Ch.327327 – Private Operation 2

<327 – Private Operation 2>

The second semester began.

And Oknodie and Sing had not returned.

“What could be happening at the Foundation?”

“What else? The kid’s talent is far more exceptional than they thought, so they’re keeping him tied down so he can’t leave the Foundation.”

“Poor thing.”

“Did the others who went with him just leave him behind?”

“It’s the Foundation. They were probably scared of getting hurt.”

It was scary indeed.

But Oknodie had his own wishes.

That’s why I could trust him and leave.

But now that things had turned out this way, Arcadia felt regret too.

Should I have brought that child back even if it meant taking risks?

Her hand gripped her gloves tightly.

“Lady Arcadia… don’t pay attention to such foolish nonsense.”

“Of course. The Oknodie I saw on the cruise ship was not a child who would dance to the Foundation’s tune.”

That child still shows aspects of being a “good child.”

There must be circumstances.

If we wait a little longer, he’ll return.

Thus, one day passed after the second semester began, then two.

Early September, the dates flew by as quickly as falling leaves, and a week’s time scattered with the wind.

Arcadia’s patience also came to an end with the passing of that week.

“I need to see Year Head Professor Mahabharata.”

“The Year Head isn’t someone you can meet whenever you want…”

“Tell him to let me in. This isn’t just ‘whenever.'”

The instructor guarding the entrance to Mahabharata’s office reluctantly placed his hand on the office door.

And in that moment, he filled the empty space in the [Open] formula with his own mana from the massive mana pattern that appeared, opening the door.

An office where you couldn’t even open the door without mastering a considerable level of mana arts!

Creeak.

Thud.

As soon as she stepped through the slightly opened door, it closed behind her.

Arcadia, who had barged in with such authority earlier, now shifted her eyes timidly.

Mahabharata’s office was so alien that it was difficult for her to maintain her composure.

“What… is all this?”

“Spirit fish that swim only in high-density mana. By the Principal’s orders, they’re the target of this week’s event. They’ll appear throughout the academy soon, and if you can withstand the mana pressure and catch a fish, you might receive a small blessing from the spirits.”

…Another strange gimmick added to the academy.

Still, I should tell my close friends about this after I finish my business.

“Oknodie has been trapped in the Foundation’s facility and hasn’t returned. Is the academy aware of this fact?”

“Of course. I was the one who received the Principal’s instructions to infiltrate Professor Ferguson onto the cruise ship.”

“What? Ferguson as in that mysterious serial enhancer who strengthened Titosoga’s lighting team… that suspicious person is a professor!?”

The more she thought about it, the more astounding it was.

Despite having a professor present, the hardships they endured were no ordinary trials.

“Then did you also know that Professor Layve from the Empire followed the cruise ship and tried to kill Oknodie?”

“I received reports from Professor Ferguson. Initially, we dispatched the professor to secure the students’ safety within the Foundation’s care and obtained information in the process, but at that time, I didn’t think they would make such a foolish decision.”

“…I can let that matter go since it’s in the past. But you didn’t provide any help during the tragedy of the Apostle of Anrage, which led to casualties.”

This was beyond feeling disappointed or resentful.

The students’ souls could have been switched.

From the perspective of someone who could have ended up in a fate worse than death, it still makes her shudder.

“If you weren’t going to help at the most critical moment, why did you come at all?”

Professor Mahabharata answered the bold student’s question.

“One million points.”

“…”

“That’s the point penalty I would have to bear for violating the Level 1 Information Non-Disclosure Treaty.”

“Sigh. That cursed point supremacy. Even professors can’t escape the shackles of points?”

“If you’ve experienced the Foundation’s point system, you’d know the academy’s is much more reasonable.”

“If you don’t want to tell me, fine. I didn’t come here to waste time either.”

Instead, Arcadia found a more effective answer.

“If Oknodie doesn’t return and the academy doesn’t take appropriate action, I’ll go looking for him myself. When that time comes, Professor Mahabharata, you’ll see how many students share my thoughts.”

* *

The bold declaration to the professor sounded quite disrespectful.

The instructor guarding the entrance glared at Arcadia as she left the office and urged for the professor’s instructions.

“If you wish to discipline this impertinent first-year, I’ll take care of it personally.”

“No need. Leave her be. These children have gone through significant emotional distress, so it’s natural they can’t see straight.”

Professor Mahabharata understood Arcadia’s feelings.

Students often view professors as disguised demons without blood or tears, but professors aren’t really such merciless monsters.

Though sometimes they lack the social common sense or normal thinking patterns they should have due to focusing on honing their skills.

At least Professor Mahabharata wasn’t that type of professor.

Rather, he was everyone’s guardian who cleaned up after professors who caused trouble and restored peace and order to the academy.

“Don’t you get tired of always playing the villain? Professor, you’re too kind.”

“What can I do? She’s a first-year. If you’re really concerned, go tell first-year Arcadia that if she wants access to classified information, she should aim to join the student council.”

Even Mandela Castella, the unshakeable top student of the 980th class, was more clumsy and immature in skill and insight during her first year.

It was only with time and experience that she transformed into who she is now.

Professor Mahabharata believed that Arcadia could undergo a similar transformation.

“Anyway, the Principal’s counter to the Foundation’s ‘fishing’ has already been implemented. That collector’s daughter will definitely not miss the chance to catch spirit fish.”

Forcibly taking Oknodie from the Foundation would be the worst strategy.

The best approach is to make Oknodie himself want to return to the academy by presenting an enticing bait.

Mahabharata firmly believed that the Dragon Principal’s brilliant move would work.

For someone who lives life focused solely on interests.

Because they live in the same way, the Principal’s bait would be even more effective for Oknodie.

━━━

Professor Destroyer’s Student Evaluation (Oknodie)

Professor Bronze’s Student Evaluation (Oknodie)

━━━

At least Professor Destroyer and Professor Bronze thought so and provided information.

The likelihood of the Dragon Principal’s belief, the former hero’s judgment, and the noble thief’s insight all being wrong is extremely slim.

The Foundation would have no choice but to return Oknodie now.

‘If we’re not inferior to the Foundation in material wealth, what will determine Oknodie’s whereabouts is quality teaching that cannot be replaced by material things alone.’

The small battle with the Foundation was tilting toward the academy’s victory.

As Mahabharata was confident in their advantage, urgent footsteps were heard outside his office.

Professor Mahabharata, who possessed a considerable mana field range, though not as extensive as the Dragon Principal’s, was sensitive to approaches that disrupted his concentration.

Minus 100 points.

As he was thinking of the quickest way to request no running in the hallway, Mahabharata changed his mind upon seeing the instructor’s face.

This guy was a veteran instructor who had been at the academy for 8 years.

He wasn’t a fool who would carelessly violate taboos without caring about points.

“A major incident has occurred. A first-year student died instantly from an accident on campus.”

“…What? No, we’ve put so much effort into preventing first-years from sudden deaths. What exactly happened? Surely an upperclassman didn’t…”

“It wasn’t an attack by upperclassmen. A first-year attacked another first-year.”

“Send me the information on the deceased student and the perpetrator.”

Professor Mahabharata opened his mana board and turned the pages with hands trembling with anger.

“…?”

And then he was bewildered.

━━━

Victim: Mordor (Presumed Beastkin Special Admission Foundation Scholar)

Perpetrator: Primer (Presumed Excellence Special Admission Foundation Scholar)

━━━

The one with blood on their hands was a Foundation scholar.

The one who bled and died was also a Foundation scholar.

“What is this? Internal conflict?”

This was the time when they should be more careful, especially to avoid losing Oknodie.

He was completely dumbfounded by this result that created unnecessary tension.

The Foundation had begun to act in incomprehensible ways.