The academy novel cliché I enjoyed, the inevitable external conspiracy targeting the school.
Naturally, this work also had such elements.
Like resistance forces attempting to terrorize the high-ranking academy, which was practically a symbol of the upper class and the empire’s power elite, or spy rings from other nations trying to exert control.
Since I knew this beforehand, I needed a way to prepare.
However, under the , it was impossible to act directly or issue direct orders to be cautious of them.
So, the method I devised was this.
A disciplinary committee, a paramilitary group composed of students.
“If what you say is true, those suspicious guys who demanded internal information about Lagpedia from low-class thugs like you are going to get a taste of their own medicine this time.”
“Th-that’s…”
The guy who spilled all the information to me, swayed by my promise to spare him from execution, saw my smile and his eyes trembled violently.
The primary reasons for creating the Disciplinary Committee were student management and the training of its members, but I also aimed for secondary effects like this.
Having the committee students poke around the city, inadvertently exposing or complicating the nascent threads of conspiracies that had long lain dormant.
Originally, the internal information would have fully fallen into their hands and been used in subsequent terror and kidnapping incidents, but that would no longer happen.
“Testify properly in front of the administrator.
If you want to live, that is.”
“Ah, understood.”
When I slapped the cowering man’s cheek and spoke, he twitched his mustache and quickly nodded.
Now, based on his testimony, I would mobilize the security forces and turn the city upside down.
Then, I would be able to find or drive out the hidden pests.
“Principal.
A carriage has arrived.
Judging by its speed, it seems to have been sent before we departed.”
“So Illia knew this news and shrewdly sent a carriage in advance.”
That was when Lassian approached, pointing to the academy carriage that was coming this way.
It seemed Illia, having calculated the number of people, had thoughtfully sent the carriage ahead of time.
“Aren’t you leaving?”
“Your work is finished, but an adult’s work is not.”
I sent Lassian ahead first.
Since I had ‘accidentally’ obtained good information, I intended to resolve the matter myself rather than leaving it to the untrustworthy administrator.
“Ah, are you saying there’s a force targeting the academy?”
“Why are you so surprised?
This is the city where a terror attack occurred even on the matriculation day.”
Before meeting the administrator, I removed my uncomfortable clothes in a small, dirty, but vacant room belonging to the security forces and changed into the much more comfortable principal’s uniform.
Illia, who had brought the carriage and clothes, stopped mid-way through removing my earrings and was startled by the story I told her.
“If I didn’t know, that would be one thing, but now that I do, I can’t just stand by.
I plan to cooperate with the administrator to conduct a top-secret search operation as soon as possible.
And I’m considering mobilizing part of the Disciplinary Committee for that operation.”
“What?!”
“It’s about protecting the academy.
That means it’s the committee’s job.”
Of course, my subsequent remark was even more shocking.
In the mirror on the table, I could see Illia’s face, which had gone completely pale.
“Now, please loosen my corset.”
Regardless, I took off my rings and slipped out of my dress.
Rings, necklaces, bracelets… all these things that the Countess and her daughters generously took out and adorned me with must be returned cleanly.
“But Principal, if the testimony is true, they are not ordinary people.
Mobilizing students to deal with such individuals is…”
“Do you think I’m putting students in danger?”
Illia’s hands and voice trembled as she loosened my corset.
It wasn’t an unfamiliar reaction.
Because what I intended to do always went against her common sense.
“One must take risks.
There’s no gain without cost in this world.
That’s why I believe it’s absolutely necessary.
For the sake of their future, too.”
“I don’t understand.
If students are capable enough to join the student council, they would have a smooth path ahead just by graduating without incident…”
“How wonderful it would be if that were possible.”
I gave a bitter smile at Illia’s words, which made her stop her hands.
Just diligently attending classes and squabbling within the school, that’s actually what I desire most.
But that’s not possible.
For them, who must fight enemies incomparable to mere terrorists, I had to create as many opportunities as possible.
And in any case, this was an incident that the original characters were destined to resolve.
They would use it as experience to grow and become stronger.
Since I’ve overturned that now, I should at least take some responsibility.
“I don’t know if I dare say this, but looking at you, Principal, it’s as if you’re being chased by something.”
“…Do I look like that?”
Illia’s insight, as she now placed her hands on my neck to unfasten my necklace, was quite sharp.
Of course, it was still of no use.
Because I had already decided to bear all the misunderstandings, doubts, and resentment anyway.
“Your Excellency! I just heard the news!
How dare impure elements in this city… Aaaargh!!!”
That was when Administrator Gerolt, too excited, came thumping, flung the door open, saw the side profile of my completely bare upper body, which had just been freed from the corset, shrieked, and fled.
“What a fuss he’s making.”
“Fuss, Your Excellency!
He committed a grave disrespect towards a l-lady!”
Having once lived as an ordinary adult man, I didn’t think much of it even while covering my chest with one arm, but seeing Illia, whose face was flushed, boiling with indignation, it seemed others didn’t feel the same.
“Please forgive us, Your Excellency.
It was by no means intentional…”
“Th-that’s right.
We saw nothing!”
After I had fully changed my clothes, we formally resumed our meeting.
Gerolt and Robert, the Chief of Security Forces, knelt before me, who was seated in the place of honor, and begged for forgiveness.
Honestly, I wondered if it warranted such a reaction.
Even the one-piece uniform I was currently wearing showed everything above my knees if I crossed my legs askew like this.
“How could people of your standing commit such rudeness?
You clearly knew the Principal was changing out of her uncomfortable clothes, yet you still did that.”
“Th-there’s no excuse.”
So, Illia scolded them on my behalf.
As she pushed up her silver-rimmed glasses and sternly lectured them, they merely glanced around nervously and apologized repeatedly.
“That’s enough.
It’s not like anything wears out from being seen.”
“It seems, Principal, you too… should be a little more self-aware.
Your usual demeanor in the office is also not befitting a lady.”
“Ugh.”
Just because I needlessly opened my mouth to say something.
Her nagging arrows flew and struck me too.
Ultimately, Illia’s barrage of nagging only ended several minutes later.
“Ah, anyway, we need to search for and subjugate them, and while I don’t distrust the security forces, we intend to join in as well.”
Gerolt, who had become a wreck, staggered to his feet.
Regaining my composure, I seized this opportunity, glancing at Illia, to convey my intentions.
In any case, I planned to proceed with the matter while they were still hesitant, given the shameless offense they had committed against me.
“St-students, you mean?”
“They are not mere students.
They are the ones who uncovered the truth of this matter, and they are the ones who protect the academy’s order that those scoundrels seek to harm.
Am I wrong?”
I pushed my idea.
Fortunately, whether my logic aligned well or they were still wary of Illia, there was no strong opposition as I had expected.
****
“Lassian, you too, come this way, everyone please make yourselves comfortable.
You’ll need to stay here until Her Excellency returns.”
While Eve discussed the detailed operation with Gerolt.
Albert, the butler of the Avalanche Marquisate, brought Lassian, who had just arrived at the residence, to this reception room.
There, Lizel, Karya, Karl, and others, who had already emptied their teacups, were seated, waiting for him.
“Please rest comfortably.
I’ll bring more tea.”
Albert smiled sweetly, then left them alone in the reception room, and immediately after, Lassian slowly walked over and plopped down in an empty seat.
“We need to talk again, don’t we?”
With Karya’s words, everyone’s gaze turned towards the corner seat.
The one who flinched under those gazes was Tom, a petite second-year student.
He was the victim of this incident and the one who had just informed them about the contents of the threats he received.
“They gave you communication devices and told you to install them all over the academy?
And there are guys who commissioned them for that?”
“Y-yes, I definitely heard that.”
Sitting opposite her, Tom, his face flushed, nodded at Lizel’s words, who was looking directly at him.
Lassian, who had actually heard the full story, wasn’t particularly surprised.
This was because Eve had almost entirely overheard it by pricking up her ears while interrogating Lean, the leader.
“If the Principal already knows.
Good, it will surely be resolved.”
“Indeed.
Given the Principal’s personality, she probably won’t just stand by…”
Karya and Karl, having heard from Lassian that Eve already knew this information, nodded, reacting as if everything was now fine.
However, Lizel, still with her arms crossed and her face stern, did not.
“You never know.
If she deems it not beneficial to herself, she might ignore it.”
“Princess…”
“Indeed, the Principal doesn’t seem like a very good person.”
Lizel bit her lip and covered her face with her hands.
‘The Principal doesn’t care for the students.’
This incident was quite a shock to Lizel.
And one of the thoughts she harbored during this process was a negative opinion of Eve.
‘She might care for students.
But ultimately, she only wants exceptional students who meet her criteria.’
Lizel thought Eve was greedy.
She believed that Eve’s usual emphasis on grades and achievements, and the revised curriculum implemented for them, were ultimately for her own benefit, based on performance.
What most influenced this thought was the complete abolition of policies supporting students from vulnerable backgrounds.
Eve had said to earn those things through skill, but that statement essentially meant that not everyone could be cared for.
To Lizel, who valued principles and believed the academy should embrace all students, this was a difficult idea to accept.
“So even if there are those targeting the academy, she might not intervene unless her ‘exceptional’ students are harmed.”
“Then her rushing here so quickly, overturning the security forces, and raging was because of an exceptional student she had to protect…”
Karya’s eyes widened at Lizel’s words, and she turned to Lassian, causing everyone’s gaze to shift to him.
Lassian was the only student who had passed the Principal’s impromptu test.
Therefore, he was clearly included among the exceptional students Lizel mentioned.
“Well,
Her true intentions are unknown, and it’s true her methods and actions are extreme, but at least the Principal doesn’t view students as tools.”
“Do you really think so?”
“I feel like I’m constantly defending the Principal… but the truth is just the truth.”
Lassian sighed, refuting Lizel’s opinion.
As Lizel glared at him, her blue eyes glinting, Tom and Karl, who had been nervously watching the somewhat tense atmosphere, shook their heads after making eye contact and merely fiddled with their teacups.