Reviving a Bankrupt Academy: My Financial Battle

For a moment, I suspected I was looking at the Headmistress's doppelganger, but thankfully, my misunderstanding was quickly cleared up.

"Of course, the students' safety must be guaranteed."

"Whew, that's a relief."

"Finance Director? Why the sudden sigh… and why are you holding the file like that? As if you were about to hit me with the corner of it."

"That's exactly what I was doing. It's a chronic disease that every office worker has, so please don't mind me."

"I don't have that disease."

"Well, you don't have a boss, Headmistress."

"Ah."

Well, in any case.

Even though it was the Headmistress who said it, the method itself seemed quite good.

Since we were already in a bribery relationship, we could provide information about the entrance ceremony in advance in exchange for a reward.

It was a way to appeal to them that I was being helpful while also giving them a sense of being in the same boat.

"But are you sure this is alright? This is practically leaking test questions, or even manipulating grades. The things you hate…"

"It's fine. I wasn't planning to grade them on how they deal with the illusion at the entrance ceremony anyway."

"What?"

"So, it's not an evaluation, but rather a part of the class. I could give them points for participation, but it definitely won't affect their ranking or grades."

So, in the end, it wasn't leaking 'exam' questions, but 'class' content.

In short, it was like saying that while receiving information about the midterm exam in advance would be a big problem, receiving information that there would be a pop quiz during class today wouldn't have a significant impact.

However, this still went against the Headmistress's educational beliefs, but it seemed she had made a compromise.

'If she wasn't so firm in her beliefs, the finances wouldn't have gotten this bad.'

If the Headmistress had compromised even a little on her beliefs, she would have raised tuition fees, actively sought donations, or generated other income to maintain the academy. However, Grandis Academy wouldn't have the same prestige it did now. The current Grandis Academy was the result of investing all its resources into education and students.

But because that wasn't the case, because she was someone who wouldn't compromise even slightly when it came to education and students, we had come this far.

…Although it had led to the current financial crisis, but anyway.

The academy could still hold on for three years, and the Headmistress had made a small compromise.

It would be great if we could just accept the Headmistress's plan and resolve this! But.

"If we go with your plan, Headmistress, we can certainly gain some profit."

"I knew it!"

"Then it's time to address what I intentionally ignored."

"Ignored…?"

"Even if it's an illusion, to make the sudden monster attack seem realistic, the entrance ceremony hall will have to be damaged. We'll need to manage 2,000 incoming students to prevent injuries or stampedes as they panic and flee, and address the issue that administrative department students may find it difficult to even receive participation points while taking the risk of psychological trauma."

"...…."

The Headmistress fell silent. It wasn't because she had nothing to say.

Even though she was starting to compromise little by little, the safety of the students and the quality of education were still the top priorities for the Headmistress. There was no way she hadn't considered the problems I mentioned.

In other words, she already had a solution. However.

There was no point in telling me now.

"…We need to convene a department head meeting."

"Indeed."

This wasn't something we could handle just between the two of us, like with the bribes.

Two thousand incoming students, almost all the academy's professors, and various guests would participate in the entrance ceremony. Even the Headmistress couldn't decide to stage a surprise monster attack at such an event on her own.

To be precise, she could, but the aftermath would be a disaster. Just imagining the professors mistaking the monster for real and rushing in, or the guests being so startled that they fainted, sent shivers down my spine.

Therefore, a department head meeting was necessary.

"The head of academic affairs, the head of planning, the captain of the 1st security unit, and Professor Alon himself should be enough."

"Just in case, shouldn't we also call the head of the medical department…?"

"Then I won't be participating, is that alright?"

"…I'll let you know separately if things work out."

Bringing personal feelings into an important meeting was disqualifying for any professional, but even considering that, I was terrified of that woman.

The Headmistress also knew what I had been through with that woman, so she agreed. The Headmistress was the only one who could have a normal conversation with that crazy woman.

Anyway, now that the meeting had been decided.

"I'll notify them. Let's head to the meeting room right away."

"I'll leave it to you, Finance Director."

"By the way, Headmistress, that was unexpected. How did you come up with the idea of getting more bribes?"

"It's nothing special! I just thought about how I would squeeze more money out of them if I were the Finance Director! It's nothing compared to what the Finance Director always does!"

"Is that… so. It's proof of your growth."

"But after giving it some thought, I realized that only the Finance Director can come up with such gloomy, wicked, money-grubbing ideas! Still, I'll do my best to help within the boundaries of ensuring the students' safety!"

…That's strange. It seemed like a good thing that the Headmistress was willing to actively help.

Why did it feel unpleasant?

"By the way, Headmistress, there's something I want to tell you before the meeting."

"Finance Director?"

"In addition to your plan, I've come up with a suggestion."

"───Hmm, I see."

"How about it?"

"As expected of the money-grubbing Finance Director! I knew I could count on you! I still have a long way to go!"

"...."

***

Grandis Academy had various departments.

The Academic Affairs Department, which handled the overall affairs of the academy.

The Student Affairs Department, which was in charge of student-related matters.

The Planning Department, responsible for events, festivals, and alumni relations.

The Security Unit, managing the security and patrol of the academy.

The Examination Supervisor, overseeing all types of exams.

And the Food Service Department, which kept track of and ordered all food, office supplies, and necessities within the academy.

Although there were smaller divisions under each department, Grandis Academy was largely divided into and operated by these six departments.

That was the case until just last year.

"We will now begin the meeting regarding the implementation of the illusion monster attack event at the entrance ceremony. I, Adam Keynes, will be presiding."

The Finance Department, newly established last year.

Although it was a department with only one member, its influence couldn't be ignored by any part of the academy.

Adam Keynes, the Finance Director, who was a hot topic due to his exceptionally unconventional appointment, stood at the head of the table.

In one of the countless meeting rooms in Grandis Academy, the highest-ranking meeting room used only for meetings of department heads.

A middle-aged man in a suit raised his hand first.

"Head of Academic Affairs, you have the floor."

"The Academic Affairs Department expresses strong opposition to this event. And Finance Director, did you really accept Professor Alon's absurd proposal?"

"H-how absurd…!!"

Professor Alon, who seemed more nervous than anyone else present, exclaimed in indignation, but the Head of Academic Affairs, with a serious expression, didn't even glance at him.

He only stared intently at me, standing at the head of the table.

"Although I'll only be participating as the moderator this time, I can answer that question. I presented my conditions, and I haven't received a response yet."

"Conditions?"

"Professor Alon's proposal was to donate 20% of all future investments in the illusion magic department."

"20%?"

Was the content unexpected? The Head of Academic Affairs muttered the number "20%" and fell into deep thought.

Next to him, a man with narrowed eyes and a sly grin raised his hand.

"20%, huh. Finance Director, I have a question."

"This meeting isn't a Q&A session about me."

"Since the Head of Academic Affairs and I were the ones who sent Professor Alon to you, please bear with us."

"…Then go ahead."

"Did you really accept the 20% offer as it was? If it were the Finance Director I know…"

"I'm not sure why you're choosing your words so carefully, but the additional conditions I set were a 30-year time limit, an increase in the percentage if the target investment amount isn't met, and the name on the donation."

"Oh, you were quite lenient then. Professor Alon, you're in luck."

"Head of Planning…? What do you mean by that?"

"Unfortunately, the Adam Keynes I know has absolutely no compromise or leniency when it comes to money. The fact that it ended with such conditions means that he's going easy on you because you're part of the same academy."

"Gasp…!!"

"By the way, Professor Alon, you're truly impressive. I did tell you to go to the Finance Director, but I didn't think you'd actually go… I thought I had subtly turned you down."

While the grinning Head of Planning chuckled, the Head of Academic Affairs was still deep in thought.

Professor Alon, hearing the Head of Planning's words, glanced at me with a cold sweat.

As this strange atmosphere settled, a heavily armored knight, completely clad in plate armor and even wearing a helmet, an attire completely out of place here, raised his hand.

"Captain of the 1st Security Unit, you have the floor."

"I don't really understand things like investments and percentages. I want to ask something else."

"What is it?"

And the voice that came from within the plate armor was that of a woman.

It was quite surprising, but no one in the meeting room, including Professor Alon, seemed fazed by this fact.

After all, the Captain of the 1st Security Unit was a 'celebrity' in the academy in many ways.

"The illusion monster attack, according to the report, if this plan is implemented, there's expected to be a huge commotion in the hall."

"That's very likely."

"The intent is good. Just the intent. The hall where the entrance ceremony is held is spacious, but there will be 2,000 people, 2,000 people gathered there! If a monster suddenly attacks such a place, and a manticore at that, it's obvious what kind of chaos will ensue!"

Crack!

Unable to contain her excitement, the Captain of the 1st Security Unit crushed the armrest of her chair with her grip alone.

She turned her head toward Professor Alon, who had been standing there like a condemned criminal, and glared at him from within her helmet.

"You, as a professor, didn't even think about that?"

"Oh, it's a misunderstanding! My initial proposal clearly included safety measures for the students."

"That the 1st Security Unit would intervene and quell the chaos? And that's all it said? Do you really think I'd be happy with that, even if it's just the planning stage? Hmm?"

"You're being too harsh! It's as if you're saying I'm disregarding the students' safety…!!"

"Then you are disregarding it! Even if those 2,000 people are skilled enough to be admitted to Grandis Academy, they're still kids. Those kids will panic, push everyone around them, and try to escape the hall. They'll get tangled up and bump into each other, and the 1st Security Unit won't even be able to intervene, let alone get inside!"

"That…"

"Even though there are many eccentrics among the magic professors, this is going too far! And what? 20% of the investment? Appealing to illusion magic? I'll just beat you to death!"

"H-hold on!?"

"Captain of the 1st Security Unit, the use of force is strictly prohibited during this meeting. Please take your seat."

"A brat who's barely got any hair on his head is ordering me around just because he's got the Finance Director position?"

"That's right. If you understand, sit down quietly."

"You little shit, you were causing all sorts of trouble even when you were attending the academy—"

"What do you think you're doing in front of me?"

"───!!"

Suddenly.

The Captain of the 1st Security Unit, who was about to approach me in a rage, trembled.

That wasn't all. Professor Alon started sweating even more profusely, the Head of Planning still had his eyes narrowed but erased his smile, and the Head of Academic Affairs bowed his head in a very respectful manner.

I might have been mistaken because I had been answering the questions so far, but I wasn't the one leading this meeting. Why do you think I volunteered to be the moderator?

The Headmistress, who had been sitting at the highest seat in the meeting room, silent until now took control of the atmosphere in the meeting room with a single word.

'Ah, it's hard to breathe.'

This wasn't a figure of speech. The air inside the meeting room literally moved according to the Headmistress's will.

The heavy air made it difficult to even breathe. This wasn't the result of any action, but merely the aftereffect of the Headmistress lightly exuding her presence.

She might be bullied by me every day, but the Headmistress was one of only four Rank 8s in this vast kingdom, and even among them, she was considered the strongest.

The reason even the royal family couldn't treat the Headmistress carelessly was that if she really decided to stage a coup, the country could be destroyed.

The Captain of the 1st Security Unit's plate armor rattled under the pressure, and then she immediately straightened her posture and bowed to the Headmistress.

"…I sincerely apologize, Headmistress. I have been disrespectful."

"I'm disappointed, Captain of the 1st Security Unit. To think you were only capable of this much."

"Th-that's."

"Go back and sit down. This is not a request, but an order."

"…Yes."

As expected of the Headmistress. She's earning her keep.

Seeing the Headmistress ruthlessly pressuring the Captain of the 1st Security Unit while secretly giving me a thumbs-up under the table as if saying, "I did well, didn't I?"…

I let out a wry smile and continued.

"Then, the Headmistress, who is leading this meeting, will speak."

"I'll get straight to the point. You don't have to worry about the safety issues raised by the Captain of the 1st Security Unit."

"May I ask why?"

In this setting, the only ones who could ask the Headmistress for further explanation were the most senior Head of Academic Affairs or myself, her closest aide. Even the Head of Planning and the Captain of the 1st Security Unit couldn't carelessly interrupt the Headmistress.

As I've mentioned countless times, although she's somewhat eccentric in front of me, the Headmistress reigned as an iron ruler in the academy.

Anyway, when the Head of Academic Affairs appropriately followed up, the Headmistress nodded slightly and declared.

"Because I will personally take care of it."

A bold declaration to take full responsibility for the safety of the 2,000 students participating in the entrance ceremony, all by herself.

Even though the Captain of the 1st Security Unit had just listed all sorts of realistic reasons, the Headmistress was calm, as if those things didn't matter.

It wasn't that the Headmistress had suddenly gone mad and was disregarding the students' safety, nor was she ignoring the realistic problems.

It was simply that.

"If the Headmistress takes care of it herself, it will be enough."

The Head of Academic Affairs' words weren't just empty flattery.

Just like the Head of Planning and the Captain of the 1st Security Unit readily agreeing, and Professor Alon breathing a sigh of relief.

It truly was enough for the Headmistress to step in herself.

'I've already heard this much.'

Two thousand people wouldn't be a problem. Safety would be guaranteed.

However, the Headmistress didn't just sit still at the entrance ceremony. She had her own role to play and conversations to have with the kingdom's dignitaries.

For her to put all that aside and guarantee the students' safety during the illusion monster attack meant…

"So, Professor Alon."

"Y-yes!"

"There's not much time left until the entrance ceremony, and I don't think there's any way to guarantee the students' safety more than me stepping in myself."

"Th-that's right! What a wise decision!"

"Then we need to renegotiate the terms."

"Pardon…?"

"40% of the investment."

"…!!!"

"My time is quite expensive, you know?"

This was precisely the 'advice' I gave to the Headmistress.