Chapter 56
They couldn’t even manage to expel a single cadet properly.
The disciplinary committee had fallen apart, and afterward, they tried to expel me under the pretext of field verification. But after I became a benefactor of the Petrak Kingdom and revealed my genius in calculations and memorization, they couldn’t even attempt it.
“Ever since we let that hound run loose, our funding has plummeted. How can you not remember?”
“Right. But it worked out, didn’t it?”
“Yes. We learned the hard way, at a cheap price, how naive it was to rely solely on the dukes.”
“So this time, it’s our turn.”
The Vice Principal and the head teacher’s petty plan was this: instead of the dukes, find a new patron of equal standing! That way, a failure or two wouldn’t lead to being sidelined.
If they could secure a useful puppet? Escaping the influence of the Four Great Ducal Families wouldn’t be a pipe dream.
In fact, the teachers of Imperium Academy had the power to pull it off.
Lost in their delightful fantasies, the Vice Principal sensed the activation of a detection spell she had set up.
“Ahem, they’ve crossed the boundary. Everyone, take your seats.”
The teachers sat down, all with grim determination.
They believed this was a fight to break free from being dragged around by the Harmadun and Deminiyan families and seize control.
But they didn’t yet know their opponent was no pushover, which allowed such thoughts.
Soon, the door opened, and gold stepped in.
“Welcome, Your Highness.”
The teachers stood and bowed deeply. To an outsider, it might look like reverence for the bloodline born of the empire’s sun.
But in Princess Adela’s golden eyes, they were nothing but a pack of hyenas eyeing their prey.
Looking down at the clowns who didn’t know to fear a tiger, she spoke.
“Oh, how sweet.”
She walked slowly, step by step, and took the head seat.
Her attendants followed, each carrying a suitcase in both hands. Coincidentally, the number of suitcases matched the number of teachers.
“Sit down, all of you.”
At the princess’ single command, the teachers sat obediently. They grumbled inwardly.
‘Speaking informally at such a young age? What an arrogant princess.’
‘Hmph! Still a child, ignorant of the ways of the world.’
‘I’ll make good use of her!’
They were all talented enough to be recruited as teachers at Imperium Academy. Anywhere they went, they could secure a decent position.
The Vice Principal flashed a friendly smile.
“Oh my, oh my, our dear princess. You’re so radiant. Thank you for summoning us. We’re truly honored by Your Highness’s grace…”
“Enough. I don’t like long speeches. They’re annoying. Open them.”
The attendants placed the suitcases in front of each teacher. Thud! Thud! Each one landed with the weight of solid metal, making the desks creak.
“What… what is this?”
“What’s going on?”
Amid the confusion, the teachers examined the suitcases closely.
Each had a tag with their names written in elegant script.
“You were expecting something like this, weren’t you? …What are you waiting for? Open them.”
How impudent! Her utterly brazen attitude twisted their insides.
But the teachers silently opened the suitcases. And then—
“Gasp!”
“Huh!”
“Oh, oh…!”
Could anything compare to the princess’ golden eyes?
Yet the piles of gleaming gold bars inside were enough to stoke human greed.
“Take them. It’s your dog food.”
Despite the princess’ venomous words, the teachers were too busy ogling the gold bars filling the suitcases. They were large, and their purity was beyond question. Why? Because they bore the crest of the Elidore family, the overseers of Imperium Bank. They were worth twice as much as ordinary gold bars.
But the Vice Principal was different.
“Your Highness, this won’t do.”
“What?”
Ahem, clearing her throat, the Vice Principal assumed a grave air.
“The teachers of Imperium Academy are sworn to uphold and protect neutrality. Ahem, of course, for Your Highness, it might not be entirely out of the question. But to do so so openly…”
“Openly taking bribes from Harmadun and Deminiyan, yet you’re so brazen?”
The room turned icy. The teachers’ faces paled. The Vice Principal’s composed demeanor vanished, replaced by sheer panic.
“Y-Your Highness, we…”
She wasn’t a cat pretending to be a tiger—she was the tiger itself. Struck at her core, the Vice Principal stammered. If the princess set her mind to it, what would happen? Even without evidence, a single word from her could bring the investigation bureau crashing in.
“Stupidity has its limits. Hurry up and take it. In return, you know what to do, right? Anything Harmadun or Deminiyan ask of you, report to me first and then proceed. Not hard, is it? Answer. Got it?”
The teachers, finally grasping the princess’ intent, relaxed with visible relief.
The Vice Principal reflected. She’d been caught off guard by the sudden intrusion, foolishly intimidated when she didn’t need to be.
“Ahem, Your Highness Princess Adela.”
The Vice Principal slowly drew a magic wand from her pocket.
“My apologies, ahem. We are warriors worth a hundred men each.”
At minimum, an Imperium Academy teacher was a Gold Knight. Even if not a Platinum Knight, they were more than capable of leading elsewhere.
“What, not enough gold?”
The Vice Principal’s forehead veins bulged at the princess’ bold question. How could this mere figurehead princess, with no real backing, procure such wealth? No, that wasn’t important.
“I don’t know where Your Highness acquired such gold, but you must respect us. We’re choosing you over the Four Great Ducal Families. Ahem, regarding our oath of loyalty… or rather, Your Highness’ sincerity. Ahem, isn’t there a saying? If you fail to buy something, check if you offered enough gold.”
The Vice Principal rambled on to Adela. Drawing her weapon was a signal that she’d derail things if needed.
After all, Harmadun and Deminiyan had her back.
“Really? Then open it.”
“What?”
“There’s more than just gold in those suitcases. Open the hidden compartment.”
Feeling a chilling sensation from the princess’ confident golden eyes, the teachers hurriedly began removing the gold bars. And then—
“Eek!”
“What… why!”
Beneath the gold bars, pressed down, was evidence. Evidence of all their corruption, bribes, and lobbying. Photos, audio recordings—everything.
“Grr!”
The moment one teacher, losing composure, raised a hand to destroy the evidence—
A sword touched his neck, unnoticed by anyone. A black blade, barely visible, as if forged from darkness. The cold sensation froze his movements.
The princess smiled.
“Oh dear… I’d stay still if I were you.”
The Vice Principal’s face turned ashen, as if she’d seen a grim reaper. No, it was a grim reaper. At least within the empire, they were no different.
“The… Shadow Knights…!”
The empire’s strongest unofficial knight order, answering only to the Emperor.
“Why… why are the Shadow Knights here…!”
The Shadow Knights carried an ‘indulgence.’ No matter who they killed, it was by the Emperor’s sacred command, unquestionable.
No one could resist. Long ago, a marquis leading a rebellion with hundreds of thousands of troops was killed before the day was out—a famous tale.
Five layers of walls, hundreds of defensive spells, thousands of knights, hundreds of thousands of soldiers. No one detected the intruder until the marquis’ body was found.
That was the reality of the Shadow Knights.
Clack, clack, clack.
The Vice Principal’s teeth chattered. Fear. Trembling. Behind every teacher, a grim reaper stood, sword in hand.
When the Vice Principal stiffly turned to look behind her, death was staring down at her too.
“So, want to say that again? The gold—what? Not enough?”
The madness of gold overwhelmed them.
***
With the break starting, I helped with the coffee wagon while collaborating with Nerjin to bolster my strength. The break was a great opportunity to move freely outside the academy.
But on the fifth day, I had to attend the first meeting of the ill-fated Café Exploration Club.
[Hailey: Hey kids, let’s meet up! Is tomorrow okay for everyone?]
[Bord: Oh! Sounds great! When should we meet?!]
[Gilbert: Yes, I’m available too.]
[Elisha: What time?]
The meeting, sparked by the pink chick’s chirping, was actually per the schedule in the activity plan I’d submitted.
[Hailey: Tomorrow at 11 a.m.! That work?]
[Mary: Yes! I’m good!]
[Lina: Understood.]
[Luri: See you then!]
[Hailey: Martin, you’re good too, right?]
I wished this day would never come!
“Hah!”
In the end, I couldn’t even reply to Hailey’s message, and time mercilessly brought me to today.
Hailey was already at the meeting spot in the park. Sitting on a bench, she waved enthusiastically the moment she saw me, her hands high above her head.
“Hello, Cadet Martin!”
“Hello, Teacher Hailey.”
“I’m a student teacher!”
A student teacher. You, who seem as delicate as a chick, are the most teacher-like person I’ve ever acknowledged.
As I sat a bit away, Hailey scooted closer and playfully poked my side.
“Heh… surprising, Cadet Martin.”
“What do you mean?”
“I thought you might not show up.”
“Ah…”
I felt guilty for not replying. That wasn’t my intention.
“It’s fine! You’re here, and that’s what matters!”
“Well… thank you.”
I was grateful she didn’t press for a reason.
A silence followed.
Feeling her gaze, I turned to look at Teacher Hailey. She was staring at me. Her pink eyes held a warm glow, cozy like spring. There was none of the oppressive heat of summer sunlight.
“…Cadet Martin… you don’t like Gilbert’s group, do you?”
Thanks to her measured pause, I wasn’t startled. It felt like the inevitable had arrived. I figured a true educator like Hailey would have seen through me long ago.
“It doesn’t seem like Gilbert’s group dislikes you that much, though.”
“Am I the bad one?”
“No. It’s okay to dislike someone.”
That answer was truly unexpected. To me, Hailey was like a warm spring, embracing all creatures.
“I don’t dislike them, but there’s someone who feels burdensome to me too.”
“Who?”
I asked, following the conversation’s flow.
“Teacher Hectia.”
I didn’t see that coming.
Hailey puffed out her cheeks, chirping like a chick.
“Ever since the Dr. Keren incident, she keeps asking if I’m okay, if I have any aftereffects. When I’m working, she passes by and always says, ‘That’s not how you do it,’ with some comment. Even becoming the club’s student teacher—she saw the club application you submitted and said she’d write a recommendation for me to join, practically pushing me into it. I would’ve applied anyway since it’s your club, but still!”
Somehow, I ended up listening to complaints about a burdensome boss.
“Doesn’t Teacher Hectia make those kinds of suggestions to you, Cadet Martin? Like taking special classes after school, do this, do that?”
“Well… I do get told my mana cultivation is lacking during practical evaluations.”
“Right! Teacher Hectia is young and capable, but such a boomer!”
“A… boomer?”
“Yes! She gives too much unsolicited advice! Ugh, she’s not a bad person! I’m grateful, but ugh!”
Hailey continued with firm conviction.