Schemes of the Scheming Academy
The process of becoming a professor at Arcana Academy was far from easy. The selection for professor positions fell entirely to Sylvia. Hero of the Maou War. The continent's strongest mage. Principal of the greatest academy on the continent. Every title attached to Sylvia's name was utterly intimidating. There was no way a mere human could catch the eye of such an elf. Only those who had reached the pinnacle in their field could be appointed as academy professors. And those people were usually famous—famous enough that any student with even a passing interest in the field would recognize them at a glance.
History and Understanding of Wands
Homeroom Teacher, Class 2A
Ria
"The professor in charge of the newly established course, History and Understanding of Wands, is me, Ria."
So when the girl first said those words, no one believed her.
"...Why's she saying that?"
"No idea? Has she lost her mind?"
"If I pulled something like that, I'd lose my mind too."
It had been fifty years since a new course was last added to the academy curriculum. No one could believe that a brand-new subject had suddenly been introduced, let alone that this girl—who clearly looked like a child—was claiming to be its professor.
"Heh, didn't think she was this crazy."
Ian muttered with a scoffing laugh.
Impersonating a professor was a serious crime. And to do it in Class 2A, where the heirs of major powers gathered? It was practically begging to have her head chopped off. She'd just end up utterly humiliated when the real teacher arrived. Didn't she know shame?
Of course, he didn't voice those thoughts aloud. He was well aware of his own status. Heir to the Vermonth family, a prominent house in the Eastern Union Kingdom. It wasn't befitting his dignity to openly mock someone. With the Second Prince, the Saintess, and Gunter all staying silent, there was no reason for him to play the fool and draw fire.
Besides, he didn't even need to open his mouth. The academy was full of students desperate to curry favor with those in power. They didn't care about their own dignity. As a minor duke from the East, it wasn't hard for him to manipulate them.
One student immediately stood up to challenge her.
"What do you think you're doing?"
Ian smirked at the eager student, itching for attention.
"Impersonating a professor is a clear crime. Don't make a fool of yourself in front of these esteemed guests—get down from there while I'm asking nicely."
Ian watched the scene with keen interest, curious how the girl would respond. He didn't for a second think she was a real professor. He was just an audience member enjoying the clown show.
At least, that's what he thought—until that moment.
"You're Hans, the exchange student from the Eastern Union Kingdom, right?"
"Yeah. The professor's seat for Class 2A isn't something a lowly commoner like you can impersonate. Get down now while I'm being nice."
"Since you're from the Eastern Union, that means you're in the East Dorm, right?"
Even as the burly male student aggressively pressed her, the girl's expression remained serene. With a faint smile, she continued as if it were nothing.
"Insulting a professor is a demerit offense."
Naturally, everyone's gaze shifted to the blackboard beside her. To the bulletin board listing each student's name.
"Student Hans receives 5 demerit points."
The moment the girl finished speaking, a red number 5 appeared above Hans's name.
Student: Hans
+5 Points
Ian's face, which had been watching with a smile, hardened.
"What the..."
"I told you. I'm the professor."
Her sapphire-like eyes fixed directly on Ian.
"All students at the academy are equal. Even if it's just a token clause with no real teeth, I'd appreciate it if you'd respect that in front of your professor."
"Urk...!"
It was the first time Ian—a boy who had always lorded over others—had ever hit a wall.
Standing in front of everyone like this suddenly brought back a conversation from a few days ago.
"Sis, I heard elves only go senile after living thousands of years."
"And?"
"But... seeing you makes me doubt that saying a little."
Sylvia's elf-like beautiful eyes stared straight at me. Those fresh green eyes carried the meaning: Is this sister really in her right mind?
Wondering if asking was rude, I cautiously replied.
"Oh, um... was it too rude to ask for the professor position just three days before the semester started?"
"What do you mean 'rude' between us, sis."
Unfortunately, that wasn't the issue. So what was the problem?
As I pondered while staring at her, Sylvia let out a deep sigh.
"Haa... I really don't mind at all. Appointing professors is entirely my authority, and you're no slouch in skill, so there's no issue with the appointment itself."
"Then?"
"I'm worried if you'll be okay."
"Me?"
I've spent a thousand years whittling wands, appearances aside. I shouldn't have any trouble teaching due to lack of skill.
"Name the four factions currently in the academy."
"Uh, well... the Empire, the Eastern Union Kingdom, the Holy Kingdom, and the officer cadets studying abroad from the North?"
"Right. And sis, you openly snubbed all five leaders of those factions. The students are going to be seriously hostile toward you."
To that warning, I'd replied with a light laugh.
"Pfft, it's fine. I'm way past the age where that stuff hurts. Now, looking back... I get why Sylvia warned me. Piercing glares poured down throughout the entire introduction."
"This is gonna be tricky."
No matter how 'equal' everyone was inside the academy, that only applied within its walls. Once students graduated, they returned to the outside world—a rigid medieval class society. In the end, students from each faction had no choice but to heed their leaders to some degree.
"This semester won't be easy."
I muttered softly, leaning back in the chair in the faculty office. The interior was quite comfortable, thanks to Sylvia's consideration in decorating it as much like my wand workshop as possible.
As I leaned back, organizing my thoughts, I heard footsteps outside the door.
"Who is it?"
"It's Lily."
"Ah, come in."
The girl with beautiful black hair entered. Lily cautiously opened the door and sat in the seat across from me.
"...You're really a professor?"
"Of course."
"No, it's just... somehow hard to believe."
"Tell me about it. I never thought I'd end up teaching here."
Sylvia had offered me positions a few times before, but I'd turned them all down. Back then, I wasn't ready to venture outside.
"But thanks to this, the attention on you has died down, right?"
By openly kidnapping Lily right in front of those four factions' leaders and then appearing as a professor at the entrance ceremony, all the focus shifted to me. It was only natural. I was protecting Lily, and I'd stepped up boldly as her professor. Now they knew they'd have to go through me to get to her.
"Right?"
"Yeah, but..."
Lily's expression turned subtly complicated.
"Will you be okay?"
"Pfft, you're worrying about me?"
The last time someone other than Sylvia had worried about me was so long ago I couldn't remember. It felt strangely fresh.
I gently stroked Lily's hair as I replied.
"I'm fine."
And I really was. Plots schemed by kids? I was way past the age to worry about that.
"No matter how great those kids think they are..."
They were probably gathering right now, scheming how to deal with me.
"They're still just kids in the end."
The mere thought was so cute it brought a faint smile to my face.
The academy had a professor evaluation system. At the end of each semester, just before break, students submitted evaluations of their professors. The purpose was to weed out those unfit for the students. Thus, any professor receiving 'completely unsatisfactory' from two-thirds or more of the students could face discipline up to dismissal.
"So, use that system."
In the top-floor VIP suite of the East Dorm, in its lavishly decorated room, Cecilia Vermonth closed her book and looked at Ian.
Her brother was always so unreliable. But for now, they had no choice but to cooperate. The Empire, the Holy Kingdom, and even Gunter from Nordenburk in the North—none were easy opponents.
For the Eastern Union Kingdom to claim the Olive Wand amid them, they first had to hide internal divisions and speak with one voice.
"Sis, that system's just for show, isn't it?"
Of course, Cecilia knew full well it lacked teeth. In the past five hundred years, only five professors had been dismissed via that system. Everyone who knew anything knew it was really just for weeding out subpar hires who didn't meet Principal Sylvia's standards.
"You're going to get that professor the principal shoved in here fired yourself?"
"We have to."
If the Eastern Union spoke alone, it would have little effect. A professor who had run a world-class academy for five centuries wielded political influence rivaling the Union's leaders.
"We're not the only ones who hate that professor, right?"
But if all four factions united their voices, it would be different. Even the principal couldn't ignore every single student rising up.
"Everyone agrees we need to get rid of that professor first to claim the Olive Wand, yeah?"
"Y...eah, sis."
"So, propose a temporary alliance. Get rid of that professor first, then compete fairly."
A thick smile spread across Cecilia's face.
"No professor, no matter how amazing, can win over a third of the students to their side in half a year."