第１１９９堀：学府の行く先について (Part1)
Chapter 1199: The Future of the Academy
Side: Comet
“...And that is how I have summarized the report.”
“Hmm, I see. I think that’s a solid perspective.”
I evaluate the report Kagura and the others have put together, handed to me by Popuri. The section regarding ‘methods for the academy’s survival’ involves ‘politics,’ which I find distasteful, but the core content—investigating and researching the unique, ingenious applications of magic throughout the academy’s history—is excellent.
Highlighting that as something only this academy can achieve is truly commendable. That is, after all, something only possible because of the hard work Popuri and her staff have put in. Other magic schools wouldn’t be able to replicate it.
“So, if we push this, do you think we can suppress those who claim the academy is unnecessary?”
“Regarding that, we were originally planning to gain support from various countries on other continents, so this serves as further leverage. With this, we can also silence those who claim I am merely exploiting my acquaintance with Lord Yuki.”
Ah, that’s right. Yuki has been pulling strings to ensure support for the academy’s survival from countries across the other continents, hasn’t he? This is the final nail in the coffin. That should keep those who openly deny the necessity of this magic academy in check.
The only thing that concerns me is…
“The only thing left is to stay vigilant against those who might resort to ‘direct interference.’”
“Does Master also worry about such things?”
“Of course. I was once a student at a school somewhere, and I was treated like a nuisance myself. And those types of people are the ones who always resort to physical means in the end. In my case, I was just an individual, so I could just run away and be done with it. But you, Popuri, are carrying the weight of this academy on your shoulders, so you can’t just do that.”
“So, you mean we need to be cautious about that.”
“Exactly. That said, if they resort to overly blatant tactics, they’ll lose their own standing, so they’ll likely go about it in a persistent, underhanded way that leaves no evidence.”
Honestly, those types of people are such a pain. If they have the time to drag others down, why don’t they try to improve their own abilities? Then again, I suppose they wouldn’t be dragging others down if they were capable of that in the first place. I guess that’s the more ‘realistic’ path for them.
Popuri seems to understand this warning as well…
“Well, we have no choice but to do so. For now, I will issue a notification within the academy.”
Perhaps such advice was unnecessary for her? After all, she has been managing this organization for far longer than I have. She must have experienced this sort of thing many times over. Even so, as her master, I decided to be a little more meddlesome.
“That’s right. For the students at the academy, it should be enough to let them know that the academy has been approved by the member nations of the intercontinental exchange and recognized as the magic academy representing the If Continent. Also, make sure they don’t carelessly get poached by some sweet-talking executive candidate.”
“We have been doing that, but I will take even greater care moving forward.”
“Yeah, that’s for the best. Especially those ‘Dragon Knights,’ or whatever they’re called? You should be extra careful with them. They’re the academy’s prized pupils, aren’t they?”
“Dragon Knights? Ah, you mean Amanda and Eoid. They have received thorough guidance from Lord Yuki and his group, including those matters, so I don’t think there is much to worry about, but I will keep a close watch on them.”
After all, the wyvern Amanda rides is ultimately under Aslin’s control. Even if Amanda were to be compromised, that creature would never betray Aslin or us. Still, I’m sure there will be idiots who try to target the ‘rider.’ Above all, those fools likely mistakenly believe that while there is no replacing a dragon, there is always a replacement for a rider.
I need to mention this to Yuki and the others as well. Yuki did mention before that he was the one who got Amanda involved in all this.
As I pondered what I could do for the academy, Popuri asked me a question.
“Master. Naila and Wazfi have gone to your side; do you know how they are doing, or what their current state is?”
“Hm? Ah, those two. I’m currently preparing for the Great Tree Sea exploration at the academy, so I don’t know the details, but I have heard various things from Deryu and the others.”
Popuri is asking about the students who came to Weed. Even at a time like this, she still worries about her students. Or perhaps, it’s precisely because it’s a time like this?
“They don’t seem to have any particular problems. In fact, Deryu praised Wazfi, saying she has surprising grit. And Naila seems to have a real spark for developing magic tools. Narjia and Zargis both said she is worth teaching.”
“Haah… Wazfi is still all about her ‘fists,’ then. But I am surprised that Naila is receiving such praise from those two.”
“Yeah, granting skills to tools and accessories is quite an incredible feat. Being able to activate such skills just by holding an item is certainly worth researching.”
That’s right. If this can be achieved, just like Taizo-san’s science, anyone—regardless of talent—could use magic equally. If that happens, the world will become a much more convenient place. However, I know better than anyone that things won’t progress that easily. The people who can currently use magic will surely try to drag her down. I’m sure fools who believe their position as mages will vanish will appear. Taizo-san and Yuki often say that while new technology is convenient, it often has a negative impact on existing labor. We have to be very careful about that.
“...So, do they possess the ability to be worth working in Weed? I sent them off with confidence, but I still worry about my students. Above all, they basically have no ‘future’ to return to.”
“Well, I’d be happy to hire Naila as my assistant as she is now. Besides, Narjia and Zargis will likely want her too. As for Wazfi, she’s a powerhouse rather than a technician, so Deryu and Tori will likely be happy to snatch her up.”
“Is that so? Then I am relieved for now.”
“To begin with, Yuki was the one who took them in. He wouldn’t just cast them aside. Well, I don’t know how much he intends to ‘involve’ them. But they participated in the recent exchange meeting, so I suppose they are executive candidates for now. That was your intention, wasn’t it, Popuri?”
Wazfi aside, Naila’s position in the If Continent is extremely delicate. Or rather, if her survival were discovered, it would be at a level where she would have to be executed. Entrusting such a Naila to Yuki means exactly that.
“Yes. That is what I am aiming for. Above all, I was convinced that Lord Yuki would not treat Naila poorly.”
“I agree with that. Though, Yuki was troubled by having a woman pushed onto him like that. Well, he has a wife, so that’s only natural.”
We all know well that Yuki is a devoted husband. He’s not the type to be happy about being told to ‘do something’ with another woman.
“I feel bad about that, but Naila would never have seen the light of day if she had stayed as she was. I believed his place was the only one where her talents could be maximized.”
“Yeah. His place is certainly where Naila’s talents can be maximized. Above all, she will be fully supported if she’s in Weed. I’m interested in her as well, after all.”