Chapter 175
The day after I swallowed the tofu cake, heavy with confusion and anxiety, I made my way to the principal’s office flanked by the two department heads, their presence causing my heart to race in various ways.
“Esteemed guests have arrived, I see.”
As the principal confirmed that the support staff consisted of a white-haired woman and a blond man, he spoke softly. Though it’s unlikely that the principal had seen the heads before, he must have at least heard about their distinct features.
Seeing them this way, I felt a bit like a mountain spirit wielding a golden and a silver axe. In reality, though, the principal seemed a more fitting image for a deity than I did.
Anyway, after I lightly nudged the two beside me, they promptly bent at the waist and greeted the principal.
“I am Erzevet Massello, head of the Inspection Division 1.”
“I am Lafayette Varon, head of the Inspection Division 2.”
Unlike their usual antics, they were all politeness now. sigh
‘If only they treated me like that…’
It was expected behavior, yet it irritated me for some reason. The principal and I were treated with equal rank, yet some hit me like a punching bag while others were treated with such courtesy…
Of course, if they treated the principal the same way they treated me, I would have genuinely thrown a punch.
“Nice to meet you. Though you’re here on official business and can’t relax, please feel free to ask for anything you need.”
Watching the principal shake hands with the heads while they were acting like trained dogs cheered up by treats made me mask my irritation with a smile. Apparently, even jerks know how to behave in front of their bosses.
“Please, have a seat. It’s impolite to keep guests on their feet.”
Then, he started making tea himself since the secretary was momentarily absent, leaving the oldest among us to do the work.
To my surprise, the first manager rushed over and insisted on taking over, but immediately returned after the principal’s comment.
“What did he say that made you come back?”
“He said that moving around like this prevents the body from stiffening…”
With that, we quietly turned our gazes away. It’s tough to argue with an elder using their own body as an excuse, particularly when you’re younger.
While we sat there awkwardly, the first manager broke the silence.
“I’ve never even been to the principal’s office as a student, but look at me now.”
She fidgeted, finding this situation quite novel. snickers softly
‘You must have been a frequent visitor to the disciplinary office then…’
However, I held back those words, knowing she’d probably screech about how dignified she was during her school days.
Yet, if I looked into the seven mysteries of the academy, I bet I would find a legendary white-haired girl notorious for her bizarre antics. I was too scared to check, though.
“You must have been a frequent visitor to the disciplinary office.”
‘Oh.’
It seemed the second manager read my mind and shot back with a curt remark. This guy was relentless with his provocations. He probably taunted her during their carriage ride and got a smack for it.
“The aroma of this tea is rather exquisite.”
The first manager’s attempt to retaliate with a trembling fist was thwarted by the sudden appearance of the principal.
That little sneak planned this all along.
*
From today onwards, Lafayette Varon, the second manager of the Inspection Division, is dead.
“Is one enough, then?”
“Yes, I apologize for not informing you earlier. It looks like just the second manager is sufficient.”
The principal, true to his mastery of the academy, secured a perfect identity in no time. The idea of making the first manager come up with a fake identity crossed my mind, but it sounded too far-fetched.
But the first manager was too recognizable within the academy for her to walk around with a fake identity like, ‘Actually, I’m Elizaveta’s twin sister!’
So, ultimately, we gratefully accepted only the identity of the second manager—
“Hey, Charles, try to pour the tea correctly.”
“Mr. Charles, do you expect to win the teachers’ hearts when you can’t even do this?”
And thus was born Charles Steiner, the assistant to the history teacher, Gerhardt.
“Guests, you’re disturbing our research. Please leave us be.”
The wording was polite, but the essence was sharp. Charles, formerly the second manager, retaliated with a forced smile while brewing the tea again.
snickers
‘Why does this suit him so well?’
Watching him, I couldn’t help but smile. The well-groomed blond young man, complete with glasses, looked like a perfect scholar wannabe.
But knowing the real him just made it all the funnier.
I shifted my gaze from the first manager’s relentless nitpicking about not only the results but also the tea-brewing process itself, to Gerhardt.
“Thank you for your consideration, Mr. Gerhardt.”
Gerhardt had willingly accepted the principal’s request to take on a temporary assistant teacher without being fully aware of the whole story concerning the Red Wave or the interference from the Inspection Division.
“Think nothing of it. Compared to the favor I owe the Inspection Division, it’s a small matter.”
“Haha, it seems I managed to trap a debt in advance.”
Gerhardt wore a simple expression, as genuine as they come. He had no clue that the snowball of his northern research would roll all the way here.
Had I asked another teacher to accept my acquaintance as an assistant, suspicion and pressure would have been certain. An acquaintance of the Inspection Division? Why now? Just… all sorts of thoughts.
But Gerhardt had observed how I had looked out for Christina, who at that moment, I hadn’t realized was the Minister’s niece—meaning he probably just figured I was being helpful again. Good-hearted people tend to think positively of others no matter the deeds.
“Christina will be happy to see a junior after such a long time.”
At that, I chuckled while glancing over at Christina.
“Mr. Charles, hand it over to me. I’ll handle it.”
Christina, who usually wore a gloomy expression, seemed unexpectedly bright as she pulled Charles away from the first manager’s torment.
Considering she’d usually be thrilled to offload her tedious tasks onto a new junior, oh wait, she volunteered! I felt a wave of her intent to protect her precious junior.
‘Truly the Minister’s relative.’
It wasn’t just any relative; being the Minister’s niece-in-law explains her upright character.
“Thank you, Ms. Christina.”
“Hehe, for now, you can just call me senior.”
“Understood, Senior Christina.”
Her previously dim expression seemed to illuminate gloriously. Wow, is it really that fun?
“Ms. Christina had been an assistant without any juniors or seniors. The few juniors that would come rarely stayed long.”
“Wow.”
A sigh escaped me at Gerhardt’s unintended revelation. In summary, this means she’s been dealt quite the unfortunate hand.
Being a graduate student alone is hard enough, and then to have such a complicated track record?! It felt like a singular burden that’s way too heavy for anyone.
‘And it’s only temporary.’
Charles was just a temporary junior, expected to stay just for a week or two. Yet, witnessing how cherished he was, I could see just how starved she was for juniors.
“Seeing her care for him like that makes me feel reassured she can handle him with care.”
“Haha, don’t worry. While studying history may be tough, it’s not a field where the individuals make it difficult.”
What a relief that was. At least Charles wouldn’t be tossing away his disguise over interpersonal fiascos.
‘The problem is him, though.’
While I was certain about Gerhardt and Christina’s characters, Charles… ugh he doesn’t seem right for some reason. Anyway, the character of the second manager certainly left me anxious.
But if he’s sensible, he’ll control himself. He’s quite the diligent worker anyway, and I’ve already mentioned to him that Christina is the Minister’s niece.
“There’s only one assistant to the history class, you know?”
“Is she pretty?”
“She’s pretty; however, she’s the Minister’s niece.”
This was a conversation we had while the second manager was transforming into Charles on our way to Gerhardt’s lab. The second manager’s usual smirk became stiff at that particular remark.
“You know the Minister is quite family-oriented, right?”
“Yeah… well…”
This basically means if he messes up, it could eventually reach the Minister’s ears through the grapevine.
The second manager—or rather Charles—seemed to understand, nodding his head with a less-than-pleased expression. After all, messing around with an Executive Manager and inciting the Minister’s ire were entirely different stakes.
‘He’ll do fine.’
Even now, it was clear that he tensed up every time Christina spoke to him. To others, it might appear like a junior startled by their senior’s call, but…
yes, he’s going to manage fine. As long as he has a bit of common sense, it should be more than enough.
*
The Executive Manager and the first manager left without a moment’s hesitation, abandoning me.
How ruthlessly heartless! They just barge off to enjoy themselves, oblivious to me.
‘What terrible luck.’
I had initially planned to create some friendly bonds with the lab members and wander around the academy. Even with a temporary identity, building a bare minimum of human relations is crucial for smooth sailing.
But what were the odds of ending up stuck with the Minister’s niece among only two people here?
‘If she were just his niece…’
If she had just been the Minister’s niece, this wouldn’t even be a concern. The Minister generally dislikes seeing his close kin lean on his influence, so he treats them quite sternly.
Yet, a ‘niece-in-law’ is altogether different. Even the most ruthless and calculating people find themselves hesitating when it involves the beloved kin of their spouse.
‘And this is why marriage is a terrible idea.’
Even the most meticulous individuals develop vulnerabilities after getting married. There’s a reason I enjoy dating without getting into anything seriously.
“Mr. Charles, you’ve worked hard. Please sit and take a break.”
The protagonist, who had filled my thoughts with confusion, cautiously approached and spoke.
Rest? What did I do to deserve rest?
“I haven’t actually done anything yet—”
“You worked hard making the tea. It’s common to just take it easy and adapt on the first day.”
Seeing the cheerful demeanor of Christina, the niece-in-law, I could only nod in agreement. Was there such a culture in this lab?
‘This is driving me nuts.’
I felt it instinctively. Going outside the lab would be harder than I had thought.
It seemed like I would have to remain as the lab’s totem until the senior was satisfied.
‘Why did I only realize this now?’
I was resentful towards the Executive Manager for not sharing crucial information before we arrived at the academy. Had he done so, I might have thought of better ways to handle it.
So if my work gets delayed, it’s the Executive Manager’s fault. I’ve decided to think that way.
Thank you for reading this chapter!
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