The Teacher of the Aristocratic Kindergarten is Exhausted Again – Episode 008
She had been told she was “talent” itself—someone who showed genius in every field and could master anything with ease.
Talent that could seize anything, no matter the domain.
“…Isn’t that just a cheat character?”
If she had to define it in one word, that was it: a cheat character. And cheat characters always came with at least one handicap.
Madame Maexturner had said her talent would soon hide itself.
Because her talent was so vast, it would only surface occasionally—rarely enough that she’d hardly experience it.
As though she had no talent at all.
Few chances to experience it. As if it didn’t exist. A fatal handicap.
“So that’s what it was.”
So that’s why she had seemed talentless. A dry laugh slipped from Efna’s lips.
“Haha… how ridiculous.”
The moment she understood, countless thoughts rushed through her mind.
Her second brother, who had always used his physical gifts to bully with violence.
Her first brother, who scorned her as stupid.
Her father, who desperately searched for a talent like that of the first Count Windister.
“……”
It had been right beside them all along. The “Windister” they sought.
But there’s no need to tell them.
She couldn’t even afford to wait until her name was stricken from the family register. If this fact were ever discovered, it would only bring trouble.
That night, she packed her diary and escaped from the estate. It was dawn, beneath a bright white moon.
But with nowhere to go, Efna ended up crouched in an alleyway—until a noblewoman extended her hand.
“Young lady, it’s dangerous to be on the streets like this. Why not stay at our house for tonight?”
It was the Viscountess Belchester.
One day became two, two days became a week, a week became a year.
Efna settled into the Belchester household. With the help of the elderly lady, she graduated from the Academy and immediately set out to find work.
The viscount family’s situation isn’t well-off. At the very least, I need to earn money myself.
But doing what? If she had to choose what she did best, it would be the same as in her past life: being a kindergarten teacher.
“But would a kindergarten even exist in this world…?”
Maybe it could.
Efna dropped her soft pillow and sprang to her feet. If there’s an Academy, then why shouldn’t there be a kindergarten?
So she dashed out immediately, scouring the capital until she finally discovered a single kindergarten hiring teachers.
What stood before her was…
〈Private Roendel Infant Academy〉
A shabby, lifeless building.
The two-story structure had peeling paint that exposed its red bricks, and above it an old elm tree swayed precariously in the wind.
“Isn’t this about to collapse?”
Forcing down her unease, she pushed open the door.
“Hello. I saw the teacher recruitment ad posted outside.”
“Oh my! Was that still up? Well, you’ve come at the right time! Please, come in.”
Two teachers and an elderly headmistress greeted her kindly.
In the shabby classroom, tiny children peeked at Efna with curious eyes.
How on earth is this place even running?
That question was swiftly answered once she stepped into the headmistress’s office.
“Our Roendel Infant Academy is run as a family business.”
The headmistress smiled shyly. Ah, so this was that infamous “family-run company” she had only heard about.
“Most parents who care for their children’s education simply hire private tutors. That’s why our operation is not very smooth.”
That was a problem. Given the viscount family’s circumstances, unpaid wages or “passion pay” was not an option.
Should I back out? But… these children… Even if the environment is poor, they…
Seeing children in such conditions reminded her too much of herself before her regression. Her heart twisted.
Imperial law is pretty strict about unpaid wages anyway. And I can always bring it up after I get hired.
Resolving herself, Efna clasped the headmistress’s hand.
“Headmistress, here is my Academy diploma. I majored in education. On the back, I’ve included my own education plan as well. Could you take a look?”
“Oh my, how dependable.”
The headmistress covered her mouth with her hand in admiration. It took only seconds before she nodded.
And so, Efna was hired at the Empire’s one and only infant academy.
“By the way, Headmistress… how about changing the name first?”
“Pardon?”
“Instead of ‘Infant Academy,’ it should be called a Kindergarten.”
“Hmm? Why is that?”
The headmistress tilted her head, as if to say, Is that really necessary? Efna smiled brightly.
“If Roendel ever becomes an official educational institution, it won’t be able to use the title ‘Academy.’ That term is reserved for institutions teaching ages eight and above.”
The headmistress’s eyes went wide.
“An official educational institution? Roendel?”
“Yes. The Empire doesn’t yet have an official institution for early childhood education. I’d like Roendel to be the very first. Of course, we’ll need to achieve results for that to happen.”
“Oh dear, oh my… but will that really be possible?”
“It’s possible. I’ll make it happen within a year.”
Hehehe. Once the word official gets attached, plenty of benefits follow.
Especially the part where, under Imperial law, the salary digits change.
Exactly two years later, a kindergarten boom swept the Empire. A massive trend led by high society itself.
At the center of it all stood Efna Windister—or rather, simply Efna.
2. An Enrollment Explanation for the Sake of the Villain
It’s been quite some time.
She could hardly even recall the faces of the Windister family anymore. To be exact, she simply didn’t care.
Why waste time keeping up with such trivial news when she could do another piece of work instead?
She closed the diary she had picked up after so long.
“Come to think of it, I’ve never actually felt my ‘talent’ yet.”
Should she practice something, maybe?
“Hm.”
As she pondered deeply, time passed quicker than expected.
“Ah, I’m tired.”
Before she realized it, Efna was standing at the edge of a banquet hall. On a Monday evening, right after work.
Once I get home, I need to organize today’s activity log and this month’s event schedule…
She repeated her to-do list in her mind. Even now, work never ceased.
Her brother had already disappeared with a young lady he’d seduced.
With a bored expression, Efna slowly swirled her champagne glass. Just as she was about to take a sip, a commotion broke out nearby.
“What the hell!”
What was that? Efna turned her head toward the noise. A small group of children had gathered.
Looking closely, she saw three boys surrounding another boy, shouting at him.
“If you stepped on my foot, you should apologize!”
“I… I didn’t step.”
“Don’t lie. Do you want to die?”
This was no ordinary children’s quarrel—the atmosphere was far too harsh.
The aggressors looked about eight years old, while the victim was no more than five.
“I didn’t step. Not me.”
The five-year-old retorted firmly, unyielding despite the pressure.
This only further irritated the bigger boys.
“Hey, don’t you know who I am?”
“No.”
“You little brat!”
The tallest boy swung his arm up.
Oh no. He’s really going to hit him.
Efna stepped forward to intervene—only for a woman beside her to whisper quickly, holding her back.
“You shouldn’t get involved.”
“…Excuse me?”
“I know what you’re trying to do, but just stay put. Like everyone else.”
Everyone else? Efna craned her neck and looked around. Indeed, just as the woman said, most people were only watching.
“All three of those boys are children of central noble families. It’s unfortunate for the one being bullied, but nothing can be done.”
“Children of central nobles?”
“Yes. So just stay quiet.”
Central nobles’ children at that age… that would mean…
Efna leaned in, studying their faces more closely.
As expected.
“Those little troublemakers…”
Her voice dropped low, a chilling smile curling her lips.
Turning to the woman who tried to stop her, she gave a faint smile.
“Thank you for worrying. But I’ll be fine.”
“What? Wait, no, miss!”
But Efna’s graceful steps carried her straight toward the children without hesitation.
The nobles who had been sneaking glances at the scene now turned their attention fully on her. Whispers rose around the hall.
“Who is that lady?”
“I don’t know. But she’s fearless.”
“Fearless? More like foolish. Imagine stepping into that mess.”
Someone leaned against the arched window, sneering. The musicians had long since stopped playing.
“Does she plan to lecture the Marquis Gophen’s son?”
“Well, I’ll give her credit for courage.”
Yes. Precisely because it was the Marquis Gophen’s son, she had to intervene.
Efna slipped right up beside the children, unnoticed until the last moment.
The bullies frowned up at her, the Marquis’s son among them snarling:
“Who are you, lady?”
Lady? Lady?
This brat… I was going to be gentle, but forget that.
“Go away! Or I’ll call my father!”
“Go ahead.”
“W-what?”
The boy stammered, taken aback. Efna gently placed a hand on his shoulder, smiling kindly.
“Call him, Danian. It’s been a while since I last saw his face.”
“Wh-what? How do you know my name…!”
Yes, you must be wondering why this “lady” can call your name so casually.
Efna lifted the hand on his shoulder, softly removing the mask that covered her face.
“Gasp!”
Danian’s eyes went wide, the same with the other boys who had joined in the bullying.
Efna gazed at the three in turn, her lips parting.
“It’s been a while, hasn’t it? How have you all been?”
“T-t-t-teacher…!”
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