It has finally arrived—the long-awaited Staff Retreat.

This also officially marks the end of the Summer Term. While students are off to enjoy their holidays, we, as the staff, have a week-long conference with our colleagues down at the higher institution of the Randalorion Kingdom.

I say 'week-long,' but the actual formal event only lasts for about three days.

The rest is pretty much what you would expect—informal meetups, mingling, game nights, and all other kinds of bonding activities to let off a bit of steam.

As educators who lead stressful lives, things like these are important to keep one's sanity.

Of course, relaxation isn't the only reason I have chosen to head to the University.

As I look at the founding Leviathan's notes in front of me, racing emotions begin to form in my heart. I have no proof, but my intuition tells me that very important information is embedded within the pages I have yet to decipher.

Let's just hope someone at the University can help me out.

'Fortunately, I don't have to start from scratch…' A smile of relief forms on my face. 'Serena's father is a Grand Scholar, and he has a lot of connections to Scholars due to the many years he has served as an educator. If he could introduce me to a colleague with a specialization in linguistics, that would be the best…'

As much as I'd like to be optimistic, though, I feel a tinge of skepticism.

I have no doubt that the man will have contacts I can make use of, but Klein did say he is a rather difficult person, and it doesn't seem like Serena likes her father too much.

The signs aren't good.

But I can only keep my hopes high that the man is, at the very least, professional, and will help his junior in his pursuit of knowledge.

'Tomorrow is the date of travel. I should start making preparations…'

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

The total number of Academy staff selected for the retreat is not a small number.

In fact, we are nearly a hundred.

Senior Professors are first of all considered, and after, Junior Professors and a few exceptional Professors-in-training are given the privilege.

Oh, yes… Klaus Gerondester isn't joining us for this Staff Retreat.

Just as I expected, he lost his job and is no longer able to practice as a Scholar. He has also been demoted to the level of Baron, a laughable development.

Back to the main topic, though…

Our means of travel is also not through carriages, considering how far the University is. If we were to use road transportation, it would take a few weeks to reach it. At that point, it would defeat the whole purpose of the retreat.

In fact, by the time we return, the Winter Term will have already begun.

Also, because the Randalorion Kingdom does not have Temporal Tunnels, the most effective means of transportation we can use is by air.

Yes…

We all travel using flying Magivores.

Cadre 3 Mystic Magivores… Sky Lantern Rays.

They resemble the sting rays found in the waters, but these ones float in the air, and their bodies have natural markings that make them glow like fireflies.

An adult Sky Lantern Ray can be as large as five meters to seven meters.

Because of their sheer mass, we only need a small group of them to carry us and our respective luggage to the Academy.

On the back of each of these beasts is a structure resembling a house, meant to offer shelter to the passengers. Not only is it made of insulating materials, meant to trap heat and combat the extremely low temperatures of high altitudes, but it is also extremely sturdy.

All in all, it is optimally designed for travel.

Throughout my life, I mostly saw Sky Lantern Rays from afar. I only ever witnessed them up close a few times, and even then, I never rode them. In essence, this is actually my first time riding a Sky Lantern Ray.

I actually wanted to purchase one of them for my journey back when I traveled the Kingdom, but that proved impossible.

Not only are Sky Lantern Rays expensive, but they are extremely rare.

No single one exists on the market.

If one is found and tamed, it is immediately taken by the Royal Family or the Duke Households, so those two pretty much have exclusive purchasing rights over the Sky Lantern Rays. In fact, not only over the Sky Lantern Rays, but also regarding any rare and powerful Magivore that has been tamed.

Such restrictions are understandable, though.

After all, traveling through the air is an extremely convenient means, but it can lead to a lot of nefarious schemes when placed in the hands of enemies.

If someone were to use this Sky Lantern Ray to assault the Royal Palace, especially cloaking himself in the sky, then he would be able to deal serious damage or even execute any person of his choice with ease.

The speed of the Ray is incredible, and it can reach really high altitudes.

Hence, it would be difficult to catch such a person.

Thankfully, Sky Lantern Rays have very low breeding rates. They are also extremely rare to find and even harder to tame, so there is never an influx of them on the market.

Even the Royal Family hardly uses them for private reasons and mostly for transporting goods to and fro other Kingdoms in their import and export trade. As for Duke Households, they are only allowed to have one each, so they even use theirs less frequently.

'But, I know there are some Nobles who managed to snag the Sky Lantern Rays from Black Market deals. During the Civil War, airborne warfare became a lot more prominent, and many unregistered Sky Lantern Rays showed up out of nowhere…'

I don't know the details, though, so I can't say for sure which Nobles have them now.

Still, I can't help but wonder—

'Could I convince the King to allow me to have one? No, that would be too far… and it will definitely draw a lot of attention. As long as I live in a Kingdom of people who are expected to obey the law, I can't openly defy it.' I sigh deeply.

Wouldn't it be strange if I were the only one with sanctioned authority to own a Sky Lantern Ray?

'Why is he the exception?' Many will undoubtedly ask.

While I don't care much for the opinions of others, it is true that it will ultimately lead to discord and heavy criticism of the Royal Family for their favoritism towards me.

'I would like to avoid that.'

As for our journey, what would have taken two entire weeks is completed after just two days.

Such is the power of air travel!

It would have taken only a day if we had an uninterrupted flight, but the Sky Lantern Rays had to descend for several moments to recuperate. We could have pushed them further, but considering the five Sky Lantern Rays with us are the majority of the Royal Family's seven-or-so confirmed Sky Lantern Rays, it would not be wise.

A good number of Royal Knights even escorted us to ensure the safety of the precious Magivores.

From the air, I can see the splendor of the University.

It is absolutely wonderful.

I thought I had grown desensitized to excessive displays of wealth and grandeur, but the sight of the University immediately proved me wrong.

Not only is it at least three times larger than the Academy, but it appears to be on a completely different level. The buildings are much taller than those in the Academy, with architecture more sophisticated than anything I have ever seen in my life.

I dare say that the Royal Palace loses out in some areas compared to this University.

Once we arrive on campus grounds, we are welcomed by a hearty group of Professors who show great energy to receive us and promptly take us to our residences.

Naturally, we've all gotten relatively weary from our travels.

A few Professors had even gotten airsick, but with the help of Potions, there was no escalation.

The next day, we have a conference involving everyone from both sides of the retreat. There, we introduce ourselves and become familiar with one another. It became quite easy to spot Seraphina's father, not only because of his surname, but because of the air of authority he had around him and the uncomfortable glances of both Klein and Seraphina.

Professor James Lindester… To describe him in one word, I'll call him an arrogant man.

He has a slim physique, with smoothly combed gray hair, and a piercing gaze that seems to look down on the world. His lips constantly curl down in a curt, forbidden manner, and while he has a dignified accent anytime he speaks, his words reek of condescension.

In the absence of Supreme Scholars, Grand Scholars are considered the best in the Randalorion Kingdom, but it's clear that this man believes he is better than everyone present.

He thinks of himself as superior.

Which is why—

"Why would the Royal Academy employ a non-noble to the position of staff, not to mention Senior Professor, for that matter?"

—I wasn't surprised by his Noble Supremacist views.

From the start, I did not like him, and it has become clear from his glare that he doesn't like me either.

Needless to say, it seems I'll have to get my help somewhere else.

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

If I could ignore this Professor, that would be fine.

But, for the three-day conference, this man keeps targeting me, treating me with unwarranted harshness, which very obviously stems from his ideals as a Noble Supremacist.

Klein and Seraphina have come to apologize on his behalf many times, but this is exhausting.

Even the Academy Vice Head has told me to endure it, and a few of his colleagues have told me that this is simply how Professor James Lindester is.

But there's only so much a man can take.

I'm getting a little annoyed.

His feeling of personal superiority, coupled with his belief in the superiority of his bloodline, will clearly influence his teaching, and it will negatively affect his students. If nothing is done about this man, his ideology will create a nightmare for those who seek true knowledge.

He could even influence others and use his authority to make them buy into his twisted way of thinking.

After considering all of these things, it has become abundantly clear to me—

'I can't let such an asshole continue unchecked!

And so…

"Javier Aditi, hmph… You should just retire already. Maybe pursue higher education as a way to cover up your deficiencies. As I see it now, you aren't fit for the Senior Professor position in the prestigious Royal Academy. In my days—"

… When the Professor targeted me during the final day of the conference, I had something of my own to offer as a rebuttal.

"Shut your mouth, old man," I tell him with a calm face. "Are insults all you're good for? If you know how to weave words well, why not use them for more intellectual ventures?"

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