48
Chapter 48
Two weeks have passed since I returned to the academy.
The beginning of a term is usually quite hectic, but thanks to my experience, everything seems to have gone smoothly.
The Imperial Princess is learning well from Old Man Roy, and Shine is no longer grumpy, even if I don't bring up the matter of her reward.
Maybe it's just a subconscious thing, but I think she's let her guard down since we've seen each other so often.
Not that we've suddenly become the type to greet each other warmly, though.
"Oh? Good morning, Instructor Bio."
"Good morning."
"Enjoy your meal."
"You guys enjoy yours too."
The trainees in my Ranger Class are well-behaved and have great attitudes in class, so I have nothing to worry about.
Since I'm in charge of the theory portion anyway, there isn't much that's particularly taxing.
Plus, since the midterm evaluations are replaced by field practice starting in the second semester, my workload has decreased significantly.
Of course, that doesn't apply to the instructors accompanying the trainees, but I only handle theory.
Theory instructors aren't required to come in during the practice period unless something special comes up, so it's practically a vacation.
Since the practice period is the same for all years, I won't even have to escort Imperial Princess Helena during that time.
As for Amelia, whom I was a bit worried about, things aren't exactly settled, but the situation isn't that bad.
She asked to talk for a bit during lunch the day after school started, then had the nerve to ask if I'd returned because of her.
It seemed she still had feelings for me, but given our past history and the pressure of her being the Grand Duke's youngest daughter, I drew a clear line.
I told her it wasn't like that and that it would be problematic if she misunderstood.
I thought she might not get the hint and keep bothering me, but fortunately, that didn't happen.
Instead, she seems to be avoiding me slightly, and we don't speak outside of work.
In truth, I think she wants to avoid me even during work, but as the two instructors in charge of the Ranger Class, we can't completely stop communicating.
Things should improve next term when the new students arrive and at least two new instructors are appointed.
After finishing my meal, I headed to the faculty office.
The atmosphere is unusually hectic today.
"Instructor Kent, is something going on?"
"It's because of the field practice. Everyone's in an uproar."
Field practice?
It has nothing to do with me, but seeing the mood in the office made me curious.
"Wasn't the field practice discussed since the start of the term?"
"It was, but this year's 1st Year practice site is Creta Island."
Field practice at Creta Island?
It's one of the islands in the Vermes Archipelago in the Ver Sea in the south of the Empire; it's only the fifth largest, but it's the most famous.
It's a meticulously planned resort boasting an excellent environment with a vast forest covering half the island, crystal clear seas, and golden beaches.
The port city of Creta, which shares the island's name, is filled with buildings as luxurious as those in the capital, with all sorts of great restaurants, bars, and even casinos.
It's a place so famous that anyone in the Beluga Empire who doesn't have to worry about making a living would want to visit, but I don't quite get it.
While Creta doesn't seem particularly relevant to Black Agents, I did visit once for a mission during my active days.
It was an incident where the Fourth Imperial Prince lost a ring given to him by the Emperor while visiting.
As it turned out, he hadn't lost it; he had pawned it to borrow money, and the problem arose because it was sold off too quickly.
Regardless, Creta is a tourist destination, not a place for field practice.
Half the island is forest, but the monsters were completely wiped out by the island's lord, Viscount Lapierre.
"Aren't there no monsters in Creta?"
"You're late to the news. Didn't you say you're from the South?"
I'm not actually from there, but even if I were, does that mean I have to know everything about the South?
"Seinti, where I live, is far from Creta."
The Vermes Archipelago is in the southeast of the Empire, while Seinti is in the southwest, so they're practically opposite ends.
"Isn't the South all pretty much the same?"
Come to think of it, Instructor Kent was from the Central region.
He's making a big deal out of nothing.
"You might not know. The South is huge. Even I, who grew up near Creta Island, only found out today."
Instructor Klein, who handles 2nd Year practical magic and was sitting opposite me, spoke up to support my side.
He explained that two years ago, a pair of Kobolds and Goblins had escaped from a circus troupe performing in Creta.
Because the circus troupe was afraid of punishment and didn't report it, the Goblins and Kobolds flourished.
Unlike other places, the forests of Creta likely had plenty of food and no monsters that posed a threat to them.
If the only monsters were Goblins and Kobolds, it would be a decent location for our inexperienced trainees.
Although active Rangers and practical instructors accompany them or keep watch nearby, there's always a risk of encountering a powerful monster.
"Even so, it's just for field practice. Why are they so excited?"
Creta might be a tourist spot, but if they're on practice, they'll have to sleep in the forest all week.
They might spend a day or two in the city, but I'm not sure if that's really such a big draw.
"Viscount Lapierre requested it, and the Dean also asked for cooperation, so the Southern Legion is sending quite a bit of support."
I understood immediately.
They plan to dump the trainees on the personnel sent by the Southern Legion and enjoy themselves in Creta.
If that's the case, I can see why they're happy.
It looks like even the theory instructors, who normally wouldn't go, are all applying.
I'm not particularly interested in things like casinos, but the seafood dishes I had in Creta were delicious.
The beaches were also among the best I've ever seen.
Should I apply too?
"Instructor Bio, you should come along if you don't have any other plans. Creta is amazing."
"I'll have to think about it. Where is the 2nd Year Magic Class going?"
"We're going to the Principality of Dmitri..."
His expression was utterly depressed.
"Haha, so you're heading to the Frozen Earth."
The monster waves might be over, but the Frozen Earth is so cold that it snows until early April.
Even from June to August, there are more places where the snow doesn't melt than where it does.
Since the practice is in March, they're going to suffer quite a bit.
I offered some words of comfort, gathered my teaching materials, and left the faculty office.
When I entered the classroom, the atmosphere here wasn't much different from the office.
"Instructor, are we really going to Creta Island for our field practice?"
Has the rumor spread already?
"That's what I heard."
As soon as I confirmed it, everyone started screaming and making a huge scene.
I get why the instructors are happy since they plan to hand the kids over to the Southern Legion and play, but what's so great for these students?
They'll have to camp out and sleep in the wild in the forest for an entire week.
Well, I guess it's because they have no experience yet.
"Quiet! You all seem too excited. Remember that you're going for practice, not a vacation."
"Instructor, are you really not coming along?"
"I'm coming."
"Enough chatter, let's start the lesson. Since it's the 23rd, student number 23, please read from where we left off last time."
I shut them down instantly, and while they seemed disappointed, I wasn't entirely against the idea.
For the past two weeks, I'd spent my weekends taking Imperial Princess Helena to the Magic Tower early in the morning and then heading to the East Great Forest.
The East Great Forest, like the Krinis Desert, contained ruins from the Seven Stars.
I had been searching based on information found in Evankel's Laboratory, hoping to find some Wild Ginseng to give the princess, but I'd come up empty-handed on both fronts.
Was I being too greedy?
As Ark had said, perhaps too much time had passed, making the information from the laboratory less valuable than I'd hoped.
Of course, I might eventually find something if I kept digging, but I was getting bored and frustrated, so I decided to try another location starting this week.
Coincidentally, the Vermes Archipelago was among the candidate sites.
It wasn't high on my priority list since I'd have to search twelve different islands, not just Creta Island, and travel by boat would take considerable time.
However, since the islands in the archipelago are close to one another, it seemed like a good time to visit while I had the chance.
Once I've visited them all, I can use a Warp Device to reduce travel time in the future.
That said, I don't intend to apply through the academy to accompany the trainees.
While it would save me money on travel and lodging, it would also mean dealing with instructors who want to socialize and pester me.
I have enough money; it's much better to go on my own.
There might be Wild Ginseng in the forests of Creta Island, so I can kill two birds with one stone by checking on the trainees while I'm there.
I don't plan on doing nothing but exploring, though; I'll actually take a few days' vacation.
****
In a dark secret room, the lights flickered on as a man wearing a black Lion Mask took his seat.
There were twelve chairs in total, but two remained empty.
"Apologies for being late. Since it seems no one else is coming, let us begin the meeting."
No sooner had the Lion Mask finished speaking than a hulking figure wearing a red Bear Mask stood up.
"Is Zero not attending this meeting either?"
"Honestly, Bear, he's not here, so obviously he's not attending."
A woman wearing a blue Fox Mask sneered.
"Isn't it the rule that if someone misses three meetings, they are expelled?"
"This is the third time, so he'll likely show up next time."
A woman wearing a white Eagle Mask supported the Fox's sentiment.
"Wolf didn't show up either, so aren't you being a bit too obsessed with Zero?"
"If he'd been beaten that badly three years ago, he should have learned some humility."
"Fine. Bear, I don't have much time."
"Save the personal grievances for another time."
Everyone except the Lion either defended Zero or ignored him entirely.
It seemed Bear had no allies in the room.
"Don't be too hard on Bear. And Bear, calm yourself. I will contact Zero separately."
the Lion Mask settled the commotion.
"Understood."
"Wolf contacted me saying he'd be absent due to operation preparations. Now, let's begin. Fox, would you like to start?"
"As planned, Duke Raynald of the Quasar Empire fell into a state of Magic Power Rampage while treating his granddaughter. It should be settled within a year."
"Excellent. As expected of the Fox. Next, Bear?"
"A bit more leaked than last year, but I managed to collect over half. However, I've nearly hit the limit, so next year will be difficult."
"I need to collect more for another year, but next year, Wolf and I will join your side and help."
"That's the best news I've heard all day."
Bear sat back down, looking satisfied.
As the discussion continued, various famous figures and nations from across the continent were mentioned.
"Lion, it's your turn."
"I've obtained information regarding the princess being sent from Beluga to Quasar."
"Oh, you actually did it. Who is it?"
The blue Fox, who had mentioned the Duke of Quasar, showed the most interest.
"It's the 8th Imperial Princess, Helena de Beluga."
"The 8th Imperial Princess?"
"Didn't she take second place at Greeta last year? She's quite talented, isn't she?"
"She's the only daughter of marriageable age. The others are either too young or born from the Empress, so they won't be sent. She'll be sent to Quasar once she graduates from the academy."
"Was that actually confirmed, or just a guess?"
"It's reliable information. However, I heard the 8th Imperial Princess made a bet with the Emperor."
"What kind of bet?"
"Apparently, she said she doesn't want to go to Quasar, but I couldn't uncover the rest of the details."
"Well, she knows exactly how they treated the Princess of Quasar, so why would she want to go?"
The Bear Mask added weight to the Lion's claim.
"The old fossils of Quasar probably aren't any kinder than those in Beluga."
With the Fox joining in, the atmosphere of doubt shifted.
"Then couldn't that change things?"
The Eagle Mask pointed out.
"The Emperor of Beluga has never lost a bet. The 8th Imperial Princess is just struggling in vain."
"I heard she's a talented wizard. How about we bring her over to our side?"
"How could someone of the Imperial Family join a gathering like ours...?"
"Why not?"
The round table instantly became chaotic, but the Lion Mask slammed his hand down.
"She still has two semesters left until graduation, so let's discuss this again then."
"Two semesters? Don't the academies of the Beluga Empire graduate in the summer?"
"The princess is scheduled for early graduation, so she'll leave the academy this winter. More importantly, who will support Wolf's operation this time?"
"Where is the operation taking place?"
"Creta Island, located in the south of the Beluga Empire."
"Creta Island? It's a nice place, but it's way too far."
Starting with the Goat Mask shaking his head, no one raised their hand.
"Then I'll have to appoint someone."
"Why not let Zero do it? That bastard is from Beluga."
"Zero said he would come to help midway through as well."
"You should have said that sooner. If Lord Zero is coming, I'll go too."
"Me too."
"I want to go as well."
As soon as Zero's name was mentioned, the Eagle, the Fox, and even the silent Deer raised their hands simultaneously.
"Zero's popularity is as strong as ever. Hmm, Fox, your plan is nearly complete but the distance is an issue, and the same goes for you, Deer. This time, Eagle, you will provide the support."