The Principal's Refusal and Festival Food Fiasco
As soon as dawn broke, the vice principal headed straight to the principal's office.
"Principal."
-?
"I'm submitting this student to the disciplinary committee."
-Who caused trouble this time?
The principal scanned the documents the vice principal handed over.
Eh?
Why is this kid here?
-So...
Though his lich face showed no expression, the vice principal could tell the principal was utterly flustered.
-You're submitting him to the committee?
"Yes. That student committed assault..."
-Let it slide.
"?!"
The vice principal's face hardened at the principal's shocking words.
It might seem unexpected, but the vice principal didn't think poorly of the principal.
Sure, he'd once betrayed humanity and fallen into undeath as a lich, but hadn't he returned to the human fold of his own accord?
His very existence proved humanity's superiority—there was no reason to hate him.
"Is this favoritism because he's a special admissions student?"
-It's not that.
The principal waggled a bony finger.
-What's the point of dragging him before the committee? What would you even punish him with?
"Obviously, assault..."
-Who’s the victim?
"Megan Gegebolg."
-Then ask the two of them directly. Megan and the Gegebolg family head.
"Pardon?"
Why bring the family head into this?
-Who filed the report? If there's a victim, it should be Megan or that student.
"...That's correct."
-What was Eugene's motive for assaulting Megan?
"Well..."
The vice principal faltered for a moment, and the principal let out a deep sigh.
Megan was a noble. Heir to a count's family that was a major pillar supporting the current first princess.
Which meant this was political infighting. Adria had been bullied politically or physically... and Eugene had snapped, going on a rampage.
The principal snapped the file shut decisively.
-Don't turn this academy into a political battlefield. Whatever you call the world you're building out there, don't drag the academy into it. I think highly of your abilities. I'd like you to keep doing the work you love for a long time.
A blunt translation: Don't overstep.
-Come to think of it, you weren't around when the ancient monster descended.
"...Yes. I'm neither a mage nor a knight."
-And not from nobility, either.
The vice principal's body twitched.
He glared at the principal for touching a sore spot, but the principal didn't budge.
-Can't be helped.
Nobles inherited history under their "name."
That's why they knew information commoners didn't.
For instance, the War God. Every noble remembered the time they'd been thoroughly thrashed by a priest of the War God.
-You don't know the fear of the War God.
The fear he inspired. The terror! The scars he left behind!
"...I thought you were always fair. But you're not. You're just cowering before a god?"
-Sorry, but I have no tail to tuck.
He probably wouldn't understand. He'd only ever seen the War God's history as words in a "history book."
If he were even a knight or mage, he'd grasp the terror firsthand... but as things stood, he'd never comprehend him or the nobles.
Flick!
The vice principal spun on his heel and stormed out. The principal clicked his tongue and picked up another file.
It was a school violence report. And the filer? None other than Eugene.
[I hereby report this student for assaulting another student. I testify that I witnessed the entire incident.]
Seeing the photo of the statement, the lich principal's eyes widened.
-?!
...Why is he wrapped in bandages??
If the principal wouldn't budge, other methods it was.
The vice principal took the elevator back to his office.
He had much to do to bury the punk who'd dared oppose him.
War God? Ha! Just one of the forgotten gods in history. He couldn't fathom why anyone would fear such a thing.
Ding!
The elevator stopped, and someone boarded.
Tall over 180cm, black coat casually draped, briefcase at his waist, monocle over one eye.
"Professor Nipella."
"Vice Principal."
Nipella Aoman kept a polite distance and bowed lightly.
He was from nobility. So the vice principal viewed him favorably. He'd even recommend him as next vice principal.
"Heard about it?"
"?"
"Eugene's being reported to the disciplinary committee."
"...For the violence?"
"Exactly. How arrogant, laying hands on a second-year senior—a noble, no less. Must think he's hot shit—"
"Vice Principal."
Nipella cut him off.
As if sharing space with him was uncomfortable, he pressed the floor below his original destination and spoke.
"Don't turn this academy into a political arena."
Flick!
With that, Nipella exited the elevator.
The vice principal froze in shock at the unprecedented sight.
What did he just say...?
Whirr.
The doors closed. As Nipella vanished from view, seething rage boiled up inside the vice principal.
That damn War God!
How dare he!
'...Whatever. The other professors will react differently.'
But they didn't.
Professor Jayyan.
"Eugene? Diligent, smart kid. Polite and well-mannered."
"?!"
Professor Murdersonal. A veteran who'd have been vice principal if she'd accepted; she blinked slowly at his question while crafting something with her branch-like hair.
"That student...? Pure and... so clear-hearted... I wanted to take him as my... prized disciple... you know..."
Professor Eroy.
"He follows punishments without complaint, attends classes diligently, trains hard, studies and trains even when I pull him aside."
Divine Beast Studies professor.
"Eugene? He gets along so well with his divine beast—such a pure soul. Hohoho."
His reputation wasn't bad.
No, it was good.
'...Must've been sucking up all this time.'
But the students would be different.
"Hmm. To put it crudely, a mad dog. But he doesn't bite unless provoked. Get friendly first, and he'll be friendly back. The kids around him are just scared..."
"Him? Nice guy. The kid's good, but... yeah... kinda scary."
"He's mean! I hit him once, and he hit back twice!"
"He's nice, though? Mad dog vibes, sure."
"Doesn't bother you if you don't poke first... And if I ask about stuff I don't get, he always explains, helps with workouts..."
"I'll crush him someday."
"He saved my life."
"......"
Good reputation.
Why was it so good?
Some knew he was a priest of the War God.
But they acted like it was no issue.
Club students too.
"Thought he was a jerk at first. But the real demon was Mosik Karma..."
"He was the real demon..."
"......"
'...Why?'
The vice principal's mind reeled in confusion.
"Anyone wanna play dodgeball with me!"
"Hell no."
"No thanks."
"For real?"
"Yes."
"Last time you wrecked us 100-to-1, and now you wanna play? No conscience, dude."
"You guys jumped me first. Tch, weaklings like you."
I clicked my tongue and wandered looking for dodgeball partners.
Of course? No takers.
Hmm, did I go too hard last time?
"Yahan! Dodgeball with me?"
"No."
"Why? Scared you'll lose again?"
"Homework!"
Bam!
Even my last hope(?) Yahan rejected me.
You little shit!
-My allowance...!
Eodukshini, who'd shown up to earn pocket money for sudden cravings, deflated visibly.
If you want snacks, earn it yourself! At my words, he'd volunteered for ball duty without complaint...
But now no chance.
-Wahhh.
Hmm, back to the dorms?
Heading to the dorms, Ashy's face suddenly popped out.
"?!"
Whoa, startled me!
Ashy peeked from behind the wall and asked.
"Eugene! Whatcha doing? Busy?"
"Was gonna be, but not anymore."
"Great! Come in quick. We gotta plan what to do for our festival booth. But why's Eodukshini crying? Did you hit him?"
"Who'd think I'm the violent one? Wants snacks but broke."
"What snack?"
-This!
Eodukshini pulled a flyer from my priest robes. Ashy nodded knowingly at the flyer.
"Oh, that cake? Adria or Banasi would buy it for you."
-!!
Eodukshini's eyes sparkled.
Sometimes he seems less slime, more puppy.
-Let's go!
"You want it that bad?"
-Of course! Especially when Master got tummy troubles last time!
"?"
-Wanted it then, guh.
"You bastard."
Suddenly remembered that time my lip split and I couldn't eat, but they scarfed mala tang right in front of me.
With my money.
Real demons!
'I hate my sibling so much... Ah, whose memory is this?'
Ugh. Inner thoughts leaking.
"Hey. Get in here. We gotta decide quick."
"You've been slacking till now?"
"Shh! Quiet and sit."
This is my room, technically.
But yeah, we needed to plan, so I sat.
Jenella quietly slid a paper list of food options my way.
"Thanks."
"......"
Please don't blush like some shoujo protag over one word?
"Lemme see..."
Lots of variety.
Stuff we're even capable of?
But one thing caught my eye especially.
"Gukbap!"
"No."
"Why!"
"No means no. Think stir-fried Rice Cake (tteokbokki) or something."
"Tch..."
Why list it then? I grumbled and crossed out gukbap vigorously.
"Steak?"
"You kidding? No gukbap but steak's fine?"
"Same difference?"
"Then steak's okay?!"
"Just grill it!"
"They'll nitpick medium-rare whatever!"
"That's basic!"
"Then you do it!"
"I'm a princess, I don't know how!"
"Then don't!"
Adria and I started bickering; Jenella panicked, glancing between us.
"If steak, then gukbap too!"
"Fine, do both!"
"Yeah!"
"Deal!"
Agreement reached.
We high-fived, grinning like we hadn't just fought.
"??"
-Crazy bastards? Kek!
"Shut it."
"No cake for you?"
-?!
Ashy, who'd watched the chaos, sighed and slammed the table. All eyes on her, she said seriously.
"This won't work."
"?"
"Gotta check your cooking skills. Everyone to the kitchen, now."
"Me too?"
-Me?
"Eodukshini has no hands, what cooking?"
-......
We cooked for an hour.
Thud!
Dishes hit the table.
Whose first?
Hmm, no hopes for Adria. Jenella's first.
Blorp...
What the hell? Purple liquid?
'This ain't cooking, it's alchemy...'
"...Anyone wanna try?"
"......"
"......"
No takers, obviously.
Jenella flushed with embarrassment.
Uh, sorry, but no. Looks like it'd melt my stomach...
Maybe embarrassed no one volunteered, Jenella went nuclear.
"...Eodukshini."
-?
"Eat it, I'll buy you an extra cake. Don't like it? Something else. Deal?"
-?!
Eodukshini scooped a spoonful without a word.
The vivid broth visibly entered his body.
But Eodukshini, surviving the apparent poison(?), laughed.
-Haha! My iron gut can han—
He froze mid-sentence. Froze solid.
Crackle...
Turned to stone like he'd met Medusa's gaze!
I panicked and picked him up.
"Hey! He's petrified! Told you to cook, not brew stone potion?!"
"N-no, this is..."
"It'll wear off, right? Divine power won't fix it?"
"Nope!"
"Set him aside then. It'll fade eventually."
Petrified mid-scoop, Eodukshini became decor.
Next: Adria.
Wow.
Speechless.
"Hey."
"?"
"Jenella did alchemy, fine. You? Why are all ingredients just... there?"
"Wh-what? I was gonna pick and ea—"
"You joking?"
She hadn't even cooked!
Ashy should be fine, though.
I checked hers with some hope.
"Ashy."
"Yeah?"
"We heading to war? That's combat rations."
"Comfy, right?"
"Not at all! We got chopsticks, forks, spoons!"
Words failed me!
At least boil ramen or something.
As I stood dumbfounded, Adria yelled, blushing.
"How good are yours then!"
"Better than yours!"
"Lemme see!"
Bubble bubble.
Normal look, color, smell.
Adria tasted mine, stunned.
"Tastes... good...?"
Ashy tried a bite, shocked.
"Eugene... did best...?"
"Why're you good at cooking...?"
"Can't I be?"
I snorted at their stares.
"Hmph. Ever cooked with herbs?"
"Herbs? For health, yeah."
"I survived three days on one herb! Know how tough that shit is?!"
Hand skills average-minus, sure! But this was my masterpiece!
"S-sorry..."
"Apology accepted."
You gotta kick cans to know that pain!
"Tastes herby."
"Added herbs?"
"?"
"Why...?"
"Basic, right?"
"Should we just run a restaurant?"
Ashy said dead serious.
Couldn't argue.
Hmm, might be best.