Reviving a Bankrupt Academy: My Financial Battle

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"…It's already been four days? I can't believe it."

"But it's true. I can't believe the Finance Director slept at his desk for four days…"

"But you did finish all the paperwork. Although I'm also curious about it."

There should be staff on duty who check the Headmistress's office and the Finance Director's office late in the evening or in the middle of the night. Or Laura.

No, even besides that, Milia comes to the Finance Department every day, so I was sleeping even then? And Milia just left without waking me up?

Honestly, it was full of questions. But well…

'I had a good sleep for the first time in a while, all the documents were processed, and there were no incidents due to the Headmistress's absence.'

It was all good, so wasn't it fine?

It might be a very small-business mindset, but what else could I do when this academy's finances were worse than a small business?

Of course, I wasn't just going to let it slide. I had to at least check if I was really just sleeping and if anything happened while I was out.

Ah, but before that,

"How did things go in the dwarven city?"

"…It wasn't that difficult. I was just in charge of one side of the forge."

"For the dwarves, the forge is the core of their city's reconstruction, isn't it? That means they trust you enough to entrust you with that."

She was called a VVIP, but with this kind of treatment, it seemed like we could get even more out of the dwarves.

While I was scheming, the Headmistress gave a wry smile.

"No, I literally held up one side of the forge. One of the support pillars of the forge broke, so I held it up while they repaired it."

"…So you're saying you physically lifted the forge?"

"Yes. It wasn't that big, so it was fine. About the size of this building."

This building has over ten floors.

What kind of rough work did she do with those delicate and lovely arms…?

'What? Am I crazy?'

Why did I suddenly think the Headmistress's arms were delicate and lovely? No, even if I generously conceded the first part, why the second?

Just in case, I looked at the Headmistress's arms, and I saw her slender forearms, devoid of any muscle.

…They didn't look lovely? What was going on?

While I was worried that my mind had gone haywire from sleeping too much, the Headmistress took something out.

"More importantly, here! A present for the Finance Director!"

"A present?"

"I received it with pure goodwill, without threatening those dwarves…! I thought it would suit the Finance Director!"

Is this… a ring?

The Headmistress, with a flourish, pulled out a silver ring. But it wasn't an ordinary ring; the flow of mana around it was unusual.

Weren't we supposed to go there to help instead of receiving a refund? Why did she bring something back?

"Is it an artifact?"

"It doesn't have a defensive enchantment or anything, but it has a useful magic imbued in it. Here, if you look at this…"

The Headmistress put one of the two rings on her ring finger and slowly infused it with Aura.

An ordinary ring would have shattered under that power, but as expected of an artifact, the ring vibrated slightly and withstood all that power.

And as the ring on the Headmistress's finger vibrated,

Woong.

"Oh."

"Like this! It's an artifact that allows us to check on each other!"

The ring that wasn't worn also vibrated slightly. As the Headmistress said, it wasn't anything special, but it seemed like it would allow them to easily check on each other's well-being.

Let's refrain from saying, "What's the point of checking when we're both always in the academy and our offices are right next to each other?" A souvenir from your superior should be received with a smile, no matter what it is.

Honestly, if it were anything ordinary, I would have tried to sell it, but it was a bit awkward with something of this level. It was also a bit much to suggest selling it when the Headmistress was making such a fuss about it.

At this level, it was better to just accept it—

──Finance Director, I'll bring you a souvenir from the dwarven city!

──A souvenir?

──Yes, you can look forward to… Finance Director?

──…I wasn't planning on giving it to you now, but I'm a worrisome person.

──Th-this is?

──Because the souvenir can't be a ring. Can I have your hand?

──…Yes.

──It's not an artifact or anything, just an ordinary silver ring without any jewels. But still…

──Don't worry, Finance Director.

──Headmistress.

──It's the best gift for me. I'll treasure it.

"──Finance Director? Finance Director?"

"Ah, uh…"

"Finance Director? You've been acting strange. Did you sleep for too long?"

"I think so."

I felt like this happened before when I met Circe.

But back then, there was a lingering feeling that my memories had disappeared, but this time was different. I didn't know what we talked about, but one scene remained in my memory.

'I gave the Headmistress a ring…?'

What? Even if I were to give her a gift with the academy's funds, something like jewelry would be impossible.

Was this a precognitive dream? So you're saying I'll later embezzle academy funds to buy a ring?

Me? The epitome of integrity?

As I was trembling in shock, the Headmistress gave me a worried look, then glanced around and asked,

"Get some more rest. And Finance Director? Where did the Scabbard of Dark Sword go?"

"Ah… it wasn't there when I woke up. Didn't you bring it with you?"

"No? I thought you could use it, whether by selling it or whatever, if I sent it as quickly as possible, so I forcefully opened the closing portal and put it through…"

"A staff member who came to deliver documents or a staff member on duty might have mistaken it for one of your artifacts and put it away, Headmistress. You'll find it if you look for it."

It was a very expensive scabbard. It wouldn't just disappear, and we would find it if we looked for it.

The Headmistress seemed convinced and nodded, then handed me the remaining ring.

"Then you should wear it too, Finance Director. We need to check if it works both ways!"

"Alright. But I can't use mana or Aura, what should I do?"

"They say you can check the other person's well-being just by wearing it. And even if that's not the case, isn't it pretty? Come on, quickly!"

Why was she rushing me like this? Was there another intention behind the ring?

It wouldn't be that thing that comes to mind first, would it?

Wait, she said I could check on her well-being with this.

'Is this for monitoring whether I'm properly studying after work?'

That couldn't be it, right? Even if the Headmistress was a bit cunning, she wasn't the type to monitor her subordinates all day long. Rather, she was a lovable person… no way, am I really crazy?

Anyway, it wouldn't hurt to wear it, so I put it on my index finger. It was a bit loose, but it fit well enough.

"Tsk."

The Headmistress seemed to be in a bad mood all of a sudden, but well…

It was a gift from my superior, so I had to express my gratitude.

Therefore,

"I love you."

"…What?"

"Huh?"

No, wait a minute.

What did I just say?

"F-f-f-Finance, Finance Director? W-w-what did you just say?"

"Wait a minute, Headmistress? I misspoke because I was sleepy—"

"Uh, well, uh. I didn't expect to hear that so suddenly. I'm truly flustered. This is the first time this has happened. So…"

"Headmistress, listen to me."

"I-I'll go wash up! Wait for me!"

Slam!

"Ah."

…Ah.

***

I ran away.

Right after the Headmistress entered the bathroom in the office, I felt like I would be doomed if I just stayed there, so I ran away as quickly as possible.

But I didn't understand.

'Why am I acting like this?'

Did my mind really become strange after sleeping for four days straight? Not only did I think of the Headmistress as lovely, but I even said it out loud.

I felt a sense of self-loathing. A subordinate confessing their love to their superior, how awful.

'I have to fix this somehow.'

It would be a problem if she accepted, and it would be a problem if she rejected me. The academy hadn't completely escaped the threat of bankruptcy yet. It would be a disaster if my relationship with the Headmistress became awkward in this situation.

It was already driving me crazy with the rumors about me being the Headmistress's secret lover.

As I walked down the quiet street, sighing, all sorts of thoughts came to mind.

Although the class schedules varied for each student, 2 PM was usually when most students were in class.

I would walk for a bit and then go back. That was my thought, but…

"Ah, Finance… Adam! What a coincidence!"

"…Student Chloe?"

"There's no one here, right? Just call me Chloe."

I didn't think I would run into anyone since it was this time of day and a secluded street, but…

Chloe, who suddenly appeared from the alleyway, approached me with a smile, saying it was a coincidence.

But it was obvious that she was feigning composure.

'Why…? Ah.'

Was it perhaps because of the charity ball? When I ignored her and Beatrice, the protagonist?

I couldn't help it, but it must have been a shock to them. Even I would feel a bit hurt if someone I considered close treated me like that.

I caused them unnecessary worry.

'Come to think of it, I had to talk to her about the Archmage too.'

What? Chloe likes me? That Archmage must be quite clueless.

People don't fall in love that easily. Otherwise, there's no explanation for why I'm single. That's how it was.

She wouldn't like a staff member, of all people, would she?

Thinking so, I called Chloe by her name to reassure her.

"Chloe."

"Yes!"

"Chloe."

"…Yes?"

"Chloe."

"A-Adam…?"

It rolled off the tongue better than I thought. It felt much more natural than "Student Chloe," which I had been calling her.

How should I put it, it was like…

"I missed you."

"...…"

"…Chloe? Student Chloe? Wait, now's not the…"

"R-really? You missed me? Really? Really?"

"Well…"

"Are you lying?"

"…It's true."

I couldn't lie in this atmosphere. Look at how Chloe's eyes were sparkling.

Besides, it was better than the slip of the tongue earlier. It was amazing how I was rationalizing this, but anyway.

It wasn't a big deal to say I missed her, right? Let's just say that.

"I… missed the competent Student Chloe very much."

"Ah, is that so?"

"What other intention could there be?"

—Ask about the ring!

"Then the ring on your hand also has no other meaning, right?"

"…? Yes, that's right. It's just an artifact."

"That's a relief."

What was that just now? Did I hear something?

Well, I managed to get through it for now. Chloe was also smiling, so it seemed like she was in a good mood.

It should be fine with this atmosphere.

"And Chloe's master came and expressed his concern to me."

"Master…? He came to see you?"

"Yes, he was worried about Chloe."

"Worried? What kind of worry?"

"It's a bit presumptuous, but it seems the Archmage thinks Chloe has romantic feelings for me."

"Gasp."

What?

Didn't I just hear something strange? And why did Chloe suddenly stop breathing?

"S-so? What did he say?"

"The Archmage said that the family who inherited the name of Piste should only be with family."

"...…"

"So he suggested that it would be best if I personally rejected Chloe's feelings. And I accepted."

"…Accepted?"

"You don't actually like me, do you?"

"...…"

"Chloe?"

Why did she suddenly become gloomy?

Chloe, who had become unusually quiet, raised her head after a while.

"What if…"

"Chloe?"

"What if it's true… that I…"

—Is she going? Is she really going!?

"…?"

"That Master's words…!!"

—Oh no! I can't watch! No, should I watch!? It's better than Adam falling for that menopausal bitch…!!

"Wait a minute, Chloe. Please be quiet for a moment."

"…Adam?"

—Adam?

Above Chloe's head? Or right next to her?

There was clearly nothing there, and even when I waved my hand, there was nothing.

I whispered to Chloe, who was dumbfounded with her words cut off.

"I think there's someone next to us. Can you detect them with magic?"

"Really? Wait… there's no one here."

"I'm serious. I heard a strange voice."

"A voice?"

Chloe's mana seemed to scan the surroundings as if she had used detection magic, but she still had a puzzled expression.

So only I could hear it? It would be one thing if only Chloe could hear it, but there was no way there was a sound that only I, a Rank 1, could hear. Was it some kind of ultrasound?

This wasn't something to take lightly. Considering [Dark Kingdom], it could be a sign of something that could damage the finances.

"It was a female voice, and it sounded strangely similar to Chloe. Are you sure there's no one else here?"

"…Uh…"

—Hmm? Isn't that right?

"I just heard it again! It said, 'Hmm? Isn't that right?' I'm sorry, but I'm only Rank 1, so please protect me!"

"...…"