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I returned to the academy.

As soon as Hindrasta got off the carriage, she ran straight to the dormitory, while I headed home.

Olysia came running to greet me as I stepped out of the carriage.

“Welcome back, Sir Dian.”

“Nothing much happened, right?”

“The headmaster came by, asking where you went.”

“Really? Do you know why she was looking for me?”

“She ran off before I could ask.”

I tilted my head in confusion at Olysia’s words.

“Ran off?”

“I invited her in for tea, but while I was making it…”

Olysia hesitated, looking a bit embarrassed as she scratched her cheek.

“What is it?”

“Well…”

Reluctantly, Olysia continued.

“She was smelling one of your freshly washed shirts…”

“What? What do you mean?”

“Just that. She was crouched by the laundry basket, sniffing your shirt. When I asked what she was doing, she ran off.”

What kind of situation is this? What was Kirrin doing?

Celine’s warnings about Kirrin came to mind. She told me to be cautious, mentioning that Kirrin might be up to something strange on her own.

What is that Dark Elf thinking?

“By the way, did you have a good time at Sir Linus’s house?”

“Yeah. You would’ve liked it too. He’s living very well.”

As I described Linus’s mansion, Olysia’s eyes sparkled with excitement.

“Are you saying there’s a house like that…? Wow… It’s my lifelong dream to live in such a place someday…”

“Then work hard and become a Duke. Only the great nobles live in places like that.”

“It would be quicker for you to become a noble, Sir Dian.”

That’s true. The title they originally wanted to give me in the Palace was Duke.

But since I had already turned it down and left, I can’t ask for it now. Even if I did, the Emperor would likely refuse.

And being a noble doesn’t guarantee happiness.

The higher the title, the more restrictions and responsibilities come with it.

It’s like modern-day conglomerate heads being constantly under media and public scrutiny, facing backlash for even minor missteps.

Just as the happiest people are mid-sized business owners who are successful enough but not overly scrutinized, here too, it’s best to live moderately, making a good living without too much interference.

# # # # #

Monday was the day of the general meeting.

It was held in the large conference room, chaired by Headmaster Kirrin, with the Theoretical Department, the Combat Department, and the administration all present.

The first meeting I attended after being appointed was also this general meeting.

Entering the conference room with the Combat Department professors, laughing and chatting, I saw that the Theoretical Department professors were already seated.

Those people always arrive twenty minutes early, reviewing the meeting agenda and checking their appearance. Very diligent.

In contrast, our Combat Department…

“Hey, Brogg! I found a great bar over the weekend. If you drink an entire barrel there, they’ll give it to you for free!”

Kazadar, the dwarf Combat Equipment Professor, shouted loudly, causing Brogg, the orc Unarmed Combat Professor, to grin broadly.

Going today!”

“Great. Morton! You’re coming too!”

“Hmm… okay.”

“Orendi! Wever! You’re in, right?”

“Of course!”

“Sounds good!”

With the male professors in agreement, Kazadar, in high spirits, turned to the perpetually gloomy Geneb.

“Hey! You better not skip today…”

“I’m not going.”

Before Kazadar could finish speaking, Geneb refused outright.

“This damn bastard always skips. Anyone else not coming, raise your hand!”

Kazadar shouted at the female professors trailing in. Professor Anna hesitantly raised her hand.

“I… I have to take care of the children…”

“What? Are they your real children?! Huh?! Missing one day won’t hurt!”

“I don’t drink anyway, and it wouldn’t be fun for me… I’d just ruin the mood… I’m not going.”

“Gosh, tsk tsk. Felimia and Linda! I expect you both to be there!”

“I told you, it’s Lina, not Linda. And yes, I’ll be there.”

“Me too.”

Felimia raised her hand in agreement.

“So, everyone except Geneb and Anna is coming? Hey, Dian!”

“I’m in. If it’s free drinks, I’d go all the way to Tiraellen.”

On a Monday morning, instead of a Friday night, the Combat Department professors were suddenly planning a gathering.

Professor Ismera from the Theoretical Department looked at us with deep disdain.

“Hello, Professor Ismera.”

I greeted her as I took my seat. Professor Ismera, sitting across from me, forced a smile.

“Good morning, Professor Dian. Everyone seems very lively this morning. As expected of the Combat Department.”

The large room had desks arranged in a long, rectangular formation, with the Theoretical Department on one side and the Combat Department on the other.

At the head of the table sat Headmaster Kirrin. To her left was Professor Ismera, and to her right was my seat. The administrative director sat at the far end of the table.

Whether I liked it or not, every Monday morning, Ismera and I were seated just about two meters apart, facing each other.

“Professor Dian, what did you mean by that earlier?”

Ismera asked as I shuffled through the materials I had prepared for the meeting.

“Mean by what?”

“About going to Tiraellen for free drinks.”

“Oh, that. Tiraellen is a very long way from here. I just meant that free drinks would be worth traveling that far for.”

“I see. It’s quite a fitting analogy. But there is no alcohol in Tiraellen. It’s the Elven forest.”

“You’re right. The noble Elves stay away from intoxicating beverages.”

At that moment, Kirrin entered the conference room.

“Good morning, headmaster.”

“Ah, yes…”

The professors greeted her, but Kirrin seemed flustered, barely acknowledging their greetings.

She kept glancing at me, clearly uncomfortable, probably due to the strange incident at my house yesterday.

As Kirrin took her seat, the meeting began.

Our Combat Department reported on the progress of the outdoor training ground renovation.

It would be completed by next week, allowing students to train before the summer heat set in.

The Theoretical Department presented their draft plan for the field trip.

“I believe Ivronic Castle is a suitable location for our first half-year field trip.”

Ismera explained, looking over the draft report.

“This castle was once occupied by the Demon King’s army during the Four-Year War and was reclaimed by Sir Linus, who was a member of the special units at the time. It has significant historical value.”

“That’s a good idea. Ivronic Castle would inspire our academy students, who aspire to become special operatives of the Empire.”

Kirrin nodded in agreement.

“We would like to use a portal for transportation if possible. Magical Response Professor, is that feasible?”

“Yes, it’s possible.”

Orendi responded confidently.

“Administrative Director, could the cafeteria prepare boxed lunches since the trip overlaps with lunch hours?”

“Of course.”

“Good. The scenery around Ivronic Castle is beautiful, so we can have a picnic lunch there and return in the afternoon.”

Ismera coordinated the details skillfully.

However, I had a different thought.

“Does the Head Combat Professor have any opinions?”

Ismera asked, turning to me. I raised a question that had been bothering me.

“I’m wondering, is it really safe to conduct the field trip there?”

“What do you mean, Head Combat Professor?”

“From what I remember, the castle walls were partially collapsed, and the bridge leading in was very precarious. We don’t even know if the poison gas laid in the entrance path has dissipated. There’s also a minefield of unknown scale… Aren’t these conditions a bit too dangerous, even for Special Mission Academy students?”

The professors exchanged puzzled glances.

“Poison gas? Minefield…? What are you talking about?”

What’s this atmosphere? Did I say something wrong?

Ismera gave me a charming smile and responded.

“It seems you are mistaken, Head Combat Professor. Ivronic Castle is not like that.”

“What do you mean it’s not like that? Is there another castle with the same name?”

“Ivronic Castle is one of a kind. And it’s perfectly safe for the academy students to visit. Any other opinions?”

“Uh, no….”

Scratching my chin, I nudged Felimia sitting next to me.

“Explain.”

“Ivronic Castle is a tourist attraction, Head Professor”

“What? A tourist attraction? That can’t be right.”

“It’s true. It’s a very popular spot visited by tens of thousands of people every year. I went there last year.”

“Really?”

“Yes. There’s even an elevator installed to make the climb easier.”

“An elevator…?”

Is Ivronic Castle really a tourist attraction now?

The Fortress of Ivronic, which was a hellish place where blood was washed with more blood?

Ten years might change landscapes, but this was hard to believe.

I couldn’t wrap my head around the idea of Ivronic Castle as a tourist site, especially with the vivid memories of scaling its cliffs with Linus.