Chapter 8 – Just Trust Me


    [Trantor – Peptobismol]


    <strong>Chapter 8 – Just Trust Me</strong>


    Rumors about the events at the Comprehensive Combat Training Grounds spread quickly through the academy. Word was that some lunatic iming to be the Head Combat Professor had shown up with a mage and caused a scene.


    In addition, there were testimonies about how he had wandered around all day, scribbling things in his notebook with a very disapproving expression.


    Given the outrageous incident at the training grounds, it was almost certain that there would be a sweeping overhaul of thebat courses.


    Reactions to this were starkly divided.


    Those who genuinely wanted to be special agents of the Empire supported the changes. They had been worried that the current training methods wouldn’t prepare them adequately for field operations.


    On the other hand, those who had grown ustomed to thefortable life at the academy, or who had little interest in bing special agents, opposed the changes. This group included nobles who had ended up here because they had no chance of inheriting their family titles.


    In noble families, the eldest son typically inherits the title, leaving other children to find their own paths. Often, they either go into business using the family’s wealth or enter public service, where a diploma from the Imperial Special Mission Academy is highly valuable.


    Graduating from the academy doesn’t automatically mean bing a special agent. The curriculum is so extensive that graduates end up in various organizations and roles depending on their skills and final grades. This is why many nobles and high-ranking officials’ children are enrolled in what is essentially a ‘spy school.’


    Considering the academy’s purpose, it shouldn’t admit such students, but ignoring the influence of nobles and high-ranking officials is not easy. These students don’t care about theirbat course grades and focus solely on theoretical subjects, so they aren’t pleased with Dian’s actions.


    With opinions sharply divided, Dian began his role as the Head Combat Professor in earnest.


    # # # # #


    “So, that’s how it’s going to be from now on.”


    After finishing my exnation, I looked around to see the professors staring nkly at me.


    We were in the Combat Department office. I had gathered thebat professors to outline my n for overhauling thebat curriculum.


    “Any questions?”


    “Um… Head Professor.”


    Infiltration Professor Lina timidly raised her hand.


    “Is this approved by the headmaster? It doesn’t seem like it is.”


    “It is. Here’s the signed report.”


    I held up the report with a strange signature that looked like a cat giving a thumbs-up. There were gasps all around.


    “Th-the headmaster actually signed off on a Combat Department report!”


    “How did you manage that, Head Professor?!”


    “There are ways. Anyway, everyone understands the improvement n, right?”


    Infiltration Professor Lina raised her hand again.


    “I understand the content, but isn’t it too dangerous?”


    “What’s there to be afraid of? This is an academy. No one’s going to die.”


    “That’s true, but I’m concerned about the students getting injured. Especially with the uing night infiltration training….”


    “Just take sufficient safety precautions. If we’re too scared to even try, what are we teaching them?”


    Another professor raised his hand to speak.


    “Head Professor, I’m the Weaponry Combat Professor, Geneb. There is a significant problem with this n.”


    A weaponrybat professor… I noticed his hands had calluses typical of an experienced swordsman, and his sharp eyes confirmed he was a veteran in his field.


    “What’s the problem?”


    “Our academy’s infirmary isn’t equipped to handle serious injuries. It can barely manage minor cuts and bruises.”


    “That can’t be right. Don’t we have a Holy Priest?”


    “We don’t.”


    “Then who teaches emergency first aid and trauma care?”


    “That would be me!”


    Survival Professor Weber enthusiastically raised his hand, with a bow slung across his back. A hunter teaching first aid?


    “Well, there’s a lot inmon between survival skills and first aid! And butchering game is somewhat simr to basic surgery!”


    What nonsense is this? A hunter teaching first aid in such arge academy without a Holy Priest is absurd.


    “Since the headmaster scaled backbat training, they also let go of the Holy Priest to save the budget. After all, no training means no idents, right?”


    Weaponry Combat Professor Geneb exined bluntly.


    This is like saying the server is fine, so we’re firing the entire development team. No wonder it seemed odd when I heard there was only one mage at the academy.


    I see the headmaster is extremely cautious about safety and is also heavily cutting costs to avoid getting fired.


    First, we need to strengthen the infirmary. I want to conduct realistic and intense training, not reckless drills. If students get injured, they need proper treatment.


    “I’ll handle the medical issues. You all just focus on reorganizing the training ns ording to my guidelines. The key is realistic training. Does anyone hereck field experience?”


    “Head Professor.”


    A female professor wearing sses spoke up. It was Psychological Warfare Professor Felimia, who specializes in negotiation and persuasion.


    “What is it? Don’t tell me you have no field experience?”


    “Of course not. But there’s a critical w in your n.”


    “What is it?”


    “You may not realize, but some of our students…”


    “You mean the nobles and high-ranking officials’ children, right? You’re worried about the repercussions if something happens to them?”


    Felimia fell silent, and the other professors nodded or sighed in agreement.


    “That’s not something you need to worry about. I’ll take full responsibility. Just focus on teaching the students properly. Got it?”


    “Can we really trust you on this?”


    “Of course.”


    At that moment, I noticed a hammer waving in the air from a nearby desk.


    “Hey, Head Professor. I’ve got something to say too.”


    The hammer belonged to Dwarf Kazador, the Combat Equipment Professor.


    “Since we’re going to tear everything down and rebuild it, why not allocate some budget to ourbat equipment as well?”


    “Whybat equipment? They didn’t strip away all the tools because you think they’re dangerous for the kids, did they?”


    “No, it’s not that. We’re just terribly short on practical training tools. We have five people forming teams just to share equipment.”


    “Haa, I see… I’ll consider that too.”


    [Trantor – Peptobismol]


    “Um, I have something to say too…”


    This time, Combat Riding Professor Anna timidly spoke to me, hesitating.


    “We also need things like hay and beans to feed ourbat horses… The headmaster has significantly cut down on many things, citing the risk of falling off the horses…”


    Oh, this crazy Dark Elf is trying to save even on the feed for the horses. Does she even know how muchbat horses eat in a day?


    “Alright, I’ll make sure to include everything you’ve mentioned. But in return, promise me this: unless there’s a major issue, we’ll do things my way. And don’t listen to the Headmaster. Since I’m under the headmaster, you are all under me, so everything must go through me. Understood?”


    “Good, good! Brogg like Dian!”


    Unarmed Combat Professor Brogg, an Orc, grinned, revealing his tusks, and pounded his desk with his fist. Thanks to him, the professors’ notebooks and pens trembled up and down.


    “I’m in full agreement too! It’s been so boring without having to use magic.”


    With freckles adorning his face, Orendi, the only mage at the academy and the Magic Response Professor in the Combat Department, created sparkling stars above his head and nodded in solidarity.


    However, most professors still wore somewhat skeptical expressions. It was only natural for them to react this way when a youngd who had barely been in office for a week suddenly started tearing everything apart and insisted on being trusted blindly.


    Anyway, that’s enough for today.


    “If there are no further opinions, I expect everyone to revise their training and education ns by tomorrow. We’re about to graduate our first batch exactly a year from now, so we can’t afford to send out trash, right?”


    “Yes.”


    “Of course.”


    As the professors responded, desks were lightly mmed.


    “Alright. Just trust me, everyone. That’s all for today!”


    # # # # #


    “I wonder how much will actually change…?”


    After Head Professor Dian left the office, Combat Riding Professor Anna opened her mouth with a discouraged tone.


    “The Combat Department has always been at the mercy of the academy since its inception… Even if he’s the Head Professor, he’s ultimately under the Headmaster’s authority…”


    “Well, we’ll just have to wait and see. But seeing that the Headmaster approved his requests, there’s no need to be too pessimistic.”


    Responding positively, Magic Response Professor Orendi cheered up, Infiltration Professor Lina also nodded vigorously.


    “You made quite a fuss earlier, so shouldn’t you show us something? Like during thestprehensivebat training, ahaha.”


    Laughing slyly, Lina nced at Comprehensive Combat Professor Morton. It’s a well-known fact that Morton tried to assert dominance at the beginning but was promptly rebutted by Dian.


    “So, Morton. How did it feel to face off with him? That man named Dian.”


    As straightforward as a dwarf, Combat Equipment Professor Kazador directly asked Morton.


    “At least he doesn’t seem like the type to care about putting himself in harm’s way like the current headmaster.”


    “Ha, that’s something. Let’s see how it goes.”


    With a simple mindset like a calcting machine, Kazador concluded his assessment of Dian, and the Orc, Unarmed Combat Professor Brogg, kept repeating how much he liked Dian.


    “In fact, I don’t mind ifbat subjects disappearpletely, as long as I’m not affected!”


    Survival Professor Weaver, naturally cheerful and optimistic, smiled widely and flicked his bow like a harp.


    “Then the immediate issue is whether the manpower at the infirmary can be restored to what it was before.”


    Psychological Warfare Professor Felimia adjusted her sses andmented.


    “Receiving a new Holy Priest from the Church again will be an opportunity to verify the Head Professor’s capabilities.”


    “I think that’ll be difficult.”


    Weaponry Combat Professor Geneb expressed bluntly.


    “The Church is already displeased with the academy. It’s like asking them toe back after having kicked them out.”


    “It’ll probably be impossible. Unless you have great connections in the Church.”


    Comprehensive Combat Professor Morton sighed calmly and stood up.


    “Well then, everyone, keep up the good work. I’m off to work on a new education reform n.”


    “Good luck.”


    “Looks like overtime again today.”


    As Morton left the room, Combat Equipment Professor Kazador shouted with a hammer in hand.


    “Anyone got any logs to burn? Lend me one!”


    “Brogg has! Let’s go, dwarf!”


    As professors began to leave one by one, they each muttered something.


    “Haa, I want to feed ourbat horses properly…”


    “I hope we get to put those arrogant Theory Department professors in their ce this time.”


    Following the professors out, Psychological Warfare Professor Felimia pondered deeply.


    Could the Head Professor really bring back a Holy Priest from the Church?


    The Head Professor’s education reform n has no possibility of being realized if it is not supported by the infirmary’s capabilities, so he must bring in a Holy Priest.


    But it seems highly unlikely that someone so young could negotiate with the Church, unless he has some extraordinary connections.


    The Church is a powerful entity, towering above the Imperial Pce itself. They won’t be swayed by the whims of a mere academy. It’s best not to get their hopes up.


    And none of the professors know anything about Dian’s background. Who is he, and where did hee from?


    # # # # #


    “Dian!”


    As I was walking up the stairs to the Church Headquarters, I heard a voice calling me.


    Looking up, I saw Lormane, her purple clerical robe fluttering as she hurried down the steps.


    “Dian! I’ve missed you!”


    Lormane leaped down thest few steps and threw herself into my arms.


    Lormane, the Chief Administrator of the Church. The healer in the special task force that took down the Demon King—my oldrade.


    <strong>[Note: See pinnedment for Lormane character illustration.]</strong>


    [Trantor – Peptobismol]