Chapter 63

The plan was in place.

Now, all that remained was to prepare as best as I could. Until the time came, all I could do was prepare, and then prepare some more.

The core of the plan was Miyu and Iri.

And right now, there was Silence, still staying in a hospital owned by Stingray, and Ciel, who had returned to the Academy.

In my head, I set the stage and the characters, organizing the scenario.

I carefully examined how I could resolve the problems I faced, draw out the best results, and move forward to the next stage.

Thus, as the Act 1 boss—me—

I steadily prepared an operation to safely bring the “Aaron Stingray Battle” to an end, while also spending the past few days extremely busy with Academy-related work.

I was still dumping a fair amount of the minor tasks onto Benedict, but even that little trick was starting to reach its limit.

At best, I could only use my younger brother as a dumping ground until the end of the first semester—maybe until the end of the year. But considering his recent suspicious movements, the expiration date might arrive even sooner.

Well, that was that.

‘I want to take a break…’

Honestly, I wanted to throw everything away, hand the chairman’s seat entirely to Benedict, and rest.

It would be so nice if I could just spend my time looking after my kids.

But now, word had already spread that I’d gotten out of bed and returned to work, and I could no longer dump everything on Benedict.

This is the report regarding the Ashita-kyo from Secretary General Maria. You need to review it and make a decision today.

At 1 p.m. this afternoon, there’s a scheduled meeting with the dean of Nexus University. It looks like the discussion will be about the new Stingray industry-academia cooperation building.

Here’s the budget report for the Stingray booth at the New Valhalla City Job Fair this fall.

The recent recruitment ad through our social network services performed far worse than expected, so the marketing team submitted a new proposal. Please review…

‘I don’t want to work…’

The amount of things I had to handle was no joke.

As expected for an executive director–level position, every task was a heavyweight issue.

Constantly meeting city VIPs, reviewing and approving reports, and touring universities all over New Valhalla City under the guise of inspections.

At least with my capable secretaries and Aaron’s memories, I was able to somehow handle even the tasks I was facing for the first time.

‘I’m exhausted…’

The original Aaron seemed to have used his position to delay work and enjoy his leisure. But I couldn’t afford to do that.

‘Considering how that damn old man might act, it’s better not to give him any ammunition.’

Chairman Drake Stingray.

The only one who had seen through my true identity—As long as that old fox was still sitting in the chairman’s seat, I couldn’t afford to slack off like the original Aaron.

Sure, he’d said, “From now on, you’re my son,” but if I fell out of his favor, he could easily change his mind.

I couldn’t handle everything perfectly, but I at least had to maintain the impression that I was “better than the original Aaron.”

Still, I needed some breathing room, so I occasionally put on the [Mimic] module, changed my appearance, and wandered around to catch my breath.

While doing so, I sometimes overheard conversations between Foundation employees—things they’d never say to my face.

Ever since Chairman Aaron came back, he’s like a completely different person. I almost wondered if he’d been replaced.

I know, right?

How was he before?

Scary. Authoritative, cold, nitpicky. Sure, he handled work fine, but… how should I put it? Twisted? Like he didn’t understand people at all?

One time, a new secretary had to take a leave during the busy season because their kid suddenly got sick. He said, “Is family really that important to you?” and transferred them to “that department.”

Wow…

So he’d even done that kind of thing.

What a trash human being he was.

Anyway, compared to that, now he’s basically a saint. I guess being seriously ill and recovering mellowed him out. He’s even passionate about work now.

When I heard his office was moving to our floor, I was honestly ready to quit, but I’m glad I didn’t.

Same. We have to be a bit more careful, but nothing major has changed. If anything, the welfare facilities have gotten way better.

And he’s handsome.

…Do you like men or something?

Since it was my own office and my kids sometimes came by, I’d prepared a bunch of things over the past month—break room supplies, snacks, that sort of thing.

Of course, I couldn’t openly say I did it “to make myself comfortable,” so I packaged it under “employee welfare” and added various things along the way.

Since the employees were giving it good reviews, I guess it hadn’t been a bad choice.

…And as for that male employee, I’d be transferring him to another department soon.

After a few days of battling with work, I finally had a bit of breathing room.

Not that I’d taken a vacation, but I had a decent excuse.

“I’m going to check on the scholarship students.”

“Understood.”

With “checking on the students’ status” as an excuse, I could go see my favorites.

Of course, since midterms were in full swing, Iri and Miyu were busy, but just being able to see their faces again was enough to make me happy.

Using lunch break, I headed to the Stingray student dormitory in the Special Dorm. After the ID check and stepping inside, I could already feel the tension from the lobby.

As expected, this was the Academy’s midterm season.

The eyes of the passing students were filled with determination. Compared to regular students, these ones were a little better off, but since bad grades could mean losing sponsorship, they were all tense and fully focused on preparing for exams.

Science and Technology Department students were studying in the cafeteria despite it being lunchtime.

Tactical Combat Department students were managing their diets, stuffing huge piles of gray phlegm-like synthetic protein into their mouths.

‘This takes me back.’

It was reminiscent of high school seniors right before the college entrance exam, and even I found myself tensing up.

Some students recognized me and greeted me in hopes of making an impression. I casually acknowledged them while searching for my kids.

‘There they are.’

In a corner of the cafeteria—

I spotted Iri and Miyu sitting together, eating. I naturally walked up to them and spoke.

“How’s the exam prep going?”

Huh? What was with this line that sounded like a father trying to have a rare conversation with his kids?

For some reason, I felt like I understood the mood of fathers who couldn’t help but nag once they sat at the dinner table.

Ah, so this was the feeling.

“Oh, Chairman Aaron, what brings you here?”

“A-Aaron?!”

The two welcomed me.

Good. At least I wasn’t treated like a nagging dad at the table.

“I finally had some free time, so I came to check in. Nothing’s happened, right?”

“Nothing for me.”

“M-Me neither…”

Iri answered calmly.

She seemed quite confident about this exam. She must have spent a lot of time learning how to use the [Thousand Pound Weight] while I wasn’t watching.

Miyu also didn’t seem to have much trouble with the test itself. Given the considerable amount of knowledge she’d already accumulated on her own, a first-year midterm exam would be child’s play for her.

“That’s good to hear. I hope both of you get excellent results. If you need anything, speak up right away. I’ll have it arranged immediately.”

After that formal exchange, I turned my gaze toward Miyu.

I was about to ask how the preparations for “that thing” I’d requested earlier were coming along—

Then I realized something.

Miyu looked like she had something she wanted to say.

“Miyu.”

“Y-Yes?”

“Looks like you have a request.”

“H-How did you know?!”

Miyu flinched in surprise.

When you’re showing it that clearly on your face, isn’t it weirder if I don’t notice? Even if others missed it, there’s no way I would.

“Go on, tell me. I’ll decide after I hear it.”

“W-Well…”

“Is it something related to the midterm?”

“Uh, y-yes, but… strictly speaking, it’s not something I need for the exam… it’s more of my own selfish wish… you can just ignore it if you want…”

“…”

She said that, but I knew it wasn’t true. This reaction meant she definitely had her eye on something she wanted.

I let out a short sigh and asked again.

“Stop circling around and just say it. Do you need a new computer? Or is there an ‘essence’ you want me to get?”

“W-Well…”

Sigh.

Maybe she couldn’t stand how frustrating this was, because in the end, Iri spoke up for her.

“She’s worried about a midterm report she has to write and submit.”

“I-Iri…!”

“What? Just be honest.”

“What are you talking about?”

“N-Nothing…”

While Miyu kept trying to dodge the question, Iri elaborated for her.

“One of the Science and Technology Department’s modules and classes replaces the exam with a report on the ecology of [Arcanes].”

“Go on.”

“While researching, she came across a certain [Arcane] and got hooked on it. She doesn’t just want to finish with research material—she really wants to see one in person, but she’s wondering if there’s a way to make that happen.”

“…”

When I looked at her, Miyu blushed in embarrassment and lowered her head. Then, gathering courage, she spoke up carefully.

“Um… I heard the Stingray Group also hunts monsters aggressively to produce Arcane Modules… so I was wondering if I could maybe observe one of those hunts…”

“No.”

I answered immediately.

“You know how dangerous that is.”

“R-Right…”

Miyu lowered her head gloomily.

Miyu was not an Adaptee.

Even if it was a low-tier [Arcane], dealing with those creatures always carried danger. I couldn’t take her along for something like that just to “satisfy curiosity.”

“That’s a request I can’t grant.”

“S-Sorry for bothering you…”

Miyu shrank so much she looked like the word “crumpled” could describe her perfectly.

Seeing that made me feel a bit bad.

Sigh. What am I supposed to do with this curiosity of hers?

I knew Miyu’s personality—once she fixated on something, she’d dive into researching it without caring about anything else. She was probably holding back a lot right now, thinking about my position.

Honestly, her request wasn’t that hard to grant, but her safety was my biggest concern.

To meet a [Arcane], we’d have to go outside the city, and in their territory, all sorts of unpredictable things could happen. The risk was simply too great.

Too bad, but it can’t be helped.

At times like this, I had to cut things off firmly.

No meant no.

But at the same time, I was curious.

What kind of [Arcane] has she gotten so hooked on? Was there even a monster in the original that Miyu was that interested in?

Just in case, I decided to ask.

“What’s the [Arcane] you want to see?”

“Uh… it’s a race called ‘Dwarves’…”

“Dwarves?”

Those short folk?

When I asked, Miyu nodded.

“I heard they’re a race with incredibly advanced technology… intelligent, able to communicate with humans, and some companies have even planned to collaborate with them to produce special products…”

“…?”

What? Did I remember wrong?

In the original, Miyu was portrayed as hating dwarves.

She didn’t react at all to races like elves or fairies, but whenever dwarves were mentioned, she’d shudder in disgust.

I thought for a moment, then realized the answer.

Ah, the events in between must have been skipped.

In parts the author never described, Miyu must have already met the dwarf race once. That experience made her learn the truth about them, and as a result, she came to despise them.

“Hm…”

What should I do?

With other races, it would be impossible, but with dwarves, I could make it happen.

To see other monsters, we’d have to leave the city or visit a corporation’s secret lab, but dwarves could be met without much risk.

After some thought—

I made a decision.

“I wouldn’t recommend it. You probably won’t have a pleasant experience. But you still want to see them?”

“Yes!? I-Is that okay?!”

“Good for you, Miyu.”

Iri happily celebrated with her.

I looked to the secretary nearby, silently asking, “It’s fine, right?” and got an OK sign that there was no issue with my schedule.

“If you really can’t stop thinking about it, let’s go right now. Get ready.”

“Y-Yes! I’ll be quick!”

Before I could stop her, Miyu dashed off to her room to prepare for the outing.

Just recently, she couldn’t even leave her room alone, and now she was moving that fast.

Partly she’d adapted to this place, but mostly she was just that excited.

Still, in her excitement, she left her unfinished food sitting on the table. Iri sighed and began eating the food Miyu had left behind.

I asked,

“You can just throw it out.”

“That’d be a waste. This is all money, you know. Besides, I was going to get more after finishing mine anyway, so it’s fine.”

“I see.”

Her personality had mellowed a lot too.

Though… for some reason, her eating Miyu’s leftovers overlapped in my mind with the image of a mom finishing what her kid left behind.

In any case, whether I thought that or not, Iri continued nibbling on the food Miyu had left and asked me in return,

“But are you sure it’s okay?”

“It’s fine.”

Truth was, I wanted to see the dwarves too.

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