The Principal's Intervention
When Principal Calliope Wiznia arrived, the atmosphere in the forest shifted dramatically. The air that had been thick with fury and chaos only moments before transformed at once into something resembling a formal hearing. Calliope stood before them all with an easy smile.
“Please, be at ease. I haven’t come to deliver any heavy official pronouncements.”
Of course, no one actually relaxed. Mina, Erica, and the rest remained seated politely, watching the principal in silence. After an unspoken agreement passed among the students, their eyes met, and finally Noel—who had drawn every gaze—glanced once at Eisen before nodding and speaking.
“On behalf of the students from the Magic Department, Alchemy Department, and Knight Department, I will speak. I am Nexia Noel. We stand ready to listen, Your Excellency Marquis Calliope Wiznia, former Chief Court Mage.”
“Miss Nexia is always so courteous,” Calliope said with a playful lilt. “As I mentioned, I truly did just come to see some faces. …Though I suppose that title does sound rather intimidating, doesn’t it?”
Being addressed as the Chief Court Mage meant she had once held the highest position among the kingdom’s court mages—a role that carried considerable prestige.
On top of that, she held the rank of Marquis. Any noble above Count usually had royal blood somewhere in their lineage, and Marquis stood immediately below Duke. In other words, it was perfectly reasonable to treat her as a provisional member of the royal family.
While Eisen was busy mentally nitpicking that the Academy—nominally independent—shouldn’t go around claiming extraterritorial rights, Calliope addressed the group.
“Titles and former positions aren’t what matter. Right now I am simply your principal, Calliope. A person’s birthplace and past accomplishments may describe them, but they do not completely define them. Let us cultivate an attitude that looks to the present rather than the past, and that pioneers the future. Wouldn’t you agree, Miss Nexia?”
“I will take it to heart.”
“I look forward to seeing it.” Calliope nodded at Noel’s reply, then turned her gaze toward Eisen.
“The reason I came is that I heard from Professor Reina about the rather lively uproar unfolding across the Academy, so I stepped out for a short walk. And as it happens, there was someone I’ve been wanting to meet and speak with. The weather is lovely, and it will broaden our horizons, so I hope you will all remain comfortable.”
“If it is someone you wish to speak with…” Noel politely withdrew.
Calliope nodded and looked directly at Eisen. “Baron Arclight. I wanted to have a conversation with you.”
Since he had been singled out, he needed to respond, but for a brief moment he wondered about etiquette—should he remain seated or stand? The solution came quickly.
“Then allow me to prepare some seats.”
He invoked magic, causing rocks to rise smoothly from the ground. Instant stone chairs appeared for everyone present. As they formed, Calliope began clapping with a delighted laugh.
“Indeed. That is a talent worth watching from many angles.”
“It really isn’t that difficult…”
It was only a light application of golem magic, after all—nothing overly complex. Calliope took a seat first and gestured gracefully.
“Since Baron Arclight has kindly prepared places for us all, let us sit and talk.”
With the principal’s permission granted, and since none of them had particularly enjoyed sitting on the bare dirt, the students quickly claimed the stone seats. Noel, Erica, and Mina promptly secured the widest and most comfortable rock. Eisen chose the nearest one to Calliope and sat.
“The matter you wished to discuss with me is, of course…”
“It would be a lie to say I have no interest in golems. However, that is not the topic today. In truth, I heard a rumor through the court mages.”
If it wasn’t about golems, what else could she want to discuss with him? To be blunt, the reason Eisen had made a name for himself in the kingdom was the golems, so he had naturally assumed that was the subject. Had the principal heard about something else?
“I was told that the Baron devised an interesting educational system in his territory. Your steward informed a royal official who visited to investigate, and that is how the rumor reached my ears.”
“Ah, that matter.”
It was the task he had given Daniel to help the man learn how to take initiative. They still lacked a large population in the territory, and the plan had been to slowly build infrastructure and systems, yet somehow it had already reached the palace.
“It is closer to a rough plan than a fully formed system, and since my knowledge is limited, it remains quite incomplete.”
“Yet the palace seems to think it is worth attempting. Of course, the opposition was even louder.”
So it had sparked that much debate. If it had reached even the principal’s ears, the scale must have been considerable.
“Let me be frank—I believe it is a bill worth introducing experimentally and gradually.”
“Is that so?”
“The core of the education focuses on training pilots and technicians for boarding-type golems, but with slight adjustments it could prove effective in other fields as well. If the plan proceeds as envisioned, the number of people skilled in golem technology will increase rapidly and continue to advance. Therefore, I believe testing it in Baron Arclight’s territory as a pilot program is more than worthwhile.”
Eisen felt a flicker of embarrassment. To him it was a shabby result he had barely squeezed out by copying existing concepts. Yet the principal continued without pause.
“As you know, Professor Reina is moving fastest—she has already begun creating textbooks—and Professor Rodelini is cooperating on technological development. Before long, demand for skilled technicians and trained pilots will skyrocket. The Baron’s educational plan is a perfectly viable policy to prepare for that future. I also believe that once boarding-type golems overcome a few key obstacles, they will spread widely.”
Behind them, quiet murmurs began to ripple through the students. Her statement carried considerable weight.
“…But the Abatus Count family’s weapons are still fully operational, are they not?”
“I lack sufficient information on that side to speak with certainty, so I can only discuss golems.”
Calliope smiled, but there was steel beneath her words. She doesn’t know much about them… which means Abatus is hiding their technology with absolute thoroughness.
It was an understandable reaction if one wished to maintain a monopoly. Eisen himself had received endless warnings that spreading the technology too freely would diminish its rarity and, by extension, his own value.
Still, from the perspective of scholars and intellectuals, openly sharing what could be shared might be far more appealing than constant secrecy. As that thought crossed his mind, the principal spoke again.
“Of course, the Academy is not a facility dedicated to researching military armaments, so we maintain the position that we must remain neutral in such matters, Baron. At the same time, I have come to believe that it is people on your side who are preparing these technologies for diverse, practical applications across many fields.”
“If you view it that way, it is an honor.”
“Which is why the Academy has decided to conduct this pilgrimage to the holy land on a rather large scale.”
“Large scale?”
While Eisen was still processing her meaning, Calliope gave a quiet, knowing smile.
“Everyone except those about to graduate, the professors supervising them, and the vice principal will be traveling to the Kingdom of Gandharva.”
In short, nearly the entire Academy was mobilizing. The principal continued in a measured tone.
“Prince Rial’s enormous donation was one factor, but I also heard that he has created quite an interesting competitive arena. Originally I intended the trip simply to broaden the students’ horizons, however…”
She laughed with playful mischief.
“It seems Baron Arclight has once again stirred up something big by attempting to involve every alchemy student in technological development. I concluded that this opportunity might be the most necessary one the Academy’s students could receive.”
“May I ask a question, Principal?”
“Please, Miss Phoenix.”
Erica rose quietly, her face unusually composed.
“Principal, are you perhaps planning to have the students choose between supporting Eisen or Cardia and assist accordingly?”
“If the parties themselves accept or request assistance, I intended to review it positively and encourage participation.”
Calliope nodded.
“It is something everyone will learn about soon enough. Whether working in harmony with others, following orders, or seizing an opportunity—whatever path they choose. As principal, I believe this chance will benefit the students. After all, two of our own are staging a major competition in a foreign land. And it is a competition for the future of the Vespia Kingdom. There is nothing wrong with that, is there?”
Her gentle tone carried clearly. Noel, seeming to catch on, raised her hand.
“Then, Principal, you intend to make this competition an official Academy event…”
“Precisely.”
By now even Eisen understood. Elevating Prince Rial’s brought competition into an official Academy event meant—
“The Academy plans to step forward and protect everyone involved.”
“When the Academy’s precious students become entangled in such matters, it is only natural that the professors should step up—whether by offering support or ensuring no one crosses any lines—all in the name of safety. I do not expect anyone to scheme anything truly malicious, of course.”
Eisen saw Professor Reina casually retrieve headache medicine and pass it to both Professor Iserina and Professor Rodelini. The sudden spike in their workload must have hit them first. Put another way, the Academy’s faculty intended to block any underhanded schemes so that only pure competition could take place.
Someone definitely has an agenda here.
It was fair, yet it placed one side at a severe disadvantage. Abatus could draw on influence across noble houses and beyond, giving them far more options than Eisen possessed. The Academy was essentially announcing it would shut most of those options down.
Naturally, Eisen had no reason to refuse.
“I will do my utmost to ensure it becomes a valuable experience for everyone.”
“Please do. That said, if anyone pulls two straight weeks of all-nighters, I will order them forcibly put to bed as principal. Health must come first, after all.”
A drawback had appeared for his side as well. While Eisen grumbled inwardly, Mina raised her hand and extended it with perfect nonchalance.
“Success fee.”
“Lady Mina, you mustn’t!”
Noel looked horrified and tried to stop her, but Mina wore her usual shameless expression. Calliope’s smile only brightened, clearly amused.
“Why would you demand such a thing from the principal, Saintess Mina? I am merely providing an opportunity for the students to act freely while I observe. I am not taking Baron Arclight’s side and ordering you to humble House Abatus.”
“Team leader bears heavy burden. Compensation required.”
“…Well, if we consider that both Baron Arclight and Abatus have essentially been tasked with leading a team and taking responsibility for everyone, then compensation does seem necessary. Still, there is the matter of budget… what would be appropriate, I wonder?”
Calliope thought for a moment, then smiled softly.
“I will speak with the Abatus side. For Baron Arclight, let us agree that you will actively cooperate on the portions of your territory’s educational plan that connect with the Academy. It seems the first children to study from Professor Reina’s textbook have been decided.”
“Principal, I’m still rather embarrassed about that…”
While Reina stood flustered, Calliope clapped once and rose from her seat. The witch smiled at the entire gathering.
“I have taken up too much of your time. Still, I believe it would be good for many students to carefully reflect on the conversation that took place here.”
Addressing the huddled alchemy rioters, the Knight Department students, and the Magic Department students, she spoke quietly.
“This will be announced at the Academy soon regardless, but for those of you who caused such a lively disturbance and then settled down, this should serve as sufficient reward. Think deeply. Choose your path. Taking the initiative is admirable. Simply watching is fine as well. However, I hope your eyes remain fixed on the competition itself. With that, you are dismissed.”
“Company, stand! Return to your positions!”
“Magic Department, since we’re already out here, let’s just hold class~!”
“Alchemy students, let’s go check the harvest!”
The professors’ instructions rang out, and the area quickly grew noisy once more. As Mina, Noel, and Erica approached Eisen to speak, Calliope drew near.
“Principal.”
“Baron Arclight, do you have confidence in victory?”
Her eyes seemed to be searching for confirmation. The answer had been decided from the beginning.
“Yes.”
If he hadn’t possessed such confidence, he never would have stirred up this much trouble in the first place.