The Retired Supporting Character Wants to Live Quietly

[Translator Peptobismol]

Chapter 15 Kirrin Nemaras nth Plea of the Season

Are you asking me to personally teach student Knightley?

I couldnt believe my ears, but there was no mistake. Headmaster Kirrin couldnt meet my gaze and nodded.

I would appreciate it if you could.

Why on earth? Youre talking about a homeroom professor position, and Im the Head Professor.

Thats true, but

Kirrin trailed off, lowering her head. I had a thought.

Headmaster, is it because Duke Toulouse asked me to look after Knightley, and thats why youre doing this? Is that right?

Thats part of it

Thats just a figure of speech. He didnt mean for me to personally tutor his daughter.

The truth is

Kirrin hesitated, rubbing her forehead before speaking.

The truth is Student Knightley requested a personal meeting.

Did she ask to have me as her homeroom professor?

Not exactly a homeroom professor. She wants personal combat lessons once a week.

That girl is bold. Even though shes the Dukes daughter, this is still an academy.

I clicked my tongue, and Kirrin looked at me with desperate eyes.

Dian, can you help me? Please?

Im already helping you. As I said before, Im even overturning the Combat Department, working hard to keep you from getting dismissed.

I really appreciate that. And I didnt get to say it at the time but thank you for protecting me during the Dukes visit.

Kirrin bowed slightly, surprising me. Dark Elves, living in their shadowy forests, are as cold-blooded as they look. Apologizing, asking for favors, and expressing gratitude are not typical for them.

If it werent for you, I would have been ousted a long time ago. Im truly grateful. I dont know how to repay you

No need for repayment. Its mutually beneficial. So, what is it? You want me to teach Knightley once a week?

Yes if youre okay with it. Im sorry for the burden no, forget it.

Kirrin suddenly shook her head.

Forget I said anything. Its unreasonable to ask the Head Professor to tutor a single student. Thats nonsense. No, Dian, Im sorry. Please leave.

Are you alright? Youre rambling.

Kirrin stared at me for a moment before covering her face with both hands, sighing deeply.

I never wanted to be headmaster

You didnt want this job?

No

Kirrin sighed again.

My father forced me So even though I hate it, I cant quit If I did

Kirrin was about to say more, but suddenly she stood up from her chair and knelt down?!

Dian! Please help me! Im begging you

Oh, Headmaster! Please dont do this.

Ive really tried my best Yes, Ive weakened the Combat Department, but Ive strengthened other courses and secured a lot of funding

Kirrin was practically lying on the floor, supporting herself with her hands.

Ive been doing everything you asked since you came Ill keep doing that just help me Dian dont make me go back to the forest

Okay, Headmaster. Please calm down.

Please please

Kirrin started sobbing, tears streaming down her face.

I dont want to go back to the forest Im scared please

What will happen if you go back?

Huh heok ugh

Kirrin couldnt even answer, just trembling and moaning.

This is serious. What kind of place is her clans forest, and what kind of person is her father to make her this terrified?

The head of the Nemara Clan, her father, betrayed the other clans during the Emperor assassination mission.

That was when Linus and I were making our mark. True to his cunning nature, he anticipated the wars outcome and sided with the eventual victors.

After the war, he demanded the Emperor repay him by making his daughter the headmaster here, the first step toward full social acceptance for their clan.

So, if Kirrin were ousted and sent back to the forest, her father wouldnt forgive her. She would have ruined his entire plan.

What kind of punishment would he inflict?

[Translator Peptobismol]

The Dark Elves I encountered during the war were terrifyingly brutal. Even before the war, they made a living through assassination and abduction, exploiting their racial traits.

The whole race has no concept of conscience, justice, compassion, or love. Kirrin, kneeling and crying now, is an anomaly.

I cant even imagine the horrors she would face. Theyre not the kind to go easy on her just because shes his daughter.

What a pitiful situation.

She didnt want the position, but became headmaster under the orders of her feared father.

The Second Princess and other post-war powers disapproved of a traitorous Dark Elf as the academy headmaster, and sensing this, Kirrin had been desperately clinging to her position.

If she didnt, shed be forced back to the forest she dreaded, back to her father.

Dian Ill do whatever you want and I wont interfere You can use all the budget Ive saved as you please Just please make sure I get kicked out of the academy

You dont need to say that. I already plan to help you. With you here, its convenient for me and my friend.

I squatted down and patted Kirrins shoulder.

Ill keep an eye on Knightley from time to time. That should satisfy both Knightley and the Duke without me having to fully oversee her.

Honestly, its no loss for me.

When I first learned about Knightley and looked into her academic record, I saw she had excellent grades. With a little guidance, she would surely excel even more.

If the first batch of graduates were top-tier, Kirrin would gain recognition from the Second Princess and continue as the headmaster, making things easier for me and Linus.

And spending just an hour a week wouldnt be a big deal. The Duke, who owes me his life, wouldnt complain either. Hed probably be pleased that Im taking an interest in his daughter.

Its a win-win situation. Kirrin stays stable in her role, benefiting me, Kirrin, Linus, and the Second Princess.

So calm down now. This isnt a good look.

Thank you, Dian!

As I held her still trembling hand, Kirrin suddenly hugged me. The skin of a Dark Elf is surprisingly cool and soft. I never knew.

Oh, sorry

I was enjoying the pleasant touch when Kirrin, flustered, pushed me away.

Feeling better now? Stop crying. This is the first time Ive seen a Dark Elf cry. Your tears arent black, huh.

At my joke, Kirrins mood eased a little and she smiled shyly. My first time seeing a Dark Elf smile like that too.

Then Ill be going. I should at least see what this noble lady Knightley looks like.

Thank you so much, Dian. Really, thank you.

It was awkward to see Kirrin bowing repeatedly like I was the headmaster, so I quickly left the office.

Goodness, how could someone suddenly seem so pitiful?

And whats with all the talk about the budget? How much has she saved up?

# # # # #

After Dian left, Kirrin wiped her eyes with her sleeve and staggered to her desk.

Knightley had abruptly requested Kirrin to assign Professor Dian as her homeroom professor. It was an outrageous demand.

Kirrin wasnt foolish; she knew such a thing was impossible.

Yet, she couldnt refuse the Duke of Toulouses daughters request to her face. So, she sought Dians help once more.

And once again, Dian decided to protect her.

Kirrin graduated from the public academy against her will and came here as headmaster against her will.

Behind all this was her father, the leader of the Nemara Clan, and Kirrin feared disappointing him more than death itself.

She had considered running away countless times. But she didnt dare run from fellow Dark Elves.

For a half-blood Dark Elf mixed with humans, like Kirrin, evading pureblood Dark Elves was impossible from the start.

Thats why she alone left the forest, utilizing the Empires education system and entering public office.CHCk for ew stries on no/v/el/bin(.)c0m

Her half-blood nature, somewhat dulling the characteristic ruthlessness of pureblood Dark Elves, made her suitable as the clans first representative in the human society.

This is why Kirrin came to represent her clan in human society, and why she feels grateful, apologetic, and fond of Dian.

Dian had comforted her, holding her trembling hand and speaking kindly, with a gentle expression.

It wasnt quite what happened, but if Kirrin saw it that way, then it was so.

How many times has Dian saved me now? No words of gratitude can truly express it.

At this point, Kirrin began to concretize her vague plan.

She would step down to a role as a subject professor handling the assassination and abduction course, and elevate Dian to headmaster with that outrageous plan.

The Second Princess would be pleased to rid herself of the Emperors annoying parachute, Dian would enjoy a high position, Kirrin would be free from all burdens, and her father might be somewhat satisfied as long as she remained a professor.

Then, a sudden thought struck Kirrin, prompting her to hurriedly search through the school regulations.

Lets see, lets see if one gets married and becomes pregnant, can they take paternity leave?

Just in case. When Dian held her hand earlier, the look in his eyes seemed unusual.

It wasnt quite what happened, but if Kirrin saw it that way, then it was so.

# # # # #

I wonder if Kirrin has calmed down and gathered her wits by now.

Ill keep supporting her like this, so she needs to hold on tight and stay as the headmaster.

Is this the right place? Its about time for classes to end.

Just then, the classroom door opened, and students poured out from their theory lesson. Amidst them, I spotted a striking blonde-haired, golden-eyed girl.

Knightley Toulouse. Lets talk for a moment.

[Translator Peptobismol]