Chapter 158
"It seems... the issue has been resolved."
The one who murmured that with quiet emotion was Genius Clidia, the headmaster of the Royal Academy.
Looking down at the schoolyard from the Headmaster's Office window, he let out a deeply reflective sigh.
"I feel sorry for Mrs. Veleno, who was attacked... but, well, since none of the students were harmed, let's consider it a win. She does have a bit of a high-handed attitude... perhaps this served as a good lesson."
Until just recently, suspicious figures had been lurking around the academy.
They were a gang targeting both Saint Reina Laurel and Saint Clael Byrne.
Tempted by a large bounty, the gang, having thrown caution to the wind, extended their reach even to unrelated students and teachers to obtain information on the two.
Genius, who for certain reasons could not leave the academy, had been fretting over the danger to the students... but it seemed the issue had been resolved without major damage.
"You've done well too, Albert."
Genius turned around.
At some point, a man had taken a seat on the reception sofa.
Sitting with legs crossed in a relaxed posture was a man with blue hair brushed back and his shirt open at the chest.
He was Albert Amlet, the department head.
"No, no, I didn't really do anything special. The ones who worked were Mr. Burn and the Holy Angel... that is, Saint Reina."
Amlet said while flapping the open chest of his shirt for no reason, exuding an unnecessary air of seduction.
It was a disrespectful attitude toward his superior, the headmaster, but no reprimand came.
Amlet was one of the few who knew that the headmaster was not human, but a fairy residing in the academy.
They were close enough that such formalities weren't necessary.
"Even so... this time was rough. Who would have thought the gang would target the academy, even if not directly?"
Amlet curled his lips in irony and glanced sideways at Genius.
"Aren't you troubled as headmaster? Mrs. Veleno nearly got kidnapped by the gang and suffered a breakdown, Mr. Shawett leaked internal information and had to be dismissed... if it weren't for those two, none of this would've happened."
"......What are you trying to say, Albert?"
"Well, I was just wondering... maybe the headmaster resents Mr. Burn... and Saint Reina. If they hadn't been at the academy, the gang wouldn't have targeted us."
"............"
"So? What do you really think, Headmaster?"
Genius narrowed his eyes at the probing question.
He stepped away from the window, sat at his desk... and let out a deep, deep sigh.
"...The thought that they're a nuisance is absurd. They bear no responsibility for the gang."
"Is that your true feeling, or just a pretense?"
"Of course, it's my honest opinion."
Genius tapped the desk with his fingers.
"The one who incited the gang was the Holy Nation. That country has always gone berserk over Saints and sacred relics. Blaming those two for it is clearly unreasonable."
"............"
"Besides... as for Mrs. Veleno, perhaps, but Shawett brought it upon himself. He had been involved in shady dealings for quite some time. I was planning to dismiss him sooner or later, so in a way, it worked out."
Areiji Shawett, the magical theory teacher, had long been a tenacious, jealous, and clingy individual.
Moreover, he would show favoritism to certain students he liked—especially female ones—and although there was no proof, he was suspected of leaking test questions in exchange for money or gifts.
He was one of the headaches troubling the headmaster, and once they had something on him, they had planned to fire him.
"Also... I believe Miss Reina and Mr. Burn are essential to this academy. Especially from now on."
"From now on...?"
"Yes, it seems the tide that can no longer be held back is coming."
In the world, there are times when things suddenly accelerate, and stagnant matters begin to move all at once.
Genius believed that now was such a time for the academy.
Many problems that had been postponed were surfacing, pouring down like a waterfall... that time had come.
The fact that 'it' arrived while Reina, Clael, and the brilliant Crown Prince Eric Seincle were enrolled was undoubtedly a twist of fate.
"This is just a hunch... but from now on, many issues will arise within the academy. And solving them will require the strength of Miss Reina and Mr. Burn. Compared to having their help, the gang problem was minor."
"...I see. In that case, all is well."
"No need to worry... I won't kick Mr. Burn out of the academy, so don't worry."
"I have no idea what you're talking about... well then, adios."
Leaving behind that pretentious line, Amlet exited the Headmaster's Office.
Genius gave a wry smile at the subordinate who vanished, leaving behind the scent of men's cologne.
"...At least say goodbye properly. Honestly, such a hopeless child."
Reliable, or perhaps not.
Genius shook his head in exasperation... and just then, the door to the room was knocked.
"Come in."
"Excuse me, Headmaster."
The one who entered was one of the third-year homeroom teachers.
"Is something the matter?"
"Sorry... there's just something I need to report."
"What is it?"
"Well... actually..."
Upon hearing the teacher's report, the headmaster furrowed his brows.
It seemed... a new problem had already arisen.
One problem gone, another appears.
True peace at the academy still seemed far off.