The Academy is Doomed

Chapter 74

After arriving in Amur via the warp magic circle, Amon headed towards the academy and thought to himself.

‘Phew, I somehow managed to catch those who tried to escape. I couldn’t let them run away and stay alone in this hellish place.’

A wicked mindset that says, “I can’t be the only one to die!”

Of course, the others weren’t thinking at all about escaping from the academy, but because Amon had such thoughts, it showed in his actions, like the thief who flinches at his own shadow.

‘By the way, I wonder if Kai has returned by now? He might have even returned to the academy when I went to the mage tower.’

What if he hasn’t returned?

‘I’ll have to give him a proper scolding. How could a newbie not even send a message during their break?’

He would show the eloquence that used to make the boys under him weep when he was a young alley boss!

Thinking that, he opened the main gate and entered.

Marion had rushed off to have a drink, so he could report that to the principal as well.

While heading toward the principal’s office, he noticed something.

‘…Hm?’

Amon furrowed his brow at the sight of an unfamiliar figure loitering in the hallway.

‘Who is that? They look like someone I don’t know.’

At first, he thought it might be Kai since it was about time for him to return.

But the person’s back was plump and soft-looking, and no matter how much he thought about it, it didn’t seem like Kai.

That wasn’t to say Amon’s eyes were so bad that he’d mistake someone for Kai just because they’d gained weight!

So he quickly approached and spoke.

“Excuse me, who are you…?”

“Ah! Senior!”

It was Kai, and Amon’s eyes weren’t that bad!

The young man, who had once been a handsome figure, was now much rounder, and Amon’s mouth hung open in surprise.

“Kai!”

“Yes?”

“Did something good happen during your break? You look so much healthier. I almost didn’t recognize you.”

Amon’s thoughtfulness, never speaking any mean words, showed in that moment!

Kai, on the inside, thought.

‘…Something good?’

That couldn’t be true.

Kai, the new teacher at Amonis Academy, was actually the Crown Prince of the Empire, ‘Kaiyas Amonis.’

But what was the internal situation in the Imperial family?

‘His Majesty, Father, is bedridden, and I couldn’t even rest or take a break, handling state affairs. Now that I’ve finally managed to return, and you’re asking me if something good happened?’

The reason he hadn’t responded to Amon’s letter or even shown his face was because of that.

Because of this, he had even vented his stress through overeating, which led to his fiancée teasing him with, ‘Your highness, may I ask if that belly and chin are for your political pocket?’ But now his complexion has improved?

Kai’s face quickly soured.

“Ha. Ha. Ha. It’s nothing. I’ve just gained some weight.”

“No, no. You look just fine now.”

“……”

“Before, you were too skinny, it was kind of hard to look at. But now, it’s good.”

Amon, filled with jealousy towards the handsome guy, spoke.

“But you seem busy? I didn’t hear from you during your break, and you didn’t reply either.”

“Ah…”

Now that he thought about it, he did see Amon’s letter.

[What are you doing? Playing?]

But he had been so busy that he didn’t even think of replying and had pushed the letter aside.

Kai chuckled awkwardly and said.

“Yes, I was really busy with family matters…”

“So the academy’s work doesn’t matter?”

“……”

Kai sighed deeply at Amon’s sharp probing.

“There’s just been a lot going on. It was tough, really.”

“…Ah, yes.”

“Well, it’s good to have you back. If you had run off, I would have chased you to the ends of hell to bring you back.”

“……”

Since Amon was on his way to report to the principal about his and Marion’s return, he quickly moved his steps, and Kai followed him.

“Hm? Where are you going?”

“I need to report my return to the principal. How about you?”

“Ah, I just got back, so I was about to see the principal. Let’s go together.”

When they arrived in front of the principal’s office, Amon noticed a middle-aged man leaving, greeting Anar’el.

“Ah. Well, I’ll take my leave now.”

“Yes! I look forward to working with you!”

The man left, and Amon tilted his head.

“Hmm? Who is that?”

The middle-aged man blinked in surprise.

“Ah, I’m sorry. I’m Phais, the new teacher hired today.”

“…A new teacher?”

Amon glanced sideways at Kai.

Kai had just become a new teacher, and now another one?

‘…Wait a minute.’

At that moment, Amon recalled something he had heard earlier.

‘Come to think of it, the continent’s situation was said to be unstable. There was talk about spies from other kingdoms possibly entering the Empire…?’

He stared at Phais, a suspicious thought forming.

Noticing Phais’ plump physique, Amon glanced at Kai.

‘He looks like Kai.’

If Kai had known, his expression would have instantly stiffened at Amon’s rude thought!

Nevertheless, Amon smiled softly and said.

“I’m Amon Drake. I look forward to working with you, Teacher Phais.”

“I also look forward to working with you, Senior.”

“…Hmm.”

Amon was satisfied with Phais’ respectful tone, immediately addressing him as ‘Senior.’

“Well then, I have something to report to the principal, so I’ll take my leave…”

Amon and Kai entered the principal’s office, where Anar’el greeted them warmly.

“Teacher Amon! You’ve returned. Did you manage to resolve the matter?”

“Yes, senior Marion also returned. Though he’s off to Amur for a drink now.”

“Really.”

Anar’el sighed as if regretful, and Kai, who overheard, thought to himself.

‘Marion Rumdom, 3-point deduction in teacher evaluation.’

Amon gave Kai a side glance before speaking.

“As you can see, Kai also made it back.”

“Yes, yes. Everyone’s back safely.”

“But…”

“What?”

Amon approached Anar’el and lowered his voice.

“Another new teacher? How long has it been since we hired Kai?”

At Amon’s inquiry, Anar’el sighed deeply.

“Sigh, Teacher Amon. The academy is a place of learning. If someone knocks on the academy’s door seeking to learn, it’s only natural to welcome them, isn’t it? Anyone can come here to seek education, not just students.”

Anar’el fiddled with an apple as she spoke.

“Also, Teacher Phais is an excellent person. He’s been teaching in the Osran Kingdom for many years, and his enthusiasm for education is remarkable.”

She then continued, caressing a watermelon as she spoke.

“Plus, he has great character, so I can safely entrust him with the students…”

“Did you receive fruit as a bribe?”

Anar’el’s ears twitched.

“W-What are you talking about?”

“……”

Under Amon’s piercing gaze, Anar’el finally dropped her ears and confessed the truth.

“It’s a premium fruit gift set worth 5 gold per basket.”

“……”

Anar’el stole a glance at Amon, worried.

Even though she had emphasized that it was ‘5 gold,’ Amon’s expression didn’t change.

Shivering with anxiety, Anar’el offered him a banana.

“W-Would you like a banana?”

“Thank you.”

Amon accepted the banana and peeled it, glancing at Kai.

“Kai, go out. I have something to discuss with the principal.”

“Ah, yes. I understand.”

After Kai left, Amon sighed deeply and spoke with a serious expression.

“Principal.”

“Yes…”

“I heard something from the Ignis Mage Tower.”

“What is it?”

“It’s about the current unstable situation on the continent.”

“Huh? The situation on the continent?”

Nodding, he continued speaking.

“You must be aware that the current Emperor is bedridden. You probably also know that the empire’s military strength has suffered significant losses. Because of that, after the Great War, the kingdoms that signed the mutual non-aggression pact under the Empire’s leadership are starting to get uneasy.”

“Is that so…”

“As a result, many kingdoms are likely to send spies to monitor the Empire’s movements, and the most probable target for these spies is the Academy.”

“What… what did you say?”

The naive elf, who was not well-versed in politics and human affairs, widened his eyes in disbelief.

At that moment, Amon, who had peeled the banana, took a big bite and snapped back.

“But ta-da! They’ve sent spies disguised as teachers, and now you’re peeling the skin and feeding them to us!”

“Hii, hiiik!”

Anar’el, whose ears were twitching nervously, hastily responded.

“B-but it hasn’t been confirmed that they are spies…”

As Anar’el was speaking, she quickly closed her mouth.

The new teacher had years of teaching experience in another kingdom!

He had come to this dying academy and had been hired as a teacher!

And he even offered a fruit gift set worth ‘five gold’!

“That…that’s impossible…”

While the poor elf, who hadn’t seen much of the world, trembled in fear, Amon muttered.

“Just like this banana! The Empire will have its skin completely peeled off and be devoured by foreign forces!”

“Hiiik!”

Seeing Anar’el arch her back in fear as though the fruit gift set she had received as a bribe was terrifying, Amon thought to himself.

‘Hm, I should stop teasing her.’

After all, it hadn’t been confirmed that the new teacher was a spy. So Amon continued speaking.

“Well, I’m just saying we should be cautious, as there’s a possibility. Also, I’d appreciate it if you could be careful about hastily accepting new teachers.”

“I… I’ll keep that in mind…”

“Anyway, since I mentioned it earlier, I’ll be keeping a close eye on the new teacher for a while. It doesn’t hurt to be careful.”

“Y-yes! Please, I’m counting on you, teacher Amon.”

Nodding, Amon took another banana from the basket and put it in his pocket.

‘It really does taste amazing, considering it’s a gift set worth 5 gold.’

After leaving the headmaster’s office, Amon’s eyes widened.

“Hm?”

“Thank you for your hard work!”

Kai was nowhere to be found, but the new teacher, Phais, had been standing outside all this time.

“Were you…waiting for me?”

“Yes, that’s right. I wanted to get accustomed to this place and hear about it from you, senior. If it’s a bother, you can refuse, of course.”

Amon awkwardly smiled at Phais’ eager behavior.

Phais, who was middle-aged, appeared much older than Amon and even looked older than his own father, Baron Kaim.

So Amon spoke politely.

“Hahaha, refuse? It’s not a problem. Since it’s summer break, I don’t have much to do for now.”

“No, no. Still, I’m taking up your time. I really appreciate it.”

“No problem… Oh, and feel free to speak comfortably. I heard you have much more experience than me.”

At that moment, Phais politely bowed and said.

“No, no. Your time here is much longer than mine, isn’t it, senior Amon? So, please don’t worry about age or experience.”

“…!”

Amon’s eyes trembled slightly.

What a clear expression of respect from a senior!

‘Moreover, although it’s uncomfortable to have an older new teacher, I can feel that he’s sincere.’

He could sense Phais’ passion to do his best in this group.

It would be a burden to show discomfort toward such a person.

Amon cleared his throat and said.

“Ahem! Understood. I’m counting on you.”

“Yes, senior Amon!”

“Then let me introduce myself again. I’m Amon Drake.”

At Amon’s words, Phais smiled warmly.

“Yes, I’m Phais Piden. I’m looking forward to working with you, senior Amon. By the way, are you free today?”

“Eh? Oh, yes. I was planning to rest today.”

“I see.”

Phais smiled cheerfully.

“In that case, I’d like to hear more about the academy, and since we’ve finally met like this, I’d like to treat you to a drink. Would that be okay?”

Phais’ suggestion to treat a colleague to a drink seemed a bit out of place for a teacher, but when Amon saw him subtly shaking his thick wallet, he cleared his throat.

“Well, I suppose I shouldn’t be so formal. I’ll accept just this once.”

“Hahaha! Don’t worry about it!”

“I know a good place. Let’s go.”

Amon and Phais walked off, both smiling brightly.

And behind Amon, Phais wore a sly grin.

‘That was easy!’

A little while later, Amon and Phais arrived at a tavern.

“Waaah! Kill him! Kill him!”

In the center of the tavern, there was a steel cage, and inside, two strong men were fighting each other to the death!

Seeing such a violent sight with familiarity, Amon murmured.

“Wow, it’s hot today too.”

Meanwhile, Phais’ face had turned pale.

“T-this place?”

“I come here often. The drinks and snacks are pretty good. So, come on, teacher Phais.”

“…”

Amon, smiling brightly, rested his chin on the table and said.

“Why are you still standing? Hurry and sit down.”

With that one sentence, Phais immediately realized.

‘This won’t be easy.’