episode_0007

The eyes of the chairman and the chief examiner are cold.

I think you’re misunderstanding, but I’m not really doing this because I’m tempted by the 5x tuition increase.

‘Even if it’s 5 times, the tuition fee for Grandis Academy itself is very cheap.’

To put it simply, you have to multiply it by 5 to get the same amount as the tuition fees of other private academies. In other words, whether the protagonist pays 5 times or 10 times, there is no way he can cover the cost of repairing the measuring device and the wall.

But then he changed his attitude right away.

“According to the Academy’s regulations, if you pay an additional tuition fee exceeding a certain amount, you must renew your admission documents. Normally, it would be a rather complicated procedure, but I will handle it right away.”

“… … Directly?”

“Even so, this is the position of Minister of Finance.”

If he wasn’t a 6th grader, I would’ve hit him once. With that much of a difference in grades, it would hurt me to be the one who hit him.

Anyway, I got a definitive answer from the protagonist, so I sent him back right away.

“Normally, you would have to retake the exam according to the regulations, but Ruth Spero applicants do not have to do that. Just wait a little bit and you will become a student of our academy.”

“… … Thank you.”

“We are honored to receive such outstanding talent.”

“Yes.”

The protagonist bows his head and turns around. He’ll probably wait with the other applicants.

Immediately after the protagonist returned, he felt the gaze of General Examiner Ciel.

A gaze much colder than usual.

“Adam, Treasurer, what’s going on?”

“What’s going on, you ask?”

“Ruth Spero Applicants do not have to pay additional tuition to pass the exam unconditionally. I never thought that the finance director would do something like this to an applicant under the pretext of passing the exam.”

“If I just listen to what you say, it sounds like I sold my certificate for money.”

“Is it wrong?”

“Of course it’s wrong, Mr. General Examiner.”

The personality of the person in charge of the position of the General Examinations Officer is almost set, as he or she is in charge of all the exams at the Academy, the most sensitive part for students, and the tricky part where all kinds of gossip can arise about grades and results.

A person who is so principled that the word “thorough” is an understatement.

And at the same time… …a person with few friends or acquaintances.

This is not a joke, it’s true. The most powerful temptation is to request results manipulation through bribery and friendship with the Academy Examinations Officer. Also, all kinds of incidents and accidents occur during the exam.

So, the person in charge of the examination must be someone who strictly adheres to the principles, and at the same time, must be someone who has few friends and acquaintances to minimize requests based on personal connections or blood ties… … This is the chairman’s guiding principle.

‘I’m not sure about the effect, though.’

At least that’s what the chairman thought when he first created Grandis Academy, so it became a custom. So the current general examination officer, Ciel, is also a man of principle and a nerd. Sometimes I see her in the staff cafeteria, and she always eats alone.

Anyway, that’s why Ciel didn’t understand this kind of ‘political’ issue very well. How can you persuade someone like this?

‘What should I do?’

“Article 6, Column 14 of the Entrance Examination Regulations, regarding restrictions on the use of force by test takers.”

“That’s it.”

“According to the regulations, the Academy may refuse admission to applicants who are ‘excessively’ physically impotent. I’m sure the General Examiner knows this well. ”

“… … … … .”

The way to convince a principled person is to force the principle into their head. Since it is an actual rule, Ciel can’t say anything.

And that’s probably her least favorite rule.

‘This is a rule that was created after Grandis Academy was called the best in the kingdom.’

By necessity? No. It was simply created by the secret demands of nobles who wanted their children admitted to the Academy.

The reason is simple. If you are in the same grade as a test taker who is overly forceful, then your child will not be able to get first place in the grade.

As you will know when you live in society, the difference between 1st and 2nd place in the entire grade is like heaven and earth. In the academy, the difference is only one rank, but in society, only 1st place gets noticed.

‘If you ask who the fastest person in the world is, Usain Bolt will immediately come out, but if you ask who the next fastest person is, no one knows.’

Of course, you could say that they are too obsessed with things like the Academy rankings, but for those who are truly aiming for the top, that too makes a big difference.

There aren’t many students who are actually too strong who learn anything at the academy. That would be different if the protagonist were to pursue a career in magic or administration that doesn’t have much to do with force.

“I heard that Ruth Spero is a candidate for the martial arts field.”

“… … Yes.”

“I don’t know about magic or administration, but most of the martial arts exams are actual fights. What would happen if you put a Ruth Spero test taker among the first-year students who are just starting to learn?”

“That’s… ….”

“It is very rare for even graduates to achieve a grade 6. If you are a Ruth Spero candidate who is already a grade 6, you will probably be the top student for all three years.”

Would the knightly families or noble families really accept that? And would that be a good thing for students in the same grade?

If you can train and work hard to win, then maybe you can kindle a competitive spirit.

However, if you are a 6th grader, you will be able to become a knight commander in any territory without any shortcomings. What kind of feelings would you have if such a strong person were in the same grade? Wouldn’t you give up on the competition and just feel absurdity?

It was a regulation added because the chairman was concerned about that part, although it was also pressure from the nobles.

And Ciel, a commoner without a surname, rose to the 7th rank through her own efforts.

“… … Okay.”

You won’t like that rule. No matter what, it’s still a rule that exists for the benefit of the children of the nobility.

But please, listen to what the person has to say.

“So, we need a reason to persuade the nobles.”

“… … … Yes?”

“The reason is that the tuition is 5 times higher.”

“Ah.”

“Of course, we will have to put additional limits on the power of the Ruth Spero candidate.”

“Of course.”

Ciel’s expression improves just a little bit, really just a little bit. It seems like he finally understands what I mean.

In other words, the 5x tuition fee increase is really the bare minimum. It’s just an excuse not to accept Ruth Spero.

If you think about it, the five-fold increase in tuition is not for me, but for Ruth.

Ciel seemed to understand that now.

“It was unexpected.”

“Huh?”

“It’s not the first time I’ve seen Adam, the treasurer, but all of those were public meetings. Seeing him do things for the students like this made me realize that all the rumors about him were false.”

“… … … … .”

What kind of rumors are going around?

I didn’t ask because I was afraid that the chairman’s secret lover would come out.

In any case, it was a welcome thing to leave a good impression on the Four Heavenly Kings.

“Please continue to take care of us, Adam, Treasurer.”

“Please call me whenever you need.”

It’s a warning not to call.

“Okay, I will.”

Do you understand? You’re not just going to call me when you really need to?

It was just a polite remark, but when I found out that the other person was a stickler for principles + a nerd + unsociable, I started to feel uneasy for no reason.

… … Anyway, after the handshake, Ciel went back to take care of some business. In the end, what I’m paying for is the repair costs, and the re-examination and the notification of results to the test takers are all the responsibility of the general examination manager.

When only the chairman and I were left in the entrance examination room, the chairman, who had been quiet until then, came next to me.

“I saw you again, Adam, Treasury Secretary. I didn’t realize that was a gesture for Ruth Spero.”

“Didn’t you know, Mr. Chairman?”

“I had a vague idea. But if it was the finance minister, I thought he would really be jealous of the tuition fee increase of 5 times. He’s the kind of person who sends the chairman to an ocean-going fishing boat because he has no money, right?”

“Gift Trading.”

“… … … Sorry for bothering you.”

Why do they treat me like such a vicious person? It’s so unfair.

The chairman, who was struck down by a single word, took a deep breath for a moment and looked at me.

“By the way, is 5x the tuition really enough? Even if it’s just a pretext, I don’t think the nobles would be convinced by 5x.”

“What are you talking about? Of course it won’t do any good.”

“That’s right… … … Yes?”

what.

Didn’t you notice?

“As the chairman said, would it only be 5 times? Even if it was 50 times, the nobles who sent their children to the martial arts field would go crazy. Even if you limit the power, 6th grade is 6th grade. Even if I were to compete with such a monster for 3 years, I would curse.”

“Then why… … ?”

“That’s to convince the chief examiner. Whether we get 5x or 50x, things will be easier if she’s convinced.”

“… … … … .”

“I’m glad I’m insensitive to political issues in many ways.”

“… … Then what do you plan to do about the nobles’ protests?”

“That’s something you have to do. You can do it by secretly negotiating with the nobles.”

“But you said it as if it was already passed. If the negotiations break down… … .”

“At that time, you can tell the general examination officer that you had no choice because of the pressure from the nobles. And apologize to the test taker Ruth Spero.”

Looking at it, it seems like it wouldn’t be a problem if you didn’t do the academy part.

Rather than dealing with third-rate noble villains at the academy and giving them cider, it would be much more helpful to just hunt monsters or join a knighthood.

Why do we have to do the growth part when the growth is already complete?

‘More than anything, there is no risk even if you fail.’

You’re telling Ciel two things with one mouth? I told you earlier. It’s because of the ‘pressure from the nobles’. I’ll mix in some tearful acting, so Ciel won’t blame me, but rather be angry that the protagonist’s acceptance was canceled because of the nobles.

The problem is that the main character is too strong from the beginning. If he just pretended to be strong, he could get through it easily, but what if he didn’t hide his strength from the entrance exam? Isn’t it the rule that even if the main character is strong, he has to be strong?

It would have been fine if I had read an Academy web novel even once, but things got complicated.

“Minister of Finance… … .”

“Why are you looking at me like that? This is a story about when negotiations break down and the worst happens. Don’t worry, I’ll do my best.”

“Minister of Finance… … !!”

“Then I have to go to negotiations right away, so please take care of the paperwork. Of course, my share as well.”

“… … … Yes?”

“I trust you and leave it to you, Chairman.”

I smiled once at the chairman who looked as if he had lost the world.

I immediately started walking towards the negotiation target.

Who said that would be a good idea?

*

The position of Finance Director is a position with 3 pros and 7 cons, no matter how you look at it. Especially if the place you have to take charge of is an academy that is expected to go bankrupt in 3 years, the pros are reduced to 1.

Since last year, it has become my daily routine to fiddle with the resignation letter in my arms, but there was a good thing about it.

“Chief Secretary Adam Keynes, Miss Lisa is ready.”

“Can I just go in?”

“Of course. You are very welcome to visit the Claudia family.”

A dormitory exclusively for noble families within Grandis Academy. It is a place where not only the students attending the academy but also the servants, cooks, grooms, etc. that come with them stay.

This place, which is practically like a villa, is a privilege that only the very wealthy among the nobility can afford. The land tax collected here is quite sweet.

And the family I came to was one of the few that had its own dormitory.

Passing through a hallway that is obviously decorated extravagantly, you are greeted with warm hospitality by the servants and head to the reception room inside.

After knocking several times and hearing permission, open the door and go in.

“Hello, Mr. Adam Keynes, Minister of Finance. I am Lisha of the Claudia family.”

“This is Adam Keynes, the Minister of Finance. Thank you for your hospitality despite my sudden visit. As expected, it is Count Claudia, the shield of the kingdom.”

“That is too much praise. How could we not welcome the visit of the renowned Academy’s finance director?”

A noble lady with blond hair tied in a ponytail, a gentle smile, and calluses on her hands greets me.

This was also a hospitality that he could receive thanks to his position as Minister of Finance.

Lisa Claudia.

The youngest daughter of the Count, who was mentioned by the martial arts professors during the budget planning meeting.

at the same time.

“But what is the sudden business of the Minister of Finance… … ?”

“You already know that Lisha Youngae is famous not only for her skills but also for her wisdom.”

To Risha, who seemed to have sensed something and seemed a bit uneasy.

I spoke with a smile on my face.

“According to regulations, the admission of Ruth Spero applicant will be denied.”

“… … … .”

Squeak.

At those words, Lisha Claudia’s hands trembled for a moment as she was about to lift her teacup.

But I never stopped talking.

“However, as you know, Youngae, the conditions of the said regulation are.”

“… … Only for applicants with ‘excessive’ force.”

“This rule is intentionally ambiguous. It’s for times like this.”

I didn’t give a clear rating, I just used the word ‘excessive’ to suit my taste.

For great houses like the Countess Claudia.

“So I will ask Lisha Youngae.”

“… … … Please say something.”

“In exchange for accepting the admission of Ruth Spero, you block any protests from the nobles about her entering the Academy.”

“… … … … .”

“What do you think?”

A rule that encourages nobles to break, rather than be broken, to prevent them from being in the same grade as strongmen like Ruth Spero.

A proposal to use the power of the Claudia family to admit strong students who are outside the standard. That was a proposal that violated the very purpose of the regulations in the first place.

At first glance, it seems like a ridiculous suggestion that no one would accept.

“Can you give me a moment?”

“Of course.”

Lisha Claudia couldn’t help but worry.

If there was no protagonist, then from Lisha’s perspective, she would have to compete with the ‘youngest knight’ who was obviously stronger than her.

‘Rather than competing with the youngest knight.’

Both of them lose to the ‘Irregular’ who suddenly appears. So they try to make the loss as mild as possible.

That is, you would want the lesser evil rather than the worst.