第１２３３堀：何かをするというのは大変なこと (Part1)
Chapter 1233: The Burden of Action
Side: Popuri
I stare at the title of the document my master handed me just moments ago, and for the umpteenth time, I let out a heavy sigh.
"Haa... seriously? Ugh..."
"Principal? Is something the matter?"
Perhaps it was my muttering, or perhaps the look on my face, but Lara asks with a hint of concern. I don't answer; I simply slide the document across the desk toward her.
"Um, this is the one Comet-sama brought over, isn't it?"
"Yeah. Take a look through it."
"Yes. The title is 'Establishment of the Weed Exchange Student System within the Intercontinental Exchange Alliance,' is it?"
"Mhm. Well, just look at the contents."
I say this, then down the coffee that had long since gone cold in one gulp. I immediately brew a fresh cup and, for good measure, pull out a piece of Alfin’s special cake I’d been keeping in my item box, popping a bite into my mouth.
"Mmm. Delicious. ...But man."
Honestly, just thinking about the contents of that document gives me a headache. I glance over at Lara, wondering how far she’s gotten.
"..."
She is reading through the pages with an incredibly grim expression.
Then again, Lara is brilliant as always. She’s already nearly finished.
I decide I’d better finish my own task, so I polish off the chocolate cake and tidy up my desk just as she looks up.
"Principal. Is this story true? If we handle this poorly, it could affect the very existence of the Academy."
Lara leans in, her face more serious than I have ever seen it.
Well, that’s because the content is just that heavy.
"Calm down, Lara. Regarding magic, the environment differs across every continent, so we’re assuming the introduction of a licensing or certification system. Because of that, Weed will only teach the basics, and students will come to our Academy afterward to earn their certifications. Or, we might end up sending our own students there."
"That may be so, but that increases the possibility of Weed poaching our students. Of course, we aren't doing this for profit, but that could lead to people saying the Academy is no longer necessary."
"Well, that is a problem. But if you consider the Academy’s unique strengths—like 'focusing on magic tool production' as Narjia did, or 'research and education that utilizes an environment with severe magical depletion'—it’s considered a non-issue. Besides, even if the Academy were to wither, Yuki-dono and his people would support us, so it’s fine. And since we have the backing of the great powers, they wouldn't dare try to shut us down."
That’s right; we’ve already secured support for the Lancer Magic Academy, so there’s no particular reason to go back on our word. I’m not worried about that part.
"...That is true, but the Academy that you have worked so hard to build and nurture all these years..."
Well, for Lara, this place is her home, too. I appreciate the sentiment, but nothing in this world is meant to last forever.
"That’s just a matter of how hard we work from here on out. But the part I find problematic is the 'common sense' of each nation. If we aren't careful, it’ll turn into a situation where each continent has to teach and send them off from somewhere."
Yes, that is the crux of the problem. Where will the teaching happen? We could volunteer, but...
"And if we use that to our advantage, your concerns might disappear, but in exchange..."
"Well, we are overwhelmingly short on instructors."
"Exactly. And at this rate, it could turn into a demand for this place—the so-called highest institution of the If Continent—to educate all the idiots from across the entire continent."
"That’s absurd..."
Finally realizing what I’m getting at, Lara’s face contorts as if she’s got a headache of her own.
"It’s entirely possible. After all, this Magic Academy has a long track record of teaching and guiding students from various nations—including the problematic ones that other countries couldn't handle."
"Muu."
Lara understands this well enough that she has no counterargument.
That’s just how it is. Given our history, it’s entirely possible that we’ll be tasked with rounding up all the exchange students.
"But we have only ever taught students with genuine magical talent. It’s not as if other countries haven't accepted exchange students in other fields before."
"That’s true, but who would willingly take on such a hassle? Sure, if you accept them and succeed, your name spreads far and wide, but if you fail, it becomes a massive stain on the Intercontinental Exchange Alliance. The budget you poured in goes down the drain. If you have the know-how, it’s a different story, but in this case, it’s high-risk from the start."
"Indeed, considering that, the possibility of the spotlight falling on our Academy is high. However, if we fail here..."
"The idiots might start complaining about the Academy's reason for existing again."
"..."
A silence hangs between us for a moment, but since that won't get us anywhere, I continue.
"So, either way, it’s a headache. That said, what I mentioned earlier still applies. If we can properly educate students who aren't just budding mages and send them to Weed, the Academy will secure an unshakable position."
"Hmm..."
Lara is struggling with it, just like I was at first.
Man, this really is a tough one. It sounds disadvantageous, but the support for this Academy doesn't just come from the great powers of the If Continent; it includes the great powers of the Rogari Continent and the New Continent as well. The lineup of support is as good as it gets. If we were to fail just because of a little interference, that would be a problem in itself. And if we succeed, our position will be more secure than ever.
It’s a strange situation where it’s neither inherently a bad deal nor a good one.
"Well, it’s not like we’re deciding and implementing this immediately. The very question of what kind of education we provide before sending them to Weed is something we have to negotiate with each country. And even if we end up doing the bulk of the education here, we can’t be the only ones selecting the exchange students. After all, these students aren't just representatives of their nations; they are representatives of the If Continent. Either way, the side that sends out students lacking common sense won't just be shamed—it could turn into an international incident."
"I understand that perfectly well. And the Academy has always had that side to it, hasn't it? ...So that is why."
"Exactly. Our Academy has accepted young people from every nation on the If Continent and managed to keep things running smoothly. From the outside looking in, that track record makes us the ones they’ll want to keep doing it. Anyway, we’re heading to Yuki-dono’s place now—the stage before the actual negotiations—to attend a meeting to summarize the draft. Come with me, Lara."