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"You've made quite a show."
Elisa called Rudger into her office and said those words.
However, despite her reproachful tone, her expression looked different.
It wasn't her usual pretentious smile but a smile infused with pure joy.
"How was it?"
"How was it? Thanks to you, it's become quite troublesome. The existing major investors in Seron have suddenly turned their backs on us. There's already a commotion outside."
"Is that so?"
"Moreover, because of that, the reporters, who used to be friendly, are now swarming around, pestering me. I am quite exhausted."
"What did you tell the reporters?"
"What else could I say? I simply stated the truth. I told them that a generous donor had become a new investor. It was quite a sudden change in many ways."
Rudger nodded in response.
"So, how are you feeling?"
"I feel like I'm flying."
This time, it wasn't a formal statement as the principal, but rather a statement as a human named Elisa.
"It's not surprising, considering how those who have been trying to manipulate and shake Seron from the outside are now left speechless. Can there be a more refreshing outcome than sweeping them away in one stroke?"
"I'm glad to see you happy."
Rudger replied with courtesy, and Elisa stared at him intently.
With her hands resting on her chin, her golden eyes sparkled, more radiant and different than usual.
"Hmm, it's truly fascinating."
"What do you mean?"
"Mr. Rudger, how old are you?"
"I'll turn 27 this year. Is there any problem?"
"That's why it's surprising. Your actions make you seem like someone who's already reached their forties."
She wasn't saying it to mock or make empty remarks.
Rudger's demeanor was on a different level than someone of his age.
Was it talent? Or another realm of expertise?
Elisa was initially cautious about it.
She knew that the more exceptional the abilities of an unidentified opponent, the more powerful they could be like a time bomb waiting to explode.
Elisa didn't easily trust people.
It was the same before she became the principal, and even more so after taking the position.
However, the dedicated demeanor that Rudger had shown so far managed to wash away even Elisa's suspicions.
Of course, Elisa hadn't completely let go of all her guard.
But during the course of maintaining this business relationship, she was certain she could trust and rely on the other party's abilities.
'Hmm, it's a shame. If only his shady background was a bit cleaner, I could trust him a little more.'
Rudger already held a significant position, but what Elisa had in mind was beyond that.
The position of the Planning Director was one of the best positions at Seron.
With Rudger's abilities, he could go beyond that.
'For example, the position of the next principal of Seron.'
Rudger was young and capable. He didn't live for his own desires and also had a heart for his students.
Although he denied it himself, Elisa's eyes couldn't be deceived.
The uncertainty of his identity and the fact that he was involved with criminals were variables and obstacles.
But even with those aspects, he was a perfect person to the point where they didn't become flaws.
'The issue is the disguised identity, but if you don't get caught, does it really matter? If you don't get caught, then it's not a disguise, but your true identity, isn't it?'
As the principal of Seron, such thoughts were not allowed.
Rudger was indeed a suitable person as her successor.
'Of course, I'm still young and not someone who can retire easily.'
Elisa had a dream.
To hand over her position to someone she could trust and retire to live her life.
Even after stepping down as the principal of Seron, she would still be a Lexerer-grade magician and be treated well wherever she went.
However, Elisa rejected even that dream.
She wanted to live quietly, leaving her job behind and enjoying the life of a wealthy unemployed person with the money she had saved.
Of course, she would be lonely by herself, so she also thought about meeting a good man and getting married.
But even that was difficult. It was a dream that couldn't come true without someone who could match Elisa's high standards.
That's often how dreams are, aren't they?
Deep within Elisa's heart lay an unattainable dream, locked away in a precious treasure chest buried alongside the stone that symbolized her very heart.
Hoping that someday she could retrieve it again.
Lately, however, that dream seemed to resurface from the depths of the sea, raising its head.
It was all because of the man in front of her.
Elisa envisioned a life where she would hand over the position of principal to Rudger and retire.
She was a little uncertain.
Or maybe she should just get married?
Elisa's gaze suddenly became sharp, like a fierce beast.
Rudger trembled unknowingly.
"...?"
Rudger was taken aback by the sudden chill.
What's going on? Is the master planning some strange things again?
Considering her unpredictable nature, there was a high possibility.
"Mr. Rudger, do you have any marriage plans?"
"......Could you please repeat that?"
Rudger thought he misheard for a moment and asked for clarification.
Elisa, realizing she had inadvertently revealed her true intentions, swiftly altered her words.
"I meant to ask if you have any plans in general."
"If it's about plans...."
"Well, you know. While having new investors can be beneficial, it's not easy for the nesting hyenas to accept them so readily."
"Indeed, that's understandable."
When Rudger agreed, Elisa inwardly let out a sigh of relief.
She had successfully diverted the topic naturally.
"The hyenas, always wanting more and never satisfied with what they already had, finally opened their eyes and realized that their very existence was being threatened. This realization drove them to desperation. Deep down they know it's their own fault . Because of that they are remaining silent for now"
"You're saying they will keep trying until the end."
"That's right. They will come to Seron in person to propose a insidious deal."
"They're shameless."
"Yes, they are shameless. That's why I'm here. Mr.Rudger, you need to understand that. The hyenas who are eyeing Seron don't feel any shame about their actions."
"I understand to some extent."
Rudger had seen human desires a lot.
People who thought what they already had was not enough and wanted to seize more.
Because of their desires, powerless commoners were taken away and trampled on.
"But don't worry. If they come, I will give them a good scare and drive them away."
"You don't have to do that. It would be better if you hand them over to me."
"What?"
"After all, this is something that our planning department, which is responsible for the budget, should handle. So if they want to complain about something, it make sense that they should come to me, not to the principal."
"Do you think those people will be able to tolerate that?"
They were the ones who had been providing a large amount of funding to Seron until recently.
Now, instead of the principal, they were being instructed to meet a new planning director who had barely been in the role for a year. It was a situation that inevitably bruised their pride.
"If they can't tolerate it, what can they do?"
Rudger's answer was simple yet satisfying.
So what if they complain?
After all, we are the ones currently holding the initiative.
"Well, that's true. Well, those who feel regret should lower their heads. Then I will trust and rely on you."
"I'm quite annoyed at their low behaviour, so I won't tolarete it."
"If that's what you say, I feel more assured."
After bidding farewell to Elisa, Rudger left the president's office.
However, before he went outside, he asked Elisa subtly.
"Principal."
"Yes. Is there something else you're curious about?"
"Do you have any marriage plans?"
"......!"
Elisa's eyes widened, and her lips twitched slightly at Rudger's words.
At the same time, she realized that Rudger had heard her slip of the tongue earlier.
Her cheeks blushed slightly.
"Well... It's not something you wouldn't understand considering your age."
Elisa shouted back at Rudger, who nodded as if understanding.
"That's not what it is!"
* * *
Rudger told Elisa that if someone comes from the investors, they should all be redirected to him.
It didn't take long for a guest to arrive.
He came straight to the planning department to meet Rudger.
The employees were perplexed by his appearance, but they naturally guided him to where Rudger was.
It was because Rudger had mentioned that such a person might come in advance.
The guest who came from Ranpaltz Enterprise, Mordo Anderson, stared at the man sitting in front of him with determination.
Despite his visit, the man had not taken his eyes off the document he had been working on a little while ago.
It was unclear if he had any interest in acknowledging his presence.
'A guest has arrived, and you don't even respond?'
Moreover, who he was.
He was from Ranpaltz, a giant corporation that is counted among the top in the Exilion Empire.
It was absurd for a person from the academy to treat a guest who came from there so dismissively.
And Mordo was already boiling with anger because of this incident.
He may not have been the person in charge of everything, but he was not a low-ranking person either.
Such treatment was absolutely unacceptable.
"What are you doing right now...?"
Just as Mordo was about to reproach Rudger, Rudger raised his index finger.
Shh...
A gesture to be quiet.
Mordo had to get angry at such an absurd behavior, but he couldn't.
Unintentionally, he found himself closing his mouth.
Rudger's demeanor, who didn't even spare a glance in his direction, had an indescribable aura of intimidation.
Mordo, who had intended to pour out all sorts of complaints the moment they met, silently observed Rudger instead.
Rustle. Rustle.
The only sound that echoed periodically in the quiet space was the flipping of documents by Rudger.
Mordo felt as if he was being possessed by a ghost.
At that moment, when the document verification seemed to be over, Rudger placed the stack of documents on one side of the desk.
"So, what brings you here during such a busy time?"
The moment Mordo heard Rudger's voice, as if he had been released from hypnosis, his mind returned to its original state.
He opened his mouth, recalling the purpose of his visit.
"Rudger Chelsea, Planning Director. Are you the person in charge of this matter?"
"Yes, I am responsible for managing the sponsorship budget and list of investors for projects."
As Rudger easily agreed, Mordo pursed his lips.
"what did you do? How did our Ranpaltz disappear from the list of sponsors?"
"Why are you asking me that? Didn't Ranpaltz expressed their intention to withdraw from sponsorship recently?"
Rudger stared at Mordo with eyes as calm as a serene lake.
"But you suddenly come here and get angry like this, I simply can't understand."
"When did we say we were going to withdraw? We just proposed a slight change in the conditions!"
"Yes, and if we didn't agree to those conditions, you said you would withdraw as sponsors. And we have decided not to comply with those conditions. Do you understand now?"
"Even so, is it acceptable to handle such a big issue arbitrarily? Don't we have procedures, don't we have protocols?"
Ranpaltz had no intention of convincing Rudger from the beginning.
They had planned to force their way and try to cover up this incident as if it never happened.
Rudger read their blatant intentions and sneered.
The principal had said that they would try to persuade him through cunning means, but that was wrong.
They were even more brazen than he had anticipated.
"And what about the sponsor you brought in? Bringing a poor street beggar, who knows where he came from...!"
If he left it like this, it seemed that he would lose his composure and continue to make a fuss.
Rudger immediately intervened.
"Be quiet."
"What, what? What are you saying right now...?"
"I said be quiet."
An authoritative statement that even suppressed any formality.
Mordo pursed his lips and then twisted his face.
"What kind of manners are those towards a guest...!"
"That's something I should say. Coming to someone who is busy with their work and making a loud fuss, isn't that an extreme lack of courtesy that even we can't overlook?"
Rudger gestured towards Mordo.
"Even distinguished guests should maintain decorum in this establishment. Yet, you fail to do so and raise your voice here?"
A palpable aura emanated from his body, gradually permeating the space.
"Did you think Seron would be a joke?"
Blue sparks flickered in Rudger's eyes.
"If you wanted to meet me, you should have had the chairman come, not someone like you."