Chapter 69
<69> Agriculture Is the Foundation of the Nation
“I will provide you with a garden plot. How about growing your own food?
The backyard behind my faculty building gets plenty of sunlight and is quite spacious.”
“…What?”
Idnia was taken aback by the unexpected proposal.
Buremhaide was offering her a garden plot?
‘If that’s true, the problem I’ve been struggling with for the past few days would be neatly solved.
Ah, it’s extremely tempting… but if I accept too eagerly, Buremhaide will look down on me. I should hold back a little.’
Though tempted, Idnia didn’t show it.
Buremhaide looked puzzled.
“Most students should be struggling to eat by now. I thought a garden plot would be a good offer.”
“No, the shop has opened, so it’s not that bad…”
“Hmm. The shop must be quite expensive, yet you’re saying they’re buying from it. This year’s students seem to have far more financial leeway than previous ones.”
“Well, I’d rather not say it myself, but this batch includes the Crown Prince, sole heirs of elector families, and other inheritors.”
Some had likely even adjusted their admission timing just to enter alongside such figures.
Given that, it was only natural that this year’s students were well-off.
“Even so, the shop mainly sells snacks. By now, everyone should be desperate for real food.”
“Well… but students who’ve never gotten dirt on their hands before aren’t suddenly going to start farming, are they?
And that garden plot was originally something you unlock by gathering shop points, wasn’t it?”
“Why would you unlock a garden plot before the gym?
Wizard Ball requires not just mana, but physical ability as well.
With that mindset, how do you expect to reach the first division?”
“The first division….”
In Buremhaide’s mind, the Wizard Ball club had already been formed, advanced through the lower leagues, and was on the verge of promotion to the professional league.
“This is just a student club. Talking about the first division is a bit much.
Besides, no one here has farmed before… even with a garden plot, I doubt we can recruit people. Of course, I’d be grateful if you give it to me.”
In other words, she would accept it, but didn’t expect much.
“It will be useful for practicing daily life magic anyway.
Using telekinesis for farm work will improve its quality.
And Student Idnia, I’m not giving this to the other students—I’m giving it to you.
Using that plot to recruit teammates and form a team… you should be more than capable of that, shouldn’t you?”
“I appreciate the high regard, but I’m not confident those wealthy, high-born students will be easily persuaded.”
“Do not worry. Students will be easily recruited. Heh.”
Buremhaide smiled meaningfully.
“Well… I’ll give it a try. But don’t expect too much.”
While listening to his ambitious plan, Idnia cut into the rainbow trout fillet with her fork and knife and dipped it into the sauce.
It was incredibly delicious.
Good enough to be served in a restaurant and earn generous tips.
‘Hmm. If I successfully build a Wizard Ball team, I can gain Buremhaide’s favor.
But can I really gather nine capable players…?
How did things end up like this?’
---
After finishing her meeting with Buremhaide, Idnia found Ludwig waiting for her.
“So it was you. There’s been quite a commotion about Buremhaide suddenly inviting a female student to his residence.
You’re always at the center of controversy, aren’t you, Student Idnia?”
“Ah, Headmaster.”
“Sadia seemed delighted, thinking a professor had taken an interest in a female student.
But knowing Buremhaide, I can guess why he invited you.
Wizard Ball, wasn’t it?”
“You’re well-informed.
Yes, he said he wants to form a Wizard Ball team.”
“Hmm….”
“What do you think, Headmaster?”
“Forming a Wizard Ball team under the Academy’s name? If the students truly want it, it’s not a bad idea.
However, every attempt so far has ended in failure.”
Though expressionless, Ludwig seemed to want the team to succeed.
‘Oh? It seems the headmaster also has some interest in Wizard Ball. Well, if a team brings prestige to the Academy, there’s no reason for him to dislike it.’
Curious, Idnia asked,
“Do you also want a Wizard Ball team to be formed?”
“As someone bound to this Academy, watching students graduate year after year… I’d like to see them do something more than just academic activities.”
“Ah, so that’s why? Not because you personally like it?”
“I do have some interest. But… no, I hope I’m overthinking it.”
Ludwig gestured toward the dormitory.
“Don’t wander around today. Go straight back. If you return late, strange rumors will start.”
“…That’s true.”
Idnia quickly returned to the dormitory.
---
When she arrived, a crowd of students had gathered.
“Lady Idnia, what exactly happened?”
“Ah, well… he asked if I’d be interested in forming a Wizard Ball team.”
“Wizard Ball?”
“Oh… I thought it was something else…”
The students grumbled and began exchanging money among themselves.
It seemed they had been betting on what had happened between Idnia and Buremhaide.
“So? Are you interested? In forming a Wizard Ball team?”
Idnia asked, but their reactions were lukewarm.
“Well… I like watching Wizard Ball.”
“But playing…”
“People die in that sport. If my mother found out, she’d be furious.”
“People die?”
Idnia was startled.
Now she understood why Buremhaide had struggled to form a team.
“I see… well, if that’s how it is.”
Even though she had agreed to accept the garden plot, with reactions like this, she thought it would be better to give up.
At least, that’s what she thought.
But starting the next morning, Idnia realized why Buremhaide had smiled so meaningfully.
---
The already poor breakfast became even worse.
There was no bread or soup. Instead, they were given emergency rations—hardtack.
Calling it hardtack was generous. It was harder than a brick and completely tasteless.
You couldn’t eat it as is—you had to boil it into porridge.
But since there was no soup, they hastily prepared milk tea instead.
This milk tea was nothing more than a way to avoid wasting sour milk.
Water was added in such large amounts that even someone with lactose intolerance could drink it comfortably.
“Wh-what is this? Before, at least we had bad bread and vegetable soup. It was still a warm meal… but this…”
Idnia asked the surrounding students, but they only looked equally confused.
Soon, Professor Deneuve entered the dining hall.
“Everyone, calm down. You’re surprised by the sudden change in food, aren’t you?
This happened because there was a disturbance in Blackcow Village last night, and the bakery’s oven exploded.
Until now, the Academy’s meals were pre-cooked there and brought here to be reheated.”
“What?”
“The bakery oven exploded? How?”
Lorenzo asked in alarm.
“The bakery claims it was sabotage by the restaurant. But it was likely just an old oven cracking under steam pressure.”
Hearing that, Idnia was startled.
The rivalry between the village bakery and the restaurant was understandable.
The restaurant was run by Lorenzo’s servants and papal envoys, serving refined southern cuisine that had overshadowed the simple bakery.
Naturally, tension between them had grown.
But still…
‘Could it be? Buremhaide?’
Idnia began to suspect him.
Right now, the value of a garden plot was not particularly high.
Even if she wanted it, convincing other noble students to farm would be nearly impossible.
But if the food supply itself were disrupted…
If the bakery were gone, the students’ provisions would suffer.
And the value of the garden plot would rise dramatically.
‘No… that’s too much. Even if he’s insane, crops don’t grow overnight. Even with growth magic, there are limits…’
She wasn’t sure what to think—when suddenly Sadia entered the dining hall.
“Good morning, everyone! Energy Drain!”
“What?!”
A wide-area energy drain spell hit the students, instantly making them hungry.
“Ugh… what is this…?”
While the students panicked, Sadia began singing and dancing cheerfully.
“Our children starve, unable to drink even milk,
While the rich and nobles feast again today!
Burn down their noble mansions in flames,
And stain their precious carpets with blood!”
Just from the lyrics alone, it sounded like a banned song.
Sadia danced across the dining tables as if performing in a musical.
“Professor Sadia! What are you doing? Especially today of all days!”
Professor Deneuve was flustered.
“Ah, Professor Deneuve. You have the morning class today, right? I’d like to switch.”
“…Switch? For mesmerize and illusion class?”
“No. I’ll be teaching farming with magic!”
“…….”
Hearing this, Idnia became certain.
Sadia was working together with Buremhaide.
Buremhaide was raising the value of the garden plot.
Sadia, meanwhile, was using the situation to torment nobles and shake the students’ mentality for her own goals.
‘They’re insane. These tenured professors… none of them are in their right minds.’
Idnia clicked her tongue.
All this… just to form a Wizard Ball team?