**Chapter 449: The Legend of the Fastest Dean**
A group of people huddled around Euphilia in the flowerbed between two large buildings.
Seeing Euphilia in the crowd, the opposing group couldn’t help but get all revved up.
Another round of greetings ensued.
Just when the folks from the Modern School were gearing up to say something more, someone from the Classical School stepped in.
“Hold on! We can’t just have our Dean standing and talking like this, can we?”
“Good point! Let’s sit down, let’s sit down!”
They found a nearby gazebo.
“Dean, please, take a seat.”
Ordinary folks might feel awkward being treated with such flattery, but Euphilia? She’s seen it all!
So, she plopped down while the other twenty-something Modern School people and over ten Classical School folks surrounded her like a protective bubble.
“Professor Euphilia, I’ve spent all night pondering over your ideas. I have some questions!” Eric, the leader of the Modern School, made the first move.
But before he could finish his sentence, he was cut off.
“Wait! What angle are you asking from? Is it just a chat, or are you actually seeking guidance?”
“Uh, I suppose seeking guidance?”
“Well, since that’s the case, we must follow our Classical School’s etiquette. There needs to be a proper student-teacher ritual.”
Student-teacher ritual?
Eric, who looked like he was in his fifties, was going to bow to this girl who looked under twenty?
Well, why not?
When it comes to academia, merit reigns supreme. Age is just a number!
“Professor Euphilia, I have some areas I find unclear, and I hope you can enlighten me regarding your…”
“Stop! Not so fast!” He was interrupted again.
“Mr. Eric still needs to make some sort of offering. It doesn’t matter the value, the gesture has to be there; that’s how etiquette works!”
Eric was flabbergasted, as was everyone behind him from the Modern School, including Euphilia herself.
Seriously? It’s this convoluted?
She turned her head and glanced at the person next to her.
That person immediately whispered, “This is a long-standing tradition among the Human Race. We, the Classical School, obviously adhere to tradition.”
Euphilia pondered this for a moment—it did seem to hold some truth.
From this perspective, the Classical School was indeed pretty traditional.
“Not to mention, when the Modern School was running rampant before, they belittled us to no end, threw everything aside. Now, we’re definitely reclaiming our dignity.”
And let’s not even get into the actual value; saving face is the name of the game! This is about pride!
But the Modern folks weren’t having it either.
Borne stepped forward, “We’re here discussing things with Professor Euphilia regarding the Modern School. Why are you Classical folks butting in? Have you finished your research? Is your class done? Shouldn’t you be busy doing your own thing?”
Brook also chimed in, “Our Classical School’s professors are holding a research seminar. Of course, we need to show our support. What are you guys in the Modern School doing? Trying to steal our Dean’s research results?”
“You’re not even in a position to talk to me like that.”
“Our Dean has no interest in conversing with uncouth folks; I’ll step in for her.”
They were about to launch into a staring contest.
Euphilia just sat there, watching them with amusement.
Researchers tend to be pretty pure-hearted; in some ways, they’re like children.
“This thing is mine! No, it’s mine!” and then they bicker on and on.
It was quite entertaining.
At that moment, a Modern School instructor found an opportunity.
“I think Professor Euphilia doesn’t strictly belong to the Classical School, right? Isn’t being Classical supposed to resemble Brook? Professor Euphilia doesn’t have that vibe.”
What exactly does being like Brook mean? He didn’t elaborate.
“Our Dean from the Classical School, could she even not be Classical?”
“She used to be, but after presenting those three research ideas, she’s eligible to join our Modern School. We welcome her anytime.”
That sounded kinda reasonable; the logic held up, but Borne shot a glare at the talking instructor.
She’s the Dean, and I’m the Dean too! What do you mean letting her come over here? Trying to kick me out?
That instructor quickly backtracked, “What I meant was she can belong to both the Classical and Modern Schools. Our Magic Academy dean position has been vacant for ages, and since Professor Euphilia exhibits talents in both schools, why not let her take the dean position?”
Upon hearing this, the Modern folks lit up, but the Classical School’s expressions went all over the place.
Isn’t that like splitting Euphilia right down the middle and handing half to the opposition?
But it’s also true she’s the best candidate for the Dean position. Plus, if she goes up, there’ll be an opening below!
This all ultimately depended on Euphilia’s decision.
If Euphilia became the dean of the Magic Academy, it would essentially unify both schools. That would definitely benefit her, allowing her direct research access to both schools’ magic.
But wait, there was still one pressing issue.
“What responsibilities come with being dean? You all know I’m quite busy.”
Busy sleeping… I mean, busy researching!
Hearing her express some willingness, Borne clapped, “Professor Euphilia, don’t worry! So many of us here, whatever you can’t manage, we can always help!”
Oh, that sounds great! It’s like hiring a whole crew!
And one by one, they’re all high-quality workers.
It’s even possible to delegate tasks like university professors on Blue Star, passing the grunt work to grad students, while just giving directions and reviewing papers.
Sounds like a dream job!
“Well, if that’s the case, I could accept. But I’ve only been at the academy for under ten days. Isn’t it a bit inappropriate for me to jump to being dean?”
She threw in a symbolic touch of humility.
Inappropriate? Didn’t you just parachute in on your first day as the Dean?
“Perfectly appropriate! If someone’s capable, they should hold a high position!”
This conversation went rather smoothly between the two factions, agreeing that all that was needed was to formally present a request to the dean, Mitina, for her official appointment.
Finding a singular candidate that both sides support is quite a rarity; Mitina would undoubtedly give her stamp of approval without any hesitation.
After all, this position has been vacant for many years, with no one stepping up.
And since this person is Euphilia, her appointment is practically a done deal.
So, the professors and instructors started showering her with the title of “Dean” one after another.
Euphilia was completely indifferent to the title; she’s seen it all before!
Now that she’s the Dean, the Modern folks could ask her questions, and the Classical folks couldn’t meddle as much.
But even they had their benefits; the classes Euphilia offered in the academy would still be Classical magic classes.
Later, Euphilia sat in the gazebo, between the two school buildings, and detailed her three ideas once more in front of the instructors from both factions, answering a bunch of questions along the way.
