Chapter 64
Chapter 64
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 64
Chapter Title: Ricardo Subjugation Battle (6)
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A week had already passed since we repelled the magical beast assault.
The endless waves of beasts that kept pouring out were swiftly eliminated by the instructors and students, and the demon behind the terrorist plot was subdued thanks to Noah's efforts.
However, this incident wasn't something that could be wrapped up just by saying we'd stopped the beasts...
"Yes, I understand your concerns. But Academy City has now implemented a significantly reinforced security system compared to before. Yes. Yes, yes, we'll be holding an explanatory briefing soon, so please join us."
The fact that Academy City's defenses had been breached sent shockwaves across the entire continent.
Not only the parents of students enrolled here, but even the various research institutes planning to dispatch personnel to the city, all voiced their worries.
"Chairman, most academies are demanding a detailed account of the incident."
"I know. We'll hold a press conference soon to announce it, so send the relevant materials to the press department."
And the voices of concern were no different within the city itself.
Students, instructors, and even ordinary citizens all demanded explanations for this crisis.
"What's the board of directors doing?"
"They issued an official statement this morning."
"And the delegates' council?"
"It's still chaotic over there. They weren't informed in advance, so their response is lagging accordingly."
"Get our preparations underway too. Summon the press as soon as we're ready."
And those internal voices circled back to the leadership.
From the board of directors representing the instructors, to the student council representing the students, and even the delegates' council made up of each academy's student council presidents.
As a terrorist attack targeting the whole of Academy City, the aftermath was far from minor, and the post-incident cleanup was no small task.
The student council had been handling no small amount of work since the event.
Conveying the council's official stance to anxious students, providing details of the incident and demon intel to the hero association reps who rushed over upon hearing the news, and more.
They moved busily both inside and outside the city to stabilize the situation.
On top of that, protests poured in from parents ahead of the entrance ceremony.
As worried parents voiced their concerns and prospective freshmen dropped out one by one in fear, the ceremony was ultimately postponed by a full week.
And that wasn't even the end of it.
They'd invited heroes to prepare for the assault and even promised a banquet amid the chaos.
If the buildings had been smashed too, the disaster recovery would've turned into a nightmare.
'Setting up the phantom barrier early was the GOAT move.'
Without it, things wouldn't have gone this smoothly.
Thanks to the phantom barrier making the damage to buildings and the city essentially nonexistent, the student council—including me—avoided a mountain of paperwork.
If it hadn't been there...
Just imagining it sent shivers down my spine.
Anyway.
Now, a week later.
The cleanup was mostly wrapped up, and aside from the major pending issues, the student council was running normally.
Finally, a belated peace seemed to be settling over me too.
Well, excluding those major issues that had come knocking on their own.
"Chairman, a letter from the board..."
The first signal was a summons from the executive chairman.
To Babel, where Hiho resided.
Specifically, to the chairman's office on the top floor.
Probably to question me about the incident.
Yeah, that much was fine.
The problem came after.
"Chairman! The delegates' council keeps requesting your attendance!"
Agora Great Hall, home of the delegates' council.
This body, which kept the student council in check, was composed of each academy's student council presidents.
With all those strong-ego chairmen gathered, even one meeting drained a massive amount of mental energy.
And given the recent incident, it was bound to unfold like an inquisition...
Just thinking about it made my stomach ache.
I headed to Babel first. Having postponed the delegates' council meeting under the pretext of a prior appointment, I dragged my heavy footsteps into Babel. "Impressive no matter how many times I see it." Babel's interior blatantly showcased cutting-edge technology. Holograms adorning every corner, autonomous AI robots bustling through the corridors. Various defensive magic arrays crafted from magic and rituals added vibrant touches throughout. 'Well, the real deal is the automated defense system Hiho controls.' The visible arrays were just for buying time. The true backbone was in Hiho's defense system. It was the reason Babel—and Academy City—hadn't been breached by demons in nearly a millennium. And that system would prove handy in the upcoming raid event down the line. I smirked inwardly, like an office worker eyeing their retirement fund. . . . . {Welcome-ho!} "Yeah."
{Adelia's waiting upstairs-ho!} "I see. Mind showing me the way?"
Hiho appeared as if she'd been waiting and took charge of guiding me. I looked at her water-blue hair as I spoke.
"You still chatting with Noah?"
{Ho? Of course-ho. Noah's not a boring guy like you-ho! He listens to Hiho's words so entertainingly and even plays with me when I'm bored-ho!} "I see. Good for him."
{So if the chairman wants Hiho's attention, you gotta play with Hiho more-ho! Hiho's been watching Ionia a lot lately-ho!} 'What the heck is this kid watching anyway.'
Ionia was the continent's top broadcasting platform run by Academy City.
Who would've thought Hiho would get hooked on it.
'Noah's influence, huh.'
She'd only recently bonded with Noah.
But my guess missed the mark spectacularly.
{Thanks to Adelia, I found something great-ho! Humans really are fun-ho!} 'No, the chairman?!'
What the hell was that lady spreading around!
As I stared at the back of her head with troubled eyes, she suddenly sensed something and glanced over.
{S-Staring won't make me share my recommended BJ-ho.} Hiho hesitated like a kid hiding a treasured snack, peeking at me cautiously.
I swallowed a sigh, shook my head, and spoke.
"It's fine, no interest there."
{R-Really-ho? It's fun though. Really no interest-ho?} "Yeah, no interest, so don't worry."
{...Hiiing.} Following her, who seemed even more dejected, we soon reached the top floor.
{We're here-ho.} "Thanks. See you later."
{Hmph-ho! See you or not-ho!} Leaving her as she flapped her tiny wings and vanished, I stepped into the only room on the top floor: the executive chairman's office.
"Hm."
A faint lavender scent tickled my nose as I entered.
As I relaxed my body in the soothing aroma that eased mind and body...
"Welcome, you."
A clear voice echoed through the room.
Naturally turning toward the source, there she was, seated at the desk.
"It's been a while."
Wavy light purple hair.
Mysterious eyes blending blue and gold.
And generous breasts symbolizing maternal warmth.
The woman, ethereal and inhuman in her mystique, gazed at me with a warm smile.
"It's been a while, Executive Chairman."
"Oh, just call me Adelia. Considering our relationship."
"You're too much of a tease."
She was as mischievous as ever.
Brushing off her jest, her enigmatic eyes fixed on me.
"Shall I have some tea first, lightly?"
Smiling softly, she showed no rush to get to the point, calmly preparing refreshments.
"Wait over there for me."
She gestured to an antique sofa.
Then, rising from her seat, she began brewing tea.
Gathering various sweet pastries and following with the tea, she brought them over.
Finally standing before me, she set the refreshments and tea on the table.
Clink—
"Here you go. I hope it suits your taste."
"Thank you."
We spent some time in silence, sipping the tea and enjoying the treats.
As the comfortable moment passed, she set down her cup and spoke.
"This incident won't be easy to smooth over."
"I know."
"Already, many academies are voicing concerns about city defenses. No need to mention the research and commercial districts."
A gate had torn open in Academy City's skies.
While external intrusions had happened before, never like this gate ambush, so the citizens' shock was immense.
The continent's safest haven had been breached—naturally, the academies inside were worried.
"......"
"At your request, I didn't intervene this time. And I accepted that."
"Yes."
"The city's reputation, trust, faith—all wagered on this plan."
"......"
With that, Adelia slowly closed her eyes.
"This plan shattered not just the reputation, but the trust and faith in the city. Worries about safety won't cease inside or out."
"...The student council is taking that seriously too."
"Yes, of course you're gauging public opinion."
It was that grave an event.
"Regaining shattered trust is nearly impossible. Building even a little requires immense effort and time."
"......"
"I trusted you and staked that precious asset. Because I believe only you can fulfill my aspirations."
"I'm always grateful for that."
"If you wish, I'll provide full support anytime."
—However.
Up to there, Adelia slowly opened her eyes.
Her pupils gleamed brilliantly in the sunlight streaming through the window—
"Have you achieved results worthy of it?"
Her gaze appraised me like weighing value.
An inorganic look dividing things into valuable or worthless.
Even under the great mage's scrutiny, I kept my expression steady.
No, I leaned back comfortably.
No need to be swept by her presence.
She was just testing me.
Chest out, confident.
Always with that assured smile.
Even if not on my face, show relaxed poise.
"Of course. Exceeded expectations."
That's the talent she seeks.
"......"
How did she take my answer?
Gazing silently, she suddenly beamed and clapped.
"Great! Worth the gamble!"
"Not a gamble. I was certain of success."
She nodded in agreement.
"Hehe, I didn't doubt you. I was sure you'd succeed. Just wondered the extent... but seeing you, it surpassed my imagination."
"I won't deny it."
"Noah, was it? The freshman you backed."
She'd investigated, as expected.
Rumors had spread through the city; no way she was in the dark.
So I nodded frankly.
"Yes. Personally placing high hopes on him."
"Wonderful. That child will surely shine. A bud now, but it'll bloom fully later."
"...You're certain."
She'd never even seen Noah.
Her oddly confident demeanor prompted the question.
The response was shocking.
"Naturally. After all, that child's Elise's kid."
"......!"
Her words made my eyes widen briefly.
Elise?
How did Adelia know her name?
"......"
Elise Premier.
The mage in the party with Alex, protagonist of the previous work.
As a key figure, she'd been active in Academy City, but had no connection to Adelia, let alone the board.
Why did Adelia know someone with zero ties?
That moment.
Judging my surprise, Adelia nodded and continued.
"So you knew. That Elise is my disciple."
"......?"
...Huh?
"Yes. Technically, Noah's my grand-disciple."
"......?"
...What?