Chapter 348: The Cunning Cat Beyond the Fence (1)
A heartfelt thank you to Shanlum Shadan for their generous support!
Chapter 348: The Cunning Cat Beyond the Fence (1)
Rudger's special lecture on magical beast spread like wildfire within the Academy.
All the students who participated in the lecture succeeded in summoning their magical beast.
Just as a baby eventually takes its first steps, it was natural for a magician to summon magical beast.
But what if that time was dramatically shortened?
That's when the story takes a different turn.
Summoning magical beast in Seron requires at least three years.
The process itself takes a minimum of six months to over a year, which is a significant amount of time.
However, Rudger's special lecture had drastically shortened it by several times.
Of course, there were complaints from the students initially due to the excessive intensity of the class.
Students who weren't accustomed to sports suddenly found themselves covered in dirt and sweat, so it was only natural for negative comments to arise on the 'Akashic Records'.
Fueling the rumors, some even spread rumors that Rudger's lecture would fail.
With someone pushing from behind, the rumors spread like wildfire.
'It certainly seemed that way. How on earth did the situation end up like this?'
As the rumors quickly flipped, their impact was equally significant.
Hugo Burtag let out a deep sigh in his private office.
Despite his attempts to ruin Rudger's class, Rudger successfully completed the lecture, as if flaunting his achievement.
Hugo couldn't comprehend it.
No, shouldn't there have been at least one failure if he had been successful all this time?
How is it possible for a human to remain unaffected after enduring such a brutal attack?
'It's difficult to imagine that even the privileged noble students have adapted to such a savage class.'
The students from noble backgrounds are the ones who would resist the most if you summon magical beast like that.
They have lived their whole lives receiving only good clothes, good food, and good treatment.
They were supposed to be soaring birds in the sky, not earthworms crawling on the ground.
Didn't those birds find it exhilarating to get their feathers dirty while running on the ground?
Among them were the Third Princess, the children of the Lumos Family, and even Julia from Mage Tower.
And none of them raised any objections to Rudger's class?
Rudger Chelsea, has that human learned some kind of hypnosis?
Well, let's generously assume that.
So, deliberately, some students pressured others to challenge Rudger in his class.
But no one followed through with those words.
'This just doesn't make sense.'
Rudger Chelsea, does that fallen nobleman truly possess something extraordinary?
Hugo couldn't fathom that the students genuinely followed Rudger.
To him, education was not sincerely teaching someone but merely a means to preserve his position.
Above all, the biggest problem that confronted Hugo was the current situation where his plan had failed.
'I assured him that I could handle it. Now what should I do?'
Rudger Chelsea.
Just thinking about him made Hugo grind his teeth.
That guy who single-handedly destroyed the delicate balance he had carefully maintained like walking on a tightrope.
He had seized his position with overwhelming skills that no one could refute, leaving an irreparable crack in the noble faction.
Hugo couldn't forget the humiliating situation where he had to cut off the tails of the noble faction himself.
That's why this time, he had to succeed.
'What should I say to him?'
As he failed once again, Hugo felt nothing but frustration.
Since Rudger took over the planning department, Hugo's faction had declined.
No one followed a person who had lost their trust.
Although there were still some people by Hugo's side, it was a far cry from before.
However, having experienced the taste of power, Hugo was unwilling to surrender.
The intoxicating allure of power provides a potent stimulation to the mind.
An excessively high threshold ultimately crushes one's spirit.
Hugo was no different.
He couldn't compromise or let go of what was in his hands.
If he lost something, he had to regain it.
No, he had to grasp even more than that for his satisfaction.
That's why Hugo decided to seek outside assistance.
A big shot who provided substantial funds to Seron every year.
He made contact with them.
The big shot welcomed Hugo warmly.
It was because if the principal tightly held the power of Seron, it would be difficult for them to intervene.
They needed someone who could act on their behalf, and Hugo was a perfect fit for the job.
Then, a light flickered from the crystal ball placed in front of Hugo.
Finally, it has arrived.
Hugo swallowed nervously and infused magic into the crystal ball.
He spoke with a forced smile.
"Haha, I didn't expect you to contact me so suddenly."
[I heard you failed.]
Hugo was speechless at the sudden remark.
Sweat trickled down his cheek due to nervousness.
His office was filled with heavy silence.
He had to say something.
"Well, it's not a complete failure. There is still time left..."
[I also have ears and eyes to listen and see, Mr.Hugo. There are many people who are loyal to me besides you.]
The voice beyond the crystal ball remained calm.
It didn't seem particularly angry about the failure of this incident.
That made Hugo even more anxious.
What if this person never had any expectations of him from the beginning?
Hugo, who used to be the leader of a faction, had to let go of a considerable amount of pride to lower his head to someone else.
He had to do whatever it took to regain his former status.
So he lowered his head and presented himself as a subordinate.
But even after going to such lengths, the matter went awry from the beginning.
"Ah, no. I can do better."
[Yeah. That's right. I didn't give you financial support to interfere from behind.]
"Well, yes."
[But it's difficult now. Rudger Chelsea's class was successful, and any dissatisfaction that was brewing internally has been suppressed.]
For Hugo and the big shot, this field learning terrorism incident was a great opportunity.
Seron hadn't done anything wrong, but now there was a justification to intervene.
Although no students died, many were injured.
And the principal was frantically trying to change the academic curriculum.
What better opportunity could there be than this?
[I should have shaken things up from the outside while shaking things up from the inside. I guess I'll have to change my approach.]
"Changing the approach..."
[It won't be a big deal. We'll have to threaten them by cutting funding.]
"Is that... possible?"
[Hugo Burtag. Do you think I'm the only investor for this matter?]
At that remark, Hugo's shoulders trembled.
There may be only one big shot having a conversation with him, but there were many investors who sympathized with his intentions.
Seron was not a place that could be shaken just because one person shakes it.
Big shot's investors?
As long as there is only one of them, it wouldn't matter if they were changed.
There were many organizations that wanted to invest in Seron.
"But still, isn't it too difficult? The principal is by no means an easy opponent."
Seron had always been a place of learning for the nobles.
It was a stepping stone that the privileged class had to pass through.
But since some time ago, commoners started entering, and now there were talks of everyone being equal regardless of status.
It was nonsense, but the one who made it possible was the current principal, Elisa Willow.
That's how skilled she was to the point of being astonishing.
Although Seron is greatly shaken by the recent terrorism incident.
Elisa bought off journalists and controlled the media, clearly demonstrating her strength.
In such a situation, would the external investors flinch just because they were an attacked?
[Oh well. Hugo, my teacher. It seems like you misunderstood my words. What did I say? This matter is not just about me.]
"Yes. But even considering that..."
Hugo started to say something but stopped.
"...Is there more?"
The question of whether there is another big shot of a similar scale was asking if there was another supporting force.
Losing one big shot and several small shots wouldn't be a significant blow.
But if there were two big shots or another supporting faction, the story would be different.
Laughter could be heard beyond the crystal ball, as if it was the answer.
Hugo swallowed hard and asked
"But why are you going to such lengths? Haven't you already gained substantial profits as an investor in Seron?"
Investors receive benefits in return for supporting Seron.
As much as they give, Seron also provides appropriate rewards.
[Mr.Hugo, investment is ultimately an action to receive everything back.]
"That's true."
[By investing a large sum in Seron, you can obtain corresponding profits. That's pleasant for a investor. So, what do you think you need to do to become a great investor?]
"Well? I'm not quite sure..."
Hugo was not completely ignorant of investments, but compared to the other party, he felt lacking, so he avoided answering.
[You have to swallow them up.]
There was a sense of joy in the voice of the big shot.
[While respecting the other party, you mutually give and take to achieve profits. It sounds good, doesn't it? That's ideal. However, it's too easygoing. To truly become a great investor, you have to make even the other party yours. Instead of exchanging, you should only receive.]
Hugo thought inwardly.
So this person now wants to make Seron their own and manipulate it as they please.
'Well, but if I join hands and work together, it's not entirely impossible.'
He might not be able to devour Seron immediately, but gradually exerting influence was possible.
It might be difficult to break through at once, but once a path is cleared, it is not difficult to widen it
gradually.
[Soon, you'll hear some interesting news. At that time, I hope you shake things up from the inside.]
"Yes, I understand."
The transaction between the two proceeded quietly.
* * *
Rudger had a meal with his fellow teachers, whom he hadn't seen in a long time.
"Rudger, it's hard to see your face these days," Merilda said playfully.
Rudger nodded silently in response.
"That's how it turned out."
"How is the special lecture on summoning magical beasts? Is it going well?"
"Yes, the students are doing well."
"Stay humble. Just because the students are doing well doesn't mean everything will go smoothly, right? Right, Miss Selina?"
"Yes?"
Suddenly, as the conversation shifted to her, Selina, who was mid-bite, was taken aback, causing her shoulders to twitch.
Merilda pretended not to notice and asked
"Miss Selina teaches summoning spirits right? There might be something she can advise, right?"
"Oh, that..."
Selina finally realized how she should approach Rudger.
Bruno, who had been dozing off, spoke up.
"By the way, have you heard the news? It seems that the external situation regarding Seron is getting noisy."
Selina, who was about to say something, found herself unable to speak.
It was unusual for Bruno to bring up the topic first.
Therefore, she inadvertently became interested in it.
"The external situation is getting noisy?"
"Many investors are considering pulling out due to the recent incident of terrorism during field study."
"What? Investors?"
"They say that because of that, there might be significant changes in the budget allocation for the second half of this year."
Budget changes?
That was not an ordinary problem.
Seron's teachers needed a budget of a certain amount for their lesson materials.
While Selina, who taught elemental studies, would probably be fine, it was quite daunting for Bruno, who dealt with golems that required expensive stuff, and Merilda, who taught curses and blessings.
In addition, there were enchantments that required potions or items for spellcasting.
There were an overwhelming number of classes that required money.
'A budget problem?'
Rudger decided to check with the planning department when he returned.
* * *
After finishing the meal, Rudger visited the principal's office before going to the planning department.
He was summoned by the principal.
"You heard the story?"
"About the investors?"
Elisa asked straightforwardly, and Rudger explained what he had heard.
In response, Elisa shook her head in a troubled manner.
"It's because hyenas, who are trying to find any excuse, are increasing."
"Can't we just ignore them?"
"It's not as simple as that this time. It's not just one major investor; three of them have joined forces and started exerting pressure."
Joined forces, you say?
Indeed, if that's the case, it would be difficult to fill the significant hole in the budget.
"What are their demands?"
"They want the authority to interfere in Seron's internal affairs."
"Are they out of their minds?"
"That's right. But if we don't listen to them, they threaten to pull out. It's more than just a concern."
No matter how brilliant the principal was, she was powerless when it came to money.
The reason for summoning Rudger was not so much to find a solution but rather because he was the head of the planning department and it meant to keep him informed.
"Will you agree?"
"We'll have to find a compromise after some time. Since they came out so determined, we can't completely ignore them unless there are other investors available right away..."
"Hmm."
Rudger pondered for a moment.
The answer came quickly.
"I think you can ignore them."
"What? What do you mean by that?"
"It means that we can find other investors."
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