A Bargain with the Principal

As Karsen paused, an impatient Selphis spoke up.

"What about Zien's ranking? Go on, Professor Karsen."

"We'll keep Zien's ranking as is. Just delay the announcement until the timing feels right—when everyone can accept it."

"That would certainly reduce backlash... but what about the dorm facilities and Number One privileges?"

Selphis's question drew a firm response from Karsen.

"Principal, we have to give him the benefits. That's the whole point of the ranking system. Students with real talent deserve to enjoy them! Don't you agree?"

Karsen estimated Zien's combat prowess at around 4th-rank Saber level, based on the tournament. That was active-duty caliber.

'Number One, huh...'

Selphis fell into thought.

The mood suggested it would pass if he approved.

'If we scrap relative evaluations...'

Isabel's position wouldn't drop. Clearing the hidden Urok incident was achievement enough.

'Yubel would be pleased too.'

The issue was Zien.

He'd been a laughingstock all semester for lacking skill, and now that he'd shown some, they were stonewalling him with interviews.

'I don't like that guy... but still.'

There was the G Channel off-campus activity proposal that had landed on Zien's desk.

Put plainly, they wanted him on their broadcast.

For that, they needed to grant him Number One privileges.

'Ho ho! A direct scouting offer from a broadcaster. Never saw that coming.'

Selphis hummed thoughtfully, lost in contemplation.

Zien in an Arcana uniform, shining on a TV broadcast with projected ratings over 10 percent.

Selphis couldn't help but grin.

"Excellent! If no objections, we'll go with Professor Karsen's plan."

The acting professor looked displeased at Selphis's response, but with no counterarguments, the meeting adjourned.

Romina latched onto Karsen as he walked the green pathway toward the main building.

"Hey!"

"I'd prefer you use honorifics on campus, Professor Romina."

"Buzz off! That suit doesn't suit you, and what's with the ponytail? Ugh, you always dress like that, but your speech? What even is that?"

Romina's jabs made Karsen undo his ponytail.

"What've you been dying to say? If it's a fight you want, bring it. I'm still active duty."

"They count instructors as active these days? Well... that was pretty slick back there. Sneakily looking out for him~."

"I just proposed the fairest idea possible."

Romina smirked 'oh really?' and touched his chin.

"Getting old makes you dishonest. What, you a high school girl? Dressing up in a suit just to talk tough."

She giggled mockingly, teasing him relentlessly.

"Of cooourse~ We gotta give him the benefits. He's got the skills for it~ Don't we, right?"

As Romina pressed close, Karsen flicked her forehead.

"Yeah, yeah, arms bend inward. Obviously."

His uncharacteristic response widened Romina's eyes.

'Huh? What's this?'

Karsen gazed into the distance, wistfully.

"Zien's my prized disciple."

Then, with a straight face, he added a whopper.

"You saw his swordsmanship, right? I taught him that—the dueling instructor."

Karsen's unexpected reply left her speechless.

'...Karsen, since when are you this type?'

Romina was at a loss for words.

Arcana's weekend.

Without special duties, students were free.

No need to buy outing passes with SP; they could go out or lounge in the dorms.

Zien chose the latter. He'd moved from the malicious D4 dorm to A dorm facilities.

Bubble bath.

King-size bed.

Spacious layout.

The dorm offered all sorts of amenities—worlds apart from roach-infested D4.

"...This is the best."

Zien sat in a massage chair, feet in a footbath.

In his past life, even after smashing gates, luxuries like this were distant dreams.

'Times have changed.'

His body relaxed, mind at ease.

'I've been too negative.'

He'd never rested properly since regaining his memories, pushing his body to exhaustion.

'Melting away...'

Zien was happier than anyone right now.

'Just like this for three hours...'

Beep.

'A text on the weekend?'

Zien checked his phone and frowned.

'Politer than last time...'

He'd heard from Karsen why his ranking was [Undetermined].

Fortunately, the benefits remained.

Zien received Number One 9th-place perks based on his evaluation score.

Thanks to Selphis's 'gracious' approval.

Without it, ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠his 459 SP points, A dorm, and outing rights might've vanished.

First step: success.

Zien felt good.

The principal's office was unchanged—luxurious wooden table, high-end furniture, opulent decor.

What had changed wasn't the room.

"Ho ho, that virtual gate exam. Truly impressive. If we hadn't given you a chance, we'd have lost a gem."

The principal. Selphis's tone was uncharacteristically warm.

"Thank you, Principal. Why did you call me today?"

Zien's humble reply meant 'get to the point,' but Selphis chuckled and poured black tea into two cups.

"Tea first. Sugar? This is from the crystallized 'Sugarbug' insect. Tastes amazing—"

'He used to drink alone before. Where've I seen this routine...?'

Selphis beat around the bush, avoiding the main topic.

"People call this era peaceful, but it's not."

"Yes."

"Heard about the mage tower spotting an unknown gate?"

Selphis feigned gravity, but Zien wasn't curious.

"A gate with ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠mana exceeding 8th rank. Maybe even an unknown 9th difficulty!"

Selphis slammed the table in excitement.

The cups rattled.

"And villains ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠misusing Stigmata for crime! How is this peace?!"

Finishing his speech, Selphis stroked his mustache and got to it: "That's why—"

"Students in off-campus activities could plant positive images in citizens' minds. Boost the school's prestige too."

Selphis slid over a paper.

'So that's the goal.'

Ironically, it was the exact off-campus event where Selphis had scoffed at Zien.

"Principal, isn't this for Number One participants?"

Zien's jab referenced past words, making Selphis clear his throat.

"Ahem, didn't I say? Your unofficial score is 9th. As good as Number One."

"Even so, someone without active Saber qualities doing an off-campus event like—"

Selphis's cup-holding hand trembled.

The tea rippled gently.

'This kid...'

Selphis reflected on the past.

How had he become principal of a prestigious school, surpassing superiors?

'I'm not falling for this brat's provocation.'

Selphis patted Zien's shoulder with a friendly smile.

"Ho ho, don't be like that. I misspoke then. Whew, as an educator, missing talent like this? I need to reflect."

'Going this low...'

Selphis desperately wanted Zien in the G Channel event. Zien eyed the paper.

"No detailed rules here?"

Selphis reacted big: "Oh!"

"Interested? I only know it's three-person teams."

"Team battle?"

"Yes. That's all I know."

A man over fifty wouldn't play VR games.

"I'll participate."

"Good, good! Wise choice!"

Selphis hurriedly gathered papers. But he'd shown too many weaknesses.

"Ho ho, the prize money's huge! Smart thinking!"

Selphis's desperation stemmed from the prime-time slot and 10% projected ratings.

If Zien refused and Arcana sat out?

Rival Celia Academy—and other schools—would mock them.

Selphis, who valued the school's image like life, had no choice.

With the worst-case averted, Selphis sighed in relief.

'One worry down...'

"But I have a condition."

"Condition...?"

"In exchange for joining the off-campus event, I want an annex. About 30 pyeong."

Selphis scowled at the proposal.

"Annex? Starting a club?"

"No. For personal use."

"30 pyeong personal space? Arcana land at 30 pyeong—what value do you think that has?!"

Selphis snapped, then coughed. 'Can't blow up before signing. But this guy's too much. 30 pyeong...'

Arcana's 30 pyeong annex wasn't equal to rural farmland.

Still.

"Isn't it cheap as school PR costs, Principal?"

Zien's calm voice cooled Selphis, who groaned.

"Even so... Giving that much space to one person would spark backlash—"

"Say it's for event prep. Training purposes."

Zien wasn't wrong.

He planned to train anyway.

"Still..."

"Take your time. Message when decided."

Zien needed the space desperately. For advanced classes, assignment exams, team living.

'Especially in second year.'

Gate clears and party activities would make personal space invaluable.

"I'll head out, Principal."

As Zien rose without hesitation, Selphis shouted.

"Wait! How about a rental? Rental!"

"Reclaim it after the event?"

"Not exactly... I need results to save face... See? Say first place... "

Selphis urgently raised a finger.

"Right, first place! Win the event, and the annex is yours till graduation!"

Transparent offer.

If Zien flopped or won, Selphis lost nothing.

'He thinks first is impossible.'

But harmless for Zien.

Competing with stronger students, gaining fame—valuable experience.

'Prize money as a bonus...'

The so-called 9th-rank unknown gates, Stigmata grudges, villain extermination.

Many legendary Sabers to date.

Zien's past life among them.

But this life's goal was higher.

Absolute perfection.

Event victory was a flawless second step.

"Agreed, Principal. I'll join."

"Het het het, wise! It's in a month—name your two teammates by then."

Selphis beamed.

Shaking Zien's hand, he seemed genuinely pleased.

"Other participants Number One too?"

"You're as good as one, so others don't matter. But for victory, bring strong ones."

'...Strong students.'

Selphis meant combat power, but Zien's criteria differed. Ultimately, team play.

Someone to trust your back with. Like...

'144th. D2 dorm?'

Someone who'd dive into death for the team.