第１３０８堀：テスト初日の報告 (Part1)
**Chapter 1308: Report on the First Day of Testing**
**Side: Ratz**
Goodness, I certainly didn’t expect to have to call for Big Brother so early on the very first day. I couldn't help but let out a wry smile as I surveyed the current situation.
The first day of testing at the Weed International Student School had just concluded, and we were set to hold a debriefing session. However, the lead teachers from each nation had been adamant: they absolutely insisted that Big Brother be present for the meeting.
"Hmm... are we really that intimidating?" I mused aloud. Even though I knew the reason, I couldn't help but say it.
Eris, who had overheard me, offered her own pained smile. "You were just telling Yuki-san earlier, weren't you? We’re the ones holding the purse strings and managing the supplies. That carries a certain weight, doesn't it? Though, it’s a bit ironic that they’d rather request Yuki-san, who technically outranks us both."
"That’s true. Big Brother is the one in the superior position, yet he’s summoned so easily. Should we consider that a problem?"
In the hierarchy of Weed, Big Brother is Number Two. Number One is shared by Seraria and Labyris. Strictly speaking, summoning the Prince Consort like this should be a breach of protocol.
"If we started enforcing that kind of formality, we’d never get any honest feedback or suggestions for improvement," Eris pointed out.
"I suppose so. I can’t tell if it’s a blessing or a curse that Big Brother has spent so much time wandering around the various nations... it’s made him far too approachable."
"And it’s not like we could just step in and handle the diplomacy ourselves," Eris added.
We both shook our heads in unison. While we’ve gained some experience in negotiation, our primary roles are the management of domestic resources and wealth. If you asked whether we could achieve better results than Big Brother on the international stage, the answer would be a resounding no. We lack his specific flair for negotiation, and unfortunately, there are still many places where we would be looked down upon simply for being women.
External diplomacy is best left to Big Brother or the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, which is staffed primarily by men. However, the Ministry is still in its infancy. Furthermore, this testing phase only happened because Big Brother personally reached out and requested everyone's participation. In that sense, the teachers' request wasn't entirely unreasonable. They wanted to speak to the man who had conceived the idea in the first place.
As we were talking, the door to the conference room opened, and the visiting teachers filed in.
"Excuse us," they said in unison, bowing as they entered.
First was Mr. Hotland from the Magical Kingdom of Logari on the continent of Rogari. He was a man whose thinning hair seemed to testify to the years he had spent buried in his studies.
Next was Vice Principal Lara from the Lancer Magic Academy on the If continent. Or rather, in this setting, I should simply call her 'Teacher.' I hadn't expected them to send their second-in-command, but her ability to adapt to any situation made her the right choice. She also had a history of clashing with Eris, which added an interesting dynamic.
Following her was Ms. Kanna from the Heiden Magic Academy in the Heiden region. She was Kagura’s older sister, a woman with beautiful, flowing blonde hair. Originally a researcher in Heiden’s magic labs, she had moved to the Academy following some internal troubles and now balanced teaching with her own continued studies. We hadn't spoken much, but she struck me as a very serious, dedicated person.
Finally, there was Grand Emperor Advisor Show from the Zurabul Empire. Honestly, a man of his stature—practically at the level of a Chancellor—had no business acting as a mere chaperone. But he was fundamentally a sincere and clever man, so I imagined he had his reasons. It was much the same as us managing things here, I suppose.
He caught my eye and gave a polite nod with a smile. Yes, he definitely forced his way into this assignment. I’d have to get the full story from him later.
For now...
"Thank you all for making the time in your busy schedules. Please, take a seat."
At my invitation, they each sat at the places marked with their nameplates. However, Mr. Hotland seemed restless, glancing around the room with an air of profound discomfort.
Just as I was about to tilt my head in confusion, Eris spoke up. "Yuki-san, the Prince Consort, will be arriving shortly. Please wait just a moment."
Mr. Hotland’s expression visibly relaxed. "Thank you," he said, sounding genuinely relieved.
I blinked. Why was he so relieved? Eris leaned in close to whisper in my ear.
"It’s probably because there are so few men here."
"Eh? Oh... I see."
Now that she mentioned it, I realized the imbalance. In this report meeting, there were three female teachers and two of us (the Principal and Vice Principal), making five women to one male teacher. Even when Big Brother arrived, it would only be five to two. The ratio was certainly skewed.
"Is it really something to be that concerned about, though?" I asked.
"There are things men can only discuss with other men, right? It’s like how some workplaces are segregated by gender."
"Ah, I suppose that makes sense."
Preferences in food, conversation topics—they often diverged along gender lines. And the way one was treated in a professional setting could differ as well. Still, it would be awkward for me to ask him about it directly.
"So, Big Brother will be the one to handle Mr. Hotland?"
"Yes, for this time. We can’t have Yuki-san attend every single meeting, though."
"True. We’ll have to decide how to handle future sessions after this meeting concludes."
As we spoke, the waiting maids began serving tea to the teachers. Just as I thought it was about time, the door swung open.
"Sorry to keep you waiting," Big Brother said as he stepped inside.
Everyone stood immediately to greet him. In this room, Big Brother held the highest status. More importantly, he was the architect of this entire international student system. It was no exaggeration to call him the pinnacle of this organization.
Of course, he was far too busy to handle the day-to-day administration—that was our job. Though, if Big Brother ever decided to take up teaching, I’d be the first to sign up as a student, hoping for some very... hands-on instruction.
I noticed Mr. Hotland looking much more at ease now that Big Brother was present. Perhaps being surrounded by women really did make him feel out of place.
Putting my fantasies aside, I needed to take charge as the Principal.
"Not at all, we’ve only just gathered. Please, bring some tea for him."
"Right away," the maid replied, moving with practiced grace.
Fiola and the others looked ready to jump in, but I wanted the local maids to handle this. They were essentially junior disciples, trained at the maid academy run by Kirue.
"Now then, I declare the first report meeting for the International Student Testing phase open."
My declaration might have sounded a bit grand, but the gravity was real. The solutions we found here would shape the future of the student program and our relations with these nations.
"First, let’s discuss the students' progress. How did things go? Did everything proceed according to the curriculum?"
I turned my gaze toward the whiteboard, where the day’s schedule was outlined.
**Schedule (40-minute periods, 20-minute breaks):**
* **9:00 AM:** General Assembly and Entrance Ceremony in the Gymnasium.
* **10:00 AM:** Breakout sessions by continent for curriculum orientation.
* **11:00 AM:** Basic Weed Etiquette (International Manners).
* **12:00 PM:** Lunch Break.
* **1:00 PM – 3:00 PM:** Field trip to the Commercial District. Briefing followed by continent-specific tours.
* **Current Time:** Debriefing.
The goal was to discuss whether this flow worked, what troubles arose, and what could be improved. We had, of course, discreetly installed surveillance cameras in every classroom to allow for a thorough review of any major incidents, but right now, I wanted the raw, firsthand impressions of these four educators.