Invincible
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#185
🕑 Added 2025-01-15 15:19:15 +0000 UTCAcademy’s Downfall (3)
"You're going to give us compensation, right?"
"Would I not? It's only natural since we've worked so hard to gather it."
"Give me my coins!"
As soon as something they had subconsciously forgotten was triggered, the students transformed into rioters.
Realistically speaking, I knew that I wouldn't get the lost coins back.
Even so, what I said was simply to make Rockefeller feel uncomfortable and was just a way to vent my frustration.
Rockefeller cleared his throat once and spoke in a calm tone.
"I understand you're deeply upset. I, too, live off my salary. Losing assets that I worked hard for would be a very painful experience."
After that, he added unnecessary comments like, "I deeply sympathize," and some statements that might make one slightly intrigued.
"Of course, proper compensation will be provided. As the one overseeing the academy, I admit that the management was lacking."
But the more I listened, the more his words started to make me frown.
"Since it's difficult to determine the exact amount, perfect compensation might be impossible, but I will do my best. Even if I have to dip into my own funds."
His seemingly sincere attitude made the students' angry faces calm down a little.
Realistically, it was impossible to get everything back, and the mood was more like, 'At least we’ll get something, right?'
But one student raised their hand, not swept up by the general atmosphere.
Of course, it was me.
"So, when will the compensation be?"
It may sound convincing, but it was a statement without substance.
Seeing through his sly attempt to dodge, I showed my irritation, and Rockefeller clicked his tongue before answering.
"Please think realistically. The academy is bankrupt. There's nothing left. With the financial crisis we're in, do you think it's possible right away?"
I glanced at the history room, which had barely held up despite everything else crumbling.
"There should be some treasure left, though?"
"Of course, I plan to sell some things. Like that, with the spirit of Frostheart in it."
"Hmm."
At this point, I could tell he was taking the current situation seriously.
He really was.
Even now, he was trying to pull some shallow tricks.
"I know it’s impossible right now. So, when will it be?"
When I asked, Rockefeller gave me the answer I expected.
"Once everything is normalized, we will discuss the coins later."
I was dumbfounded and swept my bangs aside, laughing.
"Don't joke, Rockefeller. You might fool these naive ones, but not me."
At this moment, Rockefeller had glossed over two facts to his advantage.
The first was the deadline.
"Listen carefully. Do you think you'll get compensation before you die? Do you know when the financial crisis will be overcome?"
And the second was the lack of clarity about the currency.
‘Realistically speaking, even if it happens soon, we’ll probably get it after graduation. Fine, let's say we get it within a reasonable period. But if it's in coins? What use will that be?’
What he was trying to do was delay the deadline with vague terms, creating an excuse not to pay, and even if he did, the coins wouldn't be usable outside. I was determined to put an end to his tricks right then and there.
"Coins that can't be used outside are meaningless. Give me a clear compensation plan. Put it in terms of currency that is usable in the empire, or at least write the terms and the timeline in a contract."
Using the trait 'Noble Blood's Last Ember,' I spoke seriously, and Rockefeller looked at me with a blank expression.
"Hersel Ben Tenest... this guy..."
Rockefeller suddenly turned his back and started to walk out, casually making excuses.
"I don't have a pen and paper right now, so it’s impossible at the moment. Even if I make it magically, it will disappear over time."
His attitude, just trying to dodge the situation, even caused the weakened students to rise to their feet.
"This, this man."
"Was this your plan all along? To steal our money?"
"Where do you think you're going?! Write a blood oath if you have to!!"
The students, like zombies, rushed toward Rockefeller.
Rockefeller seemed to be taken aback by the situation, sweating profusely as he drew his cane.
"Are you... are you daring to go against me?"
The students, who had lost their money, were beyond furious.
Even though Rockefeller used telekinesis to throw them away, the students kept getting back up.
"Ugh, this bastard!"
"This son of a bitch. I've never liked him, but today, let's see if someone dies!"
"Stop! Stop it!"
Watching Rockefeller struggle to suppress the students, I began to calm down a little.
"Tsk tsk."
He should have done better from the start.
***
After a persistent rebellion from the students, we managed to get a somewhat definitive answer from Rockefeller.
The compensation would be provided within 10 years.
It would not be in coins, but in the empire's currency.
He engraved these words on a thin wooden board and coated it with the blood of a wild animal to create the contract.
According to Bellman, the reports sent to the headquarters were also written this way, using the discarded blood of Arkandrick at the time...
But anyway, after the commotion settled down, supplies arrived from the Orvella Trading Company.
The coachman got out of the carriage and looked around in surprise.
"Eh?"
His expression was filled with doubt, as if wondering, "Did I come to the right place?"
However, thanks to the professors hurriedly running toward him, his expression became calmer.
He looked around again at the desolate site, still puzzled.
"Actually, I have quite a few orders. Is there any way we can get this done quickly? The plague broke out, and we urgently need ingredients for the medicine."
"If you place a large order, that would be great. After all, it's all about performance."
The coachman’s face briefly lit up, but when the professor hesitated and spoke, his expression turned to one of embarrassment.
"Ahem. I really hate to ask this, but would it be possible to buy on credit?"
"Credit?"
"As you can see, the academy is in this state, but I'll contact the headquarters and ensure the payment is made."
When the professor pleaded, the coachman, feeling awkward, averted his gaze.
"I don't have the authority to do that, but... I understand the situation, so I'll try to speak nicely to my superiors."
"Oh, well. That's something at least, right? Here, sit down. You must be hungry, so let’s get you something to eat."
The coachman was being treated like a master.
But this was a trap we had set.
"Wow, it's here."
"Now's the time. Let's hurry and place the orders!"
The students rushed in, shouting out the supplies they needed.
The coachman, who had been eating meat, stood there with his mouth wide open, thinking, "What kind of situation is this?"
This was a scene prepared by the professors to soothe the angry students.
The coachman, neatly trapped in the situation, hurriedly wrote down the order list, being tormented by the students.
The process required identity verification, and they also had to check whether the family could afford the costs, so it took quite a while.
Having already placed my orders, I packed blankets, pillows, tea, and a kettle into a sack.
Since these were originally supplies meant for the academy, they weren’t exactly satisfying, but it was better than nothing.
I was heading back to the hut with Aslay and Limberton.
"Rumors will spread soon, right?"
At Limberton’s question, I shook my head.
"The Orvella Trading Company has strong ties with the empire. For now, they’ll be careful and keep quiet about it. We’ll have to see whether they’ll allow such rumors to spread."
There are already quite a few who know about it, but this is a Pathfinder Training Ground.
As long as the empire hasn't revealed anything on the surface yet, it was only natural that the trading company would cautiously observe the situation.
On top of that, they would probably be calculating whether there's any profit to be gained from this situation.
After walking a few steps, Limberton suddenly sighed deeply.
"But, hey, Hersel. What happens to us now?"
"I don't know. It seems like they're trying to prevent the academy from closing, but honestly, I don't know what will happen."
If the headquarters looks into what happened with Frostheart, they would probably offer support.
Pathfinders were a valuable resource even in the empire. But the real question was whether the students would accept remaining as students.
"There's a limit to leading through force. Now that the fundamental structure of society has collapsed, there is no compensation."
The hierarchical system that had been divided into Adele, Buerger, and Schlaphe was now gone.
Motivation to work hard was lost, and it's uncertain whether systematic classes can still be conducted.
Even the most studious students turning their backs is normal.
Frostheart was essentially already a closed academy.
"Is there no way to fix this?"
"You sound like you really want to graduate, Limberton."
"Well, since I’m here, I should at least leave with a diploma, right?"
I sighed as I looked at Limberton.
The reason he came here was to change the foolish version of himself.
But without a diploma, would he really return to his hometown and fall back into his old ways? It was clear he was conscious of that.
I knew his difficult situation, but I had decided not to help with this matter.
"There is a way to rebuild, but I’ve decided to step away."
"Why?"
"Just because."
Rimaron, who had made Ecok the Spirit King, was nowhere to be seen.
The final boss of Frostheart, ‘Fury of Felia,’ and her opposing special thought, ‘Atonement of Felia,’ were gone, along with their base.
This meant the scenario that would have unfolded later was no longer possible.
Was there really any value left in staying on a stage where the main characters couldn’t grow anymore?
It would be better for each of them to leave here and find another way.
With the world in chaos, there would be many opportunities to face crises, and they would grow on their own.
Still, if they wanted to help rebuild, at least they had to meet two conditions.
"You’re testing whether it’s worth it, right?"
"Worth it?"
"Limberton, the students have the right to evaluate whether they should stay here. And that applies not only to the academy but also to the professors."
Limberton still seemed to not understand.
I needed to explain more clearly.
"Convincing the students is the professors' job. If they can't even do that, there's no hope. Think about it simply. If they evaluated us during the entrance exam, now the situation is reversed."
Whether I would help or not depended on the professors proving their abilities. And the next condition was whether Rockefeller would accept my proposal.
He was from a similar special field and had walked the path of magic before me, so I planned to learn magic that I thought had value from him.
"But by what method?"
When we reached the hut, Limberton asked with a curious expression.
It seemed he was wondering about the method.
"Did you forget already that my family is rich?"
Of course, besides family wealth, there were countless ways to make money if we went outside.
***
Rockefeller felt like a dagger had been lodged in his body.
A letter received through a crow.
It was a miracle in itself that they would come to investigate after reading such an absurdly written report, so he was thankful.
But if the elder Arental were to come, the story would change.
No matter how mild his temperament was, Arental knew the history and value of Frostheart.
Even if he proved who was responsible for the incident and made them understand that it was a forced situation caused by unjust power, it was obvious that Arental wouldn't be happy.
The real problem, however, lay elsewhere.
‘He has to win the hearts of the students.’
It was absolutely critical that future Pathfinders didn’t feel disillusioned with the academy and give up collectively.
If that happened, not only the professors but the students might face some unjust treatment.
There was only a week left until Arental's arrival.
Rockefeller urgently called the professors together.
