Smooth Sailing (2)

I was greeted by a sight I hadnt seen in a while when I opened the door to the student councils room: the student council officers were gathered around, deep in a meeting.

It wasnt the first time I had interrupted them, but I always felt sorry whenever it happened. It felt like I was intruding during their busiest times. Moreover, being met with the stares of seven people all at once always made me flinch for no reason.

Executive Manager.

Recognizing me as the visitor who had interrupted their meeting, the President quickly put on a smile and stood up.

I apologize for letting our esteemed guest see such an appearance.

No, Im the one who should be apologizing for the interruption.

Seeing the President take the blame made me feel even more embarrassed. Clearly, this was on me. Saying otherwise almost felt like rubbing salt in the wound.

However, the Presidents expression seemed so genuine that it was almost frightening. I even got the impression that hed apologize even if I were to slap him, saying that his cheek was in the way.

Its our fault for assembling despite knowing that the Executive Manager was coming.

Thats right. We were shortsighted.

The other officers quickly got up one by one, echoing the presidents sentiments.

These guys

I almost let out a chuckle after seeing their united front.

They had been like this ever since receiving their recommendation letters. While they used to fear me more, distributing those letters turned them into something like my followers. Considering that I had a hand in shaping their futures, I guess their gratitude made sense.

I wouldve felt the same.

Imagine a professor who, instead of abducting fresh graduates for grad school, helped them secure actual jobs. Anyone would probably be moved to tears in gratitude.

Im sorry.

Seeing their genuine happiness brought about a twinge of guilt. I wonder how long it would take for them to resent me.

Right now, I might appear to them as a hero for securing them a job without the need for an exam. But once they got worn down by the life of a civil servant, Id probably seem more like a devil.

However, the guilt was fleeting. These folks would have become civil servants with or without me; I simply made the process a bit smoother.

At least they gained something.

Moreover, the empire compensated its civil servants with wealth and honor in proportion to the hardships they endured. It wasnt completely one-sided exploitation.

The only issue was the lack of time to enjoy that wealth and honor. Damn it. My wealth keeps growing, and yet I hardly have any expenses.

Still, everyone should take their seats. I know you were busy with the meeting, but you have work to do.

Trying to suppress the bitterness, I waved my hand, and they gradually took their seats again. Theyre quite obedient.

Feeling an unexplainable satisfaction, I scanned the officers and locked eyes with Marghetta. She smiled and waved lightly, and I couldnt help but smile back.

Marghetta used to hold back in front of others, but now she didnt seem to care who was watching. It was as if she was saying, Im doing my job properly, so whats the issue?

How impressive.

Her straightforwardness was admirable. She was so unlike me, who always hesitated.

The meeting was actually just wrapping up.

I was quietly exchanging glances with Marghetta when the President chimed in smoothly.

Bullshit. It was clear that the meeting was far from over.

Well be leaving now.

But before I could say anything, the President led the other officers out.

But why are you leaving, too?

This is your office. What is a student council room without its president?

As I watched the six of them leave, the last boy to exit bowed politely before closing the door.

Who was he again? The Disciplinary Officer?

The Disciplinary Officer has been very grateful to you lately.

Upon hearing Marghettas subtle hint, I nodded. It was indeed the Disciplinary Officer. It felt relieving to hear that my memory hadnt failed me yet.

But why was he thankful to me?

Is that so? Well, I did distribute recommendation letters to everyone.

It would make sense for the Disciplinary Officer to be grateful if the gesture was exclusive to him, but I handed them out to everyone. There must be another reason for the special mention.

However, nothing specific came to mind. I wasnt exactly close with each officer personally.

Olivia joined the student council, remember?

As soon as I heard that, I remembered something. The Disciplinary Officer had indeed made significant efforts to recruit Olivia to the Disciplinary Committee.

Olivia was inseparable from Amelia, like a buy-one-get-one-free deal, so his efforts failed. It wasnt until I intervened and pushed them both into the student council that his dream was fulfilled.

So hes a collector.

He seemed like the type of person who couldnt let go of a talent until they had it.

I hadnt expected to find someone like that in the academy. Hed likely be the kind of person who would significantly contribute to a departments success once he secured a suitably high position.

Judging by his gratitude, they must be getting along well.

Thats right. Theyre getting along wonderfully.

Taking the conversation as an opportunity, I inquired about the well-being of the poverty-stricken sisters. The positive response was reassuring.

Good. Its a relief theyre doing well. The sight of them gnawing on raw turnips had been quite shocking.

Uh, Carl?

Yes?

Marghettas voice snapped me out of my thoughts, and I turned to see her looking intently at me.

No ones around right now.

It took a moment for the meaning of her words to sink in.

Good morning then, Mar.

Good morning, Carl.

Hopefully, my immediate embrace made up for the delay.

Seeing Marghetta smiling happily first thing in the morning promised a pleasant day ahead.

***

Looking at it now, it didnt seem like today was going to be a particularly pleasant day.

Whats with the look on your face, Executive Manager?

Its nothing. A bad memory just came to mind.

I considered ignoring the message from the Information Departments Executive Manager when it came through the communication crystal. If he contacted me first, it usually meant trouble.

This was strange. I definitely thought I had the buff of Marghettas smile today Or did that not matter? Trouble always seemed to find me regardless.

Regardless of my confusion, the Information Departments Executive Manager continued calmly.

The Five Pillars have managed to stabilize the situation. The downfall of the Dove faction wont repeat again.

Thats good to hear.

At least there was some positive news.

Despite the Hawk factions spectacular self-destruction after ousting the Doves, the Dove faction itself had already experienced a fall from grace. There was always the risk that theyd turn on each other over accountability issues, or the possibility that a new faction would emerge.

However, the Five Pillars weathered such dynamic developments and managed to make a comeback. Since they have been knocked down once, they would likely be more cautious in their external activities.

The Five Pillars are definitely finished.

With the attempted royal assassination exposed, the likelihood of the Five Pillars attempting to undermine the academy was virtually nil. Nevertheless, there was always that possibility. Now, that was no longer a concern.

Instead, theres trouble brewing elsewhere.

The Information Departments Executive Manager sighed, seemingly exasperated. Another problem erupted just as the most recent one was resolved. Isnt that just wonderful news?

Of course, I felt the same. This was simply absurd.

Which side is it now?

The Red Wave.

Just great.

That was the last answer I wanted to hear. Of the five organizations, what remained were the 5th Empire and the Red Wave. Their level of craziness seemed to pierce the heavens, perhaps because they were the last ones standing.

And if you were to ask which of the two was crazier, ninety-nine out of a hundred would point to the latterthe Red Wave or whatever it was called. They were a bunch of rabid revolutionaries.

Did they dream up another lunacy? Theyve been quiet for a while.

Indeed.

A collective sigh escaped us. Even the 5th Empire seemed reasonable compared to the Red Wave. That was how filled with pure madness the Red Wave was.

Initially, the 5th Empire consisted of those who wanted to succeed the Kefellofen Empire, advocating for Armein to become the new empire. They merely argued within the framework of heavens mandate and the sole empire set by the continents order. Their arguments were unrealistic, but all they did was provoke controversy.

On the other hand, the Red Wave had no regard for order. They denied the hierarchy of the continent and aimed to drench the land with the blue blood of monarchs and nobility. Even the 5th Empire would probably bristle if they were accused of being a part of the Red Wave.

As you know, the Red Wave operates through cell organizations, making it difficult to completely eradicate them. Catching one cell usually doesnt end it.

The Information Departments Executive Manager mentioned that they had managed to detect some activity among these cells.

Do we know their exact objective?

We do have an idea. One of their branches received orders just before it was subdued. We were fortunate.

The timing was indeed fortunate. Had they been a bit later, the orders might have already been destroyed. And had they been earlier, the branch would have been crushed before they even found it.

Create a blue lake, that seems to be their goal.

A blue lake?

Theyre likely targeting the imperial palace, the administration, or perhaps the academy. Thats what you get when the uneducated try to make metaphors.

I couldnt help but agree with the Information Departments Executive Managers contemptuous remark. The metaphor was too blatant. Why bother with a code if it was going to be this obvious?

How typical of the Red Wave.

Their delusion was to kill the nobles and create a lake of blue blood, being called the Red Wave themselves. They peculiarly avoided comparing the nobility to the sea.

Either way, creating a lake implied that they needed the death of many nobles. The only places that could make that happen were those mentioned by the Information Departments Executive Managerthe imperial palace, the empires administration, or the academy.

And the one with the highest probability was the academy, damn it.

I was going to wait for more detailed information, but I thought it best to inform you ahead of time since your location is also a potential target.

Thank you for the heads up.

After exchanging a few more pleasantries, we ended the call.

Red Wave, the Red Wave

The first semester brought the Third Honor. The Twilight Cult popped up before the vacation, while the Red Wave started to become active during the second semester.

Why is there one every season?

Of course, the self-destructing Five Pillars didnt count. Still, the regularity of these events was astonishing.

It seemed that they were being straightforward to avoid confusion. How thoughtful of them, in a messed-up way.

Is this what smooth sailing feels like?

At least there were no hidden variables in the chaos.

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