Chapter 22: New Colleagues Are Always Welcome (3)
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 22: New Colleagues Are Always Welcome (3)
Since recruiting Codename: Boradori...
We held meetings every single day to prepare for the original plot, which had already gone completely off the rails.
"We have two main objectives."
As a result, we began drafting plans with two major goals as our top priorities.
The first was the Imperial Academy Romance Manipulation Team.
If the foundation of this world was a RoFan novel, then the most important thing was the romance. Therefore, if we could successfully manipulate the pairings, we would be able to control the events that were to follow.
Of course, that was easier said than done.
"So, what are the odds?"
"Based on the first-year Academy arc, here they are!"
We had a highly capable informant who knew the future: Codename: Boradori.
So, Prince Esid was in the overwhelming lead?
"...Without your personal bias."
"Tch."
This brat... trying to pull a fast one on me like I’m some amateur.
No matter how much of a main male lead existed in a RoFan, if one person had been that far ahead, the story wouldn't have turned into such a disaster in the later half.
Of course, Violet had said it became a total mess. She mentioned there were even quite a few "Demon King faction" readers who suddenly appeared.
In other words, in the original work, Like a Flower Blooming in Barren Land or whatever it was called, the author had masterfully manipulated the "Male Lead Coins" to keep the market prices competitive. They managed it so well that even when a new "Demon King Coin" appeared, people were screaming "To the moon!" instead of declaring it a delisted stock.
Once Boradori’s personal bias was removed, Prince Esid’s share dropped slightly, while Minor Sword Emperor Asran’s share rose.
"Is this for real?"
"I’d bet my annual salary on it."
Hmm. She seemed serious. This was a bit different from what I had expected.
"Is the gap really that small?"
"There are various incidents, but most of the major ones are internal Imperial affairs. The main plot is the 'Hectic Academy Politics' arc featuring Prince Esid. The combat arcs mostly consist of 'Down with Ellen' alongside the perpetual runner-up, Asran."
Apparently, the "Magic Spammer" Prince handled the magic-related parts, but he had almost zero presence in the first-year arc. He only started to stand out from the third-year arc, when the dark mages began to appear in earnest.
In other words, if the Fire Spammer wanted to make her move, she had to do it before their third year.
"She’s doomed."
In countless works of literature, the childhood friend is a symbol of defeat.
However, if you looked at the conditions alone, the childhood friend should be invincible. They had the powerful advantage of being the first to meet the protagonist. They shared more time and memories than any other heroine. Their families were often so close they were practically one. It seemed impossible for them to lose the heroine race.
But, looking at it from the opposite perspective...
It also meant that despite having all those advantages, the two hadn't managed to start dating by the time a new woman appeared.
They had known each other since they were toddlers. They had mountains of memories. Their families treated each other's children as their own. And yet, she was at risk of losing him to a girl who just showed up!
"What on earth do you have to do to win at that point?"
Honestly, wasn't it more natural for her to just lose?
Dammit, Fire Spammer. Before practicing how to set the world on fire, you should have thought about how to set your Prince’s heart ablaze.
"Yeah, her arc is a bit frustrating."
Boradori, whose speech was becoming increasingly casual as I agonized, nodded and erased the male lead percentages. Then, she wrote the names Arwen and Marie side by side.
"First off, Prince Arwen lived a life focused solely on magic until he came to the Academy. Marie respected the Prince’s wishes and played the role of helping him focus on his magic!"
I could understand the gist of it even with a brief explanation. It wasn't exactly a foreign concept to me. Prince Ellen also felt like his sword was his top priority until he entered the Academy. From the Fire Spammer's perspective, it must have felt like a slap in the face.
"And that’s when the RoFan Female Lead appears."
"Ha. Our Daisy is just too charming."
"Our Daisy," she said. It sounded disgustingly over-familiar, but since it was true, I decided to let it slide.
"But the character Marie is a shadow of the royal family. She can't exactly step out and act openly."
The Guardians of Dale and the Instructors of Leon were similar groups in a broad sense. Both existed to protect the royal bloodline and work toward their growth.
However, if you looked closer, the two organizations were completely different in nature. We were literally instructors—teachers who moved for the sake of royal education. Dale’s guardians, however, were literally that: guardians. They were shadows who moved secretly to protect the royalty.
For example, if Ellen were to die in an accident, I would be kicked out of my position as a royal instructor and might face severe punishment. However, if there was an unavoidable reason for the incident, it could be dismissed as a tragic but inevitable event. Of course, disgraceful rumors would follow me, but at least I wouldn't be executed.
But the Guardians of Dale were different.
According to reports, they were essentially the "extra lives" of the royalty. Therefore, if the person they guarded died, the guardian had to die as well, regardless of the reason. This didn't even require a royal judgment. It was triggered automatically by the contract they signed before becoming a guardian; if the royal they protected died, the guardian died too.
Because of such heavy restrictions, guardians possessed immense authority and influence, unlike instructors.
"But she won't use that, will she?"
"Nope. She refuses to use it and tries to solve everything purely through magic..."
If I become a better mage, the Prince will look at me. I just need to get stronger so the Prince can acknowledge me!
While the Fire Spammer was thinking like that, a massive wall called the "RoFan Female Lead" blocked her path.
"But then! The Saintess awakens! She manifests miracles that transcend the laws of magic! At the same time, her magical talent blossoms!"
And considering the punch she threw not long ago, her close-quarters combat ability was also overwhelming. Dammit, no matter how I looked at it, there was no way the Fire Spammer could win.
"Even if she beats her in magic, it’s a losing battle."
Because... that’s RoFan for you.
The Magic Spammer Prince didn't fall for Daisy because of her magic skills in the first place. The moment the Fire Spammer thought she could win him back through magic, her defeat was set in stone.
"...What do the Magic Spammer's shares look like in the third year?"
"A three-way split of the world."
So, the Prince gets 30%, the Minor Sword Emperor gets 30%, and the Magic Spammer gets 30%? And the remaining 10% goes to the extras?
"That’s right, but by then, a junior character is added, so the number of extras increases a bit."
I thought only the girls got junior characters, but I guess another guy shows up too.
"This won't do."
For the sake of world peace, those who can be eliminated must be eliminated quickly. I needed to change my approach.
"......No, there's no need for that."
When the Fire Spammer blushed and said she didn't need our help, I gave her a reality check.
"Losers stay quiet."
"What...?"
"Just shut up and join us."
Since it looked like she couldn't even eat a meal if it was served to her, I’d have to shove it down her throat by force.
In the process of making her realize the reality of her situation, I made the Fire Spammer cry about three times. But since she was destined to spend the rest of her Academy life weeping over her defeat anyway, three times was a bargain.
After recruiting a new member for the Academy Romance Manipulation Team and finalizing the plan to cautiously approach the future villainesses, I moved on to my second goal for Academy life.
"So, is it ready?"
"Of course."
If the Romance Manipulation Team was the first goal, the next was the Tteoknip Village... no, the Imperial Academy Defense Force.
This damn Academy was going to be under constant attack from now on!
"From here to there, we’ve implemented reinforcements for all the visible defense facilities."
I was being introduced to the new Academy defense system added after the recent incident by the man in charge, Uncle Aeryun. Aeryun was explaining everything to the best of his ability, knowing that I wasn't just a student but was essentially verifying the system as an unofficial representative of the Leon Kingdom.
However, the more I listened, the less impressed I was.
Even I, who didn't have much knowledge of magic, could spot weird gaps once I knew the locations. With security this flimsy, it was no wonder the Academy would be breached like a revolving door in the future.
"It’s for intimidation. These are just the visible ones. It’s a way of saying, 'Don't even try if you're not confident.'"
When my voice filled with doubt, Aeryun hurriedly claimed there were hidden measures. But even so, the Academy would be breached again. Because that’s what happens to Academies in RoFan!
"You hid the real ones elsewhere? Then you should tell me."
"That’s classified."
"Classified between us? I’m hurt."
"I feel bad too, but I can't do anything if the higher-ups complain. If you defect to the Empire, I can open everything up for you. Want to come over?"
It seemed my talents were coveted even in the Empire. He said he could never tell me, but then offered to leak it if I switched sides. Ha, my popularity knows no bounds.
Of course, it wasn't a bad thing. If I mentioned this to the Commander during our next meeting, I’d have the upper hand in salary negotiations. The more bargaining chips, the better.
"I don't think the Empire can match my current salary."
"Hey, we’re the Empire. How much do you get?"
"Roughly this much?"
"...Huh?"
It seemed even the mighty Empire was shocked by the Leon Royal Family’s generosity.
"Is there an opening there?"
"Unfortunately, we just filled the last spot."
Since I’d spent the rest of the recruitment budget on Boradori, it would be difficult to hire anyone else for a while.
"That’s a shame."
He was probably acting, but he looked genuinely disappointed. Was the Empire as stingy with salaries as Dale? Well, the territory the Empire managed was several times larger than our kingdom. They probably had a massive number of specialized personnel. Even for the Empire, the maintenance costs must be staggering.
"Is that why you're so broke that terrorists treat the Academy like a playground?"
"No, this time was an anomaly. It won't happen again, okay?"
"......"
They called Silence an anomaly, but in the future, similar freaks would keep knocking on the Academy’s door. And the Academy would keep letting them in as if welcoming them.
Of course, I would try to stop it. But to think the Empire, the first line of defense, had such a rotten mindset.
"Hey, why the long face?"
"Oh, uh, no. It’s just... I happened to pick up a bit of intel."
"What is it?"
"Well, it’s..."
It wasn't a big deal. Just a minor incident at the Academy.
"I heard the Swordsmanship Department is going to the Adrian Mountains for field training soon."
"...How did you know that?"
When I brought up the unannounced training location, Aeryun’s expression stiffened. But our Codename: Boradori knew something even more important.
"I heard there are dark mages there."
"...For real?"
"...Try to handle it well."
"......"
"......"
Since it was a minor incident, they’d take care of it, right?
"Oh, for fuck's sake."
I was the fool for trusting Aeryun-shichi.