Chapter 67
Chapter 67
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 67
Chapter Title: Academy Festival (2)
-----------------------------------------------------------------
The festival preparations were steadily progressing.
Architects' Guild members, including Hugo, were hired on a contract basis to set up small stalls around the theater.
They even prepared booths and temporary tents for the spectators.
Anticipating a large crowd, including not just students but also many outsiders, they also increased the number of benches and shaded rest areas.
On top of that, there was one more thing.
The two-story inn that had been built next to the Academy building from the start.
⚙ SYSTEM NOTIFICATION ⚙
The Experience-Based Museum construction has been completed.
"It's finally opening."
I hadn't expected it to open in this way, but the timing was perfect.
You could call it a stroke of luck.
Edward had practically taken charge of this side of things.
He had been enjoying his free time with nothing to do, but suddenly, he became so busy he felt like he needed two bodies.
Heard he's so swamped with people looking for him from all over that he can't even sleep these days.
"Don't overdo it."
"I'm fine. It's something I enjoy doing, after all."
He said so, so I didn't stop him.
After finishing a brief meeting with him, I was about to head to the Academy for work when Hugo approached me.
"The requests you made are almost done. Have you checked them?"
"Of course. They were excellent."
Then, suddenly.
He frowned as if something was bothering him.
"But doesn't it feel like something is missing?"
To my eyes, it was almost perfect.
Perhaps for a craftsman, there's no such thing as 100% satisfaction.
"For a festival like this, you need a sculpture."
"...Now that you mention it."
"If we install a large statue symbolizing the Academy, it would be a joy just to look at."
So that was it.
I hadn't thought about a statue at all.
In any case, Hugo wasn't wrong.
I admit it.
But we don't have anything worthy of being called a symbol yet.
If we're going to put up a sculpture, I'd like it to be something that can stand for a long time, not just for the festival.
"Should I make a wooden bench shaped like a piano?"
Hugo, catching my muttering, tilted his head.
"Why make something like that? Just put up a statue of the Young Master and be done with it."
"Pardon?"
"It's called the Art Academy, but isn't it really the Anton Academy?"
"What do you mean by..."
This is why rumors are scary.
What starts as a joke can spread and eventually be taken as the truth.
There's Victor and Erdi, but my image seems to be too overpowering for now.
"Sigh..."
"Then I'll get started right away."
As if my reaction was of no consequence, Hugo immediately called over the guild members and ordered them to bring high-quality stone.
And on top of that.
⚔ STATUS ⚔
⚡ Social Influence: Dangerously High
💨 Misunderstanding Level: Max
"There's one guy who's quick with his hands. He's pretty good at drawing."
He suggests another idea.
"We could have the spectators stand in front of the Young Master's statue and draw their portraits to sell."
"Let's not go that far."
I hurriedly waved my hands.
That would tarnish the meaning of the festival.
This is fundamentally supposed to be entertainment for the Academy students.
I'll take the spotlight next time.
More than anything, it's embarrassing.
Frankly, I have no intention of allowing it while I'm alive.
"What a shame."
Hugo looked dissatisfied, but I could tell he was exaggerating.
"Looking at me with those eyes won't change my mind."
Leaving him to walk away dejectedly, I exited the event grounds.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇
The festival is the festival.
But there was still one important schedule left at the Academy.
The midterm exams.
It's a kind of assignment presentation period to test the students' academic progress.
Think of it as a midterm exam in a university.
However, since we only teach one subject, it would be much more comfortable for the students.
There are exactly two evaluation items.
First, to see if they can accurately understand and analyze music theory, they write and submit an exam in real-time.
A time to verify all the knowledge they've learned so far.
Next is the performance evaluation.
They are given a random musical score, memorize it within a time limit, and then get tested by the professors.
This is to measure their ability to recognize various rhythm patterns and notes and play them correctly.
This shouldn't be too difficult either.
In fact, the difficulty might be easier than the advanced class test.
Since they're given a specific piece to play and only need to practice it.
But every plan has its flaws.
One of the students gathered in the classroom raised their hand and asked.
"Isn't this test too advantageous for the advanced class?"
I had already anticipated that such a complaint would arise.
If the basic class students are evaluated on the same standard as the advanced class, the former are likely to receive lower scores.
On the other hand, talented performers like Azabella or Beatrice might find the test too easy compared to their efforts.
In other words, there could be an issue with the fairness of the evaluation criteria.
But.
I was expecting this and had already prepared a countermeasure.
What they want is for everyone to be fairly acknowledged and receive an evaluation that matches their efforts.
I think the same way.
"The advanced class test will be conducted separately. The situation you're worried about will not happen."
The purpose of this test is for everyone to test their limits and find opportunities for growth.
The evaluation criteria for the basic class are understanding the basics and accuracy.
Conversely, for the advanced class, it would be right to check who shows a higher level of interpretation on familiar problems.
From the start, the two classes learn different things.
We can't have them take the same test.
I slowly turned my gaze to look at the students gathered in the classroom.
Most of them had expressions of agreement.
"You don't need to worry about the advanced class."
In any case, I plan to leave that side to Erdi.
I'm not paying much attention to it myself.
"If you have diligently attended Professor Korsolin's and my lectures until now, everyone will be able to receive a high score without much difficulty."
I added those words to reassure everyone once more.
And one more thing.
"For the top 10 students who receive the highest score in this exam, I plan to give bonus points for the final exam later."
✨ LEVEL UP! ✨
New Incentive Added!
+ Motivation +100%
+ Student Effort +MAX
"Oooh!"
There must be a reward for those who strive.
That is an unchanging truth.
Especially in a school.
It's not a problem at all to give more advantageous benefits to students with high academic achievement; rather, it's the right thing to do.
For now, let's end the talk about the exam.
"Finally, I have some news to share with you all..."
The students' eyes gleamed brightly.
For some reason, my lips wouldn't part.
Why was that?
Was it because the reaction that would follow was all too predictable?
"For those students who wish to perform on stage at this festival, please apply to Professor Korsolin by next week..."
"Wooooah!"
"It's here! It's here!"
"Can we finally stand on stage too?!"
As expected.
The atmosphere suddenly changed.
Well, it's only natural.
No one likes exams, but performing the same piece on a festival stage is a different story.
The former has a somewhat forced feel, as it's for evaluation.
But a place where you can casually enjoy your favorite pieces with your favorite people?
How could you refuse that?
For a performer, that's the most enjoyable time.
In any case.
Feeling like I'd get swept up in the commotion if I stayed still, I slipped out of the classroom without anyone noticing.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇
At the same time.
The territory of the Dresel Duchy.
A middle-aged man sitting on a sofa let out a deep sigh.
Edelo Dresel.
Belmont, a vassal who was watching him, spoke first.
"Are you really planning to take the Lady with you?"
The Duke remained silent.
His daughter, Leah, had long been effectively exiled to a remote rural convent as punishment for failing to maintain her dignity.
She was told she could return once her education was over, but there had been no news worth mentioning yet.
Then.
A letter finally arrived not long ago.
"She says she wants to apologize to Erdi."
"...Hmm."
How she heard the rumors, she said she plans to officially attend the upcoming festival at the Academy to ask for Erdi's forgiveness.
So she asked for permission to return to the mansion.
"I had no intention of having her meet Erdi."
If I have them face each other now, who knows what might happen.
There was a high chance it would backfire.
But.
To the Duke, Erdi was like a son.
He was a benefactor, a close friend.
"What Leah did is not something that can be taken lightly."
Even though so much time has passed, there must still be anger and hurt in Erdi's heart.
So, if it can be corrected now, that's the right thing to do.
"Leah's wrongdoing is ultimately my own fault."
This was also the Duke's way of trying to apologize to him personally.
He had committed such a wrong against Erdi, of all people; not to be ashamed of it would be inhuman.
"The only worry is whether he'll accept the apology."
Maybe it's already too late to turn back.
The Duke's anxiety grew.
And then.
"Father, I'm here."
The root of all this worry walked into the parlor with a maid.
>