Reviving a Bankrupt Academy: My Financial Battle

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About two to three weeks remained until the final exams.

It was a tight schedule, but surprisingly, it was also a leisurely time.

Because I wasn't the one 'carrying out' this plan.

The Wish Cult had to make the preparations, and I was only going to intervene in the process, so there wasn't much for me to prepare. At least until the Wish Cult contacted me first, I could take it easy.

That's why I was able to relax somewhat while eating the breakfast prepared by the protagonist and drinking apple juice for dessert.

But more importantly…

"How did you get here?"

"Did you enjoy the meal?"

"…It was delicious."

"I'll make it for you every morning from now on."

Yes!

No, that's not what I meant.

"I haven't told you this yet, Student Ruth, but the way to my dormitory…"

"Our dormitory."

"The way to our… dormitory changes every time. How did you get here?"

Come to think of it, he brought his luggage too, right? And he went grocery shopping. How did he do it?

Getting here wasn't simply a matter of the path changing. The number of times you had to turn in each alley, where to change direction, where to wait for a moment, all of that changed every time. It was impossible to get here by chance.

A student walking through the alleyways happened to stop for 15 seconds at a fork in the road, take one step to the right, then one step to the left, and even walk with their eyes closed for more than 10 seconds in between?

Naturally, I couldn't help but think that the protagonist must have some method.

But surprisingly, the protagonist was calm.

"…Intuition."

"Excuse me?"

"I could sense which way to go, intuitively."

Did… did that even make sense?

Normally, I would have told him to stop with the nonsense, but since it was the protagonist of , it somehow seemed plausible.

Moreover, the protagonist was Rank 6. The Headmistress assured me that no one could come to this dormitory, but honestly, no one had ever tried to come here, so I had my doubts.

But was it really possible to do it with intuition?

"…And because I'm used to it."

"Used to it?"

"I've… experienced this kind of labyrinth before."

Labyrinth? Was it that complicated? I didn't think so.

The word "labyrinth" seemed a bit too grand, didn't it? It was just a few alleyways with a regularly changing path.

Anyway, what could I say when he insisted that was the case? I could trust the protagonist, and I decided to just ask the Headmistress about it later, so I glossed over it.

"Well, then let me tell you in advance, to the other students around—"

"I won't tell anyone. Ever."

"That's reassuring."

Aside from security and all that, the mere fact that a faculty member and a student were living in the same dormitory could cause unnecessary gossip. "What does it matter if they're both men?" you ask? It would be strange if rumors didn't spread, especially since it involved the Finance Director and the much-talked-about Rank 6 freshman.

They would probably say things like "He got in through connections," or "He leaked the exam questions," or "Bribery," and all sorts of things. It was quite unfair. I only did those things for clients who actually paid proper bribes.

He said it with a serious expression, so he would probably keep the secret. And if he did tell? It was fine. Officially, I had a different dormitory. And I could use my position as Finance Director to control public opinion before it got too out of hand.

Anyway, there was nothing to worry about. More importantly, this apple juice was delicious.

"…Would you like another glass?"

"I'm ashamed to ask, but yes, please."

But how did he know I liked apples, considering what I said yesterday and all? It was amazing. Could he see such things because he was Rank 6?

When I smiled and handed him the glass, he hesitated for a moment, then took it.

He took out an apple and…

Crunch!

…Squeezed it?

"Here you go."

"Student Ruth? Is this how you usually make it?"

"Yes."

Uh, well.

It would be rude to ask if he washed his hands properly, right? He had made breakfast for me, after all.

Drinking apple juice literally squeezed by hand felt, how should I put it, quite strange.

Since I was also a man, it would be better if a woman had made it, but seeing another man do this felt incredibly awkward.

'Oh well, whatever.'

He made lunch and dinner yesterday, and even breakfast today. He would be living here until graduation because of the rent, so it wouldn't do to get flustered now.

I just closed my eyes and drank it. It was unnecessarily delicious.

Ah, right.

"Student Ruth, are you planning to make dinner tonight as well?"

"Didn't I tell you yesterday? I'll be in charge of the meals… Do you not like that?"

"No, no, that's not it. But you don't have to prepare anything for the next two weeks or so."

"Huh?"

"The final exams are coming up soon. I'll be busy and have to stay in the office. I don't think I'll be able to come to the dormitory during that time."

"...…"

Even though he said he would move in, I thought he would be happy to have some time alone.

Ruth, after hearing my words, froze for a moment, then turned his lifeless eyes towards me.

It was scary.

"…Is it because of the Headmistress?"

"Excuse me?"

"It's… nothing. But please visit sometimes."

"Alright."

I wouldn't be coming back until the attack plan was finalized, but there was no need to tell him that.

I replied with a casual smile, and Ruth soon turned his head away. It seemed like he was cleaning up the dishes.

But…

Was it just my imagination that I felt an unknown aura from his back?

'Why do I keep getting goosebumps…?'

Was the heating not working? Despite its appearance, the dormitory didn't have any problems in that regard.

A Rank 6 wouldn't be affected by something like this. I suddenly felt proud of myself for being Rank 1.

'Come to think of it, the Wish Cult has Dark Sword, right?'

I knew how to obtain it because I saw the strategy guide, but couldn't I use its power like that guy, presumed to be at least an archbishop, did?

Although it had the advantage of potentially making me stronger, it was a method I was hesitant to use because I had to rely on the cult.

Still, I thought I might try to bring it up with Milia when she contacted me, just in case.

"…Ah."

"Student Milia?"

"I want to kill myself."

"Student?"

What?

What's wrong with you?

***

Milia, or rather, Pope Milia, was in despair.

The fact that they communicated through letters instead of a communication magic tool.

The fact that he was living in this small dormitory because he had no money.

And the fact that the Wish Cult itself was on the verge of collapse.

And above all, what was most despairing was…

"Dark Sword…?"

The most important sacred relic of the Wish Cult, the power that allowed the cult to exist as a cult.

That very Dark Sword had suddenly disappeared.

'Does… does that even make sense?'

If someone had stolen it, she could at least understand. As in her previous life, the bitch would undoubtedly be the culprit.

But according to this bishop's letter, Dark Sword had simply vanished. Without a trace.

Besides, it was impossible for someone to steal it. Dark Sword was still being slowly created. And with the cult's Rank 7s always guarding it, how could anyone steal it unless they stormed the place?

The sword that grew by feeding on human blood, the sword that granted wishes when it was finally completed.

It was a sacred relic on a conceptual level, comparable to the 'Holy Lance' possessed by the Holy Kingdom. It simply existed in this world.

And that Dark Sword had suddenly disappeared?

'…No, no. Can't I somehow… do something about Dark Sword itself?'

Actually, Dark Sword itself wasn't Milia's main concern. It would be a lie to say she wasn't interested in the wish-granting sword, but Milia believed in her own abilities and didn't need to rely on such a sword.

She had almost succeeded once before. She could have truly become the savior of the continent, the Pope of a new era, reigning supreme. Although she failed, wasn't she given another chance?

Therefore, she didn't care about Dark Sword itself, but…

The problem was that without Dark Sword, the Wish Cult would collapse.

'That can't happen!'

The Wish Cult had to maintain its power for Milia to use it. She needed the Wish Cult as her power base to challenge the continent's hegemony.

And what bound the Wish Cult together was Dark Sword, the small wishes granted by remnants of its power.

But now that Dark Sword itself had disappeared, the cult's collapse was an inevitable future. Perhaps the cult would crumble even before she graduated from this academy.

Grit.

Milia unconsciously bit her nails, her bloodshot eyes reading and rereading the bishop's letter.

With or without Dark Sword, the Wish Cult had to survive for Pope Milia. And she knew exactly what was needed for that.

A substitute to bind the cult together in place of Dark Sword, and…

A whole lot of money.

With those, she could manage somehow. Milia, who had experience leading tens of thousands, millions of followers, knew this from experience.

'A substitute, and money.'

Her head ached. Why did Dark Sword suddenly disappear? Why was this different from the past she knew?

But one thing was clear.

The Finance Director's attack plan had become more important than she initially thought.

'A substitute?'

The cult's sacred treasure that the Headmistress possessed would do. It wouldn't be a perfect replacement for Dark Sword, but Milia believed in her own abilities.

'Money?'

She… could earn that somehow. Again, the cult's sacred treasure would make things much easier.

In the end, the conclusion was the same. Help that Finance Director bastard, put on an act, and retrieve the cult's sacred treasure from the Headmistress.

And in a way, this was also an opportunity.

'With the cult in turmoil, I'll succeed with the attack plan and solidify my position.'

As the saying goes, a crisis is an opportunity. Pope Milia gritted her teeth and wrote a reply to the bishop.

About the attack plan, how it could stabilize the chaotic cult, and even appealing to Milia herself.

The Grandis Academy attack plan had now become something Pope Milia had to succeed in.

Therefore, she intended to act humble when approaching that Finance Director bastard again, but…

"So, you're saying that the cult is willing to actively participate?"

"Yes, the cult intends to do everything in its power."

"Hmm."

The Finance Director, whom she visited again the day after receiving the reply from the bishop,

Had a meaningful expression on his face as he observed Pope Milia's attitude, and said,

"As expected of the Wish Cult. Amazing."

"You flatter me…"

"It's indeed impressive that you were the one who 'first' brought up the attack. If it weren't for you, I wouldn't have accepted."

"…Excuse me?"

Brought up first? The attack? By us?

Before she could blurt out "What nonsense are you talking about?", Pope Milia desperately put on a smile and said,

"What do you mean…? As for the attack, you, Finance Director…"

"When did I ever say that?"

"Huh?"

"I was clearly questioning Student Milia about her relationship with the cult, and then you suddenly started talking about an attack."

What?

Pope Milia's face turned pale as she desperately tried to recall yesterday's events.

She had agreed to the attack based on her 'previous memories' while she was still disoriented after suddenly waking up in this situation.

Judging from his reaction, it seemed like he had the same idea about the attack as before, but the order of events had changed.

A mistake caused by the inexplicable return to the past.

And the Finance Director was shamelessly exploiting that mistake.

"Oh my, do you know how flustered I was? I wasn't thinking about an attack at all, and then you suddenly brought up such a scary topic. It was truly frightening."

"…Finance Director."

"But after thinking about it with an open mind, it didn't seem so bad. Of course… my 'minor' opinions should be reflected."

"Th-that's!"

"You can refuse. But I'll be leaving then."

"...…"

"I'm cooperating with the 'cult's proposal,' so it's only natural that my opinions should be reflected, isn't it?"

Pope Milia knew.

That Finance Director bastard wasn't a natural genius, a master negotiator, or someone with exceptional wit.

His abilities themselves were outstanding, but he was ultimately just a Rank 1, infinitely lacking compared to true geniuses.

Nevertheless, that guy who set the continent ablaze after the academy collapsed had an ability that even Pope Milia couldn't ignore.

'That damn hyena bastard…!!'

He grasped the opponent's weakness, their desperation, and thoroughly tore into it.

He was more of a torturer than a strategist. If he saw even the slightest opening, he would relentlessly pry into it, instinctively sensing who held the upper hand in a relationship.

The Finance Director, who had noticed how desperate Pope Milia was for this plan in their brief conversation.

He smirked with a bad pun that didn't make sense.

"…Ah."

"Student Milia?"

"I want to kill myself."

"Student?"

She had shown her weakness to the one person she shouldn't have. He was the one she clashed with often while leading the cult, so she knew in her soul how ruthless he was.

As Pope Milia unconsciously muttered those words in frustration,

The Finance Director, that vicious devil,

Smiled.

"What do you mean by that?"

"...…"

"At least kill yourself after you complete the attack."

Pope Milia felt her mind go blank.

She had to keep bowing to that devil until the attack was complete, and even after that, to get the sacred treasure back?

It would be easier to kill another Rank 8.

All that was left for Milia was a sigh of resignation.