Deadline Is Raining in the Status Window - Chapter 85
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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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#Don’t get devoured even if you nail the concept.
The taste of tea drunk while being disciplined in the Dean’s Office was particularly special today.
News had already spread throughout the Empire via telegram that we had secured a three-year ceasefire agreement between Brandenburg and the Dragon Clan, but regardless, the Academy Headmaster—who had been watching certain students with unfavorable eyes—was seething because they’d skipped classes on their own and held a concert.
“How is this! This! Do you think this makes any sense!”
Honestly, it doesn’t.
When I was young, my father had begged me in tears to at least learn proper dining etiquette, so I’d reluctantly learned tea ceremony manners as well—and now I wielded them fully, sipping my tea with elegance. Though I normally ate voraciously, stuffing whatever I could into my mouth, I knew how to conduct myself properly when the occasion demanded it. After all, I had once been the heir to the Duke Neftis title.
“But Headmaster, since it all worked out well, isn’t that good enough?”
“Your Highness, the Third Princess nearly died! Do you understand! While I serve as Headmaster, I almost had to conduct a state funeral for Your Highness during your time at the Academy!”
True enough. Honestly, the Headmaster wouldn’t care if dozens or hundreds of students died. But if the Third Princess was among them, that was a problem. The Headmaster would have to take responsibility. I’d learned painfully over the past year that the Headmaster despised responsibility.
“The members are tired, so let’s wrap this up appropriately. I’ll arrange a dinner with His Majesty next time.”
“Ahem. Well then, I suppose.”
The Headmaster had no intention of remaining merely an Academy Headmaster. He was an ambitious man. That was fortunate.
“Regardless of the process, since you’ve accomplished great deeds, I’ll overlook the unauthorized absence.”
“Thank you. If our graduation is delayed, the band’s activity period will extend, so I think the Dragon King would be pleased.”
“No. Please graduate quickly and leave this place.”
The Headmaster, who was tempting the Third Princess with talk of early graduation and flattering her brilliant intellect, looked pitiful. I watched the scene unfold while elegantly reaching for a pastry.
“Evan Laef, standing there observing as if this were someone else’s affair.”
“Yes.”
“Do you think this is someone else’s business?”
“Well… yes.”
“It’s your business too, you crazy bloodline! You graduate early too!”
Why was this old geezer bringing up my Mother, who was just minding her own business! Unable to vent his anger on the Third Princess, the Headmaster’s fury turned toward me. He grabbed my head firmly and lifted me up, giving me a tour of the ceiling. I thought my neck would snap.
“Gaaahhhhh!”
“Say you’ll graduate early! Now!”
“If I could, I’d want to too—aaahhhhh!”
“Do it! You can do it! You’re the type who can do anything!”
“Don’t judge me arbitrarily!”
“Are you also in your rebellious phase? I’ll write on the school bulletin board that you’re worth more than that kid sitting next to you, stuff like that!”
“Have you lost your mind—aaahhhhh!”
It’s a generational difference! I’m the generation waiting for graduation—release—while wearing a school uniform like a prison outfit in this Academy prison, you old geezer!
As I screamed, Reina laughed with amusement, and the Headmaster immediately switched targets. This time he grabbed Reina’s head and lifted her up. She protested that he was damaging the future Count’s brain, and the Headmaster coolly remarked that Count Letem, the current Count, had made an additional donation and granted him corporal punishment authority.
“Mom, no—aaahhhhh!”
It seemed Reina had earned more of the Headmaster’s displeasure than I had. When he whipped her around, her neck made a cracking sound. He’d controlled his strength—her neck only twisted slightly—but if he’d intended to kill her, she would have died.
“Your Highness, the Third Princess. Please convey my words to His Majesty. If he grants me corporal punishment authority over Your Highness, I will accept it gladly.”
“Oh… yes. I’ll mention it to him.”
Sera’s voice trembled slightly as she answered. It was likely because she had never received corporal punishment in her entire life.
In any case, the seemingly endless scolding session finally ended, and we were able to leave the Dean’s Office. Sunbird and Princess Sera hurried off, saying they needed to go straight to the Palace to report on Seian’s disposition, while Reina headed to the Dormitory, muttering something about needing to catch up on sleep.
I was about to go stalk Seian to share this good news with him when Eugene grabbed me.
“Thank you.”
“For what?”
“For putting in the effort because of me. I heard you were the first to step forward.”
Whether it was asking how to prevent war at the beginning of the semester, or bringing a solution through Hubert and persuading Princess Sera—in many ways, I had taken the lead, and that’s how Eugene was able to return to the Academy. Eugene seemed to accept it that way, and spoke with surprising seriousness.
“I’ll definitely repay this debt.”
“No. I only poked the Princess in the ribs because I saw a possibility.”
“But you’re the one who found that possibility.”
“It was for my own sake. It wasn’t purely done for your benefit.”
After all, my own time-limit problem was on the line. I spoke the truth plainly, but Eugene, as if he didn’t believe me, laughed and said something that sounded absolutely terrible.
“A kind heart hidden beneath caustic words.”
“That’s not it.”
“A frozen heart rejected by all.”
“I said no!”
I denied it strongly, but Eugene chuckled and rattled off my character settings. That bastard had pretended not to care while devouring the entire character guide.
“If you need anything, just say the word. Brandenburg will help however we can.”
“I’ll gratefully accept the goodwill.”
There was no reason to refuse an offer of help. I gave Eugene a high-five in affirmation and said I’d see him later. I’d been absent because of the war, but starting today, he’d have to pull his weight at the Construction Site and help out at the Dining Hall too.
I wandered around various places where Seian might be, but I couldn’t find him. I had decided to stop by the Library and then stake out Seian’s House, but I ended up hearing about Seian’s whereabouts from an unexpected person.
“Evan.”
It was Professor Ha.
Heinrich, the perfectionist genius professor in charge of rehabilitating the psychopaths of the Magic Department, apparently also taught Seian’s other liberal arts courses. Professor Ha, who complained that the Third Princess’s attendants had come during class and dragged the Crown Prince away causing quite a commotion, tapped my head with a printout to express his displeasure.
“Your academic attitude has been poor lately. You weren’t like this in the first semester.”
“I apologize. I had various matters to attend to.”
“Well, I’ve heard the news too.”
Of course he had—news of the ceasefire had spread throughout the entire Empire. The Imperial Court probably didn’t let detailed information circulate for the sake of appearances, but rumors that Princess Sera and her group had caused the incident would have gotten around.
“You only have one life. Both the Princess and you are far too reckless.”
“Thank you for the advice. I’ll reflect on it.”
“Your mouth says one thing, but your actions say another.”
Professor Ha, making a gesture as if to grab my collar, lectured me about attending classes properly from now on, then entered the Library through the professor-exclusive passage.
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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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