Ch.354354 – The Principal’s Deception

<354 – The Principal’s Deception>

“Instructor Russo committed the crime of injuring a first-year student, which would normally warrant removal from his assistant instructor position and at least six months in the Grand Prison. However, considering that the opponent was Oknodie, a first-year with abilities far beyond his grade, and that Russo was one-sidedly beaten, I hereby declare him not guilty.”

Professor Mahabharata, the Dragon Principal’s guidance counselor often called his final act of mercy, concluded today’s trial by saving yet another instructor.

“You did it. I never thought I’d feel grateful to Oknodie.”

“I agree. Though things turned out opposite to what we expected, it’s remarkable that you weren’t imprisoned after kicking a first-year student.”

“What will you do now?”

Camella’s meaning was clear without asking.

Russo himself had been thinking the same thing.

‘If I wanted to… I could possibly advance to third year now. It’s impossible during the current semester, but definitely possible next year.’

Camella’s sharp intellect, which had secured the labor of numerous students by exploiting their feelings through pet contracts, must have reached the same conclusion.

Despite her pretense of indifference, Russo had already noticed her hands clutching her skirt behind her back.

“Do you think I would betray you without hesitation now that I have the ability to advance to third year, unlike during my impoverished days?”

“…Don’t mock me. If you’re going to leave, just go. I have no intention of begging someone whose heart has already left.”

“Of course I have no intention of leaving. Did you think I would run off with the penalty fee as if it were pocket change? If so, I’m rather disappointed.”

Russo gently took Camella’s arm.

“The trust that didn’t break even against Oknodie wouldn’t break overnight.”

“Instructor Russo…”

“Rather, I should be the one asking. You must be aware of the attention now focused on Camella’s faction after such a major incident? If you continue exploiting contracts as before, the student council will come for you. How do you plan to run your organization from now on?”

“More mercifully and more strictly. I’ll show mercy to the contractors and place restrictions on myself who benefits from the contracts.”

The operation of the contracts would remain the same.

But the purpose had changed.

“From now on, I plan to become Madam Camella, whose main business is matchmaking. I have confidence in my ability to see through people’s hearts, and those I’ve matched are satisfied.”

Camella’s faction had transformed from exploiting couples’ affections to genuinely connecting couples and receiving their cooperation!

Though an unexpected marriage agency prototype had suddenly emerged in the Academy, Russo thought it was for the best.

‘Since she’s saying that, let’s give her one more chance.’

The watchful eyes of the student council members in the courtroom gallery turned away.

With this, Camella had survived safely just like him.

“So what can I help with? Unlike before, it doesn’t seem like you need me to create safe zones away from the instructors’ watchful eyes.”

“What a hurtful thing to say! In a world where trustworthy people are rare, you should be my safe haven.”

Camella bravely leaned against Russo’s arm.

After flinching briefly, Russo soon pulled her head to rest on his shoulder with trembling hands.

-If you don’t manage Camella properly, you know what happens, right? Next time, you’ll be playing with me for 12 hours!

It would be a lie to say that threat hadn’t influenced his current decision.

But such sweet moments were something he’d want to enjoy regardless of anyone’s requests or threats.

Compared to wasting 25 years of life waiting solely for promotion, wasn’t this the real life?

‘Keep your promises. Both to Camella, and to you, Oknodie.’

As the heartwarming scene unfolded, another person left the gallery—Zaku, the man who had been the origin of this entire situation.

* * *

“So… if I heard correctly, Camella’s faction was completely destroyed by your organization but managed to survive by transforming itself?”

“That’s what happened.”

A mark appeared on Valocassio’s contract, forcibly indicating complete repayment.

That was inevitable.

After all, he had just provided such an incredibly valuable piece of information.

Valocassio was dumbfounded.

This wasn’t the kind of information one could simply dig up.

To thoroughly inquire about the circumstances surrounding a major event related to an organization’s rise and fall would require the qualities of a competent spy, worthy of serious career consideration.

Yet Zaku had accomplished this difficult task.

By directly using Oknodie’s organization to completely destroy Camella’s organization once, then allowing it to barely survive.

“Are all first-years either monsters or lunatics…?”

“With this, the debt from our contract should be gone, right?”

“You call that a question? Of course it’s all paid off. The contract is terminated.”

“Says who? That’s not fair. I’ll formally object to the Contract God.”

“What?”

“The value of the information I provided far exceeds the debt I was supposed to pay under the contract. If I don’t receive compensation equivalent to the difference as change, I’ll request the Contract God to evaluate the unfairness of this contract and demand that Senior Valocassio be punished.”

Suddenly, the roles of victim and perpetrator in the contract were reversed.

Even the Contract God seemed to think “he’s not wrong” and readily accepted the proposal.

As a special clause appeared on the glowing blue contract, inscribed with divine language, Valocassio could only sigh.

‘This threat is surely not the end of it.’

They demolished Camella’s faction just because someone touched one of their students, while also freeing them from the contract’s influence.

Valocassio realized that if he got on their bad side any further, he might become the next toy for “the organization that plays with Oknodie.”

He felt Oknodie’s unspoken threat through Zaku—accept the poke gracefully.

“I should never mess with you 981st class again. I don’t understand why every scheme against you fails.”

As Zaku watched the bitter retreating figure of a man whose pride as a crime consultant had vanished, he pressed:

“So when are you going to pay the change?”

“Think I’d try to cheat you? Fine. The Contract God is watching, so I’m not crazy enough to try that. I’ll give you one right now.”

With the attitude of “take this and get lost, you filthy bastard,” Valocassio revealed one piece of information like a quest reward.

“The Dragon Principal. Seems quiet these days, doesn’t he?”

“Indeed, he does.”

“That’s because he’s busy tormenting the upper-grade students. But that will end soon too.”

Zaku’s expression soured.

Valocassio’s face, which had been crumpled like he’d been chewing on bitter persimmons, now showed a sense of vindication.

This was definitely not a good sign.

Something was coming.

A future that wouldn’t be good for the 981st class first-years.

“What’s going to happen?”

“I don’t know. The principal is capricious. But I do know what you should prepare for.”

Valocassio pointed to the magic clock.

“Access the lecture boards for the classes you’re taking and check the registered assignments. Then submit all your assignments in advance this weekend.”

What? That’s just ordinary friendly advice.

Is this person actually a tsundere who can’t help honestly?

Swish.

The special clause that had been glowing on the contract faded away, having served its purpose.

It was as if the Contract God acknowledged that Valocassio’s words constituted sufficient “change.”

* * *

“It’s a festival!”

“A festival?”

I immediately recalled upon hearing Zaku’s report.

The Academy’s second semester scam event.

What seemed like a rest week for good students, mixed in between regular weekly events, transforms into a trap that drives people crazy.

More accurately, it was a trap from the beginning.

A fake festival event that catches every newbie who shows up.

-Professor! Can we really take a break?

-Of course.

-We won’t lose points for not attending?

-That’s a needless worry.

-But why are lectures still being held?

-The professors need to be in the classrooms for those who don’t want to rest, since this time is created for those who want to rest.

-Haha. You must be very bored then, since no one will show up.

The professor smiled warmly at my naive rookie-year comment.

And then the naive rookie got blindsided.

Students who had heeded the advice of seniors diligently attended the professors’ lectures, and all accumulated assignments had to be submitted the following week.

Needless to say, the material taught during that period was included in the exam, causing the value of lecture notes to skyrocket.

-I said good students who study well can rest, who said poor students could rest too? This is the price of overestimating yourself.

The naive rookie finally realized at this event: Gift Academy also teaches about the various injustices and absurdities one encounters in society!

“They say it started around this time last year too. The principal’s vicious fake festival!”

“The festival… isn’t real?”

“Oh, the festival is real. But if you believe everything’s fine and let your guard down to enjoy it, you’ll be the only one who suffers!”

Enjoy a week of freedom from all lectures during the festival days.

Zaku shuddered, rubbing his goosebump-covered arms after learning that the impressive slogan actually meant “(for model students only).”

“But it sounds kind of fun! Upper-class seniors experience the festival every year, but with different themes!”

In the world, there are enjoyable Korean beef festivals and mosquito-killing festivals.

What kind of themed festival would trick the newbies this time?

“This week’s event is the <Exorcism Festival>. Students who cannot exorcise non-material beings are advised to quietly focus on their studies.”

“…”

A festival with no deceptive meaning appeared, like a bug in the system.

When they should be setting up a real festival to encourage slacking off, they openly set such an obvious trap and make such statements—who would actually go around enjoying exorcism?

“If you actively perform exorcisms, you can earn treasure-grade items as rewards based on your achievements. Additionally, if you complete exorcism challenges from each faculty, you can earn faculty merit points, so I recommend trying at least once.”

The members who had gone boating exchanged awkward glances with me and each other. We already have what we need, so why bother?

The ring that’s been buzzing since earlier is also concerning.

It’s fake Lin’s desperate call for help, begging not to be exorcised.

Come to think of it, I’m worried about fake Lin being treated like a wild ghost.

If she gets accidentally exorcised while wandering around, wouldn’t that ruin her relationship with Sing?

Alright, decision made.

While others play, we’ll just study hard!