The Path Forward
The recipient of the Special Support Program has been selected as follows:
— Details —
Name: Karen Aswan
Affiliation: Sword School, 1st Year
The announcement of the Special Support Program recipient was out.
Those who skimmed the bulletin board without a second thought froze in disbelief.
“From the Sword School?”
“Does that make any sense? How?”
The recipient had come exclusively from the Sword School. Put another way—
“There’s... no one from the Arcane School?”
“Why? Did something happen?”
The faculty fell into total disarray. The notice had not yet been formally circulated academy-wide, but the chaos and shock it would cause the moment it went public were already plain to see.
And true to expectations, the fallout was enormous.
First to be thrown into pandemonium was the Office of Academic Affairs. It was not merely because of the notice itself, but because of what had transpired before it was posted.
“The Dean of Academic Affairs was dragged off to the Personnel Bureau?! Those out-of-their-mind bastards!”
“Those Personnel thugs finally lost their heads!”
“We’re going over there right now to—”
Even dragging off an entry-level clerk would have caused an uproar, but how dared they lay a hand on the Dean of Academic Affairs himself? Or so the staff fumed, until the moment they learned the full story and turned white as sheets.
Attempting to assault a fellow faculty member using a magic tool—that was why he had been hauled away to the Personnel Bureau.
“...”
“...”
To make matters worse, rumor had it that the Associate Dean who fetched the ring had been hauled in as well. In an instant, the screaming turmoil in the Office of Academic Affairs died into a tomb-like silence. Some tried to deny reality, claiming it was surely a fabrication concocted by the Personnel Bureau, but...
“I asked the other committee members who sat in on the review... and they said the Dean admitted to it right then and there.”
A collective groan swept through the office.
“B-but why? Why would the Dean do such a thing? Could that elective lecturer, Ziel, have threatened him first?”
“They say that wasn't the case at all...”
“...”
“Could it just have been a magic tool he normally wears on his finger?”
“The Dean isn't married, so he never wears rings...”
“Ah... T-then! Maybe the magic tool wasn't dangerous after all!”
“It was an artifact designed to tamper with memories...”
“...”
No matter what excuse they grasped for, there was no way out for the Dean of Academic Affairs. The act was far too blatant, and to make things worse, he had been caught red-handed right in front of a Personnel Bureau officer. Even without the Personnel Bureau present, squirming out of such a charge would have been nearly impossible.
On the other hand...
“We landed a clean hit this time!”
“As expected of our Department Head!”
“Do you think those Arcane School bastards could have ever imagined this?!”
The Sword School erupted in cheers.
They had long swallowed their fury every time the Arcane School looked down on them. A bunch of dandies who would be sent straight to the afterlife before finishing a single incantation if you ran a blade through their guts! Ever since the Valdrain Empire began investing heavily in magic, the Sword School had felt increasingly sidelined. Repaying that pent-up resentment in kind brought immense satisfaction.
“Student Karen Aswan selected alone, while every single Arcane School applicant was disqualified? Isn't this just delightful?”
“I heard those scoundrels had completely monopolized the program and funneled benefits to students who didn't even meet the criteria, didn't they?”
Marchen and Idel chattered excitedly. The deep hesitation they had displayed when Berhal first proposed looking into the matter was nowhere to be found. If anything, their past reluctance made them celebrate all the louder now.
“So what will happen to the Dean of Academic Affairs, Professor Idel?”
“How should I know? But one thing is certain: now that the Personnel Bureau has sunk its teeth into him, he won't be walking away unscathed. Probably... dismissal?”
“Won't the Arcane School try to wash their hands of any connection?”
“Good grief, attacking someone with an unregistered magic tool is more than enough on its own.”
“My stomach churned every time I looked at that man, so this worked out wonderfully!”
Meanwhile, Elkanto and Isabella wore very different expressions.
T-thank goodness. That could have been a disaster.
Elkanto was the one who had first unearthed the program and explained it to Ziel. A heavy weight had pressed on his chest ever since, terrified that he had given false hope to the poor girl. Knowing it had resolved cleanly brought him immense relief.
Beside him, Isabella, the supervising professor for the fifth-year class, wore her usual subtle, knowing smile.
After quietly observing the professors' reactions, Berhal finally opened his mouth.
“This is not the end. The Arcane School took a blow, but there is no telling how they will respond.”
The festive atmosphere instantly cooled.
“For now, let us take satisfaction in the fact that the program's benefits were granted to a deserving student, and that she happens to belong to our Sword School. Please take care not to spread this about and place her in an awkward position. From the student's perspective, she will likely want to keep the fact that she is receiving financial aid private.”
“Understood, Department Head.”
“And one more thing.” Berhal gestured toward Ziel, who had sat expressionless throughout the entire meeting. “This would have been impossible without Instructor Ziel.”
“Indeed, Instructor Ziel's devotion to his student is—”
“No, Professor Marchen,” Berhal cut in firmly. “Without Instructor Ziel, Karen would never have received support, nor could we have stopped the Arcane School students from exploiting loopholes to steal the funds.”
The faculty had only heard that Ziel prevented the Dean from activating a magic tool; they had not heard the rest.
“I-is that true, Department Head?”
“Yes. This victory belongs entirely to Instructor Ziel. I believe this outcome was born purely of his desire to protect and assist the student under his wing.” Berhal swept his gaze across the room, silently telling every professor present to feel a degree of shame. “This is precisely the direction the Sword School must pursue moving forward.”
“...”
“The essence of a teacher is to instruct. But at the same time, it is a role meant to serve and advocate for our students. I hope all of you will give that some serious thought.”
At his words, the professors fell into contemplative silence one by one.
A teacher...
Hmm.
Of course, there were those who scoffed inwardly, like Marchen. Teacher? Give me a break.
No one could read inner thoughts, however.
“Furthermore, I ask that everyone redouble their efforts to maintain dignity and decorum. As you well know, the Arcane School will be scouring our department for any excuse to find fault.”
The balance of power, once overwhelmingly tilted in favor of the Arcane School, was slowly tipping in the opposite direction. It was only natural that the Arcane School would refuse to sit idly by.
“That will be all. Ah—Instructor Ziel, stay behind for a moment, please.”
Ziel found himself bathed in venomous, envious glares—specifically from Marchen and Idel. Berhal caught their stares as well and clicked his tongue inwardly.
Glaring at him without a shred of shame... Tsk.
He had kept an eye on those two ever since taking office, and their pettiness crossed the line all too often. Displeased as he was, the Sword School needed solidarity right now, just as they had discussed in the prior meeting.
“Well now.”
Once the heavy doors shut and only Ziel remained, Berhal spoke as if he had been waiting for this exact moment.
“You have accomplished something major, Instructor Ziel.”
“Yes. It was a major task.”
A soft chuckle escaped Berhal. “You have a remarkably brazen charm, Instructor Ziel.”
To Ziel, the 'major task' meant Karen had finally secured the funding to attend the academy without constant financial terror. Berhal, on the other hand, had something entirely different in mind.
“How did you ever think to investigate all of that?”
“I deemed it necessary.”
“Hmm.”
The investigative dossier had been remarkably thorough—so airtight that the opposing faction could hardly formulate a rebuttal.
Did he commission someone?
Granted, the Arcane School's claims were like trying to pass off dragon scales as goblin hide; minimal digging would have revealed the truth. Even so, the families involved were influential figures in the realm of magic. Investigating them could not have been easy.
The imperial family's backing is truly a frightening thing.
It was a deduction that no longer required second-guessing. Given the exhaustive detail of the intelligence, there was a high probability Ziel had mobilized imperial channels. Furthermore, through the recent Exchange Event, he had established connections with the heads of the two greatest pillar families in the empire.
When you observe him closely, he's astonishingly calculating. Does every single move he makes carry far-reaching intent?
Today, too, misunderstandings flourished like weeds.
“Ah. And the Arcane School may attempt to retaliate against you, Instructor Ziel.”
“Why would they retaliate?”
“Because you ruined their scheme. They will blame you for those three students being stripped of their benefits.”
“That makes no sense. They simply need to grant the aid to qualified students.”
“Indeed. The world is originally full of things that make no sense. So if anything like that occurs... please be sure to inform me immediately.”
“Understood.”
“Oh, and.” Berhal added one last remark. “This matter will be favorably reflected in your personnel evaluation.”
“Is that so.”
“Let us look forward to good results once this semester concludes.”
The goal of becoming a full professor—Ziel had just taken another step toward it.
“Thank you.”
Ziel rose from his seat. It was time to deliver the glad tidings to the person who needed them most.
“Well now, war has broken out.”
Rocus smirked, thoroughly amused by the way things were unfolding.
“It is anticipated that the Dean of Academic Affairs will face suspension or dismissal, Director,” Lena reported.
Rocus tilted his head slightly. “They're coming down hard, aren't they? Wasn't the Dean of Academic Affairs quite close with Professor Titus?”
Professor Titus was the supervisor of the Arcane School's third-year class. It was an open secret that he and the Dean treated each other like blood brothers. The Dean had managed to leapfrog the associate director rank at his relatively young age and seize the top position entirely thanks to Titus's sponsorship.
“Which is precisely why they cut their losses so swiftly. Professor Titus is... yes, supervising two of them. Fabian Erenski and Rick Smolder.”
Two of the three problematic applicants fell directly under Titus's supervision. In the end, punishing the Dean of Academic Affairs was nothing more than the Arcane School attempting to wipe their own hands clean of responsibility.
“What will you do, Director?”
The Dean had fallen. That meant the Arcane School had lost ground in their power struggle against the Personnel Bureau. The Arcane School had long used the Office of Academic Affairs as an outward shield, and that shield was now shattered. Which meant...
“We can finally use this opportunity to purge those who do nothing but drain academy funds.”
“However, Director, doing so will invite immense outside pressure.”
“Doesn't matter. I was brought here specifically to ignore that pressure and do the job.”
Rocus of the Personnel Bureau, Berhal of the Sword School—both were outsiders recruited personally by the Academy President. Their true objective was to reforge the academy's power structure, which had been monopolized by the Arcane School. One was a former Imperial Knight Commander; the other, an Esoteric Practitioner.
“The only thing mages truly fear is an esoteric practitioner.”
The long-standing rivalry and mutual vigilance between knights and mages were widely known. What remained obscure, however, was that mages held a genuine terror of the unknown power wielded by esoteric practitioners—a power operating on principles completely distinct from conventional magic. That was the very reason Rocus had come to the academy's Personnel Bureau of all places.
Though an old debt played a role as well.
I placed the Sword School in my debt... so there's no helping it.
Who could have foreseen that his father would summon Lena and make use of her like that? Thanks to that incident, Rocus held a favor he could call in from the Sword School, but drawing closer to them did not sit well with him in the slightest.
After all this time?
“Lena, put that out of your mind and focus on investigating House Siren.”
“Understood.”
“Has your body fully healed?”
Is he worrying about me? Lena felt a faint flutter in her chest as she answered.
“Yes... Thanks to you, I've almost entirely recovered.”
“Then head to the Black Market today. Word has it that people from House Siren have been spotted there frequently of late.”
“So you weren't actually worried about me...”
“Hm?”
“Ah, it's nothing. Understood, sir.”
That block of ice. I was a fool to expect anything.
“Oh, and.” Rocus added another thought just as she turned. “They say an elective lecturer from the Sword School was at the center of this incident?”
“That is correct. His internal reputation is quite favorable, and his martial competence is said to be remarkable.”
“Hmm. He caught my eye during the Exchange Event as well...”
“According to our inquiries, there are rumors that his backing originates from the imperial family.”
“The imperial family? The imperial family, you say... With what intention?”
“We aren't certain, but we speculate they planted a suitable operative to monitor internal academy affairs.”
Rocus nodded at Lena's analysis. “That makes sense. Understood. Keep a close eye on him as well.”
“Yes, sir.”
Once Lena left the office, a faint, amused smirk tugged at Rocus's lips.
“The imperial family, is it... Things are about to get interesting.”
Come to think of it, the wilderness Field Training involving every department across the academy was fast approaching. Would it conclude without incident? This time... even the first years were slated to participate.