The Retired Supporting Character Wants to Live Quietly

[Translator – Peptobismol]

Chapter 15 – Kirrin Nemara’s nth Plea of the Season

“Are you asking me to personally teach student Knightley?”

I couldn’t believe my ears, but there was no mistake. Headmaster Kirrin couldn’t meet my gaze and nodded.

“I would appreciate it if you could.”

“Why on earth? You’re talking about a homeroom professor position, and I’m the Head Professor.”

“That’s 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 that’s why you’re doing this? Is that right?”

“That’s part of it…”

“That’s just a figure of speech. He didn’t 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 she’s the Duke’s daughter, this is still an academy.”

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

“Dian, can you help me? Please?”

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

“I really appreciate that. And I didn’t get to say it at the time… but thank you for protecting me during the Duke’s 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 weren’t for you, I would have been ousted a long time ago. I’m truly grateful. I don’t know how to repay you…”

“No need for repayment. It’s mutually beneficial. So, what is it? You want me to teach Knightley once a week?”

“Yes… if you’re okay with it. I’m sorry for the burden… no, forget it.”

Kirrin suddenly shook her head.

“Forget I said anything. It’s unreasonable to ask the Head Professor to tutor a single student. That’s nonsense. No, Dian, I’m sorry. Please leave.”

“Are you alright? You’re rambling.”

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

“I never wanted to be headmaster…”

“You didn’t want this job?”

“No…”

Kirrin sighed again.

“My father forced me… So even though I hate it, I can’t 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! I’m begging you…”

“Oh, Headmaster! Please don’t do this.”

“I’ve really tried my best… Yes, I’ve weakened the Combat Department, but I’ve strengthened other courses and secured a lot of funding…”

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

“I’ve been doing everything you asked since you came… I’ll keep doing that… just help me… Dian… don’t make me go back to the forest…”

“Okay, Headmaster. Please calm down.”

“Please… please…”

Kirrin started sobbing, tears streaming down her face.

“I don’t want to go back to the forest… I’m scared… please…”

“What will happen if you go back?”

“Huh… heok… ugh…”

Kirrin couldn’t even answer, just trembling and moaning.

This is serious. What kind of place is her clan’s 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 war’s 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 wouldn’t 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 can’t even imagine the horrors she would face. They’re not the kind to go easy on her just because she’s his daughter.

What a pitiful situation.

She didn’t 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 didn’t, she’d be forced back to the forest she dreaded, back to her father.

“Dian… I’ll do whatever you want and I won’t interfere… You can use all the budget I’ve saved as you please… Just… please make sure I get kicked out of the academy…”

“You don’t need to say that. I already plan to help you. With you here, it’s convenient for me and my friend.”

I squatted down and patted Kirrin’s shoulder.

“I’ll 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, it’s 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 wouldn’t be a big deal. The Duke, who owes me his life, wouldn’t complain either. He’d probably be pleased that I’m taking an interest in his daughter.

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

“So calm down now. This isn’t 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 I’ve seen a Dark Elf cry. Your tears aren’t black, huh.”

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

“Then I’ll 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 what’s 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 wasn’t foolish; she knew such a thing was impossible.

Yet, she couldn’t refuse the Duke of Toulouse’s daughter’s request to her face. So, she sought Dian’s 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 didn’t 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.

That’s why she alone left the forest, utilizing the Empire’s education system and entering public office.

Her half-blood nature, somewhat dulling the characteristic ruthlessness of pureblood Dark Elves, made her suitable as the clan’s 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 wasn’t 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 Emperor’s 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.

Let’s see, let’s 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 wasn’t 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.

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

Is this the right place? It’s 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. Let’s talk for a moment.”

[Translator – Peptobismol]