Chapter 59
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Translator: 8uhl
Chapter: 59
Chapter Title: Coincidence
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Clack. Clack. Clack.
The sound of high heels echoed sharply as she strode down the corridor.
It was hardly dignified, but Ariel Elise Suit didnt care.
Such things were utterly irrelevant right now.
Students who caught sight of her terrifying expression hurriedly cleared a path.
Ariel marched straight toward the large door at the end of the corridor.
..
..
She didnt slow down even as she came within a few steps of the door.
She merely clenched her fist and shoved the air aside.
Boom!
The firmly shut door burst open as if an explosion had gone off.
President!
...Professor Ariel?
Mondri Cremont furrowed his brow at the sudden intruder.
He removed his reading glasses and addressed Ariel.
Whats got you in such a frenzy?
Did you know about the new chairman who just took office?
Ah, of course I did.
Then why didnt you say anything? When exactly was it decided that man would become chairman?
Tsk... Lower your voice, Professor.
Mondri clicked his tongue and beckoned with his hand, closing the door.
While he was at it, he cast a soundproofing spell.
Now their conversation wouldnt leak outside.
Have a seat first.
President!
Whatever it is, if you want to talk to me, sit down. Unless youd prefer to be known as the rude professor who barged into the presidents office without knocking.
...Ahem. My apologies.
Only then did Ariel realize her own rudeness and sat demurely on the sofa.
Mondri rose from his desk and took the sofa opposite her.
So, where were we? Professor Ariel.
...Why on earth is that man the chairman?
You mean Count Ruelverta...
Mondri let out a deep sigh.
It just ended up that way.
President. Why did you let that man become chairman?
I only found out yesterday myself. Lord Arthur informed me without any prior consultation.
What?
Ariel gritted her teeth.
She knew exactly what kind of family the Ruelverta were.
She knew, but this still felt excessively outrageous.
Theres a limit to treating people like fools! This is tyranny! And the board of directors had nothing to say?
The board stayed silent. Effectively, they consented.
Ha! As expected from the Ruelverta puppets. So in the end, the former chairman made the decision unilaterally?
Thats right.
The former chairman, Arthur Ruelverta, was a respected figure.
He had largely refrained from interfering in school operations and had contributed generously as a patron, elevating Meikahel Universitys prestige.
That was why, despite the Ruelverta familys infamous reputation, there had been virtually no complaints from students or staff.
In the end, Lord Arthur was still a Ruelverta. And to hand the chairmanship to that man of all people. What on earth was he thinking...
Professor Ariel, I see it differently.
Pardon?
In response to Ariels puzzled look, Mondri began carefully explaining his own view.
You might not know this, but Lord Arthur and the young count dont get along.
...They dont get along?
It was news to Ariel.
Mondri nodded.
Indeed. Lord Arthur has been the young counts guardian since he became count at a tender age. As such, hes been handling all of the Ruelverta familys business up to now. Eventually, not just this chairmanship, but all those positions will have to go to Count Tristan.
...And?
The count is an adult now. So why hasnt Lord Arthur handed over the business to him yet?
Mondris voice carried strong conviction.
Because he doesnt trust the count. From what Ive learned, there was even talk recently within the Ruelverta family of stripping Tristan from the counts position.
If thats the case... it makes even less sense. How did a man with that little regard manage to snag the chairmanship?
Im not entirely sure about that part. But I suspect... the count put some pressure on Lord Arthur.
Mondri recalled his recent encounter with Tristan as he spoke.
That extraordinary pressure had even made Mondri tense.
A dangerous man.
It wouldnt be surprising if hed applied pressure to an old man like Arthur.
Ariel asked in a trembling voice.
Then... did the count threaten Lord Arthur to seize the chairmanship?!
Thats my guess, though its just speculation.
What kind of beastly inhuman...
Ariel trembled with rage.
Mondris speculation was plenty convincing.
Tristan was clearly a greater villain than shed imagined.
Mondri stood and moved to the window.
Gazing out at the freshmen below, his expression looked weary.
Seeing this, Ariel spoke gravely.
Did you hear what the count said at the entrance ceremony, President?
Yes, it was relayed to me. He just had to pull something low-class on the very first day.
This is utter madness. Hes basically saying the chairman can expel students at whim? What a tyrant.
Theres nothing to be done. What can we do about it now? We lack the power. Besides, both you and I draw salaries from the Ruelverta family. And thats not alleverything about this school is touched by Ruelverta influence.
Even if they pour in money, this school isnt the Ruelvertas! Its not the counts playgroundits a school. It should be run by the students and us faculty! Ill make sure it is!
It was a statement befitting Ariel, a Meikahel University professor who enjoyed widespread student support.
She truly prioritized her students above all, the mark of a true educator.
Mondri knew this, yet he could only shake his head.
Professor Ariel... no, my disciple Ariel. As your teacher, may I ask one favor?
What is it...?
Stay away from Count Tristan... no, the chairman. And for the time being, let him do as he pleases.
Pardon?
Ariels face hardened.
It had been ages since her mentor and superior, Mondri, had worn such a serious expression.
The chairman is hiding something. His reason for becoming chairman of this school is likely tied to it.
Mondri looked at his former student with concern.
Ariel, youre exceptionally talented. The most outstanding among my disciples. So... please, be cautious. You know better than anyone what kind of family the Ruelverta are.
A ruthless family that chose any means for their ends.
The Ruelvertas power was vast beyond measure.
So... it wasnt time yet.
That was the subtle warning Mondri gave Ariel.
Ariel fell silent for a long while.
These were the words of Mondri, the mentor she respected most.
She wasnt the type to bluntly refuse her teacher.
...Understood. But if the chairman actually tries to expel students, I wont stand by. Ill go protest myself.
Very well. But you must report to me first.
Mondri warned sternly.
Ariel crossed her long, alluring legs and leaned back against the sofa.
Gazing not at Mondri but into the distance, she replied.
Yes. Ill keep that in mind, Master.
On the way across campus toward the main gate.
I started genuinely worrying about Wendy.
Sh-She was definitely just here a moment ago...
Wendy explained, on the verge of tears.
Putting her words together, it went like this.
Shed met a friend named Luna at the entrance ceremony and gotten close enough to be invited over.
But she disappeared...
...I see.
C-Count... Im not a liar...
...I hadnt even said anything?
I didnt show it, but I was bewildered.
Lately, Wendy had grown sharper at reading moods.
Id been maintaining a stone-faced expression to play Tristan, but strangely, this girl occasionally saw through to my real feelings, which was troubling.
Worried my agitation might show, I activated Patience.
Then, in a perfectly calm voice, I said.
I know. That youre not lying.
R-Really...?
Yes.
Thats what I said, but I figured I should give Wendy the weekend off.
Since becoming my exclusive maid, shed been handling a grueling schedule.
From dawn jogs with me, to estate duties, to lessons from Myohail and Blancheall on top of each other. Her body must be at its limit.
It had to be weighing heavily on her mentally.
Making up an imaginary friend at the entrance ceremony? She mightve hit her breaking point.
I know a good hospital. Ill take you later.
Eeeek?! S-See, you didnt believe me after all...! Hiiing...
Wendy looked up at me like Id betrayed her, but I maintained my composure with Patience.
That was when it happened. An unexpected voice called out.
Oh my. Isnt that the count?
Turning my head, a silver-haired beauty waved with a radiant smile.
Lady Bella...
What a coincidence. I never imagined running into you here.
...Its been a while, Count.
Unlike the beaming Bella, Blanche behind her gave a curt bow with a displeased expression.
What was with this stark temperature difference?
Congratulations. I heard youve been appointed chairman?
Yes.
Bella must have just learned of my chairmanship appointment.
I hadnt expected her to be the first to congratulate me.
But a natural question arose.
Why was she here, of all places?
Sensing my doubt, Bella smiled with her eyes.
Oh my... another coincidence. It turns out Ill be working here starting this year too. Hehe...
Working?
I couldnt help tilting my head.
If my memory served, there was no scenario in the original novel or game where Bella worked at Meikahel University.
With a fresh smile Id never seen before, Bella answered my unspoken question.
Yes. Circumstances led to me taking on a short-term lecture position here. Ill be an instructor in swordsmanship. Looking forward to working with you.
........
My mind grew complicated.
Had some variable cropped up?
Thanks to Patience, my emotions were as still as a lake.
Yet I felt a chill sweat trickling down my back.
Then Bella clapped her hands.
Oh, right... Do you know, Count?
?
Bella approached me closely and stood on tiptoe.
She whispered sweetly into my ear.
They say when coincidences pile up... its fate. Hehe...