Reviving a Bankrupt Academy: My Financial Battle

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Although I needed to grasp the details of the situation, I could roughly see through their intentions, having been a student at the academy until a few years ago.

I quickly went down to the first floor, dispersed the staff members gathered near the entrance, and stepped out the front door.

The Head of the Food Service Department, who was sweating profusely in front of the protesting students, saw me and his face brightened.

"F-Finance Director!"

"Head of the Food Service Department, please leave this to me."

"Yes! I'll leave it to you!"

It was quite a sight to see the middle-aged department head looking at me with such trust. Even more so considering that my colleague Laura, standing right behind me, was the most junior employee.

It must have been quite a difficult situation for him, who usually only dealt with paperwork and had no interactions with students.

After reassuring him, I stepped in front of the students.

The students gathered in front of the building were huddled together, wearing red cloth tied around their heads and holding wooden signs.

"Hello, students. I'm Adam Keynes, the Finance Director."

"Finance Director…? We had that position in our academy?"

"Wouldn't it be common sense to have one?"

"We might not know the staff, but we know the professors."

"I-is he someone important? He's so young, he looks like he's the same age as us…?"

There was a stir among the students when I stepped forward instead of the Head of the Food Service Department. It wasn't because of my influence, but because of my young appearance compared to my position as a department head.

I briefly observed the gathered students.

'Blue bracelets.'

It meant they were second-year students, and specifically, magic department students.

There were a little over 200 of them. Considering that Circe's lectures were popular and usually had hundreds of students, over half of them were here.

However, the faces and expressions of the students standing in the middle or at the back were filled with mischief and amusement. They probably came here for fun, not because they were serious. Good.

The slogans written on the signs were similar to what I heard earlier. [The academy should not abuse professors], [Guarantee the rights of professors], [Healthy professors, healthy students].

And the few third-year male students at the forefront.

I roughly knew what to do.

'If it were the Head of Student Affairs, he would have handled it moderately.'

Unfortunately, I didn't have the same social skills as the Head of Student Affairs, nor was I experienced in this kind of situation, so…

I preferred the most convenient method to the best one. It wasn't the time to worry about such trivial matters.

"Wait! What does it matter who that employee is! Anyway, we're here for the professors' rights—"

"Grandis Academy regulations, Article 51, Clause 3, regarding gatherings within the academy."

"Uh, uh…?"

"If over 100 students gather with a single purpose, they must submit relevant documents and an application to the Academic Affairs Department and receive permission beforehand. However, this does not apply to educational purposes or impromptu gatherings."

"W-wait a minute."

"And judging from the slogans you were shouting and the signs you were holding, it doesn't seem like it was for educational purposes, and it seems quite organized, not impromptu. You must have received permission beforehand, right?"

Of course, this was an impromptu gathering. But rules were meant to be twisted.

It was clear who had the upper hand between students and faculty when it came to rules. And what could they do if I, the one who judged whether the students violated the rules, thought it wasn't impromptu?

The third-year male student, who seemed to be the leader, tried to say something, but…

I raised my voice preemptively so that the other students who hadn't grasped the situation could hear me clearly.

"The purpose of this rule is to prevent safety accidents such as stampedes that can occur when academy students run amok or a large number of people gather. And according to the regulations, violating this rule will result in a minimum of 10 penalty points and a maximum of school service and suspension."

"What…?"

"S-suspension!?"

"…Hey, let's go. I'm screwed if I get more penalty points here."

"We're not involved! We were just watching from the back!"

"Wait! Guys!"

First, I mentioned the regulations and disciplinary action, and over 50 out of the 200 students left like the tide receding. They were either students who came just to watch or those who quickly backed off after sensing the tense atmosphere.

Since most of them were students at the back, there was no way the third-year male student at the front could stop them.

With the sudden decrease in their numbers, the remaining students became agitated.

It was time to attack a bit more.

"Furthermore, even if you had permission, this kind of protest in front of the main building where the faculty work is clearly outside the scope of the permit. And you there."

"Uh, me?"

"What's your name? I need to know. You seem to be a student in Professor Circe's class."

"I-I'll go back right now!"

"Lance!"

"Shut up! You dragged us here, so do something about it!"

Q. What do you do when a high-ranking faculty member, clearly angry, points at you and asks for your name?

A. You run away.

It was only natural. It was scary enough for a professor to remember a student's name, but for a high-ranking official who casually called out Professor Circe's name to remember your name?

It was common sense for an academy student to make an excuse and run away. Especially after the regulations and disciplinary action were just mentioned.

I deliberately chose a rather timid-looking male student from the front row instead of the leader. Someone who seemed like he would easily back down if I pressured him by asking for his name.

This was also a know-how I learned from my life as the Finance Director.

And so, the student in the front row left, and the other students were greatly shaken.

They could be the next one to be singled out.

'That guy who seems to be the instigator looks like he has a bit of a temper, so he won't back down, but…'

Not all students were like that. Especially now that they had flocked here, relying on their numbers.

Honestly, it wasn't normal for a student to be concerned about a professor's health and working conditions, was it? Some students might be genuinely worried, but for most students, a professor being sick wasn't a cause for concern, but news of a class cancellation. They might briefly worry about the professor's well-being, but that was all.

Yet, for such a large number of students to come out and protest, it was obvious…

That third-year bastard must have instigated them. It was clear how he did it.

"And you mentioned the professor's working conditions and well-being earlier."

"Y-yes! As students, we're worried about the professor's health—"

"To think there are so many students who are this passionate about their studies. Although you violated the regulations, as a faculty member, I can't ignore such sincerity."

"Then!"

"So I'll make sure that Professor Circe's class today is definitely held as a makeup lecture!"

"…What?"

The bewildered voice didn't come from the third-year male student. It was an exclamation from another student next to him.

What's wrong? You said the professors' health was important for the students to receive quality education, right?

Then I should do as you wish.

"Moreover, I'll make sure that there's a quiz every class and increase the number of group assignments. You're all so sincere about the lectures, so you wouldn't dislike quizzes and group assignments, would you?"

"...."

"Were Professor Circe's exams multiple choice? This time, they'll be written exams, and the grading will also…"

"W-we're sorry! We were wrong!"

"Hey, let's go! Before the Finance Director says anything more!"

"There's not really a makeup lecture, right? Today's class is canceled, right?"

"Guys! Don't scatter!"

"Fuck off, senior! You can have all the quizzes and group assignments you want!"

"You little shits!"

Stampede.

It was quite a sight to see the remaining 100 or so students scattering in all directions.

Once the footsteps and dust settled, there were only ten students left.

In other words…

There were ten bastards who didn't run away despite my words.

So, these guys were real.

"Student, what's your name?"

"…It's Osley Dalton."

"Osley Dalton. Ah, I remember now. You're the second-place student in the third-year magic department, right?"

"Th-that's right."

The top student was Cassandra, of course, and I remembered the second-place student's name by chance.

Osley Dalton. The second son of Baron Dalton, the second-place student in the third-year magic department, and…

…the one who applied for a master's degree in Professor Circe's lab.

"Although you're talking about the professors' welfare in general, what you really want to talk about is Professor Circe, right?"

"I…!!"

"If it's about Professor Circe, she wanted it herself."

"What?"

"She seems to be suffering from stress-induced hair loss because her recent research isn't going well. The academy advised her to rest, saying that it could be dangerous if she pushes herself further, but she didn't listen. And we can't force her to."

Whether it's stress-induced hair loss or hair loss caused by the hair loss agent, it's still hair loss, right?

And it's true that we told her to rest. But we also said that she wouldn't receive her reduced salary for the period she rested and that she would be deprived of the room and board benefits provided to professors.

In the end, Circe herself agreed by nodding, so it was her own decision.

Osley's expression turned pale. His intentions were obvious. He was just trying to get on Circe's good side.

Since Circe had the outward appearance of a genius female professor, her lab was large and many students applied for her master's program. I heard the competition was fierce, so he must have wanted to appeal to her somehow.

That's why he decided on this protest. To take the stance of 'I'm worried about Professor Circe!'

How did he persuade the other students? Did he tempt them by saying that the professor would be moved and give them better grades? I'm someone who applied for a master's degree in Professor Circe's lab. I know the professor well. She'll definitely give us extra credit or good grades, and so on.

It was obvious just by seeing a third-year student in a second-year class. The other guys who were still here must also be aiming for Circe's lab.

So I could end this trivial matter here… but…

'The second-place student in the magic department, and to be aiming for Circe's lab, they must be top students.'

These guys…

Wouldn't Circe's hair loss cure research be accelerated if they entered her lab now? I heard that many of Circe's graduate students were hospitalized after the hair loss agent leak.

Normally, the number of graduate students each professor could take was limited, but that wasn't a problem if I pulled some strings.

Good.

"Student Osley, although I spoke a bit harshly, I understand the students' concern for Professor Circe."

"Finance Director."

"So… since I'm close with Professor Circe…"

You guys.

"This is fate, so if you do me a little favor, I'll put in a good word for you with Professor Circe."

"R-really!?"

"Of course."

It's good that I found some students I can use besides that junior.

Now then…

How can I use them?

***

Clank.

Ruth, dropping her old sword, gritted her teeth and glared at it.

The Dark Sword, which had turned into a worn-out sword because she didn't feed it blood.

Its influence was growing stronger.

'My thoughts and personality… are becoming more extreme.'

Just a few days ago, she was going to kill Cassandra. There were plenty of other ways to deal with her, even if she knew about the regression.

And yet, she was thinking about drawing blood.

…The side effects of awakening the Dark Sword a month ago were still lingering.

The Dark Sword. The demonic sword made of darkness.

Just holding this sword granted her all sorts of abilities and unbelievable power, but…

As befitting its name as a demonic sword, it demanded a price. No, the price wasn't even that high, when she thought about it.

Compared to its power, having to feed it blood and her personality becoming extreme wasn't a big price to pay.

Even now, Ruth was Rank 6, but if she used the Dark Sword with determination, she could exert power close to Rank 7.

Therefore, she couldn't just throw it away. In this unpredictably changing future, that sword would be a great power.

All Ruth could do was be wary of the side effects and price of the Dark Sword.

However, after a long time, there was a breakthrough.

"…As expected."

Flip.

What Ruth was flipping through was a report she obtained with her authority as the vice-president of the student council.

To be precise, it was an interview request report, and there was a list of those who requested an interview with Adam a month ago.

Amatriuss Delphia Beatrice.

And the timing was right after the second duel between Chloe Piste and Beatrice.

It was when Beatrice overcame her chronic illness.

'Adam must be involved in Beatrice overcoming her chronic illness.'

Perhaps she expressed her gratitude in this interview request. The record that she forcibly requested an interview with the Finance Director, who was normally inaccessible, further increased its credibility.

In addition to that, there was also a report on the summoning ritual incident a month ago and the events that occurred during the festival.

The vice-president position had access to more than she expected.

'With this…'

Couldn't she do something without having to withdraw from the academy? Couldn't she use this vice-president position she obtained through Adam's recommendation?

She felt that way, but at the same time, she felt uneasy. The anxiety that she might ruin things again, like with the summoning ritual or when she threatened Chloe.

Come to think of it, did Chloe Piste not tell anyone about the disguised Ruth? She didn't seem to be wary of the stranger.

In the first place, Ruth was more suited to wielding a sword than using her head. The more she thought about it, the more her head ached, so she sighed and closed the report.

'…I want to see him.'

She just felt that way. The more difficult and painful things were, the more she missed a certain face.

Adam, who was always on her side, always smiling and helping her.

That face, which she couldn't forget, which she couldn't bring herself to erase, still remained strong in her memory.

As she felt a pang of sadness…

"I didn't know… the words…"

"…No… that's…"

Outside the dormitory, she heard a familiar voice.

It wasn't the owner of the face she was just thinking about. But it was an unforgettable voice.

The Headmistress and Chloe Piste.

The two of them were talking near the dormitory.

'What?'

She immediately grabbed the Dark Sword she had thrown aside and expanded her senses.

Just in case, she clung to the wall, hiding her presence and blending into the shadows of the room to avoid being noticed.

'I might be able to get some more information.'

The Headmistress and Chloe Piste. Even individually, they were people she had to be wary of, and it was even more so if they were talking to each other.

Especially since they were currently just the Headmistress and a student, with no reason to be involved with each other.

Ruth carefully started listening to their conversation.

"So… on the last day of the festival…"

"I saw the fireworks with the Finance Director. Thank you for recommending such a good spot, Headmistress. Thanks to you, I had a great time."

"…Ha."

"…?"

It was certainly information, but in a different sense, it was completely unexpected information.

While listening quietly, Ruth frowned.

Why?

She felt a slight sense of defeat and anger.

She could almost feel it.