Civil Servant in Romance Fantasy - Chapter 303

Chapter 303: How far did you research? (7)Indeed, my decision was not wrong. Giving up the competition and bowing our heads was the right choice.

While Ernesto Academy bowing its head during my tenure as principal was my personal karma, the students receiving teachings from the Mage Duchess were a blessing for all of Yuben. Gaining something so extraordinary at just the expense of tarnishing the name of an old man—what an undeserved gift.

“As expected of Ernesto’s descendants, you grasp things quickly.”

Moreover, the Mage Duchess positively mentioned Yuben’s hero and referred to us, who couldn’t even touch our mentor’s toe, as descendants. What an honor this was. The students seemed to feel the same way, their faces flushed or smiling from ear to ear.

I didn’t blame them for showing emotions unbefitting of mages, who should always maintain a calm demeanor. If I were young, I would have reacted the same way.

“While the Empire’s mages and Yuben’s mages may be separated by the borders of nations, the truth remains: both drive the progress of magic on this continent. The advancement of one side fuels my own ambition, and my ambition fuels competition. It is through unending competition that true progress is made.”

The Mage Duchess continued with a slight smile while looking at the students. Although we were divided by borders and nationalities, we were comrades striving for the progress of continental magic. Competition was natural, but even that competition would lead to the continent’s development and magic.

Indeed, these were wise words. That was why it was all the more moving. With such a pioneer of continental magic holding such noble ideals, the future of the magical world was incredibly bright.

“Do not think of the advice I’ve given as everything you need. Use it merely as a stepping stone as you move forward.”

With those words, the Mage Duchess left the classroom. It felt a bit bitter. I felt a sense of loss, as if I had been banished from a paradise where everything was abundant and perfect.

However, we couldn’t be consumed by that sense of loss. Under normal circumstances, we wouldn’t have even set foot in such a paradise, let alone hear the voice of its god. How could we dare to feel dissatisfied? The Mage Duchess may have called her teachings a mere stepping stone, but for me, they would remain a guiding landmark for the rest of my life.

So let’s not forget today. If we progress based on these teachings, someday we might surpass the Imperial Academy. Didn’t the Mage Duchess say that competition was natural? We—no, I may have lost now, but in the future, we will win.

“Excuse me. Are you Professor Kurt Schere?”

Just as I was preparing to return to my quarters to reflect on the lessons before the inspiration faded, someone approached me.

...A young man with black hair, black eyes, and a black uniform.

It’s the Prosecutors’ Office’s Executive Manager.

As a mage, I couldn’t not know him. Apart from being the Empire’s Executive Manager, he was also the Mage Duchess’s fiancé.

What could this be about?

Hopefully, it wasn’t anything too troublesome.

***Unfortunately—no, fortunately, the early termination due to natural disasters didn’t happen. Right, a club fair filled with students’ passion couldn’t end so anticlimactically. That was only natural.

Thanks to that, I had been spending my time as a statue-like totem at the booth, but now I need to step away for a moment.

Kurt Schere.

I recalled the information I had hurriedly crammed into my head.

He was the principal of Ernesto Academy and a big name in the magical and educational circles of the United Kingdom of Yuben. It was easier to think of him as the Yuben version of our Principal. They say he had quite a fiery personality in his younger days, just like our Principal who was active in the military when he was young.

What a bother.

And now, I had to go meet him. Honestly, it was annoying. While I was happy to have an excuse to leave my post as a booth totem, the idea of negotiating with a foreigner I’d never met wasn’t exactly thrilling.

But what could I do? The principal had practically begged me to go, and, after hearing his reasoning, I had to admit it was a compelling request.

“We plan to sell cookies to Ernesto Academy separately from the auction.”

From the first statement, it was clear this wasn’t going to be simple. After deciding to hold an auction to avoid confusion, they were now planning to supply cookies separately to people who weren’t even their own citizens? It was unusual.

Of course, knowing that the Principal wouldn’t make such a decision without reason, I listened silently. Indeed, he promptly provided a valid explanation.

“The funds an academy can mobilize and those that nobles can are on different scales. The former is strictly limited to given budgets and predetermined uses, so there’s bound to be a limit to what can be squeezed out.”

Fortunately, our conversation ended smoothly, and Ernesto Academy managed to secure an appropriate amount of cookies. But even so, seeing the current auction must be overwhelming. If they hadn’t made a deal with us behind the scenes, Ernesto Academy would have had to participate in this crazy auction and compete with money.

Of course, the more overwhelmed they were, the more grateful they’d be to us for offering the backdoor deal. Hold onto that gratitude for a long time, foreigner.

“Oh, oppa, do we really get to keep half of this?”

Just as I was about to turn my attention back to the auctioneer, Louise, who had come to watch the auction as part of the pastry club, spoke with a trembling voice.

Right, she must be shocked too. How could anyone keep their composure while watching this insane auction where each item was going for over 10 gold coins? Moreover, Louise came from a barony, which was far from wealthy.

“Can’t we just give it all to teacher?”

I patted Louise’s head at her almost tearful voice. It was a cute question regardless of whether she was intimidated by the overwhelming amount or just lacked greed.

“Our club president must be happy about the increased club budget.”

“I’m not happy!”

I couldn’t help but smile after seeing Louise’s even more tearful face. Sorry, but that’s money you’ll have to manage. What can we do if the Mage Duchess won’t take it?

“Don’t think too negatively. At least the Gold Duke isn’t involved. If he were, the prices would’ve been at least five times higher.”

Ainter, who had been watching the scene, offered a faint smile to console her.

I couldn’t be sure if that really counted as comfort, but I suppose it was meant to ease her nerves. The situation could have been worse, so maybe she shouldn’t feel so bad.

“Five... times...”

Unfortunately, that comfort didn’t reach Louise. The terrifying words ‘five times’ seemed to have short-circuited her brain.

But it was true. If the Gold Duke had graced the auction, he would have crushed the other competitors with money.

“Come to think of it, it is strange. The Gold Duke is famous even in Yuben, so why isn’t he participating in something like this?”

“He didn’t even send a proxy. It’s like he’s completely stepped away.”

The other club members whispered among themselves, speculating about the Gold Duke’s absence. The Mage Duchess’s special cookies were a once-in-a-lifetime auction item, so why had he stayed out of it?

As if he gave up.

The club members might not know, but the Gold Duke hasn’t given up. On the contrary, he was the first to contact me.

— Executive Manager. I heard an interesting rumor that the Mage Duchess has made something fascinating.

“Yes, that’s correct.”

— I’ll pay a price you won’t be disappointed with, so send me 30 of them.

He bypassed the auction entirely, opting to purchase directly from me. And indeed, he sent an amount that was far from disappointing.

I didn’t feel particularly guilty. Wasn’t it natural for high-ranking individuals to live comfortably?

Besides, if the Gold Duke had personally participated in the auction, he would have taken all of them, not just 30. Wasn’t that fortunate for everyone else?

“Six cookies sold to Count Stinel for 14 gold coins each.”

Watching people happily buy their share made me feel good, too.