Chapter 81

Chapter 81

Finance Director Fanclub (Not) – Part 1

The academy charity ball, commemorating (?) the terrorist attack, was prepared without a hitch.

Of course, some students protested against the academy’s announcement that the suspended final exams would be extended to include academy restoration, and that those who didn’t participate wouldn’t receive any points, but…

“So you’re not going to do it?”

“B-but this isn’t an exam or anything.”

“The Headmistress personally bowed her head and asked us to do it just a while ago. She even said she would give us scholarships.”

“It’s unfair.”

“That’s true. Then don’t do it. I’m going to do it and get extra credit.”

“…Ugh.”

They only had to help for a few hours, and it wasn’t even hard labor. The students’ role was simply to assist the staff.

Moreover, for the students who volunteered and worked longer hours, the academy calculated those hours and gave them additional scholarships. Rumors spread that it was a sweet deal where students could get extra credit and money.

Especially for the students in the Martial Arts and Magic Departments, it wasn’t a difficult task. Countless students participated in the academy’s reconstruction under the guidance of the staff.

It was an administrative process that could have caused complaints, but…

“The academy was attacked by terrorists. We have to help.”

“…Well, that’s true.”

“The Headmistress and the staff must be the busiest.”

“It can’t be helped.”

Under the unprecedented circumstances of the terrorist attack on the academy, any complaints were suppressed.

Even the students who were dissatisfied kept their mouths shut. In this atmosphere, raising their voices would only earn them looks of disapproval.

Moreover, the dormitory area where the students lived was near the outskirts where the terrorist attack occurred. Many students witnessed the collapsed buildings and destroyed roads caused by the attack, so it didn’t take long for public opinion to favor helping with the reconstruction.

…Actually, many students participated to earn some pocket money, but they all said things like “Of course we have to help, it’s our academy.”

The Carpentry Guild, which always handled the academy’s building repairs, only dispatched a minimal number of experts this time to advise on the reconstruction. It was a bonus that the carpentry majors in the Administration Department were given a great opportunity for practical experience.

However, only a certain Finance Director knew that even with the scholarships, it was cheaper than formally hiring the Carpentry Guild.

A week passed like that.

And at the charity ball, where the first prince of the royal family, the great nobles, the nobles of the kingdom, and even envoys from the Empire and the neighboring Delphia Kingdom gathered,

“This is comfortable.”

“…Is it okay for us to be doing this?”

“Of course.”

I…

…was comfortably resting without attending the ball.

“But Finance Director, you have to attend…”

“Why should I? It would actually cause more problems.”

“Excuse me?”

“Within the academy, I’m the Finance Director, a high-ranking official, but it’s different for the guests today.”

Not to mention the nobles and parents from all over the kingdom, the first prince, who was leading the race for the next throne, the few great nobles in the kingdom, and even envoys from the Empire and the Delphia Kingdom were present.

Me, appearing in front of such VIPs? That would be more problematic.

“I’m not even a noble, and I’m only Rank 1.”

“…That’s…”

“It’s strange for me to appear at every event in the first place.”

It was the same as the entrance ceremony. Back then, I was merely assisting the Headmistress. Even the reason I was present was to discuss investment in the illusion magic research, not because of my high status or anything.

You might say this ball was about donations. From my and the Headmistress’s perspective, donations were the priority, but for the other guests, who still considered the Headmistress the wealthiest person in the kingdom, meeting the Headmistress and building connections with her was their top priority.

More importantly, even if that wasn’t the case, my status and rank were the problem. If I were of low status but high rank, like Chief Examiner Ciel who was Rank 7, it might be different, but a commoner who was only Rank 1 was usually ignored.

This was especially true in a world where physical strength clearly reflected one’s rank. Frankly speaking, unless the leader of an organization was a fanatic like those in the Wish Cult, they usually had to be physically stronger than their subordinates to prevent rebellion or coups.

I had no problem because I always accompanied the Headmistress, whose backing was beyond compare. Although it was less strict for administrative positions, the other department heads were at least Rank 4.

So, even if I wanted to attend this ball, my appearance itself would be a problem. Moreover, if I took the lead and spoke, many would feel resentment or displeasure.

‘Every task has its right person.’

I had already told the Headmistress how to proceed, and I assigned the Head of Academic Affairs as her assistant.

Despite his appearance, he was from a great noble family, was of a certain age, and was Rank 4, making him perfect for the role. As a Headmistress fanatic, he would assist her well without being ignored.

‘The Head of Food Services and the Head of Student Affairs are in charge of reconstructing the outer buildings, the Head of Planning won’t be at the forefront, but he’s from a noble family, so he’s managing the ball, and Chief Examiner Ciel and the Captain of the 1st Security Unit are patrolling and guarding. As for the Head of Medical Services, that crazy woman, just her staying put is helping.’

Everyone was working at their respective positions. So what about me?

Everything I’ve done so far is work.

“So let’s rest. It’s not easy to rest unless there’s an opportunity like this.”

“…Is that so?”

“Student Milia, you can also go home after you finish that. I know you can work more comfortably when I’m not here, but I’m going to rest here.”

“…Tsk.”

Milia’s attempt to kick me out of the office failed, and…

While Milia, who had given up, was processing documents with lifeless eyes, I lay down on the makeshift bed in the corner of the office.

I could have gone to the break room and slept, but I had to keep an eye on Milia to make sure she was working properly.

‘Let’s get some proper rest, even if it’s just for a little while.’

Those VIP guests couldn’t stay at the academy for long. It wasn’t a matter of preparation or budget, but they also had a lot to do back home. It was surprising that the first prince and the great nobles even came here in the first place. Was it because of the Headmistress’s display of power?

The basin she created was quite large.

Anyway, the ball would continue throughout the night, and most of them would probably leave by tomorrow, except for a few. And then it was back to work. I had to calculate the total donations and figure out how to use them.

So I should rest now. I needed to rest to be able to work tomorrow.

That was my thought, but…

“Um… Adam? Ah, there’s someone…”

“…Laura? What’s up?”

“Um, Finance Director. Who is that female student?”

“Student Milia. She’s helping us with work because she can’t pay her tuition. So you can speak comfortably, like when it’s just the two of us.”

“Ah, okay.”

Laura, who entered with a bewildered expression, was momentarily flustered after seeing Milia, but…

She quickly shut her mouth and passed by Milia, who was focused on her work. Then, with an ambiguous expression as if she wasn’t sure if this was right, she approached me.

What was it? What was it?

“First, let me ask, I was about to lie down and rest, okay? Is this something I have to get up for?”

“Uh…”

“Damn it.”

What was going on? Did someone destroy another building? But I didn’t hear any explosions.

With a questioning look, wondering why she was looking for me, I looked up at Laura.

And Laura replied with a very complicated voice,

“Someone is looking for you.”

“Looking for me? Is it the Headmistress? Or the Head of Academic Affairs?”

“Ah, no. In fact, that would be better.”

I thought maybe the Headmistress had forgotten what I told her, or that the Head of Academic Affairs had something to say, but Laura shook her head.

But… that would be better?

“Three people are looking for you.”

“Three people? Who are they?”

“…The Tower Master of the Imperial Magic Tower, the Margrave, and the Crown Prince of the Delphia Kingdom.”

“…What?”

“Those three are waiting for you, Adam.”

Holy shit.

Why?

***

‘My attire… is fine. I’ve memorized most of the names and family symbols. Good!’

Lisha Claudia was extremely nervous. The midterm and final exams were definitely trivial compared to this.

A ball where great nobles, nobles, even royalty and foreign dignitaries gathered.

She had imagined making her debut at such an event as the daughter of the Claudia family someday, but she never thought it would be while she was still attending the academy.

‘So many people gathered for a charity ball.’

Charity balls themselves were events that Lisha had often attended as a child. The Claudia family was a margraviate bordering the Delphia Kingdom and the sea, so minor battles were an annual occurrence.

Not only were there monsters emerging from the sea, but various monsters also frequently appeared from the Delphia Forest, which bordered both the Claudia territory and the Delphia Kingdom. Since villages and cities often suffered damage, charity balls were occasionally held to support them.

One might wonder why they held balls to help cities, but balls were a legitimate and appropriate excuse for high-ranking individuals to gather and a good opportunity for various discussions. If the situation was truly urgent, they would send support immediately without a ball, but for minor damage, it was customary to discuss things at a ball.

However, even when the Claudias, a great noble family, held a ball, only nobles from the territories near the margraviate would gather. It was probably the same for other great nobles.

But looking at the faces here now…

“That person over there is…”

“He’s from the Marcel viscounty in the south. They’re a family famous for maintaining neutrality in the power struggle between the two great nobles in the area. They have considerable influence and are known for not attending any gatherings held by either side. But it seems they’ve made an exception here.”

“And that person?”

“That’s the Margrave family of the Empire. They don’t border our kingdom, but I hear that Margrave himself is a Grandis Academy graduate. More importantly, they’re the only Margrave family in the Empire without a Rank 8, so it seems they’re trying to emphasize their connection with the Headmistress.”

“…Even His Highness, the First Prince.”

“He must have been concerned about his competitor, the second prince, if he left the royal palace unattended. It’s a bold move. It seems he’s going all out, as the royal family is most concerned about the Headmistress.”

When Lisha, who hadn’t memorized all the families yet, secretly asked, the attendant following right behind her quickly answered.

Looking around, she saw only famous people. Those with strong family backgrounds, political influence, or high social standing.

All of these people were attending a charity ball at an academy, of all places, and for a terrorist attack, no less.

Lisha couldn’t help but shudder at that fact.

‘If I build connections here, it could be a huge help to the Claudia family.’

Normally, her siblings, who had already entered society, would handle this, but right now, Lisha’s position as a student at the academy was the most secure.

But it wasn’t simply the gathering of influential figures that made Lisha nervous.

Thud. Thud.

Footsteps approached. In a crowded ballroom, footsteps were a common occurrence. But Lisha had a feeling.

A peculiar gait with a precise 1.3-second interval between each step. On the third step, he deliberately paused for 2 seconds and slightly twisted his angle.

She knew very well who those bizarre footsteps belonged to.

Leaving her attendant, who hadn’t noticed any footsteps, Lisha quietly bowed her head towards the empty air.

“You’ve arrived, Father.”

“Indeed.”

Although it was clearly empty air just moments ago, a person now stood there.

An elderly man with white hair slicked back and a white beard. But his posture was straight, and his arms and calves were firm, making her wonder if he was in disguise.

He walked through the crowded ballroom without any problem, and no one, including the attendant, noticed his presence until he reached Lisha.

The Rank 8 of the kingdom and the head of the Claudia family, a great noble. Commonly known as the Margrave.

Gregory Claudia.

The old man, well over 100 years old, looked down at his youngest daughter with sharp eyes.

“You haven’t neglected your training. I’m proud of you.”

“Th-thank you!”

“You understand how important this occasion is. Lisha, I’ll leave this place to you.”

“Father…?”

The elation of having her efforts recognized by her beloved father was short-lived.

Lisha, her face pale, looked up at his words that seemed almost irresponsible.

“Don’t worry. I brought the head butler and some vassals, so they’ll tell you what to do. Make the name of Lisha Claudia known here.”

“Y-yes! But with all due respect, Father, where are you going…?”

Lisha steeled her resolve at Gregory’s trust, but she couldn’t help but be curious. Gregory, the Margrave of the kingdom and a Rank 8, strengthened the Claudia family with his presence alone. But her father’s words sounded as if he had to go somewhere.

The Claudia territory and Grandis Academy were practically on opposite sides of the kingdom. He wouldn’t have come all the way here just to return to the territory; he must have something to attend to.

Although she knew it was rude, Lisha asked about Gregory’s intentions. It was something she could do because she was his beloved youngest daughter, practically a granddaughter considering her late birth.

Gregory’s eyes briefly held a resolute glint.

…Resolute?

“I’m going to see an old friend… and also my brother-in-law.”

“I-I apologize! I didn’t know about your matters, Father!”

An old friend. At those words, Lisha realized her mistake. It was a well-known story among those in the know that Gregory and the Headmistress had traveled together before Grandis Academy was even established.

She thought she heard the word “brother-in-law” at the end, but she must have misheard. There were many VIPs around them, engaged in conversations.

How could she not remember that and ask such a question? A look of despair momentarily flashed across Lisha’s face, but…

“No, it was my fault for not telling you beforehand. I was careless. Lisha, I’ll leave this place to you. It’s okay to make mistakes, consider this a good experience.”

“Yes…!!”

Merciful, yet strict.

Gregory, who was both the Margrave responsible for the border and a warm father to Lisha,

Quietly disappeared into the crowd under Lisha’s respectful gaze.

‘…Huh?’

But Lisha casually dismissed the single drop of water that fell on the spot where he had been standing.

If she knew it was her father’s cold sweat, she would have been shocked.

And before the charity ball began, in the back of the ballroom,

In a waiting room somewhere in that place where countless academy staff members were busily running around,

“Sister! It’s been a while since we last met!”

Thud!

Sir Julius, the captain of the royal knights who came to the academy as the first prince’s escort, slammed his head on the floor, and…

“Sister! I apologize for visiting you so late!”

“The world has truly changed, hasn’t it? To be late compared to your ignorant disciple, you’ve really become comfortable, haven’t you?”

“No!!!”

Thud!!

Gregory, his previous composure gone, put his hands behind his back and slammed his head on the floor with an even louder thud.

Naturally, the person receiving the greetings of these two men was…

“It’s been a while, Gregory.”

“Yes! Sister!”

…the organizer (?) of this charity ball and the true protagonist.

The Headmistress.

—————

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