第１３０９堀：追加の男性教師は誰がいい？ (Part1)
**Chapter 1309: Who Should Be the Additional Male Teacher?**
**Side: Yuki**
“So, you’re saying the lack of male teachers is also a problem?”
“Indeed. Just as there are things only a woman can understand, there are things only a man can grasp. You understand that, don’t you?”
“Yes. Well...”
After the report meeting concluded, I was discussing the issue of Mr. Hortland being the sole male teacher with Eris and Ratz.
For the time being, I had managed to motivate him by praising his unique position as the only man there, but a workplace filled entirely with women can be quite taxing for a man.
“Mr. Hortland strikes me as a true ‘teacher’ through and through.”
“Huh? Well, he *is* a teacher, isn't he?”
“What do you mean by that?”
Eris and Ratz tilted their heads, seemingly missing the nuance of my words.
Ah, right. These two aren't exactly well-versed in the concept of a ‘school.’ While they know the institution exists, their actual experience within one is limited to the brief periods they spent there for the sake of my work.
Now, how should I explain this? I suppose conveying my personal intuition is the best place to start.
“I don’t just mean it as his job title. I mean he’s someone who takes genuine pride in his position as an educator. He was able to read the room and ask himself if it was truly appropriate for him to be there. People like that are rare.”
After all, this is a test run for the international student exchange program hosted by the Intercontinental Exchange Alliance. Being chosen as a chaperone is a significant honor. Very few people would take on such a role purely out of a desire to nurture students.
Teachers are human, too. There’s nothing wrong with seeking honor or career advancement. However, what we need right now are people with the actual capacity to raise students.
“I see. Is that why you didn't panic when you were told that Vice Principal Lara, Kanna, and Shau were coming? Certainly, if it were anyone else we didn't know...”
“They would undoubtedly try to use the position to influence their own promotions. We can’t say for certain, but it seems this selection was, in a sense, inevitable?”
“Yeah. My only real concern among them was the Magic Kingdom. Aside from Nonoa, the only person I really know there is the Hero.”
“Oh, the one who’s in love with the Principal?”
Was there someone like that...?
Ah, right. I think it was back when I had Taizo-san pretend to be me to negotiate with Nonoa.
“Is that still going on?”
“Apparently, he’s still making approaches. Nonoa and Popuri talk shop occasionally, and he tries his luck then. That said, since they’re both in leadership positions, they seem to know how to keep things professional.”
Come to think of it, Eris and Riel were the ones who went to negotiate with Nonoa. That’s probably why it stuck in their minds.
I remember now. I was listening in on the audio from Taizo-san’s end, and from an outsider's perspective, the guy just sounded like a total lolicon. I mean, falling in love with Popuri because she beat him in a fight? What’s up with that?
Well, to each their own when it comes to romance. It’s not my place to judge. Besides, I have my own adorable wives like Aslin and Firia.
“Anyway, we’re getting off track. As I was saying, I was a bit worried about the teacher from the Magic Kingdom, but in a way, my worries were unfounded.”
Mr. Hortland was a teacher in the truest sense of the word. However, that brought its own set of problems.
“When I asked him to point out any issues, he honestly admitted that the lack of men was a concern.”
“I see. Certainly, as things stand, Mr. Hortland would have to handle every single male student if anything were to happen.”
“He wouldn't have a moment's rest. The chaperones surely have to write reports about Weed, and above all, they have to evaluate the students under their care.”
“Exactly. It’s an issue we can’t really afford to ignore.”
A shortage of male staff leads to various complications. Of course, a shortage of female staff would be just as problematic. It’s difficult to maintain a perfect balance.
“But we can’t exactly ask each academy to select a male representative, can we?”
“If we did that, we’d end up with four men from the four academies. Hmm? Would that be a bad thing?”
“No, but that would take too much time. It would also look like a blunder on our part for not specifying it sooner. I’m not trying to be pedantic, but if we suddenly have a surge of men, it might look like I’m criticizing the social advancement of women in Weed.”
“It’s a delicate balance. So, we’re looking at adding maybe one or two people?”
“Yes. But if we demand that from the four academies, it’ll cause a huge dispute over who has to provide them...”
“Exactly. It would turn into a fight over who sends someone. So, let’s pull someone from Weed instead.”
““From Weed?”” the two asked in unison, tilting their heads.
“Yeah. Weed has its own schools, after all. If we provide a male teacher from Weed to address Mr. Hortland’s request, it settles everything amicably. Plus, they’d be a local. In that sense, they’d be incredibly reliable.”
“I see. That does sound like a good idea, but who do you intend to appoint?”
“I believe we’ve had this conversation before, and the conclusion was that there was no one available?”
“That was the case. Everyone is busy everywhere. However, I am technically the King Consort, so I have some pull. I can make it work. Besides, for this particular role, they wouldn't be expected to lead a whole class; it’s more of a support role. I’ve judged that it won’t be that much of a burden.”
“That may be true, but our guests are still dignitaries from other nations. Is there anyone actually accustomed to handling such people?”
“Ah. Wait, don’t tell me...”
It seemed Eris had caught on.
“Are you talking about Mauve and his group?”
“Bingo. They know the situation abroad, and as adventurers, they’re used to dealing with all sorts of people. Most importantly, they have deep ties with us.”
“Ah, Mauve-san and the others. It’s true they’ve taught at the school before. But Mauve-san has his work with the Adventurer Guild and the school. Raiya-san is the same. And Curse-san... isn't he supposed to be managing Aurelia Port?”
As Ratz pointed out, Mauve and his friends aren't exactly idling away in retirement. Curse, in particular, was originally the heir to a lord, so he has a natural talent for territory management. We currently have him overseeing Aurelia Port in Zurabul.
He keeps saying he wants a successor as soon as possible, but since we haven't found anyone who can match his competence, we’re having him endure it for now.