'Did I say the right thing? Should I apologize to Master now?'
'Then will you break up with Adam?'
'That's… not it, but.'
In the middle of the bustling ballroom, Chloe sat in a corner, sighing and emptying her glass.
It was her first time seeing her master in a long time, and it was a rare ball. She even wore her favorite dress and put on perfect makeup in case the Finance Director showed up.
But the Finance Director was nowhere to be seen, and she had a falling out with her master.
Afterward, Chloe had been drinking alone, coldly rejecting the male students who approached her, attracted by her beauty.
'It seems like Master has also left the ballroom… Did he go to see that princess bitch?'
'Who knows. Even at my level, I can't grasp the whereabouts of that family-obsessed geezer. So, what are you going to do now?'
'Aren't you being irresponsible? You were also egging me on.'
'Still, it was you who took the drastic measure of giving up your surname for that guy.'
'…That's true.'
In the end, it was as future Chloe said. She had always thought of her master as an unusual elf, but after today, Chloe could no longer be with her master like before.
Actually, she had barely seen her master properly, but he was still her master.
The past ten years of Chloe's life had been filled with effort and practice to become the Elven Archmage's disciple. It was disheartening to think that she now had to give up the surname Piste that she had worked so hard to obtain.
But she couldn't accept her master's words.
'To love only within the family, that's a bit much.'
'Even if that wasn't the case, you would still have to break up with Adam.'
'I-if only Adam could also become a Piste…'
'Could he?'
'…No.'
Although she had personal feelings for the Finance Director, him becoming a 'Piste' was a different matter. Regardless of his personal abilities, he had no magical talent.
In the end, she had to choose one. Her master or the Finance Director.
Her future self must have faced this choice as well.
'It's obvious what choice you made.'
'You too.'
Perhaps it was because she was a little drunk, but her choice was more impulsive. The outcome was probably already decided, but…
Chloe Piste, now prepared to be called simply 'Chloe.'
'But if I'm not Master's disciple, then what am I?'
'…That's for you to find out.'
'And you found it by Adam's side.'
'...…'
'I… could make the same choice as you, right?'
Her future self abandoned her position as a disciple of the Magic Tower and stood by the Finance Director's side. It was a denial of the past ten years of effort and, at the same time, a choice for the future.
And the current Chloe could fully understand that choice. Love was a passionate and desperate emotion that sometimes preceded any rational judgment.
Someday, that love, that emotion, might fade. But Chloe could be sure of one thing, thanks to a coincidental opportunity.
'Hey, future me.'
'What is it now?'
'You still love Adam, right?'
'…Do you even need to ask?'
'No, that's all I needed to know.'
At least she knew that this feeling wouldn't change until she graduated from the academy and reached the peak of Rank 7.
Chloe, a truly troublesome woman, was finally convinced of her choice.
'Come to think of it, Chloe Keynes doesn't sound so bad compared to Chloe Piste? But I've never heard of the Keynes surname, is Adam from a fallen noble family?'
'I don't know that either. But I agree that it doesn't sound bad.'
'He doesn't seem to see me as a romantic interest yet, but if I set my mind to it, it'll be quick.'
'You're not like me in that regard.'
'Well, if it were you, you'd be too embarrassed and waste time.'
'Shut up.'
Chloe, having reached a conclusion and chatting with her future self while continuously drinking,
Looked at Adam, who was still nowhere to be seen in the ballroom, Beatrice, who had disappeared somewhere, Ruth, who was still annoying, and Lisha and Kaern, who were arguing about something, and then…
Finally turned her gaze towards the center of the ballroom where people were crowded.
Towards the Headmistress.
'How unsightly.'
'How unsightly.'
As the two Chloes muttered the same thing inwardly and were about to badmouth the Headmistress as usual,
A sudden murmur arose. There were always many voices, but this was different.
"His Highness, the Prince…!!"
"So he wasn't going to stay quiet after all?"
"What is the royal family's stance? Are they still planning to oppose the academy even though it was attacked by terrorists?"
'The first prince…?'
'Hmm.'
At the forefront of the group, accompanied by several attendants and ministers, was the first prince, with his short-cropped blonde hair and a refreshing smile.
He, the most likely candidate to succeed the throne, surpassing the second prince, had personally stepped forward.
The first prince, who had been intentionally quiet, finally made his move. What was the reason? Chloe was a bit curious, but she soon stopped caring.
It wasn't something she needed to know, and more importantly, in this atmosphere, even if she didn't want to know, the nobles would keep chattering about it.
The first prince approached the Headmistress.
"Headmistress, it's been a while. His Majesty asked me to convey his regards."
"So you came instead of that Aken bastard. It has been a while, I suppose? I think I only saw you when you were a baby."
"Along with my deepest condolences for the recent terrorist attack, I would like to convey the royal family's intentions."
"Intentions?"
"As already stated in the letter, the royal family intends to provide donations and subsidies for the academy's reconstruction. Even though you are the wealthiest person in the kingdom, Headmistress, it's always good to have more money, isn't it?"
"That's true. Is that all?"
"Of course. You are always the shield that protects the kingdom, Headmistress, what more could we ask for?"
Even Chloe, who was from another country, could easily understand what he meant. Those words alone showed how wary the royal family was of the Headmistress.
The surrounding nobles remained silent, and the Headmistress herself crossed her arms as if she didn't believe him at all, but…
There wasn't a single crack in the first prince's bright smile.
"However, I would like to ask a small favor."
"From that Aken bastard, I presume?"
"Of course, it's also His Majesty's wish. But don't worry."
"Hmm."
"It's a very small favor."
─────.
The words the first prince spoke afterward were so trivial that they rendered the previous foreshadowing meaningless. In a way, it was only natural.
The surrounding nobles and merchants all nodded in agreement, and even Chloe, who was eavesdropping, wondered, "Is that really all?", but…
Only the Headmistress…
"Uh… hmm."
…had a very…
…uncertain reaction.
***
Power.
It would be a lie to say I didn't desire it. In this world, power wasn't just something good to have; it was also a social status and proof of one's worth.
Let's say I resigned from my position as Finance Director. Could I find another job with this experience? Of course, it wouldn't be impossible, but it would be impossible to reach such an important position in an organization of this size.
Because I'm too weak.
'If the subordinates in another organization decided to exploit me, I wouldn't be able to do anything. And I'm also vulnerable to things like kidnapping.'
You could say it's the same for everyone else. Rank 1s make up about a third of the continent's population, so it can't be helped.
But precisely because of that, those who had neither power nor status could never rise to the top. There were many cases where Rank 1s were promoted to high positions based solely on their abilities, but there were also plenty of cases where they were killed by their subordinates who had greater power.
After all, there weren't that many essential personnel needed to run an organization or a country. With Rank 2, Rank 3, and Rank 4 as options, the only organizations that would hire a Rank 1 were those that were short-staffed or those where it didn't matter if someone died quickly.
'That's why there was so much opposition when I became the Finance Director.'
The only reason it worked out was that the academy's Finance Department had no subordinates besides myself, and the strongest person, who was way stronger than me, was by my side almost 24/7, watching my back. But even then, the whispers about me being a Rank 1 never ceased.
Even the students worried about me or treated me like a burden because I was Rank 1. Weren't Rank 1 students disadvantaged in terms of physical abilities even when attending the academy?
There were too many risk factors for a Rank 1 to hold a high position. They could be killed by a subordinate who betrayed the organization, they wouldn't be a deterrent in unexpected situations, they could be kidnapped and tortured, and they wouldn't even have a chance to resist mental magic.
Being powerless, being Rank 1, meant not only social discrimination but also physical danger.
Therefore, it would be a lie to say I wasn't tempted by the Elven Archmage's offer.
'What should I do?'
The Archmage had left. He said he would stay here until the ball was over and asked me to give him an answer by then.
He said it was enough to accept the 'eyes.'
'He's a Rank 8 Archmage. It's unlikely to be a lie.'
I couldn't see through the Archmage's thoughts, but he was clearly grateful to me just now. Especially considering his personality, he seemed like the type to speak directly if he had something to say, not someone who would beat around the bush or hold grudges.
If I accepted his offer, I could truly escape from being a Rank 1. He was the Archmage who researched 'eyes,' after all.
Of course, it wouldn't be a normal rank, but I would gain some power.
"…Sigh."
Naturally, I was tempted. What hadn't I experienced while living as a Rank 1? I always had complaints, but I had accepted the reality that I had absolutely no talent.
If I could escape from being a Rank 1, I could do something about this constant fatigue. Even the Headmistress was full of energy despite working more than me. Of course, I wouldn't reach that level, but I wouldn't have to use military stimulants to work.
Not only that, but I would be able to go outside the academy without an escort, handle various business trips, and gain recognition from the surrounding staff, further solidifying my position as Finance Director.
In many ways, there were only benefits to accepting the offer.
And yet, what made me hesitate was…
'What would the Headmistress say if she found out?'
It was ultimately because of my superior. I knew exactly how the Headmistress would react.
She probably wouldn't allow me to accept the eyes. And beyond that, I felt a bit sorry for her.
It could seem like I didn't trust her protection and was considering the Archmage's offer because of that.
I could persuade her if I wanted to, and I was confident I could convince her, but…
Could I still maintain a good relationship with the Headmistress after accepting the 'eyes'? Would she be wary of me?
Frankly, the Archmage could try to control me through the eyes I received.
'It's right to refuse. It is, but…'
Still, it was a shame.
During the entrance exam, the negotiations with the dwarves, Professor Circe's incident, the deserted island midterm exam, the festival, and several times after that, I felt that…
There were so many things that would be much easier to handle if I had power.
"...…"
How long had I been lost in thought? Dawn was breaking beyond the dark office and the brightly lit ballroom.
There hadn't been any urgent calls, so the Headmistress must have handled everything smoothly.
After this, it was obvious what I had to do. Use the donations and the money I received from Crown Prince Zeke and the Archmage to run the academy. It would be the same as always, but a little more comfortable.
Would I regret rejecting this opportunity, which might be the last one in my life? Would I be disappointed and think, "I should have accepted it back then?"
…Even now, perhaps because it was still dawn, I seemed to be indulging in strange sentiments.
'No.'
As the Finance Director of the academy, I wouldn't do anything that could harm it. I might have already done a lot, like the terrorist attack and all, but anyway.
I didn't know what kind of side effects accepting the eyes might have, and if things went wrong, I could become the Archmage's puppet. That crazy elf might be grateful to me now, but who knew how his feelings might change in the future?
I should refuse. Refusing was the right thing to do.
I brushed aside the lingering regret and temptation in my heart.
With the dawn, I would finally get some rest—
—F-Finance Director.
"Ah, Headmistress. Is the ball over?"
—It ended well. It did, but…
"Did something happen with the donations?"
—Th-that's not it.
"Then it's fine. And Headmistress."
—Yes?
"Thank you for your hard work. Truly."
—...…
Our academy was finally receiving donations. Actually, it was strange that we hadn't been receiving them until now, and things were finally back to normal.
Of course, there was a reason why we hadn't been accepting donations, so I had to be careful in many ways. I had to be wary of the influence of graduates, trading companies, and the royal family growing too much due to the donations, and it was also important to make this a long-term source of income, not just a one-time donation due to the terrorist attack.
But more than that, I wanted to express my gratitude to the Headmistress, who had come all this way with me.
'Back at the entrance ceremony, just surviving for a month was the issue.'
Now we had a considerable amount of temporary additional income, and donations were coming in.
Forget barely escaping the immediate threat of bankruptcy.
'This is just the beginning.'
Money was more problematic when you had a little than when you had none. Moreover, 'that time' was approaching.
I had to save what I could and minimize expenses.
The goal wasn't just to overcome the current crisis, but to establish long-term financial stability—
—Um… Finance Director.
"Yes, Headmistress."
—We received all the donations… even from the royal family…
"But why do you sound like that?"
—W-well…
"Please tell me properly. I also have something to discuss."
What was it? We received the donations, what else was there?
The royal family was keeping a low profile because of the Delphia Kingdom issue, and the other nobles, trading companies, and graduates wouldn't have much influence.
More importantly, I had to discuss the Archmage's offer with the Headmistress. I would refuse it anyway, but she needed to know.
At my question, the Headmistress gave a very short reply.
—They're sending… an audit.
"Excuse me?"
—All the other nobles and trading companies agreed… Since they're giving donations and subsidies, the royal family will be auditing our finances as their representative…
"...…"
—F-Finance Director? Finance Director?
Ah.
Fucking hell.