The Academy is Doomed

Chapter 77

Torture, threats, persuasion—all the training in the world couldn’t change the fact that even a spy would cherish their own life.

To be exact, a spy could willingly throw their life away for the success of a mission, but dying a meaningless death like yesterday? Even a spy would refuse that.

‘A spy is human, after all!’

Living with Amon, however, felt like even ten lives wouldn’t be enough!

That’s why Phais had resolved to quit. When he suddenly announced his resignation, Anar’el’s face turned pale as she grabbed his hand.

“P-Phais, resigning? Surely you’re joking? Right? Right?”

Anar’el was serious, and for a good reason.

Amon! Sloth! Marion! Kai! A team of teachers as formidable as they were troublesome!

Among them, Phais had stood as a trustworthy pillar for a long time in the academy, and Anar’el could not afford to let him go easily.

However, despite her desperate pleas, Phais smiled cheerfully and said, “I’m serious, Principal.”

“Is it because of Amon?”

Realizing the attention had turned to him, Amon, who had been slowly raising his head, slammed it back onto the floor.

When Anar’el asked this, Phais responded in a curt tone, as if it was obvious:

“Of course.”

“Ah, I see…”

“Staying with someone as dangerous as him, I’d need ten lives to survive!”

“D-dangerous? Amon was just a bit drunk last night, but normally, he’s so calm and refined…”

As Anar’el continued to speak, her voice grew quieter, as if her conscience pricked at her. Even though she trusted Amon, she knew full well that “refined” wasn’t exactly his strong suit.

At that, Phais gave a sardonic smile and said, “Principal, if someone asked you to step into a cage with a supposedly calm tiger, would you? One misstep and you’d lose your head.”

“…”

Anar’el fell silent.

But then Amon, who had been listening quietly, suddenly raised his head and exclaimed:

“Hey, that’s too much! Treating me like a dangerous animal—”

“I’ll report you to the knights for assault.”

“I’m sorry!”

Amon’s head hit the floor again.

Having swiftly silenced Amon, Phais turned to Anar’el.

“So, Principal.”

“…”

“Please bring me the resignation forms.”

“…Fine.”

Anar’el, realizing she couldn’t change his mind, left the room with a heavy heart. When she returned a moment later, she held the resignation forms in her hand.

“Here you go.”

“Thank you. Then…”

Phais began filling out the forms without hesitation. But then, mid-writing, his quill froze.

“Huh?”

He stared at the resignation form for a long moment, his brow furrowed.

“Principal.”

“What now?”

Anar’el’s voice had grown curt, treating him as if he were already an outsider.

Phais hesitated before continuing. “By the way, how much is the penalty for breaching the contract? I recall seeing a clause about it when I signed.”

Hearing this, Amon, still with his head on the floor, slyly lifted it and added, “Yeah, yeah. What’s the penalty fee these days?”

It was the same clause that had tightly bound him in the past.

“Hmm, since you’re resigning right after signing the contract…”

After some thought, Anar’el finally stated the amount.

Hearing it, Amon’s face twisted in dismay. “Wow, it’s gone way up. It wasn’t even half that when I signed.”

“Well, the academy has officially reopened, and Phais hasn’t even completed the minimum term of employment.”

“Fair point…”

As Anar’el and Amon murmured amongst themselves, Phais’ face grew increasingly grave.

‘Wait, how much did I spend on drinks last night?’

He calculated quickly: the funds he’d brought, the money spent on drinks, and now the penalty fee.

Phais’ face turned pale.

‘I don’t have enough money to pay the penalty fee!’

And what did that mean?

‘I can’t quit?’

While running away in the dead of night—a spy’s long-time friend—was an option, it was a last resort. He couldn’t recklessly burn through his fake identities, especially when the Empire had such vast resources.

‘Fortunately, I’m not too far short. If that’s the case…’

Should he try negotiating the penalty fee?

‘No, no. It’s clearly my fault. And what kind of spy would file a lawsuit while undercover? That’d only reveal my identity.’

After organizing his thoughts, Phais hesitantly spoke.

“Principal?”

“Yes?”

“Could you…perhaps reduce the penalty fee a little?”

Anar’el looked at him incredulously. “Do you think this is some market where you can haggle? Reduce it?”

“…”

“Not one coin! Absolutely not!”

Her ears stood upright, showcasing her firm resolve.

‘Where does the principal of this dying academy gets…’

Though part of him wanted to tear her apart, Phais’ eyes flicked to Amon, who was now kneeling and watching the scene intently.

‘Wait a minute.’

When their eyes met, Phais shuddered.

‘Is this guy deliberately trying to keep me from paying the penalty fee by making me spend all that money on drinks?’

The amount left was just barely less than what he needed.

‘In other words, he knows how much money I have. Which means… could it be…’

Had Amon figured out he was a spy? Was he deliberately keeping him tied to the academy to uncover his true intentions?

‘This cunning bastard!’

Meanwhile, Amon stared at Phais sympathetically.

‘Poor guy. He can’t even escape this hell because of the penalty fee.’

Feeling a sense of camaraderie, Amon clicked his tongue and shook his head in pity.

Seeing this, Phais’ body trembled with rage.

‘What a terrifying person. To have such schemes at such a young age…’

‘But my legs are going numb from kneeling so long…’

‘Dangerous. This guy could be a future threat to our kingdom!’

Breaking the silence, Amon spoke casually.

“So, are you going to resign?”

“W-what?”

“If you are, let’s get on with it. If not, let’s discuss work.”

“…”

Phais clenched his teeth.

‘I can’t! You made me blow my money!’

Forcing himself to smile, Phais awkwardly said:

“Haha…Unfortunately, I can’t afford the penalty fee.”

“Oh, really?”

Beaming, Anar’el snatched the resignation forms back. “Then you’ll keep working with us for now!”

“Haha…I suppose so.”

Amon, rubbing his numbed legs, stood up energetically.

“So, what subject will you be teaching?”

“…I’m capable of teaching most non-magical subjects. Advanced-level courses might be a bit difficult, though.”

As a spy, he’d been trained in a variety of fields, so this was only natural.

Amon leaned over to whisper in Anar’el’s ear.

“How about science?”

“Hehe, that tickles!”

“Just listen! Kai’s about to formally take over math, and if Phais handles science, our academy will have all the basics covered!”

“Oh, you’re right!”

Anar’el nodded eagerly.

The Empire’s Ministry of Education required schools to offer these core subjects: swordsmanship, magic, history, math, and science.

“With all the basics covered, we can start spending the budget on recruiting new students!”

“Yes! Only academies with the basics covered can distribute promotional flyers.”

“Exactly. We’ll pull some strings to attract students…”

Under Amon’s persuasive words, Anar’el’s eyes began to sparkle.

“New students…”

“That’s right. Imagine it: you, standing tall on the podium, addressing a sea of students!”

Anar’el gently closed her eyes.

As if envisioning the scene, her eyelashes fluttered with emotion before she abruptly opened her eyes wide and spoke.

“Alright! Let’s do it!”

“Your decision is indeed wise, Headmaster!”

Thus, the academy would soon be on the fast track to revival.

‘Then the dragon who enrolled will surely be satisfied, and my younger sister won’t have to worry about going hungry once she gets their diploma!’

Feeling unusually optimistic, Amon couldn’t help but beam with a broad smile. Of course, there was one thing that still weighed on his mind.

‘However, since the first impression was a bit of a misstep, there’s a chance that Teacher Phais might try to escape as soon as he gathers the penalty fees. I’ll have to make up for it by improving the academy’s image so he doesn’t want to leave.’

With the warmest, most trustworthy smile he could muster, Amon looked at Phais. His intention was to reassure Phais, but the effect was the opposite.

‘Th-that sinister smile! He must have just whispered with the headmaster about my treatment here.’

‘Ah, Teacher Phais is smiling back at me. Smiling!’

‘To think I have to force a smile to appease the one who holds my life in their hands. Such humiliation…’

Anyway, with the conversation wrapped up for now, Anar’el and Amon stood up.

“Well then, Teacher Phais, we’ll be going now! Rest well!”

“Teacher Phais! See you again!”

The two left the room to discuss the academy’s promotional plans. Left alone, Phais quietly pulled the blanket over his face. A man’s tears must never be seen by others!

“…Sniff!”

Soon, the pillowcase covering Phais’ face began to dampen.

Fortunately or unfortunately, Phais was an optimistic man. Perhaps after crying his heart out, he felt a little lighter.

‘…Haa, it’s come to this. There’s no helping it. The penalty fee isn’t that much short of being covered. If I work for just a month or two, I can make up the difference.’

And during those one or two months, he would dedicate himself to the original purpose of his infiltration.

‘Though Amonis Academy has declined, it still has a long and storied history. Surely there’s some useful information to be gleaned.’

From a different perspective, it was as if he had returned to the starting point.

‘Yes, yes. Let’s think of it that way. But why does my stomach churn so much?’

Surely, it wasn’t because of last night’s drinking!

Having calmed his emotions, Phais left his room and ran into a certain young man.

“Oh, good morning, Teacher Phais.”

“Ah, good to see you, Teacher Kai.”

“Hahaha! No need for formalities. You’re much older than I am.”

Kai’s hearty laughter made his double chin jiggle uncontrollably. The stress of managing state affairs in the emperor’s stead had led him to overeat repeatedly.

Looking at Kai’s quivering jawline, Phais fell into thought.

‘Come to think of it, this guy…other teachers were suspicious of him being a spy, right?’

In other words, he was both a comrade and a rival.

With that in mind, Phais curled his lips into a sly smile.

‘But he’s young. If he really is a spy, he’s probably still inexperienced.’

Having made his judgment, Phais leaned slightly toward Kai and spoke.

“Um, Teacher Kai?”

“Yes?”

Leaning in subtly, Phais continued.

“Excuse me, but where are you from?”

Thus, Phais, the spy from the Kingdom of Mardel, took his first step in uncovering secrets about the empire by probing none other than the imperial crown prince!