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.
Sade (firm): "You don’t have to compete. If you hate fighting, then win without fighting. Maybe your path is harder than others, but you do have that kind of courage."