CH 32

Eugène had no idea how his life would turn out until he came to the capital after receiving a letter from the Marquis of La Baille.

He used to joke around about the professors of the Imperial Academy but never expected the day to come when he would meet them in person. The erudite scholars of the refined academy only entered salons of their own standard, and Eugène knew all too well that a crude soldier like him was unlikely to be invited to such a place. NQhiH1

But now he was surrounded by the smartest people in the world. As Eugène saw more gowns gathered in one place than he had seen in his entire life combined, he realized that the future of a person was truly unpredictable.

The official name of the Imperial Academy was ‘La Royale’ University. As the splendid name suggests, it was the Estina Empire’s imperial family who sponsored the Imperial Academy.

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Since its inception, La Royale University had maintained lasting ties with the imperial family, and over the centuries, with the active support of the Ardi imperial family, it had established itself as one of the most prestigious institutions of higher education in the empire and in the entire continent.

Most of the judicial aristocrats, as well as the most ambitious bureaucratic aristocrats who wanted to advance, were obliged to obtain a diploma from the university, and often even the Grands would become students and take lessons from the Imperial Academy. For ordinary citizens, the authority of the Imperial Academy was unwaveringly resolute. There was even a saying for the academy that followed, ‘All the mysteries of the world gather in ‘La Royale’. wKLphf

“Would you like to answer how ensuring some professors the right to eat a lamb’s heart and a roasted partridge every weekend has to do with enhancing the academic performance of the university?”

But even that solid reputation and authority was of no use in the face of the undisputed power of the Emperor of the empire. The Emperor raised his eyebrows while reviewing the budget proposal for the new semester submitted by the faculty of the Imperial Academy. Whenever he found items he did not like in the budget and discussed them one by one, the representatives of the professoriate blushed with embarrassment.

For a long time after the war ended, the representatives, who had been directly dealt with by the Emperor, realized that while they were so excited by such glory, they had forgotten one important fact. The Emperor was a man who did not acknowledge any authority other than himself. He did not fear the name of La Royale, unlike other dignitaries and bureaucrats.

“As it can be seen from the reference attached below the budget, the perks are proposed to take care of the health of our senior tenured professors. Unlike other conditions, it does not guarantee equal rights for all professors, but general professors of the professoriate also voted in favor of guaranteeing such privileges for tenured professors.”

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It was Professor Saletier, the president of La Royale University and also the head of the faculty, who received the Emperor’s inquiry and stepped forward. With his grizzled grey hair and fair complexion, he gave off the impression of a talented politician than an aloof scholar of the ivory tower.

“Most tenured professors’ ages are well up in years. All of them are eligible to vote for other tenured professorships. Tenured professors are effectively the ones with the university’s personnel authority. Can the President be confident that the general professors voted without any pressure? We read the report which said that no new tenured professors were hired three years ago.”

However, no matter how good your eloquence may be, it would be difficult to find words to respond to such direct criticism as it was right now. Professor Saletier did not readily excuse himself and hesitated on the spot. The Emperor looked at him with an expressionless face and closed the documents of the budget proposal he was reading.

“To get things done today, We looked through the data of the past few years and found it to be unreasonable. In the past few years, when We were unable to directly handle the budget proposal, the privileges of tenured professors increased dramatically. The food cost of the professoriate, which the imperial family must guarantee, has almost doubled compared to before, and arithmetically, it is five times the food cost paid for ordinary students. But even then, the tuition was raised because it was not enough? Are you trying to teach junior scholars or are you doing business with education?” cAtzZJ

“Your Majesty, what do you mean business with education? What kind of abusive language is that to the scholars of the ivory tower?”

Professor Saletier, surprised by the Emperor’s blatant rebuke, protested, raising his voice as if he was wronged. But it was like pouring oil on a burning house. Even if it wasn’t, the Emperor, who was still angry, scolded Professor Saletier with a more ferocious look than before.

“Are Our words too harsh? No, you do not deserve to say that. Scholars are human too, so they do not say anything about their greed. But the results are too shabby for that. Despite the war, the budget spent on the Imperial Academy has steadily increased over the past few years. Nevertheless, the achievements you made are extremely minimal. The number of dissertations in the almanac has decreased by about a quarter compared to the previous year, and the number of graduates has also decreased due to the excessively increased tuition. At a time when outstanding individuals are needed more than ever, you are not helping the empire, but only sucking its blood. But even then, you dare open hands again? Do you still have any excuses for Us?”

“T-The decline in the number of dissertations in the almanac has decreased is due to the research the university is doing to be of practical help to the empire. Research takes a long time, and tangible results have been coming out for a while now. As Your Majesty may recall, did one of our university’s chemistry professors not develop a new type of percussion that does not require a fuse?” WU6HFv

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“Sure, We remember. Seems like the pistol was a kind of bribe you offered to appease Our wrath. We want to ask you one thing. Do you think the percussion revolvers can be mass-produced? The percussion revolvers you developed were overly sophisticated, and the labor cost required for delicate mechanical parts was ridiculously expensive. Have you ever wondered what would happen if such a refined plaything rolled around on the battlefield? Do you think the percussion revolver would be useful even if the barrel was mixed with dirt and rainwater?”

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“What We want is a practical outcome, not a fun plaything to play around with. If you want to hear words of praise from Us on a percussion revolver, improve it to the point where it would be fine even if it rolls in the mud. We intend to be considerate if you request a budget for it. We will never waste the treasury on a lavish weekend dinner for tenured professors. If you want to be treated, prove your worth. We only acknowledge those who are worthy.” 4ywbMe

The last sentence the Emperor uttered was shining with absolute authority that only the Emperor could display. Most of the professoriate’s representatives were people who lived twice as long as the Emperor, but they did not dare to confront the Emperor’s overwhelming dignity. They lowered their heads, reciting the words of apology like a prayer, and the Emperor haughtily accepted their apology.

The Emperor dampened the spirit of the professoriate from the beginning, then allocated the budget proposal with lightning speed. At first glance, it seemed that he was judging the matters arbitrarily, but upon a closer look, it could be seen that he was thorough in never leaving any faults in the professoriate that could cause dissatisfaction.

Story translated by Chrysanthemum Garden.

Though he did not approve of the added items compared to the previous year, he comforted the professors by guaranteeing the existing privileges. Instead, the increased tuition was returned to the previous amount, and the cost of scholarships sponsored by the imperial family was increased to consider the students who had been marginalized.

To be slapped on the cheek and told to grow up meant this. Eugène was deeply impressed with his ability to treat the best scholars of the empire as if they were children. sIeDbh

The review of the budget proposal, which started as soon as the luncheon was over, continued until late in the evening. Even if the Emperor’s unilateral will was followed, the settlement of the budget proposal of a large organization like the Imperial Academy could not be completed within a day or two.

The representatives of the professoriate, who had been embroiled in the Emperor’s tremendous pressure and tempest-like work all day, staggered out of the office with exhausted faces when the first day’s schedule was over. The Emperor had postponed dinner for the settlement of the budget proposal and stood up for the late dinner, and Eugène, who had been watching the Emperor’s administrative work under the pretext of observation, was released and stepped away from Emperor’s presence along with other professors.

Since Eugène had no official say in matters, he stood there like a stone statue throughout the work process, unable to intervene. He moved along, rubbing his stiff shoulders. But just then, he heard someone call him carefully from behind.

Currently, he was in a state of being relieved of his post, so the courtiers usually called him by his nobility title. However, this time, unusually, the familiar title of Vice Admiral Chastan was being used. Eugène involuntarily turned his head and looked back. When he did, he saw a young man with an overly thin professor robe that looked a little too baggy on him, trotting after him. HotJ6x

He was a man with a unique impression, with big and round eyes like that of a startled child, and unruly red hair that seemed impossible to groom from birth. If he was not wearing the robe of a tenured professor, he looked young enough to be mistaken for a university student, so it was difficult to estimate his age just by his appearance.

“Vice Admiral Chastan. You are His Excellency, The Vice Admiral, yes?”

The man who had called him with his temporarily deprived former position quickly gasped for breath, as if it was difficult to even come across that short distance, and asked. Eugène looked down at him, who staggered like a dry branch, with a puzzled expression on his face.

“Yes. This is Vice Admiral Chastan. But how do you know me?” WdZyKG

“How could I not know you? Our family has been associated with the Trierrehan Shipowners’ Union for generations. My older brother once served as the legal clerk of the Shipowners’ Union, and my father once served as its head.”

“Is that so? Then, could your name be-?”

“Oh my, due to my impetuousness, I forgot to introduce myself earlier. My name is Rufus de Bouthiaux.”

Rufus de Bouthiaux? Eugène uttered a low exclamation when he realized that the man in front of him was Professor Rufus, the second brother of Jean Thierry de Bouthiaux, the regional judge in Trierrehan. Jean Thierry, an old friend of his, was also a witness for him in the divorce trial. gjCdUh

Eugène was acquainted with his family and was often invited to their house when he was called upon the Port of Trierre, but even though he had met the other family members, he had not met their second son, Rufus, who had been studying in the capital since a long time ago.

“I often heard stories about you from your older brother. Nice to meet you, Professor Bouthiaux.”

When Eugène greeted him first, Rufus clasped his hands ardently, with his cheeks dyed red like that of a young boy.

“I have heard a lot about Your Excellency not only from my brother but also through various channels. You are the one who makes an adventure more of a reality than any heroic story one would have ever read as a child! Every time Your Excellency’s achievements were mentioned in the epistle, there has never been a time when praises were not poured out.” fct53Y

Eugène was taken aback by the enthusiastic praise he had never expected to hear at the court. While it was true that his popularity on the west coast was tremendous, it was rare for a mature scholar who wasn’t a young boy to react in such a way.

Eugène noticed that passersby were glancing and listening to their conversation, and gently led Rufus by his elbow to move toward the hallway so that he wouldn’t notice.

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“I am truly flattered, Professor.”

“It is not mere flattery. My father, who seldom praises others, even praised Your Excellency as ‘the only treasure of the Imperial Navy’.” MEmnC

“Hahaha.”

Eugène was at a loss due to the endless procession of compliments from the other person, but he hid his feelings and just laughed. Rufus had no hesitation in throwing blatant praise that could even be called sycophancy, belatedly became conscious of his shameful conduct, and coughed in vain as his cheeks flushed red.

“Co-Cough. My apologies. I think I have committed a discourtesy to the Vice Admiral.”

“No, it’s okay. But, Professor, do you have any other business with me? I assume you did not follow me simply to say hello.” ZdVS3x

It was clear to Eugène that Rufus had other business besides meeting him. It was conceivable from the fact that such a shy person noticed his actual situation and slouched his shoulders in dismay, and simply uttered an apology without leaving the place or promising another time.

He repeatedly licked his lips and lowered his head, as if he has something to say, and Eugène watched his shy child-like behavior with a smile.

“Ah. Did you notice?”

Rufus looked up at Eugène’s question, startled. Though Eugène thought it was something that would be noticeable to anyone other than him as well, he nodded gently. wmjcOH

“If you have a request, please do not hesitate to say it. The family of a friend is like a family to me too.”

As he gently soothed the overly tensed Rufus, light returned to the embarrassed man’s face. Rufus looked up at Eugène with a mixture of shyness and hope, and hesitantly spoke of the request he had in mind.

“Then I shall gather my courage and speak. Though I am aware that it is really shameless of me to request this of Your Excellency as soon as we meet…  to be honest, I have always wanted to meet Your Excellency, Vice Admiral Chastan. I wanted to see the hero who deserves the utmost praise in person, and I was also curious about the treasure Your Excellency had. My brother told me that Your Excellency has the Alwitz Chart? It is a rare nautical chart that even the Imperial Academy does not have yet, but I came to know that Your Excellency does.”

Alwitz Chart? Oh. Come to think of it, did this person say that he specializes in astronomy and geometry? Eugène nodded as he remembered the fact that the professors at the Imperial Academy were struggling to uncover the secrets of the Confederation of Five Nations’ state-of-the-art altazimuth theodolite technology and triangulation techniques. 0daxNR

According to the circulating rumors, the professors at the Imperial Academy, which had been dubbed as the continent’s best ivory tower, had received a great blow to their pride due to the fact that they had fallen behind in geometry, one of the four liberal arts of the quadrivium.

Since Eugène knew how prideful the professors at La Royale were, he thought the rumor was made up by busybodies who liked to gossip around even after hearing it but was now left with no choice but to correct his preconception after being confronted with Rufus’s glowing eyes that started to blaze as soon as the word ‘Alwitz Chart’ came out.

“If it is such a request, then I am willing to listen to it. Please visit me at any time that is convenient for you. If you contact me in advance, I will be prepared to welcome you with joy.”

There was nothing particularly difficult, so Eugène readily accepted Rufus’ request. Rufus, who got his permission, brightened up but then his face suddenly darkened as if he was going out of his mind. BiSE75

“… Oh no. That might be difficult. I did not even think about it, but I do not have time to visit the court. I would like to visit Your Excellency tomorrow and analyze the precious treasure, but it seems that it will be difficult to leave my seat as I will have to concentrate on lectures for the new semester after the budget proposal is approved. My students are passionate and they love to study. It is unacceptable for a professor’s personal purpose to disrupt the academic performance of such students.”

Not all La Royale students were great scholars, and Eugène knew that most university students preferred to play around rather than study. But Rufus looked sullen, as if he genuinely believed that students liked studying, and lowered his head.

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Eugène smiled wryly as he looked down at the crown of his head, completely dejected. As Jean Thierry said, this man’s worldly wisdom was awful compared to his academic intelligence.

“Then we could do it in this way. I will transcribe the chart for you. It is not difficult to copy the original. When it is completed, I will have it delivered to you through an attendant, so what do you think of comfortably taking it home? If it is difficult for you to go in and out of the court, this method seems possible.” 7jLJCU

“No, such trouble… c-could Your Excellency really do that?”

“It does not matter to me. I shall go along with it however you want me to.”

When Eugène answered with a smile, Rufus, thrilled as he was, grabbed Eugène’s hands and shook them hard.

“As expected of the magnanimous hero, the Vice Admiral is a soldier among soldiers and a knight among knights! The Vice Admiral’s name, with this decision, will remain in La Royale’s history, and if possible, I will find a new measurement formula and name it after Your Excellency!” rAmx2d

Rufus could not hide his joy as he openly went about praising the person he just met in a lengthy manner right in his face yet again. He looked at Eugène passionately with eyes that looked like he would hug and kiss him if he could but turned around sadly after a while.

Eugène glanced back at Rufus’ as he walked away and wondered inwardly just how was he elected to a tenured professorship when he was only this astute. It was a better attitude than the worn-out professors, but it would be difficult to live in the world if one were to be that naive.