Another Student (before battle)

I see that you have all individually worked on your lesson plans as per Zigong's request.

I have received a total of… twelve lesson plans.

Hold on, shouldn't there be thirteen of them? Even the Executive Manager has decided to spare their precious time to teach a class.

<Huh… yeah, I handed in my lesson plan, too.>

Hm, that is because -

Uh… so who didn't do their homework?

After a brief silence, everyone turned around and looked at one of the Sinners.

…….

It ain't me…

Oh please, at least try to make a compelling argument. Who else other than you could it possibly -

I-it's me…

You, Sinc…? You've been acting out of character a lot recently, what's going on?

W-well, that's, uh…

Sinclair was drenched in sweat for some reason.

Ac… actually, I…

In Sinclair's seat was a large stack of papers, each filled to the brim with writing.

<Sinclair, are these papers…?>

Phew… I'm done!

Sorry, I got too into making a lesson plan and just couldn't stop myself from writing… whew…

Sinclair couldn't have appeared more proud as he placed that big bundle of sweat-soaked papers in Zilu's hands.

…….

… And she receives it with mild trepidation.

Um… you seem to have… dedicated quite the momentous effort… in drawing up this lesson plan…

<... What's up with her?>

Hm… let's start reviewing from the first of the stack.

108 Analytical Approaches to an Aesthete's A.A.A…

… What does A.A.A mean? And how do you plan to explore all 108 approaches in a month…?

Appreciation of Artistry in Assassinations…

…….

F.U. went too far.

Agh… Right… sorry…!

Flip a page and continue reading for those 108 approaches.

… What paint… did you use?

It's quite viscous and… the paper has partially melted.

Agh! Lady, watch yourself! You almost got some on my arm!

Aha… a painting…? Hm…

…….

…!

Zi… Zilu?

En… entrails… coating the world…

Heh…

Now you know how aesthetes appreciate the artistry of slaughter.

Just what the hell did you paint in that paper - Hey, get it together!

Zilu stumbled briefly. Whatever was on the paper must've given her quite the shock.

Ah… My mind wandered for a moment.

<……. >

This is too dangerous to be used for a lesson. Thus, it goes to the discard pile…

Hmph, weaksauce.

Zilu crumpled up the paper without hesitation and tossed it out of sight.

Next.

"Intro to Societal Reintegration"... impressive title.

Chapter 1… How to shake hands with your left hand when the situation calls for it…

…?

Chapter 2… Exploration of exclusively long-sleeved fashion & practices…

…….

Chapter 3… Projecting confidence & why having a bug arm is totally cool.

That's uh… you know. You know how it is. Be proud of who you are, all that philosophy stuff.

I wanted this lesson to give a bit of a paradigm shift where we can all come to see our flaws not as failings but as evidence of our individuality…

… which will usher in a world where we can carry on with our lives, no matter what kind of arm we have...

Discard. Next.

Zilu quickly flipped through the pages.

Intro to Denigrative Linguistics… Subheading, The Power of Words: Sticks and Stones May Break Their Bones, So Let's Add Words to the Pile...

My credentials include the ability to dress down an opponent so hard that they fall to their knees and beg me to stop.

I have plans for application as well; the lesson teaches methods pertaining to disguising compliments in criticisms and vice versa.

All of this seems rather difficult to learn.

I have concluded from my hitherto observations that Jia Xichun is an individual of great promise in this field.

Follow my instructions to a tee, and I guarantee you that this cadet shall be able to have the upper hand in any verbal confrontations.

Hm.

… Is this a curriculum to make the best brawler or the best Family Hierarch out of me?

Zilu seemed quite interested, but Jia Xichun's vehement veto eventually overruled the suggestion.

On Justice.... Another impressive title.

Subheading, Methodologies of Captivating an Entire Room of Preoccupied Audience…

… Discard.

FIE ON THEE!!!!! WHEREFORE?!!!!!

Next…

PraxisOfEgoSplittingConcerningInterMirrorConflictBetweenTheSelfAndTheReflection&ParadoxicallyFracturedTheoryOfIdealismInWhichOneAttemptsToOpenAnUnopeningDoorToOpenTheDoor...

... Utterly incomprehensible. Discard.

Perhaps Miss Ryōshū's advice to truncate the lesson title should have been taken in earnest…

Survival & Exploration...

Twenty-one reasons to pay attention when the exploration team leader is giving advice on the upcoming adventure… Case study for thirty horrible mistakes that occurred because the team was distracted during the leader's lecture…

How to track down a troublemaker who tries to sweep trouble under the rug while the team leader isn't looking… Someone ignored my advice that we should have been moving two steps ahead… Finally, I've narrowed them down to three culprits…

Agh, wait! I forgot to take that part out -

And into the shredder it went. ... When did that paper shredder get here?

The art of using yawning as a cover for popping a cookie or two into your mouth. Especially useful when getting lectured.

Hey, if you get good enough at it, you can do that with nuts, too~

Aha… so it was you who made those crunching noises in our last meeting.

Whaaat?! Nah, do ya take me for an amateur?!

The Art of Social Maneuvers: How to let it flow through you...

How to not make things awkward when you walk right in on someone badmouthing you…

The most important part of this art is to flash a refreshing smile in a way that looks earnest. It helps when you convince yourself that smiling is what brings good fortune.

Smiles have a way of disarming people, giving them pause and making them hesitate.

I remember that. Big bro used that 'technique' to confuse a lot of Daguanyuan people who hated him…

… I see.

This… well, this…

… I can't quite bring myself to throw this into the shredder.

Next. How to remain in complete stillness for a week until the next command is received.

This lesson plan was designed based on Rodion's advice that I must prioritize strengths that are unique to myself.

Look, in my defense… I didn't know he considered that to be his unique strength, 'kay~?

Let us consider whether standing in complete stillness for a week is a quality one might seek in the Family Hierarch.

Hm.

This one is certainly interesting.

What Separates Bravado from Bravery?

… Jack shite! Sod off and grab your weapons!

<Yep… always gotta read the full print…>

Hah! It's my philosophy that reason don't necessarily need to be considered before comin' to blows.

Martial prowess is indeed an indispensable part of the Family Hierarch's qualities.

But our focus is not on developing a Hierarch of a Syndicate.

Next…

Information Disparity as a Driver of Inequitable Treatment…

… Oh? Huh, that's actually the most interesting-sounding one so far.

... and the Application of Engineering Frameworks…

Ookay, it's kinda losing me, but I'm still on board.

... for Systematic Resolution in <ruby=Gesellschaft>Rational Self-interest Driven Societies</ruby>, and -

... Is it still going?

That was one-fifth of the full title.

… It seems that the same trouble has hindered both you and I.

Every word in that title was added for its absolute necessity.

Indeed, indeed...

After she had gone through the majority of our lesson plans…

Haah… Finally…

Now that that's over -

Yes, it's, uhm… it's finally my turn.

…….

Whew…

Sinclair sighed with the gravitas of someone who's just been bestowed with the most important mission in his life.

Thinking back, even back in school, I used to daydream about… becoming a teacher myself. I thought I could be good at it.

So, I guess you could say that I'm pretty happy to be given an opportunity like this.

I call my lesson… the Theory on Self-overcoming.

We have to accept that everyone stumbles at first. But by always striving to be a better person than I was yesterday…

Hey, but what if I… like who I was yesterday more?

Um…

That's okay. Everyone has their own unique potential sleeping deep inside.

So, with everything I've learned and experienced so far, let me teach you. Let me teach you how to not doubt your own capabilities, how to always shoot higher -

… Hold on. You had me for a second there, but what's up with acting like you're an infinitely more enlightened person than I am?

… Ah, of course. I've prepared a speaking class where you can learn how to speak with modesty, too.

I never would've imagined Sinclair would be this into it.

Yeah, too bad he's so into it that he's not even listening to what Xichun's saying…

Following that, your company's - ah, it seems that Zilu has completed her review.

Oh, I see! Now, how's everything going, everyone? Class prep going well?

Sob… sob… Mine curriculum most especial…!!!

… Okay! So that's a no.

That was Saude's impression upon taking a quick glance at Don Quixote, who was sobbing and cradling the shredded pieces of her lesson plan in her hands.

Well… it wasn't a complete bust, at least. Sinclair's lesson plan survived…

Phew… Miss Zigong, Miss Saude, I've prepared a full thirty days' worth of lesson plans. Would you like to take a look?

But Zigong and Saude weren't looking at the dozens of lesson plans Sinclair presented so proudly before their eyes. They were looking away.

Zigong, especially, was looking away with an unmistakable expression of pity.

…….

So he doesn't know. Would you mind explaining this, Zilu?

… I could not bring myself to tell him. Apologies.

So, this young man produced this entire, sizable stack of lesson plans all on his own...

I see. Weakness has found its way into your heart in the face of such earnest effort… I understand.

However, it has been decided that… Sinclair will not be participating as one of Jia Xichun's teachers.

Or should I call you Pupil Sinclair, to be exact?

…….

Ha ha… this has gotta be a mistake, right? Isn't Xichun the pupil here…?

No, there haven't been any mistakes. My lord has specifically instructed that you are to learn from this as well.

What…?

Whaaaaat?!?!???!?!?!?!?! Seriously??!?!?!?!??!?!?!

This… this isn't right…

Guys, this isn't right...

Ahh~ Now this looks like a proper classroom.

It woulda felt pretty dang empty with just Xichun sitting there all on her own, don'tcha think~?

Besides, I bet Sinc's the resident expert on going to schools, right? School was a luxury for me, ya know.

… Yeah, maybe, but that doesn't mean I ever wanted to go back to school…

You should learn to be grateful. I don't dole out my teachings to just anyone!

Don't forget we have to re-do the whole lesson plan under their supervision.

Outis, you… you always get on your soapbox and try to lecture everyone about something after every single battle anyway…

A-and you, Ishmael, you always get hyperfixated on something! Once you find something interesting, you never stop talking about it for three hours, at least! And -

Hm… I will ensure that you receive the best education I can provide, Sinclair.

Hold on, Yi Sang! I thought we were the underdog duo! Remember during the check-up when I said "we got this"? We were going to get this together!

The evaluation painted a twisted picture of the true scale of strength, the sole measure of which erroneously relied entirely on physical might. I shall not hesitate to impart knowledge for those who require education.

Congratulations, my lady. You have found yourself a "deskmate", which some also call a "bestie", depending on desk placement.

…?

Deskmate, bestie... what the heck does any of that mean?

Huh…?

Jia Xichun's eyes widened with confusion, as though she just heard those words for the first time in her life.

Ah… she…

When I first met her when she was sixteen, she explained to me that she hadn't attended any school-like institutions.

This is par for the course for children of Hongyuan who are raised for the purpose of becoming the next Family Hierarch. The reason being that schools can be a perfect place to assassinate someone.

So... "deskmates" and "besties"...

Sinclair began to explain, seemingly resigned to the fact that he was essentially going back to school for a month with the other Sinners as his teachers.

… usually sit next to each other and help one another out.

A bestie might nudge the other awake when they doze off… share their homework with one another if one forgot to do theirs… They usually end up being included in the best memories of each other's school time.

Hmm…

So not very important at all, huh? I think I got this on my own, I don't need a "bestie".

…….

It may have come a few years late, but I am moved that my lady finally has a chance at experiencing school…

Same here. I remember it like yesterday - Xichun would sit and watch other kids walk to school from a distance, tears welling in her eyes.

… Dude!

Oh, that reminds me. One day, out of nowhere, she started saying something about "eating from lunchboxes with friends". I haven't a clue as to how or where she even heard about it, but she snuck into the kitchen and -

Argh!! Wait! Don't you guys have lesson plans to write? Come on, hurry up! Thirty days are ticking down! We've only got thirty days!

Of course.

Unfortunately, I have become quite occupied with another task of great importance: assisting Wei with indexing and reviewing various documents that are in critical need of organizing.

Thus, I must leave the lesson planning task to you two, Zilu and Miss Saude. Have you any thoughts on this matter?

… Slacker.

What was that?

… I said nothing.