Reviving a Bankrupt Academy: My Financial Battle

Visit my patreon to see photos of the characters for free. 

patreon.com/zennin12

The Beatrice Repatriation Plan.

There were three advantages to this plan.

1. By sending back the Building Destroyer, Beatrice, we could prevent future building destruction.

2. We could quickly receive additional bribes in the process.

3. Furthermore, with Beatrice gone, the disciple of the Tower Master would have no one to provoke, thus preventing further financial damage.

By sending back Beatrice, we could gain the benefit of bribes and simultaneously reduce costs as classrooms would no longer be destroyed.

That was the reason why I was determined to send her back, regardless of whether she was a heroine or a comrade in .

And the key to this plan was the Headmistress.

"Headmistress."

"Go ahead."

"When I first told you about Princess Beatrice, you said there wouldn't be any problem."

"That's still the case."

Naturally, this plan wasn't something I just came up with. On the day I received the bribe from Beatrice, after finishing the negotiation with the dwarf, I immediately went to the Headmistress to discuss it.

The only way for Beatrice, who came as a hostage and couldn't leave the academy, to return to her home country was for the Headmistress to intervene.

At that time, after hearing everything about Beatrice, the Headmistress told me there was no need to worry.

Back then, I was so busy with entrance ceremony preparations and negotiating with bribery candidates that I just accepted it and moved on.

But now that the time to execute the plan had come… the Headmistress's confident assertion made me uneasy.

"…Can I really trust you?"

"Finance Director, why don't you trust me? It hurts my feelings a little."

"Well, you confidently asserted that a large sum of money would be coming in soon and then went and did futures trading—"

"This is different from that time! Anyway, it's really alright this time! I'm going to talk to that Aken guy directly!"

"Aken? Are you referring to His Majesty, Akendelminos?"

That's the king of our country.

I did say figuratively that even the king had to grovel before the Headmistress, but…

Did she really have a direct connection with the king?

"The king? He's still just a kid in my eyes."

"Is that connection strong enough to repatriate Princess Beatrice?"

"I know a very personal secret of his. He would hate for it to be revealed more than death, so he'll do it. And frankly… the fourth princess of the Delphia Kingdom isn't worth that much. That border dispute isn't that important either."

"Hmm."

Honestly, the Headmistress was right.

Of course, Beatrice's value didn't solely come from her status as the fourth princess. In the first place, the reason Beatrice came to Grandis Academy as a hostage under the guise of studying abroad was because of the border dispute between the Delphia Kingdom and our kingdom.

If the dispute were important, Beatrice wouldn't be able to return to her home country. She would be a hostage in case of emergency. However, if it were truly an important dispute, the Delphia Kingdom wouldn't have sent her as a hostage in the first place.

In the end, as Beatrice herself believed she could return, and as the Headmistress confidently asserted.

This border dispute wasn't a big deal. If it were a real problem, they would have issued a mobilization order to threaten war instead of sending a hostage.

It was just a minor dispute, and the Delphia Kingdom, being a small country, quickly lowered their head and sent their fourth princess as a hostage. Since they had done this much, our kingdom wasn't closely monitoring Beatrice either. They would send her back if there was a suitable opportunity.

'The problem is that Beatrice made the first move.'

It was a completely different story for Beatrice to try to return on her own, compared to the kingdom deciding to send her back. It could be seen as disrespecting our kingdom.

Just like how a prison guard might treat a prisoner with a minor offense and a light sentence more favorably, but their attitude would change if the prisoner was caught attempting to escape.

In the end, it could be said that it was Beatrice's own fault that she was placed under strict surveillance after the Headmistress rejected her and her scheme was exposed.

Anyway, if the Headmistress knew the king's personal secret, then she could use that to repatriate Beatrice… probably.

"If that's the case, there shouldn't be a problem. Then I'll leave it to you."

"Alright! When should I contact him?"

"Now."

"…What?"

"Think of it as one classroom exploding for every day Princess Beatrice stays at the academy."

"…I'll contact him through the fastest means possible."

I believed we needed to get rid of the Building Destroyer as soon as possible. The last of the five classroom destructions Beatrice caused was just this morning.

Compared to the complete collapse of the entrance exam site and the wall of the hall, destroying a classroom was something other students could also cause, but it was a different story when five were destroyed in just one week.

'The protagonist, the youngest knight, Beatrice, the Tower Master's disciple…'

Are they students? They're more like enemies.

I suspected that these guys might be spies sent by the carpenters' guild to generate repair costs, and with a sigh, I looked at the Headmistress.

"How long will it take for the reply to arrive?"

"All Rank 8s in the kingdom have a direct magic tool connection with that Aken guy, so it should be within an hour at the latest."

"Understood. Then I'll go to Princess Beatrice right away. If there are no problems, I'll bring her back immediately, so please make a suitable appeal."

"Something like, 'I had a hard time asking that Aken guy. I put in quite a bit of effort. It was a very presumptuous request, but I did it because you are also my student.'"

Now we're on the same wavelength.

I looked at the slowly growing Headmistress with proud eyes and added,

"And since extracting bribes is my job, there's no need for you to mention it. You are an honest and upright person, and I am a person who likes money and bribes. We need to clearly divide our roles."

"…I'll keep that in mind."

I'm not someone who enjoys this kind of role, but with the academy on the verge of bankruptcy, I didn't have time to worry about personal preferences.

'By the way, the additional cost to repair all the classrooms as quickly as possible…'

Ah.

I really need a cigarette.

The throbbing pain in my head and chest was becoming familiar. Damn stress.

Even if things went well and Beatrice was repatriated today, I knew that there were still other Finance Destroyers left.

With a feeling of frustration, I could only sigh.

***

…I had a few cigarettes.

If Laura were here, I would have complained, but it was working hours. I just quietly cursed to myself and smoked.

'I've already finished a whole pack.'

Considering the financial situation, I should even save on cigarette expenses, but I couldn't quit.

Otherwise, I felt like I would really lose it. Overtime was already confirmed for today. I was starting to forget what it felt like to leave work on time.

But how was I going to get these cigarettes again? They were a 'special order product' different from ordinary cigarettes, so I couldn't buy them easily.

'I was told I wouldn't be able to buy them for a while when I bought them last time.'

I thought I should save them as much as possible, but I ended up smoking them all within a week of the protagonist's enrollment.

After processing the repair bills for the entrance exam site, the entrance ceremony hall, the classrooms, and so on, and looking at the remaining budget, I couldn't help but smoke.

Actually, shouldn't I kick all of them out of the academy, not just Beatrice? Should I cancel the protagonist's admission even now?

As I seriously contemplated, ignoring the original story and everything, I stopped in my tracks.

"What's going on? What's happening?"

"It's a duel! They're always fighting, and now it seems they're finally going at it for real!"

"In the middle of the street like this? Are they crazy? This is going to be so much fun! Let's go!"

"…What?"

I was heading towards the royal dormitory where Beatrice was staying.

Since there were occasional cases of royalty with low succession ranks in the kingdom coming to Grandis Academy to avoid being purged or to build connections, the academy had a separate dormitory exclusively for royalty.

However, even the royalty of our country didn't enroll every year, and common sense dictated that royalty or imperial family members from other countries wouldn't attend another country's academy, so it was a dormitory that was vacant more often than not.

But currently, it was said that Beatrice, the only royal member, was using it alone.

So what was with this crowd?

"A duel?"

They were having a duel in the middle of the street, in front of the royal dormitory?

This was getting on my nerves.

Because of the students already gathered in a large crowd, I couldn't even see the crazy bastards who were supposedly having a duel.

And as a lowly Rank 1, I wasn't confident in pushing through this crowd of students, so…

"Security Unit, state your name and rank."

"Uh, yes?"

"It's Adam Keynes, Finance Director. State your name and rank."

"F-Finance Director…!? I'm Lowell, 3rd Security Unit, 1st Company, 2nd Platoon! I apologize for not recognizing you!"

"No need to apologize since I don't know who you are either. I'm trying to disperse these students, so help me out."

"Understood!"

I grabbed a nearby patrolling security guard. Hmm, judging by his physique, he seemed reliable.

Like last time, it seemed like many people in the Security Unit didn't recognize me, but it couldn't be helped.

Perhaps if I were the Chief Examiner or the Head of Student Affairs or the Head of Academic Affairs, who they saw often, it would be different, but how would they know the Finance Director? Even when I was in the military, I couldn't recognize the headquarters staff if I didn't see their rank insignia.

Returning to the crowd with the now alert Lowell, the number of students had increased even in that short time.

"I'm counting on you."

"Yes! Students! Step aside for a moment!"

"I-it's the Security Unit."

"Who's that person behind him…? Judging by the badge, is he a faculty member?"

"Hey, step aside!"

The Security Unit wore distinctive uniforms and carried standard weapons, making them easily recognizable to the students. Unlike me, who could only be identified as a faculty member by my badge, they were easily distinguishable.

With Lowell leading the way, utilizing his imposing physique, a path opened in the crowd that was practically a wall. No student would want to be disciplined for blocking the Security Unit's path.

As we pushed through the students…

"You're not thinking of backing down, are you? Princess?"

"…How dare you."

"That noble status of yours might have helped in that tiny kingdom, but this is a foreign country. You better get used to this kind of treatment."

"Even so, it's absurd that there's no respect at all."

"Well? I'm not inferior to you, so why should I respect you?"

"You seem overly confident just because you're from the Empire, even though you're not even royalty. The Archmage is your teacher, not your parent."

"Just like how you're the daughter of a concubine?"

"You."

"Are you angry? If you are, come at me. This is the perfect location, isn't it? I'll make you cry in front of your dorm…!!"

In the center of the students gathered in a circle, two female students were facing off.

Yellow bracelets indicating they were magic department freshmen. And an unusual amount of magical power emanating from the two students.

It was Beatrice and Chloe.

The fourth princess of the Delphia Kingdom and the disciple of the Tower Master who was provoking her.

Perhaps due to the harsh exchange of words, the two seemed ready to clash at any moment.

"Finance Director, please get behind me. I'll protect you."

"It's fine, just follow me."

"Finance Director!? If you step forward as a Rank 1…!!"

Yes, I'm Rank 1. So what? I have my own means of protecting myself.

But it seemed like I wouldn't need to use those 'means' here. Considering the price, I didn't want to use them unless my life was truly in danger.

Anyway, as Beatrice and Chloe's magical powers swirled, I walked straight towards them and opened my mouth.

"What are you two doing here?"

"…Finance Director?"

"What are you… wait."

The students surrounding us murmured as they saw me walking towards the two, but none of them recognized me. However, these two were different.

I had already met one of them, and the other couldn't possibly not know me due to her status. They knew I would stop the fight if I intervened.

Beatrice, with a flustered expression, and Chloe, with a dubious look, both looked at me simultaneously.

"Both of you, calm your magic."

"But…"

"Do you want to be disciplined here and now?"

"...."

Not only professors, but also department heads could discipline students for valid reasons. And naturally, being disciplined in front of so many students would lead to gossip.

Beatrice, with a somewhat dissatisfied expression, calmed her magic, and Chloe, perhaps certain of my identity, quietly followed suit.

A completely different attitude from when they were shouting and provoking each other just moments ago.

But it was also natural. Even if they fought and cursed each other, it was a matter between students. Doing that to a faculty member would be crazy.

"Finance Director Adam… right?"

"That's correct, Miss Chloe."

Chloe, speaking politely and formally unlike before, approached me.

I had heard that she had an extremely arrogant personality, but that was only towards fellow students. In front of a faculty member who could discipline her, she was quite polite.

The disciple of the Imperial Tower Master, an Archmage. If she were disciplined for something disgraceful, it would also tarnish her teacher's reputation, so it was understandable for her to be polite.

Chloe, with a soft tone of voice, spoke with a smile.

"It's a pleasure to meet you, I'm Chloe Piste of the Imperial Magic Tower."

"I'm Adam Keynes, Finance Director. Miss Chloe, could you tell me what's going on here?"

"Of course. It's a perfectly legitimate and legal duel."

A duel?

This was really a duel? Not a street brawl?

"Miss Beatrice, is that true?"

"...."

"Miss Beatrice?"

"…Yes."

Unlike when they were alone together, Beatrice had to use formal language with me in this setting.

Of course, it wasn't always like this. I simply addressed her as 'Princess' or 'student' depending on the atmosphere and situation.

And now was the time for me to assert my authority, so I called her a student. Surely she wouldn't complain about this later.

Anyway, it was really a duel.

"Do you have a duel contract?"

"Yes, I received approval from the Head of Student Affairs."

"…I've confirmed it."

An official duel contract issued by the academy. It was stamped with the seal of the Head of Student Affairs and was issued just 10 minutes ago.

Yes, so it was true.

But why were they doing this here?

"I've confirmed that it's an official and legitimate duel, but this duel—"

"I'm very sorry, but… Finance Director."

"What is it?"

"As I understand it, no one can forcibly interrupt a duel officially approved by the academy, except for the Headmistress and the supervising faculty member."

"...."

"I'm exercising my legitimate right. Even you, Finance Director, cannot arbitrarily stop this duel."

Although she directly refuted me, Chloe's intention wasn't to antagonize or drive me away.

Her blazing eyes were still fixed on Beatrice as she spoke.

Although I didn't know the details, it seemed like Chloe harbored considerable hostility and hatred towards Beatrice. What she just said to me was probably just her wanting to fight Beatrice as soon as possible.

So what?

"Duel Regulations, Article 7. Duels approved by the academy shall be held in the academy's designated duel arena or training ground, or in other locations with the observation and permission of the supervisor."

"Uh…"

"Who said you can't fight? I'm saying you can't fight here."

Whether they dueled or not was none of my business. Similarly, I wasn't particularly interested in why Chloe disliked Beatrice.

But if they were going to duel, they should do it in the duel arena. Why did we spend a lot of money building it then?

They were both mages. If they started shooting magic here and the surrounding buildings collapsed, it would all be money, repair costs. Since the buildings would be damaged due to violating the regulations and dueling, I could demand compensation, but it was best to avoid the damage in the first place rather than go through that troublesome process.

…Anyway, it seemed like I could only talk to Beatrice about the repatriation issue after this duel was over.

Let them fight it out and be done with it.

"The supervisor section on the duel contract is still blank, so I'll be the supervisor. Let's head to the duel arena right now."

"…Okay."

"…Okay."