Chapter 81

October 5th.

Due to the rain that continued from last night, we didn't go to the forest. However, since I didn't know how Senator Wagman would act after I met with him, I couldn't go to the library either. While I was wondering what to do today, a young man who claimed to be a messenger from Senator Wagman came to the house.

"Are you Zacharias Rockhart? Senator Wagman has something he wants to talk to you about. If you have no plans, would you come with me to his mansion?"

When I didn't reveal my attitude, wary of the situation, the young man scratched his head and apologized.

"I'm sorry for testing you. I'm Andreas Egger, Senator Wagman's private secretary. The senator and I made a small bet..."

Egger showed me an orb to prove his identity and then handed me a letter from Senator Wagman. The letter said that the matters at the academy had been resolved and he wanted to talk to me. Impressed by the swift action, I listened as Egger began to explain the details of the bet.

"Senator Wagman said you wouldn't move no matter what, even if he didn't reveal his identity. I said that a first-year student wouldn't be that perceptive. Then, the senator suggested we make a bet... I'm really sorry."

Wagman and Egger had bet on whether I would follow them willingly, with lunch as the prize.

I sighed and said, "If that's the case, I should have the right to eat that lunch too,"

"Senator Wagman said the same thing. He thought you might demand compensation when you heard the story,"

I chuckled and told Lidi and Sharon that I was going to Senator Wagman's mansion, then headed to the old town with Egger.

Wagman's mansion was located near the center of the old town, and it seemed to have been a noble knight's residence originally. It was a grand three-story building with a garden. Egger led me inside, where an elderly butler and a middle-aged maid welcomed me. The interior was calm and dignified, and I was impressed by the atmosphere.

(This is much grander than my own home. No wonder it belongs to someone who can influence the country...)

I tried not to look around too much as I was led to the senator's study on the third floor. Inside, Senator Wagman greeted me with a smile.

"I'm sorry to bother you on your day off," he said, offering me a chair. In Doctus, the 5th and 0th days of the month were holidays, but we had been going to the forest regardless of the day, so I hadn't really thought about it.

(He's at his private residence because it's a holiday. I had completely forgotten about the concept of holidays... Come to think of it, we were almost working year-round...)

I sat down as he suggested. When Egger left, Wagman began to speak.

"The matters at the academy have been resolved. Both Mr. Bennett and Mr. Chambers have agreed to leave the teaching to Professor Laspede..."

I was impressed by the quick response and nodded. He nodded back and continued.

"Both of them will likely leave the academy by the end of this year. The headmaster is also expected to retire by next summer. Of course, this might not be the outcome you wanted..."

He then changed his tone to a brighter one.

"Regarding the elective courses you mentioned, they will be introduced on a trial basis starting in January. Initially, they will only be open within the academy, but from the next year, they will be extended to private schools as well."

Wagman smiled slyly.

"There was some opposition to this, even from the Speaker, Seaberg. I told the Speaker, 'You, who once promoted the exchange of researchers, are opposing this?' He fell silent, and no one else said anything after that. I wish you could have seen it. Hahaha!"

He laughed heartily. When he calmed down, he resumed his serious expression.

"You might be dissatisfied, but there will be no penalties for the masterminds, Senator Ibbetson and Councillor Isherwood..."

He looked into my eyes, "You don't seem to care. I thought as much," he smiled.

"Of course, I sent a message to Ibbetson. I wrote that our family tutor, Croft, had told us everything about this incident and the one ten years ago. I also sent a letter to Speaker Seaberg, mentioning that there are people who know the truth about ten years ago, and that Ibbetson had informed me about them."

He then showed a mischievous smile.

"Miles—Councillor Isherwood's first name—must have heard from Ibbetson. He rushed to me yesterday, worried about how much I knew. Ibbetson and Miles must be very anxious. They'll probably behave themselves for a while."

I thought it was a reasonable outcome but realized I hadn't heard about Archie Croft's fate.

"What happened to Mr. Croft? If he's let go carelessly, he might be eliminated."

Wagman casually replied, "He's still here. He's still Quentin's tutor."

I was surprised that he kept the man who had betrayed him as his son's tutor.

Wagman asked with a mischievous look, "Do you understand the reason?"

I quietly began to think about Wagman's intentions.

(Not exiling Croft is to prevent evidence from being destroyed, but there's no need to keep him as a tutor for my important son. According to the senator, Quentin is attached to Croft, so he can't be easily dismissed? No, this politician wouldn't keep a tutor for such a reason... Think carefully. The benefit for Wagman in keeping Croft... I see! I understand now!)

"Mr. Croft must have been convinced by you. He probably doesn't want to remember this incident ever again. I suspect he doesn't want to leave this mansion. This is just my speculation, but I doubt I'll see him outside this mansion for a few years... Is that what you mean?"

I deliberately phrased my answer vaguely, as a response to his testing question. My thoughts were as follows:

Croft must be severely threatened by Wagman. He probably told Ibbetson and Isherwood that all the information he knew came from Wagman. He also hinted to Speaker Seaberg about his existence. Once he realizes the situation, Croft will understand that his life is in danger if he leaves the mansion.

Croft has two choices:

1. Cling to the now-betrayed Wagman to survive.

2. Risk his life to escape from Doctus.

If he runs, Ibbetson, Isherwood, and even Seaberg might target him. It's unknown how many private forces they have, but they could frame him as a criminal and eliminate him in the old town.

If Croft realizes this, he will have no choice but to think that the only safe place in this city is Wagman's mansion.

Once he realizes this, his only option is to cling to Wagman's mercy.

Therefore, even as Quentin's tutor, he won't be a threat this time. Wagman will likely keep a close eye on Croft and take measures to prevent any further betrayal.

From the perspective of Wagman's political opponents:

Croft, who knows everything, doesn't leave Wagman's protection. Not only that, but Wagman is still using Croft, who betrayed him, which suggests some kind of secret agreement between them.

Isherwood might see through Croft's character and think he has been coerced by Wagman, but Ibbetson might not know Wagman and Croft's characters well enough.

Of course, Wagman wouldn't care if this was known. The key is to prevent any contact with Croft.

Wagman chuckled, "You really have a knack for politics. To answer my mischievous question like that..."

He then said in a somewhat exasperated tone, "Your words alone wouldn't make sense to anyone who doesn't know the details. Where did you learn such things?"

I didn't want to continue the dark conversation, so I changed the topic.

"By the way, did you tell anyone that I spoke to you?"

Wagman shook his head emphatically.

"Of course not. Even if I did, no one would believe it, and it would undermine my credibility. So, everyone thinks you came to ask me to discipline Quentin because he was bullying you at the academy."

I felt relieved.

At least, I thought it would be troublesome if Isherwood or Ibbetson found out. But as Wagman said, no one would believe a ten-year-old's story.

"So, we can return to the academy without any problems. We can also receive guidance from Professor Laspede openly."

He nodded vigorously.

"I'm sorry for the trouble I caused you. I bear some responsibility for this. I truly apologize."

He stood up and bowed deeply.

I hurriedly stood up and said,

"I appreciate your help, sir. Please stand up."

Wagman straightened up and sat back down.

Thinking the meeting was over, I tried to leave, but he stopped me and rang a bell on his desk.

The butler appeared, and he instructed him to bring Quentin.

I thought it was troublesome but waited patiently, as I had promised during our last meeting.

A few minutes later, Quentin arrived with the butler.

He was surprised to see me and widened his eyes, but quickly composed himself and bowed to me.

"Mr. Rockhart... I'm sorry. I know I made you feel bad, but it was a misunderstanding. I'm really sorry..."

I was surprised by the sincere apology from the arrogant Quentin.

(How did he convince him to apologize? I've heard it's difficult to make a rebellious child apologize sincerely... Well, regardless of the reason, since he's apologizing, I, as an adult, should extend my hand.)

I said, "I'm not holding it against you," and offered my right hand. Quentin hesitated and looked at his father.

When his father nodded firmly, Quentin took my hand and bowed again, saying, "It's late, but I'm glad to meet you."

I replied, "Pleased to meet you, Mr. Wagman," and shook his hand firmly.

(The question is how I will interact with him from now on. I don't plan to attend the academy frequently, and our mental ages are too different. Sharon and the others think of me as a child, which is fine, but I have no intention of adjusting to other children... Well, things will unfold as they will.)

I looked at the satisfied Senator Wagman and thought I might have been outmaneuvered, but since he was acting as a father, I decided not to mind.

I returned home and reported the outcome of the events to Lidi and Sharon.

Sharon was genuinely happy to hear that we could return to the academy, but Lidi looked unconvinced.

"Ultimately, the people who tried to expel you are still in their positions. It feels unresolved."

I had expected Lidi to say this, so I immediately explained my thoughts.

"That's not the case. First, Mr. Bennett and Mr. Chambers will be expelled from the academy by the end of this season. They will be uncomfortable under the headmaster's disapproval. Moreover, Councillor Isherwood and Senator Ibbetson are angry about their failure. I predict that one of them will resign before the new year."

Lidi nodded, so I continued.

"Next, the perpetrator, Mr. Croft, is under house arrest. He won't be able to leave the mansion for a while. Of course, he won't leave voluntarily because he doesn't know what Ibbetson and the others will do to him. How enjoyable is that life? And it's uncertain how long it will last."

"That's true. It would be terrible. But what about the two big fish? What will happen to them?"

I couldn't help but smile at Lidi's cute anger but quickly regained my composure.

"First, Senator Ibbetson's political career is limited to being a councilor. He has no chance of becoming the Speaker."

She tilted her head, "What do you mean?"

"Ibbetson needed the support of the current Speaker, Seaberg, to become the next Speaker. However, this incident has created a rift between them. To Seaberg, it looks like Ibbetson was hiding a dangerous person, Croft, to undermine him. Therefore, Ibbetson's political career is over. He might even face retaliation from Seaberg."

Lidi looked confused, so I explained further.

"In other words, the trump card against Seaberg, Croft, is in Senator Wagman's hands, and Ibbetson can't use him. If Seaberg supports Wagman, Croft won't be used. In that case, retaliating against the traitor Ibbetson won't backfire."

Lidi nodded, "I see. What about Isherwood?"

Unfortunately, Councillor Isherwood will remain as he is," I replied.

Lidi sighed, "That's disappointing."

"At best, the possibility of Isherwood being nominated by Ibbetson when he retires has decreased. This depends on how Seaberg responds to Ibbetson, so it's uncertain."

Lidi muttered, "I guess there's nothing we can do," but then suddenly remembered something.

"By the way, what about the kids who directly harassed you? What will happen to them?"

I chuckled at her intensity, "Nothing will happen to them," I said.

"They're just kids, and they were used by adults. At least Quentin apologized to me. The others were probably just egged on by Councillor Isherwood's daughter, Anita. I don't really care about her. I have no feelings about her since I've never even spoken to her."

"I understand. But don't let them take you for granted in the future. I don't want my Zack to be underestimated by those kids."

I thought Lidi was more childish than I was but nodded, "I understand."

This is the final chapter of the academy conspiracy arc.

(Not the end of Chapter 2)

The day after tomorrow, there will be a side story from the perspective of the information broker, Sai Farman.