episode_0020

Grandis Academy is big. It’s so big that it’s almost useless.

It didn’t make sense that an academy, let alone a territory, could use this much land.

──Ah, this is my territory.

──… … Yes?

──When the previous king offered me a title and a fief, I declined the title and only accepted the fief. In the end, he was also happy to tie me to this kingdom.

It was a real estate.

A title and fief granted to the Chairman, who was a rank 8 power, to firmly bind him to the kingdom. Thanks to this, the Chairman was able to create an academy of this size.

Of course, the entire territory is not an academy. It is only the size of a small city, and the remaining part is used for academy exams and external activities.

Anyway, what’s the conclusion?

It is so dirty and wide that it means there are all kinds of facilities.

“Then, now we will begin the duel between Amatrius Delphia Beatrice and Chloe Pisti. The location is Arena 21, and I, Adam Keynes, the Minister of Finance, will be the referee.”

“… … Yes.”

“Like!”

Arena No. 21, located right next to the royal dormitory.

It is a magic-only arena built like the Roman Colosseum.

I was briefly annoyed by the two of them trying to fight in the street even though the arena was just a short walk away, but I soon calmed down.

‘Because they’re still kids.’

I heard that Chloe picked on Beatrice as she was trying to enter the dormitory. This time, I intervened at a good time, but when you think about the facilities being destroyed by street fights in the martial arts field, it’s an everyday occurrence.

The judgment seat where I stand is protected by all sorts of magic and strong barriers. Even a first-class nation can safely watch the duel between those two wizards.

The audience seats, now filled with students, are also similarly treated. Unless you’re a level 5 or higher wizard, you won’t be able to crack the barrier.

What’s the best thing about the arena?

‘It’s okay if it breaks.’

The training grounds, sparring grounds, dueling grounds, and practice rooms are all designed to be broken by swords or magic, so the Carpenter’s Guild will repair them at a very low price.

It’s not just that there’s nothing left, it’s a one-sided loss for the Carpenters’ Guild, but it’s like a consideration for VVIPs.

In addition to those places, classrooms, auditoriums, research labs, roads, dormitories, etc. frequently collapse, so this is the level of service they provide.

‘Anyway, let’s finish this quickly and go.’

Chloe smiling leisurely, and Beatrice looking unusually nervous.

Unlike the parties involved or the audience, I had little interest in this duel, so I raised my hand.

“Then, let’s start the duel now!”

“Don’t be so nervous, princess. I’ll just have fun and finish it.”

“There’s a limit to being arrogant. Did the Archmage teach you that?”

“… … You fucking bitch.”

Kugugugugu!!

Magic swirls around Chloe. It’s several times more magic than what was seen on the street earlier.

As if to counteract him, Beatrice also generates magical power. The amount is so great that at first glance it seems like they are opposing each other.

Of course, this is only from my perspective as a first-class person.

“That princess, she has a lot of magic power? She’s comparable to Chloe.”

“You idiot. You’re a royal, so of course you’ve been taking elixirs since long ago. And if it’s decided by magical power, why are you dueling?”

“Did I say I had an advantage? I was just amazed at how much magic there was. Even if you just look at the particle control, Chloe’s side is far superior. On the other hand, the princess’ side just seems to pour it out?”

“Even though he has a good sword, he just puts it in its scabbard and swings it around recklessly. It’s pathetic to see that he can only use that much magic power in that way.”

… … From the perspective of students in the field of magic, Beatrice seemed quite pitiful.

Although he was born into royalty and received all kinds of support, he has a lot of magical power, but is he unable to use it properly?

The reason was obvious.

It must be because of her ‘chronic illness’.

Hurrah!

[Fireball]

“You got it wrong.”

Chloe’s magical power gathers in several places and instantly creates several giant fireballs.

Chloe Pisty. She is the disciple of the Grand Mage, the owner of the Imperial Tower, and is said to be the most promising among wizards of her age.

As if to prove it, Chloe didn’t just shoot the fireballs at him.

Damn!

Freeze the blazing fireball.

Phew!!

Some fireballs add a storm effect to create a pillar of fire.

Kwarung!

Surrounds another fireball with lightning, strengthening it to make it even more threatening.

‘I heard that only a very small number of wizards can use multiple attributes.’

Just from what Chloe has shown, there are already four: fire, ice, wind, and lightning.

There’s probably more he can actually do. At that age, he’s a 5th-grade wizard, and he’s even the disciple of the great wizard. The main character, who’s a 6th-grade, is cheating. With that level, isn’t he probably the strongest among the freshmen?

Waaa …

The audience goes wild over Chloe’s ostentatious transformation into a fireball.

The full-scale magic battle hadn’t even begun, but Chloe had already taken the initiative in the duel.

“Princess, even with that chronic disease, you can probably do some defensive magic, right?”

“… … !!”

Beatrice responds to Chloe’s provocation by building a protective shield using her magic power.

Soon after, something strange happened.

Crunch! Crunch!!

“Ugh… … !!”

The protective shield that was originally supposed to surround her in a circular shape distorts greatly and changes its shape.

It grows, shrinks, tilts, distorts, and creates gaps.

Defensive magic was running wild, out of Beatrice’s control.

‘Is that the chronic disease?’

Amatrius Delphia Beatrice cannot control her own magic.

Even if the magic suddenly changes, bursts, grows too big, or disappears altogether, she can’t do anything.

No matter how hard I try, I can’t even use a simple defensive magic properly like this.

Chloe looked at Beatrice’s struggling with eyes full of laughter.

“Can I help you?”

“… … ! Oh, no!!”

He reached out to Beatrice’s defensive magic, which had now completely escaped control and taken the form of a bizarre shape.

and.

Wooow──

He even takes control of Beatrice’s magical power and ‘hands on’ applies defensive magic to her body.

The sight of the defensive magic that had been running wild and uncontrollable in Beatrice’s hands just a moment ago being stabilized and unfolded perfectly with just one gesture from Chloe.

Before the excitement could burst out at the sight, Chloe’s magic was fired.

Kwakwakwakwang!!!!

Fire, ice, storm, and lightning raged.

Chloe’s magic instantly reduced half of the arena to rubble, but Beatrice, the one who was hit by the magic, was unharmed.

It was thanks to defensive magic.

“It’s the opposite of the entrance ceremony, right? Okay, it’s your turn this time, princess.”

“… … … … .”

“I’ll just do the bare minimum of defense, so attack me. Do it, I said?”

Could this be called a duel?

In the end, Chloe’s attack was blocked only by Chloe’s defensive magic. Not only did Beatrice show her chronic illness, but she also had her magic completely stolen by Chloe.

I’m no wizard, but I could tell how humiliating it would be. Beatrice was clenching her teeth and shaking her fists so hard that they were bleeding.

That’s why I had a question.

‘Why did you insist on accepting the duel?’

There are only three legal ways for students to fight each other at Grandis Academy: exams, sparring, and duels.

This duel is unique in many ways. Before the duel, the parties write down what they want from each other and submit it, and the winner can take what he wants from the loser.

Of course, there are some limitations to duels, as they seem to have a lot of potential for abuse.

Both parties to the duel must agree, if the request is deemed to be excessive, it can be rejected at the Academy level, and duels between different ranks are strictly prohibited. There are many other safety provisions as well.

Beatrice was judged to be a 5th-grade character, despite her chronic illness, as she possessed talent and magical powers that were recognized. This was a special case that was possible because her talent was directly certified by the Empire’s great wizard.

‘Honestly, up to level 5, they generally give you some recognition based on your reputation or status.’

Of course, starting from rank 6, you have to show that you are using either a strong weapon or a sword weapon, so it’s a different story.

Anyway, that’s what made the duel possible now. In reality, of course, it wasn’t, but in name, Chloe and Beatrice were both 5th-rank.

However, it was a duel that would not have taken place if Beatrice herself had refused.

‘But why?’

To my surprise, the duel was already over.

Even after that, Beatrice desperately resisted, trying to somehow control her magic, but Chloe didn’t even have a living being. No, she didn’t even have any magic that was properly completed in the first place.

And Chloe only unilaterally took over Beatrice after her magic went out of control.

“Ugh, ugh… … .”

“Well, it’s over.”

Beatrice let out a ragged breath and her legs shook, and Chloe also looked at me with eyes that seemed satisfied now.

I nodded and declared.

“The winner is Chloe Pisty!”

“”””◦”Waaa …

“It was a natural result. Then, Princess? You should hand it over obediently as promised?”

“… … … … .”

Why did Beatrice, who was going to return to her home country anyway, accept the duel?

He roughly shrugged off the question and approached Beatrice, who had lowered her head amidst the cheers of the audience.

Even though he just lost the duel, he’ll be happy to hear that he’s been given a private meeting with the chairman.

It was time to do what had to be done.

*

Lost.

I lost.

No, it was obvious. It was a certain defeat. I just couldn’t accept it.

‘But, but… … … .’

There was a reason why he had to accept the duel. It was because it was sweet to be able to ‘ask for something’ from Chloe.

I had no choice but to cling to a slim thread of hope.

In the end, he lost and even gave Chloe what she asked for.

The crowd in the arena kept chanting Chloe’s name and laughing at me.

I left Chloe, who was enjoying her victory, and walked down the hallway with a stomping motion.

A familiar face stood there.

“Your Highness, I have something to tell you.”

“… … Minister of Finance.”

“As promised, a meeting with the Chairman has been arranged. Of course, if you would be a little more sincere, I will be there to help you in every way───”

“No.”

“Yes?”

“I can’t… … go. Until I get that back… … … .”

I can feel the gaze of the Minister of Finance. A gaze mixed with bewilderment and absurdity.

It’s only natural. I was the one who contacted him first and offered a bribe to ask for a private meeting with the chairman, but when I finally prepared the meeting, he said that I couldn’t go now.

But I couldn’t explain the situation to the Minister of Finance.

‘I only asked for a private meeting with the chairman, but you probably didn’t know that the reason was to return to my home country.’

The reason I wanted to meet the chairman was to negotiate with him so that I could escape from my status as a hostage and return to my home country.

However, in my current state, I cannot return to my home country. So I could not meet the chairman today.

At least we should have met after I got ‘that’ back.

“Your Highness, what is that all of a sudden?”

“I’m sorry. It must have been hard to arrange a private meeting with the chairman… … Could you postpone it a little longer?”

“Don’t you know it’s hard? Today is your chance.”

The finance minister seemed to be trying to get me to meet the chairman today, which was natural considering the effort he had put in.

The words were put off, but when would I be able to have a private meeting with the chairman, who was considered one of the strongest candidates not only in the kingdom but also on the continent? Perhaps today really might be the last chance.

Still, I had to get it back first. Only then could I think about going back.

That’s what Chloe asked me to do.

“Huh… …Are you serious?”

“… … I’m sorry, Minister of Finance. I will do my best to accommodate your request, so please. ”

“That’s not the problem.”

“I know I’m shameless, but I need time.”

Honestly, the chances of getting it back from Chloe’s hands are very slim. But if you have time, there might be a slim chance.

You have to stay in the academy for a month, half a year, a year, or even all three years to somehow get it back.

In response to my earnest request, the Minister of Finance sighed several times as if he was troubled.

“Can you at least hear the circumstances?”

“Yes? No, the Minister of Finance is not involved in… … .”

“How much precious metals do you have? Can you continue to show your good faith until I have another meeting with the chairman? Are you sure you don’t need help?”

“… … … … .”

I have to say that it’s not necessary.

The Minister of Finance and I are in a relationship of giving and receiving bribes, so I have to tell him outright that we are essentially strangers and not to get involved.

“I don’t know what Your Highness thinks, but I sincerely want to help You.”

“Minister of Finance… … .”

What can I do by myself if I buy time?

This is not the Kingdom of Delphi. I have no other servants besides Susanne. Since I am a hostage, if I try to use my status to do something, I will be immediately sanctioned by the Kingdom.

… … help.

Even if our relationship is based solely on money, even if we are like others, I have nothing now.

Help… was… desperately needed.

“… … … … … .”

“I will take your silence as an affirmation. Are you okay?”

“… … Yes.”

Why is this finance minister trying to help me like this? Is it for more bribes? Or is there some other purpose?

If not, then.

‘He too… …is just one of the faculty members?’

As a member of the academy, was it because they couldn’t leave me alone as a student? Even though I knew it was ridiculous, my head, which had become a mess after having ‘that’ taken away from me, didn’t work properly.

I’m fooling the finance minister.

Even if you help me like this, I won’t continue attending the academy, but will just return to my home country.

I’m going to leave you ungratefully. I… … …

“Then, let’s go to my room first.”

“Oh, yes? Why all of a sudden… … ?”

“Are you planning to explain the situation outside? I can’t enter the Princess’s dormitory unless there’s something special. My room is the safest and most secret place.”

That’s right, that’s right.

If you ask for help, you’ll have to explain that you plan to return to your home country, which is very dangerous.

It’s best to speak in the safest possible place, as if anything were to leak out, the whole plan would be ruined.

‘Yeah, I have to tell everything anyway.’

The finance minister might change his mind after hearing that, but then I can threaten him with the bribery story. It was a stroke of luck that I heard the news that the chairman hates bribery.

Don’t let your guard down, don’t be weak, don’t have expectations, Beatrice.

That’s how you’ve been living, right?

The Minister of Finance and I are nothing more than a pragmatic relationship woven with bribery. Don’t expect any unnecessary sympathy or consideration.

“Follow me.”

“Yes.”

Just like when I met the Minister of Finance last time, I followed him, covering my body and face with a robe.

The finance minister, like an academy official, took me to a back alley or underpass, trying his best to avoid being noticed by anyone.

How long did it take to walk like that?

Soon he stopped in front of a small dormitory.

“Here it is.”

“… … Really? Your room is here?”

“Is there a problem?”

“No, that.”

Isn’t this too old?

The dormitory, located in a corner of the academy in an alley, was very small, only two stories long.

Moreover, it was obvious that it had been built a long time ago, as there were cracks here and there, and it was clearly worn out.

‘What about the bribe you received from me?’

Where did it all go and why do we end up living in these old dormitories?

I had a suspicion that maybe it was just the outside appearance and that inside there was a splendid life.

Squeak.

“Please sit comfortably.”

“Finance… … Manager.”

“Yes?”

“Are you really staying in this room?”

“Yes, but.”

That thought disappeared as soon as he entered his room in the old dormitory.

The room itself was spacious. However, as he was a high-ranking official, he had the entire dormitory to himself, so the largest room was his.

But the view inside the room was the problem.

‘… … It’s bleak.’

All that was visible in this large room was a bed, a table, and a bookshelf that took up most of the room. Other than that, there was no other furniture or luxuries.

The dormitory scenery I saw on my way here was also one that didn’t have any of the usual pictures, and it felt like it was managed with minimal maintenance.

I wonder where the bribes I received went. This place was utterly desolate.

Did he embezzle all the bribes? But is it right that he didn’t spend any of them on the places he lived in while receiving all that bribe money? At the very least, he could buy nice furniture.

I thought it was a lie that he was living here and that he was living somewhere else, but the sight of the finance director tidying up the room looked very familiar. In addition, even the bed and table showed traces of life.

“… … That’s ridiculous.”

Is this really the kind of place you live in? The head of finance at Grandis Academy, a man who accepts so many bribes?

I couldn’t believe it, so I took a closer look at the bookshelves that took up most of the room.

“… … … … .”

There are more than ten bookshelves in this room.

It was full of books and papers on finance, accounting, and management.