What are they thinking?! No one could manage the academy better than she’s done. I’ll contact the committee right away and ask them to stop her dismissal.
Ms. Yamamoto stifled a laugh. “I’m sorry. You’re unexpectedly straightforward about all this, Mrs. Arakawa. I don’t think you should complain to the committee on my behalf. People would just think you were defending your son and trying to keep your preferred principal in place. It would damage your reputation.”
“But what about your reputation? What education authority will employ you after hearing that you were dismissed by order of the United Nations?!”
“I don’t mind. My job is to take care of my students. My job isn’t to take care of my own reputation. I do hate to leave when there’s so much more I hoped to accomplish, but I’d rather go quietly. Fortunately, I have savings and I can make a living as an independent home tutor.” Ms. Yamamoto smiled faintly as she talked about her choice to resign as principal.
Just at that moment, I received a message on my personal terminal. The message said that Principal Kaori Yamamoto would be replaced on the first day of next month.
So be it! In that case, I have an idea of my own. I won’t sit back and watch an exceptional teacher be reduced to the level of a small-time home tutor.
“I’ve just now been informed,” I said. “By the way, you said you intended to work as a home tutor. Have you accepted a work assignment yet?”
“No, not yet.”
“Then I have a proposal. Come work for Noa and serve as the home tutor of the children living here.”
“By the children living here, you must mean Kouki and Alice? And I suppose Shingo and Aikawa?”
“That’s right. In several years, they’ll have a major influence on this world. I’d like you to teach them how to be responsible researchers, for their own sake.”
“I’d be delighted. However, I expect there are others more suited to this task.”
“The truth is, there’s more to it. Unfortunately, it’s highly classified information, so you must promise not to make what I tell you public. I’m sure what I have to say will interest you.”
“I understand. I can’t promise to accept, but I won’t share what you tell me with anyone else.”
Materials from the intelligence department said that Ms. Yamamoto was highly trustworthy. I felt confident that I could tell her about the project I had in mind.
I produced a paper file labeled with the words “Bologna Project” from the drawer and handed it to her. The project had been named after Bologna University, the oldest university in the world. The aim was to establish a higher education institution on G-88.
We intended to create a massive educational institution in the Merkava Kingdom that would recruit students with no regard for age, sex, race, or nationality. Put simply, the idea was to recreate the International Technology Academy in another world, but on a much greater scale.
There were currently 1,600 students enrolled in the university, but the Bologna Project would gradually increase this number, until we created an enormous university with tens of thousands or hundreds of thousands of students.
“But...” She looked shocked. “This can’t...”
“I know it’s a lot to take in at once, but I think we can raise the bar and surpass the technology academy. Academy City owes its status as a city to the presence of the technology academy. Someday, the place where we pursue the Bologna Project may come to be known as Academy Nation. I’d like for you to serve as the first principal of that academy.”
“I’d be the first principal?”
“That’s right. I believe this is a good opportunity for you. But please, help yourself to tea and some cake.”
I’d completely forgotten that we’d prepared tea and food. I offered the tea to her, but Ms. Yamamoto remained focused on the documents in front of her.
As an educator, this must all be very exciting to her.
“I have a question,” she said. “It says here that Noa will provide the funding, but does this just refer to scholarships? Or does this include maintaining facilities and supplying experimental materials?”
“Everything will be provided,” I said. “In truth, Noa, Merkava, and Ursna will all make financial contributions. Over time, we’ll also encourage other nations to make financial contributions of their own.”
“This world appears to be an aristocracy. What about those who attempt to use their social status to enter the academy without passing entrance exams? Would they be refused admission?”
“Of course. Though we must make some considerations for my son, so there will be some exceptions.”
“...Very well. If you think I’m qualified, then I’d like to offer you my services.”
That’s a relief. This may be the greatest achievement I’ve made today. If I can entrust this project to Ms. Yamamoto, I can consider the project to be halfway to success already.
Next, I need to get the political department involved so we can work out the details with Merkava and Ursna. Then we can begin constructing the actual academy. This is going to be fun! I can’t even imagine what new technological fields we might create.
“I was hoping to give you a little something to congratulate you on this appointment,” I said. “And also to thank you for taking good care of my son. Am I right in thinking that you like classic cars? If you like, you can choose one of these cars and I can have it provided to you.”
I handed her the catalogue, and she looked through it excitedly.
“Wow!” she cried. “These are classic Quartet models! How did you get hold of this catalogue? Can I really choose any I like?! I’d cry if you changed your mind now!”
Elise was watching Ms. Yamamoto with surprise. A moment ago she’d seemed like a solemn educator, but now her refined demeanor was gone without a trace. She began to hum to herself as she enjoyed the cake and browsed through the catalogue.
I’ve got so much more to do today. I really hope she doesn’t want to stay here in my office for too long.