Reviving a Bankrupt Academy: My Financial Battle

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"Wasn't that just now… Sword Qi?"

"Rank 6? Such a strong individual is just a freshman? Could that student be the…"

"Shush, there was a word from the Claudia family, wasn't there? Let's not talk about it anymore."

"We did come to an agreement with Claudia, but that was only when his power was restricted. But to openly display Sword Qi at the entrance ceremony?"

"Isn't this breaking the promise?"

After the protagonist sliced the manticore in half with his Sword Qi…

As I entered the VIP room with the Headmistress, it was already noisy.

The topic of conversation was, of course, the Sword Qi the protagonist had displayed at the end.

To be precise, it was because of the display of strength that went beyond 'what was discussed beforehand.'

'This is becoming troublesome.'

The backroom deal I had with Lisha Claudia regarding the protagonist's admission.

In exchange for the academy allowing the protagonist's admission, the Claudia family, a prominent noble family, would appease the other nobles' dissatisfaction.

It was the lesser of two evils for Lisha and the Claudia family, who were losing to the youngest knight in terms of strength.

However, there was one condition.

'He will seal his Sword Qi and use only one arm in duels.'

What, limit his power to a certain Rank? Such a restriction was meaningless. Even if I were told to use only the strength I had in high school, it would be difficult to control, and in urgent situations, I might end up using more strength.

Therefore, the academy and the Claudia family restricted only the use of Sword Qi and one arm. For a swordsman, not being able to use one arm and not being able to use Sword Qi, the defining factor between Rank 5 and 6, were indeed very strong restrictions.

The problem was that even with those restrictions, the protagonist was still the strongest among the first years.

Still, it was an exceptional level of restriction, so Claudia must have used it to appease the other nobles.

But he had to go and openly violate it at the entrance ceremony.

As expected, as soon as the Headmistress and I entered the VIP room, the dignitaries' eyes turned to us.

"Headmistress! That new student used Sword Qi, is this alright? If he can just use Sword Qi like that, there's no point in the competition!"

"Even with restrictions, he's Rank 6. He could be the captain of the knights if he came to our territory right now. To accept such a strong individual as a freshman…"

"Did you really get a clear promise that he would abide by the restrictions? There must be a clear disciplinary action or an example made of him for this!"

The dignitaries expressed their doubts to the Headmistress.

And the Headmistress had only one response.

"I do not turn away students who seek knowledge. That is an ironclad rule I have always followed in the decades I have run Grandis Academy. Are you trying to criticize that?"

"That's…"

"…Hmm."

"No, that's not what I meant…"

Just playing it bold and shameless.

It was true that there was a backroom deal between the academy and the Claudia family regarding the protagonist's admission, but that had nothing to do with the Headmistress. That's what was officially announced, and considering the Headmistress's personality, it was only natural for the dignitaries to think so.

It wasn't like there had never been a Rank 6 freshman in the history of the academy, and officially, the Headmistress had simply acknowledged the protagonist's passion and allowed his admission.

They would never imagine that the Headmistress, influenced by a certain Finance Director, would slightly bend her beliefs because the academy was facing a bankruptcy crisis in three years.

The Headmistress had been dignified, honest, and upright for decades. Such conduct prevented the dignitaries from refuting her words.

…To be honest, it was also largely because the Headmistress was overwhelmingly powerful. There was no guarantee that they wouldn't get hit if they misspoke, was there?

'Well, a new employee at the Blue House can't criticize the president for breaking a promise, can they?'

Anyway, as the Headmistress stepped forward, the dignitaries' attention naturally shifted to me, standing behind her, the working-level official and the clearly weaker one.

No one here didn't know my face. Even more so since I was appointed last year as the close aide of 'that' Headmistress.

Under their harsh gazes demanding an explanation, I…

"As I am the Finance Director, please direct all complaints and questions to the Student Affairs Department."

…passed the buck.

Why? Because it wasn't my area of expertise, right?

What I needed to think about was the repair cost for the walls the protagonist kept destroying, not responding to complaints about him breaking the restrictions.

More importantly, the dignitaries didn't mention anything about the 'backroom deal with the Claudia family' in front of the Headmistress. It was an obvious choice for the dignitaries who knew very well that the Headmistress hated such backroom deals.

In the end, it was true that there was a backroom deal led by the Headmistress and me, but the dignitaries couldn't openly mention it. They wouldn't want to make an enemy of the Claudia family over something like this.

Moreover, there was officially nothing wrong with the protagonist's admission itself. So what would happen now?

'The Student Affairs Department, who knows nothing about the backroom deal, will be the ones to suffer.'

If they couldn't complain to those involved in the backroom deal or the Claudia family, all that was left was the Student Affairs Department.

I felt a bit sorry, but bear with it. This was the Student Affairs Department's job, wasn't it?

More than anything, the real cause lay with the protagonist who arbitrarily used Sword Qi. I was just doing my job as a professional.

I inwardly decided to give the Student Affairs Department a little leeway in the upcoming department budget allocation.

"Well then, I'll be taking my leave."

I bowed to the Headmistress and the dignitaries and left the VIP room.

It was partly because I felt uncomfortable being in the same room as those high-ranking individuals, and partly because…

I had someone to meet.

***

"R-Ruth! What was that just now!?"

"…It's nothing."

"Nothing? That was Sword Qi! So you were that rumored freshman!"

"Rumor…?"

"There was a rumor that a Rank 6 would be our classmate! Of course, I didn't believe it, but to think it was actually true!!"

"...."

"Rank 6 is stronger than the knight captain of our village lord! You're really amazing!"

Mina practically jumped up and down in front of Ruth, who had sheathed his sword and had an indifferent expression.

In front of Mina, who was purely praising Ruth and had stars in her eyes…

Ruth could hear the other voices around him.

"What, he's really Rank 6…? It wasn't a groundless rumor?"

"Did you see that just now? Sword Qi, Sword Qi! Damn it, why is a monster like that coming to the academy?"

"Isn't that a nuisance? With a monster like that here, there's no way anyone can get first place no matter what they do. We'll all be buried under his fame."

"I pity the youngest daughter of Margrave Claudia and the youngest knight."

"He must have come to the academy to monopolize attention, not satisfied with being called a genius. What's he lacking at that age, already Rank 6?"

Jealousy, envy, suspicion.

The freshmen in the administration and magic departments, who were in completely different fields, simply looked at him with awe and curiosity, but most of the martial arts freshmen viewed Ruth unfavorably.

At Rank 6, he could be a knight captain in any territory, and even if he went to the royal palace alone, he would be immediately accepted as a royal knight. Moreover, such a strong individual was around their age or even younger.

Most of the students who knocked on the doors of Grandis Academy, excluding those in the mostly commoner-filled administration department, had their own ambitions and goals.

They were nobles, geniuses, and those called promising talents. They were students who chose Grandis Academy as the stage to elevate their names and were doing their best.

However, Ruth, as a Rank 6, was an insurmountable wall that no amount of effort or talent could overcome. Even if it were revealed that Ruth wasn't actually a freshman but an instructor in disguise, the students would all accept it with a "figures" attitude.

If only Ruth were a high-ranking noble or an already renowned genius.

Ruth was from a fallen noble family and was completely unknown. Naturally, he was met with envious glances and questions of "who is that guy?", but of course, not everyone felt that way.

"As expected, you're strong, Mr. Ruth."

"…Claudia."

"It's an honor that you know me, Rank 6."

Among them, some were intrigued by Ruth's existence, looked at him favorably, concealed their true intentions, or even saw it as an opportunity.

Lisha Claudia, with her blonde hair tied in a ponytail, approached first with a bright smile.

She was the one concealing her true intentions.

'Where did this guy even come from…?'

It was true that thanks to Ruth, she had avoided the chance of competing one-on-one with the youngest knight. Although she still wouldn't get first place, at least it would be seen as an unavoidable loss against a 'suddenly appearing Rank 6 monster.'

But that was that, and it couldn't be helped that Lisha's pride, which had never doubted her own genius, was deeply wounded.

Although annoying, Lisha had been convinced that the youngest knight was the only one among her peers who was better or equal to her. Ruth's existence was truly bothersome.

However, she couldn't reveal her true feelings.

Lisha was a warrior, but she was also the daughter of a high-ranking noble.

"I use a spear, and you use a sword, so our specialties are different… but we're both in the martial arts department, and we'll be seeing each other often for the next three years, so let's get along."

A smile full of goodwill, and a hand offered first by the daughter of a high-ranking noble.

Despite being the one most disadvantaged by Ruth's presence, Lisha showed that she acknowledged him.

"As expected of the Claudia family."

"It's a shame for someone so kind, that a guy like that suddenly enrolled…"

"Miss Lisha must be specializing in spear techniques, right? I'm also a spear user, I hope we can train together sometime."

The entrance ceremony where all the new students were gathered. Especially in the situation where most of the attention was focused on Ruth because of the Sword Qi he had just displayed.

Lisha's reputation was naturally rising.

'I don't know why he used Sword Qi when he wasn't supposed to… but even if he's Rank 6, he's still from a fallen noble family. If I treat him well now, he might join the Claudia family after graduation.'

If that really happened, Ruth would become Lisha's strongest ally.

It was true that the higher the Rank, the better the treatment. However, even then, they were never equal to a high-ranking noble.

Of course, there was the Headmistress, a commoner who made even the king tremble, but that was because she was an exceptional Rank 8. There was no way this Ruth guy was Rank 8, was there?

Thus, Lisha, while clicking her tongue inwardly, perfectly acted out a smile and offered her hand to Ruth for a handshake, but…

"...…."

'…Huh?'

Ruth didn't accept the handshake and just stared at her hand.

Lisha, put in an awkward position, felt a surge of emotions.

'Why isn't he accepting the handshake!?'

The daughter of the Claudia family had humbled herself this much. Shouldn't he naturally accept the handshake and say he looks forward to getting along?

Even if he didn't grovel, the least he could do was accept the handshake as a matter of basic courtesy.

Was he ignoring her because they weren't of the same rank?

As 5 seconds, 10 seconds, 20 seconds passed, and Ruth still didn't accept the handshake, cracks started to appear in Lisha's smile.

"What's wrong with him?"

"Is he ignoring Miss Lisha because he's a Rank 6?"

"What a jerk… He has no manners."

Just as the surrounding students' atmosphere started to turn hostile…

There was the sound of clapping.

*Clap clap.*

"Now, students? Please return to your seats. We need to continue with the entrance ceremony."

"Huh?"

"The Headmistress' closing address will be given soon. The staff are rearranging the chairs, so please find your seats!"

"That's right. We're still in the middle of the entrance ceremony. Let's go back."

"By the way, didn't that person look familiar? From the dormitory for successful applicants…"

"He must be a staff member. You probably just saw him in passing. Let's hurry up."

At the man's words accompanied by the sound of clapping, the students hurriedly started returning to their seats.

Lisha, Ruth, and Mina, who was restlessly fidgeting behind them, turned their heads towards the man who had suddenly intervened in the awkward situation.

"Finance Director…?"

"Lady Lisha, it's a pleasure to meet you. I am Adam Keynes, Finance Director of Grandis Academy. I express my gratitude for the efforts of the Claudia family and the Margrave."

"Ah… y-yes. This is the first time we've met, yes."

Lisha was about to say something at the sight of the familiar face, but she quickly responded to Adam, who greeted her with perfect etiquette as if they were 'meeting for the first time.'

Ruth still hadn't accepted the handshake, but this allowed them to naturally break away from the situation. Lisha glanced at Ruth and then looked at him again with a bright smile.

"It seems you were a bit shy today. Will you accept my handshake when we see each other next time?"

"...."

'At least give me a proper answer. So annoying.'

Lisha, who lowered Ruth's evaluation to the same level as that youngest knight bastard, or perhaps even lower, cursed inwardly and left first.

Ruth quietly looked at Adam, who had intervened.

"Is the student standing behind you Miss Mina Glichen?"

"Huh? You know my name?"

"I heard that Baron Glichen adopted a talented girl and gave her his family name. I look forward to your future."

"Thank you! F-Finance… Director?"

"I'm Adam Keynes. You won't have to see me during your time at the academy, so there's no need to remember my name."

"No! I'll definitely greet you when I see you next time! Well then, Ruth? Let's go back to our seats…!"

"Ah, I apologize to Miss Mina, but I have something to discuss with Mr. Ruth."

"What?"

"Well…"

As Adam smiled wryly and pointed to the sword strike Ruth had made, Mina, understanding the situation, turned pale and looked at Ruth.

Her innocent face clearly showed her inner thoughts.

"Ruth, what are you going to do…?"

"Don't worry, Miss Mina. Nothing will happen to your friend. Grandis Academy always prioritizes its students."

"Ah… yes!"

After reassuring Mina, Adam saw her off, and Mina, after glancing back at Ruth a few times, returned to her seat.

In the center of the hall, which had become noisy as the students returned to their seats…

"Mr. Ruth Spero?"

"…Yes."

"May I have a word with you?"

"…Alright."

The Finance Director of the academy and the freshman who caused a stir faced each other.

For some reason, Ruth, who hadn't responded to Lisha, nodded in response to Adam.

And Adam…

…was staring at Ruth with an intense emotion in his eyes.