Chapter 116: The Academy Director
“Hmm… so Ryu-kun’s dark rumor is spreading throughout the academy… this is quite problematic,” said one voice.
“That’s right. It’s really bad,” another replied.
“Normally, it wouldn’t be a huge deal, but at the Imperial Academy, where all the nobles gather… well, that’s another story.”
“Yes. That’s why we need to deal with it quickly.”
“Don’t be unreasonable… I’m not a genius like my sister, you know.”
The man under pressure in the Director’s office was Bradley Astoria, known simply as Bradley. He was the younger brother of the reigning Empress Iris.
Though he carried royal blood, he was relatively ordinary, and while his relationship with his sister was good, he had been chosen to lead the academy for his diligent nature a few years prior.
In short: a puppet of the Empress.
“If this continues, it’ll inconvenience Marquis Grace, and I’ll get scolded by my sister, so I really need to fix it soon,” Bradley continued.
“You mention Marquis Grace and Her Majesty… does that mean you don’t care about the Arden Viscount House?”
“No, no, that’s not it…”
“Hmm… I wonder about that…”
Bradley often socialized with Marquis Grace, and perhaps influenced by that, he referred to Ryu casually as “Ryu-kun.”
“If it hasn’t spread to the teachers yet, then it’s probably a student deliberately spreading the rumor.”
“I agree. But do you have any idea who it might be?”
“There’s no way I could know…”
“And you’re the Director?”
“Yep…”
(Young people these days… scary.)
“At this point, the academy has two choices: issue an official statement about the rumor or pretend it never happened… either way, it’s going to be troublesome.”
Rumors are rumors. Announcing them risks exposing students who otherwise would have had no idea about Ryu’s so-called “dark side.” Leaving it alone could be interpreted as tacit approval. Trouble is inevitable either way.
“Well, I’ll start by meeting with the vice Director and the grade heads,” Bradley sighed.
“Please do.”
“Yes, I’ll handle it.”
“Really, I’m counting on you.”
“I understand…”
Ryu shot him a sharp glare as he left the office.
Bradley slumped against his desk, letting out a long sigh.
“Ah… if only I had the brains to handle this on my own…”
(Then again, if I had talent, my sister would have probably marked me as a rival… so maybe this is the best solution after all.)
He began methodically drafting letters to the Vice-Director and grade heads. Despite being ordinary, Bradley had an extraordinary knack for navigating bureaucracy—perhaps enviable in its own right.
(Sigh… exhausting…)
That afternoon, Ryu skipped the dining hall, instead munching on a sandwich in the staff room.
(Hmm… the chef at the second mansion really is talented…)
The chef was a woman introduced by the Grace Marchioness’s family, now working at the second mansion. She had prepared Ryu’s sandwiches since morning, winning the loyalty of Ryu, Rena, and Esther alike.
Normally, Ryu would visit Esther’s lab before noon and invite her and Homura to the dining hall, but until the rumor was resolved, he planned to eat alone in the staff room.
Of course, both girls knew about this arrangement…
“Why didn’t you come to get me?!”
“Impossible right now. I told you this morning.”
“I don’t care about me! Let’s go to the dining hall!”
Esther pulled at Ryu’s arm, chanting her usual battle cries, but he remained unmoved.
Going to the hall now could reveal Esther as associated with the Arden Viscount House—a risk they couldn’t take.
“Not true. Calm down. Look, there’s plenty of space, and sandwiches are stacked high.”
“Fine, I guess~”
“Here, eat up!”
“Gyaa! Me too!”
“Of course. Eat as much as you want.”
And so, lunch was eaten in the staff room.
“So, Ryu, I assume you’ve at least narrowed down the culprit?” Esther asked between bites.
“Not yet.”
“Huh… surprising.”
“I can’t think of any noble who would clearly oppose the Arden family. I’ve always tried to avoid unnecessary hate, after all.”
“Sure, but surely some nobles aren’t entirely fond of you?”
“…If I had to pick, maybe the Duke Blake family. That idiot Nelson, the second son, I practically forced out as a lecturer. I heard his younger brother now attends the academy.”
“The simplest theory is he’s taking revenge and spread Ryu’s ‘dark rumor.’”
“Yeah, but I doubt an imperial top student and duke’s son would do something so easily traceable.”
“So you ignored it?”
“Exactly. No three-year-old would act so recklessly in the empire’s top academy.”
“…Hmm.” munch munch
“…Hmm.” munch munch
“Well, I’ll at least keep them under observation. Fools exist everywhere.”
“Indeed. Arrogant brats are everywhere.”
Before they knew it, the sandwich pile was gone, and the afternoon chime rang. They parted ways, returning to their respective duties.
Meanwhile, in the Duke’s mansion, the fourth son of the Blake family, Klim Blake, was plotting.
“Klim-sama, as planned, the academy is abuzz with rumors about that instructor.”
“Heh heh heh… taste the revenge for my brother being unjustly dismissed!”
“If this continues, the instructor will likely be expelled from the academy, and ostracized by noble society. What is your next move? Will you continue to target the Viscount House?”
“My next target is his sister. I haven’t forgotten the insult of her publicly refusing my harem offer. A mere viscount’s daughter thinks she can play hard to get…”
“Her ties with the Blanc Count family could complicate things.”
“I don’t care. I am a member of one of the four duke families in the empire! Let them try! After tormenting her thoroughly, I’ll forcibly add Rena Arden to my harem! Heh heh heh…”
In the noble district of the capital Wheal, a carriage arrived at the Grace Marchioness’ second mansion, next to the Arden Viscount House.
The door opened, and a man stepped down.
“Been a while since I visited. Still, our mansion is as beautiful as ever… and apparently, the neighboring estate was gifted to the Arden Viscount House… seems true enough.”
She gazed at the sky, lost in thought.
“I wonder if Ryu-kun is doing well… hmm, maybe I’ll drop by for some fun tonight!”
“Master, perhaps that’s… not a good idea.”
“It’ll be fine. Ryu-kun’s kind; I’m sure he’ll welcome me.”
“That’s not really the point…”
“Haha, just joking. First things first, I need to prioritize my time with Flora today.”
The Grace Marchioness stepped lightly into her mansion, the day’s matters awaiting her.