Only as a sword instructor. Chiefly the more promising students among the military academy, although there were a few wealthy families here and there.

[At this point, Van is perfectly aware that Yeager is feeling him out and trying to learn anything interesting. He doesn't particularly mind. Everything he's saying is, after all, perfectly true; not that there would be many ways to check his story. And beyond that, everything he's saying is painting exactly the picture he wants it to: of a respectable pillar of society.]

Of course, those students I chose myself were always more satisfying. They needed me more.[A charitable, caring pillar of society.]