Chapter: 6
The center of the Academy and its symbol. It is said that the main building of the Academy was constructed by the Apels Empire, utilizing all the architectural techniques and renowned artists of that era. Even after hundreds of years, this main building is still counted among the top five most beautiful structures spoken of on the continent.
Upon witnessing the main building, bards would craft songs on the spot, and painters would capture its beauty in masterpieces. Such anecdotes are not rare when it comes to this main building. It seems to have a proper name, but honestly, it doesn’t matter. Everyone just calls it the main building anyway.
I gazed up at the main building with a sense of nostalgia.
‘I should have come here four years ago.’
An amalgamation of architectural brilliance and art? One of the finest buildings on the continent, a muse for countless artists? What do you want me to do with that? I would have gladly entered this main building even if it resembled a rickety shack. What truly matters is not the exterior but the interior. The fury I feel thinking about the countless people who have wandered in, captivated by its looks while being oblivious to its depths is beyond containment.
Four years ago, I should have marched into the Academy, disregarding the patriarch’s words. If I had managed to stay for a good three years and graduated, I wouldn’t be leading a life like this now, even if I eventually became a civil servant. I can confidently say that my life would have taken a different trajectory…
“I usually don’t cry, but this really makes me feel like sobbing.”
Though, of course, nothing actually dripped from my eyes.
With a bizarre mix of excitement and annoyance at being in a place I had yearned for while only being there for work, I stepped off the carriage and stumbled slightly as my feet touched the ground. Woah, damn!
Regaining my balance, I glanced back at the coachman. Thankfully, he was too busy fixing the horse’s mane to notice my moment of clumsiness. Thank goodness. The news that I, a manager in my early twenties, had lost control of my body would have sent shockwaves to the finance department.
“What the hell, have you been starving? You’ve lost so much muscle from being cooped up in the office!”
‘Is that really true?’
I recalled the minister’s remarks as I tentatively touched my legs. Strange, it didn’t seem like that to me. Was it because I’d been cooped up for too long? Or maybe riding the carriage after so long has thrown my body out of whack? Regardless of the reason, it wasn’t exactly good news.
Ugh, dammit.
I was fine while in the carriage, but as soon as I disembarked, waves of nausea hit me. Was this what they called motion sickness? Just when I began a battle with this dizzy discomfort, the coachman approached and bowed.
“I’ll head back now.”
“Ah, thank you for your hard work. Please be careful on your way back.”
“Yes, sir! I wish you good health as well.”
With another respectful bow, the coachman jumped up onto his seat and speedily left. His job was simply transportation; once that was done, it was best for him to vanish as fast as possible. With only one coachman around, there was no chance of a major ruckus breaking out, but if he stuck around too long, too many eyebrows would be raised. I know from experience that there’s nothing more suspicious than someone who shouldn’t be somewhere lingering about.
As the carriage disappeared, I shifted my gaze back to the main building. Now, I was truly alone. It was time to begin my life as a 21-year-old civil servant supervising the Academy. Wow, talk about something I’d never wished for, even in my wildest dreams…
With a weary gait, I took shaky steps toward the main building, intending to find the principal’s office when suddenly, someone rushed out towards me. Oh? A welcoming committee?
A man, clad in a blue cape that symbolized Academy staff, dashed towards me, took a breath to gather himself, and grinned.
“I am Raymond, the Vice Principal of the Academy. Might you be the Executive Manager who has come to visit?”
“Yes, that’s me.”
“Oh dear, I meant to greet you on time, but I ended up being late. I apologize. This morning’s meeting took longer than expected and has just concluded.”
As the Vice Principal smiled and extended his hand, I shook it lightly.
“Meetings that end on time are rare occurrences, aren’t they?”
“Thank you for your understanding. I felt quite uneasy keeping an important person waiting.”
“I just arrived myself.”
I had genuinely just arrived. The moment I parted ways with the coachman, if I had shown up a tad earlier, the time spent waiting to enter the building wouldn’t have been much different. Yet, I truly wished I could have calmed my stomach a bit longer before entering; it felt like I might puke at any moment…
*
Upon noticing that I really didn’t give a rat’s ass, the Vice Principal relaxed a bit, and his previously awkward smile turned more natural. Even a supervising manager who was supposed to just stop by and vanish could shake the Academy to its core if they got annoyed enough.
Moreover, the one sent this time was an urgent investigator dispatched directly by the Minister of Finance, in preparation for the prestigious new student lineup. This was no typical short visit; he would likely be here for months. Just imagining being late to greet someone so important made the Vice Principal’s heart drop.
After easing his tension, the Vice Principal turned to me and asked, “I heard the Minister sent you directly. If it’s not too much trouble, may I inquire your name?”
“Didn’t they inform you of my name?”
“Protocol dictates that until the investigator arrives at the Academy, their identity remains undisclosed. They say that if you know who it is beforehand, you might attempt to contact them and plot something.”
“Ah, I see. This is my first time undertaking such duties, so I wasn’t aware.”
The Vice Principal looked at me, surprise in his eyes. It was already concerning that I appeared so young, but to also be clueless about the nature of my role? While the Minister had sent me, it left him with questions nonetheless.
“I’m the Executive Manager of the Prosecutor’s Office, Carl Krasius.”
“Oh, it’s an honor to meet such a prominent Executive Manager! The Minister truly must think highly of our situation. I am incredibly grateful.”
The Vice Principal attempted to brush things off, but the tremor in his eyes didn’t go unnoticed. That mad old man unleashed a monster upon the Academy.
As that thought ran through his mind, he suddenly grew quiet, his pace picking up as he ushered me along.
Prosecutor’s Office Executive Manager, Carl Krasius. Even someone focused on education for a lifetime had heard that name countless times. Still, he wasn’t someone you ever wished to meet. When someone linked to the Empire encountered the Executive Manager of the Prosecutor’s Office, it often signaled an impending disaster.
Realizing I wasn’t there to interrogate him, the Vice Principal gradually broke into a cold sweat. Finally reaching the principal’s office, he knocked on the door as if he had stumbled upon the gates of Heaven.
“Principal, I’ve brought the Investigator.”
“Come in.”
At that, he flung the door open without hesitation.
“You may enter. It was an honor to accompany you here.”
“Likewise, it was a privilege meeting you.”
Quickly confirming I was inside, the Vice Principal hurriedly made his escape to his own office. Although our paths will cross often from now on, facing each other today without any preparation was mentally taxing.
*
An elderly man with white hair and a long beard looked like a sage right out of a fairy tale. The principal observed a young man entering his office.
‘Has the Executive Manager from the Prosecutor’s Office arrived?’
The young man had black hair and dark eyes, dressed in the Prosecutor’s Office’s characteristic black garments, completely swathed in darkness.
“Long time no see, Executive Manager. Was it two years ago?”
The principal greeted with a smirk as the Executive Manager nodded with a slight bow.
“Since the Minister’s inauguration, I suppose that’s about right. Have you been well, Principal?”
“Youngsters do their jobs so well that this old man hardly has anything to do. Thus, I’ve been able to maintain my health.”
“I’m glad to hear that.”
The Executive Manager settled into the chair and did nothing but silently gaze at the principal. As those pitch-black eyes rested upon him, the principal instinctively swallowed hard. The Executive Manager of the Prosecutor’s Office was appointed directly by the Minister to assist the Academy with the incoming new students. Not only that, but his rank placed him above the principal.
While Academy principals received the same treatment as executive managers of the Ministry of Education, in terms of protocol, the Executive Manager sat above them.
Just then, the principal’s secretary placed cups of tea in front of them and withdrew. It was a quiet maneuver, almost unnoticed. Even the usually boisterous secretary instinctively hushed in the presence of such authority.
‘To think he’s around the same age as last year’s graduates…’
It was laughable. Even if you claim to be a graduate from last year, one could still visualize the little kids frolicking about the academy just a while ago. But now, it felt absurd that this man stood as their equal in age.
“This tea was brought from the United Kingdom of Yuben. It’s renowned for its unique fragrance. I hope it strikes your fancy, Executive Manager.”
With the secretary serving tea, it was the perfect opportunity to lighten the scene. As the Executive Manager took a sip from his cup and set it down, he turned to look at the principal again.
“I’ve been informed of the Academy’s difficulties.”
“Welcoming students from across borders to learn is a joyous occasion. Still, I worry we might not meet their high expectations…”
“Is that so?”
Nodding slightly, the Executive Manager continued listening in silence, as if signaling for the principal to carry on. Whatever trouble was at hand, it lay with the Academy, not him.
“I can’t express how relieved I am with your arrival. It felt outright unnerving having fewer security personnel than previous years, especially with such valuable students coming in. But now, I can finally breathe easier.”
“Such kindness.”
“Kindness? Surely, everyone is aware of your great reputation! I still distinctly remember how you punished Earl Ne just half a year ago, and the aftermath with Marquis Asilon a year ago is still fresh in my mind.”
Despite the praise, the Executive Manager appeared unfazed, fixating on his tea like it was the only thing that existed. Yet the principal pressed on. He enumerated the Executive Manager’s accomplishments, intending to appeal for his formidable abilities to maintain order at the Academy.
“Particularly two years ago, in the northern territories…”
At those words, the Executive Manager’s gaze shifted sharply toward the principal.
‘Oh no.’
Disaster! As I aimed to shower the man with compliments, I accidentally uttered something I shouldn’t have.
Watching the principal, who had gone pale from surprise, the Executive Manager’s lips flickered with an upward curve. Even though he seemed to smile, it was evident it was a forced expression.
“I’ve caused a faux pas, Executive Manager. Perhaps my age is catching up with me, as this sort of thing happens occasionally.”
“Mistakes happen to the best of us. Just forget about it.”
He hadn’t denied that it was a slip. The principal wore a bittersweet smile in response. The Executive Manager then stood.
“There’s no room for negligence in my duty to the Empire. Thus, I assure you, you need not worry.”
“Your words are greatly appreciated.”
“Then I shall be taking my leave first.”
“Understood. I will arrange accommodations for you shortly.”
Nodding in silence, the Executive Manager turned and left the principal’s office. Once he was gone, the principal let out a sigh of relief, reclining in his chair.
“I’m indeed getting older. I can’t believe I made such a blunder.”
As he wiped the sweat from his forehead with a handkerchief, the secretary carefully asked, “Was your mistake regarding the Northern territories?”
The secretary, having eyes and ears, was well aware of the Executive Manager’s reaction to that mention. Yet, the reason for his response eluded her. Why did he care about the North when he seemed so indifferent regarding the business of earls and marquises?
Shaking off her curious gaze, the principal replied, “Forget that comment. While it may be something you can discover if you look for it, I’d advise against it.”
“A-ah, yes…”
“Right. It’s only appropriate we don’t pry into matters the other party prefers left unsaid.”
What he said served as a reminder to both the secretary and a settled conviction in himself.
The North… Four years ago, a significant revolt by nomadic tribes led to a war that lasted nearly two years. The Executive Manager was one of the people at the heart of it all.
*
‘Oh geez, I really feel like I’m going to die.’
I dashed out of the principal’s office, frantically on the lookout for a restroom. I had sensed something was off the moment I stepped out of the carriage. Talking with the Vice Principal escalated things to a critical point, and by the time I entered the principal’s office, it had reached its peak. I felt like I was about to burst, and all I could focus on was calming my insides.
Honestly, I barely even remembered what the principal had said. I instinctively zoomed in on his words the minute he mentioned the North.
‘That old man and his useless chatter.’
It was still a touchy subject, even after two years, but it wasn’t something I could keep buried forever. I could no longer avoid it.
Thus, I justified my need to leave as tactfully as I could. I felt bad for the principal, but since I was also bewildered, we could agree to call it even.
But the real issue was—where the heck was the restroom? Why on earth was this place so huge?!
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