Reviving a Bankrupt Academy: My Financial Battle

"The magic department professors have been choosing and owning one of their research achievements. This was a consideration from the Headmistress in the early days of the academy's establishment to attract excellent professors, but there is no need for it to continue now."

Professor Circe's words were easy to listen to, befitting an educator, and she spoke only the essentials. The atmosphere was similar to a lecture given to students, rather than a confession or public apology.

Perhaps that's why the professors' reactions were so intense.

"Professor Circe! Stop this recklessness!"

"Circe! What are you saying?!"

"That's our tradition!"

It was true that the magic department, which boasted the largest number of professors, was the main subject of this confession, so their voices were the loudest.

However, the combined number of martial arts and administration professors was greater than that of the magic department. But they didn't react as fiercely as the magic department professors.

It was something that all professors in Grandis Academy implicitly knew, and there was no need for them to get excited.

Professor Circe continued speaking despite the shouts of the magic department professors.

"With that privilege and welfare, the magic department professors focused on owning research achievements that could generate profit or significantly help their careers. This benefit was even mentioned to me when I was first appointed as a professor."

Professor Circe, following the 'advice' of a certain Finance Director, spoke somewhat subtly and ambiguously.

It was true that the magic department professors had taken ownership of profitable or career-advancing research achievements through the custom. However, even if the profitability was very small, it was still profitable, and when it came to careers, was there any achievement that didn't help?

As Dean Billend carefully reacted, the magic department professors knew that even if it was a tradition and custom, they would be finished if they crossed the line. Therefore, they avoided owning excessive research achievements.

But not all magic department professors were like that, and the fact that there was even a 'possibility' of them owning significant research was infuriating to the professors in other departments.

It was just that the magic department was the most dominant in Grandis Academy, and since the Headmistress implicitly allowed it in the early days of its establishment, they couldn't say much.

But things were different now.

Even though they knew that Professor Circe was deliberately speaking ambiguously to instigate them, the martial arts and administration professors willingly went along with it.

There was no need for them to point it out in detail.

"Ownership of research achievements, what is that…!!"

"Even if the magic department represents Grandis Academy, this is too much!"

"According to the employment contract, the academy should also have ownership of the research achievements, but could it be that the magic department has been violating it with the excuse of a custom?"

"That's outrageous! They've been doing this for decades?!"

"There must be many important research projects they already own! And you call yourselves scholars?!"

Even though there was no professor who didn't know about the magic department's custom, the martial arts and administration professors expressed their indignation and frustration as if they were hearing it for the first time.

The former was a lie, but the latter emotion was genuine. Did it make sense that only the magic department received such benefits when they were all professors of Grandis Academy?

The resentment and jealousy that had been building up due to the discriminatory treatment.

If they were to find the root cause, it was the Headmistress who implicitly allowed it, but that was during the academy's early days, and there was the reason of attracting professors. More than anything, human nature was such that they harbored resentment towards those who enjoyed and utilized the privilege right in front of them, rather than the one who initially granted it.

And so, the martial arts and administration professors raised their voices against the magic department professors.

In the conference room that instantly turned into a marketplace.

"I was both happy with this benefit and deeply questioned it. It was truly a hypocritical act. If I remained silent, this privilege would have continued in the name of custom, as it always had. But I couldn't do that."

She had already used the custom. And in the most exceptional way.

"We didn't become professors simply to pursue profit. Aren't we scholars and educators who wanted to see the end of our desired studies, martial arts, and research? How can such educators turn a blind eye to their conscience?"

Of course, it wasn't wrong, but there were also many professors who came here for the top-level salary and various benefits. Professor Circe herself wasn't much different.

"And so, after much deliberation, I stand here today. Even if I'm condemned as a traitor for this, even if I'm met with glares, even if I'm dismissed, it's okay."

It wasn't okay. If she was really dismissed, Professor Circe would struggle with all her might.

"I am simply making a confession as a professor of Grandis Academy."

In the end, it was a confession filled with lies. Anyone who knew Professor Circe's true intentions would curse her hypocrisy and shamelessness.

However, since Professor Circe's use of the custom was kept strictly confidential, only Dean Billend, the Headmistress, and the Finance Director knew about it. Similarly, no one would know about the backroom deal with the Finance Director.

If no one knew, was it even a lie? Even if someone knew, it was fine.

If it benefited them, if it was morally right, there were many who would turn a blind eye, even if it was a lie.

And so, Professor Circe's confession ended.

"...…."

"...."

Perhaps because of the loud voices just now, in the contradictory situation where the magic department professors were glaring at Professor Circe as if to devour her, and the martial arts and administration professors were looking at her favorably.

The Dean of the martial arts department, a middle-aged man with many scars, nodded.

"Professor Circe, thank you for your confession."

The Dean of the administration department, an elderly female professor, smiled gently.

"It must not have been easy, but it was a courageous act."

And the Dean of the magic department.

Even while receiving questioning gazes from the magic department professors, everything was understood by his standing next to the Headmistress with a resolute expression.

Dean Billend, who had already been informed of everything by the Headmistress, spoke.

"…As the Dean of the magic department, I feel a deep pang of conscience at Professor Circe's confession. Headmistress."

"...."

"There is no falsehood in Professor Circe's words. As the responsible Dean… I resign."

"Dean!"

"Dean! No! Why are you doing this?!"

"Professor Circe! You…!!"

"Silence."

"""...…."""

The Headmistress, who had been silently listening to everything while sitting at the head of the table, shut everyone up with a cold expression.

The Headmistress's influence was absolute, having maintained the academy with her own financial resources without any subsidies or donations. There was no way she would be swayed by any conflict of interest, and she could thoroughly enforce her beliefs.

With a single word from the Headmistress, Dean Billend could truly be dismissed. Furthermore, even replacing the magic department professors… although it would cause great chaos, it was still possible for the Headmistress.

All the professors looked at the Headmistress with emotions of expectation, anxiety, frustration, hope, resignation, and so on.

"…It's a story from decades ago. Back then, I had just established Grandis Academy and was busy recruiting capable professors who could properly teach the students."

"There were those who came to me because of my name, but most of them were from the martial arts department, and there were hardly any from the magic department. So, while I was struggling, the Dean at that time made a suggestion."

"To allow a special 'welfare' to attract magic department professors."

"After deep consideration, I accepted the suggestion. Decades have passed, and now…"

"I never thought that welfare would continue as a tradition and custom."

No. The Headmistress remembered the custom. However, since it was a custom she allowed, she tolerated it and kept it a secret.

It was a reasonable story from the professors' perspective. The Headmistress ruled the academy like an iron fist, and such iron-fisted rule usually imposed a corresponding workload.

It was a well-known fact that the lights in the Headmistress's office were rarely turned off even at night. Some students even used it as a lighthouse.

However, with the confession of the professor from the magic department, the young genius who was the most prominent in the academy.

The Headmistress gained a clear trigger and conviction.

A trigger to abolish the custom she started, and a certain conviction that stemmed from it.

──A kind of self-loathing.

"As the Headmistress of the academy, it is my fault for not noticing this chronic problem sooner."

"Headmistress."

"Dean Billend, I reject your resignation request. And Professor Circe."

"Yes, Headmistress."

"If it weren't for your confession, this malpractice in the name of custom would have continued. I sincerely thank you."

"You're too kind. I only did what I had to do."

"And of course, this matter will not be simply overlooked."

The Headmistress stood like a judge delivering a verdict. But what kind of punishment should she give?

It was natural to abolish the custom, and it had to be something that could appease the dissatisfaction of the martial arts and administration professors, who had been disadvantaged for decades while the magic department enjoyed the benefits.

The magic department was indeed the core of Grandis Academy, so the punishment shouldn't be so severe as to cripple it.

Was there such a punishment? The professors wondered, holding their breath as they waited for the Headmistress's words.

"Head of Academic Affairs, Finance Director."

"Yes, Headmistress."

"Yes, Headmistress."

The Headmistress suddenly called the two department heads who had entered with her.

To the two department heads who walked forward respectfully, the Headmistress spoke in an icy voice.

"Head of Academic Affairs, re-examine the research achievements of the magic department and organize and submit a list of the research they have ownership of through the custom."

"Yes!"

Despite the outrageous order to investigate decades of research, the Headmistress fanatic replied energetically, as if pleased.

"Finance Director."

"Yes."

"Reduce the salaries of all magic department professors for the next ten years."

"…!!!"

"H-Headmistress!"

"Of course, the salaries of newly appointed professors will not be reduced. Apply this only to the currently employed professors."

"Understood."

Usually, a professor's income wasn't solely based on their salary.

There were various other sources of income besides their salary, such as paper allowances, research allowances, and compensation for conducting external research.

However, things were a bit different at Grandis Academy. It was because the basic salary itself was exceptionally high. Simply put, they received ten times more than professors at other private academies. Other bonuses and special allowances were, of course, separate.

Because of this, professors often relied on their salaries rather than paper or research allowances. That's why they reacted so strongly to the mention of a salary reduction.

Since their main source of income was incredibly high, there was no need for them to be concerned about additional income. However, that's why a salary reduction, which decreased their main source of income, was a very severe punishment at Grandis Academy.

The martial arts and administration professors seemed mostly satisfied. They also knew how powerful a salary reduction was at this academy.

Dissatisfaction flickered in the eyes of the magic department professors, but.

"Are you dissatisfied?"

"That…"

As the Headmistress's gaze fell upon them, they all closed their mouths and lowered their heads.

It wasn't simply because of her presence and authority, but also because their mouths naturally closed when they met the gaze of a Rank 8.

"I won't touch anything other than the salary reduction. Are you still dissatisfied? After owning research achievements for decades? After continuously enjoying privileges different from the other departments?"

"…No, Headmistress."

"Dean Billend. This should never happen again, but if any strange tradition or custom… any deep-rooted evil or malpractice occurs in the future, report it immediately."

"I'll keep that in mind."

"Then…"

With those words, the Headmistress quietly left the conference room. The Head of Academic Affairs followed her, and Professor Circe, perhaps having been informed beforehand, also followed.

And naturally, the eyes of the magic department professors turned to Adam Keynes, the Finance Director, the only one left in front of Dean Billend.

Although the Headmistress mentioned a salary reduction.

She didn't say 'how much' the reduction would be.

"Dean Billend."

"…Finance Director."

"We will now discuss the salary reduction plan. Please go back to your seat."

"Understood…"

Dean Billend's face darkened. After talking with me and going to the Headmistress's office, he must have heard everything about this matter and been through a lot of stress.

He would probably lament why this had to happen while he was the Dean, and perhaps even resent me.

'I did say I wasn't here for disciplinary action or punishment regarding the custom.'

But it wasn't wrong. This happened because of Professor Circe's 'voluntary' confession.

If he knew that all of this was to reduce expenses, and among them, the 'professors' salaries,' which accounted for a significant portion, what would he say to me?

The magic department's custom was simply the most suitable and timely among the various triggers I could create.

I quietly looked around at the professors from other departments who were sneering at the dejected magic department professors.

'They're all the same.'

The magic department was just larger in scale; naturally, such customs and deep-rooted evils existed in other departments as well.

Of course, most of the professors were good people. They were proper scholars, educators, and sincere individuals.

However, as with any organization, there were a few bad apples that spoiled the bunch, weren't there?

'Just you wait, you bastards.'

Last year, I didn't have the time to do this while adapting to the work, but this year was different.

Starting with the custom of the magic department…

I would thoroughly reduce expenses and increase revenue to save this academy from the brink of bankruptcy.

So that…

So that…

──Finance Director, I'm sorry… for being a foolish Headmistress.

──You live. Live on in my place…

…So that, what?

I thought I heard another voice just now.

Shaking my head, dismissing it as my imagination, I narrowed my eyes.

Perhaps realizing that their livelihoods for the next ten years were in my hands, the eyes of the magic department professors were filled with fear.

'Now then, how much should I reduce it to be known as a good salary cut?'

I wanted to slash the research budget as well, but I spared them because it would shake the entire department.

Anyway, with a legitimate reason that no one could argue with, I now held the knife in my hand.

It was time to dance with the blade.