Chapter 40

"We have figured out why their pace drops significantly in the southeast of the academy.

It seems that they have introduced a training regimen that involves running up a steep and uneven slope at full speed during their run.

The number of times they do this varies from student to student, but Allen Lovene runs back and forth on that 500m slope ten times."

Three days after Godolphin assigned Allen the task, Kaines, the caretaker of the Royal Academy, reported to Musica and Godolphin.

This was because Musica had asked Kaines to check the morning activities in that area while inspecting the surroundings of the academy.

"So, you're saying that Allen Lovene runs over 45km at that pace every morning and still seems completely fine...?"

Musica confirmed, sounding amazed.

"Foh foh foh!

Indeed.

From the boy's condition, it seemed too unnatural for his pace to drop significantly due to stamina depletion in the second half...

I suspected he was doing something around there, but this is what it is."

Godolphin laughed delightedly.

"When I heard the name of the club, 'Hill Climbing Club,' I thought it made no sense...

But it seems that the real value lies in this training rather than just running around the perimeter.

...Should I ask Emmy to set up a surveillance magic tool in that area?"

In response to Musica's suggestion, Godolphin thought for a moment and shook his head.

"No, it's important not to interfere too much and to trust the students, leaving it to their own initiative.

What grows will grow even if left alone.

...I can see the general aim.

I was thinking that it wouldn't do to focus solely on stamina for too long...

This is more thought out than I expected."

Seeing Godolphin in a good mood, Musica asked about something that was on her mind.

"...Did the morning classes today manage to do a certain amount of practical training?

Most people have shortened the distance of their morning club activities.

What do you think about this approach, sir?"

At Musica's question, Godolphin's expression darkened immediately.

"If the boy thinks he has completed my task by doing this and asks for a recommendation, I intend to fail him outright.

This task can be completed by reducing the load, even a monkey could do it.

...But he hasn't said anything.

I made it clear that I wouldn't interfere with the club's activities.

I'll wait until the deadline to see his answer."

Saying this, Godolphin's expression became even more serious.

"I would push my classmates to the point of spitting blood and only keep those who can keep up.

...But I'm not expecting the same answer from the boy."

Seeing Godolphin's stern expression, Musica reaffirmed the difficulty of the task.

Allen thought it was a 'perfect scheme,' but Godolphin was not as lenient as to accept a shortened distance.

◆

"The number of members in the Hill Climbing Club has exceeded 100.

What on earth is he thinking...?"

About a month later, Musica reported to Godolphin.

"Hmm.

He can't have forgotten the condition he set himself, 'limited to club members'...

Is he so confident in achieving his goal despite the scale of his actions, or...?"

Godolphin's face was bitter.

"It's hard to believe he would give up so easily after asking for a recommendation so enthusiastically...

Looking at the report on Zold, his mentor, it seems he might be focusing on something more fundamental, like talent development, rather than just completing the task...

That's what I'm starting to think.

When he adjusted the distance for most of the club members the day after receiving the task, he might have already found something more important than passing the task...

Is that overthinking it?"

Godolphin shook his head.

"...Even if the boy is thinking that way, it's separate from the pass/fail judgment.

From my perspective, the key is whether the members of the Hill Climbing Club can run around the perimeter of the academy and take the morning practical exams.

Even if I concede a hundred points, the standard is that his classmates must meet the conditions.

I have no intention of changing this policy."

...Poor Lovene.

Musica thought this but, knowing she couldn't change the stubborn old man's mind, she refrained from speaking.

At this point, Jeffrey, one of the teachers at the Royal Academy, came to consult with Musica.

"Vice Principal.

Do you have a moment to talk about something?"

"Yes, of course, Mr. Jeffrey.

What's the matter?"

"Actually, there's a petition from the parents of a student in our 2nd year D class regarding the general dormitory residency rights.

Apparently, their child bought the residency rights without their permission.

They are asking the school to invalidate the purchase by regulating the transactions."

Musica and Godolphin exchanged glances.

"What are these general dormitory residency rights?

The general dormitory is empty, so anyone who wants to stay there can do so freely, right?"

Hearing Musica's words, Jeffrey was surprised.

"Oh, you haven't heard? Vice Principal.

Right now, it's very popular among students to live in the general dormitory to get away from a luxurious life and train both body and mind. It's not a situation where you can just follow the regular procedures to get in."

Hearing this, Godolphin became very pleased.

"Foh foh foh!

That's a wonderful attitude.

Recently, young people have completely failed to understand how privileged their environment is.

I thought so...

In the Royal Knights, they spend the first few years in field training to toughen up their spirits.

For students to pay money to endure hardship is quite commendable...

It seems that even today's young people are not to be underestimated."

Musica sighed.

"...Indeed, as an educator, it's welcome, but with a petition from a parent, the board can't ignore it.

How much money are we talking about?"

"It's... 5 million reals.

The petition states that this will affect the operation of our earldom."

The enormous amount shocked both Godolphin and Musica.

"5 million reals!?

Musica, what's the state of the facilities in that dormitory now?

When I entered the Royal Academy in the E class, there were no such measures to allow E class students to use the noble dormitory if they paid.

Back then, I couldn't afford to rent a room outside, and I was desperate to get out of that shabby, cramped room, which was like a doghouse.

In the capital, the general dormitory at the time had communal baths.

It was definitely not a place where you would pay such a large sum to live."

Musica hurriedly pulled out some documents and started checking.

"Um...

From about 50 years ago, when the old man was a student...

There are no records of renovations or improvements to the general dormitory.

There were only three repairs for water leaks.

Originally, the dormitory was kept as a place to foster a spirit of rebellion among low-performing students.

It's likely that it has been operating in the same form as when the old man was there.

Even the dorm mother, Sora Sandrion, a famous researcher of monster ingredients, hasn't changed."

"What!?

She was a researcher worth learning from, but she only saw students as experimental subjects and had significant issues as a person.

I thought she was close to 90 years old... Is she still the dorm mother?"

Kaines recalled.

"Right, and it's popular to eat the dorm mother's breakfast.

Actually, I didn't know this either, but I heard that the trend started when all the students in the 1st year A class, which the old man teaches, followed Allen Lovene and moved into the general dormitory.

I also heard that the members of the Hill Climbing Club, which the old man advises, are the ones living there."

Hearing Jeffrey's words, Godolphin was speechless.