The Villainous Son Loves His Mother - Chapter 51

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On the day of her first lecture, Helga found herself in a classroom within the Academy’s main building.
The high-ceilinged lecture hall featured large windows that let in soft light, and every corner was impeccably clean.
Though the room exuded the Academy’s refined elegance, Helga noticed the students’ gazes fixed on her as she stepped onto the podium.
A soft murmur rippled through the classroom when Helga smiled.
About twenty noble children sat below the podium, many radiating a mixture of anticipation and nervousness.

“Good morning, everyone. My name is Helga Ira Aster. I will be teaching Elementary Magic from today onward. However, I am still quite inexperienced myself, so I hope we can all learn together.”

With those words, the atmosphere in the lecture hall softened considerably.
Though Helga had once only been an auditing student at the Academy, she now stood confidently at the lectern, bearing the prestigious title of Duke Aster’s House.
Her refined demeanor and gentle voice were truly impressive.

-As expected of the acting head of Duke Aster’s House…

This sentiment lingered on the lips of many.
The students who had chosen this class shared common traits: a fervent passion for magic and a keen awareness of noble society’s reputation.
Among the faces gathered in the lecture hall were several scions from powerful families ranking just below the Twelve Great Houses.
Helga guided her magical power across the blackboard, delicately tracing a flowing magical formula.
Her graceful movements, as if writing with an invisible brush, were utterly captivating. Some students stared blankly at Helga, seemingly oblivious to the formula itself.
These pale blue characters and diagrams represent the most fundamental concept in Elementary Magic: the “circulation of magical power.” Yet, the way they are written and presented often reflects individual style.
She delicately manipulated the magical power at her fingertips, demonstrating it with an elegant flourish.

“When practicing magic, it’s more appropriate to visualize it as the flow of these ‘particles’… at least, that’s what I believe. This might sound a bit different from the traditional textbook approach of ‘drawing in external magical power’…”

By the way, Helga had heard about this idea of ​​particles from Hein.
The students in the lecture hall collectively gasped.

“Huh? Isn’t it common knowledge that you absorb external magical power and use it…?”

“But if we consider the true nature of magic, the idea of treating one’s own magical power as ‘particles’ might actually be possible…”

Amidst the buzzing atmosphere, Helga surveyed the students’ reactions.
The topic is related to a hypothesis that her own son, Hein, has been researching in depth, so she can lecture with confidence.
She also aimed to pique the students’ curiosity by boldly presenting material that the other instructors avoided.
The students’ response exceeded her expectations.
The Academy had traditionally focused solely on the practical application of Elementary Magic, never delving into the core principles of magic itself.
But Helga, unbound by convention, presented a fresh perspective on magic with subtle nuance.
For these intellectually curious young nobles, it was truly stimulating material.

“Teacher Helga, what shape do these ‘particles’ take? Are they spherical, or something more amorphous?”

“Fufu, that’s an interesting question. I haven’t actually seen them myself, but if you observe the steam rising from a cup of hot tea, it can look like ordinary smoke or tiny water droplets. I imagine magical power is similar—a mutable particle that changes its form depending on the circumstances.”

“I see… If this theory is correct, what practical benefits would understanding it bring to our practice of magic?”

Helga seemed to have anticipated this question. Her answer came without hesitation.

“You can wield magic of greater scale with less power. Imagine a large boulder that needs to be moved. Transporting such a massive rock would require immense strength, a power few possess. However, the particle theory proposes that the boulder isn’t a single entity at all, but rather an aggregate of smaller stones. Moving smaller stones requires far less force, doesn’t it? Therefore, even if it appears to be a single large boulder, transporting it becomes much easier, though of course, there are drawbacks as well.”

The students were excited as if they had been enlightened.
For the first lecture, the response was remarkably positive.
Meanwhile, beneath the surface of this lively enthusiasm, disquieting whispers were beginning to circulate.
Among the most conservative of the old nobility, suspicions were growing that Duke Aster’s House might be attempting to interfere with education in the heart of the Empire.
The Twelve Great Houses bore responsibility for the defense and internal affairs of the Imperial Capital, inevitably leading to complex relationships with one another.
Currently, the relationship between the Duke Sarion House and Duke Aster’s House is particularly strained. The Sarion House served as the empire’s shield, while the Aster House wielded its spear—traditionally, they should have been allies. However, under Duke Fore’s influence, a growing rivalry toward the Aster House had taken root.
Amid this tension, Helga returned to the instructors’ lounge after her first class at the Academy, looking slightly weary but also visibly fulfilled.

“Whew… Everyone was so eager to learn. I wish I could have covered more.”

Helga muttered as she sat down in her chair.
Some instructors offered words of encouragement, but others remained aloof. An elderly instructor in the back of the lounge, fiddling with his pipe, glanced at Helga and snorted dismissively.
Helga, keenly aware of the atmosphere, deliberately ignored the undercurrents.
Helga understood that having a newcomer suddenly lecture the new students wouldn’t be well-received by the established members.
Instead, she gazed out the window at the Imperial Capital’s sky, where patches of sunlight peeked through the clouds.
She couldn’t stop worrying about Hein.
Is he sleeping properly? Is he eating well? Does he miss me?
Her mind was consumed by these thoughts.
Even Helga herself wondered if she was struggling to let go of her son, but some things were simply beyond her control.

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I groaned on the bed, utterly bored.
But Feri was there, watching me to make sure I didn’t wander off on my own.

“Feri, while I’m stuck here, Mother is teaching at the Academy and building her reputation, isn’t she? Why is it only me who…”

Irritation was evident in his voice.
Yet Feri merely lowered her eyes apologetically.

“Young Master… Since Madam has ordered you to rest, I have no choice but to obey. Please understand…”

There was nothing he could do about it, though this exchange had played out several times already.

“…Understood. I’ll stay put for now. But I can’t stop worrying about how hard Mother is working. The thought of some student dozing off during her lectures makes me restless. I won’t be satisfied until I’ve burned that slacker’s body, soul, and entire house to ashes.”

“I assure you, Young Master, no noble scion would dare doze off during a lecture given by the acting head of Duke Aster’s House.”

“Assure me?! Assure me?! Assurance is something you say after you’re actually relieved! You can’t just feel assured when you’re not—ugh!”

Even I couldn’t make sense of the somewhat pathetic words that tumbled from my mouth. Feri silenced me with a hug.

“Madam instructed me to do this if the Young Master threw a tantrum.”

I was buried in Feri’s ample chest, but I felt no hint of femininity from her.
Yet… I was strangely vulnerable to this.
Ever since childhood, Mother had always lulled me to sleep this way, and being held like this now made me inexplicably drowsy.
Ah, Mother…
Why did you subject me to this…? Ugh…
Snore…