Chapter 55
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Translator: 8uhl
Chapter: 55
Chapter Title: Scene 055: Telegram
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Mondri crumpled the letter.
What kind of absurd nonsense is this!
Sitting in his office, Mondri could do nothing but vent his frustration.
The letter he had just read was addressed to Arthur Ruelverta, the chairman of the university's board of directors.
Its contents amounted to a simple notification: he was handing over the chairmanship to Tristan Ruelverta.
Yes, just a notification.
They hadn't even convened the board of directors, let alone consulted him, the president.
Damn Ruelverta.
Dissatisfied with merely crumpling the letter, Mondri incinerated it in midair until no trace remained.
Of course, there was nothing Mondri could do about it.
All the directors were loyalists to the Ruelverta family from the start.
Even if they had called a board meeting, the outcome wouldn't have changed.
But shouldn't they at least have asked for his opinion once?
Not only was he in charge of the presidency, he was the president.
Mondri couldn't help but feel resentment over handling such a major decisionreplacing the chairmanin this manner.
And of all people, that man had to become the new chairman.
Mondri clutched his head.
Tristan.
An arrogant man who looked down on everyone in the world as beneath him.
The most dangerous man in the empire right now, even threatening His Majesty's authority.
When Arthur was chairman, he had essentially left the school's operations alone, so Mondri faced no real difficulties.
But he couldn't even imagine what would happen if Tristan became chairman.
Tch Just like his father.
Mondri clicked his tongue.
Back in the day, Millium Ruelverta had been just as inscrutable.
His initial impression had been that of a beautiful boy with cynical eyes and an intellectual air.
Yet, in a body bereft of manacursed as it washe had become a prodigy, a kirin child, and a disciple of Sage Myohail just like Mondri.
Originally, Millium could never have been Mondri's rival.
Unlike Millium, Mondri was a mage overflowing with talent.
Mondri possessed everything Millium lacked.
Precision in magic, power to wield mana, an abundance of mana within his body.
But Sage Myohail cherished Millium just as much as he did Mondri.
Because, just as Mondri had everything Millium lacked, Millium possessed everything Mondri did not.
Millium had never once handled mana, yet his knowledge of magic ran deep.
He had read and comprehended countless books on mana, reaching a level where he could converse fluently with Sage Myohail.
Mondri had found that utterly unbearable.
The fact that a mere boy, far younger and unable to cast a single spell, stood on the same level as him.
I must look like a complete fool now.
Mondri let out a sigh.
He wanted to deny the reality that the son of Milliumthe man he had so despisedwas now looming over him.
Tristan, who had inherited Millium's cynical, inscrutable gazethe very one Mondri had scorned so much.
As much as he hated to admit it, the Ruelverta family's power was too vast for Mondri to handle alone.
But now, Mondri had a reliable backup.
I need to send a wire to the imperial family.
It was at that moment, as Mondri reached for his pen and paper.
Knock knock.
A voice came from beyond the doorhis secretary's.
President, you have a visitor.
A visitor? Who is it?
Yes. Lady Bella Izarkhel requests an audience with you.
!
Mondri shot up from his seat.
Bellathe esteemed daughter of the Izarkhel family, the most renowned house in the land.
Why would she come to see me?
The question lingered only briefly before Mondri gave instructions to his secretary.
Escort her in politely.
Yes.
Mondri hurriedly tidied the office with magic and prepared to receive the unexpected guest.
Creak.
Soon, the door opened to reveal a stunning silver-haired beauty and a tall woman who seemed to be her attendant.
Mondri bowed courteously.
Welcome, Lady.
Thank you for receiving me on such short notice. Sir Mondri. I apologize for interrupting when the entrance ceremony is so near and you're surely busy.
Bella bowed her head in return.
Mondri waved it off with a smile.
Oh, no, not at all. If anything, I'm grateful you've come to visit this old man. Haha. Please, have a seat.
Thank you.
Bella settled into the sofa.
Even such a simple act exuded an indescribable grace.
Truly worthy of being hailed as the empire's top beauty.
Haha, it feels like ages since I last saw you. Was it at the ball at the duke's residence last year?
Yes, that's right. I'm glad to see you've grown even healthier since then, Sir Mondri.
Bella smiled softly.
It was like the benevolent smile of a goddess, brightening the room around her.
Mondri's mood lifted in tandem as he replied.
Thank you. You've only grown more beautiful in the time since, Lady. Haha. But what brings you to this old man?
Mondri judged it better to ask directly rather than beat around the bush.
To him, Bella Izarkhel was no one to wary of.
As long as it wasn't an unreasonable request, Mondri was fully prepared to grant her wish.
Having a debt with the Izarkhel family wouldn't be a bad thing at all.
Bella looked at Mondri and cautiously opened her mouth.
It's nothing major. Is there any room left for a special lecture this semester, by chance?
A special lecture? Hmm. Please wait a moment.
With a flick of his finger, a neatly organized binder flew out from the stack of piled documents.
It unfurled before Mondri.
He examined it carefully and said.
Hmm. Lots of applicants this year too, but most were rejected. The qualifications for lecturing are quite stringent, so they probably fell through in the review process. So there should be plenty of openings. Why do you ask?
I was thinking of applying, if it's not too late.
Pardon? As a special lecturer?
Yes. In the swordsmanship category.
Swordsmanship!
Mondri's jaw dropped at Bella's completely unexpected words.
Would I not meet the qualifications?
Oh, no! Of course not!
Mondri brightened visibly.
If the Ladythe descendant of the sword master Alonso Izarkhelwere to personally give a special lecture, it would be a tremendous honor for our university.
Even just a special lecture would be more than enough.
That's plenty. In fact, I would beg you to do it. Word that you're lecturing would draw overflowing crowds. Haha.
I'm the one who's grateful, Sir Mondri. For indulging my unreasonable request.
Requests like this? I'd grant them anytime. Haha.
Mondri couldn't help but feel pleased.
Special lectures at the university typically featured popular instructors everyone knew.
But this year, they lacked not just invitees but even applicants.
And now, Bella Izarkhel had shown up at the perfect time.
The daughter of the empire's famed swordsmanship house, a peerless beauty with immense renownif she were invited as a lecturer, it would draw massive attention.
The already skyrocketing prestige of Meikahel University would rise even further.
As Mondri inwardly rejoiced, a sudden question arose.
But. This old man is a bit curious. Is there a special reason the Lady wishes to apply for a special lecture?
Well.
Bella exchanged a glance with her guard knight behind her before speaking.
I. want to get stronger.
Hmm?
Mondri's eyebrows twitched with interest.
Bella continued slowly.
I want to know where I stand right now. I've swung the sword mostly alone until now, but if I cross blades with students my age this time, maybe I'll gain some insightsthat's why I'm applying.
Ho. A true seeker's mindset.
Yes. Every swordsman is a seeker.
Mondri nodded deeply, resonating with Bella's words.
Hahaha. Well said. And the Lady moves with such pure motives. To get stronger. I felt the same once upon a time.
It was but a fleeting moment, but as he recalled the past, Mondri's expression turned bittersweet.
!
..
.
I pray the Lady achieves all she desires.
Just then, a flapping sound came from outside the window.
Mondri cleared his throat and said.
Ahem. Then, is there nothing more you wish to ask of me?
No. That's all.
Then I should get back to work.
Mondri rose with a beaming smile.
Bella responded with an even more elegant smile.
Yes. Thank you for your help, Sir Mondri.
Hahaha. This old man is glad to have been of service. Take care on your way back.
Yes. See you again soon, Sir Mondri.
After seeing the two off with a smile, Mondri slowly opened the window beside his desk.
A pigeon flew in as if it had been waiting.
Oh dear. Been waiting long?
Coo coo coo.
Mondri removed the note tied to the pigeon's leg.
The tiny slip bore the emblem of a deer with two facesone gold, one silver.
It was an imperial wire.
The first one since he had last met the emperor.
Mondri carefully unfolded the note, read its contents, and froze.
Hmm?!
It contained news that left Mondri utterly aghast.