Chapter 229
Chapter 229
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Translator: Vine
Chapter: 229
Chapter Title: Academy (1)
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The dean of the Academy, Altmann Bedefullite, had been feeling perplexed since the morning.
“H-Howard… What do you mean by that…!”
Altmann asked while looking at the large mirror hanging on the wall.
This mirror was a magic tool made for long-distance communication. Rather than reflecting Altmann, it showed the face of the emperor.
For a mere academy dean to address the emperor so casually.
It was something that would normally be unthinkable. However, Altmann Bedefullite had been the emperor’s personal tutor in his youth.
Thanks to that connection, he had earned the privilege of speaking informally when they were alone like this.
-I would like to hire Demian Haksen as an instructor at the Academy.
The emperor said in a calm voice. Altmann felt a strong wave of dizziness.
-Teacher, why aren’t you saying anything? Do you perhaps not know who Demian Haksen is?
“That’s ridiculous. Of course I know… I know him very well….”
How could he not know?
He was the winner of the Helian Tournament, held in honor of the founding emperor.
Lately, the entire empire was abuzz with talk of Demian Haksen.
All previous winners of the Helian Tournament had been knights of the empire. The imperial citizens took great pride in that fact.
But with Demian Haksen’s appearance, that pride of the imperial people had shattered to pieces.
“Howard, Demian Haksen is a knight of the Kingdom of Apple. Hiring such a man as an academy instructor goes against tradition…”
-Teacher.
The emperor looked at Altmann with gentle eyes. At that expression, Altmann realized he had made a mistake.
The emperor as a boy had been stubbornly obstinate. He had to see through anything he had decided on, or he wouldn’t be satisfied.
Whenever the emperor had made a decision, he would wear exactly that expression.
-Your retainers have already nagged me endlessly about that.
“…Then no matter what I say, you won’t change your mind.
-That’s right.
Altmann let out a deep sigh.
Even as the emperor’s mentor, he couldn’t refuse an order.
“Very well. I’ll do as you wish.”
-I’m truly grateful for your understanding.
The emperor nodded with a satisfied look. But Altmann had no intention of simply complying with the emperor’s will.
“However, I have a request in return.”
-Please speak.
“The Academy is a place of education. The founding emperor established it to provide excellent education programs to both nobles and commoners.”
The emperor’s brow furrowed slightly. He sensed that Altmann was about to bring up an uncomfortable topic.
“If Demian Haksen lacks the qualities of an educator, I intend to dismiss him according to the Academy’s rules.”
The emperor looked at Altmann silently.
From past experience, Altmann could tell that the emperor was currently conflicted.
Altmann decided to stoke that conflict a bit more.
“Howard. This is a request from your teacher. Please, do not forget the Academy’s ideals.”
-…I understand. I won’t interfere up to that point.
The emperor answered reluctantly. Altmann smiled.
-Then I’ll leave the rest to you, Teacher.
With those words, the communication from the magic tool ended. Altmann called for his secretary.
“We need to hold an emergency meeting. Gather all the professors in the conference room.”
The secretary replied affirmatively and left the dean’s office.
An hour later, the dean faced the professors in the conference room.
“Dean, what’s going on?”
“A sudden meeting like this.”
The professors all looked at Altmann with puzzled expressions. Altmann explained his recent conversation with the emperor.
“What? You’re hiring a knight from the Kingdom of Apple as a swordsmanship instructor at the Academy?!”
“No matter that it’s His Majesty’s command, this cannot be allowed!”
As expected, the professors were greatly outraged.
They were all people who had lived their entire lives with pride in being Academy professors.
That was why they couldn’t easily accept this imperial order.
“Unfortunately, His Majesty doesn’t seem inclined to withdraw his decision.”
At Altmann’s words, the professors all sighed.
“However, I secured his assurance that if Demian Haksen lacks the qualifications as an instructor, we can remove him from the Academy.”
At those words, the professors’ expressions brightened.
“That’s welcome news.”
“Does that young punk even know what education is?”
“His skills may be impressive, but combat and teaching are entirely different things.”
The professors rejoiced greatly.
“Then, Dean, how do you plan to test Demian Haksen’s qualifications?”
One of the professors asked. Since he was becoming an instructor by special imperial order, they couldn’t nitpick without cause. They needed solid justification.
“Don’t worry about that. I already have a method in mind.”
“What is it?”
In response to the professors’ question, Altmann smiled meaningfully and said,
“I plan to assign him to Class 13.”
At those words, the professors flinched.
“Eh, even so, Class 13 is…”
“Y-Yeah… Isn’t that a bit too harsh…?”
The professors spoke worriedly. But some professors were very satisfied.
“Yes. If he’s received a special recommendation from His Majesty, he should be able to handle Class 13.”
“Exactly. He needs that level of ability for everyone to accept him.”
Altmann clapped his hands and said,
“Then I’ll take that as everyone’s agreement. No more to discuss, so the meeting is adjourned.”
And so, the emergency meeting the dean had suddenly called ended.
Two days later, Demian Haksen arrived at the Academy.
* * *
“It’s huge.”
That was Demian’s impression upon first arriving at the Academy.
Surrounded by high walls, the Academy was as vast as a city.
And around the Academy, shops and inns had gathered, forming a massive living district.
They had likely clustered there to do business with the students and staff.
“I’d heard it was impressive, but I didn’t expect it to be this big.”
In his previous life, Demian had never visited the Academy. One of the Four Great Demon Kings created by Dorgo had attacked it.
The Four Great Demon Kings were the pinnacle and strongest undead created by Dorgo. Of course, excluding Demian.
They were undead that would have been key to conquering the empire if not for Demian Haksen.
Their importance had greatly diminished after Dorgo created Demian, though.
“I should hurry.”
Demian passed through the buildings and arrived at the central castle. He presented the seal he had received from the emperor to the soldiers guarding the gate.
The soldiers immediately opened the gate. Demian entered through it.
The Academy’s layout was very different from other cities.
Antique buildings were common, and large fields and training grounds where students could run around were placed everywhere.
“Who’s that guy?”
“Never seen him before.”
Naturally, the students’ gazes gathered. They began showing intense interest in Demian Haksen.
“…Wait, isn’t that Demian Haksen?!”
Then someone recognized Demian Haksen.
“Demian Haksen? You mean that winner of the Helian Tournament?”
“I-I was at the stadium then, I know him well! It’s definitely Demian Haksen!”
The students all flocked to see Demian Haksen. But they couldn’t get close and watched from afar.
“Tch… Why’s that guy here?”
“A knight from a small kingdom like Apple winning the Helian Tournament.”
Some students showed hostility toward Demian Haksen.
They apparently didn’t like that a foreign knight had won the Helian Tournament.
Regardless, Demian headed to the dean’s office in the center of the Academy.
“I’m Demian Haksen. I’ve come to see Dean Altmann Bedefullite.”
He stated his business to the staff on the first floor. The staff member immediately guided Demian to the dean’s office.
Upon opening the door and entering, an elderly man with a long white beard welcomed him.
“You must be Demian Haksen. I’ve heard from His Majesty. Welcome to the Academy.”
From his gaze, expression, and tone, everything was stiff. It was clear he didn’t like Demian Haksen.
‘To think he’d show his dislike so openly.’
Demian’s existence challenged the Academy’s traditions in many ways.
So he had expected the Academy professors wouldn’t think highly of him.
But he hadn’t anticipated the dean himself displaying open hostility.
“Thank you for the warm welcome.”
Demian said with a bright smile. Perhaps because it was an unexpected reaction, the dean’s expression twitched slightly.
Demian had no interest in whether the dean liked him or not.
Sla.
As long as he could stay at the Academy until he found that damned bitch, that was all that mattered.
“Why do you want to work as a swordsmanship instructor at the Academy? With your skills, there must be plenty of places seeking you.”
In truth, working at the Academy was far from a path to advancement.
The empire strictly guarded against corruption among Academy professors and instructors. They weren’t even allowed to accept small bribes.
There was even a saying: If you don’t need money or power and only want honor, go to the Academy.
“I’ve long admired the Academy. I wanted to learn swordsmanship here. As an instructor, I’d like to fulfill that dream, even if just a little.”
Demian lied without batting an eye.
The dean wasn’t part of the Demon Subjugation Unit. He couldn’t honestly say he was here to find Sla.
“…Many people do admire our Academy.”
Pride appeared on Dean Altmann’s face. He seemed quite pleased by Demian’s praise.
But only for a moment. The dean looked at Demian with cold eyes again.
“Normally, externally hired instructors handle special classes. But I can’t trust you yet.”
“Are you doubting my skills?”
“How could I doubt the winner of the Helian Tournament? What I’m worried about is your leadership.”
There was an old saying.
Learning and teaching are entirely different.
To teach 1, you must know 10.
“Moreover, the students enrolled at the Academy all take great pride in being imperial citizens. No one will want to learn from you, a man of the Kingdom of Apple.”
The dean’s words made sense. Quite a few students had shown hostility when he entered.
‘What a hassle.’
For Demian, it didn’t really matter.
He wasn’t truly trying to join the Academy; he just needed to find Sla.
But to buy time to search for Sla, he needed to cooperate with the dean.
“How can I prove myself?”
“There’s currently one class without a homeroom teacher. Prove your leadership there, and I, as well as the other students, will all trust you.”
“Very well, I’ll do that.”
Demian nodded readily. At that, Dean Altmann’s eyes took on a strange glint.
“I should warn you, you might regret it. The Class 13 you’ll be assigned to is infamous as a problem class. Many instructors before you have given up on guiding them.”
“No need to worry. I’m a bit different.”
Demian said, thinking of the bamboo club he had stored in his subspace.
“Hmm? That’s strange… Suddenly, a chill…”
The dean shivered.
“There’s a grade evaluation exam in a week. If the Class 13 students achieve excellent results in swordsmanship, I’ll trust you.”
“Understood.”
Then, suddenly, Demian asked the dean,
“What happens if the Class 13 students fail to produce results in the grade evaluation exam?”
At that question, Dean Altmann’s eyes sharpened.
“The Academy has no need for incompetent teachers. I think that answers it.”
* * *
Afterward, Demian went to the staff dormitory and unpacked.
‘It won’t be hard. I even reformed Veronica.’
Demian had experience training many people before. So he thought this would be easy too.
But the next day, the moment he arrived at Class 13, Demian realized he had underestimated the Academy.
“…There’s no one here?”
Not a single one of Class 13’s students was present.