CHAPTER 111
CHAP TER 111
Rewards and Punishments Committee
“Now then, let’s ask about what happened in the dungeon.
First, Professor Magram. Why did you sell a dungeon entry permit to a first-year student in violation of the rules?”
“Ah, that is because I deemed it necessary for education.
Judging her capabilities, I believed it would bring great benefit to the academy’s overall learning environment rather than pose a risk—and it did. Had I not done so, we might have lost an exceptional student.”
Magram smoothly rattled off his excuse.
“You’re sincere.”
Vice Headmaster Deneuve sensed it was true.
Her wand glimmered faintly, as if she were verifying truth through magic.
“He’s a liar who can even deceive himself.
What he says is sincere, but only because it looked interesting. Or perhaps he simply wanted to tempt students into making wishes through wish magic. Isn’t that right?”
“Ahaha. I decline to answer, Ludwig. I’ve already answered my share.”
Magram shrugged.
“Very well. Then it’s time to question the students. Miss Isolde, what did you do?”
“Ah, that was—”
Idnia tried to answer, but Ludwig stopped her.
“I installed beacons inside the dungeon with soldiers of Garmhau.
Using my student ID to protect them.
We installed about four beacons, but further work was disrupted by Student Idnia.”
Isolde answered truthfully.
“I see. Were you forced by the Garmhau soldiers?”
“…No. I cooperated of my own will.”
At that, Vice Headmaster Deneuve let out a sigh.
If she had been coerced, there would be room for leniency.
But voluntary cooperation meant severe punishment.
“Vice Headmaster Deneuve. What do the rules say?”
“Under public academy rules, those who aid external forces invading the academy receive no punishment.”
“And under the hidden rules?”
“That is…”
Deneuve hesitated, glancing at Idnia.
Even the existence of hidden rules was not meant for students to know.
“If it’s difficult to say, I’ll explain.”
Ludwig stepped forward.
“Dunaise Academy is no ordinary school.
In a normal school, even grave crimes would result in expulsion at most.
But here, those who threaten the academy’s existence face a fate worse than death.
Their souls are bound to the academy.”
“…What?”
Even Idnia, who already knew the academy was unusual, was shocked.
“It is merely an ancient rule. It has never been activated in recent times…”
Deneuve spoke regretfully.
“That’s only because no one has committed such a grave violation since the last time. Isn’t that right, Magram?”
“Ah, yes. The last one was Sadia, if I recall.
Tried to seize the academy first to monopolize magic for nobles as part of a revolution… hahaha.”
Magram laughed lightly and spread his arms toward Isolde.
“Ah, welcome, Miss Isolde. You may soon become part of the academy staff.
Or perhaps one of the countless evil spirits drifting in the night fog.”
“N-no…”
Isolde recoiled in horror.
She had wandered at night before and knew.
The academy’s night fog was filled with restless spirits.
And those spirits were the remnants of those who had threatened the academy.
She had prepared herself for punishment.
Traitors to demons were executed in the Empire, even burned by the Church.
But having her soul bound to the academy—
That was a new terror.
‘Did I truly prepare myself for this?’
She realized how naive she had been.
No one could truly promise to endure pain and death until facing it.
Fear gripped her.
‘I didn’t resolve myself. I was just afraid of losing my mother’s protection… and my place beside Brother Rudolf.’
Only now did she truly understand the horror of her punishment.
And yet—
Idnia raised her hand.
“…Yes, Student Idnia?”
“Ah, excuse me, Headmaster. Could you offset my reward against Miss Isolde’s punishment?”
“What?”
Everyone was stunned.
Wasn’t that far too bold?
“I fought to protect the academy from external intruders. Shouldn’t I be rewarded?
But that reward would be difficult to grant publicly, since I broke rules by leaving class.
So instead, I’d like my reward to offset Miss Isolde’s punishment.
Am I being too shameless?”
Ludwig was surprised.
And so was Isolde.
She had always disliked Idnia.
An arrogant girl who rejected Crown Prince Rudolf.
Born with privilege, yet acting in ways she couldn’t stand.
Not even a refined noble lady—just someone who seemed newly arrived from the countryside.
And yet…
This girl was protecting her?
“You ask for a reward no one even considered giving? Shameless? Indeed, you are shameless.”
Ludwig smiled.
“But that reward is not for yourself, but for another… Very well.”
“Headmaster? While it would be good not to punish students, wouldn’t this put you at risk…?”
Deneuve worried.
But Ludwig shook his head.
“No. Fortunately—or unfortunately—the Garmhau soldiers who involved Miss Isolde… are students.”
“What? Students?”
“Yes. They entered legitimately using dungeon permits.
Hmm. This will be interesting.”
He looked at Idnia and Isolde.
“Very well. Student Idnia, your reward and Miss Isolde’s punishment shall cancel each other out.
Now go prepare for your next class. Magram?”
“Ah, I’ll remain here to handle matters. You see that, don’t you?”
Magram pointed at the loot they brought back.
“Ensure it does not interfere with the next class.”
With that, Ludwig left.
Before leaving, Deneuve spoke to Idnia.
“Well done. Though the reward and punishment were offset, I will remember this.”
“No, please don’t. If other students see it, it’ll look like favoritism.”
“…You’re right.”
Deneuve smiled and followed Ludwig out.
“Now then… the permit issue is settled, and rewards and punishments are done. Shall we conduct business?”
Magram looked at the loot.
Even after all that, he was focused on buying it.
“Is this really the time for that?”
“Yes, it is.”
“Yes, it is.”
Both Magram and Idnia answered seriously.
“Otherwise, what was the point of bringing all this back?”
“…I see.”
Isolde was speechless.
“Um… Idnia. Thank you. For protecting me.”
“Oh, it wasn’t just me. The headmaster and vice headmaster helped too.
If they hadn’t agreed, I couldn’t have done anything alone.
So thank them as well. Ah, except Professor Magram.”
Magram laughed.
“That’s harsh, saying that right in front of me.”
Isolde felt grateful again.
She wasn’t used to expressing gratitude or apologies.
Yet Idnia’s casual response made it easier.
“Now then, Miss Idnia.”
“You’ll be appraising and buying these, Professor?”
“Yes. I manage the ruins and specialize in appraising artifacts.
Ah—cola, pineapple soda, lime lemon soda. These are quite desirable. Nobles will pay well.”
Magram priced the items.
Interestingly, synthetic-flavored drinks were more valuable than real fruit juice.
“Real juice can be replicated by crushing actual fruit. But synthetic flavoring methods are not yet known, making them expensive.
And this… magazines… excellent items. Ah, corrugated cardboard—art crafted by layering paper with fine adhesive…”
Though their haul resembled scrap, Magram highly valued many items—especially printed materials.
“Excellent. Such items usually appear deeper in the dungeon. You seem to have a strong affinity with this dimension.”
“……”
The chaos dungeon changed every time.
Like a procedurally generated world.
Its contents depended on the entrant.
Idnia, being from Earth, had brought back items from a similar civilization.
“And the total?”
“I’ll show you the invoice. Here you are. A profit—congratulations.”
Magram conjured an invoice and handed over academy coin vouchers.
At least 1000 academy coins.
Even with scrap like boxes, books, and bottles, the volume—thanks to Isolde’s levitation—made it profitable.
“A satisfactory transaction. I’ll see you in class.”
Penalty points were separate from business.
That was the way of Dunaise Academy.