Academy – Dean Sarah

body {
font-family: Georgia, serif;
line-height: 1.6;
max-width: 800px;
margin: 0 auto;
padding: 20px;
}
h1 {
color: #333;
border-bottom: 2px solid #ddd;
padding-bottom: 10px;
}
p {
margin-bottom: 1em;
text-align: justify;
}

After the sparring match, Veil Academy was, of course, turned upside down.

It was surprising enough that Jade had defeated Doran in the duel.

However, a certain rumor contributed even more to the Academy’s uproar. The rumor that the Hero had appeared, seeing Jade awaken with white light.

Some dismissed it as nonsense, but there were too many witnesses to the duel, so the rumor gained more credibility.

Perhaps some people knew about the Hero’s power…

Soon, it would be revealed as a verified fact, not just a rumor.

“Hey, hey, look over there. It’s Jade.”

“They say he was chosen as the Hero. But I think I’d be a better fit.”

“Oh, please. You’re definitely not it.”

As if to prove my thoughts, the students buzzed as they spotted us heading towards the Academy.

‘Jade has become the most popular person in the Academy overnight.’

Meanwhile, Jade, the subject of the rumors, was walking next to me, looking only at the ground. Judging by his scowling face, he looked like he was about to throw up.

It was understandable that he felt nauseous from all the attention. Jade had never experienced anything like this before.

When I first became the Hero, I almost died dealing with the countless people who came to see me.

‘Later, I was always busy hiding or running away whenever I saw people.’

Anyway, in times like these, it’s important to give him pride and courage as a senior Hero.

I grabbed Jade’s shoulders and back and pulled him up straight.

“Jade, straighten your shoulders. I still can’t believe it, but… you’re everyone’s hope, the ‘Hero’.”

“Le, Lena…”

But Jade blushed and lowered his head even further.

‘Ah, is this making him feel even more pressured?’

My enthusiastic encouragement only made Jade feel an even greater sense of burden.

But this wasn’t a problem I could solve for him. You didn’t choose to be the Hero willingly… but what can you do since you’ve already become the Hero?

I was freed from my shackles, so it was your turn, junior, to suffer.

“I knew my power was unique, but I never thought it would be the Hero’s power… Can someone like me even be the Hero?”

Jade, even more depressed, lamented the countless gazes still fixed on him.

This was the same worry I always had. It seems like everyone thinks the same thing when they become the Hero.

But for the guy who used to shout that he wanted to be like me to say this now… Changing his mind overnight.

Well, being the Hero only looks cool on the surface, but it’s actually one of the worst jobs.

Annie, who had been watching us cautiously, poked Jade.

“Jade, now that we’re on the topic, can I ask you something?”

“You have something to ask?”

“I have tons!”

Unlike me, who stayed with Jade until the end yesterday, Annie had returned to the dormitory early. She probably had a lot of questions piled up.

Annie started firing questions as soon as the topic of the Hero came up.

“What exactly is the Hero’s ability? Magic, and then you go swish! swish! with your hand, and the magic disappears…”

“Ah! And you looked so powerful. Saying ‘Shut up, Doran’ to that guy at the end. If I were Lena, I would have totally fallen for you!”

Annie excitedly began to reenact Jade’s actions from yesterday’s duel.

“Th, that’s…”

Jade’s face turned bright red in an instant.

He doesn’t realize it when he’s caught up in the moment and saying cool things.

But when he looks back on what he said later… it’s inevitable that he’ll think it’s too cheesy.

And if someone recreates it in front of him, he ends up like Jade is now.

Still, there are times when the Hero has to give courage with cheesy words. Because to someone, the Hero is a hope to rely on.

Anyway, seeing his cheesy side from yesterday, Jade is definitely qualified to be the Hero.

“Annie, don’t tease him too much. Jade’s face is about to explode from embarrassment.”

“Oh, oh? I just thought Jade was so cool yesterday…”

While we were busy teasing Jade, someone called out to us loudly.

“You three students there!”

A drill instructor was running towards us from the Academy’s main gate.

The news must have reached the professors, so I figured a higher-up from the Academy had summoned Jade.

“Finally here! You’re Jade, right? The Academy Headmaster is looking for you. Go to the Headmaster’s office right away.”

“Can we go with him?”

The drill instructor hesitated for a moment at my question, then nodded.

“Uh… I guess it should be fine.”

By the way, where was the Headmaster’s office again? I didn’t really have a reason to go there, so I don’t remember.

I think it was on the top floor of the Academy…

“Never mind. Just follow me. I’ll guide you.”

What a sensible guy.

**

We headed to the Headmaster’s office, following the drill instructor.

The drill instructor kept glancing at Jade as he walked in front. Jade seemed to notice the glances, but he followed him without saying anything.

He probably had something he wanted to ask Jade.

It’s understandable to be curious about someone who’s the ‘Hero’.

When I was the Hero, there were people who never even saw my shadow once. Because there were so many places that needed my help.

The drill instructor finally couldn’t hold back his itchy mouth and opened it.

“This… it might be a rude question, but is it true that you can see the flow of mana when you become the Hero?”

“Yes, it is. Rather than always seeing it, I can see it if I focus mana in my eyes. Even now, if I gather mana…”

Jade paused for a moment, and the right eye began to emit a blue light. And he pointed to the Magic lamp shining brightly from the ceiling.

“I can see the structure of the lamp installed there.”

“Wow… what an amazing power. I’ve only heard rumors, but to think it was real. It must have been annoying to be asked by everyone, but thank you for satisfying my curiosity.”

“It’s nothing. It’s not really a difficult task.”

Jade’s attitude as the Hero isn’t bad. If he gets annoyed by this much, it’ll be even harder in the future.

‘Huh…?’

I suddenly noticed myself evaluating Jade’s actions. I had been scrutinizing Jade’s attitude, actions, and even his way of speaking since a while ago.

I didn’t intend to do this, but it felt like I was raising a disciple.

As we were walking quietly after that, the drill instructor suddenly stopped.

-Halt.

“Well, I’ll stop here. The Headmaster isn’t an arrogant or picky person, so don’t worry too much.”

“Thank you. I’ll go in first.”

Jade stepped forward, slowly opened the door, and entered the Headmaster’s office. Annie and I followed behind him.

-Creak.

As soon as we entered the room, the first thing that caught my eye was the mountain of documents piled up on the large desk in the center.

In between them, a woman with blue hair was frantically processing documents with a tired face.

I thought there would be an elderly grandmother as the Headmaster, but she was quite young. I heard rumors that she was in the Magic Tower and then took office as the Headmaster…

The level of her realm felt like the early stages of 7-Star.

It was far weaker than the Magic Tower Lord, but she was quite capable for the Headmaster of an Academy that was only a backwater in the world.

“Hello…”

Annie, who had been hesitant, greeted the Headmaster with a nervous voice.

“Hmm?”

The Headmaster finally noticed us standing there blankly and raised her head.

“Ah, you’re here?”

-Clap!

As the Headmaster clapped her hands, the chairs on one side began to move.

-Rumble, thud.

In an instant, a place for us to sit was created in front of her.

Not bad skill. It would have been better if she had moved them more smoothly so that the chairs wouldn’t get damaged.

“First, sit down. You roughly know why I called you here, right?”

Jade pointed to himself with his finger.

“Is it because of my power?”

“That’s right. It’s because of that.”

We all sat down in our seats as the Headmaster said.

“Ah, I should briefly introduce myself. My name is Sarah. I used to be a noble in the past, but I cut ties when I left home, so don’t worry about it. As you can see, I’m the Headmaster of Veil Academy. I don’t like making unnecessary noise, so I’ll get straight to the point.”

She has a straightforward personality. My first impression of Sarah, the Headmaster, isn’t bad.

“Jade, your power is…”

“Just a moment.”

I interrupted Sarah’s words. Jade and Annie had slightly surprised expressions at my rude interruption.

But I had noticed it since a while ago. Sarah’s eyes, which had been shaking when she looked at me.

“You’re Lena, right? Do you have something you want to say?”

“I want to talk about the Academy’s situation first. You know about everything that happened to me, all the problems of the Academy, right?”

“…”

At my words, Sarah put her hand on her forehead and made a face as if what was coming had finally arrived.

‘She was trying to gloss over it.’

Eventually, Sarah began to speak.

“Hoo…. To be honest, I didn’t know well. I haven’t been the Headmaster for very long, and I haven’t been able to properly manage the Academy because I’ve been busy with administrative work. I’ll take this opportunity to sincerely apologize.”

She seemed to be hoping that I would let it go with just this much… but looking at the expressions next to me, it seemed like my friends wouldn’t let it go.

Jade and Annie were furious, as if the past events had come to mind.

“If it weren’t for Lena, I would have almost forgotten. Even if you’re the Headmaster now, are you just apologizing with words? Do you know how hurt and painful Lena was!”

As soon as Annie’s angry words ended, Jade chimed in.

“That’s right. I believe that students could not have done those things if the Headmaster had not condoned them. Not only Lena, but I also had a hard time. I don’t understand your attitude of trying to gloss over it by saying you didn’t know.”

Unlike Annie, Jade spoke in a calm voice, but his eyes looking at Sarah were fierce. He would probably change his attitude depending on what answer came out.

What reliable friends. It’s so comfortable because they’re saying everything I want to say for me.

I wonder what she’ll do now.

Kick us out? Give us bribes? Or threaten us to keep our mouths shut?

While I was predicting Sarah’s actions, Sarah suddenly jumped up from her seat. And she walked out and stood right in front of us.

What is it? I didn’t expect this either.

Jade and Annie also had slightly bewildered faces, just like me.

-Thud

Sarah knelt down in front of us and put her hands together near her chest.

And she took a deep breath―

“…I’m really, really sorry! I’m begging you like this. Please forgive me just once!”

Sarah desperately began to beg for forgiveness. In a humble posture right in front of our eyes.

“Huh?”

“Uh?”

Jade and Annie made dumbfounded noises at the sight.

‘Should I call this amazing…?’

I was also very embarrassed.