Chapter 26
Peace in Our Time
Understanding Maglam’s broadcast wasn’t easy at first.
But the academy’s students were the brightest minds from across the Empire.
Especially the dorm leaders—they were the Empire’s future pillars.
“So, basically, they want to spark competition between dorms? Fine by me. Bring it on! We northerners never back down from a fight!”
Karl, the head of Boreas Dorm—known as the Northern Grand Duke—welcomed the challenge.
“Rudolf! Lorenzo! I’ve been itching to challenge you both. Now’s my chance! Show me what you’ve got!”
Lorenzo Medici, prince of Mazdari and head of Notos Dorm (made up of students from the southern kingdoms), had already foreseen this situation.
He had insider information from academy alumni and was the mastermind behind the group of students who racked up massive demerits.
As a result, many Notos students ended up in the punishment room… but it wasn’t without reward.
“We’ve successfully smuggled in various seasonings and sugar, my lord.”
Anticipating the academy’s supply restrictions and its tendency to squeeze students dry, Lorenzo had ordered his servants to smuggle banned goods—sugar and spices—hidden along the road between the town of Blackcow and the academy.
Though access to the academy required teleportation through Dyonais, students could return on foot from Blackcow. It was along this return path that caches were hidden.
“It cost us a lot of students before the academy tightened its surveillance, but it was worth it.”
“But we didn’t get much in… and we racked up serious demerits. Was it worth the risk?”
“Couldn’t we have cooperated with the other dorms instead? Competing like this only profits the academy.”
Lorenzo’s aides expressed their doubts.
After all, the smuggled sugar wasn’t prohibitively expensive for nobles. Why take such risks?
But Lorenzo was certain.
“Karl would never team up with me. And Rudolf, for all his proper image, is fiercely competitive.
As the crown prince chosen through the Elector system, he likely wants to dominate all other nobles during his time here—and prove he’s worthy of the title.
And frankly, he needs to.
So no, peaceful cooperation with the other dorms is impossible. And the professors won’t allow it either.”
He pulled out his pocket watch—a magical device with built-in long-distance communication.
“This is Medici-1, do you read me, Medici-4? Respond if the signal is clear.”
[This is Medici-4, signal is good, communication line open.]
“What’s Zephyros’ plan?”
“Direct confrontation. And… they plan to recruit Euros. Oh, call’s dropping—”
The spy Lorenzo planted in Zephyros dorm ended the call abruptly, but the message was clear.
“Hmm… direct confrontation, huh?”
“What does that mean?”
“It means Zephyros is planning to crush us outright. With the most students, the best facilities, and talents like Rudolf and Isolde Folchen, they don’t need tricks. That’s how strong the Cagliestre faction is.”
If you have superior numbers, force, and economic power, there’s no need for schemes.
“And recruiting Euros—everyone’s probably thinking the same.
But Idnia Katze Betelgeuse is… unpredictable. She won’t be easy.”
Lorenzo smirked, thinking about Idnia’s bold interest in the Saintess.
“You’re fond of her?”
“Yes, honestly. But don’t worry—I’m very aware of my station.”
Dinner, as always, was terrible.
But tonight, one by one, the four dorm leaders gathered at a single table.
They had finished eating, and it wasn’t by coincidence.
“You’ve probably heard the professor’s announcement… Euros Dorm Leader, Lady Betelgeuse?”
“Just call me Idnia. I’ll call you Rudolf.”
“Ah, alright. Idnia.”
It took less than ten seconds for the former fiancés to settle on first names.
“So. What’s your proposal? I assume it’s cooperation?”
“Yes. I’d like full cooperation from Euros Dorm.”
“Specifically?”
“To resist the Akacoin system and this forced student-on-student competition.”
‘Heh. As expected of Crown Prince Rudolf. He says exactly what needs to be said.’
Idnia appreciated Rudolf’s idealistic stance.
But the truth was simple: cooperation between dorms would ultimately fail.
The professors’ manipulation was too powerful.
In the game, it was hinted at indirectly, but in reality, it was absurd just how far the instructors went while still claiming to be educators.
The dorms would end up divided and pitted against each other.
Yet, knowing that, Rudolf still suggested uniting the students to resist.
‘I thought his character was just a generic crowd-pleaser in the game. But in person, he’s more nuanced than I expected.’
In stories, “noble” characters often come off bland.
But in real life, taking the high road is far harder than resorting to tricks.
Rudolf wasn’t naive. His proposal wasn’t a shady backdoor deal but a genuine call for solidarity.
“Hmm. So you want us all to endure and resist Akacoin? Is that it?”
Lorenzo asked, knowing full well from his spy that Zephyros was ready to crush the others if needed.
Still, Rudolf proposed unity.
“Yes. I want to propose it to Notos, Boreas, and Euros.
Even if one dorm wins, the facilities should be shared with everyone.
If we fight among ourselves, only the academy wins.”
“Then are you saying Zephyros will share its facilities freely from now on?”
“Yes—if it’s mutual.”
“Hmm… very well. Notos will join the alliance.”
“Euros will too.”
With Idnia’s agreement, the three dorms quickly formed an alliance.
Karl of Boreas clicked his tongue.
“Boring. You want cooperation instead of a fight? Fine, I’ll join… but don’t count on me sticking to it forever.”
“Was that necessary to say?”
“I’m just being honest. Besides, do you really think the professors will leave this alliance alone?”
“……”
Of course, the professors who created Akacoin wouldn’t tolerate such student unity.
But for now, the alliance stood.
Current Dorm Rankings:
1st – Zephyros & Euros (Tied in points)
-
Zephyros: Rudolf (entrance 2 pts, dorm leader 2, strategy 1) + Isolde (entrance 2)
-
Euros: Idnia (dorm leader 2, strategy 1), Mari (crystal golem 2, wolf discovery 1, entrance last place -2)
Technically, Euros trails due to higher demerits.
3rd – Boreas
-
Karl (dorm leader 2)
4th – Notos
-
Lorenzo (dorm leader 2), his subordinates Rex, Breguet, Patek, Philippe (all with -5 each)
Still, each dorm leader remained confident about their chances.
Zephyros Dorm – Rudolf’s Thoughts:
‘To keep the alliance strong, we must stay in first place.
Euros may be tied now, but they have only 32 students. In the long run, they can’t keep up.
With Isolde’s power and study groups to boost overall capability…
Even if the professors pull dirty tricks, we’ll stay ahead—and hold the alliance together.’
Notos Dorm – Lorenzo’s Thoughts:
‘Heh. Rudolf is too idealistic.
We’ve already secured vital supplies for academy life. And we’ll keep smuggling them in.
We’ll strengthen ourselves while pretending to support the alliance.
When it eventually breaks, we’ll control the unregulated zones of the academy.
Rudolf and Karl are the real threats.
Idnia’s capable, but her dorm’s too small. Pity—I’d have liked a proper match with her.’
Boreas Dorm – Karl’s Thoughts:
‘All these students are future Ironclad Legionnaires.
With proper training in martial spellcasting, we’ll rack up points.
Then we’ll see who holds the power.
My rivals for now are Rudolf and Lorenzo.
Too bad for Idnia—her duchy fell, and she doesn’t have enough students.’
Euros Dorm – Idnia’s Actions:
While the others strategized, Idnia was on the move.
“Hmm. As expected.”
She slipped out of the dorm at night, after informing Mari.
Sentinel armor powered by Gibs’ beacon patrolled the grounds.
But they were slow and had limited perception.
‘Tricking them isn’t hard. Let’s see if this works.’
She picked up a stone and threw it against a wall.
Clank! The armor turned toward the sound—just as Idnia leapt out the window.
Outside, everything was blanketed in fog.
‘Of course. They sealed the way with this fog—it logs anyone who touches it.
The spell’s called “Fog of Surveillance.” But the upper levels…’
She released her Overlord Phase and pressed a foot to the dorm’s wall.
Hup!
With a powerful leap, she landed on the roof. Moonlight bathed her in silver.
“No fog up here, huh.”
The academy punished only when students were caught.
The unspoken rule: anything goes, as long as you’re not caught.
This was how the academy trained future mages.
Wizards are rule-breakers by nature.
“Alright, then…”
She sprinted across rooftops, leapt to the lecture hall, and descended via the chimney.
The alchemy lab awaited her, exactly as before—with the wand still dangling from her old workstation.
“Bingo.”
She grinned. Moonlight gleamed off her Overlord teeth.
I can’t wait to see what comes next! Thanks for the update!