The Academy is Doomed

Chapter 110

Amon was having a construction consultation with Rustianel, who called himself the magician of architecture, the rising star of the construction world, and the prodigy architect of the Gold Dragon clan.

Of course, he wasn’t without some doubts at first.

‘I’ve been through so much with these academy people.’

For the sake of their honor, he won’t enumerate each incident, but through them, Amon had learned painfully that living in this world wasn’t easy.

Therefore, although he was having the consultation with Rustianel just in case, he wasn’t particularly feeling trustful.

However, as the consultation progressed, Amon’s thoughts were changing.

“Column shaping, this is something I’m especially confident in.”

“Hooh.”

“Here, look.”

Rustianel took out a small stone and used magic to turn it into a column.

Amon was impressed by the skilled craftsman’s demonstration of his technique.

“Wonderful! But at this rate, the unit price…”

“Since we can use the existing collapsed debris, there won’t be any additional costs.”

“Really wonderful! It must be sturdy too. Since it’s made by a dragon.”

“Of course.”

While every aspect of construction was important, if one had to pick especially crucial parts, it would be the columns and foundation that support the building.

Though the foundation was somewhat damaged by the explosion, with a skilled architect like Rustianel, it could continue to be used with just some proper maintenance.

“We won’t have to worry about the most important support columns.”

“You don’t need to worry about the other parts either. Though I’ve only lived for a few hundred years, even adult dragons come to me for advice about lair construction!”

“How reliable!”

Although Amon’s trust in humans was at rock bottom after being badly treated by the academy personnel, his counterpart wasn’t human but a dragon!

“Indeed, worthy of being called the great race known as the mediators of the middle realm!”

“Hehehe.”

Compliments make even dragons dance!

Amon smiled warmly as he watched Rustianel laugh contentedly.

“Well then, Rustianel.”

“Yes, teacher.”

It was time to get to the main point.

“Let’s talk about the unit price now. You’re not doing this work out of mere goodwill, right?”

“Huhu. I like how quick you are to the point.”

He had heard that Gold Dragons were as sharp as knives when it came to business, living up to the ‘Gold’ in their name.

Rustianel, too, seemed pleased at getting to the main point quickly, smiling as he looked over the estimate.

“I’ll take 70% of this estimate. In gold equivalent to the amount!”

“Ooh!”

Then whose pocket would the remaining 30% go into!

None other than the person in charge and responsible for this work, Amon himself!

‘So this is why people talk about shoddy construction work. The structure makes it so easy to skim off the middle, no wonder everyone’s desperate to become a construction supervisor at least once.’

However, since the technician for this construction is a dragon, there’s no chance of shoddy work.

‘Then if I swallow up that 30%… no, there are other people watching, so it won’t be easy to take it all.’

Anar’el wouldn’t raise much opposition as long as the construction is completed excellently within the set amount.

But Brestle, who prepared the estimate, would be at least moderately angry, if not furiously so.

‘Why are you taking the surplus money when we need to buy ingredients!’

Faced with this predictable direction of anger, Amon fell into thought.

‘Then what if I take 20% and use the remaining 10% to offer Brestle delicacies from various regions?’

Amon imagined Brestle faced with delicacies from various regions.

‘Slurp!’

It wasn’t hard to imagine Brestle completely forgetting about the construction funds while drooling.

‘Good. A perfect plan.’

He didn’t consider the other teachers.

How dare those lowly regular teachers question the work of the great Head of Academic Affairs (real)!

Satisfied, Amon nodded and extended his hand.

“Alright, Rustianel! I’m counting on you!”

“Huhuhu! Leave it to me!”

* * *

Reinbelt was speaking nervously to an old man.

“I’m counting on you, Rommel.”

The old man called Rommel shook his head with a gentle laugh.

“It’s you of all people. You saved my life back then, so this is nothing. Don’t worry about it.”

Rommel was Reinbelt’s close acquaintance, and they had helped each other since their youth.

He was also a technician who had made his name known throughout the continent since his youth, and every building he touched invariably became a famous landmark.

Being such an outstanding architect, there was no way the failing Amonis Academy could afford his construction fees, but Reinbelt was barely able to entrust the work to Rommel using their personal connection.

“Hohoho, by the way, this is my first time visiting Amonis Academy. I’ve heard of its fame for a long time and wanted to visit at least once, but I was too busy to make the trip. Now I finally get to see it in my old age.”

“Don’t expect too much.”

“I’ve heard roughly about it. Amonis Academy’s influence has declined quite a bit, they say.”

“…Not quite a bit, but very much so.”

Reinbelt spread out his hand flat.

“We only have five students, you see.”

“That bad?”

“Don’t even mention it.”

Rommel clicked his tongue and shrugged his shoulders.

“Well, honestly, that’s none of my business. I just need to build the building.”

“That’s true.”

“I can finally see Amur. Well then, shall we take a look at its condition?”

Upon heading straight to Amonis Academy, Rommel was shocked.

“My goodness. It’s completely demolished.”

“…Can it be restored?”

“Hmm. Looking at it, it seems difficult to reuse the materials. It won’t be easy, but it won’t be too difficult either.”

After casually looking around the collapsed buildings, Rommel said.

“Anyway, since it’s your request, not just anyone else’s, I’ll take responsibility for the construction.”

“Y-you’ll do it personally?”

Rommel was a famous architect with dozens of disciples.

Yet he’s saying he’ll undertake the construction himself!

“Hoho, don’t worry. I’ll only charge for materials.”

“Th-thank you. Really thank you.”

“What’s there to thank for such a small matter.”

Rommel smiled warmly and said.

“Well then, let’s first go see the principal.”

“Yes. I’ll guide you.”

As they were heading to the principal’s office in high spirits to calculate the construction estimate.

“Oh? Elder Reinbelt, you’re here early?”

When Amon approached them to greet them, Reinbelt’s face distorted.

The conflict that arose from the resentment towards Amon, who had tried his best to fire him just hours ago!

Although they had shared heated feelings with the intention of resolving things manly with fists, Reinbelt’s mood hadn’t improved at all.

He couldn’t help it since he had been hit quite a lot by Amon!

Whether the rumor that old people get easily upset was true, Reinbelt just nodded curtly and halfheartedly.

“You’re here.”

“Yes. But who is this person beside you?”

Reinbelt cleared his throat and said.

“This is my acquaintance Rommel. Rommel, that fellow is Amon. He’s a teacher here.”

Amon’s eyes grew round.

He too knew Rommel’s name, who had built numerous landmarks.

“Ah! Nice to meet you, Elder Rommel. I am Amon Drake, the second son of the Drake family.”

“Hoho, nice to meet you.”

“The lighthouse of Pamila that you built was truly amazing.”

“Hohoho, it was just my modest skill.”

“If your skill is modest, who else could dare call themselves an architect?”

Rommel laughed heartily, clearly pleased.

“Thank you. But are you unwell?”

“…Pardon?”

“Your complexion doesn’t look good.”

As he pointed out, Amon was indeed sweating profusely.

Amon smiled awkwardly.

‘I’m screwed.’

It hadn’t even been 10 minutes since he had conspired with Rustianel to embezzle the construction costs, and now Rommel, famous throughout the continent, shows up for the construction!

Although he tried to buy time by wielding his tongue, Rommel, true to his reputation as a famous architect, had keen eyes.

‘Who knew this beggar-like old man would know such an important figure.’

It was a mistake to just let it slide when he said he was going to find someone for the construction.

‘I thought he’d bring some random person, but Rommel? And right on the same day at that.’

Amon swallowed hard and moved his tongue frantically in his mouth.

How could he persuade Rommel nicely to leave now?

‘This is the only chance while Rustianel is briefly away.’

Taking a deep breath, Amon opened his mouth.

“By the way, Elder Rommel.”

“Yes? What is it?”

“Actually, our academy’s financial situation isn’t very good, so we can’t offer you very generous construction fees.”

In response to Amon’s worried words, Rommel waved his hand with a smile as if there was nothing to worry about.

“Hohoho, since I came because of Reinbelt’s face, I plan to only charge for materials. So don’t worry.”

At those words, Amon instead became indignant.

“Your reputation pierces the heavens and splits the earth, yet you’ll only accept material costs! We cannot commit such disrespect to you! No, absolutely not!”

“Eh? H-hohoho! It’s fine, just this once…”

“No! Elder Rommel’s hands are the continent’s treasure, a marvel that will remain in the century! Entrusting work without proper compensation to such a person would be nothing short of disgrace for our Amonis Academy!”

Even Rommel stepped back with a ‘I-is that so?’ in the face of Amon’s tongue-wielding momentum.

And Reinbelt, who was glaring at such an Amon, had his eyes narrowed.

“You, Amon.”

“…Yes?”

“You rascal, what are you plotting again?”

Despite Reinbelt’s suspicious threat, Amon had no intention of backing down from the momentum he had built up.

“Plotting? I was deeply moved after seeing the lighthouse of Pamila that Elder Rommel built! To make a request to an artist who has created numerous such masterpieces without proper compensation! Where else in the world would there be such a shameful thing?”

Rommel nodded with a thoroughly cooked face.

“Is that so? Indeed, that’s right?”

“Rommel! Don’t be deceived by that wicked fellow’s words!”

Despite Reinbelt’s outcry, the devil’s whispers continued.

“Honestly what benefit would this construction bring to Elder Rommel?”

“Uuuh…”

“You’ll just work hard won’t make money and it won’t help your reputation either.”

“Uuuurgh…”

While Reinbelt could only stamp his feet as he watched Amon apply cunning tricks to brainwash Rommel’s ear.

“…Huh?”

Rustianel, who had finished his business, was approaching with quick steps.

“Oh? Who is that person?”

“Lord Rustianel?”

Reinbelt, who knew that Rustianel was a dragon, used an honorific, but Rustianel grumbled with dissatisfaction.

“There’s the ‘lord’ again. Please speak comfortably. You’re the Head of Security, after all.”

“But…ahem, alright. What brings Rustianel here?”

“Teacher Amon entrusted the construction to me.”

At those words, Reinbelt’s eyes twitched.

“To you?”

“Yes. I’m confident in construction too.”

Reinbelt slowly turned his head.

Amon was so focused on brainwashing Rommel that he didn’t even notice Rustianel’s arrival.

“So you’d better go back home and wash your feet and go to sleep.”

“Yes yes you’re right.”

Reinbelt slowly turned his head again and said with a hardened face.

“Rustianel.”

“Yes?”

“Can you reduce the unit price significantly if you take on the construction?”

“Yes. The estimate…ah, found it. Looking at this, I think I can reduce it by 30%. I plan to take 70% as my labor cost in gold equivalent to the amount.”

Reinbelt finally realized why Amon was so desperately trying to brainwash Rommel.

Who exactly would the remaining 30% go into?

Having realized this fact, Reinbelt pounced like a tiger.

“Kraaack!”

Amon, kicked in the back, rolled on the ground.