I Realized It Was an Academy Game After 10 Years

“How much will it be?”
“What?”
“How much will it be?”

What’s up with this uncle? The grandfather with eyes half-rolled back was grabbing my wrist and muttering some embarrassing lines like something out of a drama. I rolled my eyes in confusion, but it seemed everyone else was just as clueless, wearing silly expressions.

“I’m Karina…’s guard knight.”
“Huh, right. The basics of negotiation are to raise the price. Young guy’s quite smart.”

What in the world does that even mean?

Seriously, there’s a limit to your wild interpretations. I turned my gaze away from the crazy old man talking to himself and signaled Gilbert for help, but he awkwardly averted his eyes as well.

How annoying. They said this was the board of the world’s best academy, so I expected dignified, composed individuals, but turns out they’re all just feeble old coots. I gently pressed down on the old man’s hand as he tried to pull money from his pouch, firmly expressing my refusal.

“I’m Karina’s guard knight. I have no intention of leaving this position.”
“Can’t you reconsider?”

Hah. Look at him straining his hand.

In this ridiculous spectacle of a power struggle between someone wanting to give money and someone turning it down, finally, someone who seemed sane spoke up.

“James. Seriously. What the heck is this disgrace?”
“You can only say that because you don’t recognize my worth! Behold my abilities!”
“What do you mean you don’t know?! Do you think a man who can do the work of hundreds is something I wouldn’t recognize, being a merchant myself? Stop trying to cheat me openly!”
“Ha! You must not know more than me, the Guild Master of the Civil Engineering Guild! You bald fool only knows about money!”

Is this old man the Guild Master of the Civil Engineering Guild? Remembering some unpleasant memories there, I quickly looked away from him. Of all places, I’m definitely not going back there.

“What did you say?!”

Geez, these old folks and their prideful battles; can’t they stop already? I came here to get construction approval, not to watch a mess of a dog fight. I settled comfortably in the chair I crafted with my skill, waiting for the brawl to end. Experience told me someone would step in to stop it by the time it became ridiculous.

“Are you going to sit?”
“…I also have a request.”
“Crafting.”
“That skill looks quite convenient.”
“Not as much as you’d think.”
“Is that so.”

I glanced at him, noticing he was visibly uncomfortable, fidgeting as he awaited the end of the situation.

Well, what could a mere security force captain do in a place like this?

Turning my gaze away, I yawned while watching the pointless squabble between these high-ups.

I just want to go back.

At this rate, I’d rather watch Millia skating around.

“Can’t you both just stop?!”

After how long I had been slouching in my chair, watching the chaos, a roar announcing the end of the fight shook the underground.

Finally, he appeared.

I looked at the old man who just entered the tunnel, exuding an aura like a beast. He scolded the two with a fierce expression like he was about to draw his sword.

“What are you thinking, you old fools who should know better?!”
“Director Merlin…”

As expected, this man must be the principal and chairman. An elderly man with a fantastic background, reputed to be one of the few great wizards in the continent and a distant royal bloodline. The kind of man who should be prioritized for rapport once you acquire a job in magic. Our gazes collided.

He scrutinized me.

His eyes seemed to be prying into my essence. I boldly met his gaze. Why should I cower? He’s not scarier than a baby Hydra.

“Ooh. Quite the catch.”
“Director Merlin, he’s amazing. Look at this! A tunnel dug in just 10 minutes!”
“10 minutes?”

One of the board members pointed to the tunnel I dug. The traces from my digging skill, initially met with disbelief, were illuminated with magic by Director Merlin, who then looked at me and questioned.

“There are no traces of magic.”
“I dug it with a shovel.”
“With a shovel? That’s the most nonsensical thing I’ve heard in my life.”

Do I have to dig again? I quietly lifted the shovel and got into position.

As I settled into position, countless gazes poured onto my back. I had grown accustomed to it. I drew lines on the wall with my shovel to assess the project and took a few steps back to grip my shovel properly.

Shall I give it another go?

My shovel blade mercilessly penetrated the hard soil.

Soil splattered on my face; it was an old hat for me. Back on the deserted island, I’d been attacked by skeletons while digging, so this felt like child’s play in comparison.

One.
Two.
Three.

I energetically worked the shovel. It’s far more efficient to work vigorously than to dawdle. I continuously dug, estimating with my eyes, smoothing the soil with my skill, and repeating the digging process. When I felt I’d dug the tunnel to a sufficient depth, I turned around and emerged.

“…Impressive. To think a human could do something like this.”

…This grandpa’s eyes look a bit dangerous.

I remembered the examiner from the Mage Guild asking if I’d be willing to become a test subject. That was exactly the look. An intensely curious gaze.

Before the principal could say anything, I quickly spoke up.
“So, what do you think? Are you willing to invest?”

At my question, the principal stroked his beard, pondering, then returned his gaze to me as if his thoughts had settled.
“I hear you can do it all by yourself… Is that true?”
“Indeed.”

Others would just be a hindrance. My digging and skill at work would be far more efficient. The principal consulted with the board members before coming back to me and asked.
“Three percent of the budget. Would that be enough?”

I didn’t know the exact amount, but three percent of the entire academy’s budget should be plenty. It’s definitely more than a thousand gold coins.
“That’s enough.”

I quietly took the principal’s outstretched hand and shook it.

Contract established.

Now, shall I start preparing?

—————

“…Phew. You really… no.”

Renny folded the letter she was holding and handed it to me. Upon reading it, the name Silverwood stood out. This guy sent me a letter? I should’ve noticed sooner during the brawl.

“Could you hide this for just a bit? I think I might overwork myself and die first.”

When I said that, I saw Renny looking worn out. Should I help with the admin work? But I’m not even good at it.
“How about requesting a priest to handle the administration?”
“How do you know if he’s reliable or not?”

Thinking about it, that’s true. I’d forgotten that traitors had emerged in the cult, so I couldn’t be sure if anyone sent would truly be from Kalon Church. Hiring people is tough work. It might be better to hire someone useful from my inner circle… possibly.

There might be talk of nepotism and all, but what’s important is trust. As long as they have a decent enough ability, we can train and use them.

“I see.”
“Well, let’s put this aside. Anyway, you secured the construction. We also received a significant budget allocation, and Silverwood’s trading company is investing a considerable sum. It looks like they’re quite eager to recruit you.”

Should I be happy about this?

I might consider a chance to snag some funds down the line when they have their construction needs.

The more capital I have, the better for seeing the ending. Especially since keeping capital is crucial to utilizing my skills.

My crafting skill can only utilize materials present in the surroundings, so if I could buy expensive and powerful materials to utilize with my skill, it would make things a lot easier.

Getting stronger through financial excess—
That’s crafting.

“So, when do you plan to start? I want to set a schedule…”
“Starting today.”
“What?”
“Today. I’ll finish it in fifteen days.”

More specifically, before the final exam.

The next incident is expected to take place during the finals.

“Fifteen? Really?”

I nodded. Renny looked at me with a doubtful expression, wondering whether to believe it. Did fifteen days seem too short? I thought if I saved sleeping time during those fifteen days, I could manage.

“Let’s extend it to a month, then…”
“Seems your junior is here, but doesn’t seem to be, huh…”
“Sorry about that.”
“No, it’s fine. After all, this work is for Lady Karina, right?”

As expected, Renny’s reaction was quite generous when it concerned Karina. While Renny was right about creating an escape route for Karina,
“I’ll do my utmost to complete it as quickly as possible.”
“No, do it safely. If you rush and it collapses due to shoddy work, it’ll be a disaster.”
“Understood. Also, I’ll call in someone to assist me.”
“What? Who?”
“There’s a suitable candidate.”

So, shall we get going? Before starting, it’s better to gather the people who will help out, so I should head out quickly.

I left the office and hurried towards the next destination.

I sure hope they don’t decline.
If someone waved a gold coin in front of them, the idea of refusing wouldn’t even cross their mind.

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