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Translated By Arcane Translations
Translator: Yuziro
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“Adrian~”
Someone entered the office without knocking.
As I was about to leave the office, I had to make eye contact in an awkward manner.
And of course, it was Violet.
Except for that one time Michelle barged in, Violet was the only one who freely came and went from my office.
“You’re having a magic competition with the intermediate class today. Are you well prepared?”
“I’ve done what I could.”
“I hope you really prepared well~”
Violet had her own reasons for saying this.
‘For more money! Sponsorship money!’
Adrian, you really need to show results this time!
When Rachel came to the Principal’s office with the magic competition application, Violet was a bit perplexed.
The reason was simple.
Why would the busy intermediate class stop to have a magic competition with the failing class?
Especially at this point, with the all-out battle approaching.
However, now that Mr. Tinsleek, presumed to be a big shot from the North, had started sponsoring this failing class, things had changed significantly.
[T/N: Tinsleek is probably another disguise for Christine lmao]
‘Indeed, wealthy people are crazy about underdog stories.’
Dilapidated facilities and practically abandoned education.
These factors combined to create the failing class.
Originally, it was designed for students to drop out on their own and submit withdrawal forms, so naturally, Violet had no affection for the failing class.
However.
Mr. Tinsleek was showing interest in the failing class and its professor, Adrian.
This made it a somewhat sensitive issue for Violet as well.
‘Adrian needs to show some results.’
No, he absolutely must.
With this expectation, she stamped her approval on Rachel’s magic competition application.
In fact, if the failing class had improved, it should be seen as Adrian’s achievement, but sponsors usually think, ‘They must have grown thanks to my money.’
If the failing class showed growth here, how much more would Mr. Tinsleek sponsor?
Thirty-five billion Kanel?
Forty billion Kanel?
Just imagining it made her smell money and feel dizzy.
Violet shook her head to clear her mind as she realized she was grinning foolishly.
“How is it? Do you think you can win at least one match?”
The format of the magic competition was simple.
Five people from each side competing one-on-one.
It was like a penalty shootout.
If just one person from the failing class could win, it would be quite profitable… no, no, helpful.
It would be helpful…
“The result is already determined.”
Despite the mocking glances from the intermediate class and Violet’s subtly pressuring question, which must have felt heavy, Adrian seemed unfazed.
“I think it will turn out exactly as much as we’ve worked for.”
Moreover, Adrian, who answered with such confidence, still looked very troubled.
It was the same perpetually tired look he always had.
But that perception was wrong.
In fact, it was the opposite.
▶Happy Ending Status
▶60% → 80%
Adrian was actually very relieved to see the happy ending status steadily increasing.
‘Plus, the traces of magic I confirmed inside the dungeon.’
It wasn’t difficult to guess what had happened just by reading the traces of the magic.
What Adrian had read were all traces of telekinesis.
This meant that Michelle had shown overwhelming skill there.
As Demelie nodded and explained the situation in detail, Adrian had also confirmed what kind of conflict had occurred between them.
How could he be anxious when the representatives of the failing class had already shown they could defeat the intermediate class representatives?
Of course he felt confident.
Perhaps Adrian’s deeply thoughtful appearance looked worried to Violet.
She cleared her throat and spoke again.
“How’s the condition of the failing class students? Are they okay?”
“Well. Same as usual.”
‘Am I pressuring him too much?’
Adrian’s expression seemed to be hardening more and more.
Violet quickly changed her words.
“Come on, don’t be too tense. There’s no reason for the failing class to feel too burdened, right? It’s natural for the intermediate class to win.”
There was no response.
Violet added more.
“It’s okay if you lose! Just take it easy, take it easy! Are you worried about losing now?”
“What do you think, Principal?”
“Huh? What?”
“Which side do you think will win in today’s magic competition, Principal?”
It was surprising to be asked so suddenly, but it wasn’t difficult to predict which side would win.
The failing class kids were staying late at the academy working hard but… well, they’re still no match for the intermediate class.
“The intermediate class will win, right?”
Adrian nodded.
“Then Principal, why did you approve this magic competition?”
“Umm…?”
“Why did you approve this magic competition when it’s obvious that the intermediate class will win?”
“Well, that’s…”
I approved it hoping to get more sponsorship money, just in case.
Violet scratched her cheek.
“Doesn’t the failing class need this kind of opportunity too? I just approved it because the application came in~ With good intentions~”
“An opportunity, that’s right.”
Adrian nodded.
“The magic competition itself is fundamentally about mages interacting with each other. It’s most important to set new goals based on the competition and work towards those goals.”
“Well… that’s true. That’s what I was trying to say.”
Ha.
Adrian snorted.
“But honestly, aren’t those all just nice words?”
“What?”
“From the perspective of those entering the competition, shouldn’t the goal naturally be to win? If there’s no path, shouldn’t we create one to walk towards victory?”
Violet was a bit taken aback by Adrian’s suddenly serious attitude.
“That’s true, but… it’s practically impossible to create that path. Or more precisely, there’s not enough time to create the path.”
Although Violet was in a position to cheer for the failing class for the sake of sponsorship, it went against her conscience to think they would actually win.
“Creating a non-existent path in non-existent time.”
But Adrian’s expression was gradually brightening.
He continued speaking.
“It’s an impossible story, but isn’t magic about making the impossible possible? And of course, it’s the mages who wield magic, isn’t it?”
“Uh…”
“I don’t raise my students as children who chase illusions and throw tantrums. I raise them as mages.”
“Then Adrian, what you’re saying now is…”
“Yes. That’s right.”
It was around this time that Violet understood.
The meaning behind Adrian’s answer that the result was already determined wasn’t that the intermediate class would win, as everyone expected.
“You’ll be busy from today, Principal.”
“Huh…?”
“From today, the failing class will hold a rank of intermediate or higher within Rahel Academy.”
He was now proudly declaring that the failing class would achieve such a victory that it would overturn the rankings set by Rahel Academy.
Violet unconsciously swallowed.
Since becoming the Principal of Rahel Academy, she had become obsessed with materialistic things.
No, she had no choice but to.
Walking the path to become the best mage herself and running an educational institution to nurture the best mages were completely different stories.
To establish that institution and elevate its reputation, Violet had no choice but to become materialistic.
She was even aware of it herself.
After all, wasn’t she visiting Adrian right before the magic competition because she was concerned about the sponsorship amount?
However—
She exhaled the breath she had deeply swallowed.
From Adrian, she saw passion.
The pure passion from the time when she herself was eagerly exploring magic.
“…Adrian.”
So, the Chancellor, who should have been in a fair position, unknowingly opened her lips.
“I’ll cheer for you in today’s magic competition.”
“Yes. Please cheer for the intermediate class equally. Fairly.”
Violet couldn’t help but smile.
This man was indeed remarkable. More than she had thought.
“Of course.”
She answered with determination, but she couldn’t help that her heart had already started cheering for the failing class.
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Meanwhile, there were some peculiar spectators at the office window.
It’s common for birds to perch on windowsills, but these were creatures somewhat similar to, yet different from birds.
So the word peculiar indeed suited them.
They were two bats.
One was snow-white and the other was red.
The two bats had been watching the conversation between the Principal and Adrian all along.
The white bat tilted its head as if pleased.
[T/N: Short chapter today, but it seems like shit’s gonna hit the fan soon]
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