Emergency Meeting
Cold sweat beaded on Kassel's back.
The faculty of Solaum Imperial Academy. Who were they?
They were people who had built overwhelming expertise in their fields or were authorities in academia.
Towers of knowledge and combat. Monsters residing at the pinnacle.
Moreover, Kassel's own position was that of a complete foreigner in the empire.
If that nameless girl—no, that professor—turned out to be some spoiled brat from a powerful family with a nasty personality...
'Father...'
In the worst case, his mistake could sour relations between nations.
At least, that's what Kassel, his heart drowned in anxiety, believed.
As Kassel secretly prayed to the sand god,
"Heh heh, good to see you all. This wretched old man is Oswald von Dane, the chancellor of the academy."
Oswald's voice, amplified by mana through the auditorium, spread to every corner.
But Kassel couldn't focus on the speech.
"Among you, there may be those with blue blood and those from humble families who studied relentlessly to reach this point."
"But such things matter not here at Solaum Imperial Academy. For it was the command of His Majesty the Founding Emperor, the empire's first sun."
Tap, tap.Oswald tapped the microphone twice with his finger.
"The academy will not teach you answers. Instead, it will teach you to question them."
"Some of you will leave these grounds as pillars upholding the empire, while others will vanish without a name. But remember this: it is the lonely hours you face through the night that decide your fate."
Oswald scanned the faces of the hundreds of freshmen through his glasses, one by one.
"Now, let the painful yet glorious journey begin. Congratulations on your enrollment!"
The petite professor Kassel was watching just yawned through the entire speech.
The brief entrance ceremony ended.
Students headed to their assigned dormitories based on their entrance exam rankings.
Solaris, Lunaris, Stellaris.
All named after celestial bodies.
'Fitting for the imperial academy.'
I stretched languidly, watching the freshmen follow the faculty guides.
As expected, the most headed to the outlying Stellaris building, farthest from the main hall.
The fewest went to the centrally located Solaris.
"Hmm?"
And among them was a familiar face.
Copper skin that screamed desert origins, no matter who looked.
The guy who'd dared treat this body like a kid.
"Well, well. Looks like you're pretty smart, huh?"
"Who?"
A professor standing guard by my side jumped into my mutterings.
Juban. She taught strategy and tactics.
And those distinctly long ears marked her as an elf.
A massive longbow slung across her back.
I always thought it, but people here were way too friendly.
"...That one."
"Ah, Kassel, you mean?"
Juban followed my pointing finger.
So that's his name. Noted.
"Everyone assigned to Solaris is exceptional. Especially this year's Golden Generation."
"Yeah..."
I mumbled a reply and subtly shuffled a step away from Juban.
"Oh! See that student with hair the same color as yours? That's Sylvia Beljerion, the knight commander's only daughter!"
A name I knew.
Sylvia reached master level by the story's timeline. Even in old age, she held a military advisory position.
The moment I stepped away, Juban beamed innocently and closed the gap in a flash.
I rolled my eyes, fishing for some response.
"I'm not a professor, though..."
"Pfft, what difference does that make? Invited instructor or full professor, we're all educators here."
"...Right?"
"Exactly! I'm about to grab some food—wanna come? I know a great spot."
Come to think of it, I was starving.
Skipped breakfast and hustled early, so yeah.
I nodded at Juban's offer.
"Sure, let's go!"
She grinned at my nod and spoke with bouncy steps matching her personality.
It was indeed a restaurant befitting the imperial academy campus.
"You ate it all already?"
Juban looked at me after one final forkful.
"...Guess I wasn't that hungry."
A lie. I was famished.
But the problem was...
'The salads here are super fresh!'
I should've bolted when she said that outside.
The place Juban confidently dragged me to specialized in vegan fare.
Every dish a pile of greens.
The green feast on the table still made my head spin.
'Never eating with her again...'
I missed northern sausages and beer.
Whether sensing my mood or not, Juban happily popped the last cherry tomato into her mouth.
That's when footsteps approached from behind.
"Instructor Ruen?"
Turning, I saw academy staff uniform.
Perfect timing—I'd been awkwardly poking at greens.
The staffer met my gaze and continued.
"Um, you didn't attend the magic studies assistant professors' meeting..."
"...Meeting?"
News to me.
I narrowed my eyes, and the staffer looked flustered.
"Yes, it just started in Donghak Hall."
"Oh! Go quick...!"
Juban widened her eyes and shoved my back.
I hurried after the staffer.
Walking, I racked my brain—no prior notice.
'Tch...'
Sensing something fishy, I entered Donghak Hall.
Kaira's teaching assistant, Rihan, waited for attendees in the meeting room.
An emergency gathering.
The room deep in Donghak Hall had one empty seat.
"Looks like everyone's here who was coming..."
As Rihan ignored the vacancy to start,
Creeeak.
The absentee entered—the seat's owner, face narrowed in irritation.
"You're late, Instructor Ruen."
Rihan clicked his tongue inwardly.
He'd delayed the notice on purpose, emphasizing "instructor."
She wasn't even supposed to attend assistant professors' meetings, but...
—Take good care of the new instructor Ruen, will you?
The chancellor's request forced his hand.
'Parachute hire—should've known to bow out gracefully.'
Rihan hid his thoughts and announced the start.
"Most of you know, but for the one who doesn't, a quick recap of the agenda."
Aimed at one person.
Rihan deliberately drawled.
"Trouble just erupted in Solaris Dormitory."
He paced the podium, explaining.
"Two students argued over room assignments, escalating to a duel."
Normally not assistant professors' turf, yet no complaints.
"The dorm supervisor should've handled it, but she got caught in the fray and was carted to the hospital. Can't punish the students properly now."
A legitimate duel.
The supervisor's involvement was her negligence.
Plus, the fighters held big names.
Sylvia and Rufus.
Couldn't stop heirs of ducal houses dueling for honor.
"We need a new dorm supervisor. Considering this Golden Generation's uniqueness, one of us will take it."
Rihan scanned the room.
All looked reluctant. Naturally.
No prestige, all risk—who'd want it?
As he pondered drawing lots, his eyes gleamed.
They fixed on Ruen.
No backing, shortest tenure, seen as a parachute by most.
He locked on the yawning Ruen.
"So, how about Instructor Ruen takes the role?"
Honestly, Solaris was a powder keg.
Lifelong rivals Sylvia and Rufus.
One commoner amid nobles.
Plus a "sand dog" desert kid.
'Let's see you handle it.'
Rihan smirked inwardly.
This academy, its educators—who wouldn't resent her? Kaira's silence was odd, but he'd speak for her.
'Parachute bitch.'
Letters from the magic tower lord and northern mage? Probably flirted her way in with that cute face.
Rihan kept his smile, hiding malice.
"You're around their age, so it'd be easy to guide them, right?"
Predictably, another assistant chimed in.
Obvious ploy, yet...
"Sounds good to me?"
Ruen just smiled back.
'Jackpot.'
Her sole reason for joining: recruit future key players to the north.
Perfect spot to bond and subtly pitch the north.
"I'll do it."
The meeting ended amicably.