Negotiation (2)
Samuel Martina's conversation with Vice Dean Samuel flowed smoothly. In truth, the continued existence of the Magic Department held little meaning for him. He had simply planned to tidy things up in agreement with his fellow conspirators, worried about exposure of the kickbacks he'd pocketed so far. Shutting down the department was something he could take or leave.
If he could wrap up the troublesome matter without hassle and eliminate rivals who held his weaknesses, he was fine letting the department linger as long as needed.
"Then let's settle it like this."
"Understood. If I gather five students, you'll hold off on the closure issue, right?"
"Yes."
Vice Dean Samuel nodded.
"Even so, maintaining a department with not a single student doesn't make sense. If even a few enroll, I can use that as an excuse to delay the shutdown. It'll give me something to say to the others. But... you do know what I mean?"
Vice Dean Samuel set down his teacup and continued.
"You'll have to recruit the cadets entirely on your own. It does me no good to step out front. The others would look at me sideways, and as vice dean, I can't be seen favoring a particular department."
"Of course, I understand."
How laughable that the man who'd turned the entire department into a den of corruption was now fretting over favoritism. Was he truly sincere, or just wearing the mask of a 'fair vice dean'? Either way, the word repugnant fit perfectly.
But that's precisely why men like him can be useful at times.
If Vice Dean Samuel weren't such a man, this negotiation would never have succeeded so easily. Even if it had, it wouldn't have gone this smoothly.
The Magic Department's reputation and standing within the academy were that poor. In a normal organization, such a part would be excised or reformed, but when individuals pursued personal gain over the group's health, plenty were willing to leave the tumor be.
Of course, that alone wasn't quite enough reason for Samuel to accept Cain's proposal. Eliminating rivals was appealing, but it brought no immediate profit to Samuel himself.
Ironically, the reason Vice Dean Samuel accepted Cain's offer was that the current 'Cain Dravel' seemed so utterly insignificant and lowly.
From Samuel's perspective, Cain was just a disposable pawn he could crush anytime. Delaying the disposal of such a pawn to inflict damage on troublesome rivals? A profitable trade by any measure.
Samuel probably didn't even believe Cain could truly harm his fellow conspirators. If it worked, great; if not, no loss. If backlash loomed, he could simply cut ties. The calculation was transparent.
Such types infest every world. And they always attract their own kind.
And those types never trusted anyone but themselves. Since they themselves plotted betrayal, they assumed everyone else did too. Sowing discord among them was child's play.
"Well then, Professor Cain. Give it your best."
"Yes, I shall do my utmost."
After exchanging farewells, Cain left the vice dean's office.
It's working better than expected. I'd even prepared for the worst-case scenario of turning everything upside down.
Word Command. A spell that infused words with mana to subtly influence the listener's mind. To be frank, it was hardly worthy of being called advanced magic.
Its basic effect simply made the listener more receptive to the speaker's words. Such an outcome could be achieved without magic—clear pronunciation, a pleasant voice, and apt gestures could draw attention and persuade just as well.
But its subtlety allowed it to slip past defenses. Especially here, where prejudice against mages had hit rock bottom, leaving virtually no wariness of magic. He could implant the effect without a hint of suspicion.
If even a vice dean of this academy had bothered with more direct interference, he might have noticed. But this was enough.
In the end, it didn't create new emotions—just fanned existing ones. Perfect for the current situation.
To think the vice dean is so careless. Even a magic layman should take basic precautions.
Tsk tsk. Clicking his tongue, Cain strolled down the corridor.
For now, I've put out the immediate fire. But this isn't over.
This was merely a stopgap. Samuel had withdrawn his hand, but only in the literal sense of 'holding off'—the real issues remained unsolved. If time passed without results, he'd mercilessly snuff out the Magic Department without hesitation.
Before that, I need to elevate the department's status.
To the point where no one dared mention closure. And for that, he needed people. The department's raison d'être lay in the cadets who sought to learn its knowledge.
"Did the talk go well?"
"Veronica, Assistant."
Cain ran into Veronica while walking the corridor. She glanced toward the vice dean's office and asked.
Cain replied with a smiling face.
"Of course. Even Vice Dean Samuel holds high hopes for our Magic Department's potential."
"Vice Dean Samuel? What nonsense is that? He called it a 'useless rice-wasting' department every drinking party."
"......"
"That's why you skipped those gatherings—to avoid hearing it."
That bastard Vice Dean Samuel. His face was thicker than expected.
"Ahem! Let's bury the past. With our talks concluded smoothly, no need to dredge up such trivia."
"From the way you say it, things really did go well."
"Yes. At least we won't be evicted immediately."
"Oh, good. I'd have felt bad losing a familiar face."
In hindsight, Veronica seemed remarkably flawless for an assistant. Had she some prior connection with the original host? Yet there was no such vibe.
...Human relations remain inscrutable even after a century.
Cain decided not to dwell.
"In any case, Veronica. First, allow me to express my thanks. Your help made this outcome possible."
This was no empty flattery. Before meeting Vice Dean Samuel, Cain had asked her about the academy's internal hierarchy, key figures' reputations, and gossip. She'd answered diligently.
Without her, the negotiations would have hit snags. Even the righteous path falters on overlooked details. She'd filled those gaps aptly.
Is it her administrative role, or her nature? She knew so much.
Cain had expected basic internal politics, but she'd delved into the vice dean's personality and faction dynamics. A talent for that, perhaps. Too valuable to waste as mere admin.
Veronica waved it off modestly.
"No need. I just shared what I knew."
Hm, humility rare in youngsters. It only fueled his greed.
Cain said, "Veronica."
"Yes."
"The vice dean conditioned the department's survival on recruiting at least five students."
"A given. Surprising it hadn't come up sooner."
To her calm reply, Cain ventured cautiously.
"So... if it's not too much trouble, could you perhaps join our department and lend a hand...?"
"Pass."
"...I wasn't finished."
"Should I hear you out first?"
Her eyes burned with unyielding refusal. Swallowing a groan, Cain gave up with a sigh-like mutter.
"...Are all assistants like you these days?"
"Better than a conscienceless professor asking someone to join a department on the brink of death."
".....I'll say no more."
Youngsters were no joke. Truly.
*
"Well, I'll be off. Just squeezed this in."
"Very well. Once more, my sincere thanks. If ever I can return the favor, say the word."
"Sure, sure. I won't hold my breath."
With that, Veronica briskly departed. Cain followed her out of the building.
Summoned to the vice dean's office at dawn, the sun was still high at midday. He'd have loved to relax and wander this world leisurely, but alas, no such luxury.
Five students. A negligible condition for a normal department. But for the Magic Department, teetering on oblivion, it loomed like an insurmountable wall.
Without overcoming the deep-seated scorn toward magic, revival remained uncertain.
"Above all, manpower shortage."
The department had only him, the professor. No assistant professors, assistants, or even staff. He'd have to hustle solo for recruits.
Hence the pitch to Veronica—which she'd shot down spectacularly. Solo struggle it was.
For the record, he hadn't given up. Someday, he'd drag her into his lab.
We'll see then, Assistant Veronica.
Vowing inwardly, he unfolded a mental map of the academy. At this hour, cadets would gather at...
"The cafeteria... or maybe the training grounds?"
Perfect spots to start pounding the pavement.