Chapter 35 – Academy Evaluation Match (5)
“If it’s hard to get a scholarship based on grades, why not earn it by working?”
“But Headmistress, where exactly would they work? Students’ external access is…”
“There’s no need to go outside. They can just work here.”
Amidst the tumultuous atmosphere surrounding the evaluation match, Eve issued yet another groundbreaking directive to uphold her promise to Lizel: to create job opportunities for students within the academy itself.
“They’re losing study time? Then out of sheer frustration, they’ll grit their teeth, study harder, and train to achieve excellent grades, won’t they?”
There were a few objections, but as always, Eve pushed her decision forward.
In fact, other pending agenda items were so shocking that Eve’s proposed ‘Work-Study Allowance’ policy ultimately passed the general assembly and was immediately implemented.
The official justification was an educational one, to teach students the value of labor, but no one actually believed that.
“N-Next is the selection list for the examination committee members who will prepare the tests for the evaluation match at the end of the year.”
“I’ve already checked. During that period, the professor’s successor will temporarily take over the class, and compensation for that will naturally be provided.”
“There’s still a lot of time until the evaluation match, but midterms and public sparring matches are just around the corner. Are you proceeding as planned?”
“Of course. As you all know, each and every one of these tests will influence the upcoming evaluation match.”
Sitting cross-legged on her chair, Eve let out a small laugh as she looked at the professors’ eyes fixed on her.
They were still flustered and dumbfounded by her words and actions, but compared to the beginning of the semester, they had improved significantly.
More than anything, the faculty was even more serious about the evaluation match than Eve was.
Most of them had also been involved with this academy since their childhood.
It was only natural for them to burn with enthusiasm, as they were about to engage in fair competition with another institution for the first time.
‘It would be great if the evaluation match could be held for a second and third time.’
Seeing this, Eve sighed inwardly.
Based on the information she possessed, even the first evaluation match, scheduled for early autumn, was somewhat ambiguous.
If it carried over into the next year, things would likely change significantly depending on how they reacted.
Because the changes about to befall the world were not far off.
Rather than facing a future where the entire world would likely descend into chaos, Eve was certain that bickering over tests and evaluation matches like this was far better.
“Let’s end the meeting here. It seems everyone is gradually figuring things out on their own, so the meeting times are getting shorter.”
Eve concluded the rough meeting.
Of course, most professors knew that the meeting times were shortening because they had realized it was nearly impossible to sway Eve’s mind by voicing dissenting opinions anyway, but as adults, they didn’t explicitly state that.
“It also seems good that the students are listening well.”
“The daily physical training is very effective. Even those who were difficult to handle are now exhausted and quiet.”
There were even some who thought Eve’s policies were somewhat good.
Eve, who was certainly aware of the atmosphere, remained alone in the conference room and contentedly emptied the remaining teacup.
“So, what’s the next schedule, Illia? Can I go observe?”
“That would be difficult. The administrator has contacted us. It seems they’ve extracted some information from the prisoners captured during the last operation.”
However, Eve’s work did not stop.
Illia, who approached her side, naturally added new tasks.
“You can’t make that face. Let’s go.”
Now, without any hesitation, Illia lightly subdued Eve, who was furrowing her brows and clearly showing her reluctance, and led her outside.
“Alright, have they confessed anything?”
“They’re quite stubborn, so not much.”
It was a bright, sunny, leisurely, and languid weekday afternoon, with students practicing outdoors, laughing, and chatting.
However, the atmosphere here was different.
Here, in the underground of the Security Bureau, there was only oppressive darkness, and now, along with the distinctive damp basement smell, a sickening stench of blood and burning flesh mingled, emitting a terrible aura.
“First, we’ve confirmed that these individuals belong to an organization formed for a specific purpose, and they harbor strong hostility towards our Empire.”
The Security Captain, who had summoned Administrator Gerolt and Eve, briefed them on the information obtained from torturing the prisoners there.
“Hmm, what kind of organization are they, exactly? Was the last terrorist attack also committed by these guys?”
Compared to Eve, who merely stood with an unexpressive face and crossed arms, Gerolt grumbled, his face contorted as if being there was torment.
From his perspective, he was displeased as to why both the previous terrorist attack and this current incident had to occur precisely where he worked.
“They denied involvement in the last terrorist attack.”
‘Of course. These guys are mere rebels, and those were the New World Liberation Front.’
The Security Captain shook his head at Gerolt’s words, but Eve scoffed inwardly.
In truth, she was feeling extremely frustrated at the moment.
She knew who the culprits were, but she couldn’t step forward or reveal it.
“Any more useful information? For example, their base of operations?”
“According to our judgment, these individuals seem to be based in the southern part of the Empire, a little distance from the eastern region where Pedia is located.
We’ve confirmed that many of them use the appearance and dialect of the southern region’s residents.”
Therefore, Eve had no choice but to subtly guide others to extract information.
And the Security Captain performed that role quite well, coming close to uncovering the true nature of the rebel organization aiming for the Empire’s collapse.
“A slightly more precise location, perhaps?”
“Th-That, they’ve completely clammed up about…”
Of course, it wasn’t perfect.
At that, Eve sighed, rolled her eyes once as if frustrated and annoyed, then uncrossed her arms and walked past the Security Captain towards the prisoner, who was battered and tied to a torture rack.
“Y-Your Excellency!”
“No, let her do as she pleases.”
The flustered Security Captain tried to stop her, but Gerolt, sensing an unusual aura, intervened, and in that moment, Eve stood before the prisoner, who looked down at her with a bloodied face.
“Eve… Avalanche. *Spits*.”
“Looks like you still have some energy, huh? That’s why you won’t open your mouth.”
The prisoner, recognizing Eve, spat on her face as if it were a given, but she casually tilted her head, easily dodging it, and let out a small laugh.
However, it was slightly different from the usual cynicism she displayed.
“I don’t have time. Not time to invest in event mobs like you. So just spill it quickly. Everyone will be comfortable then. Otherwise… innocent people will get hurt too.”
Her deep violet eyes flashed as she began to emit a chilling aura, then she rolled up her sleeves and drew forth her mana.
She had no intention of holding back from the start.
Because she, too, was in a hurry.
“Oh, dear.”
The Security Captain, confronted with the horrific screams and gruesome sight that followed, had to quickly escort a nauseated Gerolt away from the scene.
****
“What are you thinking about? Thanks to you, the academy is buzzing once again.”
“Those we captured. By now, they surely must have found something out, but there’s no way for us to know, is there? That’s not our business from that point on.”
As the sun began to set.
Lizel, unaware of what was happening inside the Security Bureau’s prison at that moment, stopped walking and mumbled distractedly at Karya’s words.
“Ahem, saying it so openly… that’s supposed to be strictly confidential.”
“What does it matter? These people who are with me now. I trust them.”
At Karya’s hint, Lizel, unlike her usual self, let out a small laugh and equivocated.
The people Lizel mentioned who were with her were Karya, Lassian, Karl, and Isabelle.
Among them, Isabelle’s eyes widened, seemingly surprised by Lizel’s demeanor.
“You’ve changed a lot from before… Princess.”
“Changed? I think so too… I do. But it hasn’t been that long.”
Lizel did not deny the words of Isabelle, her childhood friend.
She had changed.
And by a lot.
The beginning of it was her meeting with Lassian, but thinking about it now, the true culprit was none other than the silver-haired girl headmistress.
“Is it that much?”
“I lived only to become an excellent student, a proud member of my family.
Now, I have a lot more to think about.”
Lizel nodded at Lassian’s words.
The considerable number of experiences she had gone through in a short period.
They were certainly enough to shake her previously fixed sense of self.
‘Is everyone like this? Did the Headmistress intend even this?’
It wasn’t just Lizel, the rigid model student.
Karya, Karl, and simply all the students in this academy were gradually changing, unlike before.
Now, even if they grumbled and whined, hostile complaints about the physical training and practical classes led by the Headmistress hardly surfaced.
“When I first saw the students here, I felt they were getting stronger.
Everyone silently carried out even such difficult physical training.”
“Yes. That’s probably the Headmistress’s goal.”
Thus, Lassian affirmed Isabelle’s words, as she was just beginning to adapt.
Eve’s objective of training them to be strong was already showing some results.