The landscape outside the carriage window changed as they left the capital.

The gentle ridges now lazily stretched across the Kalvasar plains that had seemed endless before.

In the bright blue sky, massive, gleaming white cumulonimbus clouds—characteristic of summer—drifted slowly overhead.

Kirrin rested her chin on her hand, absently gazing at the peaceful scenery.

Currently, Kirrin was on her way to recruit a special talent student.

# # # # #

A few days earlier.

Greatly encouraged by Dian's praise, Kirrin immediately proceeded with her next course of action.

Following Dian's advice, she went to visit the principal of the public academy.

After stepping out of the carriage that had stopped at the academy's main gate, Kirrin briefly surveyed her surroundings before entering.

Located on the outskirts of the capital where land was relatively inexpensive, the public academy resembled an old military base.

It was a modest place with a large main building and lecture hall in the center, surrounded by clustered facilities—a cafeteria, dormitories, and storage buildings.

This was to be expected from an institution that charged no tuition and operated solely on imperial taxes.

It couldn't compare to private academies where annual fees reached hundreds of gold coins, not to mention the generous donations from high-ranking parents.

Still, as an academy in its own right, graduates could at least expect to avoid starvation.

This world, modeled after medieval fantasy, didn't have the systematic public education from childhood like in her previous life.

Therefore, getting into any academy was extremely difficult, and the public academy was no exception.

Unlike private institutions where money and connections played a significant role, this place required pure merit, making it a potential source of excellent talent if one looked carefully.

There must be graduates who couldn't secure good employment due to their backgrounds.

"It's a Dark Elf..."

Students whispered as Kirrin walked through the campus.

Currently, Kirrin was the only Dark Elf who had ventured into human cities. This was why she attracted attention wherever she went.

For this reason, Kirrin rarely left the Special Mission Academy unless necessary.

This was also why she declined the invitation to the Combat Department's dinner gathering last time.

While people might be civil normally, no one could predict what might happen when a Dark Elf appeared in a tavern full of intoxicated patrons.

This remained true even for someone as recognizable as Kirrin—the only Dark Elf in civilized society and the principal of the Special Mission Academy.

The emotional divide between the Human Alliance—the intelligent races that fought against the Demon King's army—ran incredibly deep.

"Isn't that the Dark Elf who's the academy principal?"

"I think so."

"But why does her skin look like that? Is she really a Dark Elf?"

Ignoring the students' whispers, Kirrin entered the main building.

Already familiar with the interior layout, she moved effortlessly through the corridors and up the stairs.

The public academy was Kirrin's alma mater. It was the place she had been forced to attend after the war, pushed by her father.

This was why Kirrin could reach the principal's office without any guidance.

"Welcome, Kirrin."

Upon entering the office, a warm, middle-aged woman greeted her cordially.

"Hello, Principal. You look well."

This woman had been the principal since Kirrin was a student.

She was a mentor who had looked after and helped Kirrin when she struggled with racial discrimination during her unwanted academy days.

The two embraced warmly and spent some time catching up.

"Your face looks much better than before."

"I'm getting by. How have you been lately, Principal?"

"Always the same. It's the public academy, after all."

The principal smiled kindly and asked, "How about your Special Mission Academy? Are you still focusing on indoor lectures? The Imperial Castle will surely raise questions someday."

"Not at all. We now incorporate combat practice as well. In fact, practical training has increased."

"Oh, really? Did something change your mind?"

"It's not so much a change of mind as it is the arrival of a new Head Professor of Combat."

"You mean the position that the previous holder abandoned in the middle of the night?"

"Yes, Principal. The new person was recommended by the Imperial Castle. His name is Dian, and he's apparently a war veteran."

"If he was recommended by the Imperial Castle and is a war veteran, he must have quite an impressive background."

"Actually, I don't know much about his past. The Imperial Castle didn't disclose that information."

The principal nodded knowingly.

"He's probably from the Special Task Force."

"That's what I think too. Anyway, the academy has changed a lot since he arrived."

Kirrin enthusiastically listed all of Dian's accomplishments to the principal.

"Honestly, I feel both embarrassed and awkward. These were things I should have done myself. I'm always grateful to Dian, but also sorry."

"Don't think that way, Kirrin. The fact is, he could only do all those things because you approved them."

"Do you think so...?"

"Of course. If you had blocked him halfway, he couldn't have done anything, regardless of being the Head Professor. It's not about your abilities or his, but about the system and legal authority."

Hearing this, Kirrin stared at the principal with her mouth half-open, unable to speak.

Until now, she had believed that the academy's normalization was solely due to Dian's capabilities.

That's why, while depending on Dian, she also felt extreme self-reproach for not properly fulfilling her role as principal.

The principal was the only one who told Kirrin that she deserved some credit too.

"So don't belittle yourself too much. Delegating authority to capable subordinates also requires courage and determination."

"I understand..."

Kirrin managed a smile, barely holding back tears.

"So, Kirrin. What brings you here? This isn't a place for principals to socialize, and if you came during your busy schedule, you must have something to discuss."

"Actually, I have a favor to ask."

"Go ahead."

"Do you know any graduates who might be suitable as special talent students for our academy?"

After Kirrin explained everything, the principal nodded in understanding.

"I see what you mean. Simply put, you're looking for outstanding graduates who are considering social advancement or career changes?"

After pondering briefly, the principal called someone from the administrative office adjacent to her office.

"Could you bring me the graduate employment status survey from earlier this year?"

Receiving a thick stack of documents, the principal smiled and said, "Being a public academy, many students struggle to find good employment on their own, so we track and help with job placements."

The principal sorted through the papers to find suitable candidates.

"Would you like to see?"

Taking the documents, Kirrin began to carefully examine them.

They contained basic personal information, current situations, and past academic records.

"Principal, what does 'contract expiration expected' mean?"

"Those are students employed on fixed-term contracts. They're anxious too. If their contracts aren't renewed, they immediately lose their income."

"Then I should consider these people as well."

After reviewing the documents several times from beginning to end, Kirrin pointed to one person's profile.

"What about this person?"

"Let me see."

The principal took the profile and nodded with a smile.

"You have a good eye. Actually, I wanted to recommend this student too."

The principal briefly explained the candidate's background.

"Sounds good, doesn't it? It might not be a bad idea to go meet them."

"You're right. If we bring this person as a special talent student, Dian would be pleased too."

At those words, the principal simply smiled warmly at Kirrin without saying anything.

"What...?"

"Kirrin, you like him, don't you?"

"What?!"

Startled, Kirrin stood up abruptly, pushing back her chair.

"No! What are you saying?!"

"The decision to recruit additional special talent students was discussed between you and the 2nd Princess. Yet you're thinking about what Dian would think, not the princess."

"Ah..."

At a loss for words, Kirrin sat back down, her face turning crimson.

"Do you like him?"

"Well..."

Kirrin hesitated before slowly opening up.

Though she had never shared this with anyone else, the principal seemed safe to confide in.

After hearing Kirrin's entire story, the principal said, "What matters most is your feelings."

"Yes..."

"Your father's and the Imperial Castle's concerns come second."

"But I can't ignore those considerations..."

"Then what if you didn't have to remain as principal, or if you weren't the principal at all?"

"What?"

"In that situation, would you still need to like Professor Dian?"

"That's..."

"Do you like Professor Dian for who he is, or as a means to realize your plans?"

Kirrin looked at the principal, then averted her gaze and fell silent.

As Kirrin's silence persisted, the principal spoke again.

"Under your strict father's influence, you've always hesitated to express your opinions and worried about others' reactions."

Placing a hand on Kirrin's knee, the principal continued, "And after becoming principal, you've been caught between the Imperial Castle and your father, unable to move in any direction. You ended up doing nothing and hiding, but that wasn't your fault."

The principal gently stroked Kirrin's knee.

"Similarly, the fact that Professor Dian rebuilt the academy in your place doesn't mean you were inadequate. You were simply oppressed."

"But I'm incompetent..."

"That's not true, Kirrin. How can the top graduate say such things? You're the pride of our public academy."

"Principal..."

Kirrin bit her lip and roughly wiped her eyes with her sleeve.

"You regret the past? You blame yourself? But it's fine. Just don't do that anymore. You're already changing. Professor Dian is helping you."

"Yes..."

"Accept your feelings for Professor Dian purely, Kirrin. If you feel happy liking him, then do so. Don't hesitate. Don't think about your father or the Imperial Castle."

"I understand, Principal... Thank you..."

As Kirrin burst into tears, the principal embraced her with a maternal smile.

# # # # #

If you feel happy liking Professor Dian, then do so... Accept those feelings purely... Don't think about your father or the Imperial Castle...

"We've arrived, Principal."

The coachman's voice pulled Kirrin from her reverie back to the present.

The carriage had stopped at a sizable city nestled in a flat area between ridges.

So this is Tatanoko.