Chapter 74

September 22.

After being subjected to harassment by a classmate who hid my desk, I walked through the old town of Doctus with Sharon in the light rain.

I thought about the incident as I walked.

(We were subjected to a clumsy prank by a classmate. I can understand that to some extent. However, Mr. Bennett's—our homeroom teacher, Arik Bennett—attitude is clearly off... I can understand that he doesn't like me, but his treatment of me is excessive. It's hard to accept the behavior of a teacher in his late twenties. While I don't rule out the possibility that Bennett is just immature, I might be forced out of this town, the academic city of Doctus...)

The reason I felt a sense of crisis wasn't because I couldn't stay in that class. If it were just the academy, I wouldn't have any lingering attachments. The annual tuition I paid is a bit of a loss, but it's not so much that I can't earn it back, so I'm not too concerned about the money.

For magic studies, I could receive guidance from Ms. Kitley—Lidi's old friend and a professor at the academy—or I could rely on Mr. Raspede. If those two don't work out, I could join a private tutoring school and receive the minimum necessary instruction.

I heard that there are over twenty private tutoring schools in Doctus, and among them, the three major ones—Louis Constantine Magic Academy, Meizers Academy, and Fortune Tutoring—are said to be educational institutions on par with Tilia Magic Academy.

Since they are private tutoring schools, they don't offer the uniform education of Tilia Magic Academy and are quite flexible.

Furthermore, these three tutoring schools view Tilia Magic Academy as a rival and are always trying to poach excellent students. As a result, they offer various benefits, such as waiving tuition fees and covering library usage fees.

In other words, as long as we aren't forced out of Doctus, we won't be at a disadvantage.

I decided to resolve this issue to protect Sharon and myself.

(First, I need to gather information. I should start by talking to Ms. Littleford—Tilia Magic Academy's clerk—and Ms. Kitley. Depending on how much information I can get from them, I might need to seek help from the Adventurers' Guild for information gathering. I don't need state secrets; I just need information about Councilor Wagman, especially his mindset, rivals, and position within the guild. Based on that, I'll consider how to resolve this situation.)

As I walked with Sharon,

(I can't tell Sharon, of course, or Lidi. She usually avoids the public but forgets herself when it comes to me. She might storm into the principal's office in anger...)

However, as I thought more about it, I began to think that I should tell Lidi.

(This isn't a direct threat. Plus, I can move more freely alone. But it doesn't feel right to keep secrets from her. It might be better to explain the situation and solve it on my own. In that case, I should probably tell Sharon too...)

When I got home, I told Lidi and Sharon about it. Midway through, Lidi started to tremble with anger, but I continued without breaking my serious expression.

"...So, I'll handle it alone. There shouldn't be much personal danger this time."

Lidi shook her head and said, somewhat excitedly,

"I can't accept that! Why should you be treated like this? What you're doing has been recognized for a long time. I'll complain to that teacher Bennett!"

Despite the expected reaction, I managed to keep a straight face and said,

"I have a plan. I don't want you to act rashly. Besides, complaining to Teacher Bennett won't solve anything."

Lidi seemed to still be angry but reluctantly agreed, saying, "Alright. But I'll help too," and Sharon also said, "I'll help too."

The next day, September 23, the weather improved, and we went into the northern forest.

Lidi cast spells at monsters as if to vent her frustration from the previous day.

(I feel like her spells are more powerful than usual. Lidi can be scary when she's angry. But even when she's angry, she remains calm in the forest. She's truly a veteran.)

At the end of the day, we caught a spear deer, a monster with more flavorful meat than a regular deer, and brought it home. Though not particularly large, it had a lot of meat due to its four legs. I used the pretext of sharing with the neighbors to talk to Ms. Littleford.

"...By the way, what kind of people are the teachers at the academy? The ones who teach us seem quite young."

What I wanted to know was the teachers' mindset. From what I could tell, Teacher Bennett didn't seem passionate about education. Practical teacher Chambers didn't seem to have the right educational philosophy, either.

Ms. Littleford nodded slightly and said, "You noticed, huh. There are two types of teachers at the academy."

When I asked, "Two types?" she smiled and nodded.

"Yes, two types. First, there are the professors who focus on research. You probably know, but Professor Raspede is a good example."

Ms. Littleford paused, as if unsure how to explain.

"The other group is the teachers who teach you. There's a reason why you said they are young."

I tilted my head and asked, "A reason?"

"It's not something to be said loudly, but the homeroom teachers for the lower grades, including you, are dispatched by the Mages' Guild. They are people who haven't been recommended as court mages and have been pushed out of jobs within the guild. It's not a good situation."

I tilted my head again, like a child, and asked, "Don't those people become adventurers?"

Ms. Littleford nodded and said, "Of course, some become adventurers," but added,

"However, people who become adventurers or mercenaries choose that path from the beginning. They don't choose it because they have no other options."

I thought that made sense but wondered why the Mages' Guild would assign people who lack enthusiasm and ability to teach the next generation.

(Lack of passion for education is one thing, but there are people who are enthusiastic... or is there another factor?)

"It's a bit disappointing. Why does the guild send people who lack enthusiasm to the academy?"

Ms. Littleford seemed to share my thoughts and started to vent her frustration.

"Yes, exactly. The guild doesn't understand anything. I shouldn't be telling you this, but the academy is caught up in the power struggles within the council..."

Ms. Littleford began to passionately explain to me.

She vented her frustrations for about five minutes.

(He must have been holding in a lot of frustration to vent it to a ten-year-old. He seems like a kind janitor, but I didn't expect him to be so passionate...)

"...The important academy that nurtures the next generation should not be used as a political tool! This isn't just a loss for the young people; it's a loss for the guild. Some people understand this. If someone like Councilor Wagman becomes the chairman, things might change..."

I reacted involuntarily when I heard "Councilor Wagman."

(Councilor Wagman! If he becomes the chairman, the academy will change? What does that mean?)

I maintained my composure and asked, "If Councilor Wagman becomes the chairman, will the academy improve?"

"Yes. He's in his mid-thirties, but he's an amazing person."

I wondered what made him so amazing and said,

"Councilor Wagman does good things for us students."

Ms. Littleford seemed to agree with my words and became more enthusiastic.

"He's trying to reform the academy! He wants to change the current uniform education system!"

I nodded and encouraged her to continue, "How will he change it?"

"From what I've heard, he plans to provide the best educational opportunities to excellent students. He also wants to dismiss teachers who lack specialized education and train educators based on their qualifications..."

He also plans to set certain standards for researchers to eliminate those who do research as a hobby and create a system for those who want further education, similar to a graduate school.

(If what Ms. Littleford says is true, the councilor himself isn't involved in this incident. Then, who is doing this and for what purpose? Quentin might be using his father's power, but Bennett isn't so foolish as to take a child's word at face value. It's getting more confusing...)

I gathered information from Ms. Littleford and heard the same from Ms. Kitley the next day.

In conclusion, she said the same thing as Ms. Littleford: the quality of the academy's teachers has declined due to the power struggles within the council. Regarding Councilor Wagman,

"I agree with his policies. Some professors don't do proper research but still receive research funds. They must be trembling in fear."

She praised Councilor Wagman's policies without reservation.

I also obtained another important piece of information.

"There's a student named Anita Isherwood in your class, right? Her father is a councilor and is close to Councilor Wagman. However, I haven't heard good things about him..."

Councilor Isherwood is the same age as Councilor Wagman, both thirty-six. They graduated from the academy together, with Wagman as the valedictorian and Isherwood as the salutatorian.

After that, Wagman became a court mage in the Sartuus Kingdom—a northern kingdom with a large elf population and active magic research—and returned to Doctus ten years later. He then served as a councilor in the Education Research Committee and became a councilor at the young age of thirty-five.

On the other hand, Councilor Isherwood steadily rose through the ranks at the Doctus headquarters of the guild and was promoted to councilor four years ago.

The average age of councilors is forty-five, and councilors are forty, making both of them unusually young.

"Councilor Isherwood's rise to power is a bit... how should I put it, not very clean. It's like he's pushing his competitors out..."

Ms. Kitley said this hesitantly, but I understood what she meant.

(While the full picture isn't clear, Councilor Wagman seems to be a high-minded and idealistic politician, while Councilor Isherwood is a political operator. If that's the case, there's a possibility that Isherwood is involved... However, dealing with such a person is troublesome. I don't want to reform Doctus or the Mages' Guild; I just want to stay in this town...)

I still felt I needed more information.

(Both Ms. Littleford and Ms. Kitley are related to the academy. They are emotionally closer to Councilor Wagman, who is enthusiastic about reforming the academy, so they probably won't say anything bad. I don't think they are lying, but it's dangerous to take their words at face value... How to gather information? There are no detectives, and even if there were information brokers, I'm just a child and can't negotiate... I should probably make a request to the Adventurers' Guild. I remember they also handle information gathering...)

I thanked Ms. Kitley, returned home, and explained what I had learned to Lidi and Sharon.

"Based on the information I have, Councilor Wagman isn't trying to force us out. However, if this isn't just harassment and involves other factors, it could be more complicated. For example, if it's being used to bring down Councilor Wagman..."

Lidi shook her head, not understanding.

"Then, what should we do? We don't need to be involved in such a conspiracy."

I nodded and said,

"That's true. Based on the information we have, even if Sharon and I leave the academy, we won't be forced out of the town. Most likely, we won't be involved in the guild's internal conflicts."

Lidi tilted her head, asking, "What do you mean?"

"First, the likelihood that Councilor Wagman is involved is low. If that's the case, we can rule out the concern that his son Quentin will use his father's power to force us out of the town."

Lidi nodded, and I continued.

"Next, regarding the guild's internal conflicts, what happens if we leave the academy? First, the reason why we left will become an issue. Teachers like Mr. Raspede will likely bring this up. If they investigate, Quentin's existence will come to light..."

Here's my reasoning:

Assuming Quentin's power comes from his father's influence, Teacher Bennett must have been instructed indirectly by Councilor Wagman or someone close to him to force us out.

If I, a "genius" (though I don't think of myself that way), leave the academy, what happens? First, the investigation will focus on Teacher Bennett, who will likely testify that he was indirectly instructed by Councilor Wagman to force us out.

In that case, Councilor Wagman will need to prove his innocence. However, proving a negative is difficult, and the fact that his son is the valedictorian will raise suspicions. Even if he claims his innocence, people will think he's too shrewd to leave evidence. As a result, most people won't easily accept his claims. The impact on his reputation, both inside and outside the guild, could affect his bid for chairman. His reputation as a high-minded person will likely be ruined.

In other words, this could end Councilor Wagman's political career or weaken him.

The forces that set this up will achieve their goal and lose interest in us. In other words, if we leave the academy, the problem will be over for us.

"...If we follow the mastermind's script and leave the academy, the only story left will be that of unfortunate children forced out by a politician's son. It shouldn't affect us afterward."

Lidi thought for a moment and said,

"Then, the person who tried to force you out will get away with it! That's not right!"

Lidi wants the person who tried to force us out to face consequences.

"You're right. But from our perspective, is that really a problem? The important thing is to become strong. What happens to this town or the academy doesn't matter to me."

Lidi looked at me, asking, "Do you really think that?"

I laughed and said, "No, I don't. I don't intend to act solely on a sense of justice, but I don't like being a victim either."

Lidi looked relieved.

"I'm glad. I thought you had changed..."

I smiled and changed the topic to our next steps.

"Regardless, there's no guarantee that my reasoning is correct. I need to gather more detailed information."

I told Lidi about making a request to the Adventurers' Guild for an investigation.

"It might work. It's a bit unusual, but people in this town do request information gathering."

According to her, researchers sometimes ask the Adventurers' Guild to collect information from merchants and travelers for their research.

"Ask Kitley. She might know someone who can gather information on ancient books."

So, we went to Ms. Kitley's lab again. This time, Lidi and Sharon came with me, and we explained our situation to Ms. Kitley.

Ms. Kitley was surprised by my reasoning and said,

"Really, you always surprise me. It's impressive how you can deduce so much from limited information... Alright, I'll introduce you to a reliable adventurer. His name is Sai Farman. He's a fourth-class adventurer, but he'll do a thorough job."

"Thank you. Can I visit him directly?"

Lidi interjected,

"It's better to go through the guild. It will cost more, but if you go directly, he might take the money and not do a proper investigation."

Ms. Kitley nodded and agreed,

"He's trustworthy, but you never know what might happen with money involved. If it's not too in-depth, he should accept for one gold coin (100C = 100,000 yen). You can afford that, right?"

She knew we hunted monsters in the forest and earned tens of C (tens of thousands of yen) per trip.

We decided to make a designated request to the Adventurers' Guild and left Ms. Kitley's lab.