The Academy is Doomed

Chapter 115

“You’ve come, Teacher Amon.”

“Yes. Why did you call for me?”

When Anar’el once again showed her shadowed face over her interlocked fingers, Amon sighed as if begging her to stop.

“Has something come up again?”

“You catch on quickly now.”

“Sigh, what is it this time?”

Anar’el pointed to a document on the table and said.

“It’s a directive from the Imperial Palace.”

“From the Imperial Palace?”

“Yes. Sandrio’s condition has improved a bit, so they say they’ll send compensation for the failed Velslime Wasteland project. Though not as much as the full investment.”

While it was disappointing that they couldn’t receive the full investment amount, looking at the situation, there must have been quite a few of the Emperor’s acquaintances who invested in the Velslime Wasteland project.

They would have to provide compensation to them while expressing regret, so it was fortunate enough that it was now the Academy’s turn.

“That’s good news. We were in a dangerous financial situation after using profits from the King of Mango deal with the Gold Road Association to quickly restore the Academy, but this will help ease our worries.”

“Hehe, that’s right.”

Amon smiled faintly before dropping his smile and said.

“But I doubt you called me just to share good news.”

“Really, you do catch on quickly now.”

“It’s not my first time experiencing this. So please tell me the main point.”

Anar’el nodded and pointed to the document on the table.

“It would be better for you to check directly.”

“Hmm. Alright.”

Just as Amon was about to reach for the document, Fiora, who had been standing behind Amon until now, quickly snatched the document and respectfully handed it to Amon.

“Here you are, Senior.”

“Huh? Ah…th-thank you.”

Amon awkwardly smiled as he received the document, still uncomfortable with Fiora’s behavior.

Seeing this scene, Anar’el brightened up and said,

“Could it be!”

“…Pardon?”

“I was wondering why you were standing in the back, but it must be to learn the proper conduct of a teacher by observing Amon step by step!”

The interpretation was more interesting than reality – that’s how Anar’el interpreted Fiora’s behavior.

And at Anar’el’s interpretation, Amon’s eyes widened as if having a great realization.

“So that’s what it was!”

“That must be it!”

“Of course! I was wondering why she’s been sticking so close these past few days!”

“Since you’re a model teacher more than anyone else, learning by staying right beside you would help her learn quickly!”

“So that’s what it was after all!”

Amon laughed heartily as his pride as a teacher doubled.

“You! Keep learning diligently!”

Fiora bowed politely with a rotten smile.

“I’ll keep that in mind, Senior Amon.”

Anar’el smiled warmly at the heartening sight of the senior and junior.

That’s when Anar’el flinched.

‘Huh? Why is Teacher Fiora looking at me with those eyes?’

Anar’el shuddered at Fiora’s gaze that seemed disapproving, staring with thoroughly rotten eyes.

Come to think of it, she seemed to have had those eyes recently too…

While Anar’el was feeling this sense of discomfort.

“…Cultural festival?”

When Amon muttered glumly after reading the document, Anar’el quickly snapped out of her thoughts and picked up on those words.

“Yes! Our Academy students have entered their second semester, right? The Academy holds an annual cultural festival in the second semester.”

“No, wait. We discussed this before too, but I clearly told you then – how can we hold a festival with just five students?”

Amon tapped the document with his finger as he continued speaking.

“And for the Imperial Palace to send down a recommendation to hold a festival… is this right? Has there ever been such a precedent?”

Amon had unfavorable feelings toward the Emperor.

So he spoke with a thoroughly prickly tone, displeased with the Imperial Palace’s actions, but Anar’el shrugged as if to say ‘what can you do.’

“There’s no precedent because the situation is quite exceptional. For now, please continue reading.”

“Ugh…”

Amon continued reading the document.

[…Therefore, we recommend that Amonis Academy hold its annual cultural festival. Additionally, if the Academy’s activities and performance are recognized, we have decided to specially grant funds to the Academy. Also, considering the current circumstances of Amonis Academy, the scale of the cultural festival shall be determined by Amonis Academy’s own judgment.]

Special grant money.

And considering Amonis Academy’s circumstances, they can determine the scale of the festival.

Amon looked at Anar’el with eyes that seemed to say ‘surely not.’

“Could this be…is the Emperor being considerate of us?”

“Yes. As you probably guess, many nobles are in difficult circumstances due to the failure of the Velslime Wasteland project. That compensation will be paid from the Imperial Palace’s operating funds and Sandrio’s allowance.”

An Emperor receiving an allowance.

Thinking of the Empress who boasted tremendous military power, Amon felt a bit sorry for the Emperor for just a moment.

“And the Imperial Palace’s operating funds and Sandrio’s allowance won’t be enough to console the nobles who lost money in the failed project.”

“Well, looking at the compensation amount we’re getting, it is a disappointing sum.”

“So it seems Sandrio came up with this method to provide additional compensation to me as a last resort. By involving the Academy, it becomes possible to draw on the Empire’s Education Department’s finances.”

So being Emperor isn’t something just anyone can do!

Amon was impressed.

‘He’s quite talented at finding ways to spend money, at least.’

Anyway, he was most pleased with the part about ‘determining the scale of the cultural festival at the Academy’s discretion.’

‘With these conditions, a cultural festival? We can definitely do it. It’s absolutely not because I’m tempted by the special grant money. I want to create good memories for the students. It’s definitely not because I’m tempted by the special grant money.’

After brainwashing himself, Amon opened his mouth.

“A cultural festival with five students. Fortunately, our students are high caliber. The teachers are highly capable too. So if we put our heads together, we should be able to create something that could pass as a cultural festival.”

Anar’el snapped her fingers and said.

“As expected of Teacher Amon! You catch on quickly!”

A dragon, a Sword Master, a Sword Expert, a potato-eating magician, and Amon’s younger sister!

They were outstanding students that would be impressive anywhere.

‘If we’re short on content, we can just have Ami do some tricks like jumping through fire rings.’

Amon, who had particularly strong trust in his sibling, nodded.

“Good. I should ask the students and other teachers too.”

“Yes. Please do.”

“Then while we’re on the topic…”

Amon gestured toward Fiora who had been standing behind without saying a word.

“Fiora, what do you think?”

At that question, Fiora bowed politely and said,

“Your opinion is my opinion, Senior.”

“…I-I see.”

It was truly groundlessly burdensome.

Anyway, since the business was done, Amon slowly rose.

“Then Headmaster, I’ll take my leave now.”

“Wait a moment, Teacher Amon.”

“Yes?”

“There’s one more matter I’d like to discuss.”

Sitting back down, he thought.

‘So it’s finally come.’

He had thought it strange to be called for just good news.

‘Come to think of it, the Headmaster has been rather docile lately. I’m sure they’ve made another huge mess.’

It was a desperate effort to prepare mentally and face the situation rather than be shocked by unexpected circumstances!

After taking a deep breath, Amon said.

“Huuuh…Yes, what is it this time?”

Anar’el’s eyes widened as she held out another document.

“This time we really have a good opportunity.”

“Ah. Yes. Let’s see.”

Again Fiora quickly grabbed the document and handed it to Amon.

‘This is really burdensome…’

Making a mental note to tell her later to refrain from such behavior when the opportunity arose, Amon looked over the newly received document.

[Investment and Investigation Launch for New Material, Petroleum]

[Regarding the new material, petroleum, that the Imperial Palace is watching closely…]

Amon put down the business proposal after reading only that far.

“Fiora, step outside for a moment.”

Speaking in a stern voice, Amon turned back toward Anar’el.

Then after sitting blankly for a moment, Amon looked behind him.

She was still standing in her place.

“Fi-Fiora. Aren’t you going to leave?”

Amon asked in a confused voice when Fiora, who had been faithfully following his words, stood without moving, and she gently bowed her head and said.

“I will maintain my position.”

“Huh? Why…”

“Because I judged it would be better.”

Could this be defiance? But looking at her respectful attitude and eyes, she seems to sincerely think it’s better to remain.

‘What’s wrong with her? Not knowing what she’s thinking makes me so anxious…’

While soothing his anxious stomach, Amon glanced at Anar’el.

‘The Headmaster clearly said they wanted to discuss with me. Then she probably hasn’t invested in the project yet. So there’s no need to scold her loudly…’

He wanted to preserve the Headmaster dignity in front of Fiora, though he wasn’t sure if there was any dignity to preserve.

“Headmaster.”

“Yes, Teacher Amon.”

“Did you… invest? You haven’t yet, right?”

At Amon’s trembling voice, Anar’el said brightly.

“I haven’t with Academy funds yet. That’s why I wanted to discuss it.”

“…Sniff!”

“Wh-why are you like that?”

“Headmaster, you’ve grown so much. I’m not someone who cries easily but why are tears coming?”

“Hehe.”

“But wait, you haven’t with Academy funds?”

Anar’el nodded.

“I invested personally. A little?”

“Ugh…!”

Amon grabbed the back of his neck but quickly composed himself.

What does it matter if she invested her own money?

“Ahem. Anyway Headmaster, this new material called petroleum, I definitely saw it in the Association’s business presentation before, right?”

“Maybe? Did you?”

“Yes. Remember clearly.”

Tapping the document, he said.

“Petroleum? This fancy naming sense. What is stone oil? Stone oil.”

“Hmm…”

“And the fact that the Imperial Palace is watching it closely is concerning. Isn’t this the same Imperial Palace that already tasted great failure with the Velslime Wasteland project? Though it was due to a natural disaster, what meaning do such reasons and excuses have in business?”

“Umm…”

Anar’el said as if making an excuse.

“But still, Sandrio recommended it…”

“Oh my goodness. That makes it even less trustworthy.”

“…”

“Anyway, I’m against it.”

“B-but…”

Anar’el hastily explained.

“They say if this petroleum thing is processed, it could potentially be used as fuel and power source. Then the current system itself might change, they said.”

“Who said that?”

“The chemist Boiler who’s watching this petroleum closely said so.”

“Boiler.”

“What a useless-looking name!” Is what he wanted to say, but since he couldn’t say such things about someone’s name, Amon forcefully swallowed his words.

“So Teacher Amon, I think this investment is really a great opportunity.”

“…”

“If an educational institution like the Academy succeeds in investing in a new material, wouldn’t that recognition of insight be meaningful? New materials are treasures of science, chemistry, and industry, right? What could be a better investment target for an educational institution like the Academy?”

Amon’s head tilted slightly.

‘What is this? Why does it sound plausible? Is the 269-year-old elf still growing? Is her eloquence improving day by day?’

While the great Amon was swaying like an aspen tree at the elf’s sweet talk, Fiora, who had been standing behind Amon, opened her mouth first for the first time.

“Headmaster.”

“Ah, yes. Teacher Fiora.”

Then Fiora continued speaking with a chilling smile.

“Since Senior Amon seems to be troubled, wouldn’t it be better to stop this conversation?”

“…Pardon?”

Amon flinched at Fiora’s sudden admonishment of Anar’el.

‘What? Why is she suddenly like this?’

As much as Amon was surprised, so was Anar’el.

‘Wh-why is she suddenly acting like this?’

Fiora was still staring at Anar’el with inscrutable eyes.

‘But those eyes…I feel like I’ve seen them somewhere.’

Anar’el flinched while furrowing her brows and searching her memories.

‘Ah! Those eyes are…!’

The eyes she had seen when the farm owner came rushing with a sickle during the recent visit to the King of Mango farm.

Also the eyes she often saw when Amon grabbed her and ranted.

Hostility, antagonism, anger.

Anar’el’s ears drooped almost to the ground upon realizing that Fiora had been looking at her with such eyes all along.

‘Why, why look at me with such eyes…?’

Meanwhile, Fiora of the Pendorean family, thoroughly steeped in genuine slave mentality from serving the Imperial family for 11 generations, was internally grinding her teeth while looking at Anar’el.

How many times had the Anar’el before her made poor Senior Amon fall into despair through multiple business failures!

How much had she tormented the powerless Senior Amon using her position as Headmaster as a weapon!

‘Headmaster. Senior Amon’s enemy.’

The Empire’s watchdog of the Pendorean family had opened its eyes.