The Return of the Iron-blood Sword Hound

Chapter 272: Wealthy Friend (3)

Outskirts of the Academy, Principal’s office.

Professor Banshee Morg, who entered the dimly lit room where the lights were turned off, couldn’t help but be surprised. Two yellow eyes glowing in the darkness were staring at him.

“…You called for me, Principal.”

Professor Banshee opened his mouth with a solemn expression.

Then, a face emerged from the darkness.

A middle-aged man with a neat appearance. A man with a smile on his lips that somehow seemed endearing, with long hair that looked charming. This was Principal Winston Smith of Colosseo Academy.

Principal Winston spoke to Professor Banshee.

“I heard you handled various incidents well during the university league this time.”

“…No, there were many shortcomings.”

“Not at all. You did a fantastic job covering for me, the principal. I don’t know how to express my gratitude.”

In response to Principal Winston’s words, Professor Banshee coughed once and averted his gaze.

“You’ve returned to school after a long time. Have you achieved what you intended to do during your absence?”

To Banshee’s question, Winston nodded with a faint smile.

“During my training, I experienced a mana surge and faced a crisis. However, I overcame it safely.”

“…That’s fortunate.”

Banshee briefly shifted his gaze to the sword placed next to Winston’s hand.

Owell, the Winter Blade, a cherished possession of Winston with a blade resembling a unicorn’s horn. A legendary sword that allows only its wielder on the verge of enlightenment to touch its hilt.

Winston seemed to be in the middle of maintaining the sword, as it was out of its sheath. Thus, the white-bladed bottom, the black-bladed middle, and the red-bladed top were visible.

Then.

“…?”

Banshee noticed something strange.

Even though it was said that Owell, the sword known as the invincible sword that doesn’t get a scratch even if it strikes a thousand blades, had a large scar on its blade.

It looked like an arrow mark or a snake’s trail.

‘What on earth happened to this legendary sword to be damaged like this?’

As Banshee stared at the sword with a curious look, Winston spoke softly to him.

“While I was on sabbatical, it seems Professor Sadi caused a lot of trouble in my absence, is that right?”

“…I can’t even put it into words. That’s why I brought these reports.”

Banshee reached out and placed a pile of numerous documents on the table.

Thud!

A mountain of reports piled up on the table.

Winston, with an awkward smile, sweated slightly.

“…Haha, hah. Banshee, you must have had a hard time with this.”

“Sadi is not suitable for the professorship. Frankly speaking, she’s not a faculty member; she’s a criminal who should be locked up in ‘Nouvellebag Prison’ far away from the school.”

“Please, don’t exaggerate. Isn’t Professor Sadi the last descendant of the Sade Clan, which was as influential as the seven great clans before the imperial unification?”

“Even the former Viscount Sade, who was the pillar of the Sade family, is currently imprisoned in Nouvellebag.”

“….”

Winston let out a light sigh.

And why wouldn’t he? Everywhere there were incidents caused by Professor Sadi, who seemed to create trouble wherever she went.

“Still, keeping her within the academy is the best option. We can’t send her back to the royal family, and we can’t let the offspring of high nobility suffer in poverty either.”

“We have the final exams and the parent observation class coming up. Especially, the final ranking match of the final exams will be a large event where all parents will directly observe. If Professor Sadi causes trouble again, like she did during the midterms, it will truly be uncontrollable.”

“It’s best to exclude her from practical responsibilities.”

“…If that’s what you think, Principal.”

Banshee nodded.

Indeed, Professor Sadi was not the crucial matter at hand.

Winston, the head of Colosseo, had returned after a short sabbatical.

The legendary swordsman with strength that rivaled that of the heads of the seven great clan. There were even rumors that he was stronger than the heads.

For Banshee, who was eyeing the principal, it was a somewhat embarrassing static situation.

Moreover, being a Cold Department veteran, he was at odds with Banshee, who was a Hot department veteran.

With the year’s biggest events, final exams and parent observation class, approaching, the power struggle between the principal’s faction and the vice-principal’s faction, the school’s internal political turmoil, was becoming entangled once more.

* * *

Colosseo Academy’s newspaper club.

The club room was currently bustling with activity.

Mana circulation was in constant motion. Newspapers were quickly piling up and being distributed.

[Breaking News] Return of Colosseo Academy’s Principal, ‘Winston Smith’!

-Suddenly declaring a sabbatical and leaving the position vacant, Colosseo Academy’s principal, ‘Winston Smith,’ returned to the school last night.

There are various speculations about the reason for his sudden sabbatical and near-disappearance, but the most likely one is that he returned to his hometown for recovery due to mana surge…

On the other hand, the returning Principal Winston appeared much more imposing than before the sabbatical…

“Did you hear? Principal Winston is back!”

“Oh, that’s great! I liked Professor Winston because he was mild-mannered.”

“Vice-Principal Banshee is always so grumpy and cold, it’s really not pleasant.”

“Now, our Cold Department will finally have its day in the sun! Professor Banshee only favored the Heat Department students.”

“From the perspective of the Heat Department students, that favoritism wasn’t very sweet.”

“He probably rushed back because of the final exams and the parent visit event.”

Even as they prepared for the evening issue newspaper to be distributed, the newspaper club students chatted animatedly about the morning’s issues.

Meanwhile, amidst the chaotic and busy atmosphere, one person was particularly occupied.

Dolores. The student council president, newspaper club head, and the top scorer of the national university league.

She had to plan an event to celebrate the principal’s return as the student council president, report the facts as the newspaper club head, and prepare for speeches at the awards ceremony, where the principal personally wanted to congratulate the winners and encourage the juniors participating in the league.

Even the awards ceremony for the various prizes and medals given to the top scorer of the midterms for the third-year students…

“Oh, I wish I had ten bodies!”

Therefore, she was working tirelessly through the night to accomplish all these tasks.

Despite the continued strenuous work, Dolores’ eyes were shining with vitality.

It was because there was a transcendental goal that surpassed all these miscellaneous tasks.

“To eliminate the demons of the Bourgeois Clan and restore both the Bourgeois and Quovadis Clan to their rightful minds.”

A long-cherished wish.

Now, the time had come to make it a reality.

After finishing all her tasks, Dolores found an empty classroom and entered.

She was silently looking at the announcement flyer for yesterday’s competition.

“…A mock investment contest hosted by the Bourgeois Clan.”

Last night, Night Hound had given Dolores an order.

“From now on, earn money to attract the attention of the Bourgeois officials.”

As a starting fund, the Night Hound had provided a considerable amount.

The plan was to use this money to make a substantial profit, approach the Bourgeois officials, and gain their interest.

“Although he didn’t mention exactly how to make money…”

However, Night Hound asked Dolores for one thing.

He requested her to find capable individuals to handle administrative and secretary roles.

Taking advantage of the Bourgeois Clan’s mock investment contest, Dolores had hastily formed a temporary club.

[Mock Investment Club – ‘Oracle’]

Externally, it appeared to be a club created to participate in a competition hosted by the Bourgeois Clan.

However, the funds circulating within the club were all real money, which would eventually become a sharp weapon to strike the hidden demons within the Bourgeois family.

As Dolores contemplated various thoughts, suddenly…

Knock, knock.

The door to the empty classroom opened, and two students entered.

They were the two successful applicants who, after a tough written test and interview, had been selected among numerous competitors.

It was none other than Figgy and Sinclaire.

“You’re here?”

Dolores stood up from her seat.

Despite being a first-year student, Figgy demonstrated exceptional information-gathering and analytical skills. Sinclaire, on the other hand, almost perfectly handled administrative, secretarial, and office tasks despite being in her first year.

“Chief! As you requested, I’ve gathered all the information about the celebrities of the Bourgeois Clan and their recent status!”

“I’ve thoroughly analyzed the schedule, structure, and system of the mock investment competition.”

Upon hearing their responses, Dolores felt reassured and proud, flashing a confident smile.

The information and skills demanded by the Night Hound had been fulfilled.

Dolores had meticulously dedicated herself to making ‘Oracle’ look like a club formed by outstanding Colosseo Academy students on the surface.

“I must ensure these kids don’t get involved inadvertently.”

The battle with the demons was about to begin.

Dolores had already planned to withdraw Figgy and Sinclaire before that.

At that moment, Sinclair asked, “President, why do we need seed money for a mock investment?”

“To be honest, it’s not a mock investment. We’re actually going to invest real money.”

“Really?”

Sinclaire’s widened her eyes.

Figgy shared the same reaction.

Dolores reiterated, “Literally. We plan to win the mock investment competition and simultaneously make real profits by using actual funds. Of course, I’ll take full responsibility for any potential losses.”

“Wh-Why do you insist on doing that?”

“First, because it’s certain. Second, to leave a strong impression.”

Dolores’ unwavering confidence prompted Sinclaire and Figgy to exchange glances.

There was no reason for Dolores, the student council president, to speak this way if she didn’t have a plan.

Besides, the seed money would come from Dolores’ personal funds, and she was proving her competence in all areas.

“President, saying it so confidently, can we really believe it? I’ll contribute a bit for the seed money!”

“Me too! Since we’re participating in the competition with the intention to win, I’ll put all the money I’ve earned from part-time jobs into it!”

Sinclaire and Figgy had already realized that achieving good results in the competition would be challenging for them alone.

Now that they had joined forces with Dolores, a reliable figure, they were determined to give their best effort.

“…You guys.”

Dolores looked at Figgy and Sinclaire with a touched expression and a proud smile.

At that moment, Sinclaire, as if suddenly remembering something, turned to Figgy.

“Hey, how about we ask big brother Vikir to join us! I’m sure he’d be of great help!”

It was a comment that subtly bothered Dolores.