Chapter 36: The Uncrossable Bridge (Part 3)
Compared to Shirone, whose name had been everywhere since enrollment, it was strange.
Maria (honest): "N-no... I don’t think I’ve ever heard your name before."
Sade (laughing): "Of course not. Middle-to-lower grades. No talent. Not from a wealthy family, either. Spent every day fighting outside school."
Maria (shocked): "You?"
Sade (nostalgic): "Took me two years for every class jump. Three whole years stuck in the final year. Though, I guess my situation was still better than yours. Hah!"
Maria’s lips jutted out in a pout.
As if he could see her expression through the door, Sade grinned.
Sade (lightly): "Isn’t it the same, though? Unless you’re the best, you’ll hit a wall eventually. I did. Barely clawed my way to the final year, but I was always dead last."
Maria (curious): "Then how did you...?"
Sade (grinning): "Become such an amazing teacher? Hah! Pure luck. Got chewed out by a real eccentric mage. Know what he told me? ’Dreaming of success without the courage to give up on anything is just lying to yourself.’"
Maria fell silent, her thoughts churning.