Reviving a Bankrupt Academy: My Financial Battle

The festival was passing. Passing by.

From Chloe's perspective, the festival was an event she was quite looking forward to. There were no festivals at the Magic Tower, and there was also the gathering with the high-ranking nobles and influential figures of the kingdom.

But Chloe ignored all that and…

BOOM!!!

"Ugh…!!"

'Too slow.'

…was holed up in the training ground set up in the basement of the private dormitory.

How many days had passed outside? There were no clocks in the training ground. It was her belief that if she practiced with a set time, she would become reliant on it.

However, after practicing like this so much, she could roughly estimate how much time had passed with her internal clock.

Chloe hadn't left the training ground for a week.

[Chain Binding]

'It's so slow it makes me yawn. If you did that in actual combat, your neck would already be gone.'

[Chain Binding]

'You know it too, don't you? Chloe Piste lacks talent. So don't try to use magic in its fixed form. If you just follow it as it is, you'll never be able to defeat a genius.'

[Chain Binding]

'You're not tired just from casting it 30 times in a row, are you? Mages unconsciously circulate mana throughout their bodies, not just in their hearts. If you scrape it all up, you can use it for at least one more final spell. You wouldn't believe how many times that saved my life.'

[Chain Binding]

'Don't be afraid of mana exhaustion. It's just a false alarm from your body that's used to mana. You won't actually die even if you squeeze out all your mana. It will just be agonizingly painful.'

Clank!

Magic chains rose, and rose, and rose again around Chloe.

She didn't care that her black ribbon had come loose and her ponytail was a mess. She ignored the fact that she couldn't even open her eyes properly because of the sweat. She rejected the demands for rest from her overworked heart that was pounding like crazy.

And once again…

[Chain Binding]

"Gasp… gasp… gasp!"

'Good, the last one was decent. Now recover your mana.'

"Haa…"

There was no proper rest. Unlike the martial arts side that used Aura, mana wasn't greatly affected by physical fatigue.

She squeezed out her mana until mana exhaustion, and then immediately recovered it by meditating and consuming elixirs. And then she returned to the beginning.

A training method so brutal it was almost barbaric. If an ordinary mage tried this, their heart would explode first.

But Chloe Piste was different.

'Remember. The only thing that Chloe, who lacks talent, has is her tenacity.'

"Huff… huff…"

'My magic won't kill you, so repeat it. Until you're on the verge of death.'

[Pulsating Heart]

The magic that the spiritual body of the adult Chloe manifested was a spell that Chloe had only seen in books.

A top-tier Rank 7 spell, a spell that even a Rank 8 mage would find difficult to use.

[Pulsating Heart], as the name suggests, forcibly made the heart beat. As long as the magic was maintained, the heart would never stop.

That's why Chloe was able to repeat this harsh training for a week.

'Is it hard?'

'…It's hard.'

'Is it painful?'

'Of course, it is…!!'

'Then do you want to give up?'

'No way!'

Chloe, who had been confident in the considerable training she had undergone, realized that it was just her arrogance.

The training the adult Chloe demanded was like hell. She wasn't given time to breathe properly, her stamina had long since been depleted, and there were many times when she had to cast magic while collapsed on the floor.

But more than that…

Every time she repeated this harsh training, Chloe herself could feel it.

That she was growing stronger.

[Chain Binding]

And finally, after a week of repeatedly casting [Chain Binding], changing it from the original spell into her own 'original' that created dozens of chains…

Chloe was finally able to rest.

'Good. If you can use [Chain Binding] to this extent, things will be much easier from now on.'

'You really… did it…'

'I was originally going to change it more slowly, but it was unexpected. I never thought you would ask me to train you more intensely.'

'....'

It was just as the adult Chloe said. In fact, it was Chloe herself, not the adult Chloe, who urged this harsh training method.

A week ago, the day before the festival.

In Circe's lab, where she entered with the Finance Director…

Chloe keenly felt her own inadequacy.

'I… I thought I could be of great help.'

'....'

'Honestly, I didn't understand why you liked the Finance Director. In my eyes, he's just a Rank 1, a moderately good-looking guy. I couldn't understand why you would go so far for someone like that.'

That's why she could confidently assert to the adult Chloe that she would never fall for the Finance Director.

And when she entered Professor Circe's lab, she intended to gain his favor by helping the 'incompetent Rank 1' Finance Director.

That was certainly the case, but…

'In the end, I didn't do anything.'

'Well, that's true.'

Finding the way and moving forward? The Finance Director did it all.

Entering the basement? The Finance Director went in first while Chloe was terrified.

Resolving the source of the problem? It was the 'adult Chloe' who did it, not Chloe.

Even Chloe, who had been so confident, realized that she hadn't done anything when it came down to it.

'Pathetic.'

Pathetic.

She could have just brushed it off, saying that it was because she lacked experience, that it was her first time, that the Finance Director was amazing. She could have convinced herself of that.

But Chloe didn't.

Because the Finance Director subtly looked down on himself for being Rank 1, for not being a mage, for being someone her future self liked.

Seeing his competence firsthand and facing her own incompetence…

Chloe said she wanted to learn the [Chain Binding] that the adult Chloe used.

'With this, your [Chain Binding] has surpassed Rank 5. But don't get complacent. The real genius is someone else.'

'…Amatriuss Delphia Beatrice.'

'I heard that woman already overcame her chronic illness? Then she has wings now. Will the youngest Rank 8 appear within ten years?'

The adult Chloe was nonchalant as she said that. Perhaps it was because she no longer felt jealous of Beatrice's talent. The adult Chloe was only looking at the Finance Director.

But the current Chloe was different. Unlike her shy self and her future actions, she was 'herself' who had reached the peak of Rank 7. For her to acknowledge Beatrice's talent and uniqueness…

It was a dirty feeling.

'Oh? Look at your expression. You'll never defeat that princess with magic. Give up.'

'…We don't know that yet.'

'Yes, we don't know yet. It will probably be clear in a month, though.'

Silence.

Those words from the adult Chloe seemed to be provoking Chloe, not stating a fact.

Chloe, forcing her exhausted body up and trying to gather mana again…

'That's enough. I have somewhere to go.'

'What? What do you mean? It's already the last day of the festival.'

'I know. I know it all too well, it's annoying.'

'...…?'

'Anyway, I trained you as you wanted, didn't I? Now you have to listen to my demands.'

And so, while still in a daze, urged by the adult Chloe, she quickly washed up, ate something to replenish her strength, and went to…

…not the central area of the academy where the festival was being held, not the magic duel arena, not the martial arts tournament grounds, not the meeting place for the high-ranking nobles, but…

…the roof of a building on the outskirts.

"…Finance Director?"

"Headmistress, you're already here…?"

The Finance Director was there. She didn't know why he was on this rooftop, but perhaps because he was more tired than usual, his already messy white hair looked even more disheveled.

He looked as if he was about to fall asleep at any moment, but not quite.

"Student Chloe?"

"F-Finance Director."

So why was the Finance Director on this rooftop?

Actually, considering that the Finance Director mentioned the Headmistress just now, she could have guessed that he was here because of an appointment with the Headmistress, but…

Chloe, who had been cooped up in the training ground for the past week and had just washed up and eaten, was too sleepy to think straight.

She just panicked and tried to go back down, but…

"…I-I'll be going down now."

"Student Chloe?"

"Goodbye!"

"Student Chloe, what are you saying? I haven't even properly thanked you for the hair loss agent incident. Come and sit here."

"…Really?"

Chloe's unintentional question wasn't about whether she could really sit down.

It contained the meaning of asking if she was truly helpful in Professor Circe's lab, and why he was thanking her when he was the one who did almost everything.

Whether the Finance Director understood that meaning or not…

He smiled, despite his tired face.

"Didn't you say that I should rely on you from now on, Student Chloe?"

Yes, she did. To be precise, it was the adult Chloe who possessed her body who said that.

Chloe could only watch the scene from within. It was impossible for her to purify all the hair loss agent that filled the lab.

It was also then that she saw the adult Chloe's [Chain Binding] and asked her to teach it to her.

However, from the Finance Director's perspective, there was no distinction between the adult Chloe and Chloe. He didn't know about such things.

So…

He reached out to Chloe, not the adult Chloe.

"Come on."

"…Okay."

The adult Chloe was strangely quiet. She thought she would possess her body and sit next to the Finance Director right away, but she couldn't feel her presence, as if she was doing something else.

But sleepiness was already washing over her, and she couldn't ignore the Finance Director, so…

Yes, that's how it was.

Chloe quietly sat next to the Finance Director without saying anything. Perhaps because it was the roof of a tall building, she could see the central area of the academy at a glance.

At first, she wondered why they were on a roof, but it was a better spot than she thought.

'How does my future self know about this place?'

Well, since the future had already changed, perhaps the adult Chloe had been here in her experience.

Since her head wasn't working properly anyway, she brushed it aside. Instead, she moved slightly…

…closer to the Finance Director.

"Student Chloe?"

"I-it's nothing. I'm just a bit cold."

"Is that so?"

The wind was quite strong, perhaps because it was a high place. Of course, it wasn't cold enough for Chloe, a Rank 5 mage, to feel chilly.

It was just that she felt sorry for the Finance Director who was alone here.

She was getting closer to him despite hating it. It was all for the promise with the adult Chloe. It was definitely nothing more than that.

While thinking so, the Finance Director, looking at Chloe who was right next to him…

"Student Chloe, is something bothering you?"

"…What?"

"It's similar to the expression a certain person I know makes when they're trying to hide a mistake. I'm a faculty member, you know. I'll listen to you."

"B-but…"

"Well, it might be embarrassing, but there are things you can't say even to someone you're close to, right? If you're okay with me…"

Was he saying that she and the Finance Director weren't that close? Well, that was true, but was it necessary to say it like that?

Chloe, feeling a bit offended, soon sighed and opened her mouth.

Of course, she wasn't going to tell him everything in detail.

"It's nothing much, just something I'm worried about."

"What are you worried about?"

"There's… someone I want to defeat. Someone said I could never win, so…"

It was something her future self, who had grown close to Rank 8, asserted. No matter how much Chloe denied it in frustration, reality wouldn't change.

What if Beatrice reached Rank 6? What if the Magic Tower invited Beatrice? What if Master took Beatrice as his disciple instead of her?

And…

…And…

"Anyway, it has nothing to do with the Finance Director."

"Why not?"

"Because…"

He already chose Beatrice.

The adult Chloe said that Beatrice must have overcome her chronic illness with the Finance Director's help. Honestly, she couldn't believe it, but she had no choice but to trust her future self, whose expression was so firm.

And if that was true, the Finance Director had already chosen Beatrice between Chloe and Beatrice.

So…

'…An enemy.'

The words of the adult Chloe, who said that Chloe, who hadn't met the Finance Director, wasn't herself.

Perhaps it was a future where he chose Chloe, not Beatrice. And that future had already changed.

In the changed future…

The Finance Director was simply an enemy, on Beatrice's side.

"…Anyway, that's how it is."

"Hmm, is the person who said that trustworthy?"

"You could say that. She said it was an unchanging future."

Thinking about it, she felt resentment towards the Finance Director. If it weren't for him curing Beatrice's chronic illness, this wouldn't have happened.

Chloe grumbled inwardly for a moment, but she couldn't say it out loud.

The Finance Director spoke first.

"Then we can just change it."

"What?"

"Is there such a thing as a fixed future? The future is something that changes with even the smallest action."

"…I don't need empty comfort."

"Look at this."

Pick

The Finance Director picked up a small stone from the roof…

And threw it down. It hit a branch and broke it.

"Was that a fixed future?"

"…What…"

"If I hadn't thrown the stone, the branch would have been fine. The future changed with just a small action of throwing or not throwing a stone."

"…That's sophistry. The branch would have been broken even if you hadn't thrown the stone."

"Of course, you could see it that way."

The Finance Director readily accepted the counterargument of sophistry…

…and met the bewildered Chloe's eyes.

"I'm just saying that's what I believe."

"...…."

"Whether the future is truly set or easily changed, what does it matter? I just have to believe that. I have to believe and strive to change that future. In the end, what matters is my own thoughts and perception."

"You speak of effort so easily…"

"How do you think I maintain my position as Finance Director?"

"What?"

"I'm just a student who majored in administration for three years, with no experience and lacking knowledge. The reason I'm somehow managing as the Finance Director is… because of my own efforts."

"...."

The Finance Director was only Rank 1.

Objectively, it was a very low rank. It was unbelievable for someone with such a low rank to be a high-ranking official in this huge academy.

What kind of effort did this Rank 1 put in to become the current Finance Director?

It was something Chloe had never thought about. She just thought of him as the Finance Director.

'I see.'

Just as Chloe herself was struggling between Beatrice and her future self…

The Finance Director was also struggling for his position.

A very small and insignificant realization. 'Common sense' that Chloe, who was arrogant and condescending, realized late.

Just as Chloe, speechless for a moment, was about to say something…

BOOM!!!

"…Ah."

"Oh, it seems like it has started."

The Finance Director, who seemed to be looking for someone for a moment, looked at Chloe next to him and chuckled before looking ahead.

Fireworks were exploding there.

Countless fireworks…

…beautifully decorating the night sky.

Lights sparkled. Cheers from the students could be heard. The night sky lit up.

Chloe, who was momentarily mesmerized by the spectacle she was seeing for the first time…

…soon turned her head towards the Finance Director next to her.

"…It's a magnificent sight."

The Finance Director's profile as he murmured those words was, annoyingly, quite handsome.

He, who listened to the worries of this troublesome girl, stole the heart of her future self, seemed to be getting closer, and yet drew a clear line…

It was irritating that even though he was next to her now, he ultimately chose Beatrice.

"Finance Director."

"Yes?"

"From now on, call me—"

—Just Chloe, not student.

BOOM!!!

'…Ah.'

It was drowned out.

She finally worked up the courage to say it, but the fireworks exploded at that very moment, drowning out her voice.

The courage that had briefly surged within her shrunk again. If the Finance Director asked her to repeat herself because he couldn't hear her properly due to the fireworks, she would just turn her head away and say it was nothing.

Why was she so unlucky? Was she really crazy?

While she was in turmoil…

"Understood, Chloe."

"…Finance Director?"

"There's a line between faculty and students… but you've helped me many times, so when it's just the two of us, I'll call you that."

"...."

"But in front of others, I'll still call you student. Is that okay?"

"...…."

"Chloe?"

I must be…

Really crazy.

Chloe thought so, and…

"Then I'll call you Adam too."

"What? But that's…"

"Do you not like it?"

"…Only when we're alone. I'm making a special exception for you, student Chloe, because of the hair loss agent incident."

"Chloe."

"Yes?"

"Not student, Chloe."

"Haha, I understand. Chloe."

BOOM!!

Fireworks exploded. Lights sparkled. The Finance Director, with a light smile, looked ahead and enjoyed the exploding fireworks.

But Chloe didn't turn her head.

Because right now…

…she liked looking at the Finance Director a little bit more than those fireworks.

Just…

That was all.