Grandis Academy is vast. I mean, it’s ridiculously massive.
Honestly, it doesn’t make sense for a mere academy to occupy such a huge area.
──Ah, this is my territory.
──…Excuse me?
──The former king offered me the title and the territory, but I refused the title and only took the land. They were happy to bind me to this kingdom, after all.
It was truly a territory.
To keep the Rank 8 Headmistress firmly tied to the kingdom, the title and land were granted. Thanks to that, the Headmistress could develop an academy of this size.
Of course, not the entire territory is the academy; it’s more like a small town. The rest is used for academy tests or outside activities, but still.
Anyway, what’s the conclusion?
The fact that it’s ridiculously spacious means there are all sorts of facilities.
“Then, let’s start the duel between Amatrius Delphia Beatrice and Chloe Pisty. The venue is Arena 21, and I, Adam Keynes, the Finance Director, will be the judge.”
“…Okay.”
“Sounds good!”
Arena 21, located right next to the royal dormitory.
Built like the Roman Colosseum, it’s a venue exclusively for the Field of Magic.
These two were about to fight on the street despite being just a stone’s throw away from the duel arena, and I got a bit annoyed, but calmed down soon after.
‘They’re just kids, after all.’
I heard that Chloe picked a fight with Beatrice as she was trying to enter the dormitory, and while I just so happened to step in at the right time, street fights are like a normal occurrence in the martial arts field.
The judge’s stand where I sat is protected by various spells and sturdy barriers. Even a Rank 1 like me can safely watch the duel of those two mages.
The audience seats filled with students have similar protections. Anyone below Rank 5 probably wouldn’t even be able to scratch the barrier.
The best part about the duel arena is…
‘It’s fine if it gets wrecked.’
Training grounds, sparring arenas, duel arenas, and practice rooms are all designed to be destroyed by swords or magic, so the carpenter guild repairs them at a very low cost.
It’s a one-sided loss for the carpenters, but it’s like a luxury service for the VVIPs.
Besides those areas, classrooms, auditoriums, research rooms, roads, and dorms often collapse, so offering this service is reasonable.
‘Anyway, let’s wrap this up quickly.’
Chloe, grinning, and Beatrice, appearing unusually tense.
Unlike the parties involved and the audience, I wasn’t particularly interested in this duel and raised my hand.
“Then, let the duel begin!”
“Don’t be too nervous, Princess. I’ll just mess around a bit and end it.”
“There’s a limit to your arrogance. Did the great mage teach you that?”
“…Damn girl.”
Brrrmmm!!
Magic swirls around Chloe. It was several times more magic power than what I saw earlier on the street.
To counter that, Beatrice also raises her magic power. To the casual observer, it might even look like they’re on equal footing.
Of course, that just means for someone at my Rank 1 level.
“That princess has quite a bit of magic power, huh? She’s comparable to Chloe.”
“Are you stupid? Of course she has tons of it as royalty. And if duels were determined by magic power alone, why even bother?”
“I never said I’d have an advantage! I was just impressed by her magic. Just look at the control of particles. Chloe is far superior. Meanwhile, it seems like the princess just pours it all out?”
“That’s like swinging a good sword while keeping it sheathed. It’s pathetic seeing all that power wasted like that.”
…It seemed like Beatrice was looking quite pathetic from the perspective of the students in the Field of Magic.
Thanks to being born into royalty and receiving all sorts of support, she has plenty of magic power, but it seems she can’t use it effectively.
The reason for that was obvious.
Because of her ‘chronic condition.’
Fwoosh!
[Fireball]
“You made a wrong choice.”
Chloe’s magic gathers in multiple spots and instantly creates several giant fireballs.
Chloe Pisty, an apprentice of the great mage who oversees the imperial magic tower, was touted as the best prospective mage among those her age.
Proving that, Chloe doesn’t immediately shoot the fireballs.
Szzzt!
She freezes a blazing fireball.
Whoooosh!!
She adds a storm to another fireball, creating a pillar of fire.
Boom!
She intensifies another fireball by wrapping it with lightning.
‘They say only a very few mages can wield multiple attributes.’
Already, Chloe has demonstrated fire, ice, wind, and lightning. That’s four right off the bat.
She likely has even more tricks up her sleeve. A Rank 5 mage at that age and, moreover, an apprentice of a great mage. In contrast, the Rank 6 protagonist is cheating; Chloe could very well be the strongest freshman.
Waaahh!!!
The audience goes wild over Chloe’s flashy transformation of her fireballs.
Although the real magic battle hasn’t even started yet, Chloe has already seized control of the duel.
“Princess, surely you can manage a defensive spell with your chronic condition, right?”
“…!!”
Beatrice responds to Chloe’s provocation and raises her magic to construct something akin to a protective shield.
But soon after, something bizarre happens.
Crack! Crickle!
“Ugh…!!”
What should have been a circular protective shield around her morphs wildly, distorting its shape.
It gets bigger and smaller, tilting, warping, and creating gaps.
The defensive magic is running amok beyond Beatrice’s control.
‘Is that the chronic condition?’
Amatrius Delphia Beatrice cannot control her own magic.
Whether it suddenly changes, bursts, grows excessively, or even disappears altogether, she’s completely helpless.
No matter how hard she tries, she just can’t manage to use even a simple defensive spell right now.
As Chloe looked at Beatrice’s struggles with a mocking gaze,
“Should I help you out?”
“…! N-no!!”
Chloe reached for Beatrice’s wildly shaped defensive magic that had completely lost control.
And then.
Whoooom──
Chloe seized control over Beatrice’s magic, gracefully casting ‘self-made’ defensive magic on her body.
While Beatrice’s previously uncontrollable spell stabilized and perfectly unfolded at Chloe’s gesture.
Before the audience could erupt in applause, Chloe unleashed her magic.
Rumble rumble!!!
Fire, ice, storms, lightning all went berserk.
Chloe’s magic instantly turned half of the duel arena into a wreck, but surprisingly, the actual target, Beatrice, remained unscathed.
Thanks to the defensive magic.
“Kind of the opposite of the entrance ceremony, huh? Now it’s your turn, Princess.”
“………….”
“I’ll only do the minimum defense, so go ahead and attack. I dare you.”
Can this really be called a duel?
In the end, all Chloe’s attack did was get thwarted by her own defensive magic. Beatrice not only displayed her chronic condition but also let Chloe completely confiscate her own magic.
I’m not a mage, but it was painfully obvious how humiliating that would feel. After all, Beatrice’s hands were trembling in a tight fist, enough to draw blood.
That’s why I had a question.
‘Why did she agree to the duel in the first place?’
There are only three legal ways for students to fight in Grandis Academy: tests, sparring, and duels.
Among these, dueling is particularly peculiar. Before the duel, the parties involved must submit what they demand of each other, and the winner can claim what they have demanded from the loser.
Naturally, there are many opportunities for abuse, leading to a few restrictions on duels.
All parties must agree, and if their requests seem excessive, the academy can reject them. Moreover, duels between different ranks are forbidden. There are also various safety clauses.
Beatrice has her chronic condition as a problem, but her talent and magic power were acknowledged, so she was assessed at Rank 5. This was possible because the great mage from the empire personally validated her talent.
‘Honestly, they generally just give some leeway up to Rank 5 based on fame or status.’
Of course, things get different once it reaches Rank 6, as one needs to demonstrate ki or sword aura to earn that rank.
Anyway, that’s what allowed her to duel with Chloe nominally despite the realities of things.
In fact, it wouldn’t have gone ahead if Beatrice herself had rejected it.
‘But why?’
In stark contrast to my confusion, the duel had reached its conclusion.
Afterward, Beatrice desperately tried to control her magic, putting up a fruitless struggle against Chloe, but she couldn’t even muster a single proper spell. No, she hadn’t even properly completed any spells.
And Chloe unilaterally confiscated Beatrice’s magic after it went out of control.
Huff, huff….
“Well, it looks like it’s over.”
Beatrice gasped, her legs trembling, and Chloe turned to me with a look of satisfaction.
I nodded and declared.
“The winner is Chloe Pisty!”
“””””Waaaahhhh!!!!”””””
“That was the expected outcome. Now, Princess? As promised, you have to hand it over.”
“………….”
Regardless of why Beatrice accepted the duel, she had lost it, and her dignity was absolutely demolished, with the audience roaring with laughter at her expense.
As I sauntered away from the gleefully celebrating Chloe amidst the audience’s cheers,
I saw a familiar face standing there.
“Your Highness, I have something to discuss.”
“…Finance Director.”
“As promised, a conversation with the Headmistress has been arranged. Of course, if you could show a little more sincerity, I would assist you in every way.”
“No.”
“Excuse me?”
“I can’t go… until I get that back….”
I felt the Finance Director’s gaze piercing through me; confusion and disbelief mixed together.
It’s only natural. I had contacted him first, offered bribes to meet with the Headmistress, only to now say I can’t go.
But I couldn’t explain my circumstances to the Finance Director.
‘I just asked for a meeting with the Headmistress; he wouldn’t know my motive was to return to my homeland.’
The reason I wanted to meet the Headmistress was to negotiate to escape this hostage situation and return to my home.
However, in my current state, I couldn’t go back. So, I couldn’t meet the Headmistress today.
At least, I had to retrieve ‘that’ before I could meet her.
“Your Highness, what do you mean by that?”
“I’m sorry. I know you must have worked hard to arrange a meeting with the Headmistress… can we postpone it for a bit?”
“You know it’s difficult. Today is the opportunity.”
The Finance Director seemed adamant about arranging a meeting with the Headmistress no matter what, which is only understandable considering the efforts he had put in.
To say “let’s postpone” would mean we might never get the chance to meet the Headmistress, who is considered one of the strongest contenders on the continent. Today could be the last chance, after all.
Yet, still, I needed to retrieve what I lost first. Only then could I think about going back.
What Chloe had demanded from me.
“Are you serious?”
“…I’m sorry, Finance Director. I’ll prepare compensation as you wish, so please.”
“That’s not the issue.”
“I know I sound shameless. But… I need time.”
Honestly, the chances of retrieving that from Chloe were slim to none. But if I had time, I might salvage even a sliver of hope.
A month, half a year, or even a year. Maybe even three years at the academy, and somehow retrieve that.
My desperate plea made the Finance Director sigh deeply.
“May I at least hear your reasoning?”
“Uh? No, it’s… It’s not something for the Finance Director to get involved in….”
“How much jewelry do you have? Until I re-arrange a meeting with the Headmistress, can you show continued sincerity? Really, do you need no help?”
“………….”
I should say I don’t need help. I’m just in a transactional relationship with the Finance Director, and I shouldn’t let him get involved with my personal matters. I should have cut him off.
“But Your Highness, I truly wish to help you.”
“Finance Director….”
What could I do by buying time?
This isn’t the Delphia Kingdom. The only person who follows me is Suzanne. Being a hostage means that if I try to use my position to do something, I’ll be met with immediate repercussions from the kingdom.
…Help is.
Even if it’s a transactional relationship based on bribes, as long as I have nothing,
I desperately needed help.
“…………….”
“I’ll take your silence as acceptance. Is that okay?”
“…Yes.”
Why does the Finance Director want to help me like this? Is it for more bribes? Or does he have other motives?
If it’s not that,
‘Could it be… he’s just another educator?’
As a member of the academy, does he feel he can’t just leave a student like me be? It’s absurd to think that way, but my mind, in disarray after losing ‘that,’ couldn’t sort itself out.
I was deceiving the Finance Director.
Even if he helps me like this, I would just be leaving to return to my homeland.
Such ingratitude! I…
“Then, let’s head to my room first.”
“Huh? Why… suddenly?”
“Are you planning to explain your situation out here? I can’t enter the dormitory of the Princess unless there’s a special reason. This is the safest and most secretive place—my room.”
That’s true.
If I’m asking for help, I have to explain that I plan to return to my homeland, which is very risky.
If it leaks, my plans fall apart; thus, it’s best to discuss it somewhere safe.
‘Right, I have to tell him everything anyway.’
If the Finance Director has other intentions, I could still threaten him with the bribe issue. Knowing that he didn’t hate bribes might work to my advantage.
Don’t let your guard down; don’t weaken; don’t get your hopes up, Beatrice.
You’ve lived your life that way, right?
The Finance Director and I have a transactional relationship intertwined with bribes. Don’t expect any useless sympathy or feelings.
“Follow me.”
“Yes.”
Like the last time I met the Finance Director, I covered my body and face with a robe as I followed him.
He navigated the dark back alleys and tunnels like a true academy personnel, ensuring no one spotted us.
How long did we walk?
Eventually, he stopped at a small dormitory.
“Here we are.”
“…Really? This is your room?”
“Is there a problem?”
“No, it’s just….”
Isn’t this too rundown?
This dormitory located at the corner of the academy, deep in the alleys, was at most two stories high and incredibly small.
Moreover, it clearly looked aged, with cracks showing, and it was definitely far from new.
‘What happened to the bribe money?’
Where did all that go if he’s living in such a rundown dormitory?
Could it be that he’s living lavishly inside despite the shabby exterior? I suspected, but as I entered,
Creeeek.
“Make yourself comfortable.”
“Finance… Director.”
“Yes?”
“Are you really living here?”
“That’s right.”
That thought vanished completely once I entered his room.
The room itself was spacious. As expected, being a high-ranking official, he had the biggest room of the entire dorm to himself.
But the issue lay in the decor.
‘…It’s dreary.’
In this spacious room, there was merely a bed, a table, and a bookshelf that took up most of the space. There were no other furnishings or luxuries in sight.
Even the scenery I had seen while walking over didn’t have so much as a single painting; it gave off a minimalistic vibe.
Where had all the bribes gone? Is he funneling everything out, or is it normal to live with none of it? Surely he could buy at least some decent furniture with all that cash.
There was no way he lived like this; however, seeing the Finance Director organizing the space felt too familiar. Plus, the bed and table bore traces of usage.
“…This is unbelievable.”
He truly lives in a place like this. The Finance Director of Grandis Academy, the man who receives an enormous amount of bribes?
I couldn’t accept it; I glanced closely at the bookshelves, which dominated the room.
[How to Prepare Financial Statements for Beginners]
[From Basics to Advanced in Accounting]
[How to Manage an Organization]
[How to Formulate Macroeconomic Budgets]
[Historical Budget Reports of Grandis Academy and Their Reasons]
[How the Academy Secures Its Finances - Focusing on the Imperial Royal Academy -]
[How to Secure Budgets Under a Wasteful Bureaucracy]
“………….”
All of the over ten bookshelves were filled with books and papers on finance, accounting, and management.
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