I Got a Fake Job at the Academy
Chapter 352

It took great courage for Flora to convey this information to Rudger because it’s related to the Lumos family.

Originally, Flora would have lost interest the moment she heard the name Lumos.

Rather, she would have deliberately ignored it.

Even though it’s her family, it’s a family in name only.

If she got involved, she would be the only one to suffer.

However, if it’s closely related to Theon, no, Teacher Rudger, then it’s a different story.

“At first, I didn’t know either. I only found out when Cheryl told me.”

“You mean Cheryl Wagner?”

“Yes. You know where the Wagner family stands, don’t you, Teacher Rudger?”

“I heard they’re a vassal family that has served the Lumos family since ancient times.”

“Cheryl is the only friend from the Wagner family who approached me.”

While the Wagner family serves the Lumos family, Flora’s case was different.

When she wasn’t even acknowledged by her family, there was no way the vassal family would support her.

Flora thought this was natural.

Until Cheryl approached her first, that is.

Cheryl, who approached to be friends with her, who was neither an older brother nor a younger sibling, provided Flora with many forms of help, both big and small.

And it was thanks to Cheryl that she learned about what was happening in the Lumos family this time.

“Cheryl told me that our family recently met with CEOs of various companies.”

“It’s not particularly strange for the head of a noble family to meet such people.”

“I suppose so. It’s very common for high-ranking people to meet to build relationships.”

Just going to the banquets held by nobles, many distinguished people attend.

Members of parliament, famous actors, millionaire businessmen, nobles, and so on.

Rather, wealthy companies hold even higher social status than most nobles.

It wouldn’t be strange for such people to have connections with Lumos, one of the empire’s three grand ducal families.

“But what if all the people they met were those who had been funding Theon?”

At Flora’s words, a glint appeared in Rudger’s eyes.

“Such coincidences would be rare in the current situation.”

“Moreover, I heard these meetings took place just before this incident happened. Doesn’t that make it more credible?”

Flora spoke with an almost confident tone and Rudger didn’t dismiss her words carelessly either.

It’s hard to call it a baseless rumor when the source is Cheryl Wagner.

‘Though I don’t understand why a vassal family of Lumos would care so much about Flora who was abandoned by Lumos. But the credibility of that rumor can be trusted.’

Among Theon’s students, Cheryl was known as quite an information broker.

Friendly, always smiling, and approachable to everyone, Cheryl was on good terms with most people.

That wasn’t limited to just classmates.

Seniors, juniors, Theon’s servants and even the teachers too.

While Cheryl was close to Flora, she had built many other connections and received various news from them.

‘In a way, she could be considered an excellent information broker in a different sense from Sedina or Hans.’

Sedina and Hans gather information using their personal magic and characteristics.

Hans has the constitution that allows communication with beasts.

Sedina has paper magic.

But Cheryl was different.

She gathered information purely through connections, without any magical characteristics or innate constitution and talent.

Rudger thought that aspect was rather remarkable.

It’s quite mentally taxing to build relationships and hear stories as people interact with each other.

“I understand that you came to tell me this news. However, I don’t feel like praising your actions right now.”

Flora opened her eyes wide.

She had expected praise, but Rudger’s response was different from her expectations.

“…Why?”

“Flora. I understand what you were thinking when you came here. But there was no need to do this. Your actions are rather inviting trouble.”

“Is it because it’s about my family?”

“Yes.”

Although Flora isn’t acknowledged by the Lumos family, she is still a member of Lumos.

“Flora. Your actions are too naive.”

What Flora just did could be seen as betraying her family.

If this news somehow reaches Kayden Lumos’ ears, Flora would be in danger.

Although he had only met Kayden once during the Magic Festival, Rudger knew that Kayden was more than capable of such things.

“Are you worried about me right now?”

However, contrary to Rudger’s rebuke, Flora showed slight happiness as a faint cat-like smile appeared on her lips.

“Flora. This isn’t something to take lightly. You don’t need to get involved.”

“No. This is my business too. Because it’s something our family did.”

“Your actions are no different from betraying your family.”

“How can there be betrayal in doing what’s right?”

Flora spoke boldly.

The old Flora would never have said such things but Flora had changed.

Whether Flora herself was aware of it or not, that’s what Rudger felt.

“Besides, you know how I’m treated in the family, Teacher Rudger.”

“…But conversely, you could have turned a blind eye. The Lumos family is, whatever else, where you were born and raised. You could have pretended not to see or know about it. No one would have blamed you for that.”

“Actually, at first, I considered doing that, as you said.”

Flora sighed softly and honestly revealed her thoughts.

“I mean, it’s something the family did, but it’s a place that practically abandoned me. Whatever they do has nothing to do with me. Rather, I don’t want to care about it.”

“Then why?”

“Because you taught me that I shouldn’t do that.”

“…You mean me?”

Rudger blinked in confusion.

No matter how much he thought about it, he couldn’t remember ever saying such things to Flora.

“You didn’t say it directly, but you showed it through your actions. Even if you don’t feel that way, that’s how I interpreted it.”

“Flora…”

“I’m happy that you’re worried about me, but at times like this, isn’t there something else you should say instead of such scolding words?”

“Something else?”

When Rudger asked out of genuine confusion, Flora narrowed her eyes and spoke as if urging him.

“You should say thank you.”

-Huh.

At Flora’s almost brazen words, Rudger unconsciously let out a small laugh but Flora’s intense gaze fixed on him wasn’t that of someone joking around.

“You’ve definitely changed from before.”

“I’ve grown. Thanks to someone.”

Rudger shrugged his shoulders as if admitting defeat.

“Yes. Thank you for your concern.”

“What’s that? I can’t feel your sincerity. It’s like you’re completely giving in.”

“I’m sincere about saying it was helpful.”

“Then can I ask for one favor?”

Rudger’s eyebrow twitched as if he hadn’t expected such words to suddenly come out.

Was this her aim?

“It’s nothing much. I just want to see Teacher Rudger’s familiar one more time.”

“My familiar?”

“Yes. I’ve summoned my familiar now too, but I still don’t know how to handle it. So I thought I might get some insight if I see yours.”

“…”

“Is it not possible?”

Rudger shook his head.

There was nothing particularly impossible about it, so he summoned his familiar as Flora wished.

[Aether Nocturnus]

A crow made of shadows appeared on Rudger’s shoulder.

The crow stared at Flora with its red eyes before turning to look at Rudger.

─Another woman this time?

Rudger deliberately ignored his familiar’s gaze.

Flora looked curiously at the familiar Rudger had summoned.

Her eyes saw the color of magical power, and her nose traced its lingering scent.

Smelling it again, Flora realized she hadn’t been mistaken.

This fragrance with deep richness wasn’t something easily forgotten.

That night, Rudger had moved secretly in the Silent Forest.

“Is that enough now?”

“Yes, that’s enough.”

But Flora didn’t show that she knew this, even though she did.

“Thanks to you, I think I’m getting some sense of it.”

“That’s good then.”

“Sorry for taking up your time when you’re busy. I’ll be going now.”

Flora got up from her seat with a bright smile.

After the visitor left, Rudger prepared to return to his work.

That is, if another visitor hadn’t arrived.

“…What brings you here?”

* * *

The Lumos duchy is located in the highlands north of the empire’s capital.

Though barren, its natural scenery remains pristine, making every view a picture-perfect scene, especially the view from the duke’s office window could truly be called spectacular.

Kayden Lumos took time every day to look at the duchy’s scenery.

It was a kind of habit born from repetitive behavior.

However, today there was an intruder in this peaceful time.

“Duke Kayden. What is the meaning of this?”

“…”

Kayden turned his gaze from the window and his cold eyes turned toward the visitor in his office.

“Didn’t you say that if we just did this, we would have Theon’s interests in our hands!”

Drachen Ranpartz, the chairman of Ranpartz.

Perhaps due to recent events, his complexion was gaunt.

His eyes were dark and bloodshot, as if he hadn’t been sleeping properly.

“Chairman Drachen Ranpartz. Why are you questioning me about that?”

“W-what did you say?”

“I merely gave advice. It was entirely your choice to act on those words, wasn’t it?”

Drachen’s eyes widened at those words.

In other words, according to Kayden, he had no responsibility in this matter and would remain silent.

“I-is that what you should be saying in this situation?! Don’t you know how close to the edge our Ranpartz Company is right now?!”

“Why should I know?”

“What…!”

Drachen was struck speechless by Kayden’s almost brazen response.

However, Drachen couldn’t argue any further and his clenched fist trembled.

“Duke Kayden. I prided myself on being quite close to you. Close enough to call us friends even.”

“Yes. I felt the same.”

“We shared many conversations. The benefits I’ve provided to the Lumos duchy are by no means small. This mansion! This office! There’s hardly a place here where my money hasn’t gone!”

“I’m grateful for that aspect as well.”

“And now you’re abandoning me!”

Even at Drachen’s cry full of resentment, Kayden barely responded.

He merely watched quietly with an empty gaze devoid of emotion to see what Drachen would say next.

That gaze made Drachen’s heart feel even more suffocated.

“Couldn’t you provide even a little help! At least if you could release a statement supporting us…”

“Why should I do that?”

“Because we’ve been allies since before…”

At those words, Kayden showed a reaction for the first time.

It was a sneer as cold as the north wind.

“An alliance is between equal parties who have something to give and take. But right now, Ranpartz doesn’t seem capable of that at all.”

“Are you going to abandon us now?”

Kayden nodded.

“You should have done better. You’re clearly the one who failed, so why are you speaking as if trying to shift the responsibility to me?”

“You were the one who encouraged it!”

Blood vessels bulged on Drachen’s neck.

He felt like he wanted to collapse right now, clutching the back of his neck.

Even though he was alive, it didn’t feel like living.

It was as if his soul had been sucked out.

“Wasn’t it your instruction to seize the interests when Theon’s weakness appeared?”

“That’s a misrepresentation. Chairman Drachen Ranpartz. We were equals until now, so how could there be any instructions given?”

Finally, Chairman Drachen Ranpartz had no choice but to kneel before Kayden.

“Your Grace. Please help us.”

“Just moments ago you were filled with resentment and anger, and now you’re kneeling and begging?”

“For the sake of our relationship until now, please help us. I’m not asking for much. Just a little would be enough.”

Drachen is the CEO and chairman of a major corporation.

Even though his counterpart was the head of one of the empire’s three grand ducal families, kneeling wasn’t something possible with ordinary resolve.

For the first time, he who always looked down on others was lowering his head.

However, Kayden wasn’t surprised by this sight.

He already knew why Drachen had no choice but to act this way, having heard the news.

‘I heard the rumors have already spread throughout the industry, and the stock price is plummeting.’

The problem was that the imperial family directly covered part of the funding gap created when various companies, including Ranpartz, withdrew their sponsorship.

That action was as good as implying that the imperial family supported Theon.

In other words, Ranpartz had taken a position opposite to the imperial family.

Although major corporations held great status in the empire, they still couldn’t compare to the imperial family.

‘Still, it’s not useless. We’ve discovered the new force secretly supporting Theon.’

There’s a street in Leathervelk that’s growing with terrifying momentum.

Rather than a single company, it’s a collection of various small business owners but Kayden knows that this union of small puzzle-like pieces of commoners was created by a single person.

‘The master of the Golden Street. Oliver.’

They were currently helping to bring down Ranpartz by actively short-selling Ranpartz’s stocks but they alone couldn’t bring down Ranpartz.

The difference in weight class couldn’t be ignored.

Nevertheless, Ranpartz’s situation was serious enough for Chairman Drachen to come personally to request help.

The reason was that another invisible giant had gotten involved.

‘Heiback Kadatushan. That cunning old man.’

That was exactly why Kayden didn’t immediately help Drachen.

That old man, who usually stayed quiet, had started helping Theon for some unknown reason.

* * *

“Am I somewhere I shouldn’t be?”

An elderly man with a pleasant appearance smiled slyly at Rudger.

Rudger silently stared at his counterpart, Heiback Kadatushan, one of the empire’s most prominent figures who had suddenly appeared as a visitor.