episode_0005

“… … The report is strange, sir.”

“Laura, what do you think, Laura?”

“Yes?”

“This is the work the Minister of Finance has done this time. Do you think it was completed well?”

“Yes… … I think it ended well.”

“No, you’re wrong.”

“Huh? Why?”

“It’s not a well-finished level, but it’s the most desirable result that the Academy can achieve.”

“… … … … .”

“If it were you or me, I would have simply changed the top of the deal to Albatross. If that had happened, Albatross, as a rival, would have offered a lower price than the original price. That would have been profitable as well.”

“Rather, trade again on top of Raven… … … .”

“Half of the original cost. It’s half, but in reality, it’s no different from not even having to allocate a budget for purchasing food for next year. To put it in an extreme way, it means that our department has eliminated the work that we had to do next year.”

“… … … .”

“Honestly, this isn’t a good way to go. Because this might make the Ravens feel bad. But even considering that, they’re taking everything they can… … acting like there’s no future for them.”

“There is no future?”

“It’s just a metaphor, a metaphor. In many ways, he’s a money devil enough to sit in the position of finance director. I understand why the chairman gave the finance director position to a new employee who just came in. Miss Laura, you said you were a classmate of ours at the academy, right? Were you like that when you were an undergraduate?”

“Because I grew up as an orphan, I had a strong tendency to be obsessed with money. But still… … .”

“Still?”

“I didn’t really care because everything would be resolved once I became a graduate student.”

“… … … Uh, ahem! I know there are all sorts of rumors going around among the Academy staff about the Finance Director. I’ve been wondering for a while now, but I’ve come to realize that they’re ridiculous accusations. The Finance Director is a great person. He’s not smart or wise enough to see the future, but there’s no one more suited to be the Finance Director. ”

“I see.”

“It was customary for the Academy’s finances to be handled solely by the chairman, but he broke that custom. The chairman’s vision is simply admirable.”

“… … As expected.”

“Laura Miss?”

“Of course, you have to drag them into graduate school unconditionally… … … .”

“Uh, hmm.”

The head of the food materials department quickly turned his gaze away from Laura, who was mumbling about graduate school with creepy eyes, and looked out the window.

The vast expanse of the academy, which is also his alma mater.

“… … … Anyway, I guess I can trust that guy with the Academy.”

First of all, I decided to talk again about the managers I know and the finance director.

The manager dreamed of a bright future for the academy, great benefits, and a lifetime job with an even better salary.

*

“This academy is ruined.”

“Hey, Finance Minister! It’s only been a week since I saw you, so how dare you say that… !”

“I’m sorry, Chairman. The reality is too harsh.”

“Ugh… … Okay, now rub it a little harder. My shoulder is stiff after being on a boat for a week.”

If an 8th-rank martial artist can break his shoulder, shouldn’t all the other sailors be dead?

I rubbed the chairman’s shoulder with my left hand, contemplating whether I should hit him on the back of the head for lying so shamelessly. I worked on the report with my other hand.

My respect for the Chairman wasn’t to this extent, but after the last gift transaction, his standing within me had been steadily declining.

They say that if you go from bankruptcy in 5 years to bankruptcy in 3 years, the budget for this huge academy for 2 years is truly astronomical.

To blow that in one gift transaction.

The hand that was absentmindedly massaging his shoulder gained strength, but the chairman only hummed or hummed.

“Hmm? It feels better now. Give it some more strength.”

“… … … … .”

Well, no matter how much force I exert as a first-class person, the eighth-class Chairman won’t feel anything. But why on earth am I giving him a massage?

Anyway, since I was faithfully riding the deep-sea fishing boat, I decided to just hang out quietly.

“While the chairman was away on a business trip, the research budget arrangement meeting was successfully completed, and the food purchase budget was also reduced by half. For more details, please read the report.”

“Oh my god… … If I cut this in half, I would definitely go bankrupt… … !!”

“That’s right. It went from bankrupt after 3 years to bankrupt after 3 years and 2 months.”

“Good, right? And what about the money I earned this time?”

“The amount of money the chairman earned was certainly more than expected.”

“I see, right!?”

As the chairman of Grandis Academy and one of only four 8th-ranked people in the kingdom, he could not openly board an ocean-going fishing boat, so he thoroughly disguised himself and only used the strength of a 6th-ranked person.

Even taking that into account, the amount of money the chairman earned in just one week was considerable.

They say it’s an ocean-going fishing boat, but the chairman’s workload was beyond imagination, so he sent back two boats a day with full loads.

That’s how much money the chairman earned.

“3 years and 2 months, and then a day later, it went bankrupt.”

“Ha… …ru?”

“Every day is amazing, Chairman.”

“Oh, I know that, but… … .”

How much money does this academy spend per day? Considering the dormitory water bill, the power bill for turning on the lights, the wages of day laborers, and the cost of purchasing materials for the environment and research, it’s a huge amount per day.

Even if he lacks management skills, there’s no way the chairman, who has been in charge of the academy’s finances for decades, wouldn’t know about this.

I just feel a little empty, so that’s why I’m doing that.

“I suffered like that for a week without being able to sleep a wink… … … .”

Although I keep criticizing the chairman, aside from the financial issues, he is a really good person.

‘Because he invested all of his life savings into improving the quality of the academy and education.’

As far as I know, they don’t have a separate house and sleep in the academy dormitory.

He can be said to be a true teacher and a true chairman who thinks about students and education.

It’s a problem because it’s a failing level as a manager.

“Did you have a hard time?”

“The sender said something like that? I really didn’t sleep even for a minute. It’s lucky I’m a level 8───”

“If you can stay awake for a week without sleeping at all, what are your next jobs? There are salt farms and mines.”

“… … … … .”

“Just kidding, just kidding.”

In fact, if I had the time, I would have really sent it, not a joke, but now the chairman can’t just vacate the academy.

Because this year’s entrance exams will begin soon.

“Still, I always feel good around this time. Students who want to learn come to the academy, and our Grandis Academy extends a helping hand to learn.”

“This year may be the last year for students who are learning like that. If the school really goes bankrupt in three years, this class will be the last to graduate. The students who enter after that won’t even be able to graduate.”

“… … Minister of Finance.”

“I am also an academy graduate, so I am telling you this in this atmosphere. In order to provide the education that the chairman likes, I have to do something within the next three years.”

“Oh, I see. But it’s me and the Finance Minister! Can’t it work out somehow?”

“That’s really trustworthy.”

It’s an overly optimistic statement, but it’s not wrong. If we somehow reduce costs, like with the recent Raven top incident, we might find the answer.

First of all, the chairman is a whopping 8th rank. He is not only strong in military power, but also has some social connections.

And I can’t tell the chairman though.

‘Even in the worst case scenario, if we just graduate the main character, something will work out.’

Although we’ve only cleared the first of the three parts of , the Academy part focuses on the protagonist’s growth and recruiting allies.

The difficulty is high, but it’s just a game element. If you just graduate from the academy, you’ll be able to save the world on your own.

There’s a huge risk that I’ll lose my job for the rest of my life, but isn’t that better than the end of the world?

I have no intention of interfering with the main character or getting close to him.

As the Minister of Finance, my only job is to keep the Academy going.

so.

“Mr. Chairman, can I see the list of applicants for admission this year?”

“Huh? Why all of a sudden… … ?”

“Can’t I?”

“Hey, where is the document that our finance director can’t see? Just wait a minute.”

The laughing chairman looked through the pile of documents for a moment, then took out a thick folder and handed it to me.

There are so many people simply taking the entrance exam.

“Did someone who is known to the Finance Minister apply this time? It may be against the fairness of education, but if it is someone known to the Finance Minister, I may close my eyes and let them pass… … !!”

“What are you talking about? You know I’m an orphan. I don’t know anyone, except for my academy classmates.”

“… … I’m sorry, Mr. Treasury. ”

“There is no need to apologize. I am just grateful that the Chairman thinks of me more than I expected.”

“That’s right! I’m thinking of the Finance Minister like this, so in my arms… … .”

“Yes?”

“… … It’s nothing.”

Are you telling me to tear up the resignation letter in my bosom? How did you know I still have it?

I felt uneasy, as if my last bastion had been discovered, but I opened the list of applicants for the entrance exam anyway.

‘Of course, there are many applicants who do not have ID photos and do not fill out all their personal information.’

At least I had to write down the name clearly.

Above all, the main character’s name in is not created by the player; it is always set.

‘there is.’

Ruth Spero.

According to TMI in the game review, it is a Latin word meaning light and hope.

It could be said that it is a name that fits the main character of a game whose title itself is .

And this year is the year the protagonist enters the academy.

‘The protagonist, who received the lowest score on the entrance exam, grows amazingly during his three years at the academy.’

My heart swells with excitement when I think that it’s finally time for the game I played in.

Anyway, I won’t be seeing the main character. But I can use my position as the Finance Minister to help him grow a little more.

Good luck, hero. I’ll do what I have to do.

“Mr. Finance Minister, what’s wrong? Are there any applicants you’re interested in?”

“No big deal. Let’s get back to paperwork. The chairman needs your help so we can schedule an interview with Professor Circe as soon as possible. ”

“Professor Circe… … … .”

“If she could actually make and distribute a hair loss treatment before the Academy goes bankrupt, she could greatly extend the grace period until bankruptcy.”

“If I just talk to that professor named Circe.”

“If the chairman goes directly to a professor and asks him to share the profits from the research results, that is a threat. If it is really an urgent situation, he may have to do it, but for now, there is still time.”

“There are only 3 years left… … ?”

“You can’t lower the prestige of the Academy like that for a study that might be successful in 3 years. Above all, if you do something like that, you might be suspected of having a lack of money in the Academy.”

“Oh, I see.”

Although we are not in a position to be picky, we cannot give up the few advantages of this academy.

The authority of the chairman and the honor of being the best in the kingdom.

They don’t make any money on their own, but they’ll be a huge help in the plans I have made later.

If the chairman himself steps in and does something that is essentially no different from threatening something I could have done, it could cause unnecessary trouble.

‘… … If it looks like we won’t be able to meet within that time, let’s send the chairman.’

At least I need to make sure before Professor Circe starts her research. If I interfere in the middle of the research, things will get complicated.

We need to make sure that we absolutely can’t do anything stupid like donating or breaking contracts. You really need to be prepared to get ripped off.

While I was thinking about my future plans and Professor Circe.

“… … … … .”

The chairman looked at me and the list alternately with a strange gaze.

Go do some work.

*

“Chairman? It’s not an entrance ceremony, so why do you have to observe the entrance exam? … … .”

“Is there a problem you can’t show me?”

“Absolutely not! I just don’t want the students to be overly nervous.”

“That’s unfortunate, but there’s a retest for times like that. Rather, there will be applicants who will do their best because I’m watching.”

“That was a stupid idea! Enjoy!”

The entrance exam officer bowed his head several times and left.

The chairman looked down on the exam room from a hastily constructed separate room above the entrance examination room.

‘The list of candidates that the Minister of Finance looked at. He was looking at a few candidates with particular focus.’

1st class, the Minister of Finance, who is just an ordinary person, wouldn’t have known.

The senses of an 8th-grade martial artist are at a level where they can perceive all nearby actions in real time.

Even without looking directly at it, I could easily tell with my extrasensory senses which names on the list the Finance Minister was concentrating on and which names he was looking at closely.

So, while the Finance Minister was working, he secretly came to the entrance examination room to see the applicants whom he had his eye on.

‘The youngest daughter of the Count of Byung-baek, the princess of the neighboring kingdom, the youngest boy to be appointed as a knight, a promising young man from the Magic Tower… … … Well, they’re all pretty decent people.’

Although they are famous in the world, they are no different from rookies to the chairman who has risen to the 8th rank.

Was the Minister of Finance only focused on these people?

The chairman indifferently watched the talented students who received high scores on the entrance exam.

“Next! Ruth Spero!”

“… … Ah.”

When the name the finance director had seen for a particularly long time was called, the chairman unconsciously leaned forward.

Ruth Spero. Compared to other talents, she has no fame, no known skills, nothing.

He has a surname, but he is not of noble birth. All he is is a descendant of a noble family that fell into ruin long ago.

What did the finance minister focus on in that candidate?

Thump, thump.

Ruth Spero, who stepped forward, was a handsome boy with white hair.

A character with a neutral charm who appears feminine due to her thin lines.

Of course, the chairman was indifferent.

“Ruth Spero, what will you stare at?”

“… … I will do it with a sword.”

“Good. Draw the sword you brought and strike the measuring device in front of you.”

“Can I do it with all my might?”

“Are you worried? This measuring device can judge up to level 5. That means even if young students like you try their best, it won’t get a scratch. Don’t worry, do it.”

“… … … Okay.”

Ruth Spero nodded slightly and took out a sword that was obviously old.

In that case, it would have been much better to use a prepared training sword, but why did you choose that sword? Because it was a beloved weapon that you had used for a long time?

Anyway, since that candidate was the last person the finance director was focused on, the chairman looked at Ruth.

“… … Oh, wait? ”

Gggg!!!

Immediately after, I woke up in shock at the massive light emanating from Ruth’s body.

Ruth Spero, who had pushed all that light into her sword, struck down the measuring device.

Kwaaah!!!!

The sword strike that was swung like that not only broke the measuring device, but also reached the wall behind it.

In an instant, the cracked wall collapsed.

“What, what is this!?”

“Hurry up and stop the collapse!”

Apart from the panicked testers moving around hurriedly.

The youngest daughter of the Count of Chang, the princess of the neighboring kingdom, the promising young man of the Magic Tower, and the youngest knight all had different eyes on Ruth.

“Interesting.”

“Oh my god, who the hell is that applicant… … ?”

“Arrogant.”

“What a great sword.”

So many candidates took notice of Ruth Spero.

The chairman, who had risen from his seat with strength that was at least level 6,

“… … We’re in big trouble.”

I quietly shivered as I looked at the completely broken measuring instrument and the crumbling wall.

Because I thought of a finance minister rushing over here from his office far away.

Ruth Spero was not in her sight at all… …