C201: Memory (2)
"Hmm. Did I hear wrong?"
Elisa immediately controlled her facial expression but couldn't hide the tremors in her eyes.
"You heard right. I want to be the director of the planning department."
However, Rudger had no intention of backing down.
Elisa couldn't believe that he was so confident and asked back.
"Mr. Rudger, do you know how important the position of director of the planning department is?"
"Isn't it the director of the planning department?"
"I was prepared to suffer considerable backslash just by pushing you into the planning department but you want a bigger position."
For the first time, the president's golden eyes narrowed. Her eyes, which were always bent with a smile, stretched thin and stared at Rudger like a sharp golden blade.
It was not obvious on the surface but her demonic eyes were affected by her emotional agitation and shone.
Rudger smirked inside, feeling a tickling sensation flowing over his skin.
'She's shaken.'
She made him a good offer but he wanted an even better one so it was normal for the president to be mad.
The power of her magical eye flowed naturally, clearly showing that she was very displeased.
"If you become the director of the planning department it wouldn't be strange if most teachers went on strike. You must not be aware of the impact that would cause."
The position of Director of the Planning Department is not currently vacant for nothing. Since the person in that position would have the authority to organize the internal budget of Theon.
As soon as someone tries to obtain that position, the opposing factions would stop him. As soon as even neutral forces enter the fight, all kinds of illegal favors and lobbying will become rampant. In that case, it was obvious that Theon's work would be paralyzed and the president wanted to avoid such a thing.
"Didn't the president say that? A person needs a position or reward that is worthy of his ability."
"…… Does that mean that Mr. Rudger has enough skills to take the position of Planning Director?"
Rudger took a sip of tea without saying a word as the president stared at him.
"Honestly."
-Thud.
The sound of a teacup crashing into a dish echoed and Rudger opened his mouth.
"The position of the director of the planning department is not satisfactory either."
At those words, President Elisa's eyebrows twitched. Magical power influenced by her emotions began to take over the surrounding space.
The table trembled and there was a big ripple on the calm teacup.
"Does that mean that you are rejecting my offer?"
She was the same as usual, but the feeling of intimidation felt quite different. It was like looking up at Mt. Tai in the distance.
If any teacher were to be brought in front of the president in her current state, they would not even be able to meet her eyes. A weak person won't even breathe properly.
However, even in the tension of an active volcano just before the eruption, Rudger was calm. It was a strange sight, as if a small boat was sailing leisurely in the center of the open sea where a typhoon was raging.
There is no doubt that the president is feared by everyone and is a wizard with great skills. However, he had come too far to be surprised by "things like this".
Rudger has been feeling pressure stronger than the president's for a long time.
"Didn't I tell you? I appreciate your suggestion."
"Then why……."
"Do you really think that I, the person you've seen so far, is a danger to Theon?"
"……It's a mystery. There's a possibility that all of that might be acting."
"Your answer makes you look hesitant unlike your always confident self."
Even though it would be hard to breathe due to the density of the mana emitted by the president Rudger replied with an unaffected face.
"I think I've shown enough faith in the president so far, more than anyone else."
"Yeah, I admit that. That's why I called you here."
"And I'm still trying to show that faith."
"……."
Elisa was right to be angry at Rudger's arrogant remarks but she was also lost in thought.
Even though he threatened him with her magic, Rudger was not afraid.
His tone of voice and the look in his eyes showed that he was confident so she couldn't help but think that there might be some kind of plan behind his actions.
"If you give me the position of planning director, you won't regret it."
"All right."
The president sighed softly and the mana storm from the terrace stopped.
"However, it is not something that can be given simply because Mr. Rudger asked for it. We need arguments that no one will dare to speak against."
"Yes, I know that."
Elisa raised the corners of her eyes as Rudger shamelessly nodded.
"Do you have a way to deal with the people's dissatisfaction?"
She seemed to ask casually but she was sure Rudger had a plan.
"What would you do if I did?"
"It won't work the normal way since they'll attack you from everywhere. If you were a planning and evaluation officer, I would be able to protect you somehow."
"The director position cannot be obtained so easily."
"Exactly. You're going to be the ruler of a department where you can sway other teachers' evaluations so they will be even more wary. Besides, you haven't even worked here for a year."
The vacancy of the planning director position was also a symbol of peace since the moment someone takes over the balance will collapse.
"The administration, support, and research departments cannot be ignored, but the planning department is different. If you really want to do it you have to show results that can't be contested or else you won't last long."
"Results?"
"Yes, results that not only Theon but other institutions will have to pay attention and acknowledge."
"For example……."
"Oh, for your information, the source code won't be enough."
The source code was obviously a great magic and rumors spread already. Although its principles weren't known yet it was acknowledged by the magic world so it won't cause a big impact anymore.
"In the first place, you said that the source code would be given to students according to the test results, right? From the point of view of other wizards, the information will be released on its own over time, so there is no need to fret."
"That's certainly true."
"But it will be very difficult for you to show something else. Although the magic square was surprising it's not enough either. What about the coordinate designation magic you showed?"
"That won't work. It will be very hard to use even if I reveal it."
"Then I don't think there's any particular way to do it."
The president's voice contained even a little disappointment.
"Why do you think there is no way?"
"Then does Mr. Rudger want to say that there is another way? A magic that will heat up the magic world?"
"Yes."
The president opened his eyes wide at his words.
"……Really?"
"It's not a lie."
"What is it? Can you tell me what it is?"
"Since we're on the same boat anyway, I can tell you."
Rudger raised his hand and cast a sound blocking spell around them. It was a way to prevent anyone from eavesdropping.
Rudger opened his mouth in silence, but no one other than Elisa could hear him.
"───."
As soon as she heard him, the president's eyes, which were full of doubts, widened to the point of tearing and even her poker face cracked.
"What do you think? I think that's enough."
"……It's enough. Maybe it'll be even grander than the 5th Magic Revolution."
"It's not enough to name it so grandly, but I'm just grateful that you rate it like that."
He was too modest and calm for someone who has brought up that idea and at this point, the president had no choice but to have a question.
"Is there anything else? Looking at Mr. Rudger's behavior now, it seems that you still have a lot to hide."
"Yes, there is."
"……Really?"
"You won't believe it even if I tell you anyway."
"……."
The president mumbled his lips a few times to say something.
"I'm curious, but I won't ask. That will also be the foundation of Mr. Rudger."
"Thank you for your understanding."
"……."
In response to the slightly brazen answer, the president glanced at Rudger with a sulky gaze.
"Yes, yes. There's no way you would be so calm without having anything under your sleeve."
"I had no intention of hiding this for the rest of my life. It's just that I had no opportunity until now. However, since I have a chance, I plan to actively use it."
"Hmm."
The president gave a suspicious look, but she couldn't see through his intentions.
"Then, just announce 'it' and everything will go easily."
"Yes, but you will need a period of preparation to publish a thesis and research results in the magic world."
"That's right. We need to show that the new approach works and that would take at least six months."
At that, Rudger shook his head.
"We don't have to wait six months. I can do it faster than that."
"How long will it take?"
"A week is enough."
"……Are you serious?"
Elisa clenched her fists without realizing it.
In fact she made a lot of concessions when she said six months but Rudger only asked for a week so she couldn't get rid of the idea that Rudger was making fun of her.
"……Wouldn't that be dangerous? If you make a mistake the aftereffects will be great."
"That's not going to happen. It's just that it will cost a lot of money."
"You don't have to worry about that. I can give you as much research funds as you want. What else do you need my help with?"
"I'd appreciate it if you could arrange a position for me so that I could hire people to prove this theory."
"Who will you hire?"
"Good students will have the most noticeable effect."
Rudger took the initiative as soon as he saw the president's expression change.
"There will be no aftereffects. I know you don't trust me, so I'll send the data to the president separately. You can read it and decide for yourself if it's dangerous or not."
"……What if I don't like it?"
"You can reject it. If that is your judgment, I am willing to accept it. The final approval is ultimately under the authority of the president."
"……."
When she said this, the president had no choice but to agree with him.
"All right, let's do that first."
"Yes, I will send you the data as soon as possible."
It seemed that the conversation ended with this and Rudger was about to rise from his seat when the president opened her mouth.
"By the way, Mr. Rudger."
"Yes."
"What is your real identity?"
This time she spoke straightforwardly and Rudger replied after a moment of hesitation.
"I was a prince."
"What?"
The president glared at Rudger.
"Get out."
"I will."
Rudger left the terrace with a light bow while the president who was looking at his back grumbled.
"If you don't want to tell me, say no. How can you make such a lame joke?"
* * *
Less than half a day after Rudger's departure, a bundle of data was posted in the president's office.
'This fast?'
It was as if he had prepared in advance because he knew it would be like this.
The president immediately looked at the materials sent by Rudger.
Elisa read the data with eyes of doubt and distrust. As soon as she found any loopholes she was going to firmly reject it.
'The handwriting is very neat and clean.'
It is said that a person's handwriting is influenced by the it's inclination, but what about Rudger?
The president's expression gradually hardened as he read through the material while thinking such silly thoughts.
When she turned all the pages and finished the material the president read the book one more time from cover to cover to review it.
'Again!'
After reading it five times she burst into laughter.
She laughed so hard that she even had tears in her eyes and after the laughter died down, the president took out her seal and stamped it on the document.
[Approved]
* * *
The next morning on the bulletin board in the central hallway, students gathered and were talking about something.
"Huh? Why are they all gathered there?"
Aidan became interested in the unusually crowded bulletin board today. At this moment, his sensor of intellectual curiosity toward magic responded as if lightning had been plugged in.
Aidan managed to squeeze through the students and looked at the bulletin board.
"……… Huh?"
He saw a notice that appeared to have just been posted this morning.
[Announcement to recruit participants for clinical research]
Clinical trials to assess the effectiveness of maximizing the wizard's mana emission.
Anyone over 15 years old.
However, the following persons are not allowed to participate.
Persons with a history of ▸ respiratory, circulatory, endocrine, blood disease or other chronic diseases.
▸Persons with a history of gastrointestinal surgery that can affect the absorption of drugs.
If you participate, you can get a mana check-up without any additional cost, and a large number of compensation fees will be paid.
It was a recruitment announcement for a study that would increase mana emission. However, what caught the students' attention the most was the name written under the notice.
Contact Rudger Chelici, a second-grade teacher.
"Increasing the amount of mana emitted……?"