She Banished Me Yesterday, But Today She Calls Me Master? - Episode 19

“You possess magical talent… That’s why you must become an elite. Restore the honor of our family.”

It was a phrase repeated countless times—not only by his mother and father but by nearly every member of his extended family—ever since he awakened to his magical potential at the age of five.

And perhaps they were right. Compared to his peers at the magic academy, his abilities were clearly superior.

But it wasn’t just talent.

“We’ve hired a brilliant tutor from the royal capital,”
his mother had said.

The tutor she brought imposed an inhuman regimen that sacrificed every shred of his private life. Still, he couldn’t voice any complaints.

He was perceptive enough to realize what was at stake. That ring his mother constantly caressed, calling it “a family heirloom passed down through generations,” had vanished ever since the tutor appeared.

Their family—once noble—was now barely clinging to the vestiges of status. He was, undoubtedly, their last hope.

So, he told himself:

“I am an elite. I will restore the name of House Fafnir!”

He poured everything into that goal. He stumbled many times. Fell into despair just as often. But whenever he recalled the hopeful faces of his parents, he pushed forward.

In the end, he graduated top of his class at the magic academy and was summoned to the royal capital as a candidate for the position of court magician. He hadn’t made any friends—but it didn’t matter. He had

magic, after all.

That was enough.

At least, until he met her—

“Eltrinde.”

Younger than him, yet her magical power was overwhelming. For the first time, he was crushed by the weight of true genius. The confidence he had built by calling himself an elite shattered in an instant.

Still reeling from that shock, he failed the court magician’s examination.

Fortunately, his alma mater offered him a teaching position with favorable terms. He could live respectably, at least.

And so, he found a new path:

To raise talented students who could rival—even surpass—Eltrinde.

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★★★

“Fufu… I’m delighted that someone of your caliber has joined us. Arnold-sensei… or should I say, former sensei?”

A voice pulled Arnold from his thoughts. Hidden among the trees, he watched a group of Gazel’s men make their way through the forest with a cold gaze.

“Chaos-sensei… I never expected even you—the head of the year—to be involved with those adventurers. Did you hate Professor Asto that much?”

Arnold couldn’t hide his surprise, but Chaos only chuckled.

“Honestly, I don’t care about Professor Asto. My superior, however, is in direct opposition to Lady Eltrinde. Even if Gazel fails, as long as she’s seen as having abandoned her students, the resulting scandal will be devastating.”

“I see… You’re with Prince Roland’s faction, then.”

“Exactly. And if this plan succeeds, I’ll make sure to recommend you for a favorable post. Together, we’ll rebuild your fallen house and return you to your rightful place—an elite among elites.”

Arnold, having attended many noble gatherings, was well aware of the political currents. Prince Roland, the first in line to the throne, harbored disdain for Eltrinde. Once an outcast adopted by a noble family, she

was now lauded as a hero—and some even whispered she might ascend the throne, despite being a woman.

“But… doesn’t it pain you to involve the students?”

“Hahaha, Arnold-sensei, what a curious thing to say. They’re only in the beginner’s class. Useless nobodies who won’t grow into anything of worth. Even if they die, it won’t affect the kingdom at all.”

“I see…”

Just as Chaos laughed as if he had made a clever joke, a twig snapped—and a girl stepped into view.

“Arnold-sensei… Chaos-sensei… just now, what were you talking about?”

“Isabella…? Why are you here? You’re in the advanced class…”

“…No witnesses.”

One of the soldiers raised his weapon to strike Isabella down, but Arnold stopped him.

“She’s your student, isn’t she, Arnold-sensei? Still, now that she’s heard—”
“I understand. That’s why I’ll be the one to do it. Let me show my loyalty. Crimson Flame…”

“Arnold-sensei… I… I…”

Isabella looked up at him, eyes wide with tears. Arnold smiled softly—then hurled the fireball—

—at one of Chaos’s soldiers.

“Guaaah!!”

“What are you doing, Arnold-sensei?! Have you lost your mind?!”
Ignoring Chaos’s shocked scream, Arnold pulled Isabella into a protective embrace.

“Did you really believe that I—an elite educator—would ever ally myself with traitors like you? I will do anything to protect the academy and my students. Even play along with your schemes. But now, your

conspiracy ends. The knights will arrive soon.”

He laughed as he unleashed another spell—not at Gazel, but into the sky.

He had already reported the plan to the headmaster, to Eltrinde… and yes, even to the loathsome Professor AstO.

“Your career as a teacher is over! You’ve doomed yourself for a lost cause!”

“Why? The answer is simple. Because you tried to endanger my academy… and my students. I may not respect Professor Asto, but the academy is worth protecting. That is what it means to be an elite teacher!”

“Tch! Enough of this. Kill them both!”

“Kyaa!!”

Arrows and spells rained toward them—but Arnold only smirked.

“You know, don’t you? The shield woven by my elite magic isn’t so easily broken. Not even by advanced-level spells. It’s elite-tier durability.”

“Amazing… Arnold-sensei, you truly are the greatest elite teacher!”

“Fufu… of course. Now, praise me more. Praise this elite! Hahaha!”

Isabella beamed, but Arnold was sweating internally.

Yes, his barrier blocked everything. But that was all it could do. As a teacher, he had little actual combat experience. To overcome this sheer number of foes, he would need something far more powerful…

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“What’s taking so long?! They’re just two people!”

“By my name, I command thee—O spirit of flame, appear! Summon Infernal Flame Lord!”

With his chant, a massive spirit cloaked in fire erupted from the earth, sending waves of heat in all directions.

“Ifrit. Hurt them—just enough not to kill them.”

“You fool! You already lost control of that magic once!”

『You dare summon me again…?』

“An elite does not speak twice.”

『Very well. I shall lend you my strength, bound by our contract!』

Chaos’s triumph turned to silence as Ifrit, instead of going berserk, obeyed Arnold’s command.

“Why…?”

“I merely corrected my arrogance—like a true elite should.”

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★★

After his previous failure, Arnold had spent long nights in the academy’s laboratory, chanting alone. One night, fire spiraled forth—and Ifrit appeared again.

『Why call upon me again, weakling? Do you wish to be burned alive once more?』

“Weak? I am elite. You, a lowly spirit, cannot comprehend my resolve.”

『Hmph… Arrogant as ever. But this time, I see it. The fire of ambition burning within you.』

Ifrit smirked, sensing a different man from the one who faltered before Eltrinde.

Arnold held up a magical contract, glowing with power.

“I will become the greatest instructor in the land. I’m even prepared to sign a pact with a demon to achieve that. Take all my magic. Once I summon you again, I’ll abandon all non-fire spells. A disgrace—but worth the contract.”

Magical contracts were serious—usually reserved for those pledging themselves to a higher entity.

『Very well. In exchange for your pride, I shall lend you my power. But be warned—if you fail to master me, you’ll burn. And once summoned, you’ll never again use other magic. You’ll be finished as a mage.』

“Foolish question. I am an elite. I never hesitate!”

Ifrit acknowledged Arnold’s resolve and seared a contract sigil into his arm—a brand of their pact.

Dialogue with spirits was fundamental to summoning, but Arnold had once looked down on such basics.

That defeat reminded him of their importance.

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★★★

And so, here they were.

Originally, Ifrit had been a last-resort failsafe. But Arnold had no regrets.

“Do you think someone like me would overlook his flaws? Rebuilding the basics was difficult, sure—but now, behold what true elite magic looks like!”

“Incredible… This is your elite magic, Arnold-sensei…”

From there, the battle was one-sided. Soldiers who tried to flee were seized by flaming whips. Those who resisted were incinerated.

Even Chaos, once haughty, was like a child before the overwhelming might of Ifrit.

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“Mission complete. The academy is safe.”

Arnold smiled with satisfaction at the defeated enemy. He had achieved something Asto never could. Even if he was fired for it, he had no regrets.

“Come, Isabella. Allow me to give you an elite escort.”

“Yes, Arnold-sensei!”

There was still work to do—turning the traitors over to the knights, evacuating the students—but Arnold, ever the elite, was ready for it all.