Academy – Forgiveness?

Sara continued to beg for forgiveness from us, who were stunned.

Her tone had changed, making her seem like a slightly older woman rather than our Dean.

“I’m truly sorry! I didn’t mean to just apologize with words. Once I finish talking with Jade, I plan to give you all sufficient compensation.”

“At least stand up first…”

As Sara groveled for forgiveness, Jade’s intimidating momentum slightly subsided.

“S-so is it really okay?”

Sara’s face brightened as she tried to stand up, but-

“No. Stay like that.”

When Annie firmly refused, Sara bowed her head again.

Annie handled this well.

We shouldn’t waver at this level of emotional appeal. While compassion shouldn’t be discarded, wavering in crucial situations creates bigger problems.

This is something Jade would only understand after gaining more experience.

Since they fiercely pressured her on my behalf, it’s now my turn to step forward.

“Thank you both. But from now on, I’ll do the talking. This concerns me after all.”

I gently pushed Jade and Annie back.

“Dean-nim. We somewhat understand your remorse. But how can we believe that the ‘Dean’ of an academy ‘didn’t know’?”

By now, even city residents would have heard rumors. Moreover, if she truly “didn’t know,” why would she beg for our forgiveness?

“I-it might sound like a half-hearted excuse, but it’s true I didn’t fully grasp the situation. You know I was recently appointed, right? I’d grown sick of spending decades confined to the Magic Tower. When I received the offer to become Dean of Vail Academy, I jumped at it.”

Sara suddenly began revealing her past, then covered her face with both hands as if regretting that choice.

“But I never imagined this position would involve so much trouble. I wish I could return to the Magic Tower even now.”

Well, cases like Sara’s are common among Magic Tower mages.

Mages affiliated with the Tower become socially inept after long confinement. When tired of repetitive lives, they’re tempted by offers to become court mages or academy professors/deans.

But once entangled in noble politics and senior power plays, they belatedly realize their mistake.

“…We understand our Dean’s painful circumstances. So?”

“I just wanted you to consider my position slightly… I knew about the duel resulting in someone’s enslavement, but since it involved a commoner becoming a noble’s slave, I didn’t think it would be a major issue.”

From Sara’s perspective, she’d been briefed but considered duel outcomes as non-problems regardless of severity.

The reason she’s now scrambling to resolve things was obvious.

Jade had unexpectedly become the Hero.

“Then yesterday, I suddenly heard rumors about Jade’s Hero awakening. When I urgently investigated, I discovered Doran had… truly brutally treated you. I also learned other students participated in crossing-line harassment.”

Sara bit her lower lip mid-sentence.

She must have realized Doran’s actions were far worse than expected. Any decent person would understand the pain and trauma I endured upon hearing the details.

“This is unbelievable. How could they do that to Rena in public…”

“If Annie and I lacked patience, it might have escalated badly.”

“I’m sorry. I want to apologize not just to Rena but also to you two who suffered. I’ll thoroughly investigate everyone involved and ensure proper punishment and discipline. Definitely not light measures. Formal complaints will be sent to the noble families’ parents. I promise strict regulations to prevent recurrence.”

After finishing, Sara quietly watched my reaction like a criminal awaiting judgment.

‘How should I handle this?’

Should I pressure for more concessions? Or let it slide at this?

“…”

-Tap. Tap. Tap.

While staring into Sara’s eyes and tapping my knee, I reached a decision.

“So the conclusion is – you’re hastily resolving this because you fear repercussions now that Jade’s the Hero, and currently begging my forgiveness. Correct?”

“…Frankly, yes. But had I known the exact situation, I would have stopped it. I’d never tolerate such treatment of anyone, even a slave, within academy grounds.”

“Still, I sense genuine remorse in your apology. Since you’ve promised proper investigation and punishment… I’ll trust you, Dean-nim.”

“Rena, are you really okay with this?”

At Annie’s concerned question, I nodded with a faint smile.

“Th-thank you!”

Sara’s gloomy face visibly brightened at my answer. Her drastic mood shift suggested immense mental anguish.

Though Sara made many mistakes, I’d enjoyed myself thanks to them. Looking back, I experienced walks, bullying, aphrodisiacs, torture – quite a variety. Had she prevented any, it would’ve been regrettable.

Her kneeling before mere students and explaining solutions wasn’t bad either. My generous nature could forgive this much.

After all, I’ll deliver proper punishment separately.

“But if your promises aren’t kept… not me, but this friend here won’t forgive you, Dean-nim.”

I poked Jade’s side.

“Right, Jade?”

“Huh? Y-yeah.”

Jade nodded slightly flustered.

‘Hehe, surprised?’

Now work hard for me.

“Don’t worry. I’ll definitely report progress to you all. May I stand now?”

“Of course.”

Sara carefully rose and returned to her chair, straightening her clothes upon sitting.

Moments later, Sara straightened her posture with a serious expression.

“Now. Shall we resume our earlier discussion?”

“…”

Sara regained her dignified demeanor, trying to restore authority as Dean. But we just stared coldly.

“…Don’t look at me like that. What I need to discuss now is also important.”

“This concerns Jade, right? Since other matters seem resolved, let’s hear the Dean out.”

“Yeah.”

Jade listened seriously. This must be about what Jade needed to hear.

“You’ve probably heard rumors – your power is that of the Hero. When I first heard while working, I couldn’t believe it. Not the Empire’s academy, nor even Rain Academy – a Hero emerging from Vail Academy? Unheard of.”

Recalling the shock, Sara shook her head repeatedly.

“Thanks to that, we witnessed the Dean’s rare spectacle.”

“Ahem! Let’s move past that. How much do you understand about your power?”

“Um… better mana control and seeing mana flow, I guess.”

Roughly accurate. Those are Jade’s currently perceivable abilities.

“I see.”

Sara nodded understandingly.

After brief contemplation, she systematically explained the Hero’s power.

“Known aspects: Hero awakening allows drawing ambient mana for use. Additionally, seeing mana flow and magic structure. But the real reason Heroes are the Goddess’s blade against the Demon King and demons is different.”

Sara retrieved a small box from a drawer.

-Thud.

“Jade, do you know what this is?”

The red-painted box emitted ominous vibes, magically sealed.

‘This is…’

The faint energy inside was Magi.

Meaning the box contained a Magic Stone. Too small for an actual demon.

Despite magical sealing, Magi being fundamentally different from mana makes detection difficult without focused effort.

“I feel extremely unpleasant energy.”

Jade nodded, clearly sensing the energy.

“Really? I don’t feel anything…”

Annie tilted her head beside him.

“That’s normal. It’s perfectly magically sealed.”

Sara created yellow hieroglyphs from mana above her hand and inserted them into the box. The lid trembled before opening.

-Click.

Inside lay a stone radiating sinister energy.

As expected.

A decent-sized Magic Stone. Rare these days… likely brought from the Magic Tower.

‘Should secretly take this before leaving.’

Might seem excessive, but it’s for the world’s sake.

“This is a Magic Stone. A stone containing Magi that began appearing worldwide after the Demon King’s death. Magic Tower analysis suggests it holds the Demon King’s latent power, but specifics remain unknown.”

Sara’s tone betrayed wounded pride regarding the Tower. Tower affiliates have immense pride.

She must resent the Tower’s incomplete analysis.

“Magi, Magic Stone…”

Jade curiously examined the unfamiliar stone.

“You could sense this sealed stone thanks to Hero power. Heroes gain Magi detection. No demon can hide from a Hero’s senses, regardless of concealment.”

This is precisely why I need Hero power – to find hidden demons.

Despite years of searching, they’ve completely hidden after noticing pursuers.

Useless against Jade now.

“Your Hero selection means the Demon King’s remnants are scheming something. Understood your power now?”

“Yes. I roughly understand my abilities now.”

“Meant to explain briefly but rambled. Still, nothing harmful for you.”

Saved me headache explaining everything to Jade. Grateful for that.

“Oh right. Where did I put that…”

Sara rummaged through document piles as something occurred to her.

“Sorry, too much paperwork… Found it!”

She pulled out a document from the pile – clearly a capital-issued order. Undoubtedly commanding immediate departure for the Holy Kingdom.

Impressive information network – issuing orders already after yesterday’s awakening.

“Another matter actually. The capital sent orders: ‘Before heading to the Holy Kingdom, Hero Jade must investigate the dungeon appearing in Growburn Village.'”

Huh?

Out of nowhere, Growburn Village?