Overpowered Archmage Doesn’t Hide His Talent

Chapter 45: Shall We Expand the Scope?

“This is unverified information, isn’t it? Discard it.”

The editorial office of *Merhen Daily*. Even as morning dawned, Sephia’s nagging continued.

But then.

“What’s all this commotion so early in the morning?”

A man in a suit appeared, narrowing his brows.

With a large build, slicked-back hair, and a slightly arrogant demeanor, he exuded an air of authority. A reporter quickly greeted him.

“Ah, Director Vincent, you’re here.”

Vincent, he was the director of the *Merhen Daily*’s news department.

Without so much as a glance at Sephia, Vincent questioned the reporter.

“What’s going on? This early in the morning?”

The reporter hesitated, glancing at Sephia before cautiously speaking up.

“It’s about the Sports Competition combat event. I’ve already written a few articles in advance, assuming that Yvonne from the Knight Department would win. But it seems Director Sephia wasn’t happy with that.”

“And what’s the problem with that?”

Vincent widened his eyes in disbelief as he turned to Sephia.

“Director Sephia, don’t you know that time is of the essence for us? These things need to be prepared in advance.”

At that, Sephia’s gaze sharpened.

“Time is to be used efficiently, based on the premise that we are dealing with the truth. This is just filling time with lies.”

“Oh, here we go again.”

Vincent thumped his chest as if he were exasperated.

“If this isn’t dealing with the truth, then what do you want us to do, study the ecology of passing ants? Let’s take it easy, easy, okay? How many times has the Magic Department beaten the Knight Department up to now?”

“Even so. We wouldn’t be late in writing after confirming the results, would we?”

“It would be too late, my friend. You’ve been in this business for years, and you still don’t get it?”

“I probably understand it better than you do.”

“Oh really? Then what’s this?”

Vincent irritably placed something on Sephia’s desk.

[*The Agora Board’s Hot Topic: The Notice.*
*Addressed to the Professors of Merhen Academy’s Magic Department*]

It was an extra edition, based on Flan’s notice.

“I checked it on my way to work. If you know so well, why are you spreading such nonsense?”

“Because it’s worth spreading. Haven’t you read the content?”

“Ah… seriously.”

Vincent ran his hand down his face in frustration.

“Director Sephia, you know that after the Sports Competition ends, the editor-in-chief will replace you with someone else, right?”

“How could I not know?”

“It doesn’t seem like you do right now. Director Sephia, that person is from the Knight Department!”

Vincent shouted angrily.

“A Magician doesn’t bow down, resists, denies the world… and you distribute this kind of stuff as an extra edition? What do you think they’ll say from above?”

“Director Vincent.”

Sephia spoke calmly.

“Are you going to keep working like this?”

“Then what do you suggest I do? Should I do something a bit more unconventional?”

“You’re already doing something plenty unconventional. A reporter who only transcribes what they’re told from above? Even pets wouldn’t be treated that way.”

Sephia’s green eyes burned as she continued speaking.

“Let’s not forget our duties as journalists, our ethics as journalists. It’s embarrassing for me as a fellow director.”

Vincent scoffed as if it was too ridiculous for words.

The others remained silent, focused on their own work.

For them, the quarrel between the two was no longer surprising.

“Fine, let’s wait and see.”

Vincent finally nodded.

“Director Sephia, you do things your way. I’ll do things my way.”

“That was my plan. I couldn’t work like Director Vincent even if I wanted to.”

“Sure, sure. But Director Sephia.”

Vincent added with a meaningful expression.

“Keep your desk tidy from now on. Once the editor-in-chief changes, do you think we’ll still be working here? Think about it carefully.”

With those words, Vincent moved on to other reporters’ desks.

“Hey, what’s this article?”

“Ah, Director Vincent. It’s about a Magic Department student and a Knight Department student who were flying on a broom while drunk….”

“Tsk.” Vincent clicked his tongue.

“Why does it have to involve the Knight Department? Put it on hold.”

“Understood. What about this? The second-year Knight Department students are heading out for a dungeon raid, but they haven’t succeeded yet.”

“You idiot, of course, we need to write about it. Is that even a question…?”

Watching this, Sephia rubbed her forehead. Her gaze naturally fell on the table.

[*Yvonne’s Perfect Victory: The Greatness of Chivalry*
*Addressed to the Professors of Merhen Academy’s Magic Department*]

The article and the extra edition contained completely contrasting content.

In fact, Vincent and the reporter weren’t entirely wrong.

The possibility of the Magic Department defeating the Knight Department was extremely slim, and in a way, Sephia was the one taking the risk.

However.

Even so.

**’Flan.’**

Sephia smiled.

For some reason, it didn’t feel like they would lose.

◈

“Ugh… This is so stressful. I like the work, but I can’t stand the people.”

Violet slammed her teacup down with a loud *thud*. No, it was more like she was hitting the table with it.

During lunch, Violet was taking a rare break in the cafeteria with Sephia.

“What’s wrong, sister? Did the other professors say something again?”

“It’s a mess. They’re making a fuss about why I’m putting so much effort into the Sports Competition. Then, once it’s over, they’ll be making a fuss over there…”

Violet shook her head as if she didn’t even want to think about it, then turned to Sephia.

“Sephia, how’s the atmosphere among the reporters? There are only two days left until the Sports Competition.”

“It’s not much different from the professors. Nothing’s really different.”

“You must be having a hard time too. If you have any complaints, let them out. I’ll listen to everything today.”

“Complaints? Hmm, complaints… I’m not sure?”

“What’s that? No, wait a minute. You.”

Violet tilted her head.

“…Now that I look at you. Why do you look so happy?”

Come to think of it, that was true.

The conversation had only been brief, but Violet noticed that something about Sephia’s demeanor seemed off.

Sephia wasn’t worried about the Sports Competition at all. Since earlier, she had been brushing everything off as if it was nothing.

In the meantime, Sephia spoke up, her expression full of meaning.

“You’ve assessed Flan’s skills, right? How was it?”

“He was chosen as a representative because he deserved it. He was impressive.”

“That’s all you have to say? Don’t you have any thoughts on whether he’ll win or lose in the Sports Competition? Tell me in detail.”

“In detail…”

Violet’s eyes wandered to the ceiling. Then she suddenly asked.

“…Is this an interview? This isn’t going to be in an article, is it?”

“I know how to separate work from personal life, you know? What do you think of your sister?”

“Hmm.”

After a moment of thought, Violet spoke.

“To be honest… I can’t say for sure that disarming a magic bullet will be enough to beat Yvonne.”

“Mm-hmm. That’s right. And?”

Sephia nodded, and Violet continued with a serious expression.

“But, strangely. Really strangely. I keep feeling like Flan could win.”

“Oh~ really? Weren’t you suspicious at first?”

“That was just me jumping to conclusions. I’ve been reflecting on it.”

Sephia chuckled at her sister’s words. She found Violet’s belief intriguing.

“But sister, can I ask you something?”

“What is it?”

“You’re under a lot of stress from dealing with the other professors, and you’re not even sure if Flan will win the Sports Competition. But you haven’t given up, have you?”

“Of course not.”

Violet ruffled her hair and let out a sigh.

“This student is the only one with the attitude of a Magician that I aspire to.”

“Really? Now that you mention it, Flan does remind me a bit of you when you were a student. When I think about it, he really does.”

“When I was a student, not a single professor supported me. It still hurts to think about it. So at least I…”

But suddenly, someone stood next to Violet and Sephia. The sisters naturally turned their heads in that direction.

Black bangs covered her eyes. The sisters knew this woman well.

“Holy… isn’t that the Dean’s Secretary?”

“Sephia, are you crazy? Right in front of her?”

Sephia and Violet’s eyes widened simultaneously.

Without a word, the Dean’s Secretary handed them a transparent crystal orb.

The sole purpose of this crystal orb was to convey the Dean’s voice. Violet respectfully accepted it with both hands.

“Yes, Dean. This is Violet.”

“I have a question.”

But beside her, Sephia was exaggerating her lip movements.

‘Sister, you have to answer well, okay? You know that, right?’

‘Be quiet. You’re making me nervous.’

Violet mouthed her response, raising one hand as if she was about to hit her.

“The representatives should have been chosen by now.”

“Yes, Dean.

That’s correct.”

“Do you think they will win?”

Violet furiously ruffled her hair.

She wanted to say they would win.

But that was just her belief. It wasn’t something she could say lightly to the Dean.

While she was hesitating, the Dean, Conette, spoke again.

“Just your thoughts.”

“Pardon?”

“Just share your thoughts.”

Violet swallowed nervously.

Her thoughts.

There was only one thought that Violet had. Soon, she began to speak with conviction.

“This student is undoubtedly a Magician.”

Therefore.

“I believe they will definitely change something.”

There was no response.

Sephia, who had been watching from the side, frowned and snapped her fingers.

A memo floated in the air, and words appeared on it.

[*When they ask if they’ll win or lose, you should answer whether they’ll win or lose. What kind of answer was that?*]

Violet also moved her fingers.

[*I don’t know. I was flustered too.*]

[*There’s no response. What are you going to do now?*]

[*I don’t know.*]

But just then, Conette’s voice was heard.

“You must have recorded the evaluation.”

Violet responded almost instantly.

“Of course. We have a visual record.”

“Bring it with you, and I’ll see you in the meeting room.”

With that, the light from the crystal orb faded.

◈

Violet cautiously rolled her eyes.

Led by Conette, the professors of the Magic Department were observing Flan’s evaluation.

“….”

Conette replayed the visual record once more. This was already the third time.

The atmosphere of the meeting hadn’t changed much.

Just like the meeting that day, when Summoning Department Professor Brody vehemently opposed, everyone was sending disapproving looks toward Violet.

And once again, the visual record finished playing.

Conette rested her chin in her hand, pondering with an unreadable expression.

Violet started to feel uneasy.

Was this still not enough?

Was she unsatisfied? Was she angry?

She could only hope that wasn’t the case. In fact, earlier, Conette’s lips had curled up slightly.

*Tap.*

*Tap. Tap. Tap.*

*Tap. Tap. Tap. Tap. Tap….*

Conette kept tapping her fingers. The scene where Flan asked Elyse again played repeatedly.

Then, at some point, Conette’s fingers stopped.

At the same time, her lips moved.

“Shall we expand the scope?”

She suddenly shook her head.

“No, that’s not it.”

Finally, Conette’s lips curled into a sly smile.

“Very big.”