But not high hopes enough to accept when the student surpassed the master, Yamada noted. And what was that prattle about giving Yamada this power? Before Yamada had come to Subaruboshi, there had been plenty of monster attacks at Amanogawa. Was Hayami going to decry those? Only the success would be claimed by the principal, hm?

Mere supposition. He didn't want to argue with Hayami and delay his leaving. But Yamada couldn't let a certain statement go— "Your criticism is noted," he said. "And ignored on the grounds of ignorance."