8 - Another Grueling Day for the Aristocratic Kindergarten Teacher
The life of a noble kindergarten teacher is arduous, episode 8.
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I was taught that I was a genius in every field, someone who easily masters anything, a 'talent' in itself.
A talent that can grasp anything, regardless of the field.
"…That's cheating, isn't it?"
In a word, that's what it was. Cheating. And cheaters always have one handicap.
Mrs. McSterner said that my talent would soon disappear.
Because I had too much talent, it would only appear occasionally. So, I would have very few opportunities to experience it.
As if I had no talent at all.
Few opportunities to experience it. As if it didn't exist. It was a fatal handicap.
"So that's why."
That's why it seemed like I had no talent. A dry laugh escaped Ephna's lips.
"Haha… Unbelievable."
The moment she understood the situation, countless things flashed through Ephna's mind.
Her second older brother, who always acted violently, using his physical talents as a weapon.
Her first older brother, who looked down on her, calling her stupid.
Her father, who was searching for the same talent as the first Windister.
"…"
It was right next to them. The 'Windister' they were looking for.
'But there's no need to tell them.'
There was no time to wait to be expelled from the family. If this fact were to become known, it would become troublesome.
That night, she took her diary and escaped from the mansion. It was dawn with a white moon high in the sky.
But with nowhere to go, a noblewoman reached out to Ephna, who ended up sitting down in an alleyway.
"It's dangerous for a young lady to be out on the streets like this. Why don't you stay at my house just for tonight?"
It was the Viscount Belchester.
One day became two, two days became a week, and a week became a year.
Ephna settled in the Belchester family. With the help of the grandmother, she graduated from the academy and immediately started looking for work.
'The Viscount family isn't exactly well-off, so I need to earn money too.'
But what should I do for a living? If I had to pick what I was best at, it would probably be my previous life as a kindergarten teacher.
"But would there even be a kindergarten in this kind of world…?"
Maybe there is?
Ephna put down the fluffy pillow and jumped up. There's an academy, so what's so strange about having a kindergarten?
She immediately jumped out of bed and searched the capital like crazy, finding a kindergarten that was hiring.
What appeared before her, was…
〈Private Loendel Infant Academy〉
A shabby building that looked like it was at the end of its lifespan.
The two-story building had peeling paint, revealing red bricks. Above it, a large tree swayed precariously in the wind.
"Isn't it about to collapse?"
She swallowed her uneasy feelings and opened the door.
"Hello. I saw the teacher recruitment ad on the billboard over there."
"Oh my! Was that still up? You've come to the right place! Come this way."
Two teachers and an elderly headmaster greeted her with kind faces.
Inside the shabby classroom, small children peeked at Ephna with curious eyes.
'How is this place even maintained?'
The question she had as she entered the headmaster's office was neatly resolved with a single word from the headmaster.
"Our Loendel Infant Academy is run as a family business."
She said, smiling shyly. Ah, so this is the kind of company I've only heard about.
"Most parents who are interested in their children's education hire private tutors. So, it's not exactly running smoothly."
This is a problem. Given the Viscount family's circumstances, I can't afford wage arrears or passion pay.
'Should I run? No, but the kids here… Even if it's a poor environment.'
Children in poor and inadequate environments. It reminded her of herself before her regression, and she felt bad.
'The Imperial Law is quite strict about wage arrears, and it's not too late to talk about these issues after getting hired.'
Having made up her mind, Ephna grabbed the headmaster's hand.
"Headmaster. Here is my academy graduation certificate. I majored in education. Here, on the back page, you'll find my educational plan. Would you take a look?"
"Oh my, how reliable."
The headmaster covered her mouth with her hand, as if impressed. It didn't take her a few seconds to nod.
Ephna was hired at the only infant academy in the capital.
"Then, Headmaster. First of all, how about changing the name?"
"Yes?"
"It would be better to change it from Infant Academy to Kindergarten."
"Hmm, why is that?"
She smiled brightly at the headmaster, who tilted her head with a 'why bother?' face.
"If Loendel becomes an 'official educational institution' in the future, you won't be able to use the name Academy. Because it refers to educational institutions for those over 8 years old."
The headmaster's eyes widened.
"An official educational institution? Loendel?"
"Yes. There is no official early childhood education institution in the Empire yet. I hope Loendel will be the first. To do that, we need to achieve several accomplishments."
"Oh my, oh my. No, but will that even be possible…?"
"It's possible. I'll make it happen within a year."
Hehehe. Once it's 'officially recognized by the state', there will be various benefits.
'Especially since the salary changes under the Imperial Law.'
Exactly two years later, a kindergarten boom swept through the Empire. It was a major trend centered around high society.
At the center of it was Ephna Windister, no, Ephna.
2. Enrollment Guide for the Mastermind
'It's been quite a while.'
I don't even remember the faces of the Windister family members very well anymore. To be exact, I wasn't interested.
I'd rather do one more job than look for such trivial news.
She closed the diary she hadn't seen in a long time.
"Come to think of it, I haven't felt my 'talent' yet."
Should I practice something?
"Hmm."
While she was deep in thought, time passed faster than she thought.
"Ah, I'm tired."
Before she knew it, Ephna was standing at the edge of the banquet hall. And that was after work on Monday.
'When I get home, I have to organize today's activity log and this month's event schedule…'
She mentally reviewed what she had to do. There was still a lot of work to do. Even after arriving at the party, she had been thinking about work for an hour.
Her brother had already seduced a young lady and gone somewhere.
She slowly swirled her champagne glass with a bored face. Just as she was about to take a sip, she heard a commotion from somewhere.
"That's real!"
What is it? Ephna's head turned towards the noisy area. There were some small things gathered there.
On closer inspection, three boys were surrounding one child and shouting something.
"If you stepped on my foot, you should apologize!"
"I… didn't step on it."
"Don't lie. Do you want to die?"
The atmosphere was not like a children's fight.
The children who were cornering him looked at least eight years old. On the other hand, the boy who was being attacked was only about five years old.
"Didn't step on it. Me."
The five-year-old retorted smartly without being intimidated.
As if even more twisted by that attitude, the older children shouted.
"Hey, don't you know who I am?"
"Don't know."
"You little brat!"
The tallest child raised his arm.
'Oh my god. He's really going to hit him.'
Just as Ephna took a step to stop the children, the woman next to her grabbed her in a small voice.
"It's better not to get involved."
"Yes…?"
"I know what you're trying to do, but just stay still. Like everyone else."
Everyone else? Ephna stretched her neck and looked around. As the woman said, most people were just watching the children.
"All three of them are children of central noble families. It's unfortunate for the child being attacked, but there's nothing we can do."
"Children of central nobles?"
"Yes. So just stay still."
If they're central noble brats of that age, then probably…
She tilted her head and looked closely at the children's faces.
Indeed.
"These troublemakers…"
A low voice escaped Ephna's lips. A chilling smile was a bonus.
She smiled faintly at the woman who was trying to stop her and said.
"Thank you for your concern. But I'm fine."
"Yes? Hey, wait!"
Soft footsteps approached the children without hesitation.
The gazes of the nobles who were glancing at the children were instantly focused on Ephna. Whispering voices were heard here and there.
"Who is that lady?"
"I don't know. She's fearless."
"Isn't she just stupid, not fearless? To even think about getting involved there."
Someone leaned against the arched window and sneered. The musicians who were playing music had stopped playing long ago.
"Is she going to lecture the son of Marquess Gopen?"
"Her courage is commendable."
Yes. Since he's the son of that Marquess Gopen, I have to step in.
Ephna approached right next to the children without anyone noticing.
The children who were bullying the little boy frowned and looked up at her. Among them, the child from the Gopen family frowned and shouted.
"What is it, lady?"
Lady? Lady?
'This little rascal. I was going to say it nicely, but I guess I can't.'
"Go away! I'll call my dad if you don't leave!"
"Call him."
"Wh, what did you say?"
The child stammered, as if embarrassed. Ephna gently wrapped her arm around the child's shoulder and smiled kindly.
"Call him, Danian. It's been a while since I've seen his face."
"Wh, what gives you the right to call my name…!"
Yes. You must be wondering what gives this lady the right to call your name.
Ephna slowly raised her hand that was wrapped around the child's shoulder. Her white hand gently removed the mask that was covering her face.
"Gasp!"
Danian's eyes widened when he faced her. The other children who were participating in the bullying were the same.
Ephna looked at the three children in turn and opened her mouth.
"It's been a while, everyone. How have you been?"
"T, t, t, teacher…!"
