Chapter 7

Chapter 6

Entering the Academy - 1

The main building of the Academy, the heart and symbol of the institution. It is said that the former Afels Empire mobilized all its architectural techniques and renowned artists of the time to construct this building. Even after hundreds of years since the Academy was built, this main building remains one of the most beautiful structures on the continent.

Bards have composed songs on the spot upon seeing the main building, and painters have created masterpieces. Such anecdotes are not uncommon for this main building. It seems to have its own name, but it doesn't matter if you don't know it. After all, everyone just calls it the main building.

I gazed up at the main building with a wistful look.

'I should have come here four years ago.'

A masterpiece of architectural and artistic techniques? One of the most renowned buildings on the continent and the muse of many artists? What am I supposed to do with that? I would have willingly entered the main building even if it were a shack or a yurt. What matters is the inside, not the outside. The thought that people have been captivated by the exterior and failed to focus on the interior of the main building fills me with uncontrollable anger.

I should have enrolled in the Academy without looking back, regardless of what the head of the family said four years ago. If I had at least completed three full years of study and graduated, I wouldn't be living like this even if I ended up as a civil servant afterward. I can guarantee that. Attending the Imperial Academy would have changed my life...

"I don't usually cry, but I feel like crying now."

Of course, I'm not actually crying.

A mix of strange excitement for arriving at the place I've longed for and frustration for being sent here on official business filled my heart as I stepped out of the carriage and onto the ground, momentarily losing my balance. Whoa, damn!

As soon as I regained my balance, I turned to look at the coachman, who fortunately didn't see me wobble as he was busy adjusting the reins. Thank goodness. If news spread that a section chief in his early twenties couldn't control his own body, it would have caused a shock in the Ministry of Finance.

"This kid, why are you so thin now? You must have lost all your muscle from being stuck in your office."

'Really?'

The minister's words came to mind, and I tentatively felt my legs. It's strange; they don't feel particularly thin. Is it because I've been stuck in my office? Or is it because I haven't ridden in a carriage for a long time and my body hasn't adjusted yet? Whatever the reason, it's not good news.

'Ugh, damn.'

I was fine in the carriage, but now I'm feeling seasick. Is this land sickness? As I started to struggle with this belated seasickness, the coachman approached and bowed.

"I'll be on my way now."

"Ah, thank you for your hard work. Please return safely."

"Yes. I hope you stay healthy, Section Chief."

The coachman bowed again and quickly left. Since his role was just to transport me, it was best for him to leave as soon as his task was done. It's unlikely that a single coachman would cause a stir among the three kingdoms, but staying too long would raise suspicions. It's annoying when someone who shouldn't be there lingers. I've seen it happen enough times to know.

As I watched the carriage leave, I turned my gaze to the main building. Now I'm really alone. It's time to start the story of a 21-year-old civil servant's inspection of the Academy. Wow, I never even dreamed of doing this...

With heavy steps, I trudged into the main building, heading for the principal's office. Just as I was about to go in, someone rushed out. Oh, a welcome party?

A man in a blue cloak, the symbol of the Academy's faculty, ran up, took a moment to catch his breath, and then smiled.

"I'm Raymond, the vice-principal of the Academy. Are you the inspector who was supposed to arrive today?"

"Yes, that's me."

"Oh, I'm sorry. I was late in coming to greet you on time. The morning meeting took longer than expected."

The vice-principal smiled and extended his hand, which I shook.

"Morning meetings rarely end on time."

"Thank you for understanding. I felt bad keeping you waiting."

"I just arrived."

I really just arrived. I came straight here after saying goodbye to the coachman, so even if I had arrived earlier, the time it would have taken to return to the main building would have been the same. I wish I had arrived a bit later to calm my nerves. I feel like I'm going to throw up...

Seeing that I was really not bothered, the vice-principal relaxed, and his somewhat awkward smile became more natural. Even a regular inspector who comes for routine checks and then disappears can cause trouble if they get upset and decide to tear the Academy apart.

Moreover, this inspector was an emergency inspector sent by the Minister of Finance to prepare for the impressive lineup of new students. This was not an inspector who would leave after a week but someone who would be staying for several months. The vice-principal's heart sank when he realized he was late to greet such an important person.

The vice-principal, now a bit more relaxed, asked me a question.

"I heard you were sent by the Minister of Finance. May I ask your name, if it's not too much trouble?"

"Wasn't my name provided?"

"It's customary for the identity of the inspector to be kept secret until they arrive at the Academy. Knowing who it is might lead to premeditated contact and planning."

"I see. This is my first time as an inspector."

The vice-principal looked at me curiously. He was already concerned about my young appearance, and now he learned that I was new to the role of inspector. While I might not be a strange person since I was personally appointed by the Minister of Finance, it was still puzzling.

"I am Inspector Karl Krasius."

"Oh, it's an honor to meet you, Section Chief. The Minister must have taken special care to send you. I'm truly grateful."

The vice-principal tried to act natural, but his eyes betrayed his unease. The thought of the old man sending a monster to the Academy crossed his mind, and he became increasingly silent and quickened his pace.

Karl Krasius, the Chief Inspector. Even someone who had dedicated his life to education and risen to the position of vice-principal, spending his entire career at the Academy, had heard of this name countless times. But he never wanted to meet him in person. For someone who lived off the empire's salary, meeting the Chief Inspector was a sure sign of a life-changing disaster.

Even knowing that I wasn't there to cause trouble, the vice-principal was breaking out in a cold sweat. When we arrived at the principal's office, he knocked on the door as if he had found the gates of heaven.

"Principal, I've brought the inspector."

"Come in."

The vice-principal quickly opened the door.

"Please go in. It's an honor to have you here, Inspector."

"It's an honor to meet the Academy's distinguished intellect."

The vice-principal, who had given an awkward smile, quickly retreated to his office. While we would be seeing each other often, today's unexpected meeting had been a significant shock.

An old man with long white hair and a beard, resembling a sage from a fairy tale, the principal of the Academy, looked at the young man entering his office.

'The Chief Inspector has arrived.'

A young man with black hair and black eyes, dressed in the black uniform of the Inspectorate, a complete embodiment of black.

"It's been a while, Chief Inspector. Two years, right?"

The principal's greeting was met with a slight nod and a response from the Chief Inspector.

"It's been that long since the Minister's inauguration. How have you been, Principal?"

"The young ones are working hard, so I don't have much to do. I've been staying healthy."

"That's good to hear."

The Chief Inspector sat down and silently stared at the principal. The principal, feeling the dark eyes on him, involuntarily swallowed. The Chief Inspector, sent by the Minister of Finance for the new student crisis, was already a superior figure, but even without that position, he was above the principal.

The principal's secretary, who had quietly placed tea in front of them and left, was also instinctively subdued, holding her breath. The secretary, usually a bold person, was now intimidated.

'And he's only as old as last year's graduates.'

It's almost laughable. Last year's graduates still seem like children running around the Academy, laughing and chatting. And now, he's their age. It's a cognitive dissonance.

"This tea is from the Yuven United Kingdom. It's famous for its unique aroma. I hope it suits your taste, Chief Inspector."

The secretary's action was perfect for lightening the mood. The Chief Inspector took a sip and then put the cup down, looking back at the principal.

"I've heard about the difficulties the Academy is facing."

"Students crossing borders to study here is a welcome thing. It's not difficult, but... I'm worried we might disappoint these enthusiastic students."

"Is that so?"

The Chief Inspector nodded slightly and remained silent, as if saying, "You talk." The principal, understanding the hint, continued.

"Having the Chief Inspector here is a great relief. With the number of valuable students, the security staff has been reduced, causing much anxiety. But now I feel much better."

"You flatter me."

"Flattery? Everyone knows the Chief Inspector's reputation. The punishment of the Nevis Earl's family six months ago and the Aislon Viscount's family a year ago are still vivid in my memory."

The Chief Inspector, seemingly uninterested in the flattery, looked down at his teacup. The principal, however, continued, listing the Chief Inspector's actions and leading into a request for his help in maintaining the Academy's order.

"Especially two years ago in the North..."

The Chief Inspector's gaze shifted from the teacup to the principal.

'Oh no.'

A mistake. In trying to avoid mentioning certain things, he had inadvertently brought them up.

The Chief Inspector, noticing the principal's discomfort, gave a forced smile. His eyes weren't smiling, making it clear that it was a forced expression.

"I misspoke, Chief Inspector. I guess I'm getting old."

"Everyone makes mistakes. Don't worry about it."

The Chief Inspector didn't deny the mistake. The principal gave a bitter smile, and the Chief Inspector stood up.

"I won't neglect my duty to the empire. So there's no need for you to worry."

"Thank you."

"I'll take my leave now."

"Understood. I'll inform you of your accommodations."

The Chief Inspector nodded and left the office. The principal, watching him go, sighed and leaned back in his chair.

"I must be getting old. To make such a mistake."

Wiping the sweat from his forehead, the principal's secretary cautiously asked,

"If it's a mistake... about the North?"

The secretary, with her eyes and ears, knew what had triggered the Chief Inspector's reaction, but not why. Why did he react to the North when he showed no interest in the earl's or viscount's families?

The principal shook his head.

"Forget about it. You could find out, but I don't recommend it."

"Ah, yes..."

"Yes. That's best. If he doesn't want to reveal it, it's not right to pry."

The principal's words were both a warning to the secretary and a reminder to himself.

The North. A land where a major uprising of nomads led to a two-year war of suppression four years ago. And the Chief Inspector was one of the key figures in that conflict.

'Oh man, I really feel like I'm going to die.'

I rushed out of the principal's office, looking for a bathroom. My body had been acting strange since I got out of the carriage, and by the time I was talking to the vice-principal, it was in crisis. By the time I entered the principal's office, it was almost at its peak. I focused all my attention on calming my stomach to avoid an immediate disaster.

I barely remember what the principal said. I only focused on him when I instinctively reacted to the word "North."

'Damn old man, saying unnecessary things.'

Even two years later, it's still a topic I avoid, but it's not something I can hide forever. It's not something to hide. I used it as a legitimate reason to leave. I'm sorry for the principal's discomfort, but I was also uncomfortable, so let's call it a draw.

So, where's the bathroom? Why is this place so big?

Author's Note:

"From a distance, he seems like a powerful thug wielding absolute authority, but up close, he's just a pitiful middle manager being squeezed from above and below." – Prologue

From a distance, Karl, who is often criticized by the minister, has this image. His silence and bad mood can be covered by his position and reputation.

He's one of the top five bureaucrats, excluding the ministers, but his direct superior is the second-highest minister.

Thank you for reading this chapter!