Reviving a Bankrupt Academy: My Financial Battle

Time flows equally for everyone.

The protagonist, who completed his volunteer hours, Beatrice, who surprisingly didn't destroy any buildings, the professors who received salary cuts.

And even the Headmistress and I, who couldn't meet each other's eyes properly for a few days.

I wasn't a new student at the academy anymore, and time passed quite quickly as the Finance Director.

It had already been a month since the protagonist enrolled.

"This is the financial status report for the past month."

"Hmm…"

"Excluding the fixed monthly expenses, the unusual expenses include the destruction of the auditorium by student Ruth Spero, the collapse of five classrooms due to Beatrice and Chloe, and the youngest knight breaking 32 practice swords."

"Yes."

"Excluding the regular monthly income, considering the bribes received from Lisha, Beatrice, and other students, the money from exchanging the artifacts given by His Majesty Akendelminos, and the sales revenue from the measuring device obtained through negotiations with the dwarves…"

Thud.

I grinned and placed the final conclusion on the Headmistress's desk.

"It's a surplus. And an overwhelming surplus at that!"

"Aw— yeah!!"

If I were to be grazed by the Headmistress's fist, which she swung in joy, my limbs could be disintegrated, so I quickly took a step back and continued.

"Of course, the unplanned income, the artifacts given by His Majesty, played a big role, but from next month onwards, 40% of the investment in the illusion magic department and the savings from the professors' salary reductions will be added to the finances."

"The salary payment date was also next month, right?"

"That's correct. Since the salary reduction starts this year, they'll probably shed some tears of blood."

"Serves them right for taking advantage of my kindness like that."

Since the incident on the rooftop, the Headmistress seemed more relieved than before.

Of course, that one incident wouldn't completely resolve the knot in the Headmistress's heart, but…

Still, well.

'It's better than her crying.'

Anyway.

It was somewhat sad to be happy about a surplus in just one month, not even the whole year or the current quarter. But couldn't this be seen as a big step forward?

The Headmistress was so happy that she almost burst into tears again, but it wasn't a completely positive situation.

"However, even if all the items I mentioned are applied to next month's finances, it will only reduce the deficit, and it won't be possible to achieve a surplus like this month. This month's surplus is entirely thanks to the artifacts."

"The artifacts that Aken guy gave us were quite useful. Then now…"

"Since we've bought some time with these, we have to achieve something more during that time."

Was this like climbing a mountain only to find an even bigger mountain, and after climbing that, finding a sea?

Although we had accomplished various things, it still wasn't enough. If the problem could be solved this easily, I wouldn't have struggled so much in the first place.

We managed to get through this month, but to achieve a surplus next month as well.

"Please take a look at this."

"This is…?"

"The midterm exams are next month, aren't they? This is the plan."

"What? But don't we usually conduct the midterm exams as always?"

"I came up with a revolutionary method."

Originally, the midterm exams at Grandis Academy were typical of any academy.

They took a common written exam, and then each department had different specialized or practical exams.

It seemed simple at first glance, but there was a problem.

'We have to create different environments for each specialty.'

For example, the fire magic major in the magic department had to take their practical exam in a fire-resistant space, and for the monster combat training in the martial arts department, we had to purchase live monsters.

Moreover, there were hardly any fixed exam sites to ensure proper differentiation. The types and themes of the exams changed every time, so there were costs involved each time.

The administration department had a higher proportion of written exams, but for majors like construction, where they had to build a specific structure for the practical exam, the academy had to prepare all the materials.

These things piled up for hundreds of majors, for each grade, and for each exam period.

Just like the saying "many a little makes a mickle," when all these costs were combined, the amount was substantial. Even though I knew it was an unavoidable expense, it was honestly a bit wasteful.

So, I prepared this.

"Finance Director, this is…?"

"It's perfect timing. And you own it."

"That's true, but what about the exam process and differentiation?"

"The amount we can save with this plan is roughly…"

"Come to think of it, isn't that something the professors should be thinking about, not me? If they're receiving a salary, they should do their work."

Good. You're gradually becoming a proper (?) Headmistress.

The Headmistress immediately stamped the approval seal without hesitation.

"Leave the announcement to me. I have the perfect persuasive material."

"What? What is it?"

"There was recently an incident at the Imperial Academy. It would be perfect to use that."

"…?"

"Look forward to it. I'll try to be of help to the Finance Director, even if just a little."

***

Peaceful.

It was utterly peaceful.

"Ruth? What's wrong all of a sudden?"

"Ah, it's nothing… really."

No, why is it so peaceful? Why?

Ruth Spero, while enjoying tea time with Mina at the coffee house, was filled with questions.

Because he couldn't understand it at all.

'Beatrice should be causing more trouble by now.'

And that wasn't all. The magic department students should be rioting due to someone's instigation, and some professors should be secretly planning a summoning ritual and showing signs of it.

But nothing happened.

Naturally, Ruth didn't know that Professor Circe was practically confined to her lab, unable to go outside, and that the magic department professors, having received a significant salary cut, had to worry about their living expenses before any summoning ritual.

'Why is Professor Circe so quiet?'

Circe. His archenemy, the one he had to kill and eliminate.

The things she did after hiding her true nature in this academy, after the academy collapsed and she moved to the Holy Kingdom… were still horrifying to think about.

One of the events that should have happened, the magic department students causing a commotion, was also orchestrated by Circe.

But why was it so quiet?

'Did I… not return to the past?'

At first.

He thought he was given a second chance.

He died in the final moments, and when he opened his eyes again, he was his younger self. Since it couldn't have been a dream, he thought he had returned to the past somehow.

Knowing what would happen in the future, he focused on increasing his strength first. Fortunately, the mental aspects, such as the method of using Sword Qi and achieving enlightenment, remained the same, so he was able to reach Rank 6 in a short time.

He also needed money. So, he got involved in a rock salt mine he vaguely remembered and earned a lot of money. Although it decreased significantly soon after, he didn't mind.

And he entered the academy by somewhat forcing his way in.

He didn't need to grow stronger, but he had to meet his future companions.

'But something's strange.'

The overall flow was the same. But the details in between were different.

Adam Keynes coming to the entrance exam site was something that happened originally. However, his response and reaction were different.

Was it because he was much stronger than before?

'Did everything change because of that?'

He thought it would be much easier if he was simply stronger than before, but if all the current changes were because of that, what should he do?

But on the other hand, there was also the question of whether the future would really change because of just that one thing. At this point, he was confused whether he had truly returned to the past.

"Ruth? Are you okay?"

"…I was just lost in thought. You don't have to worry too much."

"Well, that's good, but…"

Nevertheless, it was Mina's presence that gave him certainty.

Mina Glichen. His most reliable and trustworthy companion.

Because she was exactly the same as the Mina he knew, the same bright person who approached him when he was a perpetual last-place student.

That's why Ruth couldn't help but feel a headache wondering if this was the past, a completely different world, or just a dream. Although his certainty became vague, there were still things that didn't change.

Circe, Mina.

And.

'…Adam.'

He was one of them.

In fact, his existence was the most fundamental cause of Ruth's headache.

He had to confirm whether he had truly returned to the past. He had to know if the future was unfolding as he knew it.

So that.

'Are you still… alright?'

He could clarify his attitude towards Adam.

Wouldn't now, in this confusing time, be the right time to meet Adam again? Ruth recalled the contract he made with Adam after the entrance ceremony.

'If I break the restrictions again and cause financial damage… we're supposed to have an interview, right?'

In other words, it was an opportunity to meet the Finance Director, who was normally inaccessible. That's why he signed the contract right away.

Unlike other faculty members, it was impossible to even request an interview with the Finance Director. In the first place, it was a position that had no reason to interact with students, and moreover, it was a position created just last year.

Although a certain fourth princess did meet with the Finance Director, it was only because she actively used her status as a princess and practically forced the meeting. More importantly, Ruth didn't even know that such a thing had happened.

In any case, it was something he didn't want to do if he could help it. He didn't know if a proper conversation would be possible with Adam in his 'current' state, even if he met him in such a way.

But if there was no other way—

"Huh? Princess?"

"…Hmm?"

"Look, isn't that Princess Beatrice? I heard she always stays in the training room."

At Mina's words, Ruth quickly turned his head. As she said, a familiar face was walking down the street.

Amatriuss Delphia Beatrice. If things were as they should be, she would be unable to control her magic, gradually become irritable, and cause all sorts of trouble, but…

'Unlike last time, this time, Beatrice met Adam.'

In the future he knew, it was Chloe Piste who met Adam at this time. Of course, back then, he was a perpetual last-place student, so he only vaguely heard the rumors.

As he recalled, he heard that Chloe accompanied Adam after the academy collapsed.

He didn't know if they were together from the beginning, but at least Chloe followed Adam until the end.

…Well, it was Ruth himself who ended Chloe's life.

She, who followed Adam and caused all sorts of trouble, was an enemy of the world. Even though they were from the same academy, they had never even met, so he didn't have any particular feelings towards her.

But now, it was Beatrice, not Chloe, who met Adam. Although he didn't know exactly how they met, Ruth was certain of it.

"…I'll be back in a bit."

"Huh? Ruth, Ruth!?"

He jumped down from the terrace of the coffee house and headed towards Beatrice.

Where were the luxurious clothes she usually wore? She was wearing ordinary clothes.

And she was gently stroking a certain clock.

"Beatrice… Princess."

"Hmm? So, you're Ruth Spero, right? The Rank 6 swordsman."

"Yes."

"Nice to meet you. So, what brings you to me? We're in different departments."

She was different from the Beatrice in his memory. At this time, she should have been very sensitive, snapping at anyone who approached her, and drowning in frustration due to her chronic illness.

But the Beatrice in front of him now seemed much more relaxed. Her attire was also quite different.

"Princess, excuse me, but your clothes…?"

"Ah, I sold them. I needed some money."

"Money?"

"I met someone who selflessly helps others despite needing help the most. I'm saving even a small amount of money to help him. I even started a part-time job recently."

Selfless, someone who helps others despite needing help.

There was no room for doubt now. Beatrice definitely met Adam. And they built a positive relationship.

Would Beatrice become like Chloe in that future?

The rumor that her chronic illness was cured must also be thanks to Adam. Ruth narrowed his eyes.

"Princess, there's something I want to ask—"

"Are you also here because of the midterm exams? Even with restrictions, a Rank 6 swordsman would be a valuable addition to the team."

"…What?"

"Oh, you didn't know? The announcement was made this morning. This."

Flip.

Beatrice took out a document with something written on it from her pocket.

Ruth, dumbfounded, looked at the document.

[Midterm Exam Announcement]

[For some majors, the midterm exam location has been changed from the existing exam site to the 'Luftragina Archipelago.' The theme of this exam is survival, and this is to prepare for a possible group shipwreck situation, like the one that recently occurred at the Imperial Academy.

A significant number of students from the Imperial Academy went to the sea for leisure and were stranded on a deserted island, only to be rescued ten days later. At that time, most of the academy students had no knowledge of survival and fought amongst themselves on the deserted island, resulting in serious injuries to over ten students.

Accordingly, Grandis Academy is changing the midterm exam to a survival test on the Luftragina Archipelago for this exam period only, to foster students' basic survival skills and evaluate their ability to respond to unexpected crisis situations.

Special Notes: Teams of up to three people can be formed and submitted in advance, no food or other tools can be brought in, evaluation is on an individual basis, not a team basis.

Please refer to the attached document for the majors affected by this exam content change. Other majors will proceed with the exam as usual.]

"…Huh?"

One thing was certain.

This wasn't in the future Ruth knew.