“So, what reason did the students come all the way here? There’s no way they’d come looking for me without a reason.”
Bzzzt!
Isn’t that a bit gloomy for such a boisterous voice? I don’t think the relationship between students and teachers is that distant in this Academy. I once had fun outings with my homeroom teacher and friends. Actually, maybe it was a bit too close.
Well, the Principal and Vice Principal both had a rather intense image, making them not the type to just casually stop by. The Vice Principal had a look that screamed “villain,” while the Principal was a white-haired old man—rigid to boot. It didn’t seem like teenagers would deliberately seek out teachers like them.
“I’ve only had one student who wanted to have tea with me in my entire life!”
Hahaha! I was shocked at the Principal’s boisterous laugh. Seriously, just one? What kind of person would that be?
They must be huge and boisterous, just like the Principal, nearly identical to his younger self. Not that I ever knew what the Principal looked like when he was younger. And frankly, I wasn’t keen on finding out.
“Mr. Principal… The students are feeling intimidated.”
The Vice Principal accurately picked up on our state, but honestly, having the Vice Principal here didn’t help much either.
Sure, the Principal’s presence was heavy, but having two high-ranking individuals around would be enough to make anyone feel pressure.
If I were to analyze social standings, I’d technically rank above the Vice Principal and Principal, but…
…well, this was a school, and I was just a student.
“So, the reason we’ve come here is—”
Oh no! “I haven’t even brought in some tea for the students!”
With that exclamation, the Principal jumped out of his chair, making me almost rise up too. Before we could respond, he hurriedly prepared a teapot and cups, expertly brewing green tea.
…What? It seems like a lot of essential steps were skipped here. Especially, I don’t recall any boiling water happening, yet steam was gently rising from the cup he handed me.
Could this be some kind of ability he possesses?
But I had a feeling that if I asked him about it, he’d start telling long-winded stories about how he awakened that ability, recounting his days as a hero endlessly. So, I decided to squash my curiosity and returned to my seat.
I’ll just ask the other teachers later.
“So, what was the reason you came here again?”
Since the tea wasn’t even hot, the Principal gulped it down, and I snapped back to reality as I had been staring into space.
“…We think there might be an intruder within this Academy that we don’t know about.”
I stumbled through my words, but I managed to get that out without completely fumbling. Considering my chaotic mind, that was an improvement, right?
Fortunately, neither the Principal nor the Vice Principal seemed to find my statement odd. In fact, by the way they didn’t show any surprise or questions, it might be possible they already knew about it.
Did we come here for nothing?
I had gotten so used to taking matters into my own hands. The teachers at this Academy were past heroes and heroines, and surely had more experience and specialized knowledge than I did after only six months of hopping around.
I wasn’t sure if the Vice Principal had been a hero, but the Principal definitely gave off strong vibes that he’d been involved with hero work.
For a moment, I wondered if I was showing off in front of someone who already knew about the situation.
“Hmm, an intruder, you say.”
But the Principal didn’t blame me. Instead, he leaned back in his chair, propping his right foot on his left knee and spoke calmly.
“Go on.”
The way the Principal nodded… um, I know this might be rude, but he looked like a movie mafia boss. Like a caricature from an exaggerated Japanese Yakuza film.
But more than that, in a way, it felt a bit refreshing. No one I’ve met has failed to get intimidated by my Saint’s Robe, yet the Principal was casually addressing me like a student without a care. Not that I was uncomfortable with that.
“When I received the proposal for early graduation…”
Nervously, I continued explaining. The differences between the proposal from the Vice Principal and that from my homeroom teacher, Seo-A, how the official document given to Seo-A differed from the actual document, and how it had changed again by the time we arrived.
Honestly, I had no conclusive evidence. After all, I was the only one who saw the document suggesting I register as a hero. And the reason I didn’t suspect Seo-A was simple: I just trusted her.
While outlining my story, I worried that I might be putting Seo-A in a difficult position, but I reasoned that they’d find out sooner or later anyway. Moreover, given their nonchalant expressions as I talked, they likely already had some information regarding it. They hadn’t even flinched throughout my story.
…Oh wait. The Vice Principal might have been stoic, but the Principal was smiling more as I spoke. I couldn’t tell if that was mocking or if he found it endearing, but it felt like even without doing anything wrong, I was made to feel guilty just by his smile.
“…So, we hope to get your permission to search the school…”
By the time I wrapped up my story, I felt utterly foolish. What had seemed like a good idea before coming here now felt inappropriate once voiced in front of the authority figures.
What kind of qualification did I have to ask for permission from the Principal for a search?
As I pondered this, heat climbed to my cheeks in embarrassment, and I couldn’t bring myself to look at Aurora and Linea.
“Hmm.”
The Principal set his teacup down and crossed his arms, maintaining his smile while staring at me for a moment, then suddenly turned to the Vice Principal.
“Good! This young person is just what we need! Isn’t it disgraceful for a hero to stand by and let injustice happen? Such a rarity in this day and age!”
Dramatic flair!
Excuse me, is this person from a martial arts novel?
He certainly gives off an image that could fit into a martial arts story, but more than that, why didn’t he step in when those academy kids were causing a ruckus last time?
Not that I particularly cared.
“But…”
“Ah, I know! Of course!”
Before the Vice Principal could get a word in, the Principal waved him off. He then swiftly turned back to me.
“But I can’t grant permission.”
Dududung—! I could have sworn I heard a dramatic sound effect above the Principal’s head.
“Speaking of which, you’ve been to the Battlefield in your first semester, haven’t you?”
“Y-yes.”
Oh, are you just remembering that now? Back when the Cardinal sent me off to the Battlefield, you were just watching the whole thing from behind.
“That’s why it’s even more of a no-go.”
Um, what? Why are you talking about this after the fact?
“I know that wherever you go, trouble follows, young lady. If I were to entrust you with a task now, could I confidently say it would be resolved without a major incident?”
Um… No.
Thinking back, I wondered if there were any situations where me intervening had not escalated the problem? Sure, there were a few volunteer activities during summer break before I ventured to the beastmen region, but looking back, just my presence would’ve made it a hassle for those already working there.
I didn’t realize until then, but having a Saint show up where religious folks are gathered is akin to the brigade chief visiting their troops. No, it’s actually much worse. A brigade chief is just a rank, but a Saint is not something you can define as merely a rank.
So… if I think back on those volunteer activities, it’s accurate to say ‘not a single one’ resulted in trouble free.
But was that the reason?
“For that very reason…”
The Vice Principal let out a slight sigh, scratching his head. No matter how he tried to display emotions, he always seemed like a villain, so it was rare to see genuine fatigue on the Vice Principal’s face.
“I know. Of course, there’s the ‘because you’re a student’ angle too. A student should focus on studying, right? Such matters should be left to adults!”
Sounds good!
But can I trust those “adults”?
Even though the logic was sound, it sounded ridiculous for a student to chase after government agents. This wasn’t some light novel protagonist tale.
Of course, technically speaking, this world is founded upon light novels.
“I would have preferred that reason came first… But all things considered, Anderson, as the Principal said, this is the kind of matter that should be left to adults. We’re already aware of the current situation and are taking appropriate measures.”
“Y-yeah… Haha.”
Scratching my head, I responded, and the Principal nodded.
“Right. I endured having to refrain from hitting the Cardinal back then. Should never have allowed you to attend the Battlefield that first time!”
The Principal bitched about the situation, and I could see the Vice Principal wiping his forehead in fear. It seems even he was startled by the Principal openly criticizing the church. Okay, while this school was fundamentally a government institution, it also received generous donations from the church. Hence, it was only natural for him to be cautious.
“No, you didn’t just endure, right? You must’ve heard how all the professors with telekinetic abilities complained of muscle pain that day…”
Ouch!
Even a villainous voice felt sincere when packed with such genuine feelings. I thought about it.
“If I didn’t hold back, things could have ended much worse with those aches. And I know everything. The church’s work cannot be interfered with by the government. Even knowing that, if it hadn’t been for Teacher Seo-A’s intervention, I wouldn’t have caught them at all.”
“…”
While I was lost in the conversation between the Principal and Vice Principal, I noticed the Vice Principal shifting his gaze towards me. He clearly recognized that discussing such topics in front of students was inappropriate. Clearing his throat awkwardly, he added,
“Still, a no is a no, right?”
“Well, yeah.”
The Principal nodded coolly at that remark and turned his eyes back to me.
“Honestly, I like your attitude. You’re a model hero. You’ve done many things that past heroes failed to accomplish with ease. So I understand why you’re making this request.”
However, the Principal added,
“No matter how much you’re a Saint and a hero outside—meaning not in a political sense, but a dictionary definition as a pure hero—in here, you are a student! The primary duty of a student is to study! Adults will take care of the issues, and you should simply focus on living brightly and healthily as a student!”
Well, it wasn’t an untrue statement.
Seeing my complex expression, the Principal grinned widely.
“Well, it’s understandable if you don’t fully grasp that yet. I too was a young troublemaker like you, thinking everything I did was right. It’s through trying various things that you learn why teachers said what they did and why they advised against certain actions. After going through many situations more than you have, I do understand it better than you. You will eventually realize this once you become an adult.”
That’s accurate… but why does hearing that feel so infuriating?
“Anyway, it’s a no-go. I can’t grant permission. This matter will be left in our hands.”
Dramatic announcement! Looking at the Principal’s confident declaration with his arms crossed, I understood that there was no point in arguing further.
“…Alright then, I understand.”
Ultimately, I could only reply that way.
*
After that, since the Principal and Vice Principal had a discussion to continue, we obediently vacated the room.
Huff…
As soon as we carefully shut the Principal’s door, Aurora let out a sigh of relief that felt like we escaped a suffocating place. While the Principal’s demeanor was quite refreshing, that didn’t negate the oppressive air within the Principal’s office.
Apart from the furniture and bookshelves, even the lines on the floor were perfectly aligned—it’s no wonder why it felt that way.
If nobody were present, I’d bet he wouldn’t allow even a speck of dust to settle. I could easily visualize the Principal holding a white cloth, wiping dust off the desk and bookshelves—it was strangely fitting yet oddly easy to imagine. Perhaps it was because of the meticulously arranged tools next to the bonsai.
“So, what do you plan to do, Sister Clara?”
“Huh?”
My mind had wandered for a moment when Linea called out to me, leaving my brain a bit scrambled.
“Oh, following the trail of the intruder? Of course, we’ll keep doing that.”
Given the frustrating nature of our opponent, I had no intention of abandoning that track, even without permission.
But I couldn’t act too recklessly.
Tracking within the academy, we just had to ensure we left no traces behind.
As I boldly proclaimed this, Linea and Aurora chuckled softly.
“I figured you’d say that.”
“I thought so too.”
…Not that it was a compliment, but it certainly felt kinda strange hearing it.
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