“Headmistress, what on earth is going on here?”
“F-Finance Director!”
As I rushed into the headmistress’s office, she came running towards me, pacing back and forth.
What in the world happened… No, first things first.
“Who knows about this?”
“Right now, just me and the Finance Director. A few professors from the Field of Magic and Dean Villend, too.”
“How did the professors find out?”
“There was an explosion in Professor Kirke’s lab, and then the hair loss agent started leaking. The nearby professors from the Field of Magic noticed and reported it to the dean, who then informed me.”
Dean Villend is one of the few who knows about this “Little Hair Plan.” After all, it involves blowing up Professor Kirke’s lab and releasing a hair loss agent to stop the festival—naturally, the head of the Field of Magic should be aware.
To prevent future chaos, the dean, who has the absolute trust of the professors, needed to be on our side.
Why go through such measures to stop the festival? The dean, who got pushed out of the Empire’s Magic Tower because of politics and recently received a pay cut after Professor Kirke’s conscience declaration, didn’t ask a single question.
Smart people really are different. They’re the most reliable person in the Academy after the Headmistress.
More importantly…
“The plan is for the second day of the festival, isn’t it? There’s still a day left before it starts, so why now?”
“I don’t know either! That’s precisely why I called the Finance Director before heading to the site.”
“……Hmm.”
“F-Finance Director…? You’re not thinking about cancelling the festival altogether, are you?”
Seeing my silence, the headmistress hesitated, sensing something was off.
Honestly, that thought came to my mind the moment I heard the news. It was my original proposal after all.
But it was a different story now compared to when I suggested it a month ago.
“We’ve already signed contracts with the company, and although it would be fine to cancel during the festival, trying to return funds before the festival even starts will surely cause a backlash. And more importantly.”
“Yes?”
“If the festival is halted for unavoidable reasons, we included a clause about refunds, but it’s limited to ‘during the festival.’”
In retrospect, this was my fault as well. I had bantered with the Raven Trading Company’s fourth member, right? Anyway, that guy I made jokes with.
To be frank, while I can handle budget processing and ledger management, I’m not particularly exceptional when it comes to negotiation skills. Thus, my strategy relied on puns rather than high-level negotiation skills.
Clearly, the Academy was in the power position, making such tactics possible. Thanks to that, even as a rookie Finance Director, I could manage negotiations to some extent…
“But in situations like this, it tends to backfire.”
The trading companies, who had been VVIP customers of the Grandis Academy, started becoming stricter with me because of my puns.
An extreme remedy was surely needed, but extreme remedies are still extreme.
“If the festival gets halted before it even starts, we won’t be able to refund the goods, and on top of that, we’ll have to pay penalties and compensation.”
“…I see.”
“I’m sorry, Headmistress. It’s entirely due to my lack of negotiation skills.”
I truly apologized, bowing my head. I study every day and strive to become familiar with my duties, but after all, I can’t be a perfect superhuman, so mistakes are bound to happen.
Not admitting a mistake and throwing a tantrum is a privilege reserved for students. Since I hold the position of Finance Director, I had to take responsibility for my mistakes.
As I bowed my head, the headmistress placed her hand on top of it.
“It’s alright. The Finance Director is still young, right? And if we’re talking about responsibility for mistakes, I guess everything before bankruptcy falls on me.”
“But Headmistress…”
“Enough. As for responsibility for this mistake, let’s make it our goal to wrap this up safely. I’ll be counting on your efforts.”
“…Understood.”
From this perspective, she truly is a good leader. But didn’t she just call me young? Normally, one would say, “You’re still young,” right?
Considering the headmistress’s age, it’s true that I, in my early twenties, am not exactly young anymore.
As I pondered this somewhat unsatisfyingly, the headmistress narrowed her eyes at me.
“Finance Director, you’re not thinking something strange, are you?”
“Absolutely not. First, let’s head to the site.”
“Right! Let’s hurry!”
Finishing her sentence, I immediately closed my eyes. Alright, I’m ready.
As I mentioned before, the professors’ research building is quite far from the Academy’s center. And the building that houses the Headmistress’s office and my own is right in the middle.
Normally, it would take a considerable amount of time to run there.
Of course, that applies to someone like me at Rank 1, but it’s a different story with the Headmistress’s power.
Just one thing.
“We’ve arrived!”
“…Whoah.”
“Finance Director, are you okay?”
“I’m… not okay.”
Moving at Rank 8 speed makes my weak semicircular canals spin out of control almost to the point of flipping.
Normally, I would be ripped apart just from the sonic boom, but the headmistress protects me with her Ki. However, even with that, my insides can’t be protected, leading to extreme dizziness, a spinning vision, nausea, and retching.
While the headmistress could slow down for less urgent matters, in a case like this, there’s no choice.
As I calmed my insides, the headmistress with a cold expression approached the group of gathered professors.
At the forefront stood Dean Villend, looking serious.
“Headmistress, you’ve arrived.”
“Dean Villend. What’s going on?”
Naturally, both the dean and the headmistress are aware of the plan. However, they could only ask casually, as they couldn’t reveal it in front of the other professors.
Quickly sensing the headmistress’s genuine curiosity, the dean explained succinctly.
“Two minutes ago, there was a loud explosion in Professor Kirke’s lab. However, since there was no damage to the building’s walls or windows, it’s presumed the explosion happened underground.”
“…Underground?”
“Every building for the Field of Magic has an underground lab constructed to experiment with hazardous materials safely. Fortunately, since the explosion occurred there, the main structure seems intact. Thus, the hair loss agent hasn’t leaked outside yet.”
“So, what about Professor Kirke?”
“After the explosion, students and professors passing by conducted a search, but only the graduate student escaped, and Professor Kirke is missing. She seems to still be in the underground lab, having fainted from the blast.”
If Kirke fainted, that means this incident wasn’t a result of her going rogue or acting on her own whims. After all, she had been desperate to recover a portion of her salary; she wouldn’t have had a reason to ruin her plans.
So, is this really just a misfortune?
Calming myself somewhat, I stepped towards Dean Villend.
“Dean, was there any sign beforehand? Anything from Professor Kirke?”
“Nothing in particular. As you know, Professor Kirke has been focused on hair loss research, not leaving the lab except for classes. Moreover, explosions are somewhat common occurrences in this line of work…”
He seemed to realize he shouldn’t speak about the costs of repairs in front of the Finance Director and awkwardly trailed off. I decided to ignore it since listening further would just add stress.
But if there were no signs… Wait a moment.
“Did you just say a student? You meant a graduate student, right?”
“No, it was a student from the Field of Magic.”
“Excuse me?”
No, wait a minute.
This leak incident must not be revealed. Unless there’s a failure and we need to evacuate students, we can still solve the issue quietly since no hair loss agent has spilled outside yet.
The professors could seal their lips in front of the dean and headmistress, but a student?
“What student are you referring to?”
The headmistress seemed to grasp the seriousness of the situation and asked urgently about the student.
But Dean Villend answered in a rather nonchalant tone.
“You don’t have to worry too much. I can assure you on my honor.”
“Dean, how can you be so sure?”
“Because───”
“I’m personally acquainted with Dean Villend.”
In the hazy, vapor-filled lab of Professor Kirke,
Although windows and doors were shut, the magic professors were constructing barriers to prevent further leakage.
And among those professors, a female student was helping out.
Chloe Pisty stepped out, looking somewhat tense.
…No way, why are you here?
“I might not be your favorite, but both Dean and I graduated from the Empire’s Magic Tower, after all.”
“Pisty.”
“Dean, the barrier construction is completed.”
“Thank you. I wish I had a junior like you when I was in the tower.”
“You didn’t like that time very much, did you?”
“True enough. However, I still respect the tower master. So, you being their disciple also earns my favor. Otherwise, I would have ignored others.”
Dean Villend was at the tower long before Chloe was born.
Of course, they weren’t seniors and juniors in the tower, but once Chloe came to the Academy from a foreign country, Dean Villend must have approached her first.
Chloe is still the disciple of a great magician whom the dean respects. Since she ended up in a foreign country, it made sense for him to look out for her.
So, it’s understandable they know each other.
But still, why are you here?
“Chloe? What brought you here?”
“I came to have tea with Dean Villend, but then I happened to hear the explosion. I helped with the response and the barrier construction right away.”
…Well, I suppose it’s alright since it’s Chloe.
With her social standing as the disciple of a great wizard and recognizing a grudge towards Beatrice, she’s quite a decent girl.
Since she likely doesn’t know the full story, I could probably ask her to keep the festival secret to ensure it doesn’t get stopped. The dean had faith in her.
Anyway.
“I guess we should head into the lab now.”
“That’s true, but…”
Dean Villend seemed troubled. That expression is surely justified.
It means we’ll have to go into a lab full of hair loss agent, save Professor Kirke, stop the leakage, and then clean everything up.
Of course, there’s a reason professors are hesitating to step in.
“Does anyone here know the layout of Professor Kirke’s lab?”
“…………….”
“………….”
“……………….”
I felt the same reluctance when I visited the dean and Professor Kirke last time. The professors’ lab structures are like a complex maze.
Due to the frequent renovations from the building falling apart, rooms and walls are often changed, and with magic, the space can twist unpredictably.
Honestly, unless one memorizes the building’s blueprint, even professors would find it hard to navigate another professor’s lab.
So, I had to step in.
“Then I’ll go in.”
“F-Finance Director!? Why should you go!?”
“Because I’m the only one who memorized the blueprints.”
“…You’ve actually memorized that?”
“Being the Finance Director, it’s only natural.”
That’s a lie. I committed the structure to memory just in case Kirke’s antics would backfire.
Yet, when it comes to this, it’s essential to blend in a little white lie. The headmistress, Dean Villend, and even Chloe were looking at me with a renewed perspective.
Of course, the professors are all high-level mages, so they could easily ascertain the structure magically, but…
“Other professors, please focus on building the barrier. Headmistress, I entrust the control here to you.”
“Finance Director, maybe I should come with you…”
“If any graduate students or other professors notice and come rushing in, it’ll complicate things. For the festival’s sake, we need to resolve this right here, as quickly as we can.”
“…Finance Director.”
“And if something goes wrong, only you, Headmistress, can quickly control the scene.”
“Even so…”
“You said you’d expect my effort, right? This is how I can contribute.”
I don’t want to go either. Who wants to step into a lab filled with a hair loss agent all entwined like a maze?
Yet, it’s crucial that the professors build the barrier to prevent the leakage of the hair loss agent, and if I don’t step in and the headmistress goes in, and professors or graduate students come flocking, it’ll be impossible to control.
Plus, I know the structure, so I can reach the underground lab in the shortest time possible. Above all, if I don’t resolve this quickly and rumors spread, the festival is over and we’ll face penalties and compensation fees.
The headmistress seemed to glance at me, especially my hair.
Of course, that doesn’t mean I’ll just walk in.
“First, please cast all the protective and defensive magic on me. I need all the defensive spells you know, starting from resisting the hair loss agent… well, basically all your protective spells, please.”
“Ah, understood. Everyone, assist the Finance Director!”
“Yes!!!”
The magic professors, relieved that they wouldn’t have to enter, fervently cast protective spells on me. Some gave me looks of reassurance or even patted my shoulder on their way out.
It wouldn’t have been necessary to go this far just to block a hair loss agent, but the risk of the building collapsing a second time was paramount.
‘Not to mention, we can’t dismiss the possibility of one of Kirke’s tricks.’
Even with Kirke’s level being below average, there’s no way she could break through the stacked defensive spells of Rank 7 and Rank 6 mages.
And where is everyone going?
“I need one companion to go with me.”
“A c-companion?”
“I may be Rank 1, but knowing the structure, I can get to the underground lab quickly, but saving Professor Kirke while also stopping the leakage is impossible. I need a skilled mage.”
“…………….”
Wow, everyone just went silent. It’s funny how they avoid eye contact seeing as their hair might be at risk, even if their lives aren’t.
If they had faith in their own defensive spells, they’d probably just grit their teeth and go in. But just in case, or out of an ominous feeling, they’re all hesitant.
Just when I was about to grab someone suitable to come along.
“I-I’ll go!”
“Chloe? That’s not necessary. We have the professors here.”
“When building the barrier, it’d be better to have another professor. Since I’m the lowest rank here, it’ll be ideal for me to go in.”
“Pisty, that’s…”
“Dean Villend, I believe in my magic.”
“……Hmm.”
“Ugh, ahem.”
Chloe’s final words struck at the conscience of the professors, who couldn’t muster the courage to enter the hair loss agent zone. The irony of no one stepping in was comical.
Even though she looked nervous, Chloe, with a somewhat confident expression, stood by my side.
“Then let’s go in! Finance Director!”
“Well, if that’s how Chloe feels, then I’ll accept it.”
Honestly, it’s easier to manage Chloe than a professor I’ve never met before.
With the headmistress’s worried gaze and the professors’ whispers of “That’s impressive,” Chloe and I slipped into the slightly open barrier.
“Let’s move.”
“Yes!”
For reasons unknown, this time, Kirke messed up her own plans.
If it was intentional, I’d certainly hunt her down.
If it was a mistake, well, I’d still hunt her down.
Tsk, that’s what you get, you careless woman.
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