Chapter 7

Chapter 6

Academy Entrance - 1

The main building of the Academy, the heart and symbol of the Academy. It is said that the main building was constructed by the Apels Empire, mobilizing all architectural techniques and renowned artists of the time. Even after hundreds of years since the Academy was built, this main building is still considered one of the most beautiful buildings 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 combination of architectural techniques and art? A building renowned on the continent and a muse for 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 entered the Academy without looking back, regardless of what the head of the household said four years ago. At least if I had 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 crying.

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

As soon as I regained my balance, I turned to look at the coachman, who fortunately didn't see me because he was busy整理马缰. Lucky me. If news spread that a young section chief in his early twenties couldn't control his body, it would have caused a stir in the Ministry of Finance.

"You damn brat, why are you so skinny now? You've lost all your muscle from being stuck in the office."

'Is it really true?'

I recalled the minister's words and tentatively touched my legs. It's strange, I don't really feel that way. Is it because I've been stuck in the office? Or is it because I haven't ridden in a carriage for a long time and my body hasn't adapted? Whatever the reason, it's not good news.

'Ugh, damn.'

I was fine in the carriage, but suddenly felt nauseous. Is this land sickness? As I started to struggle with this belated motion sickness, 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 only to transport, it was best to leave as soon as the task was completed. Although one coachman wouldn't cause a national crisis, staying too long would raise suspicions. It's annoying when someone who shouldn't be there lingers. I've seen it happen often.

After watching 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 as an Academy inspector. Wow, I never even dreamed of this...

With a dispirited step, 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, symbolizing the Academy staff, ran up, caught his breath, and smiled.

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

"Yes, I am."

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

The vice-principal extended his hand with a smile, and I shook it.

"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 after saying goodbye to the coachman, so even if I had arrived earlier, the time spent at the main building would have been the same. I wish I had arrived a bit later to calm down. I feel like I'm going to vomit...

Seeing that I wasn't really bothered, the vice-principal relaxed, and his somewhat awkward smile became more natural. A regular inspector who comes periodically to perform routine duties and then leaves could cause trouble if they were offended and decided to tear the Academy apart.

Moreover, this inspector was an emergency inspector sent directly by the Minister of Finance to prepare for the impressive lineup of new students. An inspector who would stay for at least a few months, not just a week. The vice-principal's heart sank at the thought of being late to greet such an important person.

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

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

"Wasn't your name already provided?"

"It's customary for the inspector's identity to be kept secret until they arrive at the Academy. Knowing who it is could lead to pre-arranged contacts and simulations, right?"

"I see. It's 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 unfamiliar with inspector duties. Although I was a person directly appointed by the Minister of Finance, it was still puzzling.

"I am Inspector Karl Krasius."

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

The vice-principal tried to make it sound casual, but his eyes betrayed his unease. The old man must have thought, "The crazy old man has unleashed a monster on the Academy." As this thought crossed his mind, the vice-principal became increasingly silent and moved more quickly.

Inspector Karl Krasius. Even the vice-principal, who had dedicated his life to education and reached his position at the Academy, had heard of this name countless times. But he never wanted to meet this person directly. For someone who receives the empire's salary, meeting the Inspector General usually means a life-changing disaster.

Even knowing that I wasn't there to cause trouble, the vice-principal was breaking out in a cold sweat. Upon arriving at the principal's office, he knocked on the door reverently, like a devout believer discovering 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. Although we would meet often, today's encounter without any preparation was 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.

'Is it the Inspector General?'

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

"It's been a while, Inspector General. Has it been two years?"

The principal's greeting, delivered with a smile, was met with a slight nod and a response from the Inspector General.

"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 healthy."

"That's good to hear."

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

The principal, like the Inspector General, is a section chief in the Ministry of Education, but in terms of protocol, the Inspector General ranks higher.

At that moment, the principal's secretary placed tea in front of the principal and the Inspector General and quietly left. The secretary, usually a bold person, instinctively held back and moved quietly.

'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 playing. To think he's the same age as them is a cognitive dissonance.

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

In any case, the tea provided a good opportunity to lighten the mood. The Inspector General glanced at the tea, took a sip, and put it down. Then he looked back at the principal and spoke.

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

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

"Is that so?"

The Inspector General nodded slightly and remained silent, as if to say, "You talk, I'll listen." The principal, feeling the need to respond, continued.

"I can't express how reassuring it is to have the Inspector General here. With the reduction in security personnel, I was very anxious. But now I feel relieved."

"You flatter me."

"Flattery? Everyone knows the Inspector General's reputation. The punishment of the Neuberg family six months ago and the Ashelon family a year ago are still vivid in my memory."

Despite the excessive flattery, which might make the recipient uncomfortable, the Inspector General showed no interest, looking down at the teacup. The principal, however, didn't stop. He intended to list the Inspector General's achievements and connect it to, "Therefore, I would be grateful if you could use your abilities to maintain the Academy's order."

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

The Inspector General, who had been looking at the teacup, turned his gaze to the principal.

'Oh no.'

This was a mistake. In trying to avoid mentioning certain things, he inadvertently brought them up.

The principal, who seemed flustered, closed his mouth. The Inspector General quietly smiled, but his eyes didn't smile, making it clear that it was a forced smile.

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

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

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

"I won't neglect my duties for the empire. Therefore, there's no need for you to worry, Principal."

"Thank you."

"Then I'll take my leave."

"Yes, I understand. I'll inform you of your accommodations."

The Inspector General nodded silently and turned to leave 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 with a handkerchief, the principal complained. The secretary, who had been listening, asked cautiously.

"If it's a mistake... you mean the North?"

The secretary, with eyes and ears, knew what the Inspector General had reacted to, but not why. Why did he react to the North when he showed no interest in the families mentioned?

The principal shook his head.

"Forget about it. You might find out if you look, but I recommend not looking."

"Ah, yes..."

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

The principal's words sounded like advice to the secretary and a reminder to himself.

The North. The land where a large-scale rebellion by nomads led to a two-year war of suppression four years ago. And the Inspector General 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 it reached a critical point during the conversation with the vice-principal. By the time I entered the principal's office, I was almost at the breaking point. I focused all my attention on calming my stomach to avoid a disaster.

So I don't even 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 now, two years later, it's a topic I avoid, but it's not something I can hide forever. It wasn't something to hide. So I used it as a legitimate reason to leave. I'm sorry for the principal's confusion, but I was also confused, 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 power, 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 of each department, but his supervisor is the second-highest ranking minister.

Thank you for reading this chapter!