NOVEL NEXT Chapter 3
The budget allocation meeting, akin to a war, concluded with 60% for the Field of Magic, 25% for Martial Arts, and 15% for the Administrative field.
If we just look at the result, one could argue that an excessive budget was allocated for hair loss treatment, but the Field of Magic typically snags over 40%, while Administration usually gets around 10%. The remainder went to Martial Arts.
Especially since some professors vocally supported Professor Circe’s research topic.
“Even if our lab’s budget is cut, I will support Professor Circe.”
“Ultimately, we are scholars and researchers. Investing more in research for humanity’s future is the right thing to do.”
“Professor Circe’s research will save the world.”
It wasn’t even worth mentioning that those who stood up while speaking, passionately carried away by emotion, had shiny bald spots on their heads.
The few who still had plenty of hair largely accepted this, especially since Professor Circe had already achieved results in Life Magic, suggesting a real chance of success in her developments.
Of course, I had plenty of hair, so I focused purely on the financial perspective.
‘If we actually succeed in developing hair loss treatment, we could drastically delay the academy’s bankruptcy.’
Or rather, if we don’t underestimate the financial power of those suffering from hair loss, it might even become a long-term revenue source for the academy.
And to make that happen, I needed to negotiate with Professor Circe.
‘I can’t just give research to the church like last time; that would be utterly pointless.’
Honestly, it was annoyingly infuriating. Aren’t you all eating, sleeping, and researching with money from the academy? Isn’t that considered an investment? What’s the big deal about getting some of it back?
I don’t know if Professor Circe will succeed in developing hair loss treatment within the next three years.
But first, I needed to meet her and discuss in detail before the research began.
‘Let me just finish this budget allocation report, and then I’ll go meet her.’
There wasn’t much left to do. I just needed to draft a basic plan, write the detailed budget allocation, prepare the minutes of this meeting, analyze the impact of the allocation results, draft the priority research proposals, leave them for review in the relevant departments, get the budget distribution reports, and draft the final approval report to send to the chairman.
Ah, and in the meantime, I had to answer questions and objections raised regarding the budget, prepare additional budget proposals required by the regulations, and politely send away professors asking for a little more budget, all while continuously checking operation costs, maintenance costs, payroll, tuition revenues, and expense reports.
By the time all that was over, actually getting to meet Professor Circe to schedule an appointment would be a pipe dream.
Gosh, I absolutely can’t meet her.
‘Last year, I was so busy I even forgot what research I was doing. I have to manage somehow this year.’
I heard the healing potion improvement research took about two years. Ideally, assuming developing hair loss treatment takes two years as well, just developing the potion wouldn’t automatically mean profits start rolling in.
I’d have to establish a distribution network, obtain sales permits for each territory, and since it’s a pharmaceutical product, it would also need to pass inspections from the royal medical department and the church. Profit wouldn’t start flowing in until at least a month after sales begin.
Naturally, three years was barely enough, almost impossible. But with no other options, I had to cling to hope.
If I could just explain this kind of situation, but the looming bankruptcy was a secret only between the chairman and me.
‘I need people.’
That was a thought I’d had since accepting the Finance Director position a year ago, and it hasn’t changed since.
I may be called the Finance Director, but the finance department is just me. Even so, being the head of a department at my age and experience feels like striking gold. My academy colleagues who got hired around the same time are all still underlings in different departments while I’m the director.
I’m even receiving the chairman’s favor to prevent bankruptcy, so naturally, any normal academy staff would look at me with resentment.
If I were just a new employee who caught the chairman’s eye, staying by his side like a secretary while snagging such an important director position, I’d be cursing like crazy behind his back.
I had to go meet Professor Circe myself to schedule the appointment for that exact reason. If I were a real director, I could send someone in my place; but somehow, I ended up as a loner.
Sure, I might have muscle, but even with a high position, am I going to tell other department staff to do this? Let’s just say that’s a question I didn’t sincerely mean.
If I’m supposed to meet with various departments about budget management anyway, pulling that type of stunt would ruin my reputation.
‘…Honestly, it seems I’ve hit rock bottom already…’
Having overheard the ridiculous rumor of being the chairman’s secret lover—a notion I can’t help but find absurd considering the age difference—what a lovely relationship that would make… grandson and grandmother, don’t you think?
Anyway, if I can resolve the bankruptcy issue, Grandis Academy will be my lifelong job. Unless it’s right at the brink of bankruptcy, I want to maintain a good relationship with the staff.
‘Three years left means we’re not at the edge yet.’
That’s probably true. Either way, the world isn’t ending tomorrow.
…While I was lost in thought, I continued working on the reports I needed to complete. If I can’t manage this level of multitasking, I don’t deserve to be in this position.
‘Buying new exercise equipment? Just have them repair it haphazardly. The combat arena repairs… let’s keep it with the Artisan Guild, but shouldn’t I ask for a regular discount this time? Even if I want to cut down on labor costs, the chairman would probably refuse.’
While handling budget allocations, new equipment purchases, repair requests, and other financial reports, suddenly—
Knock knock.
“Come in………Laura?”
“Long time no see, Adam.”
Startled by the sudden knock, I quickly shoved important documents about the academy’s financial situation into the safe.
However, since she entered without permission, I scowled a bit, even though I stood out among staff for being particularly disliked.
I couldn’t help but tilt my head upon seeing an unexpected face.
“It has been a while; since you got hired, it’s the first time I’m seeing you. Just a year, huh?”
“Right. You seem… pretty busy?”
“Yeah, you could say that.”
Laura Edelvine. A colleague from the administrative side at the academy who, like me, made it into the top 5 and got hired at Grandis Academy.
She came from a noble background, which is rare in administration, and she’s pretty, sharp-witted, and quite popular.
We happened to get close since our majors overlapped, but I had been keeping a bit of distance from Laura.
Some might say it’s a shame to ignore a beautiful classmate, but…
“Laura, how have you been lately?”
“Honestly, I’m nowhere near adjusted to this work. But what can I do? If I work at the academy for over three years, I get benefits when applying for graduate school.”
“…Oh, really?”
“I’m determined to become a graduate student, no matter what.”
She’s definitely gone off the deep end.
Most importantly…
“So, Adam, how about you?”
“What, what do you mean?”
“Why are you avoiding eye contact like that? I obviously mean we should go to grad school together. You’re smart, so you’ll easily get your doctorate.”
She’s trying to get me to go to grad school while looking desperately at other acquaintances.
She is a good friend, but it’s genuinely terrifying that she suddenly got stuck on grad school during her third year.
I turned her down flatly, but the bond and memories formed over three years meant I maintained some level of relationship, which worked against me.
In the end, Laura had only a few friends left who could be called acquaintances in our circle.
As a result, she became a remorseful friend who constantly urges others to attend graduate school whenever she sees someone familiar.
‘It’s been okay since I became Finance Director and didn’t have to see her.’
I was breaking out in a cold sweat as I observed Laura showing no sign of losing her madness even after a year.
After looking at me briefly, Laura sighed and crossed her arms. I sensed something jiggling, but it scared me more than it interested me, so I kept avoiding her gaze.
She appeared to hesitate for a moment, and then—
“Anyway… this time, it’s not as a fellow classmate, but because I need to ask something from you, our Finance Director.”
“A request?”
“Yeah. Don’t tell me you’re upset just because a lowly employee is making a request.”
“Of course not.”
Honestly, I felt a bit guilty for dodging Laura this long, and she was a perfectly good friend when not talking about grad school.
More than anything, I was trying to maintain a certain image, and if she asked first, there’s no reason for me to refuse. The mound of paperwork was the only obstacle.
Seeing the pile on my desk made Laura flinch slightly, then she spoke in a softer voice.
“Uh, you do have time, right?”
“For your request, of course.”
“………Okay.”
But what would it be that Laura would ask of me?
As far as I remember, Laura worked on paperwork in the food ingredients department. If it were a simple matter, she would have reported it to her manager. The fact that she came to me directly means…
“Do you know Raven Trading Company?”
“Of course. They supply the food ingredients.”
The student cafeteria and shop at the academy exclusively use the food materials provided by Raven Trading Company.
It might be a small-scale trading company, but with a long history, and I heard they were trading with the academy since before I enrolled.
“They sent an official letter… regarding this year’s contract renewal.”
“That’s something that happens every year.”
“True, but…”
“What’s up? Speak properly.”
“…This time the contract terms have changed. There’s no reduction in food prices.”
“Oh, right, Raven Trading Company mentioned considering a price drop last year.”
I remembered reading it in the reports. It seemed to be showing consideration for Grandis Academy after trading for a long time.
Given the amount needed for all the academy’s students, professors, and staff, even a small reduction in price means significant budget savings.
‘She should just report this straight to her department head.’
Is she really telling me this because she doesn’t want to face her boss? This isn’t Laura’s fault. It’s those scoundrels at Raven Trading Company who broke their promise or whatever.
The food ingredients department head is quite flexible; even if Laura reported honestly, she probably wouldn’t be scolded. I see now that I was starting to forget Laura’s young professional status.
After a year of dealing with all sorts of paperwork and business, how messed up I was to nudge what should be considered normal expectations onto her. Relying on a friend who’s slightly resented due to her higher position is normal enough.
“And there’s another changed condition…”
“What is it? If it’s a price increase, just say we can’t accept it. Your department head will handle it.”
“It’s not an increase…”
“Then what is it?”
“…They’re reducing the supplied food ingredients to two-thirds.”
Wait, what?
Did I just hear that correctly?
“So, if I’m hearing you right…”
“Yeah.”
“Last year’s price stays the same, but you’re cutting down the supply?”
“…Yeah.”
“Those filthy bastards.”
“Uh, Adam?”
“Laura, I’m sorry, but I need you to do me a favor. Contact those scoundrels at the trading company. We need to talk in person.”
“They’re not scoundrels, it’s Raven… I’ll get this done, but when?”
“Today.”
“Huh?”
“Tell them to come over immediately unless they plan on cutting our deal!”
I wasn’t satisfied just with sending the chairman off on a long-distance fishing expedition to alleviate my frustration!
After Laura hurried off to make contact, I began sorting through the mountain of paperwork nestled between files stuck to the wall.
To face those scoundrels at the trading company, I needed some information as well.
Reflecting on the wise words of a CEO from a prime seafood city—”Money is always right”—I skimmed through the report on the scoundrels at the trading company.
[Um, Finance Director! Can you hear me? Hear me?! I’m really struggling here! I’ve been cramming for five days catching tuna and I really miss you—]
“………….”
…Could selling this communication magic tool help stabilize our finances?