Became an Academy Self-Inflicted Blackmailer chapter 78

78 – Sports competition, preparation (2)

The position of dean of the academy actually does not have that much to do. Until she took over as the teacher for new students this year, all Tsumei had to do was stamp documents on the spot.

Of course, there was no significant difference just because she was now the teacher in charge of Class 1 A.

Most of her work is handled by her secretaries, and even if it is difficult for them to judge, Helena takes care of it.

It was a truly ideal position, as it held all the authority but did not impose too many obligations.

However, there were times when even Tsumei had to take his role as dean seriously. This was the case, for example.

A sports competition held for nearly a month.

Although it is usually called an athletics competition, it is safe to say that it is actually a festival. From the parents’ point of view, it was a class they could observe, and from the citizens’ point of view, it was something they could not see often.

As there were so many visitors to the Academy at this time, sometimes people who could not be treated normally would appear.

It doesn’t happen very often, though. Even though his children were attending school, the emperor intentionally paid no attention to the academy, and other royal families were no different.

The person who entered the dean’s office today as an outsider was not a member of the royal family.

“It’s been a while, slaying dragon.”

To begin with, he was a man whose intelligence could not be said to be particularly high.

At least, this is true when considering nobles and imperial family.

He has a title, but he does not extend his power to the political arena of the empire.

Initially, he was a person who did not care much about such things.

The reason is not a big deal. It’s just that the man had a status that could not be ignored, even more so than the status common within the empire.

“I think I saw you a few months ago, but I never thought we would see each other again so soon. hahahaha.”

The most impressive feature of the man speaking to Tsumei in a relaxed voice is the color of his hair, which resembles the night sky.

It was not a color commonly seen in the empire.

The red eyes seem to be blood-red at first glance, but surprisingly, they do not give an ominous feeling.

The old man carrying a sword took his place in front of Tsumei with a faint smile.

The expression on Tsumei’s face, as she rested her chin and looked at the man wearily, seemed at first glance to be agitated.

She frowned for a moment and then stopped speaking with a small sigh.

“I didn’t know I would see you this often.”

Tsumei’s voice was truly calm. In general, it can be said that the voice is without any problems, but if Tsumei is the one who created the voice, the story is different.

To put it simply, it meant that it was a truly uncommon attitude.

“So, I guess you came to see her granddaughter this time too?”

And that could be said to be Tsumei’s own ‘attitude of respecting others.’

The man, Sword Saint Reinhardt, nodded his head with a comfortable smile to express his approval.

“Could there be any other reason? If I were to add one more thing, you could also say that I came to see an old teacher.”

“I don’t need her lip service. “You’re right in saying something like that about something that happened more than 60 years ago.”

“Isn’t there a saying that a momentary teacher is a lifelong teacher? In other words, I, who was once your student, can also be said to be your lifelong student.”

Tsu Mei shook her head in response to the swordsman’s natural, flowing response. Despite what she said, she also didn’t like the fact that a student from decades ago came to her as a parent.

It would be fair to say that she is only slightly annoying.

“I’ll give you a cup of tea, drink it and then go back. There is still one more day until the competition starts. Aren’t you here too early? “He’s someone who doesn’t usually leave Yeongsan.”

Despite Tsumei’s disapproving gaze, Geomseong maintained her calm and weak appearance. He accepted the teacup that had fallen from the air and opened his mouth again.

“While this was happening, I thought I would take a look around my alma mater. “It’s a place with a lot of memories.”

“It’s a memory. Are you talking about the time you destroyed a clock tower with a great sword? Ah, the fact that he asked me to spar with him as a student during the graduation ceremony would also be a memory.”

“hehehe, isn’t that childish behavior from a young person? “I hope you can generously forget such trivial things.”

“I saw what you did this time.”

Tsumei warned her not to cause an accident during this sports festival. It’s not that she didn’t understand what it meant, but Geomseong just enjoyed the scent of tea in peace.

“Heh heh heh.”

“You don’t answer until the end. “Still fearless.”

“Heh heh heh.”

Soon, Geomsung put down his teacup and looked out the window, and Tsumei didn’t say anything more.

Even so, it wasn’t because Geomseong was truly concerned that he would cause an accident.

The days when you were immature enough to ignore warnings have probably passed, so there is no need to worry. She wouldn’t do something like that in the presence of her granddaughter, whom she cared for dearly.

Tsumei had erased her guard at that point. Also, it was immediately after that that Geomseong spoke once again.

“By the way, where is the instructor? I wasn’t able to see you last time because I went back soon. Oh, of course, I think he’s still bothering the students.”

The word ‘instructor’ came out as if it had suddenly occurred to me, and did not refer to professors or instructors currently in office.

It was 60 years ago that Geomsung graduated from the academy, and there was only one instructor he remembered and respected.

“…… Ah, that.”

Tsu Mei briefly closed her mouth with a slightly sour expression. I knew very well what kind of situation the instructor that Geomseong had spoken of was in now.

It was something that could not be helped.

After thinking for a moment, she just told her story as it was.

“All four arms were blown off and are currently being repaired.”

“Aha, is that so?”

Geomseong, who was about to shake his head without thinking, thought again for a second or two before raising his gaze with a rather stern expression.

“Yes?”

It was his first reaction of confusion.

*****

A week after the midterm exam. Until the sports competition began in earnest, I devoted myself to training as I had planned.

Because one week is not that long, we did not achieve any particularly meaningful results.

One time, to remind myself of that feeling, I fired an electronic cannon into the air and was called by Tsumei…….

Well, it’s just a minor incident.

From noble mtl dot com

Anyway, the day of the sports competition quickly arrived. The interior of the campus, which is normally difficult to enter except for students and faculty, was already filled with visitors, and the students were also showing signs of excitement.

Just having the name “Festival” Added to an otherwise ordinary event makes the atmosphere livelier.

Stalls that had been prepared a few days in advance begin to become active one by one.

The campus, which was decorated with magic tools emitting colorful lights, had a very lively atmosphere, a little different from usual.

He spoke as if he was watching from a distance, but in reality, it wasn’t much different from me. Wouldn’t it be a luxury to hold one in each hand and eat cotton candy sold at a street vendor?

It was a useless worry, but at this moment, I was quite serious.

In the end, I defeated the temptation of sugar and achieved flowers in both hands. I walked around the campus and arrived at the central square.

Green space with a very harmonious atmosphere and benches placed here and there. And from the fountain located in the center of the circular square, cool water was gushing out.

I sat down on the bench right in front of the fountain and leaned back as if I was fascinated.

I wondered if it was okay to do this while I was patrolling for committee work, but what else could be a problem?

According to Eve’s explanation, it should be okay because she said that she didn’t touch it too much, just taking a short break by using her wits and cunningly judging the situation.

The person who said that is probably going around the hardest.

‘Hmm.’

When I think about it that way, I feel like I feel a little bit of remorse. The senior may be sweating and having a hard time, but the junior is just eating snacks and resting peacefully.

“…… Tskcha.”

I’m sure there’s no problem, but I’m curious.

I got up and threw the neatly disposed cotton candy stick into the trash can.

*****

The first day of the sports competition was, to put it bluntly, not a stage for first-year students.

An event in which all three grades participate at once, excluding fourth-year students who are prospective graduates.

So, it would not be strange that the first day’s event was focused on upperclassmen.

Also, it goes without saying that the main players among them are third-year students.

A tournament where the top 20 players are selected based on last year’s and this year’s scores combined. If you are a student aiming to graduate at the top of your class, you will have no choice but to take it quite seriously.

For visitors, there are few things to see that are as exciting as this.

Students were no exception. In fact, it was an opportunity to intuit the skills of top-ranking seniors.

Quang! Quagwagwagwang!

Bldg D of the Academy is where large-scale matches, such as today’s tournament, are mainly played. And at this moment, it was none other than the first stadium that a lot of heavy drinking broke out.

A huge pillar of ice soared through the cool open ceiling of the stadium.

Saaa… ….

The cold from the ice pillar soon began to penetrate every corner of the audience.

It had no real effect, but it was quite unrealistic to believe that it was a phenomenon created by just one magic.

The stadium, which would normally be noisy, was extremely quiet right now.

Silence, astonishment, and a very brief exclamation.

[…] … Winner, Lucius Romanea el Pale.]

Soon, the voice of the host, who seemed as surprised as the rest of the audience, came out amplified through the magic tool.

[Oh, this year’s third grade final winner is student Lucius. A round of applause to the student council president who once again held onto his position as valedictorian!]

A truly bewildering sound of applause, similar to the bewildered voice of the host, filled the stadium. That’s because with just one spell, Cha-seok was frozen.

A great thing is a great thing, but that doesn’t mean it won’t be embarrassing.

No matter how I thought about it, this final, which was not like a final, seemed like it would be a great record in many ways.

As I watched Lucius calmly leaving the center of the stadium, I clicked my tongue inwardly.

‘Helena was probably recognized as an archmage around her early 30s.’

What on earth did that student council president do to reach the 8th circle in his twenties? It was something I couldn’t figure out.

I wonder if I have to have that level of skill to be a representative of all students.

That’s why I started to worry about Eve, the next student council president.

To be honest, I didn’t think there could be a comparison.

Common sense, does it make sense to be an archmage during your student days?

I briefly laughed and thought a little more deeply about the character ‘Lucius’.

“… ….”

The second prince of the empire and the student council president of the academy.

The question that suddenly arose in relation to him was no different.

‘Why was that character never mentioned again?’

Isn’t he a person with a very attractive background, being the youngest member of Circle 8?

Even after graduation, there would have been plenty of room for re-emergence.

However, after graduating from the academy and returning to the imperial palace, Lucius never appeared in the story again.

At least as far as I know.

I folded my arms and fell into deep thought.

‘Hmm… ….’

If they were just passing by for a moment, they wouldn’t have been given any talent other than that standard. Is there some reason?

To be honest, I was very curious.

As the story progressed, there were definitely a few cases where the background changed to an institution. Still, Lucius did not appear.

I was maximizing my poor imagination and thinking of banal possibilities such as assassination or political burial.

“…… “You were here.”

I had to open my closed eyes and turn my head when I suddenly heard a familiar voice.

On the day I was watching the game, leaning against the wall at the edge of the audience, it was Aria who came to visit.

I couldn’t help but blink for a moment.

It’s surprising that she spoke to me first, unlike usual, because Aria’s complexion was unusually dark.

I thought for a moment that there was something wrong, but she came to my side with a slight hesitation, turned her gaze directly to me, and opened her mouth again.

“…… Well, the student council president was amazing. “I’ve never seen such splendid magic before.”

The words I uttered were not something Aria would casually say to me. So, insignificant small talk.

Whenever I encountered him, he would growl and say that he was my enemy and all, but even to this day, even though I have kind eyes, my first words were something that I couldn’t help but feel suspicious about.

“Ha, hahahaha… ….”

…… First of all, I don’t know why, but I could tell she was trying to avoid making eye contact with me.

So, one thing I naturally learned.

Aria, who was scratching her cheek while letting out an innocent laugh, was clearly looking at me.

I’ll say it again, it’s really unusual.

Did he do something wrong to me? No, is there something I could do wrong in the first place?

I was in the middle of thinking about those thoughts.

“…… Dante.”

In the end, Aria, who seemed to be oppressed by her awkward atmosphere and could not stand her silence, glanced at me and gently touched her lips.

Yes, really briefly-.

“I’m sorry.”

A word like that.

“…… “I didn’t really mean to.”

As a bonus, he also added an excuse that made him feel like he was in disgrace.

Tub-

I couldn’t bear to ask Aria what she meant. To be precise, it couldn’t be done.

Because at some point there was a hand touching my shoulder.

It’s pretty outrageous. Maybe it feels like living.

However, contradictorily, there was no malicious intent.

I can’t explain very well what kind of bullsh*t it is to say that there is life but no sense of malice.

It was just the literal meaning.

“… ….”

Soon I turned my head very cautiously.

My head turned with a creaking sound, and soon I was able to see the face of the person holding my shoulder.

“Nice to meet you.”

The man looking down at me with a gentle smile looked quite old. It feels like looking beyond middle age and into old age.

However, I never felt like he was an ‘old man’.

He is certainly old, but he is not senile.

His physique and well-trained muscles made him look stronger than most young men, and it gave me a surprising confidence that I could fight ten times and lose more than ten times.

I had no choice but to reflexively break into a cold sweat.

Should we say it is an instinctive sense of crisis?

“I heard that my granddaughter owes me a lot… ….”

The man with a friendly smile like an elderly neighbor, Geomsung, squeezed my shoulder so hard that it felt like he was going to crush it. And his voice flows into my ear.

“The time is just right. It was fate that we met like this. “Would you like to have lunch with this old man?”

“… ….”

To me, that invitation sounded like a threat or coercion that I should not refuse no matter what.