The Academy is Doomed

Chapter 133

Although a storm full of noisy events had swept over the academy, even that had become a thing of the past at the current point in time.

The academy was now incredibly peaceful, quite some time after the Holy Kingdom’s attack.

In that peace, Amon was yawning.

“Yaaawn…come to think of it, it’s boring these days.”

Seeing Amon mumbling with a drowsy face, Marion clicked her tongue.

“You can say that again. Recently, the academy has been quiet, just doing classes, going home, classes, going home repeatedly.”

“Why did you leave out drinking in between?”

Marion grinned with a face flushed red from alcohol.

“Drinking is just part of daily life.”

“Hmm…for some people, it’s daily life.”

Amon chuckled as he raised his glass.

“But being bored is actually the best thing. Isn’t this peacefulness better than being frantically thrown around when something goes wrong?”

“You young fellow are talking like an old person.”

“Aging gracefully is my small wish.”

After exhaling the alcohol scent with a “hoo,” Amon suddenly looked around.

The academy’s garden was withered as usual.

The fact that it was like this despite the considerable care from the recently hired gardener meant that winter was properly setting in.

Sure enough, Amon grumbled as he tightened his coat against the winter wind that was blowing.

“But why are we drinking here in this cold weather? Can’t we go to a pub?”

“I’m out of money.”

“Ah…”

Amon sighed at Marion’s poor financial situation.

Well, they couldn’t exactly drink back and forth in places like the academy cafeteria either.

Not only would they have to mind the chef’s watchful eye, but it wouldn’t be good for the students’ education.

‘Though that seems meaningless given we’re teachers who drink before class, it’s still better to avoid drinking openly in front of them.’

Anyway, feeling slightly tipsy, Amon suddenly looked up at the sky.

The winter night sky without a single cloud was beautiful like jewels were embedded in it.

“By the way, it’s already been almost a year since I came here.”

“Hmm? There’s still some time left, but you’re right. Has time really flown by that much…”

“Indeed it has.”

Amon thought about what he had achieved during his year here.

After being lost in thought for a while, Amon muttered.

“Nothing…”

“Hmm? What do you mean?”

“No, just talking to myself.”

Amon took a big gulp of alcohol in frustration and exhaled heavily before speaking.

“So soon it’ll be winter break, and when winter break ends the students will become second years, and when the new semester starts there will be actual new students coming in…right?”

“That’s right.”

“I hope next year flows peacefully like this too.”

“Was this past year peaceful…?”

“No, no. I mean I hope it flows boringly like recently.”

“Hmm.”

Marion chuckled and held out his glass saying,

“Yes, peace is the best.”

Amon smiled gently and clinked glasses saying,

“Here’s to hoping next year stays peaceful too.”

* * *

Anar’el was sitting in the dimly lit principal’s office with just one candle lit.

After being lost in thought for a while watching the flickering candlelight, she opened her mouth with shadows cast deeply on her face.

“Huhu, finally it’s coming…”

“Principal!”

“Wha, kyaaak!?”

When Amon suddenly burst through the door, Anar’el jumped in surprise and stuttered while clutching her pounding chest.

“Teacher Amon! Wh-what is this without even knocking…”

“I’m sorry. I have some urgent documents to give you.”

“Urgent documents? At this late hour…”

Anar’el received the documents Amon held out with a puzzled face and frowned.

It was because a strong smell of alcohol was wafting from Amon as he handed over the documents.

“Teacher Amon, have you been drinking?”

“Huh? Ah, I had a light drink with Senior Marion.”

“The smell suggests you had more than just one drink…”

“…Is the smell that strong?”

While glaring at Amon who was sniffing his collar in embarrassment, Anar’el decided to check the urgent documents he had brought.

‘What urgent matter could there be at this late hour…huh?’

Could she be seeing wrong because the room was lit by just one candle?

Anar’el hurriedly turned on the room’s lights and read the documents Amon had given her again.

And after carefully reading through the documents, Anar’el said with a surprised face.

“Teacher Amon. This is…?”

“I think timing-wise, now is the best option.”

“Oh, ohhh…”

Anar’el’s eyes welled up with tears as if moved.

“As expected, teacher Amon…we were of one mind.”

“Huh? Of one mind?”

“I was also thinking about ways to draw in new students to the academy in large numbers.”

At those words, Amon finally realized why the room had been dark when he first came in.

‘I see she was doing that “something’s coming” thing alone while setting the mood again.’

Anyway, Anar’el continued speaking.

“So at first I was just thinking about holding another exchange competition…but as expected, teacher Amon far exceeds my expectations!”

The documents Amon had submitted contained an incredibly grand proposal titled ‘Amonis Academy Grand Festival’.

Not just a modest exchange competition where academies gather and bicker, nor picking at someone else’s prepared meal while being mindful of others, but rather an ambitious plan to host a grand competition with Amonis Academy itself as the host!

Seeing Anar’el’s ears fluttering in joy, Amon bowed his head and said,

“Haha, you praise me too much. It’s for the academy’s revival after all.”

“Aah! As expected of teacher Amon!”

Amon enjoyed Anar’el’s praise while wearing a crooked smile.

What change of heart had occurred in Amon, who until just recently was drinking with Marion saying ‘peace is the best, I love how quiet it is’?

It was because of a letter that had come from home.

[Amon, are you well? Recently the territory is enjoying unprecedented prosperity thanks to Eden, the city under its jurisdiction. The territory’s finances have improved, and Eden has been developing to rival any other city lately. But a problem has arisen.]

Amon’s heart sank at the mention of a problem, but fortunately the content that followed wasn’t too serious.

[Though it has developed as much as any other city, perhaps because it’s located in such a remote area, hardly anyone visits. It’s ultimately an issue of recognition. So I have a favor to ask of you – couldn’t your academy and our Eden cooperate on something? We’ll provide as much funding support as possible.]

This was the reason for Amon’s change of heart.

‘Peace? Stability? Money is better than such things even if it’s a bit noisy.’

When Eden sponsors Amonis Academy to hold the grand festival, attention will naturally be drawn to Eden for providing such a large sum of money.

Then merchants, tourists, and others looking to invest will appear.

Eden, which has developed to rival any other city, will continue to grow even further.

‘Plus, perceptions of Amonis Academy, which is being invested in by such a city, will improve too. If we want to accept new students next school year, now is the best timing.’

Because of this, the students’ success will also progress smoothly like a ship with favorable winds, Ami’s path to employment will be paved with flowers, and won’t it save face with Caselag who actively recommended Rustianel’s enrollment!

‘That too, but it’ll be a good experience for when I change jobs!’

A teacher of Amonis Academy who successfully hosted a grand festival!

It wasn’t a bad text to write on a resume.

While Amon was grinning about such a rosy future, Anar’el said with a worried face.

“But teacher Amon.”

“Yes, Principal.”

“What concerns me is…ultimately, hosting the grand festival would be impossible without considerable funding…”

As she said, the academy’s finances were barely maintaining minimal living expenses for eating and sleeping.

It had been a long time since they had transferred the King of Mango shares to Gold Road Trading Company to repair the academy building.

On top of that, the Demon Lord had wrecked the building once more, so the academy family should be thankful just to eat warm meals!

“Should…should I try asking Victoria or Sandrio?”

Seeing Anar’el pitifully offering a solution, Amon smiled reassuringly and said.

“You don’t need to worry about money.”

“What?”

“A city under our territory has agreed to provide funding! So don’t worry about money and let’s do this properly without shame!”

“Aaah!”

Moved! Touched! Joy! And gratitude!

Anar’el’s eyes were welling up with tears, showing how overwhelmed she was.

The situation of having reliable pockets with city-level sponsorship!

“Then we can invite musicians…”

“Of course!”

“And lots of performers too…”

“Y-yes.”

They would provide entertainment during the breaks.

“And set off fireworks!”

“Y-yes.”

“And bring elephants!”

“…Are you planning to hold a circus?”

At Amon’s criticism, Anar’el smiled gently.

“I’m joking. That’s just how happy I am.”

“…You are joking, right?”

After staying silent for a moment, Anar’el said.

“It’s a joke. Anyway, a grand festival…Even in the past, the academy has only hosted a competition once, but to think such an opportunity would arise. I’m so happy.”

“I’m glad you’re happy.”

“Huhu, but teacher Amon will have to work hard again. There will be lots to prepare, like arranging schedules, making invitations, and various other things.”

To Anar’el’s concern, Amon said.

“Haha, don’t worry about that.”

“What?”

“I know someone who knows this kind of thing best.”

“What? Who?”

Amon nodded while crossing his arms.

“There’s someone who should know these kinds of events inside and out from watching a greedy corrupt official up close. If we leave it to him, preparing for the grand festival won’t be difficult.”

“Watching a greedy corrupt official up close…? Wh-who do you know like that?”

Amon sighed and said.

“It’s Kai. That guy is from a family that serves as the closest aids to a greedy emperor. With such a corrupt emperor, he must have lived every day indulging in food and women, so for someone from a family serving such an emperor, planning this kind of luxurious event should be nothing.”

“…”

And at that moment.

“…Why are my ears so itchy?”

Kai, who was scratching his ears, sighed deeply.

Just then, a message had arrived from the imperial palace.

[Kai, you arrange the schedule for this social gathering. Make the invitations too. This social gathering needs to be more splendid and luxurious than ever before.]

[Empress Victoria]

Kai sighed heavily with dark circles under his eyes.

“Sigh, I should quickly take care of the task mother assigned…Let’s see, the things other nobles have liked until now…”

What Amon had said wasn’t entirely wrong.