiastically. But the warm mood didn’t last long.

The headmaster approached nervously… and dropped a bombshell.

“Regarding tomorrow’s field training… Lady Ertrinde will be joining us. She has also expressed interest in observing your class, Professor Asto.”

“WHAAAAT!?”

I couldn’t help but cry out in shock.

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★★★

Arnold wore a look of complete despair. He had humiliated himself in front of the entire school. Around him, the same students who once feared him now stared with icy contempt.

“Because of me… the school is…”

From the lower-level students he had always looked down on, small snickers began to spread.

“Professor Arnold always mocked us, but look at him now.”

“He said he was an elite, but… clearly not.”

“Ugh…”

He groaned in frustration, but no longer had the strength to fight back. And it wasn’t just the lower and middle classes giving him those contemptuous stares.

“I wish I could’ve learned from Professor Asto…”

“Look at that stain… he peed himself.”

Even the top-class students—his prized pupils—were now pointing at the stain spreading across his expensive robes and laughing with pity. Arnold covered his face in shame. His pride shattered completely, he didn’t even have the strength to stand.

“My elite career… it’s all over…”

He muttered as he sank deeper into despair. The new teacher he once belittled, Asto, was now hailed as a hero in front of the entire school. To Arnold, it was the ultimate humiliation.

Mustering the last of his strength, he tried to stand, but his legs trembled, and he collapsed again. He was the picture of a fallen noble.

“I was supposed to be… an elite…”

His words faded into the air, unheard by anyone.

Yet deep within Arnold’s heart, shame and rage twisted together, giving birth to a new emotion. Slipping away into the shadows of the school building to avoid being seen, he glared at Asto.

“I am elite… I can’t end like this…”

Madness began to flicker in his eyes.