The Protagonist at the Center of the Storm
March 10th
Concordia Academy — Conference Room
Two days later. The conference room of Concordia Academy. Unlike the previous gathering, it wasn’t merely the teachers who had assembled. The seats were filled with individuals close to the core of the academy’s operations.
“The calculated damages match the reported figures exactly. The lower levels of the ceremonial hall have been completely destroyed, while the upper floors within the spell’s radius have been half-demolished. The top floor where the Spinsters Class was located barely escaped the area of effect and sustained no damage. However, in Teacher Walter’s class—which stood at the very center of the explosion—numerous cases of frostbite have emerged. In particular, the majority of the male students who approached Brunhild suffered tissue necrosis. Fortunately, the injuries remained within the range treatable by potions, so there will be no lasting complications. Still, the medical teams unanimously recommend approximately one week of rest.”
The massive disturbance from the night before. The reports continued in a steady stream regarding the terrorist act committed by the witch Brunhild Lingar. At that point, someone raised a hand.
“Baek Biseol was present at the scene as well, wasn’t she?”
“Yes. We will report on that matter as well. Fortunately, in Baek Biseol’s case, she only severed the right arm of the male student who approached her. While it was a severe wound, the cut was exceptionally clean. Thanks to immediate emergency treatment with a potion on site, the right arm was fully restored. As a result, the victim is in a condition where he can attend classes without any scars whatsoever.”
“Can we really call that fortunate?”
“Potions are meant to treat minor injuries in the first place! They’re not supposed to reattach severed limbs!”
“Indeed. That is why we conducted multiple thorough examinations just to be certain. Surprisingly, everything checked out perfectly. It was likely due to her exceptional swordsmanship.”
“Hmmm…”
One side had harmed students with ice magic—or a blessing that controlled it. The other had sliced off an arm simply for speaking to her. Neither incident could be considered normal, yet the lioness overseeing it all merely trembled her shoulders before bursting out in laughter.
“Uwahahaha!!!”
Of course, it was laughter of amusement. The lioness had completely forgotten her own attire; she kicked both legs up onto the table and flailed them about. Everyone present looked genuinely troubled by the sight.
“Principal, this is hardly the time for laughter. Valuable students have been injured, and protests are pouring in from every direction!”
“How exactly do you intend to take responsibility for this?”
A few of the long-lived species, like Sekhmet, voiced their objections. They all wore animal pelts over their heads like hats, a clear sign that they shared the same origins as her. Ox, horse, pig, monkey, and even snake—on the surface it resembled the twelve zodiacs, yet completely unrelated creatures like elephants and pandas were also present.
“Responsibility? Why should We involve Ourselves in such a matter?”
“What?”
“Is it not obvious? The decision to accept both the problematic Brunhild and Baek Biseol was made by everyone present here. In accordance with the founding ideals of this academy, we agreed to accept them to promote exchange between nations. That those girls are troublemakers is something every single one of us—including Ourselves—already knew. If we must assign blame, does it not fall on Walter, who acted on his own initiative?”
“So you’re going to pin everything on Teacher Walter?”
“There is no pinning or shifting to be done. These are simply the facts. If Walter had conducted the orientation with only his own class, that would have been the end of it. Instead, his greed invited disaster. If this is not self-inflicted calamity, then what is?”
“Even so, the homeroom teacher who neglected his own students bears some guilt. No matter how much of a guardian you may be, aren’t you protecting him too much?”
“This has nothing to do with Us being his guardian. As the report clearly states, Ludo recognized the danger posed by those two and repeatedly warned Walter to exercise caution. Despite that, Walter harbored a competitive spirit and chose to throw himself into the fire. How could this possibly be the fault of a homeroom teacher who has only been in the position for less than a week? On the contrary, We believe Walter should be expressing gratitude to Ludo for offering such advice.”
Several people seemed dissatisfied with those words, yet they held their tongues. As the principal had said, forcing responsibility onto Ludo would be nothing but a stretch.
“Well… he did tell them not to call him, and they called him anyway. And the reason they called him was to undermine him…”
“Punishing Teacher Ludo in this situation does feel a bit much…”
“Now that I think about it, wasn’t it Vice Principal Chiyou who hired Walter?”
All eyes turned toward the man wearing the red mask. Despite his massive build and the ox mask that made him look intimidating at first glance, he calmly bowed his head repeatedly.
“My apologies. He seemed motivated, so I hired him. It appears his enthusiasm simply took a regrettable direction. Since I was the one who employed him, I will take full responsibility for the aftermath and compensation to the victims.”
“How will you handle Walter himself?”
“I am sorry for defending him. However, despite appearances, he is fairly well-regarded among the students in his class. If we can temper that sharp personality of his just a little, I believe he could become an excellent teacher. I ask that you refrain from crushing his potential in one fell swoop.”
“In other words, because he has a future, you want us to refrain from giving him a severe punishment.”
“I apologize once again.”
Even with his fearsome mask and towering physique, Vice Principal Chiyou bowed his head to the seemingly more delicate principal. His attitude was so gentle and refined that even those who had demanded harsh punishment for Walter found themselves deeply conflicted.
“We understand that Vice Principal Chiyou wishes to protect a promising young man. However, if we allow an incident like this to pass without any punishment, no one will accept it.”
“Reward and punishment must be clear. I am well aware of that principle. Therefore, I have one suggestion.”
“Oh?”
When the principal gestured for him to speak, Vice Principal Chiyou laid out his condition.
“As everyone knows, March features the ‘Basic Practical Training.’ The new students gather at the arena to train against instructors and teachers, learning how to protect themselves against naturally spawning monsters.”
The schedule Chiyou mentioned was familiar to every person present. After all, it was an annual event.
“Due to the nature of this training, all new students will be gathered in one place. How about having Walter and Ludo duel there, in front of everyone?”
“How sudden. May We ask how you arrived at such a conclusion?”
“Teacher Walter has a very high opinion of himself. He had his sights set on the Spinsters Class, and since his family background is influential, he seems to view others as inherently beneath him. Therefore, I believe having his pride shattered in front of everyone—including the students—would serve as fitting punishment.”
“I see. So if he learns that the person he looked down on was actually far superior, his arrogance would crumble?”
Of course, that was not the only reason.
“He will feel embarrassed for a while, but afterward he should focus entirely on his class. Teacher Ludo also appears bothered by being entangled with Teacher Walter, so this provides a legitimate opportunity for them to settle things. I consider it an excellent solution.”
“That makes sense. We approve.”
Sekhmet readily gave her consent, and the others accepted it with an understanding of “if that’s the case.” To taste humiliation in front of every new student—there could be no greater punishment for a teacher.
“As this incident has shown, all matters concerning the Spinsters Class shall be left entirely to Ludo. Make it clear to the other teachers once again that meddling unnecessarily will only create more problems. And out of an abundance of caution, We add this: do not use your own students as tools for advancement. Ludo’s unique circumstances forced Us to permit it, but if any of you take that as an excuse or justification to touch the students, We will not forgive it.”
Everyone looked troubled for a moment before letting out short laughs.
“Indeed. Starting with Walter, a few who dream of promotion have already begun eyeing their own students.”
“The rule was that teachers must not lay hands on students. That was supposed to be one of our academy’s core principles…”
“Now that an exception called Teacher Ludo has appeared, it seems some believe it’s acceptable for them as well.”
“A romance between student and teacher may sound romantic on the surface, but most of it is just predators targeting the students’ powerful family backgrounds.”
“Why can’t they understand that such greed will destroy the academy’s order…?”
This topic seemed to come up often, as everyone voiced their complaints with familiar ease. At the same time, the hostility they had shown toward Walter vanished. Since his punishment had already been decided, there was no need to expend further anger on him.
“Then we shall leave the Walter matter to Vice Principal Chiyou. Regarding the March schedule…”
“You mean the club matters. How are the budget issues?”
“We should also discuss the upcoming tournaments being held across the continent—”
They were not idle enough to spend hours on the deviation of a single teacher. Discussions moved along briskly. During that time, a small girl wearing a crow mask quietly approached Sekhmet. The others paid them no mind as their conversation continued in low voices.
“How long are you going to keep doing this?”
“Doing what?”
“Running this academy.”
“How abrupt.”
Sekhmet, seemingly aware of what the crow was asking, crossed her legs in a crude manner.
“The academy will continue to operate. Until peace permeates the entire continent and the day comes when such blood-soaked spectacles never occur again.”
“I think that’s foolish. Humans don’t know how to abandon fighting. Even if it’s peaceful now, blood will flow again someday. Have you learned nothing in your thousand years of life?”
“It is precisely because this place was built at the end of such blood-soaked lessons that everyone regards it as a symbol of peace and offers their reverence. Do you not understand that?”
“Then how do you explain the fools who commit terrorism in such a place?”
She laughed heartily. Seeing that no counterargument was coming, the crow girl puffed out her cheeks.
“If you truly cared about peace, you wouldn’t have created something like the Spinsters Class, nor allowed those idiots inside.”
“We disagree. Leaving those children outside would be the path to the continent’s destruction. That is why We gathered them all into one class.”
“Why are you so certain?”
“There was a prophecy.”
It was an answer filled with many questionable points, yet Sekhmet offered no further explanation. The crow girl seemed to understand the weight of those words and did not press. Instead, she asked one more question.
“That bomb-filled class—can that guy really protect it?”
“At the very least, We chose the most suitable person for the task, and in truth, he is performing quite well.”
“It’s fine if I test him, right?”
A small mouth visible beneath the crow mask drew a sly arc. She knew exactly what that smile meant, yet Sekhmet did not stop her. On the contrary, she encouraged it.
“Of course. Ludo is Our cute grand-disciple. He may not realize it yet, but his skill is genuine. He will certainly not disappoint the ‘Vice Principal.’”
“You’re the one who gave permission?”
With this, it was now certain that danger would come for Ludo. Allowing it despite knowing that was simply part of Sekhmet’s wicked nature.
“Ah, our poor Ludo. You’ve been marked by yet another troublesome woman. As an apology for what’s about to happen, shall We give you a day off…”
Even so, the reward she offered was merely a single day of rest. Truly, no matter how much she claimed ownership of the place, its management remained completely arbitrary.