The Academy is Doomed

Chapter 43

“Is that truly your intention?”

“Yes, father.”

The Emperor, Sandrio Argia Amonis, was having a private conversation with Crown Prince Kaias.

“Hmm, certainly there won’t be anything for you to do for a while. With me being healthy now, it would cause gossip for you, the Crown Prince, to be involved in political matters. Therefore, I knew you were feeling bored…”

The Emperor spoke while resting his chin on his hand.

“Why specifically Amonis Academy? If you simply want to perform teaching duties, there must be other academies.”

“Father.”

“I’m listening.”

“I believe it’s time to slowly shake off the old grudges of the past.”

“…”

“I felt it during your previous conversation with the Drake youth. He is not someone who should be held back by past grudges, by the grudges of previous generations.”

The Crown Prince spoke while placing his hand on his chest.

“That heart for caring about students. Isn’t it truly a model example of a proper imperial educator?”

“Hmm…”

He had roughly heard the Crown Prince’s intentions from the Empress.

The deep-seated animosity between the Emperor and the Drake family.

The Crown Prince wanted to go to Amonis Academy himself to cut off this long-standing grudge.

“So that’s it indeed. I wanted to hear those intentions directly from your mouth. Very well, if that is truly your intention, I won’t stop you.”

“Thank you, father.”

“However, make sure to thoroughly hide your identity as Crown Prince.”

“What? But…”

The Crown Prince, who was lost in thought for a moment, nodded.

“Indeed, if I suddenly face him as the Crown Prince, it would be difficult to hear his true thoughts. Your words are wise.”

The Emperor nodded and continued speaking.

“Also, a protruding stone gets hammered. Your power is far too great to be just an academy teacher. It would be better to hide your abilities.”

Despite his young age, Kaias was among the top Sword Masters, and also a powerful 8th Circle Master in magic.

Such overwhelming power couldn’t be wielded while belonging to an academy.

“I will keep it in mind. As they say, strike while the iron is hot, I will depart immediately.”

Crown Prince Kaias.

No, ‘Kai’, an academy teacher applicant, left the imperial palace.

* * *

‘Kai’, who arrived at the academy, blinked his eyes.

“Oh, oh my…?”

“Hm?”

An old man who was sweeping outside the main gate frowned and approached.

“You…aren’t you clearly the Crown Prince?”

“L-Lord Reinbelt? Lord, why are you sweeping here?”

The Empire Four Knights, one of the Grand Sword Masters, the Azure Sky Sword King Reinbelt.

How could he be sweeping outside the main gate?

Reinbelt smiled broadly and said.

“Well, it’s a long story. But what brings you here? With such crude magic on your face.”

Kai smiled bitterly.

For an 8th Circle Master’s appearance-changing magic to be called ‘crude’.

“As expected, you recognized me, Lord. Well, I have reasons to hide my identity.”

“Reasons…I suppose it’s not something I need to know?”

“Of course. It won’t cause you any trouble at all.”

“Hmm. Is that so?”

Reinbelt stroked his chin and said while swinging his broom.

“Hey, but seriously, what brings you here?”

“Hahaha, I plan to perform teaching duties here.”

“…Huh? You? Here?”

“Yes. I’ve already discussed it with father.”

“Hmm, so His Majesty approved as well.”

Reinbelt, who had been nodding his head, nodded again.

“I see. Follow me. I’ll guide you to the headmaster.”

“Yes, thank you.”

And now.

Kai was facing Anar’el, who had a stern expression.

‘Princess Anar’el, as expected, doesn’t recognize me.’

Even without the magic cast on his face, Kai and Anar’el had never met before.

Until now, they had only known each other through the Emperor and Empress’s stories.

Anyway, Anar’el, who was looking at Kai with a serious face, opened her mouth.

“You said your name was Kai?”

“Yes, that’s correct.”

Anar’el, who was staring intensely at Kai’s face over her interlocked fingers, spoke.

“Why did you decide to work as a teacher here?”

Kai was taken aback by the sudden question.

“W-Well… Amonis Academy is a prestigious academy with a long history, and I’ve always wanted to work here.”

“…Did you come after hearing rumors about our victory in the exchange competition?”

“Pardon? Exchange competition?”

News of mere academy exchange competitions doesn’t reach the Crown Prince!

Anar’el spoke with a hardened expression.

“Is that not it?”

“Th-That’s right.”

“…Tch!”

Anar’el clicked her tongue and handed a gold coin to the young man sitting beside her.

And the young man who received the gold coin, Amon, nodded with a bright smile.

“See, Headmaster? I told you the rumors haven’t spread far yet.”

“But we beat Vestric Academy…”

“They’ll spread quickly soon enough.”

Anar’el, who clicked her tongue in disappointment, continued speaking.

“Then, Kai?”

“Yes, Headmaster.”

“First, do you have any preferred subjects you’d like to teach?”

At those words, Kai spoke confidently.

“I have some knowledge in all subjects, including swordsmanship, magic, history, mathematics, and other general studies. I will work hard with whatever subject you assign me.”

A shocking declaration of being able to handle all subjects!

While Amon’s eyes glinted with suspicion that such an outstanding talent would come to a failing academy, Anar’el expressed joy without any doubt.

“That’s amazing! Then you can handle any subject?”

“Of course!”

“As it happens, most subjects are vacant.”

Amon sighed.

There was no need to so blatantly state that the academy was failing.

‘He probably knew roughly what he was getting into, but won’t he be disappointed hearing about being half-ruined directly from the headmaster?’

He quickly looked at Kai’s expression, but he actually seemed pleased.

“That means there’s plenty of room for development! I’ll work hard!”

Seeing this, Amon nodded.

‘This guy’s crazy too.’

Well, the fact that someone capable of teaching all subjects came to an academy that could collapse at any time with its foundations completely gone was proof enough that he wasn’t in his right mind.

However, Anar’el seemed overjoyed at Kai’s enthusiastic appearance.

“You’re just the talent our academy needs! Good! You’re hired!”

A ruthless hiring declaration!

Even Kai was surprised.

“D-Don’t you need to verify my abilities? No, checking teaching credentials…”

At this point, Amon, who had something to feel guilty about, quickly continued.

“We can verify abilities gradually, and teaching credentials? You can get them later.”

“But…”

“Besides, as you probably roughly know, our academy is currently suffering from severe staff shortages. When you’ve come to our academy like this and shown such enthusiasm, what do abilities matter?”

Amon continued with a gentle smile.

“We can fill in and develop lacking abilities. Even if you have shortcomings, you don’t need to worry too much.”

Kai sensed Amon’s reassuring voice.

‘Amon Drake…as I expected, he was indeed a proper person.’

Isn’t this truly a model educator!

What do shortcomings matter? One can learn and improve!

Therefore, Kai was moved with emotion, while Amon watched Kai’s reaction and thought.

‘Good. I’ve convinced him well. At least I don’t have to worry about him running away immediately.’

You can’t just chase away a junior candidate who has come from far away by telling them to get lost!

‘Finally, I’ll escape from being the youngest.’

Besides, he had his own circumstances.

Until now, he had treated Sloth and Marion, who weren’t even like proper seniors, with respect, calling them “senior.”

Moreover, despite always working hard for the academy, their shamelessness in treating him like ‘trash’ and a ‘scoundrel’ over yesterday’s ‘small and cute incident’!

‘So I need at least one capable junior to support me.’

Anyway, realizing it was time for the headmaster to step in, Amon tapped Anar’el’s arm as she was spacing out.

Then Anar’el made a strange sound ‘Ungh!’ as she snapped out of her thoughts and cleared her throat before speaking.

“Ahem, then Teacher Kai?”

“Yes, Headmaster.”

“Getting back to the main point, do you have any specific subject you’d like to teach?”

Kai swallowed.

He had studied swordsmanship, magic, and such in depth.

‘But swordsmanship and magic are unique secrets of the Amonis family, so it would be difficult to teach others. Then imperial studies? No, what imperial studies would be taught at an academy?’

After excluding several candidates, ‘history’ would be the most suitable as it was natural for the legitimate heir of the empire to have broad knowledge.

Kai said.

“I would like to teach history.”

At Kai’s words, Amon’s eyes widened.

‘This junior is already trying to kick away his senior’s rice bowl!’

How dare he covet his subject!

His internal fondness for his junior was instantly halved.

However, Amon tried not to show it as he spoke.

“Ahem, history is the subject I’m in charge of.”

“I-Is that so?”

“Since swordsmanship, magic, and history already have teachers in charge, it would be better to consider other subjects. Well, first…”

Come to think of it, the students’ math levels were terrible.

“Right, how about mathematics?”

“Ah, I have some expertise in mathematics as well.”

“That would work well.”

Amon nodded in relief and asked.

“Then when can you start working?”

“I can start from today if needed.”

“You’re very enthusiastic. Good. There happen to be classes from the morning, so until you’re formally appointed, spend some time observing other senior teachers’ classes to build up knowledge about teaching.”

“Ah, so I won’t be teaching right away?”

Amon gave a rotten smile.

Enthusiasm was good, but his confidence was overflowing too much.

Feeling his internal fondness being halved again, he said.

“When I started too, I learned by observing classes and everything.”

“I-I see.”

Then Anar’el spoke.

“Right, I’m late in introducing this person. This is Teacher Amon Drake.”

“Yes! I look forward to working with you, Senior Amon!”

Seeing Kai politely greeting Amon, Anar’el smiled brightly.

“Teacher Amon is such an excellent teacher that he’s designated to be the head of academic affairs. So make sure to learn a lot from Teacher Amon!”

Kai’s eyes widened.

‘To already be designated as head of academic affairs…as I expected, he was indeed someone destined for greatness!’

As Anar’el praised him, Amon awkwardly laughed “Hmhm.”

“I hope you’ll work hard not to tarnish our academy’s reputation.”

“Yes! Senior!”

“Good. Then I’ll guide you, let’s start with class observation first. We can learn about other duties from the afternoon, that should be enough.”

“Yes! Senior!”

As Amon led the way, Kai followed like a chick following its mother bird.