Even after everything that has happened… life moves on.

I have managed to return to the Royal Academy just in time for the Summer Term—the day before classes begin, to be precise.

But I have no time to rest, considering there's a staff meeting this very evening.

I hurriedly freshen up and have a brief nap on my large staff bed, which I have missed considerably ever since I embarked on my journey for the holidays. It became a lot more eventful than I planned, to the point that I didn't even have the time to attend the third prince's Coming-of-age Ceremony.

Some Professors went on sabbaticals or indulged in their hobbies during this period, but I didn't rest in the slightest.

And now a new term is about to begin.

Damn…

As I lay on my bed, waiting for my alarm to drive me out of my house, towards the meeting hall, a few thoughts envelop my mind. For one, Freya and Jasper. They've become more instrumental than I initially expected.

Plus, all the spoils I have gotten from Count Kaelen's manor… they're too immense.

It will take a long time to properly swallow them whole.

Thankfully, I have Uncle Damon and Leon to help me with that endeavor while I manage the affairs of the Royal Academy and stabilize my status here.

Speaking of the Royal Academy, I may eventually have to leave at some point.

Its value diminished once I realized the Royal Family's wariness of me and my severe need for a lot of money and research. I previously thought that perhaps this place would help me with the latter, but the Academy has no useful information on Leviathans.

If I want something like that, I'll have better luck studying at the University.

DING! DING! DING!

'Okay…'

I slowly rise to my feet at the sound of the alarm.

It's time for the meeting.

*************

"… And that's the budget for this second term. Any complaints?"

Some hands are raised, and the concerns are brought up in a prompt manner, while rebuttals to those concerns are also aired out sequentially. Everything is orderly, but the atmosphere remains very tense regardless.

This is the staff meeting, a place where discussions are made prior to the term's commencement.

It is also another battlefield for the Royal Faction and the Noble Faction.

I usually stay out of it, though.

In staff meetings, we decide on a lot of important aspects of the incoming academic term, calculating expenses, discussing itineraries, as well as details of the academic curriculum. There is also the matter of Academy Festivals, many of which exist in the Summer Term.

"We need to start preparing for the Scholarly Exhibition. It only takes place among Year 3 and above students, but it's the earliest inter-class activity that we'll be having this term." One of the Professors blurts out, and I nod in silent agreement.

The Scholarly Exhibition involves a presentation of a personal thesis or invention among students.

It's a friendly contest to determine the most outstanding and creative student.

It is also extremely competitive.

But, based on my experience, it is usually a battle of resources over actual creativity.

Some students have more of an advantage due to their wealth of private research materials and more financial power to afford their big projects. In contrast, poorer students won't have a lot of impressive results since they're working on a budget.

There have been a few exceptions here and there, but this is the case for the most part.

'This is why innovations like the Collegium Reform are so important. With it, students will have some of their financial burdens met, and the Academy can put more focus into catering to the less privileged students…' I think to myself while remaining silent.

I barely speak in these meetings.

There are enough heavy hitters on the Royal Faction's side, and since I'm somewhat still controversial as a Senior Professor, it isn't like my voice will hold much sway.

In fact, I could end up causing more harm than good.

'Maybe if it was the Royal Examination Festival, I would have a few things to say… but that happens at the end of every year, during the Winter Term, so we won't get to talk about it this night.' I sigh to myself, remembering my experience with this particular event.

The Royal Examination Festival is, dare I say, the most important one in the Royal Academy. This is because it determines the internal ranking among students within their respective year.

Reputation and all manner of benefits are tied to it.

Lose, and you'll be bullied or relegated, no matter how smart or rich you are.

Win, and you'll be respected and envied, even if you are from a humble background.

Naturally, it's easier for certain students to win compared to others, which is what I'm trying to change. However, now isn't the time.

Although I believe the time is drawing near to leave the Academy, the Collegium reform and this particular matter with the Royal Examination Festival, are two things I want to see successfully addressed before I can move on.

"There is also the Grand Commencement Duel. This concerns our students from Year 2, right? It should normally hold in the Spring Term, but we couldn't organize it due to how tight the schedule was. We'll be hosting it this term instead."

Grand Commencement Duel is sort of like a mini-version of the Royal Examination Festival, but the only difference is that it takes place only among top students. These 'honor duels' as they are called, are a symbol of power and prestige, and are mostly casual exhibitions rather than serious changers of the established status quo.

I have very little interest in it, so I zone out of the discussion.

They talk about the event for a while, moving on to other festivals, like the Midterms, as well as the Sports Festival. These are all laid out well to blend perfectly with the summer term's curriculum, ensuring that there are no clashes.

Once they are done with these, the topic finally shifts to a matter I am most interested in.

"Next topic of discussion is our annual Staff Retreat. As you all know, it's a week-long event organized by our partnership with the Randalorion University, where we meet and connect with our peers and seniors in that higher institution. Many of the Professors here have even switched careers and gotten positions in the University because of this retreat, but let's make sure we say no to poaching. We're a little understaffed in the Royal Academy at the moment."

Many professors laugh at the speaker's statement, and I also let out a mild chuckle.

Despite its comedic undertones, it is a grave reality that the Royal Academy has been facing for some time. As a senior staff member, I've become more aware of the matter.

We need more qualified and fresh members recruited into the staff force.

But enough about that.

My true concerns lie in the Randalorion University itself.

'I'm really looking forward to this. I'll make a lot of progress learning more about University life and maybe start my admission process. Since I plan to leave the Royal Academy soon, maybe I can smoothly transition into University life…'

With the resources I have obtained from the Dark Guild and Count Kaelen Thornvale, I should be able to afford the expenses as well.

All of this came at the perfect time—how convenient.

'Klein has been guiding me on a few things, and he'll also be coming for this retreat, so I should have little to no issues whatsoever.' Just as I am smiling, enjoying the bright rays of sunshine in my life, someone stands up and ruins the moment with an abrupt announcement.

"I believe it's time to address an issue we have all been ignoring for a while. Since some of you may find out about it in the coming days, I will simply say it right now—Count Blake Winchester will soon be retiring. A new Academy Headmaster will be required to take his place, and after careful consideration of both the prestige of this fine institution and the benefit of the students we have sworn to protect as educators… I have decided to run for the position."

Sigh…

Indeed, the one who spoke just now is none other than Earl Klaus Gerondester.

This snake!

'It's clear that Julian put him up to this. Now that he's getting involved in the affairs of the Royal Academy, it's clear he'll want Klaus to become Head of the Academy. Once that happens, my career here is officially over.'

But this is such a foolish move by Julian.

Giving the Noble Faction such great control over the Royal Academy after they already control the Knight Academy is too much.

'Is all of this simply to spite me? Isn't that too shortsighted?!'

I sigh to myself and observe a few faces to check their expressions on the matter.

Anna appears calm.

A flicker of annoyance manifests in her multicolored eyes, but she remains still as she watches Klaus continue his theatrics.

The man is certainly qualified, being one of the few Grand Scholars in the Royal Academy, but he can stop pretending like he cares about the students and wishes for the Royal Academy to be a better place.

All he seeks is the consolidation of power to the Noble Faction.

Such a small, pathetic man.

Anyway…

'There's no way the Royal Family is unaware of this development, but why aren't they doing anything about it?' My eyes flicker with doubt as I consider the matter carefully. 'The first prince was the one who told me about Julian's secret schemes, which means he is certainly privy to more information than he is letting on. But why is he holding out?'

I have a fair idea.

They're leaving me to handle this myself.

But why?

Is this some kind of a probe? Are they trying to test me, to see just what I am capable of, or to understand where I stand in the Kingdom?

The Royal Family has been protecting him all this time, but it seems they'll let me solve this problem on my own unless I show them some of my own sincerity.

All of these are understandable thought processes, especially since I just burned down Count Kaelen's manor and practically forced their hand to cover up such a large scene.

The Count also belongs to the Royal Faction, so they actually lost one of the most influential figures on their side. As such, it's unsurprising that they are probably wondering what side I'm on and are holding off on rendering any more help until I can prove myself.

'How annoying…'

It seems I can no longer postpone this affair with the Royal Family any longer.

I'll have to make my move this semester.

The whole thing has to be resolved before the Winter Term, when the new Head of Academy Elections will take place, and the decision will be finalized.

The big question is… who should I back among the three princes?

I already know that the third prince is my most lucrative bet, but realistically, he is also the riskiest option and will require the most work.

This is because the third prince has less power and influence, making him essentially useless to me for the time being. In the short run, I doubt I'll be able to enjoy many benefits from him, especially if he ends up being suppressed by his siblings.

Even if they leave him be, what he can currently provide is too limited.

A good example of this is when all three of the princes approached me in their different ways. The first prince brought gifts and even gave me a piece of useful information. As for the second prince, as much as his approach annoyed me, his gifts were really expensive and showed just how deep his pockets are.

But what about the third prince?

Well…

'He displayed the most sincerity, but all they amount to in the end are mere words.'

That's what makes me the most skeptical about this whole thing.

There's no more time.

I have to make my choice—and fast!

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