Chapter 74
Chapter 74
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 74
Chapter Title: Aftermath (10)
-----------------------------------------------------------------
"...?"
What was that?
I had the distinct feeling I'd just missed out on something incredibly important.
"...Chairman?"
"...No. Carry on."
But the stray thought didn't linger.
I quickly turned my gaze toward the voice of the vice chairman beside me.
"All the academies' entrance ceremony schedules have finally been set. It's time for us to prepare accordingly for the entrance ceremony season."
At Tatiana's words as the accounting officer, the first to raise her hand was Saphia Elwood, head of the Arts Department.
"We've secured the order of events for all the academies. They've also requested support from the Guidance Department in each district... but is that feasible?"
"The entrance ceremonies will stretch us thin too. The Environment and Arts Departments will need to help out."
At Lu's words as Guidance Department head, a voice came from the opposite side.
"Leave it to us. Our Environment Department may not match the Guidance Department's efforts, but we're committed to street beautification. We can handle dealing with any shady characters too."
Lu brightened at Shun Mei's words as Environment Department head.
"That's a relief! With the Environment Department pitching in, we should be able to cover everything somehow."
"Our Arts Department will help too, of course. We may not provide much muscle, but we can manage traffic control and looking after lost students."
"Good. Then we'll leave security on the day to the Guidance, Arts, and Environment Departments."
──Understood.
Things were starting to take shape.
The vice chairman's eyes, skimming the next agenda item by eye, soon turned toward Iris, head of the Foreign Affairs Department.
"Princess, any requests for visits from foreign dignitaries?"
Iris, Camella's older sister and first princess of the Biheight Kingdom, responded to the vice chairman with a picture-perfect smile.
"Many nobles have inquired about visits, but this year, some particularly distinguished figures have expressed interest. We'll need to prioritize them."
"Particularly distinguished...?"
I felt a twinge of unease as I prompted her.
Tatiana, who had been reading the related documents, let out a soft groan.
"This is..."
At the same moment, Iris spoke up.
"The Iron-Blood Prime Minister of Dong Liam, the Pope of Rosaria, and the Emperor of the Imperial Empire have all requested visits."
───!!
A massive shock rippled through the room.
It was an unbelievable lineup of heavyweights.
Snapping out of his stunned silence, Lu spoke up quickly.
"Wh-why are they all coming at once?!"
"They must be planning to hold the summit here in Academy City this year!"
Arnold, head of the Press Department, shouted as he pulled out his notepad.
Immediately after, Centorio, head of Planning and Finance, added:
"The Prime Minister of Dong Liam, the Pope of Rosaria, and the Emperor of the Imperial Empire... Ha! Quite the gathering they've managed!"
The Imperial Empire and Rosaria went without saying, but even the weakened Dong Liam Kingdom remained among the great powers.
Especially since all three were renowned for their military might, the idea of their leaders converging was a massive event in itself.
"I can't make sense of it. Why are they all coming together like this?"
At that moment, Dietrich, head of the Inspection Department, voiced his frustration.
The vice chairman, who had been quietly reading documents, finally spoke up.
"...It's probably because of this year's freshmen."
"The new students?"
"Is there some standout among them?"
Most of the department heads belonged to the university section and had no connection to freshmen, so they all tilted their heads in confusion.
The vice chairman's gaze, fixed on the documents, slowly shifted to them.
"First, the Iron-Blood Prime Minister. He's likely here to check on the movements of the Executor who just enrolled. With Totenkopf disbanded and its members absorbed under the Prime Minister, we can assume some connection to the Executor."
Tatiana picked up from the vice chairman.
"And the Pope's visit is probably for the saintesses. With the third saintess enrolling this year, all the saintesses are now gathered in Academy City. He'll want to assess their conditions and perhaps step in directly for selecting the next one."
The department heads showed deep concern at Tatiana's words.
"So all the saintess candidates are assembled."
"That means the real saintess selection rituals will begin in earnest."
"Ugh... I hope it doesn't spill over to us."
The sacred rituals where the three saintess candidates determined the true saintess.
The Pope was surely coming in person to kick things off.
"Honestly, the first candidate's faction is so strong. Isn't the outcome basically decided?"
Then Dietrich raised a question.
"No, I don't think so. While Candidate 'Maria's' faction is powerful, the divine power of the other candidates, 'Nino' and 'Lucia,' is no slouch either."
"Exactly. To be the next saintess, one needs not just exceptional divine power but also a perfected character. It's not a position decided simply by faction size."
Arnold grinned, stroking his chin at the counterarguments from Iris of Foreign Affairs and I Do-eun of Education.
"Either way, it's a huge scoop. The gathering of saintess candidates and the Pope's procession—delicious material."
He fiddled with the camera in his hand before asking the vice chairman:
"But why is the Emperor of the Imperial Empire coming?"
"You know why. One of this year's freshmen is Her Highness the Imperial Princess."
"Ah, right."
But was that really all?
Knowing Emperor Yeongnak, meeting Se-hee would just be a pretext.
'His main target is probably Noah.'
Given the Emperor's personality, he'd have informants throughout the city, so he likely knew I'd shown interest in Noah.
With his long-standing talent obsession reignited, his interest in Noah would be high.
'I should give Noah a heads-up first.'
I couldn't hide Noah from the Emperor's eyes, so warning him in advance was best.
If I made the first move, I might divert some of that attention.
'Though with his eye for talent, he'll see through it anyway.'
Still, better than doing nothing.
At that moment, Iris from Foreign Affairs addressed me.
"...So the Chairman will need to personally receive these state guests. We've sent official notice to the Board of Directors as well, so please greet them alongside the Chief Director."
"Got it."
The Prime Minister, the Pope, and the Emperor.
What a luxurious lineup.
At least I'd met each once before.
'Though calling it 'friendly' might be a stretch...'
Still, we'd crossed paths.
'Good thing they're not total strangers.'
As long as they weren't from far-off places like Hidden Steel or Dragon's Gorge, I could handle it.
Those nations were too insular; info on them was scarce.
Even Rowei had limited exchanges with Hidden Steel, confined to a handful of merchants—no real ties here.
Even Lu from Rowei knew nothing about them.
"The other nobles will be handled by Foreign Affairs and the Board."
"Can they cover all the nobles?"
"We're a bit short-staffed, but we've secured promises from the Delegates' Assembly. Each school will likely assign guides."
"I see. Alright, leave the nobles to Foreign Affairs and the Board."
"Next is this year's entrance speech. Chairman, you're giving it this time, right?"
The room erupted in commotion at Tatiana's question.
"Is that true, Tatiana?!"
"We heard rumors, but it really is happening! What a scoop!"
"The Chairman, who's always left speeches to the Chief Director... finally!"
"The students will be thrilled!"
The department heads were generally favorable toward me, so the mood welcomed my speech.
I Do-eun and Shun Mei, with their excessive loyalty, reacted most dramatically, leaping up and embracing each other in joy.
"Everyone, calm down. It's just a speech—don't make a fuss."
"A fuss?! It's the Chairman's speech after so long!"
"Mmm! We should spread the word to the students right now...!"
"Stop, Arnold!"
I hurriedly blocked Arnold as he tried to bolt, letting out a silent sigh before addressing him.
"We're still in a meeting."
"Ugh... So many students are waiting for Chairman news right now, but... fine."
Surprisingly compliant, Arnold sat back down, and the meeting continued.
"Arnold, does Press have broadcasting equipment? We need a venue and setup for the Chairman's speech."
"Looking for a new venue? We could just use the Board's setup from last year."
"It's the Chairman's historic speech. With the Student Council's prestige on the line, we can't use the Board's building."
"...True. We can request equipment from the Board. I have a few venue ideas too—I'll check right after the meeting."
"Good. Report back when you have results."
.
.
.
"Any other proposals or issues?"
Quite some time had passed.
As the meeting neared its end, Centorio, who had been sitting quietly, raised his hand.
True to his position as head of Planning and Finance—with authority surpassing other departments—all eyes turned to him instantly.
"I have one thing to mention."
"What is it?"
"After this entrance ceremony, club sponsorship reviews start in April, right?"
"Yeah."
Club sponsorship reviews.
A policy selecting promising clubs from those run by each school and providing financial support based on development potential.
Research-oriented clubs, which guzzled funds, benefited most. Some even grew to collaborate with district labs and companies.
Dubbed the "Seedling Project."
As it involved significant capital, I'd left it entirely to the reliable Centorio—but this year, there seemed to be an issue.
"'Flügel' has proposed joint sponsorship for this review."
"Flügel...?"
I reflexively questioned him at the unexpected name.
Flügel.
The name meant "wing" in German—a major corporation controlling numerous labs in the research district and parts of the city's commerce.
Headquartered in Dong Liam, Flügel had aggressively invested since opening a branch here, apparently aiming to poach promising clubs via sponsorship.
'If promising clubs get better environments, that's ideal...'
But Flügel of all companies.
They always gave off a shady vibe, so my mind jumped to the worst.
"Flügel wants to sponsor clubs?"
"Yes. They want to scout talent through joint sponsorship with our Student Council."
"Consider sponsorship positively. But make sure they don't reach into the approved clubs—give them a fair warning."
'Research groups fear nothing more than funders twisting their direction.'
Block that possibility upfront.
Flügel might not like it, but we weren't desperate.
"If they can't agree, scrap the joint sponsorship talk."
"Understood. I'll handle it that way."
"Good. I leave the rest to you."
Centorio wasn't one to be easily outmaneuvered anyway.
A former high official in Lukidus, he'd excel at reading people.
No Flügel rep could out-talk him.
'If a good club pops up later, I might drop by a review for fun.'
Club reviews sometimes unearthed gems.
'They can have unexpectedly great effects.'
Not a bad diversion.
"Any more proposals?"
"Me!"
"I do too!"
"I have a question for the Chairman!"
Of course, if I had the time.