Ch.55Lazy Young Master Is Too Competent (1)

I accepted the Emperor’s proposal, and everything moved swiftly after that.

“Originally I was going to offer the Vice Chancellor’s office or the Chancellor’s office, but since Young Lord Ruide wanted this one…”

The Chief Professor’s office in the Imperial Academy’s main building.

Ruide looked around the spacious room.

“Thank you.”

Fenicia said with a faint smile.

“I heard you prevented my father from resigning.”

“??”

Ruide had done no such thing.

“And to think you’d sacrifice yourself by taking on this professorship you didn’t want.”

Fenicia’s eyes reddened. She quickly wiped them with her hand.

“???”

Ruide was dumbfounded. What kind of excuse had the Emperor made up?

“Look at me. Let me first introduce you to the workshop.”

Fenicia explained the details of the professor’s office.

“This entire building can withstand up to 3rd Magic. But most people only experiment with up to 2nd Magic here, and from 3rd Magic onward, research is typically conducted in the magic workshop down in the basement.”

There are two main ways to classify magic: by hierarchy, which is a smaller subdivision, and by 1st, 2nd, 3rd, which is a broader classification.

It’s a concept similar to 1-dimensional, 2-dimensional, and 3-dimensional.

Fenicia opened a door attached to the wall. With a creaking sound, a basement shrouded in darkness appeared beyond the open door.

“From 3rd Magic onward, the soundproofing isn’t adequate, so there are noise complaints between floors. Of course, I doubt any professor would dare complain to Young Lord Ruide about making a little noise.”

Fenicia smiled brightly and closed the door.

“As you’ve probably already heard, you’re free to do whatever you want. Just having Young Lord Ruide present at the Academy is already merit enough. I’m grateful you came and thankful for your help. And…”

Fenicia stood in front of Ruide.

Unlike what others usually did, she didn’t pat Ruide’s head or look at him with eyes that said he was cute.

She simply bowed her head slowly and said:

“I apologize for everything.”

Ruide tilted his head in confusion.

There was nothing for Fenicia to apologize for.

“Young Lord Ruide was just an ordinary student, and asking you to catch Black Mages was an excessive request.”

“…Professor Fenicia doesn’t need to apologize.”

Fenicia raised her head and smiled.

“I’m apologizing on behalf of my father. He wants to apologize but seems to find it difficult because of his pride. Please don’t hate him too much. He just doesn’t express himself well, but he’s not a bad person.”

“I see.”

Ruide, who didn’t particularly harbor any ill feelings toward Clifford, nodded.

Fenicia straightened her clothes and said:

“Then I’ll be going now. If you need anything, please let me know anytime. I’m in the room next door. By the way, how should I address you from now on? Professor?”

“Just call me Ruide.”

“Yes, Lord Ruide.”

“Ruide.”

Fenicia blushed.

“…Ruide.”

“Speak casually to me too.”

“That will come… gradually…”

Fenicia couldn’t easily speak casually to Ruide.

She needed to make sure he wouldn’t get upset and leave the Academy again.

But if she spoke casually, she felt she might unconsciously start treating Ruide as someone cute.

“But what am I supposed to do? Should I teach classes or something?”

Ruide asked just in case.

Fenicia shook her head.

“Nothing. You don’t have to do anything. As I said earlier, just by existing, Ruide has an enormous impact on the Academy.”

“I see.”

Fenicia bowed her head and left the room.

Left alone, Ruide.

He pondered deeply.

“So I don’t have to do anything…”

But he had received a territory.

Even Ruide didn’t intend to just swallow a territory and do nothing.

“I should at least meet the minimum expectations the Emperor has.”

Ruide decided to provide this service just this once.

If they had demanded even a little bit, he would have felt more annoyed, but since everyone was saying he didn’t need to do anything, just exist, it naturally made him want to help.

If the plan was to get something in return for goodwill… then that plan was successful.

**

Ruide attended the meeting.

He thought he should observe the atmosphere first if he was going to do something right away.

The table in the Academy’s conference room was round. It was an artistic expression that everyone could speak equally. The originator of this idea was the First Emperor. If something promotes equality, it’s usually the First Emperor’s idea.

“…Then, I’ll begin the second quarter meeting of the Imperial Academy.”

A somewhat somber atmosphere hung over the conference room.

The Academy was currently undergoing dramatic changes.

Clifford’s resignation, Ruide’s appointment as an honorary professor.

These were scheduled to be officially announced at today’s meeting. However, what was unexpected was Ruide’s participation.

The professors all glanced at Ruide’s face.

“Before we begin, I think many of you are curious.” Fenicia read from the documents she was referencing.

“Currently, the honorable and noble Imperial Academy, established by the First Emperor and continuing for about 400 years…”

“Girl.”

Clifford interjected with a tsk and a sigh.

“If your introduction is that long, the content you want to convey won’t get across. Information should be delivered briefly and concisely. Throw the rhetoric in the trash.”

Ruide was reminded of historical dramas.

The crown prince acts as regent, and the king watches, occasionally giving advice.

Clifford was exactly like that. He said he would provide an example:

“I will entrust all my authority to Fenicia and Ruide Christopher. Officially, I am still the Chancellor, but the direction of the Imperial Academy will be determined by these two.”

Clifford was serving as a buffer. If Fenicia were to be promoted to Chancellor directly, there would be strong opposition.

He had made a fuss about retiring, but the Emperor told him to at least serve as a figurehead.

‘To reduce opposition, that’s the only way. Age is an undeniable factor.’

Lucius was a wise emperor. His skills were definitely good. The drive and charisma to push forward without hesitation when he believed something was right were qualities of a true leader.

Ruide sincerely thought so. This absolutely had nothing to do with being given a prime piece of land with good sunlight and abundant food for free.

“So, have all conversations with these two. I will merely sign the approval documents.”

Fenicia pouted and threw the documents on the floor. Without looking at the speech, she looked around at the professors and said:

“From today, I am Fenicia Finance, the new Vice Chancellor. I look forward to working with you all.”

The professors all applauded. None of them had any objections. They were well aware that Fenicia had already been fulfilling the role of Vice Chancellor.

The professors looked at Ruide with tense eyes. Ruide was the important one. They still didn’t know what his role was.

-‘I heard something about him being a professor.’

-‘Chief Professor? Certainly, his skills are…’

-‘For a professor, the Chancellor’s words are concerning. He said he’ll have a decisive role in the Academy’s direction.’

“As you all know, this person’s name is Ruide Christopher Windsor.”

Fenicia deliberately emphasized the name Windsor.

“His official position is Honorary Professor, but that’s merely a formality. Young Lord Ruide is here to protect the Academy, which has recently become a target of Black Mages. Until recently, he was a student, but I trust there are no foolish professors who would make the mistake of still treating him as one.”

“…!”

This was information Ruide already knew. The Emperor had emphasized several times that ‘there must always be a plausible justification.’ That he wasn’t really asking him to fulfill that role.

…What a cunning man.

“We’ll discuss the rest step by step, but let’s address the urgent matters first.”

Fenicia spoke skillfully.

The reason for gathering all the professors today was not only to reveal these facts but also because there was a most important matter.

“First agenda item. I’m sure you’re all aware that the conflict between nobles and commoners at the Academy has reached its peak recently.”

“Ahem.”

The professors let out uncomfortable coughs.

The conflict between nobles and commoners.

It was an annual issue, but this time it was a bit worse.

The nobles cleverly harassed commoners without violating school rules.

“Indeed, shouldn’t we intervene?”

“The issue is that they’re not actually violating school rules. Rather, it’s the commoner students who use magic indoors and such.”

“…There are already commoner students who are becoming cautious. Some students are complaining about being bullied.”

“According to the First Emperor’s will, shouldn’t we intervene?”

“Commoners and nobles cannot be equal.”

Ruide spoke in a not-so-loud voice. But the effect was tremendous. The room instantly fell silent.

“How can they be the same when they’ve grown up in different environments?”

“Young Lord Ruide. However, we cannot ignore the First Emperor’s will.”

The only man with black hair here.

Lepen Chaser spoke in a calm voice.

“I didn’t say to ignore it.”

Ruide said what he had always wanted to say.

“Don’t just talk about equality on the surface; create an environment for it. Start by teaching the children proper hygiene. Teach them etiquette too. I can assure you that half the conflicts would disappear if you just taught etiquette.”

“……”

There was a moment of silence for a reason.

The Academy was already providing etiquette education for commoners.

The problem was that the commoners would throw tantrums about noble oppression and refuse to listen.

Ruide was well aware of this.

That’s why he added one more condition.

“By force.”

“By force… you say?”

“But that would go against the First Emperor’s will…”

Don’t discriminate. No corporal punishment. Don’t force anything. Care with love. Be generous to students.

The First Emperor’s will was roughly like that.

Of course, it’s right. If people’s standards are high enough, the value of equality becomes important.

But not in the medieval era.

Just try giving voting rights to the people of this era.

The Empire would collapse within 10 years.

‘The villain of this world is clearly the First Emperor.’

Ruide could be certain of that. Would love to see the face of someone steeped in chosen people ideology.

But it’s not good to say the First Emperor was wrong here. To the nobles of this era, the First Emperor is the ‘standard’ itself. As the founder of the Empire, it would be stranger if he wasn’t deified.

“Let’s work around it. Let’s introduce a demerit system.”

“Demerits?”

“Yes. For example, Fenicia gets 3 demerits.”

Fenicia blinked.

“What?”

“Talking back, 30 points.”

“??”

“No response, 17 points. Total of 50 points, so Fenicia is expelled.”

Fenicia immediately understood.

“So you’re suggesting we introduce such a system.”

“Demerits themselves aren’t a punishment, right? Since it’s not directly punishing, it doesn’t violate the First Emperor’s will.”

The Academy always handles things through trials. Ruide found that too inefficient.

‘Why don’t they have something like demerits here? Isn’t that a common trope?’

The reason came out immediately.

“Are demerits given on the spot without a disciplinary committee? Based on individual judgment?”

“That’s right.”

“…Wouldn’t that be controversial?”

‘Why are they unnecessarily nice…’

From Ruide’s perspective, the nobles were problematic too. They’re too polite. If it’s the medieval era, shouldn’t they be living with phrases like ‘How dare a mere commoner…!’ like Damon?

“The important thing is the perception that disadvantages can be given immediately. The impact of holding a disciplinary committee later versus giving even a small punishment on the spot is different. If incorrect demerits are given, a meeting can be held later to punish that professor.”

Ruide waited for the next objection.

Something like ‘Even though we’re professors, should we be punished?’ or ‘Giving demerits for not attending etiquette education seems…’ and so on.

However, the professors’ reactions were different from what he expected.

“L-let’s do that.”

“T-truly a brilliant solution.”

Ruide was rather surprised by how easily the professors accepted it.

‘Strange. Changing established practices usually meets with strong resistance.’

But Ruide didn’t know.

Unlike the Academy students who were nicely caught by the mask of equality worn on the surface.

These professors had no such pretense, and the words of a high noble were law!

There was no one here who could object to Ruide’s words.

Clifford opened his drowsy eyes, looked at the professors, and tapped his gavel.

“Tsk tsk, can’t even say a word against a 12-year-old. That’s decided then.”