“That cannot be.”
“…What?”
I made a bewildered sound and looked at the woman sitting opposite me. She sipped her coffee with an elegant posture and opened her mouth once more.
“I said that cannot be.”
“I thought I must have heard you wrong.”
“You did not hear incorrectly. The proposal submitted by Student Daniel cannot be approved.”
As she tucked her wavy, light brown hair behind her ear and placed her cup down delicately, her name was Professor Charlotte. She was responsible for the second-year transformation magic department and also served as the head of the academic affairs office.
Professor Charlotte, who had bluntly rejected my request to approve Daniel’s proposal, began to stare at me intently with a completely expressionless face. I questioned her, as if demanding an explanation.
“Could you tell me why?”
“……”
“Professor Charlotte?”
“…Ah, I’m sorry. What did you say?”
It was unusual for her to suddenly snap back to reality after I called her name while she had been staring at me in silence. Was she tired?
“I was asking why we cannot approve Student Daniel’s summer vacation activity proposal.”
“Oh, right. Yes… um…”
With a thoughtful expression, Professor Charlotte tucked her hair behind her ear again. I waited silently for her response.
“There are a few complicated reasons… To put it simply, political reasons are involved.”
“Political reasons… you say?”
“Yes. I don’t know if Professor Antorelli is aware, but that area is currently managed by the House of Vallerge.”
I suddenly recalled the information mentioned by the sub-priest Sofia. It had a notorious reputation as a suicide hotspot, known as Hangman’s Mountain for many years, but ownership had transferred to the House of Vallerge over a decade ago, and consistent management had led to the establishment of hiking trails there.
“I’m aware of that.”
“In that case, this will be quicker. From the moment they received ownership of the territory, the House of Vallerge has made every effort to properly utilize the mountain as a territory. They organized the remains left behind and eliminated the wild animals that were consuming the artifacts and bodies scattered throughout the mountain….”
“Still, isn’t there risk remaining, no matter how much effort they put in?”
Professor Charlotte’s expression became nuanced as she heard my question. It was not one of displeasure but rather one that suggested some degree of agreement with my concern.
“I think so too. Frankly, people’s perceptions don’t change so easily.”
“Then, why on earth….”
“The House of Vallerge is a highly esteemed family known for their swordsmanship. While they are not a first-class founding noble family, they are a second-class founding noble family.”
“What does that have to do with anything?”
“Professor Antorelli. The Caldera Imperial Academy cannot cover its operating costs solely with the tuition fees paid by students.”
The Caldera Imperial Academy was as large as its reputation. And the substantial operating costs poured into maintaining it each year included expenses for the convenience of students and staff, free meals, and affordable dormitory operations.
It was indeed realistic to say that it was difficult to cover all that with tuition fees alone paid by students’ families.
“Most of the academy’s operating costs and budget are covered by sponsorships from the royal family and noble families, as well as taxes collected from the nobles by the royal family. According to imperial laws, the operating costs of the royal academy are mandated to be covered in this way.”
While not as severe as a few hundred years in the Middle Ages, the nobility of the empire still held their heads high. Managing territories and occupying important positions in the royal family were all the responsibilities of the nobility.
Although the old customs of looking down on commoners were gone, the flow of wealth was still centered around the nobility.
Therefore, it could be expected that the amount of taxes they paid to the royal family annually would be enormous. Furthermore, if you added the royal support and voluntary donations from noble families, it was not difficult to cover the operating costs of this enormous academy.
“Several noble families are paying significant sponsorships under the pretense of contributing to the development of the academy for their children’s admission. They even draft contracts to sponsor a certain amount each year, so that tells you all you need to know.”
“If that’s the case, wouldn’t unfair admissions arise in the process of entering the academy?”
“The academic council does not allow such lax admissions. If they accepted just anyone, it would tarnish the reputation of the academy as one of the leading institutions in the empire.”
“However….”
“They are confident. For children who have grown with the help of noble families who have honed their skills over the years, getting into the Caldera Imperial Academy is not that difficult…”
It was not incomprehensible. What I truly could not understand was why Professor Charlotte suddenly brought up all of this.
“Could it be that the reason you are saying all this is…?”
“Yes. The House of Vallerge also pays sponsorships to the academy every year. If we openly reject a proposal submitted by the Occult Research Club, of which the daughter of the House of Vallerge is a member, it could offend them.”
“…….”
“Professor Antorelli, regardless of how we view it, the redevelopment of Hangman’s Mountain is a project the House of Vallerge has put significant effort into. If we reject a proposal to visit such a place without a valid reason, the House of Vallerge might perceive it as the academy’s stance.”
“Especially since there is Student Vivian in the Occult Research Club as well, it becomes even more so.”
“Exactly. Now you’re getting it.”
“Ha….”
I let out a deep sigh and repeatedly splashed my face with cold water.
I understood the circumstances that prevented the academic affairs office from rejecting Daniel’s proposal. What left me feeling frustrated was the observation that I wouldn’t be able to stop a current that even the academic affairs office could not resist.
“I feel a bit sorry about this. It was out of our control…”
“It’s alright. I understand as well.”
“Still, since the House of Vallerge has been managing it fairly diligently, and it’s a place that’s gained some notoriety among climbers, I don’t think it can be viewed too negatively.”
“Yes, well…”
Is it possible that Daniel chose that place as a summer vacation activity for no good reason?
There was something there. Daniel’s decision at least seemed that way to me.
‘I need to ask Daniel.’
At this point, it seemed impossible to bury Daniel’s plan. I resolved to talk to Daniel and stood up from my seat.
“Thank you for making time for me even though you must be busy with the academic affairs office.”
“No, if you have any other questions, feel free to come by anytime. I’ll be at work in the mornings during the summer break as well.”
“…Thank you for your efforts.”
“It’s nothing.”
Turning my gaze away from her seemingly empty eyes, I left the academic affairs office.
– Clatter.
“Head Priest.”
“Sub-priest Sofia.”
As I opened the door and stepped out, Sub-priest Sofia, who had been waiting for me in the hallway, smiled weakly. Knowing that it was likely due to the hot weather and Daniel’s proposal, I didn’t feel too good.
“What happened?”
“The academic affairs office has taken the position that they cannot approve it.”
As I walked down the hallway with the lethargic Sub-priest Sofia, I briefly explained the lengthy reasons I had heard from Professor Charlotte.
“…So, the academic affairs office cannot approve Daniel’s proposal.”
“…I understand. So, what should we do now?”
“I think we need to talk to Student Daniel.”
“That sounds right.”
Just then, as we were about to head to the Occult Research Club Room.
“Professor Antorelli.”
Hearing the familiar voice calling my name, I turned around absentmindedly.
And there she was….
“…Student Adelheit?”
“Yes, it’s me.”
It was Laura von Adelheit, whom I had seen in the auditorium. I took this opportunity to ask her what had been on my mind since the auditorium.
“Are you feeling alright?”
“Yes, I’m okay now. The doctor said I’m fine too.”
Come to think of it, Laura’s complexion looked quite good. Her ordinarily pale skin now had a faint blush, giving her a healthy glow. I felt the knots of worry untangling as I spoke.
“I’m glad to hear that.”
“Were you worried about me?”
“How could I not be concerned?”
“I see…”
Laura, who had momentarily looked down and muttered something, soon lifted her head to meet my gaze and spoke.
“By the way, Professor, didn’t you forget something?”
“…What?”
It was a somewhat surprising question. Laura’s bright red eyes looking at me seemed oddly luminous.
“Did I forget something?”
“Yes.”
“Is there something to forget?”
“I just discovered there was something important.”
Her eyes, those bright red eyes, appeared deep as if they would swallow me whole. Were they empty?
As I failed to respond, Laura’s red eyes began to lose their light. I felt an incomprehensible sense of threat as I averted my gaze from those eyes.
Then, Laura suddenly grasped my hand.
“Professor?”
“…Yes.”
“Why are you avoiding my gaze?”
“Uh, no, it’s… nothing. More importantly, can you please tell me what I’ve forgotten?”
“Really, you don’t know? Sigh….”
The pressure I felt on my hand disappeared. As I looked into her red eyes, which had returned to their usual state, I almost let out a sigh of relief.
At that moment, Laura gestured for me to lower my head. I complied and leaned forward as she asked.
Then, Laura came closer and whispered into my ear. Her breath tickled my ear.
“Your name.”
“Name… you say?”
“Yes. Didn’t you say you would call me by my name from now on?”
“…Ah.”
I thought it was something serious, but it turned out to be something trivial. I straightened my upper body and called out her name.
“Laura.”
“…Yes.”
Laura nodded with a hint of joy. The difference in her demeanor from moments ago made me wonder if I was dreaming.
“So, what brings you here?”
“Yes?”
“You called me, didn’t you?”
“Um… I just called out. Is that a problem?”
“…….”
The thoughts of students can often be unpredictable.
