Chapter 67
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Volume 3 + Chapter 67: The Academy’s High-Level Meeting
“Professor Biden.”
“Professor Biden?”
“Professor Biden!”
At Laurel Academy’s high-level meeting, Biden had once again dozed off.
The board members, seeing this, were visibly displeased and called out to him several times.
But Biden still didn’t respond.
A nearby teacher couldn’t take it anymore and nudged him awake.
“Professor Biden, if you’re too exhausted to focus, you may excuse yourself to rest. There’s no need to force yourself to attend—we can have another teacher brief you on the meeting’s outcomes later,” said the board representative.
His tone carried a sharp edge.
The board’s position was no small matter—most of Laurel Academy’s operational funding came from them.
In fact, even the teachers’ salaries and research budgets relied on the board’s financial support.
Though the words were harsh, Biden didn’t dare react.
“Ahem. My apologies. Teaching has been quite taxing lately. Please, continue with the meeting,” Biden deflected.
The board representative turned to the headmaster.
The headmaster nodded and resumed the meeting.
“Aside from the routine reports, do any of the faculty have additional matters to address?”
“Headmaster, mutated magical beasts have been increasingly active lately.”
A senior professor from the Holy Studies Department—who was also part of the Disaster Response Unit—spoke up. His role involved handling supernatural threats.
“Are these mutated beasts operating within Laurel Academy’s jurisdiction?” the headmaster asked.
“Yes, Headmaster. Specifically, near the autonomous border between our academy and the Rhine Kingdom’s cities. Many civilians reside there. Before the beasts gather into a full-scale horde and endanger the populace, I request permission to lead a team to eliminate them preemptively.”
“How many personnel would be required?”
“At least 70% of the academy’s available combat-capable staff. Ideally, the more, the better.”
“That many?” The headmaster seemed surprised.
“Yes, Headmaster. Additionally, I’d like to request extra equipment and bring along personnel with prior disaster response experience,” the professor explained. “The mutated beasts are numerous but low-level. We can handle them easily. This is an opportunity to act before the Holy Knights intervene. Completing this mission would greatly benefit both our students and the academy’s reputation.”
The underlying message was clear.
This was a chance for students to bolster their resumes.
While deploying most of their combat force would weaken the academy’s defenses, Laurel Academy had been an impenetrable fortress for decades—no breaches had ever occurred.
The headmaster was inclined to give students specializing in disaster response a chance to prove themselves.
Moreover, mutated beasts held significant value—their parts could be used in weapon and armor forging, magic scroll production, and alchemical potions.
“And the board’s stance on this?” the headmaster inquired.
“Approved. This is an excellent opportunity to elevate Laurel Academy’s prestige. If the risks are minimal, we fully support it. The board will provide funding for equipment, potions, and other necessary resources,” the representative agreed.
Profitable missions were always welcome.
“Very well, then—”
Just as the headmaster was about to finalize the decision, someone interrupted.
“Wait, Headmaster. I have a differing opinion on this matter.”
All eyes turned.
It was Hill.
Despite having only recently come of age, Hill stood out starkly among the senior faculty and board members—her youth made her presence almost jarring.
But given her strength and status as the Sword Saint’s personal disciple, no one openly questioned her.
“Headmaster, I propose reconsidering the decision to deploy the majority of our combat force to the border. We should not weaken the academy’s defenses,” Hill stated firmly.
“Professor Hill, what exactly do you mean by this?”
The Holy Studies professor’s dissatisfaction was palpable.
Others, too, seemed perplexed.
Hill had only been a senior professor for less than a year—lacking the seniority to openly oppose a near-finalized decision. It came across as presumptuous.
“Professor Hill, I’d like to hear your reasoning,” the headmaster pressed.
“My reason is this, there are signs of a witch operating within Laurel Academy.”
Hill’s voice was calm, but her words sent a ripple of shock through the room.
“A witch?!”
The faculty erupted in disbelief.
Even the headmaster’s brow furrowed deeply.
That term carried immense weight.
“Hill, are you serious?”
“Yes,” Hill confirmed. “Therefore, the presence of a witch within our walls is an extremely dangerous signal. We should increase our vigilance, not divert our forces elsewhere—”
The Holy Studies professor shot to his feet. “So you’re suggesting we just ignore the mutated beasts?!”
“No. We can dispatch an elite team to handle them while ensuring civilian safety. The Holy Knights are also aware of the situation—they’ll send their own forces.”
“You’re just handing those beasts over to the knights?!” The professor was nearly shouting now. “Whose side are you on, Professor Hill? Are you a Laurel Academy teacher or a Holy Knight spy?!”
“Enough. Everyone, remain calm,” the headmaster interjected, motioning for the furious professor to sit.
The atmosphere grew tenser.
“A witch…?” Biden, now fully alert, narrowed his eyes. “Professor Hill, may I ask where you obtained this information?”
“From a student.”
Biden stiffened. “Don’t tell me… Xia Yi?”
“Yes.”
“And I suppose this student couldn’t explain how the witch entered the academy, how they made contact, or even what the witch looks like?”
“Due to… certain circumstances, Xia Yi is unable to elaborate.”
Hill’s reply was exactly what Biden expected.
“Preposterous!”
Biden slammed the table.
“That failure of a student is just stirring up trouble! I already reprimanded her, yet she’s still spreading baseless rumors! She should be expelled! Headmaster, there’s no need to entertain this nonsense—just punish her and remove her from the academy!”
“Professor Biden, even if you distrust Xia Yi, must you publicly demean her like this? Are you truly her homeroom teacher?” Hill’s voice was icy. “Xia Yi is serious. She is not lying.”
“And you, Professor Hill—the fact that you’d take her word at face value is even more absurd!”
“Headmaster, strengthening the academy’s defenses is not a loss. It costs us nothing.”
“Nothing?!” The Holy Studies professor nearly exploded.
“I am willing to stake my reputation as a professor on Xia Yi’s credibility.”
Hill’s declaration silenced the room.
No one understood why she would go this far.
But the endless arguing wouldn’t resolve anything—the final decision rested with the headmaster.
All eyes turned to him.
“Whether we deploy to the border or fortify our defenses… I have already made my decision.”
The headmaster’s voice carried absolute authority as he delivered Laurel Academy’s final verdict.
