Time flows equally for everyone.
The protagonist has completed his required service hours, surprisingly, Beatrice isn’t smashing buildings, and the professors have had their salaries docked.
And it’s been several days since the headmistress and I have been able to make proper eye contact.
I’m not even a new student at the academy, yet my time as the Finance Director has surprisingly sped by.
It’s already been a month since the protagonist enrolled.
“Here is the financial report for the past month.”
“Uh………..”
“Excluding fixed monthly expenses, unusual costs include the destruction of the auditorium caused by Ruth Spero, the collapse of 5 classrooms due to Beatrice and Chloe, and the obliteration of 32 practice swords for the youngest knight.”
“Yes.”
“Excluding the incoming revenue, we also have the bribes received from Lisha and Beatrice, refund money from the artifacts given by His Highness Aken Delminos, and the sales revenue from measuring devices negotiated with the dwarves.”
Tap.
I grinned as I placed the final conclusion on the headmistress’s desk.
“We’re in the black. An overwhelming surplus, at that!”
“Ah—yes!!”
The headmistress was so delighted she swung her fist, and I quickly stepped back lest my limbs be disassembled.
“Of course, the unexpected income from the artifacts Your Highness gave us plays a big role, but starting next month, 40% of the investment for the Illusion Magic department and the amount deducted from the professors’ salaries will be added to our finances.”
“The salary payment day is next month, right?”
“That’s right. This is the first year of salary cuts, so everyone will probably shed some tears.”
“Given how you’ve exploited my favor, it’s only fair.”
Since that incident on the rooftop, the headmistress seemed much more at ease.
Of course, just because of that one incident, all her inner turmoil wouldn’t be resolved.
But still, hmm.
‘Better than when she was crying.’
Anyway.
It’s not this year, nor this quarter, just this month—and the fact that I’m happy we made a surplus is a bit sad. Can’t we consider this a big first step? Right?
The headmistress was nearly crying tears of joy, but it wasn’t all sunshine and rainbows.
“However, even if what I just mentioned is all covered in next month’s finances, it will only reduce the deficit, and a surplus like this month is impossible. This month’s surplus is entirely thanks to the artifacts.”
“The ones that Aken gave us turned out great. So now.”
“We have bought ourselves some time with this, but we need to accomplish something more in the meantime.”
It’s like after climbing one mountain, you find a bigger one, and after that, you discover an ocean.
I’ve accomplished various things, but it’s still not enough. If it were that easy to solve, I wouldn’t have gone through all that trouble in the first place.
We managed this month well, but to see a surplus next month as well…
“Please look at this.”
“What is this…?”
“You know we have midterms coming up next month, right? It’s the plan for them.”
“Huh? Aren’t midterms usually done in the usual way?”
“I came up with a groundbreaking method.”
Originally, midterms at Grandis Academy were like any other academy’s.
You take a common written exam and then do various different major-specific practical or written tests.
On the surface, it seems simple, but therein lies the issue.
‘Each major needs a different environment created for them.’
For instance, the Fire Magic major has to perform their practical in a fireproof location, and the Martial Arts major has to purchase live monsters for their practical duel.
Moreover, to maintain some level of discrimination, there are virtually no fixed testing locations. Changing the type and theme of the exam every time incurs costs.
The administrative field has a higher percentage of written exams, but if it’s construction major, the academy must prepare all the materials for practical tests where they physically create certain structures.
These things pile up easily with hundreds of majors, class years, and time periods.
Like piling up grains of sand to form a mountain, the total cost becomes substantial. Even if it’s an unavoidable cost, it’s honestly quite a bummer.
That’s why I prepared this.
“Finance Director, this is…?”
“Isn’t this perfect? You own some of these too.”
“That’s true, but if we do this, the issues with the examination process and discrimination…”
“The amount that can be saved with this plan is roughly this much…”
“Come to think of it, isn’t it the professors’ job to think of that? If they got paid, they should do their part.”
Alright. The headmistress is becoming more and more correct (?).
Without hesitation, she stamped her approval immediately.
“Leave the announcement to me. I happen to have some great persuasive material.”
“Huh? What do you have?”
“A recent incident at the Imperial Royal Academy. I can use that as leverage.”
“……?”
“Just wait and see. I’ll try to be of some help to the Finance Director, even if it’s a little.”
*
It’s peaceful.
Incredibly peaceful.
“Ruth? Why the sudden mood?”
“Oh, it’s nothing…just kidding.”
Why is it so peaceful? Why?
Ruth Spero was enjoying tea time with Mina at a coffeehouse while being overwhelmed with questions.
He simply couldn’t comprehend it.
‘Beatrice should be making more trouble right now.’
Not only that. The magic students should be rising up under someone’s instigation, and some professors should be secretly planning summoning rituals.
But nothing happened.
Of course, Ruth was clueless about Professor Circe being trapped in her lab without the chance to go outside and the magic professors saving on their living expenses due to severe salary cuts.
‘Why is Circe behaving so quietly?’
Circe—a sworn enemy who must be eradicated.
In this academy, where she had concealed her true nature, her actions after the academy crumbled and she moved to the sacred nation were nothing short of horrific.
One of the incidents that was meant to take place, where magic students would cause a ruckus, was also orchestrated by Circe.
So why is everything so quiet now?
‘Did I not truly go back in time…?’
Initially, Ruth thought he was given a second chance.
He thought he had returned to his childhood after dying at the last moment. Since it can’t all be a dream, he assumed he had somehow traveled back in time.
Knowing what would happen in the future, he began to train his power. Thankfully, the mental aspects of using sword aura and finding enlightenment remained, allowing him to reach Rank 6 in no time.
Money was also necessary. Therefore, he got involved with a salt mine he vaguely remembered and made a substantial amount of money. He fell considerably afterward, but he didn’t mind much.
Then, he somewhat forced his way into the academy.
He didn’t need to grow much more, but he had to meet his future allies.
‘But something feels off.’
The major flow is the same. However, the details keep differing.
Adam Keynes coming to the entrance exam location was something that usually happened. However, the responses or reactions were different.
Is it because I’m much stronger than last time?
‘Could it really be that everything changed because of that?’
He initially thought if he was simply stronger, everything would be easier, but what if all these changes were solely due to that?
But on the other hand, he wondered if such a small change could distort the future. At this point, he was utterly confused about whether he had actually gone back in time.
“Ruth? Are you okay?”
“…I was just thinking for a moment. Don’t worry too much.”
“Well, I’m glad to hear that…”
Still, one thing gave him certainty—Mina’s presence.
Mina Glicen—his most dependable and trustworthy ally.
She was exactly as he remembered her, with that bright demeanor she had when she approached the worst student ever, which brought him comfort.
So Ruth couldn’t help but wonder if he was in the past or an entirely different world, or if he was just dreaming. While his assurance was vague at best, there were still unchanging things.
That includes Circe, that includes Mina.
And.
‘…Adam.’
He was among them.
In fact, his existence was the most fundamental reason for Ruth’s headache.
He must confirm whether he truly returned to the past. He needed to know if the future followed as he remembered.
So he could determine.
‘Right now, you are still…fine, right?’
To clarify his stance regarding Adam.
Now, in this chaotic moment, seems like the time to meet Adam again. Ruth recalled the contract he made with Adam after the entrance ceremony.
‘If you break the provisions and cause financial loss again… then we agreed to have a discussion.’
In other words, it meant he had a chance to meet the Finance Director, someone he usually couldn’t meet under regular circumstances. Thus, he quickly signed the contract.
Unlike other staff members, the Finance Director could not even accept meeting requests. After all, the position has no reason to engage with students and was only created last year.
One of the Fourth Princesses had met with the Finance Director, but that was purely because she had actively used her status, resulting in more of a half-hearted arrangement. Ruth was entirely unaware that such an meeting ever happened.
Either way, it was something he wanted to avoid if possible. Meeting Adam in this way might not allow for a constructive conversation given his current attitude.
But unless there was no other way───
“Ah? Princess?”
“………Huh?”
“That’s Beatrice, isn’t it? I heard she always stays in the training room?”
At Mina’s words, Ruth quickly turned his head. As she said, a familiar face was walking down the street.
Amatrius Delphia Beatrice. Under normal circumstances, she wouldn’t have been able to control her magic and would have become increasingly irritated while causing various incidents.
‘Unlike last time, this time Beatrice has met Adam.’
In the future Ruth remembered, Chloe Pisty was the one who met Adam during this time. Of course, back then he was the worst student and only heard rumors.
If he recalls correctly, after the academy crumbled, Chloe had followed Adam.
Though he didn’t know if they were together from the start, it’s certain Chloe followed Adam until the very end.
…Claudia’s thread was cut by Ruth himself.
Ruth had become a nemesis of everything Adam had done. Even though they were classmates, he didn’t have any particular feelings about someone he had never met.
But now, meeting Adam isn’t Chloe but Beatrice. He wasn’t entirely sure how they had met, but Ruth was certain of this.
“………I’ll go see her for a moment.”
“Huh? Ruth, Ruth!?”
He dashed down from the coffeehouse terrace towards Beatrice.
Her luxurious clothes were nowhere to be seen; she wore simple attire.
And she was gently caressing a specific watch.
“Beatrice…Princess.”
“Hmm? So, you’re Ruth Spero, right? The Rank 6 knight.”
“That’s correct.”
“Nice to meet you. What brings you here? Our fields are quite different, though.”
This Beatrice before him was different from the one in his memory. Originally, at this time, she was extremely sensitive. She would show annoyance to anyone approaching her, deeply mired in despair due to her chronic condition.
But the Beatrice in front of him appeared much more relaxed. Her clothing was entirely different as well.
“Excuse me, Princess, but what about your clothes…?”
“Oh, I sold them. I needed some money.”
“Money, you say?”
“I met someone who needs help the most yet selflessly helps others. I’m gathering some small funds to assist him. Recently, I even started a part-time job!”
Selfless help to those in need.
There was no doubt left. Beatrice definitely met Adam. And they had built some sort of positive relationship.
Could this mean Beatrice might end up like Chloe from the future?
The rumor of her recovering from her chronic condition must undoubtedly be thanks to Adam. Ruth narrowed his eyes.
“Princess, I’d like to ask you—”
“Are you here about the midterms? Even with some constraints, a Rank 6 knight should be able to form a team.”
“……Huh?”
“Oh, didn’t you know? The announcement came out this morning. This one.”
Flutter.
Beatrice pulled out a document from her pocket.
Ruth, still in a daze, took a look at it.
[Midterm Exam Announcement]
[For certain majors, the midterm examination location has changed from the originally designated testing center to 'Ruftlagina Archipelago.' The theme for this exam is survival, aimed at preparing students for the recent shipwreck crisis that occurred at the Imperial Royal Academy.]
[During their recreational trip, a considerable number of students from the Royal Academy were stranded on a deserted island for ten days before being rescued. Most of the academy students lacked basic survival knowledge and ended up quarreling on the island, resulting in over ten students being seriously injured.]
[Accordingly, Grandis Academy will be changing the examination to survival on Ruftlagina Archipelago for this midterm to foster basic survival skills and evaluate students' responses to potential crisis situations.]
[Special notes: Teams of up to three can be formed and submitted in advance; food and other tools are not allowed; evaluations will be based on individual performance rather than team performance.]
[Please refer to the attached document for majors eligible for the changes. Other majors will proceed with the existing examen.]
“………Huh?”
One thing was for sure.
These changes to the exam structure were never present in the future Ruth remembered.
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