Chapter 5

CHAPTER 3 How Quickly the Headmaster Rubs His Hands Serendia Academy was named for Serendine—the Goddess of Light and one of the Spirit Kings—in order to receive her divine protection. Her staff and crown of lilies served as the motifs for the school’s emblem. Originally, it was not the custom of royalty and nobility to send their children to school. As the times progressed, however, more and more noble children began attending educational institutions. Serendia Academy was one such place. Now there were many schools, including boarding schools and schools for girls, but Serendia Academy held the honor of being the first school attended by a member of Ridill’s royalty. The Kingdom of Ridill had three elite schools in particular: Serendia Academy, where members of the royal family went; Minerva’s Mage Training Institution; and the Temple-Affiliated University. Among them, the University was most focused on law. Minerva’s areas of expertise were magic and magecraft. Serendia Academy, in the meantime, excelled in teaching all subjects besides those two. The academy had it all: first-rate instructors, an enormous collection of books, and facilities and equipment befitting its noble-born students. Getting into the academy required a substantial enrollment fee and donation, but students had a tremendous advantage finding work in the court after graduation. Among nobles, being able to call yourself a Serendia Academy alumnus was a status symbol. It hardly needed to be said that those who had participated in the academy’s student council were viewed with particular awe. Especially with the second prince, Felix Arc Ridill, currently serving as the council’s president, becoming a member meant a chance to be chosen as his close aide. Indeed—normally, becoming a student council member would guarantee a secure future. …So then why is this happening?! Aaron O’Brien cried out in his mind. Aaron was the current student council accountant at Serendia Academy. He stood in the center of the room, with the rest of the student council surrounding him. They’d been his fellows until just the previous day, but now, they all looked at him as though he was a criminal. Tension filled the student council room, but one person was smiling: a young man sitting in the president’s chair with a fist to his cheek—the student council president and second prince of the Kingdom of Ridill, Felix Arc Ridill. “Now then.” Two words from Felix were enough to completely change the mood. Aaron’s shoulders sprang up. Felix directed a smile at him—the smile of a deeply compassionate saint. “Our investigation has uncovered traces of tampering,” began Felix. “Specifically, a misappropriation of budget funds. And it happened more than just once or twice… Isn’t that right?” His voice was gentle and exceedingly calm, yet so cold that it felt like a knife stabbing into the listener’s heart. Aaron remained silent. The secretary, a young man with brown hair and slightly droopy eyes named Elliott Howard, leveled a sharp gaze on him. “Then you’ve lost count of how many times you misappropriated funds?” he said. “…Because just from what I’ve found, the count is more than thirty.” Elliott’s tone was flippant, but his eyes were replete with disdain as he watched Aaron. After Elliott, another secretary—a beautiful blond girl named Bridget Greyham—covered her mouth with a folding fan and remarked, “That is quite a lot, considering it covers only last year’s general budget. But did he not also embezzle funds from the special budget?” At Bridget’s words, a short boy with bright brown hair named Neil Clay Maywood—their officer of general affairs—nodded. “Yes. We’re still reviewing the special budget, but there were signs of falsification there as well, so there is little doubt. A preliminary count places the combined total at…close to fifty instances.” Faced with one person after another pointing out his misdeeds, Aaron clicked his tongue. How the hell am I supposed to remember how many times I did it?! His collaborator had warned him he was going overboard, but even so, he should never have been discovered. As Aaron maintained his silence, Felix, gentle smile still on his face, began again. “We selected you for the student council at the recommendation of my grandfather, Duke Clockford.” Student council members were appointed by the president. There had been several who had used money in order to curry favor with Felix, and by extension with his grandfather, Duke Clockford. One of those who had offered quite a lot was Aaron’s father, Count Steil. That was why Duke Clockford had ordered his grandson Felix to select Aaron for the student council. If he’d only done his job as accountant properly, both his and Count Steil’s futures would have been secured. Unfortunately, House Steil had contributed a little too much to Duke Clockford, resulting in near-destitution. As a result, Aaron’s allowance had been greatly reduced, and he had started embezzling student council funds for money to fool around with. Damn it, damn it, damn it…! Aaron ground his teeth and Felix’s eyes narrowed. As the prince passed his judgment, his voice was incredibly soft and ice-cold. He meant to corner Aaron slowly and prolong his torment. “I cannot levy any punishment greater than expulsion. However, my grandfather will likely cut all ties with Count Steil.”