I Became an Academy Counselor

Chapter 63

People often envy those who wield power over them and wish to become like them.

In this sense, the imperial family is the most envied group in the world. They rule and regulate everything.

...But can people still maintain their illusions about the imperial family after seeing this?

The nameless imperial guard bowed his head even lower, hoping that the trouble would not spill over to him.

“Your Highness.”

“...Repeat that. What did you just say to me?”

“I said we’ve been unable to contact the Bright Moon Society.”

“How are you handling this mess?”

“I’m sorry, Your Highness.”

Crash.

The sound of something shattering filled the large room, and shards of a presumably expensive vase flew at the feet of the guard, who had his head bowed.

...I’ve seen that object before. It was the vase my senior had warned us never to break, no matter what. It was so expensive that even if we saved for years, we wouldn’t be able to afford it.

Can someone really throw such a valuable item around in anger?

I bit my lip, feeling a complex mix of emotions.

“However, please listen. The Bright Moon Society has disappeared without leaving a trace. It’s as if the organization never existed.”

“Disappeared?”

“Yes. It’s presumed that they were attacked by someone.”

“...Didn’t you just say they vanished without a trace? How can you then say it was an attack?”

“I understand it sounds absurd, but Your Highness, there’s something troubling me.”

“Troubling you?”

Even though I knew I should never speak out during a guard duty, I almost let it slip.

The guards, bound by numerous restrictions to prevent problems from arising, had seen things that would be hard to believe if they were told.

Therefore, I was certain. The Bright Moon Society was a criminal organization, but its members weren’t incompetent.

It was impossible for them all to disappear without a trace. If it was an attack, it was even less plausible.

“Do you remember the criminal organizations that thrived in the slums created by the war?”

“Yes. The dregs. Why are you bringing them up?”

“Recently, all the criminal organizations around the capital’s slums have disappeared, except for one.”

“What? Why was this not reported?”

“Your Highness, you had the troops for maintaining order in the slums withdrawn to the imperial family. Our information network disappeared, so we only recently received this news.”

It must have been to solidify his power.

To maintain an advantage in the chaotic internal politics of the imperial family, one needed to be stronger.

I didn’t like the idea of sacrificing national security for power struggles, but there was nothing I could do.

Decisions are the privilege of those in power.

“Tsk, I see. And? There must be a reason for mentioning this now.”

“Yes. The organizations also vanished in the same manner. It’s said they evaporated without leaving a trace.”

“...You’re suggesting that it’s the work of the same person?”

“It’s just a guess, but yes. It seems quite likely.”

All the criminal organizations in the slums had disappeared without a trace, all within a short period.

It was evident that everyone present felt uneasy, even though they couldn’t express it.

“So, the remaining organization is the culprit?”

...This is troublesome.

Leo absolutely refuses to get up.

When he came to his senses and realized what had happened to him, he turned pale, and after I hurriedly explained the situation, he’s been like this for a while.

At this rate, he’ll fall into an endless pit of gratitude.

I guess there’s nothing for it. I’m sorry, Orca.

“I’m really okay, so please thank Orca as well. If it hadn’t been for her, I might have been in trouble too. She dealt with everyone who tricked you.”

“Wait a moment, teacher, what are you suddenly...!”

“...!”

“Ah! Get off, you crazy kid! It’s hot!”

“Thank you so much! I treated you so poorly during our first meeting...! I’m so touched!”

“I said, get off!”

Alright. I attached Leo, who seemed intent on thanking me all day, to Orca.

Even though he keeps running away, feeling awkward about it, I doubt Orca had received such thanks before.

If Leo gains experience in receiving gratitude this way, Orca might also come to enjoy helping others.

It’s not that I’m annoyed by Leo. Really.

“...Amazing, just amazing.”

“Oh, Principal. Thank you for agreeing to my unreasonable request.”

“It’s nothing. If a student is kidnapped and misses classes, it’s only natural to process it as an excused absence, isn’t it?”

The principal winked cutely.

She must be aware of the illegal dealings with the tavern, but her silence likely means she’s turning a blind eye.

It was a typical softhearted action from the principal, who was endlessly lenient with students.

“Still, there’s no need to be too happy. That time is approaching.”

“That time?”

“It’s been quite a while since the midterms ended. The final exams are approaching, so you should start preparing.”

“Ah.”

Now that I think about it, that’s true. It’s been quite some time since the midterms ended.

The scarecrow rampage incident is still occasionally in the news, so I had completely forgotten about it.

“What about the exam content?”

“I’m sorry, but we’ve decided not to leak the content of this exam. I apologize, but please look forward to it on the day.”

“Hmm... I see. I hope it’s not too dangerous.”

“Don’t worry. It’s not too dangerous.”

I awkwardly smiled at the principal, who was beaming as she said she had devised the safest exam content possible for the students.

I knew exactly how the final exams would be conducted.

Yes, it shouldn’t be dangerous.

If anything, it was likely that they had removed all practical exams to show a commitment to avoiding controversy.

What I worried about was whether the students could achieve good scores.

Since the written exams were all mini-games, the scores of playable characters depended entirely on the players.

But now, with no players present, how will the students’ scores turn out?

It was something even I couldn’t predict.

However, I had a feeling about one particular student, so I sighed deeply.