The Answer is Already Decided
"Stop agonizing and just decide. Who are you pushing for as the next principal?"
No one dared open their mouth rashly, too busy gauging each other's reactions. Then, only the young professor boldly raised his hand and shouted.
"Obviously, Ios Savin. With her skills, she's more than qualified for the principal's position."
Movements of agreement for pushing Ios sprang up here and there, but opposition was just as fierce. A middle-aged professor countered without missing a beat.
"Nonsense! Strength isn't everything anymore. This is an era ruled by leadership, wealth, power, and political savvy! Elias Quinnel is the right choice."
Agreements and oppositions erupted simultaneously again. The overall flow was a tense standoff between Eri and Ios. Then, a minority voice supporting the neutral faction broke out, turning the room into instant chaos.
As everyone raised their voices for their favored side, Hachi Professor banged the gavel wildly to quiet them.
"Silence! SILENCE! This is just for sharing opinions, not for fighting each other!"
"Who are you pushing for, Professor Hachi?"
At one professor's question, Hachi tugged at the corner of his mouth in thought and fell silent. After a moment, he spoke in a voice lacking full conviction.
"For now, I see Eri... but it's not set in stone."
"Professor Hachi! We trusted you of all people!"
"Wise choice! Pushing her is our only way to survive!"
"Does that mean Ios is doomed?"
As the room started to quiet down, I stood up. Were there people watching me? The moment I rose, silence fell instantly. Those arguing fiercely and those just watching all stopped and turned their attention to me.
They were waiting. Sena's servant—who would he support? My opinion was taken as Sena's. Considering Sena's power, my single word could tip the scales.
Confirming even Hachi Professor was silent and awaiting my view, I slowly opened my mouth.
"Why are you agonizing? The answer is already decided."
Everyone swallowed hard. Hundreds of eyes fixed on my lips. Who? Who will you support? Whose side is Sena on?
"Sena wins."
The atmosphere sank into stillness. Soon, sighs of disappointment, tongue clicks followed one after another.
"What did you say? Sena isn't even participating in this war! She's in a position where she has to back someone!"
"None of them appeal to me. I'm not supporting anyone."
As complaints and curses erupted, Hachi banged the gavel to calm everyone.
"Back to your seats, all of you! Now!"
Everyone sat, and Hachi gestured for me to come closer. I found an empty seat around the table and sat down.
"Whew, Instructor."
Hachi rested his arms on the table, interlocking his fingers. His eyes were indeed deep and calm.
"We're not playing some kids' game of tag here. Our choice is our lifeline."
"I know."
"So we must side with the faction that will become the next principal to keep the academy alive. Pick the wrong side, and our heads roll."
"I know."
"You know, yet you push Sena? She has zero interest in faction wars... Did she say anything to you about joining?"
"No. She hates it."
"Then there's no reason to choose her. Are you just spouting off without thinking?"
I tapped the table firmly with my hand—a signal that I didn't like the current mood.
"Let me offer an opinion. Do you want to push a student running illegal operations in the academy?"
Some groaned in response.
"Or one who discriminates against and abuses commoners and elves while trying to lord over the academy like a spoiled brat?"
Some muttered complaints but didn't step up aggressively.
"Why throw your lives away on those young women? Let's go with the stable choice. Push Sena."
"As we've said, she..."
"Pushing Sena maintains Helena Principal's authority."
I linked Sena and Helena together. As they started excluding me with exasperated sighs, Hachi leaned forward with interest.
"You're not just blurting this out. Care to share your thinking?"
"Ios and Eri have already declared war on us. Just recently, Ios came to me personally and said..."
I leaned back crookedly, rolling my eyes upward.
"'If you're gonna fight, do it properly—or get out of this academy.'"
"What was Sena's response?"
"Nothing much. She's not worth Sena's time."
Ios supporters shouted furiously, but I ignored them.
"Eri... well, she hasn't come personally, but it's the same."
"So?"
"I'm Sena's servant. If they touch Sena? I'll fight back."
What? What? What? Incredulous voices exploded from all directions.
Yes, that was my stance. Not Sena, but me standing against them to maintain the status quo.
"You?"
"Yes. And Ios is already caught in my plan."
"Hah!"
The young professor's eyes widened.
"A mere servant who's just starting to use magic... thinks he can take down Ios? With that level of power?"
"Even if I get stronger, I'm not sure I'd match Ios. But do I have to fight fair?"
I couldn't hold back a chuckle. A smirk crept onto my lips.
"Just train Ios properly, and won't she crawl between my legs on her own?"
"You insolent servant bastard!"
As the young professor reached for his staff, Hachi roared.
"Put that staff away right now!"
"This worm of a servant is insulting Ios! Are we just supposed to watch?"
"Watch and do nothing!"
He reluctantly stowed the staff but glared like he'd attack any second. I sneered openly and continued.
"Ios's ankle is already snared in the net I cast. Soon. Very soon."
"You... what are you plotting?"
"Didn't Ios and Eri say they're planning to win this war? So I'm planning too. Nothing special."
"If a worm like you touches Ios..."
"Then let me warn you too."
I pulled my chair close and approached the young professor, who was glaring fiercely. I growled back savagely.
"You touch my master? I'll kill you all."
"You... you...! Insolent...!"
"...You said you're already planning?"
Hachi intervened, shifting the topic back to me. I straightened up as if happy to oblige, shrugging.
"Yes. Soon you'll see Ios crawling at my feet."
"That makes Eri even stronger. She won't miss the gap if Ios falls."
"Don't worry. Eri's next."
The middle-aged Eri faction professor, who had been snickering, jumped up in shock.
"What? You and Eri?"
"The neutrals too. The moment they crawl up, they're my targets."
"You, you you... you...!"
The young professor finally kicked back his chair and stood. Ignoring Hachi's shouts, he slammed his hands on my chair and table, leaning in. He looked ready to punch me instead of cast a spell but held back—veins bulging on his forehead instead. His bulging eyes had already devoured me a hundred times over.
"What gives you the confidence to spew that crap? Time to teach lowly commoners what happens when they flap their mouths in front of nobles?"
"Watch your mouth, you sanctimonious prick. That servant might treat your master like a dog."
"Keep running that mouth..."
I shoved the young professor's shoulder. He sprang up, looking around as he yelled.
"Alright. One more option on the table? Anyone pushing for our Sena?"
There wouldn't be. I knew that too. But unexpectedly, one hand went up. From among the female professors—Viola Professor, the first-year combat instructor.
"Professor Viola? Weren't you neutral...?"
"I changed my mind just now. I trust the instructor."
And not just her. Gregory, who I thought supported Ios, suddenly raised his hand.
"Gregory! You bat-like bastard!"
The young professor bellowed, veins popping in his neck. Gregory shook his head.
"I never planned to betray anyone."
Gregory smiled warmly.
"I would've backed Ios originally, but if the instructor's like this, it's different. I support Sena."
"Traitors aren't welcome anywhere."
His face flushed red with rage, but the young professor ground his teeth and sneered.
"Once your true bat nature shows... let's see how isolated you get."
"Yes, understood."
And one more—the utterly unexpected Hachi Professor.
"P-Professor Hachi?"
"Honestly, I don't fully trust you either, Instructor."
Surprising. I'd thought no professors supported me, Hachi included. His gaze still lacked full trust.
"But you said it yourself—maintaining the principal's authority."
"Professor Hachi! You really believe this instructor?"
"To be frank, I don't trust any option. They all look like shaky tightropes to me."
Hachi gazed steadily at me. It felt less like faith and more like sheltering under an eave from the rain.
"Maintaining the principal. That's the safest path for me. The ends those two factions lead to? Only ruin."
I saw him as wise. And cautious. With no rebuttals in the shock, Hachi spoke.
"Any objections?"
Silence. Hachi banged the gavel, ending one issue.
"Then that's settled on that topic. Next, the magic contest. The date for the event..."