On My First Day Undercover, the Organization Collapsed - Chapter 85

—————
This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
—————

The Organization Collapsed on My First Day of Infiltration Episode 085

 

 

 

 

 

How Interesting

 

 

 

 

 

Sword School celebrated the practical training results.

 

Meanwhile, Arcane School despaired.

 

 

 

“Arcane School is being very quiet. They’re keeping their mouths shut tight!”

 

“The Department Head’s strategy worked!”

 

“Just imagining their expressions makes me feel so…”

 

 

 

The practical training results were so remarkable that even the Sword School professors, who usually kept to themselves, came together to speak in unison for the first time in ages.

 

The 2nd and 3rd years weren’t particularly special, but the 5th years performed quite well, defeating their Arcane School counterparts of the same year.

 

The 4th years barely lost.

 

And…

 

 

 

“Our Teacher Ziel did the best job, didn’t he?”

 

 

 

The 1st years’ achievements that brought a pleased smile to the Department Head’s face!

 

Even if it could be dismissed as the Arcane School 1st years being too incompetent, the contents written in the report were truly amazing.

 

Zero casualties!

 

Average ruins breakthrough time faster than the 2nd years!

 

On top of that-

 

 

 

“I was shocked when I saw it too! How did they manage the Ruinbark…”

 

“The report says he cooperated with the students, but Teacher Ziel finished it off, right?”

 

 

 

Even defeating a high-grade magical beast, Ruinbark.

 

They had achieved something completely unimaginable for 1st year students.

 

Of course, Professor Isabella, who was in charge of the 5th years, had a somewhat strange expression.

 

Due to some incident, it was the Ruinbark that the 5th years should have faced.

 

 

 

‘Of all places, how did it end up over there.’

 

 

 

From Isabella’s perspective, it was absurd too.

 

When she arrived to check in advance, the Ruinbark had already left its designated zone.

 

It had headed toward the vicinity of the Sword School and Arcane School 1st years, tearing up the safe zone.

 

The Intelligence Department said there was an equipment malfunction…

 

 

 

‘Damn bastards.’

 

 

 

But fortunately, no one was hurt because of the Ruinbark.

 

At least what’s grateful is grateful.

 

Given the situation and the opponent, it would be good to express gratitude.

 

 

 

“Teacher Ziel, I apologize for causing you unnecessary concern.”

 

 

 

When Isabella, who had been silent the whole time, spoke up, Elcanto and Merhen, who had been enthusiastically praising, were a bit surprised.

 

 

 

‘That person is saying such things?’

 

 

 

“We should have faced it, but somehow it went there and threatened the 1st years.”

 

“It’s not something Professor Isabella needs to apologize for.”

 

 

 

Ziel answered calmly and added this:

 

 

 

“It was a good opportunity.”

 

 

 

Isabella tilted her head in confusion.

 

 

 

“A good opportunity?”

 

“Yes. I was able to educate the students on how to face large magical beasts.”

 

 

 

Was he being socially adept or was he bragging?

 

 

 

‘Is this also a highly calculated response?’

 

 

 

Elcanto nodded, thinking this was indeed typical of Ziel.

 

 

 

“…So there was someone who would call such a thing ‘education.’ A 1st year homeroom teacher, no less.”

 

“Regardless of which year I’m in charge of, it would have been a good educational opportunity.”

 

 

 

A strange tension flowed between them.

 

Oddly, Isabella seemed to be sarcastically probing, and Ziel answered without backing down even an inch.

 

Then Berhal stepped in at just the right time.

 

 

 

“Now, now, the Ruinbark matter has been resolved well, so let’s wrap up this discussion here.”

 

 

 

While saying this, Berhal didn’t lose his look of interest.

 

 

 

‘He’s not being pushed back at all. And Isabella is quite the person.’

 

 

 

Like himself, based on background alone, she was someone who had no reason to be at this academy.

 

Someone had said she was almost at the level of earning the ‘Imperial Knight’ title.

 

He heard that for some reason, she ultimately didn’t receive the Imperial Knight title and left the Knight Order in disappointment.

 

She was already someone whose inner thoughts were unknowable, yet Ziel met her gaze without being pushed back at all.

 

Meanwhile.

 

 

 

‘Assassination would be possible.’

 

 

 

Ziel was gauging his opponent’s level.

 

 

 

‘If we faced each other head-on…’

 

 

 

Gauging an opponent’s level was instinct.

 

It wasn’t due to competitive spirit.

 

It was due to experience of having to eliminate surrounding threats or turn his back and flee whenever unexpected situations arose.

 

On the other hand.

 

On the opposite side, Isabella felt like this.

 

 

 

‘How chilling.’

 

 

 

Though she was the only female professor at Sword School, she prided herself on having accumulated countless experiences no less than any man.

 

But this was the first time she’d seen eyes like those.

 

The moment their gazes met, it felt as if her heart had gone cold.

 

 

 

‘It must be my imagination.’

 

 

 

Experiencing this for the first time in her life, Isabella tried to dismiss it while feeling tense.

 

Not knowing that this gaze originated from the ‘Polar Night Breathing Technique’ that only Ziel had mastered.

 

 

 

“Anyway, thanks to all the professors working together to prepare the practical training, we achieved very successful results. We’ll have to wait and see how Arcane School responds, but we definitely achieved victory this time. Don’t you think so?”

 

“That’s right! Yes, Department Head.”

 

“You speak truly, Department Head!”

 

 

 

Elcanto and Merhen responded quickly.

 

Then they happened to look at each other and inwardly sneered.

 

 

 

‘Useless bastard. Now you’re openly trying to get on the Department Head’s good side?’

 

‘Your days of acting cocky as a senior are numbered, you fool.’

 

 

 

Cooperation on the surface.

 

But still growling at each other inside.

 

This was Sword School’s current state.

 

Of course, the more important fact was that cooperation was happening, even if only on the surface.

 

Only Professor Idel kept his mouth tightly shut, reading the room.

 

 

 

‘Should I really try to get close to Teacher Ziel?’

 

 

 

Idel was a realist.

 

As a result, he had managed to hold on desperately and rise to become a Fourth Year professor.

 

As long as Isabella was there, becoming a Fifth Year professor would be impossible, but his current position was good enough.

 

Therefore, the rising star right now was…

 

 

 

‘That teacher might have something special.’

 

 

 

Ziel now seemed definitely different.

 

 

 

‘I should try talking to him after this ends. Hmm. It would be good to become friends with him.’

 

 

 

Idel nodded with firm resolve.

 

 

 

‘I never knew the sound of scheming could be this loud.’

 

 

 

Berhal chuckled inwardly.

 

Well, though it wasn’t intentional, everyone had ended up united in their opinion about Ziel.

 

 

 

‘It’ll be hard to ignore him anymore.’

 

 

 

Just because he was a liberal arts instructor.

 

Just because he was in charge of First Years.

 

Just because his background was ambiguous.

 

No one would look down on him for these or any other reasons anymore.

 

 

 

‘In that sense, Professor Elcanto really has sharp instincts, doesn’t he?’

 

 

 

It was a moment when Professor Elcanto, who had actively supported Ziel from the very beginning, looked different.

 

 

 

“Well then, let’s discuss rewards for merit. Since we had good results this time… each professor will receive an incentive.”

 

 

 

No one would refuse money.

 

Even Isabella reacted to the mention of incentives.

 

And the person who showed the biggest reaction was Ziel.

 

 

 

“How much?”

 

 

 

Such a direct question!

 

Asking about the amount so openly was rude.

 

But it felt like a question only Ziel could ask.

 

 

 

“Teacher Ziel, you seem quite pleased.”

 

“It’s proper compensation. I’m not extremely happy.”

 

“Hmm?”

 

“However, if it’s more than I expected, I think I’d be extremely happy.”

 

 

 

Berhal couldn’t help but burst into laughter at such honesty.

 

 

 

“Haha… Good. Very good. Yes, it will be more than you expected. At least more than the incentive paid after the last Exchange Tournament.”

 

 

 

At those words, Merhen’s head whipped around.

 

 

 

‘He received an incentive after the Exchange Tournament?’

 

 

 

I didn’t receive one.

 

Actually, he deserved not to receive one.

 

 

 

‘Damn it, because of that bastard…’

 

 

 

Because he lost to Ziel’s First Years.

 

He had even come in dead last overall.

 

Rising anger again!

 

 

 

“Then how much will it be?”

 

“Twice that amount.”

 

 

 

200,000 cel.

 

Excellent.

 

 

 

“That’s quite a lot. I’m pleased.”

 

“Are you really pleased?”

 

“Yes. The corners of my mouth are turned up.”

 

“….”

 

 

 

Is he really pleased?

 

Berhal tilted his head with a puzzled expression.

 

Then he soon shrugged his shoulders and looked around at the other professors.

 

 

 

“Also, this time all professors will receive incentives as well. Because we achieved solid results compared to Arcane School. You don’t need to worry about the budget.”

 

 

 

Only then did Merhen’s expression brighten again.

 

The other professors nodded and showed their joy.

 

Money is good.

 

Actually, being an academy professor isn’t a job that pays extremely well.

 

With even the honor that existed gradually declining, the incentive given was bound to be sweet.

 

 

 

“And there’s an announcement. As you know, vacation is approaching in two weeks. Please finish the students’ final evaluations well, and organize the evaluation materials properly before submitting them to the teaching assistants. Lastly… the academic system will be somewhat reorganized starting next semester.”

 

“Academic system reorganization?”

 

“Yes. It’s a detailed reorganization. First, the proportion of swordsmanship will increase a bit more. This particularly applies to first years and second years.”

 

 

 

Merhen and Idel breathed sighs of relief.

 

A sudden academic system reorganization would be like a bolt from the blue.

 

Because they’d have to prepare classes all over again.

 

But if it only applied to first and second years, they were exceptions.

 

 

 

‘I won’t even be able to rest during vacation. This is terrible.’

 

 

 

Meanwhile, Elcanto despaired…

 

 

 

‘If the proportion of swordsmanship increases in second semester classes… I’ll be able to conduct lessons a bit more seriously.’

 

 

 

Ziel was actually interested.

 

At the two contrasting reactions, Berhal cast a strange look before wrapping up the discussion.

 

 

 

“That’s all. Detailed changes will be announced by the Administration Office soon. Well then, let’s wrap up.”

 

 

 

The professor meeting was finally concluded.

 

 

 

‘Now’s the time.’

 

 

 

The fourth year professor, Idel, cautiously stood up while reading the room.

 

And when the other professors were leaving one by one.

 

 

 

“Ahem, excuse me. Teacher Ziel.”

 

 

 

He called out to Ziel.

 

 

 

‘What’s with that guy?’

 

 

 

Elcanto, who had just been about to exit, paused momentarily.

 

 

 

“Could we talk for a moment?”

 

“Ah, Professor Idel Record. Please speak.”

 

 

 

Idel was a bit flustered by Ziel’s stiffness in addressing him with his surname.

 

However, he soon gathered courage and opened his mouth.

 

 

 

“If it’s alright with you, would you like to have a meal together?”

 

“A meal, you say.”

 

“Yes. It’s almost dinner time anyway… Come to think of it, I’ve never had a meal with Teacher Ziel since you joined, have I? Haha. As a senior, I feel a bit sorry and concerned…”

 

“Why are you a senior?”

 

“Pardon?”

 

“I’m a liberal arts instructor. Not a professor.”

 

“….”

 

 

 

He hadn’t expected this kind of reaction.

 

 

 

“Ha, haha. We’re just both in the position of teaching students, so… isn’t that how it is?”

 

 

 

Of course, Idel was the one who needed this.

 

Ziel pondered his words for a moment, then nodded.

 

 

 

“If that’s what you mean, I understand.”

 

“Right? Hahaha. Then, how about this evening? If you have plans, tomorrow or the day after…”

 

“I don’t have any particular plans today.”

 

“Oh! That’s great!”

 

 

 

Elcanto, who had been secretly watching the conversation, clicked his tongue.

 

 

 

‘That, that bastard…’

 

 

 

He felt strange.

 

This feeling like Ziel was being stolen away!

 

This was…

 

Jealousy?

 

 

 

“Then how about dinner?”

 

“Understood. Will Professor Idel Record be paying?”

 

“Of course! Naturally! Haha, being a senior and all, how could I not pay when having a meal with a junior teacher?”

 

 

 

Idel declared confidently.

 

Elcanto was annoyed.

 

He was annoyed at Idel for suddenly approaching Ziel like that, and he was annoyed at Ziel for readily accepting the proposal.

 

 

 

“Now then, is there anything you’d like to eat? Wait, right. What’s been the most delicious thing you’ve had since coming to the academy?”

 

 

 

Ziel answered without delay, unaware of his feelings.

 

 

 

“The dinner I had at ‘Lancaster’s Star’ was the most delicious.”

 

 

 

Lancaster’s Star!

 

The place where he went once with Delev and regretted it a bit afterward because it was so expensive.

 

Idel knew it too.

 

 

 

‘Hmm. That much is fine.’

 

 

 

But there was no problem at all.

 

 

 

“Sounds good. Let’s go!”

 

 

 

And so the two people walked away together amicably.

 

Elcanto watched their backs with a gaze full of jealousy—

 

 

 

“Wait.”

 

 

 

Suddenly he recalled one important fact.

 

 

 

‘Teacher Ziel eats an incredible amount, doesn’t he?’

 

 

 

And they’re going to ‘Lancaster’s Star’?

 

 

 

Snicker.

 

 

 

Laughter burst out without him realizing it.

 

His jealousy vanished in an instant!

 

 

 

“Her wallet’s going to be ruined. Hehehe.”

 

 

 

Probably today, Professor Idel would witness it.

 

Just how much food one person could eat!

 

Elcanto left the conference room humming to himself.

 

And—

 

 

 

“…Dinner, huh.”

 

 

 

Not far away in the corridor.

 

Another person who had been watching this situation.

 

 

 

‘Should I try asking him to have a meal?’

 

 

 

Isabella had an interesting thought.

 

She also recalled Ziel’s interesting yet chilling gaze.

 

She had met countless men so far.

 

Most of them were men who looked down on her and regarded her as inferior.

 

Wasn’t that right?

 

In the world of knights, women were a rarity.

 

Condescension.

 

Contempt.

 

Disregard.

 

And even wariness.

 

At least one of those emotions was always contained in their gazes.

 

But Ziel was different.

 

Those eyes that were impossible to fathom!

 

 

 

“Not bad at all.”

 

 

 

She felt both interest and competitive spirit at the same time.

 

He had defeated a Ruinbark, they said.

 

 

 

‘His skills must be solid.’

 

 

 

Isabella made a decision that would have greatly surprised anyone who heard it.

 

The reason was simple.

 

After failing her challenge for the ‘Imperial Knight’ title.

 

She had been living cooped up in the Academy, almost cutting off contact with the outside world.

 

Since her job was professor, she only had limited interactions with students and parents.

 

Even then, she never approached anyone first…

 

 

 

“Interesting, I must say.”

 

 

 

This was the first time she had shown interest in someone from the Academy.

 

Ziel Steelheart.

 

The Sword School’s only Liberal Arts Instructor was now…

 

Monopolizing the attention of all the professors.

—————
This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
—————