-Asher Frostblade's point of view.
I had noticed something relatively interesting.
But what was it?
Well, that's easy.
Asher had heard rumors minutes before arriving at the meeting room. By chance, he overheard comments about the director and the motive behind the sudden meeting.
"Did you hear? They say the principal is leaving the academy."
"That's impossible. If he leaves, who will be the new principal?"
"I don't know, but if he leaves, the academy will be in chaos for at least a few days."
"Still, do you think that's why he's bringing us together?"
"Who knows. That must be why."
It was then that Asher realized the rumors were true.
However, the question that remained was why the principal was leaving the academy.
Perhaps it was because of the problem with the teleportation doors, but there was something else. Something that was still unclear, although he felt he would soon find out.
The biggest problem was another: who would be the new director?
Headmaster Wilbek was the only one who could properly guide the academy and keep the monsters, foreign races and demons that wanted to invade it at bay.
The other races had tried to destroy the academy for one reason only: every wizard who left there became a killing machine, a monster so powerful that the outside beings feared those humans who gained so much strength in only five years.
With Headmaster Wilbek present, no one dared to invade the academy.
True, the teachers were also there, and some were eighth-circle wizards, and there were even two ninth-circle wizards.
But.
"My family sent me a letter telling me to be careful and not to go to the Dungeons because all the ninth circle wizards are gathering in one place on the continent."
That was strange.
If that was true, it meant that the most powerful were going to congregate in one place. A place with more oppressive and immense mana than anywhere else.
But why?
"..."
I realized I was overthinking when Director Wilbek began to speak.
His voice, at once high-pitched and gravelly, echoed from the podium where he stood.
"You're probably wondering why I'm calling this meeting, right?"
"Some of you may already know from your families, but for those of you who don't, I will tell you this..."
I looked at the director seriously as he cleared his throat. Then, his voice reached the ears of everyone present. The entire academy was in that room, more than ten thousand cadets, from the first to the fifth year.
"The reason is that I will be leaving the academy for four years."
"..."
Silence flooded the room.
But...
"Excuse me, principal, why are you leaving for so long, is it because of the worldwide collapse of the gates or something else?"
"..."
The director looked briefly at the cadet who asked the question. There was something else besides the doors and the sudden collapse of the Dungeons that happened yesterday.
Soon, his voice echoed again, clarifying the cadet's doubt.
"Exactly. There is something else besides the doors, but that information is classified at the highest level."
"..."
No one said another word. If it was classified information at that level, it meant only one thing.
If somehow that information reaches your ears, you'd better hide on another continent or secure the support of an entire nation, because otherwise, you will die.
Information of such a high level involves something that affects even continents, the most powerful magicians and the most influential figures in the world. If you happen to discover such information, you will be doomed, and your head will be sought no matter where you hide.
Of course, unless that information is revealed by the king himself, there will be no problems.
The director's voice continued shortly thereafter.
"The four-year time frame is what is necessary for what is happening. Therefore, I am not even sure if I will return in four years; it is possible that it will take five if the situation is unpredictable."
Given the recent situation, the most powerful will gather in one place to discuss a separate issue from the dimensional rift.
Of course, it is the "Eternal Tower," the Grade 0 Dungeon that is urgent to clear at all costs. If the Grade 0 Dungeon ever collapses, monsters of that level will emerge like swarms of wasps, attacking anyone who gets in their way.
If that happens, the entire continent will be in grave danger.
In this world of magic, not everyone can be a mage or use mana to defend themselves. There are the ordinary humans, so fragile compared to mages or monsters. They are the ones who sustain the order of the current world.
While the mages grow stronger to protect their homes and are too busy dealing with the Dungeons, the common humans are in charge of keeping everyone's stability.
"I must also announce who the new director will be. It is someone I have full confidence in, and so I am giving him the position until I return."
As if those were the most expected words, all the cadets began to murmur among themselves.
They were curious about who the new director would be, but there was something else.
"The person the principal trusts the most."
That could only mean one thing: that person must have been so close to the director that he could even be considered part of his family.
The cadets wondered if it would be a relative of the principal unknown to all, and also who exactly it would be.
Finally, the answer they had all been waiting for came.
Asher also kept his curiosity peaked, intrigued to know who would be in control of the academy and the teachers. That person would not only have to assume great responsibility, but also be someone who harbored no ill intentions or wanted to take advantage of the academy.
Asher was not the only one with this doubt. Many cadets shared the same concerns, aware of the importance of the principal's position.
"To the person I trust the most, and who has the best chance, since she was trained by me."
The director slowly turned around.
As if he knew, my heart skipped a beat and I opened my eyes in disbelief.
The same thing happened with many of the cadets, but especially with....
"This..."
Gloriana felt it too, and her surprise was even greater than mine.
Everyone turned their gaze to the person who stood next to the headmaster, as he watched her with a smile, perhaps of satisfaction.
"My disciple will be the new principal in charge of the academy while I am absent."
In simple words, Oriana.
She looked at everyone with an awkward smile, a result of the introduction the principal had given her.
Although some teachers showed slight expressions of surprise, they were not entirely astonished. Perhaps they already suspected who the new director would be, so they said nothing.
The teachers might have been indifferent, but knowing Oriana's position and status, she seemed the right person to take over. Moreover, she was the disciple of Principal Wilbek himself.
This engendered confidence in many, but among the cadets who were unaware of who Oriana was, murmurs began to arise.
"Who the hell is she?"
"Does she even have the qualifications to be principal?"
"Why does the headmaster say she's the person he trusts the most, even his disciple?"
"Tch, this is ridiculous."
It's true that the principal heard everything, but he didn't care.
Nor did the teachers care about the opinions of those cadets who knew nothing and, at worst, were just lazy.
"That's it. I will leave the academy tomorrow morning at five o'clock. If anyone wants to say goodbye, you can go to the academy exit."
Of course, the principal had no intention of throwing a farewell party.
Not at all.
Not only would it be a waste of time, but it was also unnecessary. Besides, not everyone there was close to the principal. Some didn't even know him well, and others barely knew anything about him.
Therefore, a formal farewell would be absurd.
However...
"It's different for most teachers."
I looked at Oriana and a few teachers I knew. I knew that, because of their closeness to the principal, they would surely say goodbye to him.
With everything settled, I left the meeting room, as did many of the cadets.
But.
"Mmm..."
I felt a glance.
It was fleeting, but something or someone watched me for a second. When I turned around, both the principal and the teachers and cadets were already gone.
"I've been imagining things today."
Then, I walked out of the room following the others, remembering my promise to Gloriana, and headed toward her soon after....