The Principal's Request
The principal finished speaking and stared at me intently. Her gaze, clearly expecting an answer, felt incredibly burdensome.
“...First, there’s something I’d like to ask.”
“Yes, yes. What has you so curious? Go on, ask me anything.”
Apparently thinking I had taken an interest, the principal’s face brightened. She straightened her posture in an instant.
“I roughly understand what you’re worried about. But if it’s truly that important, wouldn’t it be better for you to handle it yourself?”
“Mm, mm.”
“I don’t know the details, but as the principal of a prestigious academy, you must hold considerable power. Your skills seem exceptional too… Couldn’t you manage it with that? I don’t see why you’d need to ask someone like me…”
“Well, I’m not exactly someone who bows easily anywhere I go. But the ways of the world aren’t solved by strength alone…”
Hae Wolhwa furrowed her brow slightly and murmured.
“The power within the Cradle is exquisitely divided between myself and the Education Committee. And the committee members are all representatives of their respective families’ interests. They don’t particularly enjoy having those interests infringed upon. No matter which faction they belong to, on matters like this they become perfectly united…”
“Then…”
“If I were to crush them with raw force, it’s not impossible. But the backlash would be equally fierce. In the end, I probably wouldn’t even achieve half of what I originally wanted—perhaps not even a quarter.”
Having finished, the principal looked at me with eyes full of conviction.
“That’s why I chose you as my alternative. The effect goes without saying, and since it would outwardly appear to be a matter between students, there would be far less resistance than if I stepped forward myself, wouldn’t there?”
“...I don’t quite understand your true intentions. I’m just an ordinary student. Moreover, I have neither family nor background… What could I possibly…”
“What? Child, you really have no idea of your own worth. I suspected as much, but it seems they sent you without giving you even the slightest hint…”
Hae Wolhwa clicked her tongue twice, clearly displeased.
“Do you know? While the Cradle does accept recommended students every year, the public perception of them isn’t very favorable. Contrary to the original purpose of unearthing hidden gems, it has long since degenerated into a backdoor for obtaining a prestigious academy diploma through personal connections or monetary transactions.”
“Then I suppose people will think the same of me…”
“But you are different. You are the student recommended by the Black Lotus Sa family—one of the Five Families—after a full eighteen years. Simply the fact that this becomes known will create an enormous stir.”
After speaking, the principal suddenly reached her hand behind her. A green light seemed to stream from her fingertips, and in an instant, a paper envelope that had been on the old desk flew into her grasp.
“Of course, if you were an empty shell without any ability, you would only invite even greater ridicule…”
The principal opened the envelope and took out its contents. A thick stack of documents covered in tiny handwriting appeared. She picked up the top sheet and began reading its contents aloud without pause.
“Name: Eugene Hyun. Age: 17. Place of birth: F147, a third-class pioneer village in the southern Ung Province… Well, I don’t know how much of this profile is actually true, but that’s not what’s important…”
At her murmured words, a small sting pierced my chest. Not a single detail matched reality. Fortunately, the principal didn’t seem particularly interested in verifying the authenticity of my profile. I wondered if it was acceptable for someone of her position to be so careless, but there was no need to stir up unnecessary trouble. What she was truly interested in wasn’t the profile, but the information below it.
“Let’s see. Twenty-one official and unofficial mission participations. Subjugation of seventeen third-grade demons, twenty-three second-grade demons. Elimination of fifty-three wanted criminals of yellow grade or higher and capture of two hundred thirteen. Subjugation of seven first-grade designated magical beasts… and besides that… there’s too much here for me to read it all.”
Hae Wolhwa shook her head as she read the documents.
“Who could possibly look at this and think it belongs to a seventeen-year-old child? Mages who have experienced such high-level real combat at that age are truly rare. Not to mention first-years—even the most outstanding second-years wouldn’t be able to compare to you…”
And it was only then that I realized the commander’s lie. He had clearly said my achievements weren’t even recorded. If he were beside me right now, I would want to smack him hard on the head.
“Besides, skill isn’t something that can be hidden just because you try. There may be some who are suspicious at first, but it will quiet down in less than a year.”
Hae Wolhwa pushed the documents aside slightly and took a sip of tea.
“In any case, if someone like you were to take the side of the Yeon family, wouldn’t the tilted balance be somewhat restored? At the very least, that’s what I believe. Though that peculiar mask of yours might be a slight negative factor…”
“Is it really acceptable for the principal to be so blatantly biased?”
“Originally, I don’t particularly enjoy getting involved in such matters. But the situation is what it is…”
Hae Wolhwa shrugged. The clear reluctance and annoyance written across her face didn’t seem like an act.
The Paecheon Baek family was enjoying an unprecedented golden age. The current family head possessed a humble personality that didn’t flaunt authority, earning the support of the people. He was also one of the most popular politicians in the Supreme Council of the current Republic. Their business foundations and the loyalty of their retainers were rock solid. Even his daughter had been born with talent that reached the heavens. Like her father, she drew people to her side through character rather than authority.
By contrast, the members of the Red Flower Yeon family had a notorious reputation for having broken personalities across generations. In particular, the young lady currently causing problems was known for her extraordinary arrogance and venomous nature. This was the biggest reason she was losing ground within the Cradle despite having no significant difference in ability.
She treated naturally awakened first-generation mages and students from lesser families as if they were insects. Since they made up more than half of the student body, her reputation had already hit rock bottom.
“Moreover, the Yeon family recently suffered a major blow to their financial lifeline. Several of their stellite mines were attacked by Eco-Fascist terrorists. The Yeon family pointed to the Baek family as the mastermind behind the terror, but without evidence, they ended up having to pay compensation for defamation. Considering that most of the Yeon family’s influence stems from the enormous wealth generated by their stellite monopoly, it will likely take considerable time to recover from that damage.”
“Then…”
“In short, they are facing crises both inside and out. With the external situation like this, if they begin losing influence even within the Cradle, the Yeon family could very well plunge into an endless downward spiral if left unchecked.”
“...”
“Furthermore, the Baek family head is a dangerous man. Everyone who knows, knows that he harbors ambitions far beyond his station. His daughter faithfully follows her father’s path. I wonder just how many snakes those two—father and daughter—are raising in their bellies…”
The principal let out a long sigh, her voice heavy with lament.
“And the Baek family has never gotten along with the Sa family. Especially the current head—he harbors a particularly deep grudge against that fellow Jaehyuk. If someone like him rises to power, it naturally won’t be good for those children. The current Sa family has long withdrawn from the front lines and can no longer exert the same level of influence as before…”
“...”
“Well, I think that’s enough explanation. Now only your decision remains. I’ll say it again—this is a request. Even if you refuse, I swear there will be no repercussions whatsoever. Think carefully and give me your answer.”
Having finished speaking, the principal quietly sipped from her teacup.
My dilemma grew deeper. I now understood why Hae Wolhwa wanted to lend strength to one side, why she needed my help, and why she had said it would indirectly benefit the commander and my sisters as well.
But until just two years ago, I had been living as a country bumpkin on the frontier. I had no confidence that I could properly handle matters of family and politics. Moreover, the person she wanted me to support was a female student—one with exceptional arrogance and venom who despised students of low birth…
The more I listened, the more I understood why I had felt that unpleasant sense of déjà vu. I knew the cause all too well.
Perhaps my symptoms had worsened for a moment. Even though I was wearing the mask, I felt a throbbing pain spreading across my scars. To forcibly shift my consciousness, I asked the principal a question.
“...Just one more thing I’d like to ask. You said to lend her strength… but how exactly…?”
“Hmm? I wouldn’t know that.”
Upon hearing the question, Hae Wolhwa widened her eyes in genuine confusion.
Her answer was incredibly anticlimactic.
“Well, you could show that you have a close personal relationship with her, or openly take her side in various matters. Wouldn’t that do?”
“...”
“Puhuhu, child. Why do you think I called it a request? No matter how I look, I am someone who has lived long and seen much. How could I possibly know the ways of children these days?”
Seeing my dumbfounded expression, Hae Wolhwa let out a small laugh and added one more thing.
In truth, there was nothing wrong with what she said. Despite her youthful appearance, she was far older than the commander and my sisters. But I was equally clueless. I could barely even remember the last time I had a proper conversation with friends my own age. I was in a position where even forming normal peer relationships required serious thought. Was it even possible for me to create an intimate relationship with someone I had no intention of getting close to…?
“...”
But I soon realized I had no choice.
The commander had ordered me to graduate from the Cradle with outstanding grades and raise the prestige of his family. Moreover, this was a legitimate demand as the other party in our deal. I had an obligation to fulfill that request somehow.
For someone with nothing like me to carry out the commander’s orders, I needed at least one powerful backer. And if it was the principal of the Cradle, there could be no better person to stand behind me.
Besides, this might be the opportunity to repay the debt the commander had mentioned. He had said it was indirect, but after hearing that it might cause harm to the commander and my sisters, I couldn’t possibly pretend not to know. Especially since he said that family head harbored a special grudge against the commander.
After a brief silence, I finally gave the principal my answer.
“...I will accept the request you have made, Principal.”
“Really? Truly?”
Upon hearing my answer, Hae Wolhwa sprang up from her seat. Unconcealed joy spread across her face.
“I’m not sure if I’ll be able to do it well. But I’ll do my best for now.”
“Puhuhu, you’ll manage just fine. Didn’t I tell you? I don’t think there’s anyone more suitable than you. My intuition is quite accurate, you know. I’ll help you with whatever I can, so you don’t need to worry too much. And don’t concern yourself with life at the Cradle. I don’t think you’ll go around causing trouble like that fellow, but even if you do, I’ll stop you even if I have to overexert myself. As long as it’s nothing too extreme, you should be able to graduate without any problems.”
“Can the principal really do that…”
“Of course I can. If I couldn’t even do something like this, how could I possibly handle the stress of this position? Puhuhu…”
The principal’s pleasant laughter filled the entire greenhouse.
After bouncing around excitedly for a while, she suddenly seemed to remember something and looked at me.
“Ah, you can do whatever you want, but keep this one thing in mind. Our academy is quite strict regarding relationships between the opposite sexes. Romance within the school is absolutely forbidden unless it is with your betrothed. Understood? Absolutely. Forbidden. This is the one area where even I would find myself in quite a difficult position. Since you’re a clever child, I trust you understand what I mean.”