第５１５堀：学府の今後の運営計画と渡りに船 (Part2)
"I’m not sure if 'cheap' is the right word, but if we don't produce results better than what we have now, the mages of the If Continent may find themselves without a leg to stand on in the near future."
"……Surely not."
Lara seems to think that such a thing could never happen. Well, she has only ever seen Weed, so that’s understandable.
"It is not a 'surely not' situation. Just as the Lancer Magic Academy exists here on the If Continent, there is a nation of magic on the Rogari Continent. Moreover, it is ruled by Nonoa, the Goddess of Magic. They are training mages on a national scale."
"……"
Lara is stunned, perhaps because she never expected a deity to be involved. In fact, her face has gone pale. Perhaps I threatened her a bit too much.
"Well, her ability is about on par with mine. My master is superior to her."
"And with only that level of skill, she is a goddess?"
"She is a goddess, without a doubt. While possessing that level of power, she has built a nation and has largely succeeded in turning the entire citizenry into mages."
"I-is such a thing even possible!?"
"I have seen it with my own eyes, so since the reality is right in front of me, it must be possible. Though, of course, there is a wide range of talent. At the very least, they can all cast something like a Fireball."
"The entire population?"
"Small children are an exception, of course. But in that regard, one could say Nonoa shows wonderful talent. She is like a combination of my master Comet’s development skills, Hifie’s national management ability, and my own talent for instructing students. She doesn't have any one sharp, specialized ability, so at a glance, she doesn't look all that impressive."
"……W-will the academy disappear?"
Oh? Did I make her even more anxious?
"Yuki is properly handling the adjustments regarding that. He is on good terms with Nonoa, and there is also the matter of investigating the cause of the mana depletion. That said, we cannot leave everything to others. We, too, must do what we can to take pride in our academy as a place of learning for the If Continent."
"And those things we can take pride in are Eoid and Amanda, then?"
"That is exactly it. Even if they don't reach the level of Yuki’s prized forces, the Wyvern Corps, the Dragon Knight Amanda is a rare existence not just on the If Continent, but on the Rogari Continent as well. Furthermore, they are disciples of Yuki, Taiki, and their wives. In that regard, we can say we are a step or two ahead of other nations."
"So, that is why you seek further strengthening?"
"Correct. I plan to work on raising the overall level of the academy alongside Yuki, Nonoa, and Zargis. That is not something that can be solved overnight. Right now, we need someone who can become the face of our magic academy."
"And that cannot be us, can it?"
"If we were to map ourselves to the representatives of various nations, we are like the King and the Prime Minister. We lack the role of the guardian knight. We could bring in other teachers, but Eoid and Amanda have connections to Yuki, and I want to utilize that. Besides, if we hide it, strange rumors might spread—like us harboring ill will toward Yuki."
"It is a complicated business."
"To begin with, the teachers are mages first and foremost. That is different from being a knight. Perhaps we should establish a Magic Knight department."
"Indeed, considering the future, that is a department we should have."
As I was thinking about the future management of the academy like that, a call suddenly came through from Yuki.
"Yes. Yuki, is there a problem with my master?"
『No, Comet hasn't caused any particular trouble.』
"That is a relief. I would hate to have to look after my master repeatedly. In that case, what is the business?"
『The number of people entering the Hayden region in the New Continent is quite low. Could I borrow Eoid? Of course, I won't force him. The sexism is quite intense there, and I want to increase the number of men, even if just by a little.』
"Your surroundings are filled with women, Yuki. Very well."
I decide without hesitation to entrust Eoid to Yuki.
『Are you sure?』
"I was just talking about thickening the academy's ranks. It should be a good place to train Eoid."
『Ah, thinking about the future, I suppose so. But will Amanda allow it?』
"Hmm. In that case, let’s have Amanda go as well. I am concerned that she relies too much on Wai-chan and lacks personal experience."
『The danger level is quite high. Do you understand that?』
"I understand. However, rather than letting the problems with the New Continent drag on, it would be better to have contributed to their resolution. For the sake of the future."
『……Are you expecting the academy's position to become that difficult?』
"I cannot be optimistic. If the nations of the If Continent begin to incorporate mages from the Rogari Continent, the Lancer Magic Academy will lose its financial support. I want the pretext that we are cooperating with you to solve problems, even if only slightly. You don't intend to let Eoid and Amanda die, do you?"
『Of course not. I’ll make sure to follow up.』
"Then, it is a godsend."
『……*Sigh*. We’ll have to talk about those details later, too.』
"For the sake of that discussion, we need a swift pacification of the New Continent. Fortunately, Difes and the others are training them, so I will send them to Weed immediately. We shall leave the detailed explanations to Difes and the others."
『That’s true. I’ve had enough surprises at Weed for now.』
And so, Eoid and Amanda departed for the New Continent.
This is also for your future.
If the academy disappears, the town will wither away.
This is a trial for you to become the faces of the academy hereafter.
And that, I believe, will lead to your happiness.
……I think.
The world is a difficult place everywhere you look.