Chapter 85 - Bustling Group Training (2)

[Translator - Peptobismol]

[Proofreader - Demon God]

Chapter 85 - Bustling Group Training (2)

And so, it happened.

The students all wanted it (well, except for Hindrasta, but still), and even Professor Ismera publicly agreed that it would be effective. Headmaster Kirrin gave her approval, and Olysia was surprisingly enthusiastic about the idea.

With everyone on board, I didn’t really have a solid reason to oppose it anymore.

My initial concerns were just about how it might look for female students to stay at a male professor's house. But with the headmaster and the Head Theoretical Professor backing it, and with Olysia as a diligent overseer, I didn’t have to worry much.

Indeed, there’s no better way to build team cohesion than group training.

And just in time, the Imperial Security Office sent down the competition guidelines. Much sooner than I expected.

It’s a nationwide competition, just as I predicted.

Not only are the academies participating, but anyone who meets the Security Office's criteria can join, regardless of affiliation.

That part was unexpected.

I thought it would be limited to students from officer training schools and academies, but it seems that even large mercenary groups and adventurer guilds can participate.

Looks like they’re planning to recruit high-quality new talent from all over.

But I had an odd feeling.

The Security Office is one of the Empire’s most important departments, controlled by the Second Princess.

The Second Princess, born of a concubine, is on the rise, having established a strong track record, unlike the ineffectual Emperor. Her loyal elite officers now hold key positions within the Security Office.

And now, they’re organizing a nationwide competition to find talented new recruits?

This is a blatant move to strengthen the Security Office’s power and capabilities.

But did the Emperor approve of this? Or is the Security Office acting independently? Or did the Emperor try to stop it and fail? I’m not sure.

What’s important now is that the competition is nationwide, and each organization must field a three-person team.

Luckily, my prediction was spot-on, and our academy has already selected its first team through internal evaluations. Now, we just need to train like there’s no tomorrow.

"As expected of you, Dian! You’re amazing!" CHeCk for new stories on no/v/el/bin(.)c0m

Kirrin, thrilled after reading the Security Office’s plans, chattered excitedly.

"Everything is unfolding just as you predicted! Thanks to you, we’ve saved so much time! How did you know?"

"I just had a feeling that the Second Princess would do something like this."

"Amazing, amazing! You’re the best!"

Kirrin was practically glowing with excitement, her face flushed as she gave me double thumbs up.

But Ismera was completely disconnected from the high spirits around her.

Since the moment she read the competition plans, she seemed like a person who had lost all emotion.

Her once lush hair, emerald eyes, and flawless skin now seemed to be covered in a layer of gray dust.

"So now, Dian, you and Professor Ismera have a crucial role to play."

Kirrin said, even as she mentioned Ismera’s name, the professor seemed utterly unaware, lost in her thoughts.

Caught up in her enthusiasm, Kirrin didn’t notice Ismera’s state and continued chattering away.

"Dian, teach the students well and make sure we win first place in the competition. That will prove that our academy’s students are the best in the Empire."

"Don’t worry. Professor Ismera and I will do our best."

Even when I mentioned her name, Ismera didn’t respond.

"So the students will be staying at your place?"

"Yes, that seems to be the plan."

"Great, great. Then I’ll stay at your house for a while too."

And she hated herself for feeling a glimmer of gratitude and hope in that moment.

The series of events that unfolded left Ismera on the verge of a mental breakdown.

The only path left for Ismera now is to ensure that the academy’s representative team wins first place in the competition.

The team is jointly supervised by Dian and Ismera, so Ismera has a stake in it.

The team must win. That’s the only way to prove my competence.

So how can our team win first place in a nationwide competition?

Ismera began to think.

# # # # #

"Listen, I have something to tell you."

On the way to my house, riding in the special carriage, I turned to the students, raising three fingers as I spoke sternly.

"There’s a maid at my house named Olysia. She’s younger than all of you. Knightley, you’ve met her, right?"

"I know her. She’s got quite a temper."

"Yes, she does. She’s been cleaning the house, preparing your rooms, and buying food for you all. She believes that if you do well, I’ll do well, too."

"Oh my, how thoughtful. She’s very sweet."

Merilda said, clasping her hands together in admiration, while Hindrasta scoffed.

"Right. But there’s something she’s extremely sensitive about. What do you think it is?"

"Hmm, maybe something that could harm Professor Dian’s reputation? Since Olysia wants the best for you."

"Exactly, Merilda. Olysia is terrified that I might lose my job as a professor. If I get fired, we’d have to go back to Brunswell. She hates that place; she thinks it’s a backwater."

"Long story short, what’s your point?"

"Sophia, you can’t talk to the professor like that."

Hindrasta interrupted, her tone impatient, and Merilda scolded her immediately.

"It’s a good thing the professor is so lenient with you; otherwise, you’d have been disciplined long ago."

"What? Dian is lenient? Do you even know how many times I’ve been beaten?"

"If you did something wrong, you deserved it."

Hindrasta began to yell, but Merilda smiled and cut her off.

"You should be thankful it was just corporal punishment. At least you can still attend the academy."

"Do you think I want to be here?"

"Then why haven’t you dropped out?"

"I want to! But it’s... It’s not that simple... If I do, I’ll die..."

Hindrasta’s sudden shift in tone surprised everyone as she started crying.

"Please continue, Professor."

Unlike Knightley, who was looking at her in disbelief, Merilda was unfazed by Hindrasta’s tears, and turned her attention back to me with a smile.

"Olysia is excited about your arrival but also anxious about what might happen. For example..."

"A scandal between a beautiful blonde student and a young, capable professor?"

At that, Merilda simply smiled without saying a word and looked at Knightley.

"I’m kidding, I’m kidding."

Seeing that look, Knightley awkwardly tried to smooth things over.

Now that I look at it, Merilda, she can be a bit scary.

[Translator - Peptobismol]

[Proofreader - Demon God]