Ruftlagina Archipelago. Simply put, it’s a bunch of deserted islands huddled together.
The islands belong to the headmistress, whose domain is Grandis Academy, which is definitely inland. So, how did she end up with an entire archipelago so far away?
“Kraken tends to pop up near those islands.”
“…Are we talking about the same Kraken? A Rank 7 monster that, while not as strong as a manticore, can still obliterate a port city with just one? The sea’s bane, famously called the Sea God among sailors in the past?”
“Yep. But since it doesn’t come from the sea, killing it is actually trickier than a manticore. Plus, while a manticore operates solo, for some reason, over ten Krake were hanging around that archipelago. We couldn’t set sail over there, so I just took care of them.”
“You handled them…alone?”
“To be honest, if all 13 had charged at me, it would’ve been a challenge, but once I blew up a few, the rest ran for it. Anyway, the ownership was just handed over since there’s no telling when the Kraken might come back.”
Though this tale offers a glimpse into the past headmistress’s prowess, still…
Because Ruftlagina Archipelago was a Kraken habitat, there were no nearby port towns at all. The area was generally abandoned due to the Kraken threat, meaning we had to borrow a magic ship from the closest port town.
Negotiation was easy. Coincidentally, that noble’s son happened to be enrolled at Grandis Academy.
But what about safety, given the possibility of Kraken appearing?
“I’ll go myself.”
“Nobody can say anything about that.”
Who would dare complain when the strongest man in the kingdom accompanies them? Especially when he was the one who single-handedly chased away those Krake.
Of course, even if the headmistress and I made a decision, the matter wasn’t settled just like that, as we had one more simple step to go through.
I mean, I just announced it at the faculty meeting.
“I’m changing the midterm exam content. The theme is survival, and the location is my property, Ruftlagina Archipelago.”
“Uh, headmistress…?”
“Three weeks until the midterms, right? Submit your plans starting now.”
“Headmistress!!”
“…Understood.”
I handed it over to the student affairs head and the overall exam supervisor… Trust issues aside.
While the academic affairs, planning department, food ingredient management, and security weren’t completely irrelevant, the student affairs head, who handles the students’ objections, and the overall exam supervisor, who had to manage the exam itself, were top priority.
Clearly, the headmistress was on a different track than usual, but what could one do? We had to roll with it.
Before I could take pride in the somewhat dark evolution of the headmistress, I quietly conversed with the food ingredient manager beside the despairing student affairs head and the dejected overall exam supervisor.
“As you know, all we need this time is the basic survival kit. I trust you know the rest.”
“Of course. But I have a question: if the midterms proceed like this, won’t more than 70% of the academy’s students end up on a deserted island?”
“That’s right.”
“I did a rough calculation, and the expected expenses will be less than a tenth of the last midterm… this can’t be a coincidence, right?”
“Of course it’s a coincidence. As the finance director, lucky me!”
“…Understood.”
The food ingredient manager’s eyes slightly changed, but saving the budget is a good thing for them too. Isn’t this mutual assistance?
The expected problems would be the student affairs and exam supervisors pulling all-nighters for surveys and new plans over the next three weeks, the stress on the nobility whose children are in the academy and have to pass through the headmistress’s domain, and the flood of complaints and grievances from students during exams?
Nothing major. Instead, we saved a ton of budget.
Moreover, I had a rough idea on how to resolve those issues as well.
“Uh, so are you, finance director, going to the island too?”
“Me? Why would I? It’s super hot, humid, annoying, and infested with mosquitoes. Of course, I’ll be working in climate-controlled comfort at the academy.”
“…Finance Director?”
“Yes, Headmistress.”
“Finance Director, you’re coming with me.”
“…Pardon?”
Hold on a second.
This isn’t right!
Desperately trying to maintain my composure, I glanced at the headmistress, who merely smiled back and nodded.
“All heads but the overall exam supervisor and finance director, I entrust the academy to you. It’s only for a week anyway.”
““Understood.””
“Understood, Headmistress.”
“Wait—”
“The meeting is adjourned! Everyone, go back!”
Adam Keynes, the finance director.
Confirmed for the deserted island trip.
*
Buuuuuuuuuum—
The magic ship roared as it cut through the waves.
“Refreshing! This is my first time on a magic ship.”
“Are you talking about yourself, Your Highness?”
“True, Delphia Kingdom has access to the sea, but we’ve never had the luxury to operate a magic ship. It’s the ocean, after all?”
“That’s true.”
Unlike other devices using magic stones, magic ships are in a whole different league regarding costs. After all, it’s a ship.
To be more precise, the issue lies with the ‘ocean’ where the ship has to sail. The sea remains largely unconquered by the races of the continent, humans included.
Monsters of Rank 2 or 3 pop up like insignificant fish, and powerful Rank 5 or 6 monsters can be seen frequently in the ocean.
Therefore, magic ships are not just vessels that move using magic, but they are equipped with various weapons for effectively combating monsters and must have at least one mage on board for emergencies.
Thanks to this preparation, port towns were finally established, and the ocean could be explored, but even that only applies to coastal areas. Dreaming of heading out into the vast ocean is still a fantasy.
Moreover, if a Rank 7 monster like a Kraken shows up, these well-prepared magic ships would be sliced like paper!
Outside of the imperial power and the strong kingdom behind it, few places genuinely operate magic ships.
Thus, Beatrice relished the sea breeze from the swiftly moving magic ship.
“Until now, I’ve just gone out on boats to the nearest point where monsters don’t show up, but this is the first time heading out to an archipelago far from the continent. Ruth Spero, isn’t that right?”
“…I’ve never seen the sea.”
“Who knows when I’ll have a chance to ride on a magic ship again? Let’s enjoy it! By the way, that girl? Was it Millia?”
“Y-Y-Your Highness, that name is hardly something you should remember! Just ignore someone like me and let the two of you enjoy…”
“We’re in the same team. How can I ignore that? According to the rules, a team must consist of one each from magic, martial arts, and administration. Plus, I chose you myself.”
“Your Highness…!”
“Have you already been approached for joining the student council? You’re too flustered.”
“…That’s…”
After meeting Ruth Spero on the street, Beatrice formed a team for the midterm exam.
In the field of magic, it’s Beatrice herself, in martial arts, Ruth Spero, and in administration, Millia.
Despite being from a commoner background without a family name, this new student—having just entered a month ago—was already approached for student council membership.
Beatrice kept an eye on Millia, just for that fact alone.
‘Her major is civil engineering; she’ll be hugely helpful for a survival-themed exam.’
Though Ruth Spero is a solid Rank 6, the only problem left was Beatrice herself, who’s a half-baked mage.
Even for an exam where artifacts can’t be brought, she’s already devised a plan.
Everything is perfectly prepared. Beatrice nodded, looking out at the vast sea.
“Those magic ships will each head to different islands, right?”
“R-Ruftlagina Archipelago consists of 27 islands, so… they’ll likely go to different places based on their year.”
“Considering roughly 7,000 people are taking this exam, that means about 250 per island.”
Grandis Academy has fewer students than other private academies. Unlike public institutions, private academies rely heavily on tuition fees for income.
Naturally, due to the headmistress being the richest person in the kingdom, tuition is low, yet strict entrance examinations mean that the student body is relatively small compared to the campus size and educational environment.
However, this scarcity causes nobles and confident commoners to continue knocking on the academy’s door.
As she lovingly stroked a damaged timepiece artifact, which was allowed for entry due to it no longer functioning, Beatrice nodded, resolutely making a decision.
‘Definitely.’
I’ll get high grades, be ranked first, receive a scholarship.
Combining that with my part-time job, I’ll help Adam, no matter what.
“…….”
Ruth Spero stared intently at Beatrice.
“Ugh……”
Caught between a Rank 6 swordsman and a foreign princess was poor commoner Millia, who could only groan in troubled silence.
Finally, the magic ship arrived at one of the deserted islands in Ruftlagina.
As hundreds of students disembarked from the ship, the announcement came.
“From this moment, the midterm exam begins! Supplies will be the survival kits just distributed! You’ll survive on this island for one week! Detailed rules will be posted in the sky, so feel free to check! That’s all!”
Buuuuuuuuuum.
The ship left without any hesitation.
“…Huh?”
The questioning expression of a noble student perfectly captured the feelings of the stranded students left on the deserted island.
*
“Headmistress.”
“Yes, Finance Director.”
“Did you intentionally bring me here for this?”
“If you want to see it that way, yes. What do you think?”
“What do I think?”
—Of course, it’s the best.
On one of the islands in Ruftlagina Archipelago, the furthest from land yet closest to the ocean, stood a modest house unlike those on the other islands. Not quite a villa, but sufficient for staying.
The headmistress and I were lying on hammocks, resting comfortably, having entrusted the students’ management to the other staff members.
“But what’s with this house?”
“It’s a place I built to use as a base for capturing the Kraken. I told the faculty who went on the preliminary survey to tidy it up, and surprisingly, it’s well-kept.”
Well, the faculty probably thought it was the headmistress’s residing place and cleaned accordingly. Naturally, as the richest person in the kingdom (lol) and the dictator of the academy (lol), that would make sense.
The only difference was that I was tagged along.
“I’ve already addressed potential issues during the exam, and I’ve also thought of ways to handle student complaints, right? Now, we only have to relax!”
“I can’t remember the last time I’ve laid back like this.”
“It’s just a week, but it’s a vacation I’m giving you. I’ve packed plenty to eat, and I told the faculty to stay away unless it’s crucial…”
Swish.
The headmistress smiled gently as she drew closer to me.
“…It’s just really the two of us, huh?”
Yep, it is.
How long has it been since I enjoyed such rest?… Now that I think about it, this is my first time since becoming the finance director.
Though I felt a compulsion to stay back at the academy doing paperwork at this time, I decided against it.
‘It’s a rare chance for relaxation.’
I’ve been working constantly under the influence of military-grade stimulants and the headmistress’s pressure; there’s a limit to everything.
Since it turned out this way, maybe fully recharging and later working would yield greater efficiency.
Feeling the headmistress’s gaze upon me, I clapped my hands twice.
Clap clap.
“Hi, Circe.”
“…Finance Director?”
“Remember the communication magic tool the headmistress gave me? I’ve set it so it responds to my claps.”
“B-But why communication magic tools?”
“I have a small task for you.”
By the way, why are you quiet when you should be listening?
Clap clap.
As I clapped again, sounds echoed from the fist-sized crystal I had tucked away.
—Wh…what is it now?
“Oh come on, why so grumpy? Professor Circe, if you keep being mad at your young age, you’ll die early.”
—That’s! Who decided to cut 98% of my salary?! Because of that, I was starving yesterday too…!!
“I can assure you that living on even less will cause you no issues.”
—Have you actually lived on that? How would you know?!
Actually, I am.
Well, you wouldn’t believe me anyway, so let’s just cut to the chase.
“Anyway, you’re on Island number four right now, right?”
—…Yes. But for some unknown reason, there seems to be an unusually high number of magic field professors among the overseers assigned to Island number four. Their gazes are quite sharp. Is it a coincidence?
“Of course, it’s a coincidence. Who knew the professors in the magic field disliked you so much?”
—………
“Anyway, since it’s Island number four, there should be plenty of coconuts. We even accelerated their growth to help with the survival of the students.”
—That’s… true. But why the sudden interest?
“I’d like you to bring some. I suddenly have the craving for coconuts. Just about 20 would do.”
—Ah, you must be kidding…!!!
“If you’re upset, feel free to leave the academy. I wouldn’t be surprised if the rumors about you spread all over the kingdom, to the empire, and maybe even the holy nation. Oh, remember the precautions regarding the hair loss medication research when you signed the contract, right?”
—…Precautions?
“If you leave the academy before finishing your research, you’ll just have to pay a penalty corresponding to the amount of materials and resources you used until then, along with a portion of the future potential earnings you could’ve made from the hair loss medication research. It’s not a big deal, right?”
—………
“If you’re serious about leaving, just say so right now. The headmistress is right here, so we can fix your contract immediately!”
—…I’ll get the coconuts.
“Make sure to poke holes in them for straws too.”
—What even is that…?
Click.
I cut her off before she could finish what seemed to be a complaint. If you’re upset, just leave.
“With this, we’re all set for snacks, headmistress.”
“……”
“Headmistress?”
“No, it’s nothing… nothing at all.”
Why is she suddenly acting strange? With a slight pout, she turned to face the other way, returning to her previous position.
Ever since what happened on the rooftop, it felt like it’s become more difficult to understand the headmistress’s feelings.
‘Who knows.’
Let’s just sleep until Circe brings the coconuts.
Feeling her unusual gaze upon me, I quietly drifted off to dreamland.
It was a deliciously sweet sound sleep I hadn’t experienced in a while.
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