All-around teacher at the magic academy

Leaving the Duke's mansion, the clear blue sky that greeted him made him feel much better. He took a deep breath and felt a long-lost sense of freedom and ease.

He felt that the environment in the Duke's mansion was too oppressive, as if there was an invisible shackle pressing down on him, making it hard for him to breathe.

There was a time when he longed for those prominent figures and their affluent lives.

There was no way around it; he'd been worrying about his livelihood since he was old enough to understand things, constantly trying every possible way to earn money just to have enough to eat. He was terrified of poverty, so he was always calculating and haggling over every penny.

Philip remembers that when he first started tutoring, after a busy day of teaching, he eagerly awaited receiving the pay he was owed.

However, the employer suddenly went back on his word. He felt that he was too young to deserve such a high salary, so he cut the agreed price in half.

At that moment, anger burned within him, but he was powerless to do anything about it. To keep this hard-won job, and to avoid returning to a life of homelessness and begging, he could only swallow his anger.

If it were just him alone, it wouldn't matter, but he has a younger sister to support. He can ignore other people's opinions, but his sister can't. He's already lived a failed life; he can't let Ilya suffer the same fate.

Looking back on the past twenty-odd years, he suddenly felt as if he had accomplished nothing. He had never been to school, had failed to take care of Ilya, and even his own life was a mess, a life devoid of human dignity.

He glanced back at the majestic ducal mansion behind him, a self-deprecating smile rising in his heart. This was the ideal he had once dreamed of, the life he longed for.

Looking back now, I realize how naive I was to fantasize about living a carefree and luxurious life like those nobles.

At that very moment, when the Duke of Chloe said, "Your lives will be free of sorrow from now on, and I can lift your sister's curse," Philip's heart was filled with hope.

His heart made its decision almost instantly, eager to agree to all the Duke's demands in exchange for his sister's health and future peace. That urgency was like grasping a ray of light in the darkness, unwilling to let go.

A single, casual remark from them was enough to equal an achievement he could never attain in a lifetime. Philip suddenly felt more weary than ever before. The life he had tirelessly strived for meant nothing to them.

Philip's heart pounded, his inner voice screaming, "Say yes, say yes!" It was just revealing the captain's whereabouts, wasn't it? What harm could that do to him? Even if it was detrimental to the captain, what did it have to do with him?

Why shouldn't I be able to live a good life? Why should I have to consider others? I'm not a saint; I'm just an ordinary little person, someone who has to work hard every day for 2 rubles.

However, just as the words were about to leave his mouth, Philip thought of Ilya.

All his tireless efforts over the years were for the sake of enabling Ilya to live a normal life, weren't they? Now that we know she is cursed, is it possible for him to break the curse himself?

Even if I'm a little tired, what does it matter? At least my conscience won't bother me.

Besides, what wrong has the captain done? What right does he have to sacrifice the captain for his own benefit? If Ilya knew that his brother was such a despicable person, would he stop talking to him?

Ultimately, he overcame his greed and chose to leave the Duke's mansion first; he couldn't refuse outright. If he refused Duke Chloe to his face, would he be unable to leave? What would happen to Ilya then?

Philip gently patted his cheeks, trying to clear his head.

Now that you've made your choice, you shouldn't dwell on a luxurious lifestyle that doesn't suit you.

"I'm sorry, Ilya," he silently apologized in his heart, "Please forgive your brother for not being able to make you like a normal person right away. Hang in there a little longer. Now that I know it's a curse, there must be a way to break it."

"Perhaps Leon has a way. He's so capable, becoming a teacher at St. Peter's Academy at the same age as me. It's reasonable for him to know some curse magic."

Philip felt a glimmer of hope. He thought Leon should have a way, and even if he didn't, the teachers at the academy must have some knowledge in this area. He could ask Leon to inquire about it.

Thinking about this, Philip felt much better; he didn't have to sacrifice anyone.

Once Ilya's curse is lifted, he can join the Night Watchers without worry and help the captain share some of the burden. After all, the captain's life is not easy either, and he also needs the support of others.

.....

At that moment, Leon was having lunch with Professor Lean, enjoying this pleasant life.

Looking at the beautiful figure sitting opposite him, he felt very content with his current life.

With a stable life at the academy, the respect of some students, and friends, Leon thought of Philip; with this money, Philip would surely be even more excited than he was.

.....

Philip walked to the clothing store he had visited before, and seeing the dresses still displayed in the same spot, he went inside without any hesitation.

I've never prepared any gifts for Ilya in all my years of life. What an irresponsible older brother I am. I'll use this prize money to prepare a decent gift for her.

She couldn't let Leon outshine her; his bouquet of flowers was only worth a few dollars, while the dress she bought could buy a lot more of those flowers.

Philip walked out of the clothing store with the packed dress in his hand. He specifically asked the owner for an exquisite gift box, and looking at the gift in his hand, he couldn't imagine how happy Ilya would be to receive it.

I glanced at the time; it was already 12:10. Ilya must be getting impatient; I had to hurry back.

Philip ran excitedly toward home, feeling that he was almost done with his ordeal and would soon be able to live a normal life with Ilya.

He was running happily, but as he ran, he didn't know why his running speed gradually slowed down. Before he could fully realize what was happening, he lost his balance and fell heavily to the ground.

He carefully examined his body: "Huh, why don't I feel anything?"

"what"

Suddenly, a piercing scream reached his ears, and he was puzzled as to why everyone was looking at him in terror.

He tried to get up, but his body wouldn't obey him. Struggling to look back, he saw the lower half of his body some distance away, and his mind went blank.

"Is this my body? Why is it so far away? What's wrong with me?"

He couldn't feel any pain, he just felt incredibly tired. He tried hard to stay awake; Ilya was still waiting for him, and he wanted to give her a surprise.

As he pondered, his pupils gradually began to dilate...