The Academy is Doomed

Chapter 47

After history class in the afternoon, Amon was packing his belongings with a solemn face.

‘Whew, finally today.’

It was the day of the teacher certification exam at the ‘Imperial Regular Testing Center’ located in each city.

‘An exam you can take once a year…If you fail, you’ll have to twiddle your thumbs for a year, but that’s just an’ if.’ The probability of failing is one in ten thousand.’

Amon’s confidence was soaring to the sky.

From the start, every time he did recent mock tests, passing was a no-brainer, and he could even expect to be the top scorer.

Because of this, he had considered skipping the ‘2nd Grade Teacher Certificate’ and going straight for the ‘1st Grade Teacher Certificate’, but Amon was the epitome of safety and self-preservation.

‘There’s a saying to tap even a stone bridge before crossing it. Let’s take it step by step.’

Anyway, as soon as today’s test results come out, he will be able to become the head of academic affairs.

Amon smiled warmly while imagining his rosy future and left the room.

Rather than heading straight to the testing center, he first planned to report his departure to the respected principal.

“Principal, may I come in?”

“Ah, please come in.”

Thanks to the consideration given to focus on the exam, he hadn’t seen the principal for almost a week.

“It’s been a while, Principal.”

“Ah… yes, Teacher Amon. Come to think of it, today is your exam day, right?”

“Yes. But…”

Amon, who was observing the principal’s complexion, carefully said.

“Your complexion doesn’t look good, did something happen?”

To that worried question, Anar’el quickly tried to open her mouth.

But she hesitated and shook her head.

“No. It’s not something Teacher Amon needs to worry about. Teacher Amon should just focus on today’s exam.”

“Hmm…”

What an excellent principal!

As expected of the principal he trusted and followed.

Feeling his loyalty to the principal growing rapidly, Amon opened his mouth.

“Is it about the academy?”

“…Yes, it is.”

“Then please tell me quickly.”

“But…”

Amon said with a confident face.

“It’s not right for a head of academic affairs to pretend not to know about problems facing the academy. As head of academic affairs, I want to help solve the problems facing the academy, so please speak freely to me! Amon, the head of academic affairs!”

Looking at Amon speaking with a dignified face, Anar’el exclaimed as if moved.

“Ah! Teacher Amon! Indeed, your dedication to the academy…”

“Haha, it’s nothing. Anyway, please tell me quickly.”

Anar’el nodded and said with a sad face.

“There haven’t been any students wanting to enroll for the past week.”

“…Pardon?”

Did he hear that right?

Amon, who was opening and closing his mouth, said with a bewildered face.

“Our…academy has officially revived now, right?”

“…Yes.”

“We won the exchange match against Vestric too.”

“Yes. I saw it in the newspaper, and while they somewhat belittle us, the fact that we won was still reported.”

Amon narrowed his eyes as he scanned the newspaper Anar’el handed over.

As Anar’el said, while there was a somewhat condescending tone towards Amonis Academy, there were clearly parts praising it as ‘indeed a historically prestigious academy’.

‘Then rather than enrolling in a very small academy, it would make sense for them to knock on our doors, but not a single enrollment application…?’

The moment he noticed something strange, Amon realized one fact.

‘…What can I do in this situation?’

Even if the principal’s grandfather came instead of the head of academic affairs, he couldn’t solve this situation!

As Amon let out a sigh and put down the newspaper, Anar’el looked at him with sparkling eyes and said.

“Head of Academic Affairs Amon, do you have any good ideas?”

“Ahem, I’m not the head of academic affairs yet.”

“…”

Amon drawing a clear line!

He gathered his belongings and said.

“Then I’ll be going.”

“Yes…ah right, and there’s one more thing to tell you…”

“I’ll hear it after I take the exam.”

Amon, who drew a sharp line as if he would cut something, left the principal’s office as if running away.

‘Anyway, this damn academy has problems popping up non-stop.’

While grumbling, Amon was about to leave through the academy’s main gate when he spotted Reinbelt sweeping nearby with a broom.

“Sir, it feels like it’s been a while.”

“Hm? Oh, indeed it has. I haven’t seen you for a while, did something happen?”

“I haven’t been coming out of my room much because I was preparing for the exam.”

“Exam? What exam?”

“The teacher certification exam.”

“Ah, I see. So you didn’t have a teacher certificate all this time…”

At Reinbelt’s words which had a subtle sting to them, Amon muttered as if making an excuse.

“If you teach well, what does a certificate matter?”

“Well, that’s true but…I heard something recently.”

“What did you hear?”

Reinbelt nodded and said while slowly moving his broom.

“I heard from Ray, it seems the students are having quite a hard time lately.”

“…The students?”

Besides Raymond, what could there be to stir up just two students?

“There weren’t any signs during history class…”

“Well, since you’ve been busy lately, maybe the kids were being considerate in their own way?”

“Hmm…”

True, he had been showing quite obviously that he was busy lately.

‘Having a hard time…but what could be hard these days? I should ask them when I get back today.’

That too is a teacher’s duty!

“Thank you, sir. I almost missed it without knowing.”

“Oh, it’s nothing. Anyway, have a safe trip.”

Amon bowed his head and headed towards the testing center.

The testing center wasn’t too far from the academy.

* * *

The exam ended quickly.

‘It’s too easy.’

Most were past exam questions he had already solved before, and questions about duties teachers should perform were also full of simple problems since he had plenty of practical experience so far.

Of course, the surrounding test-takers looked like death.

“Ah, damn…isn’t this exam too difficult?”

“Damn, I might have to take it again next year at this rate?”

“This is already my third attempt…”

Amon shook his head as if looking down on their complaints.

‘Pathetic fellows. That’s why you should have prepared diligently.’

Amon, who had only prepared for the exam for a week, was already looking down on the repeaters.

‘If I knew it would be this easy, I should have really applied for the 1st grade teacher certificate. Well, anyway, since they said they’ll notify the test results soon, let’s head back first.’

Since he was already out, he decided to buy some simple snacks before returning.

Eventually, when Amon returned to the academy, he first visited the student dormitory.

“Kids, are you in there?”

“…Teacher Amon? Yes, please come in.”

Boris quickly opened the door, and Amon, who went inside, handed over the food he bought outside and said.

“They say this is a trending snack. Everyone eat up.”

“Wow! Thank you!”

Boris was delighted, and Chloe and Raymond also slowly approached.

Soon, while looking fondly at the students munching on their snacks, Amon suddenly said as if he just remembered something.

“Right, kids. Are the classes manageable these days?”

Gulp, Boris swallowed his snack and said.

“O-Of course. It’s fine.”

“Really…?”

Although he said it was fine, judging by Boris’s expression and the way the other kids were acting, it seemed something had happened.

Raymond, who had given hints that something was wrong, was watching this side with a face that seemed to say ‘You heard from grandfather.’

“How about Raymond and Chloe?”

At that question, Raymond hesitated for a moment before answering.

“It’s, it’s fine.”

“Really?”

At that moment, Chloe, who had been lost in thought while munching on snacks, opened her mouth.

“Teacher.”

“Yes?”

“You’ve been very busy lately, right?”

To that question, Amon answered with a slight smile.

“No, it’s fine. I did have some ‘work’ lately but it just ended today.”

“…Really?”

Chloe swallowed her snack and said.

“Then, could you possibly observe our classes tomorrow?”

“Observe your classes?”

“Yes. Like before.”

Before probably refers to when he observed classes during class tours.

‘But isn’t Kai observing these days?’

Strictly speaking, there was no reason not to.

Moreover, once the test results come out, becoming head of academic affairs was the natural course!

‘As head of academic affairs, entering under the pretext of guiding the new teacher and understanding the academy’s education level shouldn’t be a problem.’

Amon nodded.

“Alright, then let’s see how much other subjects have improved after all this time.”

“Yes! Teacher!”

After leaving the student dormitory, Amon decided to have an early dinner.

Therefore, heading to the dining hall, he discovered a familiar face.

“Oh, isn’t it Kai?”

“Ah! Senior!”

Kai, who was already having dinner, jumped up and bowed politely, and Amon casually waved his hand as if used to such treatment.

“Eat, eat.”

“Yes! Senior. Are you having dinner?”

“Yes. Mind if I join you?”

“Of course not, Senior!”

Soon after the meal arrived, Amon sat across from Kai.

Although he couldn’t say he was fond of him since their first meeting greatly decreased his internal affinity, still, as someone who would become the ‘head of academic affairs’, he planned to listen to the new teacher’s difficulties.

“By the way, are you having any difficulties these days?”

Although it was a question thrown without much meaning, Kai answered without a moment’s hesitation.

“There is one thing.”

“…There is?”

What could be difficult when you’re just observing classes?

Perhaps due to the low internal affinity, when the guy made a pitiful comment, he suddenly looked hateful.

“Ahem, hem! Really? What’s difficult? Tell your senior everything.”

After hesitating for a moment, Kai smiled bitterly and said,

“No, it’s not something Senior needs to worry about.”

A ‘crack’ sound suddenly came from Amon’s molars as he was wearing a rotten smile.

He had clenched his teeth too hard for a moment because he was so annoyed.

‘I noticed from when he tried to completely absorb my history class, but indeed he’s someone who knows how to anger people.’

With his current mood, even Kai’s breathing would probably look hateful!

However, Amon quickly succeeded in managing his expression and said with a bright smile.

“Well, since it’s only been a week since you started, there might be some difficulties. You’ll soon adapt, so hang in there.”

“Thank you for the encouragement, Senior.”

“No need to thank me.”

Amon chuckled and said.

“Ah right, I just finished all my accumulated work today? So I want to see how well you’re doing and observe your class…is that okay?”

Since he couldn’t say Chloe asked, Amon spoke roundabout.

‘Surely he won’t say no?’

But fortunately, Amon’s worry was unfounded.

“Ah! I’m nothing but grateful that Senior will join the class.”

“Haha, yes, yes…huh?”

Amon, who was looking at Kai’s tray while smiling brightly, opened his mouth.

“By the way, aren’t you going to eat the sausage?”

“Pardon?”

Kai tilted his head.

Since he particularly liked sausages and was trying to save it to eat last, why is he asking?

Therefore, he was about to answer ‘I’m saving it’ when.

“Can I eat it?”

Amon snatched the sausage!

Kai’s face, which had been smiling brightly until now, twitched.

“Mm, the sausage is juicy. The dining hall here really gets it right.”

“…”

“Come on, let’s eat, Kai.”

“…Yes, Senior.”

A line of special note was added to Kai’s mental evaluation note of Amon.

‘Amon Drake, minus 10 points. Stole and ate the sausage I like.’