r18novel Chapter 22: The Principal's Work
Chapter 22: The Principal's Work
Early in the morning, the auditorium of La Noah Magic University was unusually lively, as many professors from various colleges gathered there to discuss recent events.
"Quiet, please be quiet." As the vice principal, the water magician Genius had to raise his staff and tap the ground to quiet everyone down.
The reason is simple: today is not only the school's annual staff meeting, but also a significant event recently occurred in the Kingdom of Lanoa: the King passed away.
With the death of the old king, Prince Edward, who was not favored by the throne, became the new king. Most professors were unaware of the series of power struggles taking place in the shadows, but they were all very worried about what the new king would do.
As its name suggests, Lanoa Magic University is located within the Kingdom of Lanoa. Although it was jointly established by the three magical kingdoms of the north, it is actually most influenced by the Kingdom of Lanoa. It can be said that a large portion of the school's funding comes from the Kingdom of Lanoa. As a result, even the slightest change in the Kingdom of Lanoa will affect the entire school.
Before his ascension to the throne, King Edward had absolutely no connection with La Noah Magic University. On the contrary, in the professors' minds, it was the former crown prince who valued the university more, having visited him three or four times already…
But who could have imagined that it wouldn't be him who ultimately ascended the throne, but his younger brother?
The worried professors gathered here were naturally concerned about future changes. Whether it was a reduction in aid funds or some difficulties, it would be enough to give these professors a hard time.
As the vice-principal, Genius was naturally aware of the situation... but compared to these chaotic professors, he felt more helpless.
He looked at the empty principal's seat and sighed helplessly, then tapped the ground with the bottom of his cane again.
"Quiet down, everyone!" After he said this countless times, the professors finally quieted down a little.
Seeing that they had quieted down for the moment, Genus coughed and said, "Today is the day of... the professors' meeting of Lanoa Magic University... therefore, we must discuss the various tasks of the school as the new semester begins."
"Vice Principal Genas..." He had only said a few words when a professor raised his hand and asked, "Where is Principal Sylvania?"
"Is she still not attending this year's conference?"
Her question immediately caused an uproar among the professors in the audience.
"Given such a huge problem this year, why isn't the principal coming?"
"Does she even care about this school or about us anymore?"
"Not attending meetings for four consecutive years—isn't that a bit too much for the principal?"
"Is Principal Sylvania still alive? I haven't seen her in so long!"
Looking at the chaotic scene with the professors, Genius was extremely annoyed. He kept pounding the ground and shouting, "Quiet! Quiet down!"
"This is a professors' meeting, not Sharia's magic item shop. Everyone, be quiet!"
"Are you all still professors at the Magic University?!"
Thanks to his efforts, the meeting could only be said to have barely returned to calm.
But still, the professors all stared at Genius, seemingly hoping to get some explanation from him.
Principal Sylvania is really something... He took a deep breath, unable to help but feel a little resentful. The only time the principal had written to him in the past year was about asking him to make an exception and admit a student...
He was at a loss as to how to explain this to the professors.
After thinking for a few seconds, he coughed and said, "Anyway... the principal is still alive, so everyone can rest assured."
"..."
His answer left the professors looking at each other in bewilderment, and then he continued, "And then...and then I learned from the principal about the school's important plans for the new year."
Actually, it wasn't from the headmaster. After the first year, Catherine had already told Genius that he would be in charge of the meeting... She would only participate in important moments...
This means that, apart from the occasional "airdrop" order, most of the time this so-called Principal Du plan was something that Genius made up himself...
He was paid the salary and title of vice principal, but in reality, he lived the same life as a principal.
Genius sighed and said, "In the new year, the principal hopes we will continue to work hard, unite and strive to take Lanoa Magic University to new heights... Looking back on the past year, we have accomplished..."
Such bureaucratic rhetoric immediately angered the professors in the audience. In normal years, this might be understandable, but given the magnitude of the events that had occurred in the Kingdom of Lanoa, such a response was clearly insufficient.
So the professors started discussing it again.
"What on earth is the principal doing?"
"Is her mind really on school?"
"Has Ginas managed to sideline the principal?"
I actually wish I had completely sidelined the principal… Upon hearing this, Genius felt a pang of bitterness… He was responsible for all sorts of school affairs, but when it came to rewarding merit, everyone only remembered the principal's leadership…
"The vice principal has it so easy. He just has to hand things over to the principal, while the principal has to think about so much more..."
Genius had heard this more than once... Even though he handled most of the negotiations himself, he still needed the principal's approval in the end.
If the principal nods, it means the principal is doing a good job; if the principal shakes his head... it means the vice principal hasn't done his job well.
Looking at the professors before him, Genius finally understood what it meant for a vice-principal to be inferior to an ordinary professor...
Just as the discussion in the auditorium was getting heated, the auditorium door was suddenly opened.
With a soft "click," everyone instinctively stopped their discussion and looked at the door.
Even Genius looked surprised.
Is the principal here?
He looked towards the entrance to the auditorium, but instead of the principal, he saw a somewhat awkward girl with blue braids.
"Loki Migludia?" Genus frowned as he looked at her. "This isn't a place for a student like you..."
Of course, the most important thing is that it would be terrible if the students saw the professors making such a fool of themselves.
"Um... Vice Principal Genas." Loki pursed her lips and held up an envelope: "This is a letter from Principal Sylvania to you."
"A letter from the principal?"
"The principal isn't willing to come in person?"
"The principal only writes letters or something?"
"She really doesn't care about school!"
"Are we supposed to cower in a time like this?!"
Upon seeing that Catherine had only sent a letter regarding work, the professors immediately began to discuss their discontent, their voices so loud that Lokishi could hear them clearly.
What are these professors... what are they talking about?! The teacher is clearly working very hard... working, right?
Today, he said he was going to the royal palace of the Kingdom of Lanoa, so he specially sent me to deliver the letter... Is that what they think of the teacher?
Loki immediately showed her displeasure. She pursed her lips, raised her wand and flicked it. A huge ball of water shot into the air and then exploded under the ceiling of the auditorium. Amidst the cursing of all the professors, a downpour swept through the entire auditorium.
"Teacher hasn't forgotten...forgotten the school!" Loki shouted. "Teacher has gone to the Lanoa Palace to...to discuss the school with the new king!"
"You can't slander your teacher like that!"
"..." Luo Qixi's imposing aura silenced the professors, who then exchanged bewildered glances...
"Did the headmaster go to the La Noa Palace?"
"Really?"
"How can I not believe it..."
Are you lying?
After a brief silence, the professors began questioning her again. It was clear that Catherine's credibility was so low that even having someone endorse her was of little use.
"Who are you to speak up for her like this?"
"You're not only being so considerate of her because you're both demons, are you?"
"You two aren't having any shady dealings, are you?"
"What nonsense are you talking about!" Luo Qixi immediately blushed and retorted, "What unfair deal or anything like that!"
"I'm the principal's student! Don't talk nonsense!"
What an embarrassment... Genius felt utterly humiliated standing on the platform... It was one thing for a group of professors to discuss the leadership, but then the students overheard them, and to make matters worse... they even got into an argument with the students.
Just as Genius was about to cough, seeing Lokishi arguing heatedly with the professors, the auditorium door was suddenly pushed open again.
"Pat...pat..."
At first, no one noticed the door being pushed open, but as the cold aura drew closer, all the professors subconsciously stopped what they were doing and stared stiffly at the doorway.
"Principal Sylvania..."
Looking at that short but unusually cold figure, all the professors subconsciously shrank back... Just a moment ago they were indignant, but after seeing the principal himself, they immediately became obedient.
"You guys are having quite a lively discussion here," Catherine said calmly. Her face was hidden by her hood, so her expression was not visible, and her words were also flat... Only the coldness in them made the professors shudder.
"Teacher!" Upon seeing her appear, Luo Qixi quickly raised her staff and walked to her side.
"Hmm." After exchanging a glance with Loki, Cinderella slowly said, "That's why I said you're a fool..."
"What's the point of arguing with these idiots?"
"Hmm!"
When Catherine spoke, the entire auditorium fell silent. No professor seemed to care about what she said... but Loki seemed a little flustered. She pursed her lips and looked at the teacher with some surprise that the teacher would be so direct.
Genus knew why no one dared to speak up... After all, it wasn't like no professor had stood up and confronted Sidrin in the first year... and the result was that he, as the Fire King, was defeated in the duel without even touching Sidrin's robes...
Then he left the school looking dejected... It was because of this incident that Genius became the vice principal.
Therefore, he has a vivid memory of what happened five years ago...
Without saying anything more to Loki, Cinderella slowly walked to the principal's seat and sat down. Then, looking at Genius, she said, "You've worked hard, Genius... I'll chair today's meeting."
"Yes... Principal." Genus looked at Cideline with resentment in his eyes... Why didn't you come to the meeting sooner... Do you enjoy watching me suffer here?
Cidelyn turned her face slightly away from his gaze, instead focusing her attention on the other professors present: "I already know about what you're talking about."
"This morning... I went to the royal palace of the Kingdom of Lanoa... and just returned."
Catherine's icy voice echoed throughout the auditorium, and all the professors dared not utter a sound.
"As for the specifics... you'll all know in a few days," Cidelyn said slowly. "I'll just keep it brief... and talk about things related to the school."
"King Edward I is willing to increase funding for schools by 40 percent starting this year."
"!"
Catherine's words left all the professors present looking astonished.
Forty percent is a huge amount!
And such a huge sum of money actually came from a king who had no prior connection with the school?
This was something that surprised and was hard to imagine for anyone, including Genius.
He looked at Catherine almost immediately, trying to confirm the truth from her expression.
However, it's quite obvious that it's still too difficult to deduce anything from her expression.
But if this news is true... it would be a fantastic thing no matter what.
And Principal Sylvania, who rushed to the capital this morning, is undoubtedly... the biggest contributor.
"Long live Principal Sylvania!" a professor suddenly shouted.
Following his lead, the other professors also started shouting.
To Loki's astonishment, the professors who had just been eager to devour her suddenly became incredibly submissive, constantly praising Cinderella's achievements, which Loki found somewhat eerie.
"That's why I said... that's just how humans are." Sidlin raised an eyebrow at Loki: "As long as there's profit to be made... they'll say anything you want to hear."
As she spoke, Catherine slowly got up and walked to Ginas's side.
"Principal?" When she saw her walk to his side, Genius subconsciously thought that there was some kind of arrangement.
Catherine simply asked, "How was Miss Lanleta's performance?"
"Ah..." Genus's expression turned strange upon hearing this: "What do you think, Principal?"
"Graduation shouldn't be a problem, right?"
"Probably not..."
"I understand now." Cidelyn nodded gently and walked quickly towards the exit of the hall, but after only a few steps, she seemed to remember something and quickly came back.
"Ginas".
"headmaster?"
"You did a great job last year... Your salary will increase by 20 percent this year."
"Ah... thank you, Principal."
As Cinderella walked away, Genius was filled with emotion.
That's why I'm still willing to keep working despite having so many complaints... because, I have to admit, the principal really does pay a lot...
Not only that, she was like a saint without any desires. Apart from her own salary, Genus had never seen her take a single penny from the school's funds.
All my thoughts eventually came down to one sentence: Principal Sylvania is truly virtuous.
As soon as they stepped out of the hall, Catherine reached out and picked up Princess Loki.
"Hey, teacher...?"
"We have urgent business to attend to at Lanoa Palace..." Cidelyn said succinctly, "so we have to hurry."
"Urgent...urgent matter? Lanoa Palace?" Before Loki could react, Cinderella had already spread her wings and taken flight.
Amidst the howling wind, Catherine said slowly, "We still have to attend the King's coronation ceremony."
"Now...now?!"
"Now."