Chapter: 287
It’s not unusual for foreign students to enroll in the Empire Academy. They’re just overwhelmingly a minority compared to the Empire’s own students, and up until the year before last, there hadn’t been a precedent for high-ranking figures enrolling. The Empire Academy is an open educational institution, a space where blue bloods and red bloods, Empire citizens and foreigners coexist.
So, it really doesn’t matter if the number of foreign students increases. If anything, it’s a chance to showcase the Empire’s excellent education system and unbiased Academy culture.
But the Foreign Minister reacted personally to this rather normal and welcome occurrence. He even went so far as to urgently contact me, the nominal Academy Inspector.
“‘The highest ever?’”
And then, they threw in some alarming terminology. Of course, just having one more than the existing record would count as a new high, but if that were the case, would the Minister have gotten involved?
– “It’s possibly due to the suspicious individuals who enrolled last year; that’s my guess.”
As I slipped into a state of silence, the Foreign Minister continued. I understood the shock, but his gentle nudge to be aware of the situation almost brought a tear to my eye.
And upon hearing ‘suspicious individuals,’ I instinctively bit my lip. Damn, so it was because of you guys. Things had seemed a bit quiet recently, but now this?
– “Even royals distant from the throne are still royals. If they can establish ties with other royals, does it matter which foreign educational institution it is?”
He was saying that it was a predetermined disaster from the moment those individuals enrolled last year. It was a terrible proclamation, but I couldn’t argue against it.
From the royal perspective, attending a foreign educational institution is a behavior burdened with penalties, but for ordinary nobles, it’s tolerable. If a noble says, ‘I was a loyal retainer supporting our prince in his tough foreign life,’ it’s more than acceptable.
No, honestly, it’s not just tolerable; it’s an opportunity that one cannot afford to miss. By now, relationships must have firmly taken root within each country, and if a royal is present abroad, it opens up the possibility of building new connections that transcend the existing ones.
“It’s been a while.”
Judging from an extremely objective viewpoint, there were enough reasons to come along. It truly was a scheduled disaster.
– “Naturally, there are several students from the Holy Kingdom as well. The next saint is directly visiting other territories, so there are many who would want to follow in that example.”
That made me nod helplessly. It sounded like trouble was brewing from not just two but three different places, but just as the Foreign Minister said, it was all too expected to be surprising. If the Holy Kingdom had been quiet, that would have been even more terrifying. Why are you guys so silent?
But something didn’t sit right. If it were a predetermined disaster, shouldn’t we have already known and prepared for it? Empire officials aren’t lazy; they aren’t truly inept at their jobs, right?
“Is it necessary to say it directly?”
I was confused. The Foreign Ministry, educational authorities – they had presumably spent a whole year gearing up for this enrollment frenzy. Yes, it’s true that this was something the Academy Inspector should be aware of, but it didn’t seem like a matter that warranted direct communication from a minister-level official. While the messenger is undeniably important, this seemed like overkill.
“It’s relieving to hear it directly from Your Grace. If I didn’t know, I would have been flustered.”
So I cautiously opened the conversation, hinting that I was wondering if there was something more yet to be said.
In response to what seemed like a thank-you-masked question, the Foreign Minister let out a wry laugh.
– “Word spreads quickly among the magicians, it seems.”
Ah.
– “Isn’t it true that Duke Marcilio is a revered figure among all the magicians on the continent?”
Ah…
No further explanation was necessary. Duke Marcilio, who stands at the pinnacle of the continent’s magicians – naturally, the magic tower, which serves him closely, is not limited to just the Empire. News coming from the tower travels through networks and ultimately disseminates across the continent. So if the magicians hear about it, they’re bound to turn into warlords over this.
The fact that Duke Marcilio’s only disciple is enrolled at the Academy and that he himself will be teaching there was a recipe for chaos.
– “Who would have imagined such a thing? If I had told the me from last year, I would have been called crazy.”
I couldn’t bring myself to lift my head as I watched him giggle with blurry eyes.
Of course, I knew that Duke Marcilio’s appearance at the Academy would have an impact on the magicians. However, his visit was very discreet, and when I learned through the department head, it was already close to the start of the school year. Even I, who was close to him, found out late – how could the magicians scattered across the continent possibly know? I assumed students would gather to see him for the next year—
“I had it all wrong.”
I had underestimated the magic tower’s network and the excitement of the magicians. Would I have forecasted this situation if I were a magician?
– “But at least it’s a relief. Most of them got rejected due to age restrictions on their applications. Thank goodness there are no mature students at the Academy.”
My natural instinct was to tremble at the honest relief. I knew the magicians had extraordinary mindsets, but were they disregarding age to that extent? It meant it wasn’t just the 20s and 30s; we could be looking at grey-bearded elders applying.
And sensing my agitation, the Foreign Minister quietly added.
– “The principal of Ernesto Academy has also submitted an application. It’s been marked as confidential for the sake of his honor, so just keep it to yourself.”
Ernesto – the high-ranking magician who significantly contributed to the founding of the United Kingdom of Yuben. The best educational institution in Yuben shares his name.
“Insane.”
So this is what happens when magicians get wild…
Royalty, incoming students from the next Messiah, and magic-wielding students drawn to the legendary Duke Marcilio from every corner of the continent, all thronging in because they’re from the three nations—they call this a happy disaster.
“Wow, over 30% of the students are foreigners?”
That’s more than a third of this year’s enrollees! A number not to be embarrassed about, considering it’s the highest ever.
“How remarkable! Usually, even 3% would be a lot.”
I wanted to grab the department head, who was chattering while looking at the forms sent from the Foreign Ministry and yank his lips, but I didn’t have the energy for it. Instead, I just stared blankly at the ceiling patterns, trying to gather my wits.
I blamed the heavens. Managing just one pastry club was a nightmare, and now hordes of foreign students might get divided into factions based on their nationalities. If it only stopped at factions, I wouldn’t care, but it’s only logical that those factions would likely revolve around Rutis or Lather as club members. Then that would fall under my jurisdiction as well.
As for the magicians who’ve seen the Duke – I can’t say anything about how the Foreign Minister didn’t mention it, but let’s be real: the Duke being at the Academy is essentially there to see me. If an explosive congregation of magicians occurs, I will bear the moral responsibility for cleaning it up.
“Should I have prevented it?”
Only then did the thought cross my mind. It’s not like there’s a way to stop foreign enrollees without expelling the current members, but maybe I should’ve done something about the Duke’s envoy—
“Those kids get to spend time with the baby while I could hardly see her even when she was in the capital.”
But recalling Duke Marcilio’s genuinely joyful expression made such tensions fade away quickly.
Yes, it’s better if I struggled a bit. If the overjoyed Duke were to sulk over my struggles, I would feel guilty.
“Magicians should be easy to manage.”
Let’s try to think positively. No matter how extraordinary they are, no one would make a scene in the presence of the awe-inspiring Duke. They wouldn’t dare disregard me, the Duke’s future husband. If they did, I would be sure to tell the Duke immediately, no matter how embarrassing that might be.
“Hey there, Manager.”
“What?”
While I was steeling myself for the worst, I felt a tap on my shoulder from the department head.
“If the student body is increasing, shouldn’t we increase the inspectors as well—”
Before that sentence was finished, I snatched his lips. I could already predict what he was about to say without listening.
“There can only be one inspector, regardless of how many students there are.”
Given the rapidly changing situation at the Academy, he must have been about to plead to become an inspector himself.
Of course, that’s impossible. Even becoming an inspector was being pushed to its limits—suddenly adding more? There’s no justification, no precedent for that. At least it’s understandable if a specialist from the inspection division was sent as an inspector. But if the number of inspectors suddenly increases? That’s clearly a targeted assassination!
To be honest, I wouldn’t mind having more hands on deck; however, if we break the precedent, it would end up with everyone working harder to clean up afterward. It’s a miracle where, despite adding a person, the result is a decrease instead of an increase.
“Let the existing crew work hard.”
I let out a sigh as I sat the department head down on my lap. If there’s no possibility for additional personnel, then the existing members must work hard at the cost of their sanity. Me, the principal, and the vice-principal—
“Lord Villar too.”
And imagining Lord Villar made me feel a pang of sympathy. Out of the four of us, who’s not struggling? But Villar’s case is pretty dire.
He must have returned home with a heart filled with joy, only to find himself in a situation with not only Rutis but a bunch of other nobles tagging along. He probably wishes he could bite his own tongue right about now. Plus, Lord Villar isn’t just responsible for Armein; he represents the entirety of the three nations. Triple the problems, triple the suffering.
“…Maybe I should prepare a gift.”
Something healthful that would let him live long and thrive. We’ve only got four of us to clean up this mess, and if even one goes down, it could plunge us into chaos. If anyone collapses, I’ll have no option but to bolt out of there without a second thought!
“Damn it.”
Will I ever get some personnel that I can manage without issue? I really want to do my best!
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