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HELHEIM SCANS
[Translator - Peptobismol]
[Proofreader - Demon God]
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Chapter 137 - The Academy Visit of Lormane (3)
"What was that sound you heard?"
"I’m not sure. I really don’t know."
Olysia shook her head.
"In any case... are you saying I should attend the Academy starting next year?"
"Yes. You need to learn if you want to do something with your life. You can’t stay as my maid forever, right?"
"Huh? What are you talking about?"
Olysia’s eyes widened in surprise.
"Forever? I thought the plan was to serve you until you grow old and die."
"And what will you do after I’m dead?"
"What else? I’ll live off the inheritance you leave behind for me."
At that, I burst out laughing.
"Oh, Olysia. What are you talking about? A smart girl like you should be doing something greater. Isn’t that right, Vice-Headmaster?"
"Absolutely."
Ismera agreed.
"I saw it while helping with the competition preparations—Olysia seems quite intelligent. It would be better for her to pursue an education at the Academy and follow a career suited to her talents rather than remain a maid."
"But I’ve... never studied anything before.... All I know is how to read and do simple arithmetic because you taught me, Sir Dian...."
"That’s fine, don’t worry about it."
Kirrin cut in.
"I started as illiterate myself. Dark elves have their own language, so I didn’t know any of the common tongue. But I eventually graduated from a public academy just fine. Everyone starts somewhere."
"Is that so...."
Still hesitant, Olysia slowly nodded.
"I’ll think about it. It’s just all so sudden...."
"Olysia, I know you can do it. Don’t be too afraid. Just give it some thought."
"Alright...."
We continued our meal after that.
At Kirrin’s request, I shared the story of how Olysia and I met. As I recounted the events, Kirrin suddenly burst into tears.
"Oh, it’s so moving.... Dian, you’re just...."
Kirrin couldn’t finish her sentence as she yanked tissues from the box, dabbing at her eyes and blowing her nose loudly.
"It’s quite the coincidence, isn’t it?"
Ismera, who had been listening, spoke up.
"Olysia, I was also attacked by the Demon King’s army during the war. They invaded the Great Forest where I lived, and Sir Dian saved me. It seems we both owe him a great deal."
"What’s this now?!"
Kirrin, her eyes red and swollen, perked up with curiosity and eagerly leaned forward as Ismera glanced at me.
'You didn’t tell her?'
'I didn’t.'
Reading my expression, Ismera pressed her lips together. Kirrin, impatient for answers, grabbed Ismera’s shoulders and shook her.
"What happened?! What are you talking about?!"
"It’s... a complicated story. I’m not sure I should share it casually."
"Is it what I think it is?"
Kirrin’s expression turned serious as she began to voice her suspicions.
"When Dian first came here, I knew he was someone the Imperial Palace had sent in place of Sir Linus, but beyond that, there was no information about him. I figured he must have been part of some special unit—something covert, right? Maybe someone who retired from the Imperial Palace’s special forces?"
"If he was from a special unit, his past would definitely be unclear."
"Exactly. There wouldn’t be any records. That’s what I thought at first, but over time, as certain things happened, I started to get suspicious."
Kirrin nodded to herself, her face growing stern as she continued to piece it together.
"A recommendation from the Imperial Palace with an unclear past, capable of filling in for Sir Linus. Dian must have been a member of the Demon King Slaying Special Force."
A cold silence descended.
What the...? She figured it out way faster than Orendi did. Is Kirrin actually smarter than a mage? Or is Orendi just not that bright?
"Am I right?"
Kirrin alternated her gaze between me and Ismera, waiting for confirmation.
"Am I right? Is that it? Come on, say something! I’m right, aren’t I?"
"Well... yes, that’s true."
Since it had come to this, I decided to tell Kirrin the truth.
After all, she was my superior, kind-hearted, and genuinely fond of me. I didn’t think she’d go around gossiping.
Besides, there was no history between me and the Nemara Tribe, so there was no reason to leave any lingering doubts.
I wasn't planning to quit after just a year here, and Kirrin wouldn’t be stepping down as Headmaster anytime soon, so it made sense to clear things up.
I explained everything to Kirrin—the major points of my past.
How I served alongside Linus from the early days, earning accolades and climbing the ranks, and how I was eventually selected as one of the founding members of the Demon King Slaying Special Force.
How we gathered the rest of the team and ultimately killed the Demon King, and how, afterward, I retreated to Brunswell to escape the pressures and responsibility that came with fame until Linus called me here.
As I told the story, Kirrin’s jaw dropped, and she stared at me, wide-eyed and slack-jawed.
"And that’s the end of it. The reason my name wasn’t recorded is that the Emperor was angry I ran away and ordered my records to be completely erased."
"Oh my...."
I expected Kirrin to overreact or jump around in excitement, but instead, she remained unusually quiet.
"Oh my god...."
She repeated the same words over and over, staring blankly down at the table.
"Hard to believe, isn’t it? I couldn’t believe it at first, either."
Ismera gently patted Kirrin’s shoulder, a bit unsure of how to comfort her, but Kirrin shook her head.
"I believe you. If Dian told me that a polymorphed dragon was secretly posing as a student here, I’d believe him too. But... that’s not the issue...."
After a pause, Kirrin spoke again.
"So... I really shouldn’t be the Headmaster, should I?"
"Excuse me? How did you come to that conclusion?"
"Think about it.... Ismera is a prodigy who earned her master's degree faster than anyone, and Dian is one of the hidden heroes who fought alongside Sir Linus. But me... I’m just a nobody, a dark elf with nothing special to offer...."
Kirrin’s ears drooped.
"I barely graduated from a public academy, only thanks to my dad pushing me to finish. The only reason I’m here is because my dad begged the Emperor. I’ve never achieved anything through my own skill or willpower."
"No, Headmaster. That’s an exaggeration. From what I’ve heard, you graduated at the top of your class from the public academy. How could that mean you’re not—"
"In a public academy, not many students take their studies seriously. Just because I graduated at the top doesn’t mean I have any outstanding talent. I feel so uncomfortable and ashamed being in charge when I’m standing above two people far more capable than I am...."
Suddenly, Kirrin started to cry, tears spilling down her face.
"I’m so sorry to both of you.... I should step down as Headmaster sooner. I’m nothing but a useless fool blocking the paths of truly talented people...."
"This isn’t the reaction I was expecting...."
"I’m sorry, I’m sorry... I’m really sorry...."
Ismera and I exchanged bewildered glances.
"Headmaster, please calm down and have another drink."
Looking around helplessly, Ismera grabbed the bottle of Armand de Brignac and refilled Kirrin’s glass.
"To be honest, I used to dislike you up until last year."
"I figured...."
"But ever since Professor Dian arrived, I’ve seen how the Academy has changed, and I’ve watched you change as well. And that made me change my mind."
Through her tears, Kirrin looked up at Ismera.
"You’re not incompetent, Headmaster. You’ve just been held back."
"Ismera...."
"You were in a situation where you couldn’t do much on your own. Don’t be so hard on yourself."
"Thank you...."
Kirrin started crying again, overwhelmed by Ismera’s kind words.
"Drink up. Drink it all and forget about everything. Today isn’t a day for you to cry—it’s supposed to be a day to celebrate my promotion."
"Uuuu... that’s right... it is...."
Kirrin drank deeply, and Ismera refilled her glass again.
"This is really good...."
"Have some more. Drink as much as you like—enough for both of us."
"Okay.... Thank you, Ismera.... Without you, the Academy would’ve fallen apart, and I would’ve been forced back to the forest a long time ago...."
"That would never have happened. You have me, and you have Professor Dian. We’ll help you. Now, drink."
"This is so delicious...."
With Ismera continuing to pour, Kirrin downed glass after glass.
Looks like she’s going to drink all the good stuff by herself at this rate.
# # # # #
Quite some time had passed.
Most of the food on the table had been eaten, and the bottle of Armand de Brignac was completely empty.
Kirrin had drunk the majority of it, but she probably had no idea that she had just consumed the equivalent of one-tenth of an Imperial battleship.
Even if I told her now, she wouldn’t understand. She was completely knocked out.
Armand de Brignac may taste good, but it’s pretty strong, and she had been drinking it nonstop.
The funny thing was, even Ismera, who only had one glass, was on the verge of passing out.
I guess alcohol really is too much for elves.
Since it was already late, I decided to put the two of them to bed in one of the empty rooms upstairs.
After laying them side by side on the bed, I went back downstairs to clean up with Olysia.
Even after we finished tidying up, the two elves showed no signs of waking up.
"What should we do about the Headmaster and Vice-Headmaster?"
"Leave them. We’ll just go to work together from here in the morning."
I headed upstairs, grabbed a book, and lounged around until I eventually fell asleep.
# # # # #
Knock, knock, knock.
I wasn’t sure how much time had passed, but the sound of knocking woke me up.
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HELHEIM SCANS
[Translator - Peptobismol]
[Proofreader - Demon God]
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