Headlines, Nobles, and the Royal Inspector

When roughly a week had passed since Inspector General Neria Crowin departed, the topic of the 'Hero Party Test Candidate Selection' that had begun among the students filtered through the instructors and parents before reaching the capital. Three days after the news arrived there, the newspaper landed on Logan's desk.

Logan unfolded the day's paper and scanned the front page.

Looks like only busy days lie ahead...

Logan turned the page, and a new article caught his eye.

"What the hell is this crazy bastard saying?" Isabel asked carefully.

"Dean, how should we handle this? Should we arrange a rebuttal interview or something?"

Logan shook his head. "Chad will prove it himself."

Logan continued reading the paper.

The first generation were probably selected based purely on skill...

After finishing the newspaper, Logan closed his eyes.

Just thinking about the parents... and their whining is already giving me a headache.

A short while later, an administrative staff member burst in urgently.

"Dean... we have a problem. There are noble carriages lined up at the front gate..."

"How many?"

"At least ten, by a rough count."

Logan let out a short laugh.

Damn. It's like they're queuing up in front of the royal palace.

He opened the window and looked toward the main gate. Luxurious carriages bearing family crests stretched out in a long line, each competing for position, while servants repeatedly bowed to their masters and recited, "You'll have to wait just a little longer."

"Park the carriages at the central training ground. Note the order they arrived in and send them to my office one group at a time."

The third-floor corridor outside the Dean's office had transformed into a makeshift waiting room. Nobles sat in chairs while their attendants stood rigidly at their sides. The hallway air was thick with tension and hushed whispers.

"I heard that Chad boy is a commoner from the countryside," one noblewoman whispered.

"Still, since he was chosen as a knight, he must have real skill. Hero Ethan selected him personally, didn't he?" another noble replied.

"They stole our son's spot!" an angry voice cut through.

Logan, receiving regular updates on the situation outside, let out a sigh.

"...Looks like I won't be stepping out of here all day."

Knock! Knock!

The administrative staff member rapped on the door.

"I'll show in the first guest."

The couple who entered were neither overbearing nor overly stiff—well-mannered middle-aged nobles. Their attire was impeccable, their expressions warm, and a pleasant atmosphere surrounded them.

"It is an honor, Dean. We read the article with great interest," the nobleman said, bowing respectfully.

"Lumen has been the talk of the capital lately," his wife added with a smile.

"Our child ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠will reach admission age in a couple of years. We wanted to make a good impression in advance and ask for your future guidance," the wife continued carefully. "As you know, the academy's finances are always tight... if sponsorship is ever needed, please do not hesitate to ask."

Logan gave only a slight shake of his head.

"When the child is admitted, you may donate under that pretext. Since there is no connection yet, it wouldn't be appropriate to discuss money now."

The man looked momentarily flustered before laughing heartily.

"Haha, you truly are as the rumors say. My wife kept pressuring me because she was anxious."

Logan continued calmly, "For the next class, anyone who meets the evaluation criteria will be accepted. Just make sure they're well prepared."

The couple exchanged glances, nodded, and withdrew.

This time, a nobleman with a rigidly straight neck and a noblewoman with a stern expression entered.

"Pardon the intrusion, Dean."

After a formal greeting, the man pulled out a newspaper and slapped it down loudly on Logan's desk.

"This article claims you strongly recommended a boy named Chad and pushed him into the Hero's party."

His voice carried clear protest.

"Why was it that commoner boy Chad instead of our son? Our son's combat ability is far superior!"

Logan began comparing the noble's son and Chad in a measured tone.

"In terms of raw strength alone, your son ranks higher. I acknowledge that."

Logan remained objective.

"However, a Hero's party cannot be managed by strength alone."

He recited the noble scion's records.

"During mock battles, your son was fifteen seconds slower than Chad in deciding to retreat. His handling of injured allies' positioning was also clumsy. In prolonged engagements, Chad demonstrated far greater mental stability."

"That... that's simply because he lacked experience!" the nobleman protested, his face reddening.

When his voice rose, Logan cut him off with a chillingly cold tone.

"Only verified personnel may join a Hero's party. A Hero's party is not a school picnic!"

The man gritted his teeth and took a step forward.

"Then if that Chad fails, please give our son the next spot."

"If your son wishes to apply again, I will accept his application. But the test will be significantly harder than the one Chad took... I cannot guarantee he will pass."

The man bit his lip, then finally lowered his head and left.

"Haa... it's only the second one and I'm already exhausted."

Time passed, and soon only one visitor remained.

The next guest to enter the Dean's office was completely covered in a robe. Once inside, the woman removed it, revealing a white uniform underneath.

A soldier?

Epaulets on the shoulders, a high-collared jacket, a thick leather belt around the waist, and worker boots. She stood ramrod straight with an expressionless face, giving off an entirely rigid impression.

"Good afternoon. I am Neria Crowin, dispatched from the Royal Inspectorate of the Alderaan Kingdom."

The moment Neria bowed her head, Logan found himself momentarily stunned by her figure. The white uniform clung to her body as though painted on. Buttons strained to the point of bursting over her ample chest, while below, her hips filled the uniform pants so tightly that the full curve of her rear was clearly outlined.

"Ahem."

"Ah... pleased to meet you. I am Logan."

As if accustomed to such stares, Neria gave a small, deliberate cough and held out a letter toward him.

"This is a personal letter from His Majesty the King."

After reading the letter, Logan looked at Neria.

"His Majesty appears to trust you greatly, Dean. Nevertheless, I must still conduct my investigation, so I ask for your cooperation."

Logan was already drained after dealing with nobles all day. He looked at her with tired eyes and answered.

"Understood."

Neria gave a small nod and walked toward the document storage shelves. Without hesitation, she began opening the student admission files one by one. Soon she found Layman's record among the sixth-generation admission documents.

"What is this? This student named Layman ranked thirty-first yet was accepted through additional admission?"

Neria pressed him accusingly.

Logan answered confidently.

"That is the additional admissions system we began implementing this year."

Neria's eyebrow rose slightly. She continued flipping through the files and paused again.

"I also have questions regarding a girl named Bella. There are no previous records from the magic department."

Logan explained, "Bella is under the academy's protection and education due to political complications within her noble family."

Without replying, Neria continued searching through various areas of the Dean's office before finally stopping and looking at Logan.

"I will take my leave for today. Over the next several days, I will tour the academy's interior while conducting interviews with instructors and students. Are there any areas I should not enter?"

Logan answered without hesitation.

"There are no such places."

Neria offered a light bow and left the Dean's office.

After the sound of the closing door faded, Logan leaned back in his chair, covered his face with both hands, then lowered them with a deep sigh. The king had written the letter as if nothing of consequence would occur, but in reality a by-the-book inspector had arrived, discovered even the matter concerning Layman, and begun her investigation. One more headache had been added to his plate.

By the time night had deepened, moonlight poured through the Dean's office window onto the training grounds. After spending the entire day dealing with nobles, the inspector, and endless documents, Logan's body felt stiff. He threw on only his coat and stepped outside for some fresh air.

It happened as he reached the rear of the main building.

He sensed a presence and turned his gaze. In the distant darkness, a cadet spotted him, flinched violently, spun around, and hid behind a wall.

A mischievous impulse stirred in Logan. He pretended to walk away to the side, then quickly circled around behind the student. He planned to give them a little scare.

"Hey!" he called from behind. The ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠child turned around.

The one hiding was Bella.

"Kyaaak!"

Just as a small scream threatened to escape, Logan swiftly covered her mouth.

"Shh. It's me," Logan whispered.

When Bella's eyes widened and she nodded, Logan removed his hand.

"Where are you going at this hour?"

Bella caught her breath and answered quietly.

"I was on my way back from visiting Mom's quarters... we were talking."

Logan thought, Ah, and nodded. "I see. Are you adjusting well to academy life?"

"I'm doing great! Magic is really fun, and I'm getting along fine. But Mom... she's seemed to ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠have a lot on her mind lately."

Logan frowned slightly. "I didn't realize your mother was carrying worries. I'll ask her about it sometime."

Bella smiled brightly and bowed her head. "Thank you, Dean!"

Logan stood beside her and said, "I'll walk you to the dormitory. The supervisor won't say anything if I'm with you."

Bella answered with a sunny smile, "Yes, please!" and stuck close to his side, chattering away.

Logan slowed his pace, listening attentively to Bella's stories as he escorted her all the way to the dormitory.

When they reached the dormitory entrance, he took five silver coins from his ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠inner pocket and placed them in her small hand.

"It's allowance money. You must have plenty of things you want... use this to help cover them."

Bella accepted it carefully with both hands, her eyes sparkling.

"Thank you so much, Dean...!"

Her small hands were warm. Logan watched as Bella greeted the dormitory supervisor, then turned and walked away.