This plan is quite a thick document.
Of course. It was only natural that it would become the largest project of my one-year Finance Director career.
Especially since I anticipated that convincing the Headmistress would be quite difficult, I had to be extremely cautious.
The result was a plan that was so thick it could be used as a blunt weapon.
“Finance Director, no matter how you look at it, this is…”
“Headmistress, please read the third item of the plan, section 2 on page 13 first.”
“Huh? Oh, this? …Julius?”
“This was proposed by Lord Julius from Hoguus Academy.”
The pretense is correspondence for inquiries. Given that Hoguus and the Headmistress had traveled together as comrades, it wasn’t strange at all.
In fact, Hoguus’s letter contained formalities congratulating the academy on the recent festival, along with several greetings.
And I replied to that.
“I asked him to pick the most promising trade among the various merchants planning business recently.”
“Wait a minute. That…”
“If it’s Lord Julius’s luck, he’ll surely choose the merchant that can provide the greatest benefit.”
You thought correctly. This is a ‘donation’ disguised under suitable cover.
Didn’t Grandis Academy refuse any donations or sponsorship until now? Up until now, yes. But from now on, it won’t be.
“But a donation… how could this be…?”
“I understand your concerns, Headmistress. If we accept donations or sponsorships, we can’t refuse demands for financial verification from the royal family or donors, control of the academy’s operations, or nomination rights for graduates. Isn’t that why you’ve been managing everything exclusively with your personal assets?”
“…But now…”
“We don’t have the funds to operate that way anymore.”
“B-but we’ve made money in various places until now, right? We can continue doing that this time!”
The Headmistress wasn’t wrong. We’ve profitably managed artifact refunds, cut food ingredient costs, reduced salaries for professors in the field of magic, and received compensation from Hoguus over the last three months. Thanks to that, we had finally turned a profit for the first time.
But as the Finance Director, I knew.
This was by no means a normal financial situation. We had just bought a brief moment of respite.
“Can we sustain those revenues daily, monthly, and annually? Will we still be able to see such profits next month? Until now, it has only been the result of good fortune and plans aligning perfectly.”
“………….”
“My goal is not merely to rescue Grandis Academy from the brink of bankruptcy. As the Finance Director, my ultimate aim is to ensure that the academy can maintain complete financial stability long-term without relying on your or my interference.”
Just avoiding the bankruptcy crisis in three years is easy. Honestly, I could expose the entire financial situation and accept support or donations. That would solve everything.
But doing so would shatter the dream the Headmistress had when she founded the academy, and I’d bear the blame, likely ending up broken physically.
Even if we got past that, afterward, the academy wouldn’t belong to the Headmistress anymore. No matter how you look at it, the Headmistress’s standing would severely diminish if she demonstrated financial incompetence.
After that, it’s all downhill. Grandis Academy would become like any other private academy.
Some might wonder what the big deal is, thinking it’s a positive change.
But looking at the Headmistress’s expression, it’s obvious that this would be the worst outcome for her.
‘Even excluding the fact that the current Grandis Academy is the realization of the Headmistress’s dream.’
The academy is practically the place the Headmistress has dedicated decades to cultivate. Everything was built with her entire fortune, and every corner of the academy has felt her touch.
If such an academy were to slip from her hands, what would be left for her?
Money? She has already spent it. Status? It would be at rock bottom. Dreams? In ruins.
Such things───
──I’m sorry, Finance Director.
──Such a foolish, exceedingly foolish Headmistress…
“………….”
“…Finance Director? Why the sudden change?”
“It’s nothing. I think my head just went blank for a moment.”
Why have I been acting like this lately? My thoughts and words keep getting interrupted, and those gaps seem to remind me of something.
But after just a little time, I can’t recall what it was.
It was bothering me unnecessarily, but I focused back on explaining the plan.
“Anyway, thinking we can keep earning income like before is arrogant. We need to create a steady income for the long-term sustainability of the academy.”
“And that is…”
“Precisely, donations.”
In reality, there’s nothing special about it. In a typical private academy, and in the original world as well, universities receive donations.
In fact, those donations are often invested in funds, creating endowments. Revenue generated from such endowments is also a massive share of a university’s upkeep.
Yet we’ve excluded all of that for the Headmistress’s dreams and beliefs.
It’s astonishing that we survived for decades in such circumstances.
“Particularly, Grandis Academy has stood as the kingdom’s top prestigious academy for decades, forming strong bonds among its graduates referred to as the ‘Grandis Cartel.’ Furthermore, many graduates of our academy occupy high-ranking positions due to their elite education.”
“………….”
“Until now, the academy has refused donations from its graduates, but if we properly accept them, it’s evident that it would yield massive profits.”
To be frank, just based on the expected numbers, bankruptcy in three years would be out of the question; immediate financial normalization would be possible.
However, did the Headmistress or I not know about this method? It was simply set aside due to several reasons I explained earlier.
Now that I’ve brought it up, it’s entirely understandable that the Headmistress would be flabbergasted.
Thus, the core of the plan was as follows.
“However, if we suddenly start accepting donations after decades of refusal, people will doubt the academy’s financial state. There’s a chance that the royal family or various merchants and nobles will demand a financial audit.”
“Such things can all be dismissed.”
“Headmistress, if it’s you, it will certainly be feasible. But as for the royal family… if there’s even a slight chance they can tighten the leash on you, they will go to any lengths for that audit.”
Although the Headmistress received territory from the kingdom, the royal family isn’t reassured by that. So, just so you know, the king himself granted us artifacts last time.
The Headmistress is the kingdom’s ultimate asset, and should it come to that, the kingdom would struggle to retain even its position as the second strongest on the continent. Therefore, they treat her well, but they’d also love to have something they could use to control her.
‘Of course, they’d use finances to blackmail us.’
What if an angry Headmistress acted recklessly? It’s more likely they would try to sweet-talk her.
They’d propose to provide grants, promise no future financial worries, demand loyalty to the kingdom, accept titles of nobility, and submit to regular royal audits…
The existing powers typically keep a close eye out for potential threats to their position. The Headmistress is a VIP they must treat with utmost care, but at the same time, she is their number one target of containment.
Unlike the old cryptid called the “Human Killer” or the “Dread Dragon,” she’s spent decades appearing much gentler in her conduct, even changing into a naive form.
Wouldn’t it be better if the Headmistress just overturned it? Sure. But then, the academy would face severe operational challenges afterward. The royal family might pressure various nobles not to send their children to Grandis Academy or blatantly boost other private academies instead.
If the Headmistress were to fulfill every demand simply because she’s the kingdom’s top asset, her very authority could eclipse that of the royal family. Thus, the royal family’s aim would be to keep her as close as possible, balancing that delicate line.
That’s why news of financial downturns cannot afford to leak. Whether the royal family acts slowly or aggressively, it’s clear they will jump on any potential opportunity.
So, a trigger is needed.
‘Like Kirke’s confession of conscience.’
Even if we publicly declare we are accepting donations, it should provide justifiable grounds that no one would suspect a financial crisis.
“The trigger is…”
“It’s terrorism. A self-staged event.”
The academy was attacked. We would ask alumni for donations to cover repairs. If anyone felt discomfort from this association, they must surely be mad.
Though the Headmistress is publicly known as the kingdom’s richest individual, if a terror attack occurs at her alma mater, surely helping with donations wouldn’t be odd.
Moreover, if we say we need a small donation to prepare for any future terror attacks, what would happen?
Certainly some would still be suspicious, but that skepticism would not gain much ground. The royal family wouldn’t act until they were absolutely sure, as failing a financial audit would incur immense political damage.
” …Still, it’s possible the royal family would become suspicious. It’s too dangerous.”
“That’s correct. I just spoke in a favorable light; things could go infinitely sideways if it went poorly.”
“Knowing that…”
“Even so, we have to do this, Headmistress.”
“…………….”
“If we don’t do this, the academy will never escape the bankruptcy crisis.”
There’s undoubtedly a distinct difference between taking a chance on a major operation versus only undergoing constant palliative care. Especially if that palliative care is inherently risky.
To be honest, it’s easier for me to devise this plan because I have less emotional attachment to Grandis Academy than the Headmistress does. For her, it may feel like demolishing her beloved home just to fix it up.
Is that why outsiders are often made CEOs in failing enterprises?
However, that said, I certainly also consider this place as my home───
──This is our home, Finance Director.
──Home, you say?
──You’re an orphan, aren’t you? From now on, this academy will become your home and hometown. I swear on my life, I promise.
‘…What is happening?’
Honestly, I would be happier forgetting that I even had such a thought, but even those emotions stick persistently, making me uneasy.
Yet this time, I suppressed it and continued explaining the plan to the Headmistress.
Why is it that I suddenly started acting like this this year? I felt like it began after the entrance ceremony.
“This plan is extraordinarily risky, akin to gambling. The process is complicated, full of variables, and the aftermath is unlikely to be handled properly.”
“………….”
“But if successful, the results we could obtain would make it worth it.”
High risk, high return.
In the end, the decision rests with the Headmistress. This isn’t something I can just unilaterally decide or force upon her.
Particularly since the very essence of ‘terrorism’ requires the Headmistress’s assistance.
As the Headmistress resumed reading the thick plan, she finally spoke.
“Could you spare me a moment to think? This is… well.”
“I understand. However, please keep in mind that our situation is urgent.”
“Alright… I see.”
Beyond this point, further words may have counterproductive effects. Recognizing the extreme nature of the plan, I left the room.
The terrorist plan for Grandis Academy. The planner is the academy’s Finance Director.
It genuinely feels like a joke, yet this is my most efficient and impactful shock treatment concept.
Three days should be sufficient time for contemplation.
‘Let’s handle the tasks left over for now.’
There’s still much to do. Even basic paperwork and financial tasks are part of my daily routine, but I had several matters demanding my attention.
Since the festival has concluded, I must revisit Kirke, who I couldn’t meet earlier due to being busy, to discuss compensation matters and clarify what happened with the ingredient analysis.
Having reached an agreement with Cassandra, I ought to visit the main character to discuss student council-related matters.
Once I receive a reply from Hoguus, I should promptly choose that merchant for an adequate investment.
And given the increasing bribery received, I must also arrange promises with Lisha and others to foster future relations.
‘Oh right, what about Beatrice?’
I heard she’s been working part-time lately, though I’m uncertain why she is doing such a thing. Regardless, her behavior did allow me to procure military awakening potions at a lower price.
I should also check if there’s anything more she needs or if we can receive bribes together.
While considering the priority of tasks, Iapproached my office when…
“Awaken! Awaken!”
“Don’t overwork the professors at the academy!”
“Stop beating the professors for the glory of the academy!”
“………What?”
Voices could be heard from outside the window.
Considering this floor is near the top, it seems they’re using magic to shout. More worrisome than that is the content of their shouts?
As I frowned and approached the window to look down…
“The academy must protect the rights of professors!!”
“The academy is not the master!”
“Freedom for professors! Students must have the right to high-quality lectures!”
There are some fools making a ruckus.
Let me correct that. They are just idiots spouting rubbish, and I apologize for the dogs.
What in the world is going on?
“Ah, Adam! There you are!”
“Laura?”
“It’s bad! Right in front of the building…!!”
“I just saw.”
Is what I’m seeing actually real? Those holding signs, they don’t seem to be graduate students, just ordinary students.
Are these students staging a protest for a professor’s welfare? Seriously?
Aren’t you lot the type to bury professors under heaps of assignments and grades for your own benefit?
“First, the Head of Food Ingredients Management is currently responding! The Student Affairs Director is at another location, and the only heads here are…”
“Only the Head of Food Ingredients Management, me, and the Academic Director are here.”
The exam supervisor shouldn’t even be in this building, and the guard captain must be patrolling somewhere.
The planning director is absent due to fainting from the festival and is on leave. So there are only three of us remaining.
Of those, the highest rank would be the long-tenured Academic Director, but if that stubborn old man thinks this is students rebelling against the Headmistress, he might just blow up.
Also, the Head of Food Ingredients Management wouldn’t be well-versed in handling students.
The one person left who was a student until a few years ago and could handle the situation is, of course, me. It makes complete sense that Laura would rush over.
“I understand. Lead the way, Laura.”
“Um, okay!”
“On the way, tell me. What exactly are those students saying?”
“That……”
“Laura?”
“After the festival, during the class, a professor in the field of magic fainted during the lecture. It was a disaster to witness.”
“A faint? A disaster? Did they throw up blood or something?”
“No, it wasn’t blood; hair started falling out.”
Oh.
I have a feeling I know who that might be.
“Then, after the professor was hospitalized and the class was canceled, some students immediately started the protest, saying ‘do not overwork the professors’…”
So, let me get this straight.
Kirke fainted during class due to hair loss, and now students are protesting for her welfare? Without knowing the details of the situation, they’re claiming it’s the academy’s fault?
Fine.
‘If it were the Student Affairs Director, they would manage the situation well and calmly.’
However, if it pertains to Kirke, the story changes.
Whether intentional or unintentional, perfect scapegoats have appeared.
“Let’s go.”
“Uh, Adam?”
How is it that just a day never goes quietly at this academy?
Anyway, these fools could end up prolonging the Headmistress’s concerns.
“We’re going to cut costs.”
Now that this is the case, I’ll first ascertain the situation.
Until the Headmistress decides, it’s time for a little “side job.”
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