The Retired Supporting Character Wants to Live Quietly

[Translator – Peptobismol]

Chapter 75 – New Special Student (5)

The Second Princess praised me…

She said I was excellent…

Kirrin was almost delirious with joy as the carriage carried her back to the academy.

It was natural to feel this way; the Empire’s most powerful figure, who had been looking for a chance to get rid of her, had praised her not once, but twice.

The last time was thanks to Dian, and this time, too, Dian had orchestrated everything.

If Dian hadn’t mentioned the internal evaluations of the security office and pushed Kirrin forward, none of this would have happened.

By now, she’d probably be fussing over some literary contest that had nothing to do with the Special Mission Academy.

It’s all thanks to Dian. Since Dian arrived, her life had completely changed.

She was forced into the headmaster position by her father and lived in constant fear of being fired.

But when Dian came, everything fell into place.

Dian is my savior… I can’t do without him…

So I must make sure Dian likes me even more.

With his sincere and noble character, he would consider any overt advances vulgar and distasteful, so I need to show conduct and actions befitting the headmaster.

I’ve secured the promise for the contest from the Second Princess, so I just need to wait for the news.

What else can I do?

Kirrin snapped her fingers as an idea came to her.

The Second Princess mentioned making good use of the special student selection system.

Why not hold another selection soon?

Instead of a large-scale selection, this time it could be smaller and focused on support roles rather than frontline agents.

Supporting those on the frontlines is just as important.

That’s why our academy has both combat and theory departments.

If holding another selection feels too burdensome, I could ask headmasters of other schools to recommend graduates interested in this field.

Good, Kirrin. Keep it up. You’re doing great.

Kirrin felt quite pleased with herself.

# # # #

Kirrin told us the Second Princess agreed to host a contest for our academy through the security office.

“You did a great job, Headmaster.”

My praise made Kirrin’s face turn crimson, while Ismera looked at her in disbelief.

She probably expected Kirrin to stammer in front of the Second Princess, get rejected, and return empty-handed.

But Kirrin is no longer the same. She has found her confidence.

“We have about two months until the contest. It’ll likely be held right before summer break.”

“How can you be so sure?”

“The criteria for evaluating current agents won’t be applied as strictly to students. The standards and evaluation forms will need to be adjusted, and they’ll also have to find a new venue for security reasons. The Imperial Security Office won’t prepare this hastily.”

Seeing the logic in my words, Ismera didn’t argue further and remained silent.

That elf may always be critical, but she is highly rational.

“The main issue is who will be eligible for the contest.”

“Isn’t it obvious it’ll be for our academy?”

“No, headmaster. It’s not that simple.”

As Kirrin tilted her head in confusion, I explained further.

“There are several Imperial Academies besides ours. Including private and public academies, the number increases.”

“Right. So?”

“While the criteria for students will be relaxed, it’s still based on current agents’ evaluations. If someone excels in this contest, they’ll likely be seen as qualified to be hired immediately after graduation.”

“Right.”

“So the Security Office would probably want to maximize the pool of applicants to find the best candidates.”

“Ah?”

“While they won’t hire the winners on the spot, they might offer bonus points at graduation or select them for special recruitment.”

“Ah!”

Kirrin finally understood, expressing her amazement.

“Do you have any basis for believing the Security Office will do that?”

Unlike the eager Kirrin, Ismera was still skeptical.

But her skepticism was justified.

What I said was based on my own conjecture, not any solid evidence.

“I have no concrete proof. But if I were the Second Princess, that’s what I would do.”

“And what if we assume that, but the contest ends up only for our academy? What then?”

“That wouldn’t be a major problem.”

“Why not?”

“Let’s prepare for both scenarios—mine and Professor Ismera’s.”

[Translator – Peptobismol]

I held up two fingers.

“If the Security Office opens the contest to the entire Empire, each academy will likely send representatives. With so many academies, they can’t accommodate everyone who wants to participate. Do you agree?”

“Agreed.”

“In that case, we need to select representatives or teams internally. This would require internal competition and evaluation to rank students.”

“Not incorrect.”

“Now, if we follow Professor Ismera’s scenario.”

I folded one finger.

“If the contest is only for our academy, we simply accept volunteers without needing to select representatives. Right?”

“Correct.”

“But if we prepare as Professor Ismera suggests and the Security Office suddenly asks for academy representatives?”

“We’d have to conduct internal evaluations hastily.”

Kirrin interjected, earning a brief glare from Ismera.

“Exactly. Conversely, if we prepare as I suggest and the contest is only for our academy?”

“We just send the students we already selected through internal evaluations.”

“Precisely, headmaster.”

“So if we prepare as Dian suggests, we’re ready for both scenarios. I support Dian’s opinion.”

Kirrin said, glancing at Ismera.

“Internal evaluations will help us assess the students’ levels before the break and plan the second semester accordingly.”

Wow, Kirrin. You’ve really improved. Or maybe you were always this capable.

“What do you think, Professor Ismera?”

But Ismera didn’t respond.

She was staring at the floor, biting her lip furiously, looking extremely angry.

“Professor Ismera? Are you alright?”

When Kirrin cautiously touched her shoulder, Ismera jerked her head up.

The previous expression of rage was gone, replaced by a calm demeanor.

“Fine. The Head Combat Professor’s suggestion is absolutely correct. Let’s proceed.”

However, her voice was so icy that Kirrin hurriedly ended the meeting.

“Haah…”

After Ismera left, Kirrin sighed deeply and then smiled at me.

“Dian.”

“Yes?”

“Want some cake?”

“Sure. Let’s go.”

At the dessert cafe, Kirrin ordered an entire cake.

“Is someone else joining us?”

“No?”

“Then why order a whole cake?”

“We need at least this much for two people.”

“Hmm, alright…”

I glanced at Kirrin’s figure through her cloak but didn’t see any signs of weight gain.

With the high metabolic rate of Dark Elves, it seemed she could eat a lot without gaining weight.

Only humans tend to gain weight from overeating.

“Dian, I’ve been thinking.”

Kirrin spoke between bites of cake.

“About what?”

“Selecting more special students.”

She then told me about her conversation with the Second Princess.

Adding more special students wasn’t a bad idea, but doing it back-to-back could be burdensome.

“So this time, I’ll keep it private. I’ll ask headmasters of other academies to recommend graduates interested in this field.”

“That’s not a bad idea. Try the public academies.”

“Public academies? Why? There are other good places.”

“That’s precisely why I said public academies.”

Most other academies are either private, backed by noble houses, or have special purposes like ours.

Graduates from those institutions typically have guaranteed career paths, with alumni networks to support them.

In contrast, public academy graduates often struggle to find clear career paths due to lower social standing.

However, this doesn’t mean their skills are lacking. Many top students attend public academies due to lack of funds or connections.

By scouting talented but underappreciated graduates, we can benefit. It’s like buying undervalued blue-chip stocks at a low price.

“So, it’s okay to try?”

“Yes. There’s no harm even if we don’t succeed.”

“Alright, then. Since Dian approved…”

What is she saying? Why does the headmaster need my approval?

I almost pointed this out but stopped when I saw her smile with cream on her lips.

# # # # #

Meanwhile, Ismera was.

“Damn, damn, damn it all!!”

She pounded her fist on her desk in fury.

Ismera’s anger stemmed from Dian, not because she hated him, but because he was right.

Why hadn’t she thought of that earlier?

Why is that lazy bum thinking further ahead than me?

I’m a highly educated scholar, not just some soldier who swung a sword in battle.

So why?

Why does it always turn out this way?

“Why, why, why!!”

After several more punches, Ismera slumped down.

I worked so hard. I fled to this human city after our forest burned down and worked tirelessly…

Why can’t I surpass him… Why…

He does nothing but laze around with backing from the Palace…

Why is he always ahead of me…

Ismera began to sob, her shoulders shaking as she curled up on the floor.

[Translator – Peptobismol]