Ch.39Chapter 39 – Connections Are Still the Best

I found myself in a predicament, surrounded by students approaching me and bringing up that tiresome bread story.

If only I knew someone nearby who could help, but I was at a loss with these students suddenly encircling me.

If I had brought a hammer, I could have at least knocked some heads to escape, but of course, I hadn’t brought one.

“Everyone, stop! If you mess with Pathos here, something terrible might happen to you!”

At that moment, Reina shouted loudly, drawing everyone’s attention to herself.

“What?”

“What are you talking about?”

All the students in the classroom turned their gaze toward Reina at once.

“Sigh, you people. Didn’t you hear what I said earlier?”

“What did you say?”

“I introduced him at the beginning. Pathos here was admitted through special selection with a recommendation from the ‘Chancellor.'”

Reina explained to the students how I had been admitted to Glesius Academy.

The color instantly drained from the faces of the students surrounding me.

“R-r-really?”

“He g-got in with the Chancellor’s recommendation?”

Since most people close to me were nobles, they began to carefully back away once they learned whose recommendation had gotten me into the academy.

“What’s going on? Why is everyone suddenly backing away?”

“They say the Chancellor is backing him!”

“What? Really? Then we shouldn’t mess with him!”

The news that the Chancellor was behind me quickly spread to those in the back, and the students who had surrounded me instantly returned to their seats.

Indeed, having powerful backing makes all the difference.

But was the Chancellor really that frightening?

‘Reina. Why is everyone so afraid when the Chancellor is mentioned?’

‘The Chancellor is essentially the highest authority after His Majesty the Emperor. The moment you catch his eye negatively, you can basically forget about advancing in central politics.’

When I whispered my question, Reina whispered back with her answer.

From Reina’s response, I could understand how the Chancellor was imprinted as such a fearsome figure in the minds of the empire’s people.

Hmm, certainly I expected someone who had risen to the position of Chancellor in a country would have the charisma to command people.

But that charisma seemed to be more powerful than I had anticipated.

“Anyway, I hope everyone will avoid asking Pathos questions that might be difficult for him to answer. For your sake, and for all of us. Understood?”

Everyone nodded silently in response to Reina’s words.

Indeed, as expected of someone from a ducal family, she already possessed the ability to command people.

Thanks to her, I was able to preemptively block those annoying bread-related questions.

I hadn’t directly asked people not to ask bread-related questions, but I guessed she had noticed how uncomfortable those questions made me.

Wow, I never realized the difference between having connections and not having them could be so stark.

At first, everyone rushed toward me, bombarding me with questions like they were going to eat me alive, but once they learned the Chancellor was behind me, they all started treating me with caution.

‘Huh? This might actually be more comfortable?’

Come to think of it, this might be better.

Rather than dealing with troublesome confrontations, it’s better to let people know who’s backing me to prevent conflicts in advance.

Mmm. Very good. People should know how to live peacefully.

As I found a suitable seat and sat down, a middle-aged man entered the classroom through the door.

“Hmm? What’s this? Why is everyone so quiet? Well, it’s better than being noisy, I suppose.”

This person appeared to be in charge of this class period.

“That’s Professor Norman. He’s the one who teaches new students like us about general knowledge of the academy.”

By the way, the person sitting next to me was Reina.

She had to stick with me for a while because the Chancellor had asked her to.

“Now, I was planning to give a pop quiz today, but since there seems to be a new face, we’ll review what we’ve learned so far instead of the quiz. Understood?”

“Yes, Professor!”

When Professor Norman said he wouldn’t give a pop quiz, everyone answered loudly.

It reminded me of my military service days, when we had to repeat after the education officer.

“You’re lucky.”

“Why’s that?”

“Professor Norman usually gives a pop quiz every class. The fact that he’s not giving one probably means it’s because you joined this class.”

After hearing Reina’s explanation, I observed Professor Norman and noticed that even while explaining the content they had learned so far, he occasionally glanced in my direction.

[Since class has started, I’ll use notes instead. I’ll keep my messages brief when writing notes.]

[Understood.]

Once class began, Reina and I started exchanging notes instead of talking.

[Norman is a contract professor. His renewal next year depends on this year’s evaluation. So he’s aware of people who could greatly influence his contract renewal. He probably won’t do anything to displease you while you’re here.]

She wrote down specific information about Professor Norman.

Seeing this reminded me of the short explanations or settings that appear on the loading screen of Erasto Chronicle.

[Most professors probably know about you by now. Information about you has likely spread through the student management system available to professors. Additionally, while all academy staff are managed by the Chancellor, the Chancellor’s approval is needed to become a permanent employee. Therefore, you can assume no one will antagonize you since you have the Chancellor as your backing.]

I had questions after reading Reina’s note, but I became convinced when I saw that Professor Norman didn’t reprimand us despite clearly seeing me exchanging notes with Reina.

[Is the Chancellor’s influence strong at Glesius Academy?]

[Glesius Academy operates entirely on imperial support and the empire’s budget. And the empire’s budget allocated to the academy must be approved by the Chancellor. Therefore, no one at the academy dares to get on the Chancellor’s bad side.]

This explained why the students backed away when they learned the Chancellor was behind me.

Every time I confirm the Chancellor’s influence in various areas, I realize it’s not for nothing that he’s called the empire’s second-in-command.

[But doesn’t His Majesty the Emperor impose any restrictions on the Chancellor wielding such powerful authority?]

I asked Reina about what I was most curious about.

With the Chancellor wielding such powerful authority, would the Emperor, the absolute sovereign of the empire, really just stand by and watch?

[The Chancellor is presumed to have the Emperor’s absolute trust. And it’s understood that the Emperor’s will is essentially the same as the Chancellor’s. I don’t know the details beyond that.]

Hmm, although Reina is from a noble family, she doesn’t know everything, so this seems to be the limit of her knowledge.

Well, I can always ask the Chancellor about anything I’m unsure about later, so it shouldn’t be a problem.

[You have received a message from the Chancellor.]

Just then, a notification appeared indicating that a message had arrived from the Chancellor.

I carefully tapped the screen, and a window appeared showing the Chancellor’s message.

[How are your classes going? At our Glesius Academy, we thoroughly verify the abilities of every professor we hire. I’ve given strict instructions to all professors regarding you, but if anyone tries to disadvantage you or embarrass you in front of everyone, please let me know immediately. Professors who lack such basic judgment are not needed at our academy.]

Oh, um. The Chancellor sent quite an aggressive message.

If I’m not careful, I might end up becoming the academy’s behind-the-scenes power broker.

I hurriedly wrote a reply to the Chancellor.

[I’m enjoying the classes. Reina has been very helpful in helping me adapt to academy life. And since everyone can make mistakes, I would appreciate it if you could be lenient and overlook it once if someone wrongs me. And… that’s all.]

Everything I wrote was related to my survival.

No matter how strong my backing might be with the Chancellor and the headmaster, I don’t think it would apply outside the academy.

After I sent my reply, the Chancellor’s response arrived promptly.

[Indeed. Pathos is a thoughtful and considerate young man. I’ll take your opinion into active consideration. If you ever have any difficulties, feel free to visit the Chancellor’s office anytime. Warm tea and cookies are always ready for you.]

Phew, judging by the Chancellor’s response, it seems I’ve averted a crisis for now.

Having no connections is a problem, but having too much influence can also be troublesome.

Today, I learned something new.