Chapter 463 - The Path in Berliza
At Saint Emeralda Girls' Academy, the Magic Doll Club.
We emerged victorious in the All-Berliza Federated Kingdom Magic Doll Championship, standing atop the hierarchy of many clubs.
And it wasn't just a win, but an overwhelming victory. It was that kind of victory.
As champions in a highly popular competition in the northern continent, we naturally drew a lot of attention.
Moreover, being a prestigious old girls' school added to the spotlight. Our victory came after overcoming several scandals and significant rule changes within the Federation. There was no way we wouldn't attract attention.
While our school has had its share of disturbances in the past, this time, winning the main tournament brought a different kind of attention. Not just from those in the magic doll community, but from the general public as well.
We found ourselves in the limelight overnight.
With such a triumphant return of the champions, there had to be some celebration.
We didn't have anything special when we won the preliminary rounds, but this time, it was different. With the world watching, it became a matter of pride, and of course, a fitting ceremony was held.
The final day of the tournament was a holiday, so the Headmistress and other faculty members, along with interested students, were in the audience.
After the closing ceremony, there was time to share our joy with these school affiliates and the families of the students. I was able to give a perfect report to the Headmistress, who was pleased. It felt good to have done well.
The next day at the academy, a ceremony we had prepared in advance took place.
As a prestigious institution, the event required the presence of several dignitaries and media.
As the Advisor and club members, we received words of praise from the Headmistress and other dignitaries in front of a large audience. In the upper echelons, such recognition can be very beneficial, and I expected it to have a positive impact on my future endeavors.
I also hoped it would be good news for those who had supported us behind the scenes.
Looking back, when I first arrived, the club was not at all expected to achieve much.
Its glory days were long gone, and the current state was far from impressive. But it has come a long way.
The challenge now is to continue this success, but I've already taken the necessary steps, so further involvement won't be necessary.
Having completed my task, I felt incredibly relieved.
After wrapping up the public duties, I visited the Headmistress's office once more.
The Headmistress, who initially seemed like a rather unpleasant woman, turned out to be unexpectedly kind, and I've grown used to the surprising contrast.
"I cannot express enough gratitude to Evilbanshee-sensei."
"I simply delivered the results as promised."
My work at the academy can be summed up in two main tasks.
The first mission was to restore discipline.
When I arrived, the academy was a chaotic place, and I had to enforce strict rules.
I dealt with truancy, bullying, and even drug trafficking. The situation was truly dire.
I even had to confront a gang in the city and ended up clashing with Badoo Lot, a group known for their curse magic.
Through this process, I met and formed good relationships with the Bluecoats, the Intelligence Department, and Anastasia Union.
Especially unforgettable is the incident where my left eye was cursed and turned into a Magic Eye, an event that will forever be etched in my memory.
It led to a major incident involving the church, where undead creatures, thought to be extinct for ages, began appearing across the continent, causing a stir.
Simultaneously, we faced invaders from outside the continent, the Gulgandi, and had to battle the multitude of undead they controlled.
Reflecting on it, it all started with the mission to restore discipline at the academy, which spiraled into something far greater.
Ultimately, the restoration of discipline was achieved by reforming the Student Council, which had been involved in various nefarious activities. I transformed them into a body that could self-regulate the students.
Specifically, we established a system where the Public Morals Committee, with significant authority, could resolve issues without relying on faculty members. It's a system that relies on the people running it, and I have high hopes for it.
"You are too modest. You were recommended by the Leader herself. I did not expect you to achieve such complete results in such a short time. I thought showing some progress and a clear path forward would be sufficient."
It was strange to hear that. I had just accepted the role of a teacher to protect my little sister, but it turned out that I was supposed to take on these tasks.
While it ended well, it was a bit of a ridiculous situation.
"I intended to deliver results if I was going to do the job. However, I can be quite forceful. Without the Headmistress's support and groundwork, it's hard to say what would have happened. In the end, the students were excellent."
"The reform of the academy, led by the Student Council, has received excellent reviews. Other schools are facing similar issues, so they are eager to learn from our approach. We've received requests for tours and lectures."
"That... is quite a lot of responsibility."
The results are good, but the process involved many things that can't be openly discussed.
For instance, the Student Council had been dealing with drugs, and the faculty uncovered this and used it as leverage... such details can't be shared.
"People will always ask about the specifics, so half the story will be made up. But by simply telling the story, we can win favors. As Headmistress, I consider it part of my job."
Most people won't question a plausible story, especially when it's told by a dignitary.
"You have a good approach."
"And then there's the Magic Doll Club. No one could have predicted that it would win the national championship."
"That was thanks to the hard work of the students. If they hadn't been motivated, my efforts wouldn't have mattered."
I've told them this before: the credit goes to the students. If they hadn't been dedicated, none of my efforts would have mattered.
Of course, I played my part, but it was ultimately their enthusiasm and hard work that made the difference.
This was my second mission: revitalization.
The Magic Doll Club at Saint Emeralda Girls' Academy had once been a powerhouse, and its resurgence was the second order. Reflecting on it, it was quite a journey.
I remember my first visit to the club room.
It was club activity time, but instead of practice, the students were sitting around, drinking tea and chatting.
The lack of motivation was evident, and the primary reason was the outdated Magic Dolls they used, passed down for two generations.
With overly complicated rules and a historical grudge, even a wealthy school like ours couldn't afford new, high-performance equipment. This led to a vicious cycle where they lost matches and lost motivation. That's how they described it at the time.
To me, it sounded like childish excuses.
Chasing out the complainers and asserting my authority through sheer force was a challenging but nostalgic phase.
"On behalf of the academy, I thank you, Evilbanshee-sensei."
I was caught off guard by her sincere gratitude.
Just how much does she really know?
A person like me, a criminal, shouldn't receive such genuine thanks. It would mean acknowledging a debt, and criminals always collect on their debts with high interest.
I am no different. If I see an opportunity to exploit this Headmistress, I will.
But she isn't as naive as one might think. She's from a ducal family in Berliza, and her role as Headmistress in a school full of high-society girls comes with considerable power and connections.
She's not someone to be underestimated.
"I've benefited from your support too, so it's mutual. Let's see how it goes in the future."
"Yes, of course. I'll come to you when I need assistance."
It's best to maintain a mutually beneficial relationship. Despite our different positions, or perhaps because of them, we can be equals.
This is the best arrangement for now.
As the Magic Doll Tournament ends, autumn deepens.
This means our time in Berliza is coming to a close.
My sister was supposed to complete her studies before winter, with a specific date already set. The days are counting down.
But I have no regrets. I've completed my missions, made valuable connections in Berliza, and advanced my work. I've had plenty of fights, and even came away with a Magic Eye.
From spring to the end of autumn, I've worked tirelessly through three seasons.
I'm eager to return to Exembra and see everyone again. It feels like a bit of homesickness.
All that's left is to protect my sister, but without any threats, there's not much to do.
With my tasks completed, I'm starting to feel a bit restless. It's time to move on.
"Does anyone have any regrets? Once we leave, it might be a long time before we return."
We gathered at night to talk with my sister's protection team.
"Onee-sama, I'm fine. I had a great time in the Drama Club."
Right. Valeria, Roberta, and Violante were all in the Drama Club.
"Did you get to perform on stage?"
"I was in charge of directing."
"That's surprising. You've never done drama before, Valeria. How did you end up in that position?"
"It just happened."
I looked at Roberta and Violante, who were also in the club.
"Well, it just kind of happened..."
"Apparently, the original director started asking Valeria for advice."
"Is that so?"
Roberta excelled as the fight choreographer, teaching the basics of weapon combat and flashy stage movements.
Violante helped with the lighting, guiding the students on the use of magical devices and advanced lighting techniques.
Everyone seemed satisfied with the training they received in their respective fields. It's a bit odd that they all ended up as instructors, but if they enjoyed it, that's what matters.
"How about Layla? If you want to do something else, you don't have to stick to your duties."
Layla, a deputy in the Intelligence Bureau, was burdened with information gathering and covert operations more than her protective or academic duties. I realize now how much we would have struggled without her.
"Actually, I was attending various clubs and gatherings while collecting information. After Heidi and the others arrived to support us, I was able to enjoy my time at the academy more."
"That's good to hear. Harriet, who was with my sister the whole time, must have had the toughest job."
"Not at all. I might have been the least useful..."
Protecting my sister should have been our top priority, but we found ourselves embroiled in battles with Badoo Lot, Gulgandi, and even undead creatures.
Reflecting on it, our actions were quite questionable. Still, it all worked out in the end.
"That's not true. Harriet, without you, we wouldn't have been able to get involved in those other things."
"Absolutely."
Considering the team that came to Berliza with me and the reinforcements like Gradena and Heidi, we couldn't have overcome so many challenges without everyone.
There are many things to reflect on, but that can wait until we're back in Exembra. For now, our job is to get home safely.
We have limited time left. Let's make the most of it.