The Academy is Doomed

Chapter 105

While Anar’el only sees the flower garden with hope, no one knows what the future holds.

No matter how many promotional flyers were spread about the academy, considering the common sense and situations Amon had experienced so far, it was clear that this time too they would fall into the abyss of despair.

But as mentioned, no one knows what the future holds.

‘If things go well, I could secure Ami’s future and save face for Elder Caselag.’

He decided to bet on the one thread of hope that might still remain.

‘…Wait a moment.’

Amon, who had been lost in thought for a while, opened his mouth.

“Principal.”

“Yes?”

“I’ve been thinking, but isn’t there only me to distribute the flyers?”

“You noticed.”

“…Sigh.”

If drunk Marion were to undertake this task, people would surely receive flyers reeking of alcohol.

Sloth? She would just use the flyers as a pillow and take a nap in some quiet place.

‘Then Fiora? No, what would that brute know about academy promotion. It would be fortunate if she doesn’t grab visitors by their collars. Then in the end, only Kai remains but…’

According to the Empress, ‘Bug-eating Kai’ was a joke, but why did the proverb ‘where there’s smoke, there’s fire’ come to mind?

Of course, the Kai he had observed so far was rigid but didn’t match the title ‘Bug-eating Kai’, but Amon’s victim mentality, having been backstabbed so many times at the academy, was telling him to exclude any possible risks.

‘While distributing flyers, he might just pick up and eat a bug saying it looks delicious. What would people think of our academy then?’

Heaving a deep sigh and scratching his head, Amon nodded.

“Alright. I’ll do my best within my capabilities.”

“Ah! As expected, Professor Amon never betrays my expectations.”

Anar’el, showing off the high elves’ characteristic fancy ear control with joy and emotion, said with a confident face.

“Then I’ll leave it to you! Professor Kai will take over your classes for the time being, so you don’t need to touch any other work! Understand?”

Anar’el’s consideration to focus solely on promotional work for the academy’s revival!

However, for Amon, this was nothing short of a disaster.

‘You’re saying you’ll take away my time with the students, my only sanctuary and oasis!’

The students too would surely wail in despair upon learning that Kai would be substituting their classes, faced with such a horrifying situation.

While Amon was also indignant at Anar’el’s utterly wicked measure, actually combining promotion with academy duties would be tiresome either way.

Given Amur’s nature as a commercial city, time available for promotion was limited to the afternoon.

Amon’s classes were also in the afternoon.

‘Besides, I might need to go to other cities.’

Clicking his tongue, Amon said.

“You’ll cover the expenses when I go to other cities as business expenses, right?”

“Of course. There will also be special allowances.”

“Oh? Special allowances.”

“Since it’s official academy business, it will be processed as a business trip. Special allowances are natural.”

In that case, Amon could also swallow his tears and postpone his reunion with the students.

Though the students would only shed tears over classes with Kai.

“Then alright. I’ll start the promotional work tomorrow.”

“Yes! I’ll be counting on you, Professor Amon!”

Suddenly, Amon looked at the mountain of promotional flyers piled up behind the brightly smiling Anar’el.

While it might have seemed overwhelming to handle all those piled-up flyers alone, Amon’s eyes were sparkling with light.

‘I’ve thought of a good method.’

* * *

The person in charge of the Gold Road Trading Company’s Amur branch, Branch Manager Delmons was taken aback by Amon’s appearance.

Not just Amon’s visit, but because he came with a cart loaded with piles of paper.

“A-Ah, Professor Amon, have you suddenly jumped into the paper industry?”

“No. These are promotional flyers for Amonis Academy.”

“Promotional flyers?”

After examining the mountain of papers, Delmons nodded.

“I-I see. You suddenly came with so much paper, I thought you’d quit teaching and entered the paper industry.”

“That wouldn’t be unreasonable.”

While carrying the paper-loaded cart from the academy to here, passersby had looked at him with eyes that seemed to say ‘what kind of peddler is this’.

Some even whispered, ‘Why are those tissues so stiff.’

After a while, Delmons served tea and said.

“But what brings you here? Coming to our company with promotional flyers loaded up.”

Thinking ‘these merchants really,’ Amon drank his tea and said.

“You know very well.”

“Hmm.”

Indeed, there’s only one reason to bring promotional flyers to a trading company.

“You’re planning to distribute promotional flyers through merchant groups heading to various parts of the continent.”

“That’s right. Could I ask for your help?”

Promotional agency was one of the tasks the trading company occasionally handled.

Of course, being the massive ‘Gold Road Trading Company’, they only accept requests from figures befitting their status.

To announce things like job postings from high nobles, requests, and such.

And in return for accepting such requests, Gold Road Trading Company receives benefits.

On the other hand, there was no reason for Gold Road Trading Company to accept this request.

Wasn’t it a failing academy with just five teachers and five students?

‘Though there is the favor of transferring 10% of the King of Mango farm shares…’

However, Delmons is a merchant to the bone.

A type that forgets both enemies and favors in front of money!

Since Gold Road Trading Company had already perfectly taken over the 10% share of the King of Mango farm, there was no reason to accept Amon’s request.

“Haha, Professor Amon.”

Scratching his head, Delmons said apologetically.

“Gold Road Trading Company’s schedule is planned down to the minute without any gaps. Therefore, please understand that we cannot allocate separate time.”

Hearing the polite rejection, Amon narrowed his eyes and said.

“Even considering that I transferred 10% of the King of Mango farm shares?”

“That was just a fair trade. We completely eliminated Amonis Academy’s debt after all.”

“Hmm. Is that so?”

Amon had anticipated this situation.

‘How frightening can merchants be.’

Having grown up in the harsh Drake territory when young, Amon often marveled at merchants’ lack of blood and tears whenever he visited the nearby city of Eden for trade.

‘When I grew up, I firmly resolved to live just like that.’

But look.

Now Amon was just a teacher with a very tender and weak heart, benevolent and full of affection.

Heaving a regretful sigh at his own frailty, Amon opened his mouth.

“If that’s how it is, then there’s nothing to be done.”

“I’m truly sorry.”

“What is there to be sorry about when the company’s schedule is like that?”

“Thank you for understanding…”

“But it’s regrettable.”

“Pardon?”

“We were internally reviewing whether to transfer an additional 10% share of the King of Mango farm, but with such a firm rejection, it leaves quite a bitter taste from the academy’s perspective.”

At those words, Delmons’ body suddenly stiffened.

“A-Additional transfer of 10% sh-shares of the King of Mango farm?”

Come to think of it, doesn’t Amonis Academy still have 10% shares?

Moreover, Gold Road Trading Company was earning considerable profits through the newly acquired 10% shares.

Looking at Delmons who was stumbling over his words in surprise, Amon smiled faintly.

By now, Amon was sitting with his legs crossed wearing an arrogant smile.

“As a trading company, I understand avoiding actions that don’t bring profit. But I’m an educator, so I prioritize ‘relationships’ over practical benefits. That’s why I came to Gold Road Trading Company first, having built rapport for a long time…but I guess it can’t be helped.”

In other words, it meant ‘Are you heartlessly pushing us away without even remembering our favor?’

Of course, understanding that meaning, Delmons’ face became urgent.

“A-Ah, Professor Amon! Just a moment!”

“I’m listening. But I can’t listen for long as I need to hurry to the Platinum Trading Group!”

The Platinum Trading Group!

They’re on par with Gold Road Trading Company.

Having heard news that they were desperate for a smooth supply of the King of Mango, Delmons couldn’t let Amon go like this.

“Professor Amon! We have built up a relationship over time, haven’t we?”

An amazing sight of a merchant seeking ‘relationships’!

“I only stepped back momentarily because of my position as branch manager! How could we not help distribute promotional flyers between us? Right!”

Having significantly risen in position within the company after obtaining the previous 10% shares, Delmons’ cry was desperate.

But Amon’s expression was cold, and Delmons, ready to crawl between Amon’s legs, said.

“Professor Amon, listen.”

“I’m listening.”

“The number of peddlers Gold Road Trading Company sends across the continent is twice that of the Platinum Trading Group.”

Amon said with an uninterested face.

“That means your scale is larger but the Platinum Trading Group makes each peddler extravagant after all.”

“Th-That’s true! But what’s the purpose of promotional flyers? Isn’t it to spread the word far and wide to cities, villages, and mountain valleys alike?”

“That’s right.”

“In that aspect, we at Gold Road Trading Company can promise much more promotional effect than the Platinum Trading Group!”

Delmons was now kneeling while frantically waving the promotional flyer.

“This is a golden opportunity to announce Amonis Academy’s revival across the continent!”

Amon stroked his chin as if interested.

“You make a good point.”

“R-Right? Then…”

“But something feels lacking.”

“Pardon?”

“There are widespread rumors that the company is raking in money from the 10% shares of King of Mango that we already gave, and if we give another 10% on top of that, Gold Road Trading Company would truly be sitting on a gold mine.”

“…!”

“If the Platinum Trading Group knew this, they would surely promise tremendous support to our academy…”

Delmons’ cheeks trembled.

‘So he’s saying just promotional help isn’t enough!’

Taking a deep breath, Delmons said.

“Fine.”

“What is?”

“We’ll distribute 20% of the net profit that Gold Road Trading Company generates from the 10% shares of King of Mango farm over the next 10 years.”

At those words, Amon’s eyes lit up brightly.

‘This guy has gone mad!’

In a good way, that is.

‘When we had 10% shares of the farm, all we could get was profit from the farm itself. Sometimes they send the King of Mangos as a gesture of gratitude, but that can’t really be counted as profit. Since we eat them all.’

But Gold Road Trading Company takes 10% shares, and transfers 20% of the net profit earned through those shares?

That amount would be on a completely different level from the profits that the farm used to distribute directly.

‘What kind of creatures are merchants! They’re monsters who suck every penny from consumers while even coating ordinary fruit with gold! The net profit such creatures generate can’t even be compared to the money made by honest farmers selling fruit.’

These were truly groundbreaking conditions.

Gold Road Trading Company had played their ultimate card with no room to back down further.

‘Actually, the talk about transferring shares was a lie.’

It was just bait thrown to provoke Delmons.

‘But if they come out like this, there’s no reason not to proceed. Since continuous income was the goal anyway, the principal will surely agree actively.’

Meanwhile, the reason Delmons played such an ultimate card was simple.

They had already gotten an exhilarating taste with the previous King of Mango shares. Plus, Delmons had his personal reasons.

‘With a total of 20% shares of the farm, it wouldn’t be an exaggeration to say the entire continent’s King of Mango market would be in our hands. Even if we transfer 20% of the net profit from 10% shares, it’s definitely profitable business. This will also raise my position within the company.’

He might even be able to jump into the succession battle for the trading group if things go well.

And a rotten smile appeared on Amon’s face who had been silently lost in thought.

“Haha, this is. Oh my, this shouldn’t happen…”

Scratching his head, Amon said.

“But you know. Additionally…”

At that moment, Delmons said with a stiff face.

“You should know, but this is the best condition our company can offer. No matter how desperate the Platinum Trading Group is for King of Mango, they won’t be able to offer conditions like this. No, I’m certain they won’t offer them.”

“No, no. It’s something trivial.”

“…Something trivial?”

Nodding his head, Amon said.

“Could I stay at the company while you distribute the promotional flyers?”

“Pardon? W-Why?”

Amon smiled faintly.

“Because I’m supposed to receive business trip expenses!”

Delmons understood immediately.

“Hahaha! Understood. We’ll provide you a room. I promise the best treatment too.”

“That’s reassuring! Give me plenty of chocolate too!”

“We’ll serve you the finest!”

Clearing his throat, Delmons continued.

“But may I ask when you plan to proceed with the transfer of King of Mango farm shares?”

Amon’s rotten smile deepened.

“We should be able to proceed formally once the promotional flyer distribution is complete!”

“Oh! I see!”

“However, there’s just one small issue.”

“Yes? What is it?”

Amon said with a serious face.

“One of the academy’s executives might show a somewhat lukewarm attitude. So I hope the company can help persuade that person.”

Delmons laughed heartily.

“Hahaha! Don’t worry. Persuasion is our specialty, isn’t it! Put your mind at ease. But which executive is it?”

Suddenly Amon said with a serious face.

“Vice Principal Brestle.”

Brestle, she would not hesitate to fight the world alone if it was to protect the King of Mango.

* * *

Amonis Academy is a historic educational institution established by Emperor Amonis, the first emperor of unification.

Though its meaning may have faded somewhat now, no one would deny that it was once a lamp and symbol that illuminated the empire.

And there was a group of people glaring at the distant Amonis Academy.

“Glory to the Alliance.”

Darkness began approaching Amonis Academy.