#1289 Junior’s Adventure – A Suspicious Leader 

“I am none other than the headmaster of the Royal Capital Magic Academy—Headmaster Sugetaya! Dufufufufufufu...!” 

Yes, I’ve heard that once already. 

What is it about him... this instinctive disgust his very appearance provokes? 

He’s short, squat, and round that his entire build looks like that of a toad. 
That squinty, grinning face only strengthens the resemblance. 

Judging from his skin color... 

“You’re a demon, huh?” 
“Indeed! For demons are the true masters of alchemy and magic, are we not? It is only natural for a demon to govern a magic academy abroad!” 

That’s a reasonable claim, I’ll give him that... 
But that shady appearance of his just makes everything he says sound even more suspicious. 

I mean, yeah, judging people by looks is wrong, but... 

Dad always said, 
‘Ninety percent of people are their appearance.’ 
...Huh? 

“Humans cannot use magic. I find that unfair, deeply unfair! So I have resolved to correct this imbalance. I am prepared to devote myself entirely to the betterment of humankind.” 

That sounds noble enough. 
Which only makes him seem more suspicious. 

“Think about it. What is the greatest difference between demons and humans? It’s magic. The ability to use magic, or not. That difference decides everything. After all, it was the demons who won the war.” 

Great, he’s bringing up something from over ten years ago. 

“If humans had been able to use magic, perhaps they would've won instead. Ah, what an unjust world this is! I came to the Human Kingdom to bring equality to all!” 

That reasoning doesn’t add up. 
The Human-Demon War ended nearly twenty years ago, but the war itself lasted for centuries. 
C. E. N. T. U. R. I. E. S. 
If humans really lost purely because of magic, could they have lasted that long? 
At best, they would’ve been crushed in a few years. 

“Ngh?” 
“If it dragged on for centuries without a clear victor, that only proves both sides were evenly matched. Including magic.” 

The end of the war had a different cause entirely. 
Magic didn’t really have much to do with it. 

Trying to fill gaps in history with personal impressions and assumptions is a bad habit. 
Especially if it’s just to serve your own interests. 

“...Ah, nitpicking is no good! Focusing too much on wording makes you lose sight of the essence of things.” 
“Excuse me?” 
“What matters is this: making magic usable to those who’ve never had it before, the humans. That will bring them a better life. Don’t you agree?” 

Well, I mean, yes, life would be more convenient that way. 

“Exactly! Then join the academy and help us spread its renown! More will come through our gates, more will learn magic, and humankind will become ever happier!” 

...So he wants to use me as a walking advertisement, huh? 

But the thing is, I didn’t learn magic by studying at some academy. 
If he uses me as their poster boy, that’d be false advertising. 

“Details, schmetails! What matters is that humans will be inspired by your magic, that’s all!” 

He sidles closer, voice all syrupy sweet. 
But with that toad face, the combination is just wrong on every level. 

“Once they witness such overwhelming power, they’ll truly grasp how wonderful magic is. It’ll move them far more than any words could.” 
“I’m an adventurer registered with the Adventurer’s Guild.” 
“Oh, quit that job! Being a mage is far stronger and cooler!” 

That tone of his, like everything outside his beliefs is worthless. 

Yeah, I don’t think this guy is secretly a good person beneath a bad exterior. 
I’ve held off judging him so far, but... it’s safe to say I’ve seen enough. 

“Well then! No need to be so stiff. Let me show you around the academy. You’ll see its greatness for yourself—and realize the right choice you should make.” 

Laughing heartily, the headmaster spins on his heel. 

“Practical training alone can’t satisfy him. Take him to observe a lecture next.” 
“Y-Yes, sir!” 

The middle-aged teacher beside us nearly jumps out of his shoes. 
He’s the one who guided me here from the gates. 

“I’m sure you’ll like it. My academy, that is.” 

With a knowing grin, the headmaster leaves. 
What was that guy even here for? 

I honestly have no idea. I just stand there, stunned. 

“Hey, you!” 

Someone suddenly calls out to me. 
I turn around to see that same honor student from earlier, looking a bit awkward. 
Ritany, I think her name was. 

“How did you learn to use magic like that? Tell me!” 
“Uhh...” 

Wow, straight to the point. 

“I’ve never seen a spell that powerful before! The entire training field was blown apart! Even here, we can barely knock over a shield! But your magic makes everything we’ve learned look worthless!” 
“That’s... quite the way to put it.” 
“How do you handle your mana like that? Your spirit invocation was completely different too... Wait, did you use an elder spirit? I haven’t learned those yet!” 

You’ve gotta hand it to her, she’s bold. 

My magic, though... it’s something I picked up by living alongside nature, flowing with time, and becoming one with the greater world. 

“That’s way too abstract! If you’re going to teach someone, at least use proper words!” 

She’s the one who came charging in, though?! 

Also, why are you so desperate to learn magic? 
Are you that into it? 

“Not really.” 

So not. 

“I just want to climb up in life, whatever it takes. Magic is a new and promising field, so I’m betting on it. My family’s just a small-time merchant house. Attending this academy and honing my skills is the only real path I’ve got. But if there’s a faster way up, of course I’ll take it.” 

So that’s how it is. 

“Richer families can afford to study abroad, in the Demon Kingdom.” 

Ah, I see. 
The Demon Kingdom...the homeland of magic and alchemy itself. 

If you really want to learn, that’s where you go. 

So putting it all together... 
The Royal Capital Magic Academy’s main audience is middle-class folks who can’t afford to study in the Demon Kingdom but still want to learn magic. 

“I’ll rise to the top from this academy! I’ll become someone important someday!” 

Ritany’s got ambition. 
That’s not a bad thing. Everyone needs something to aim for, whether fierce or gentle; that’s just how people live. 

But as for the academy itself... is it really the right place for that? 
I have my doubts. 

“Um...” 

A hesitant voice cuts in. 

“Can we move on now? It’s time for the next class.” 
“Ah, right.” 

Looks like I got carried away chatting with Ritany. 
The middle-aged teacher had been waiting awkwardly the whole time, unable to interrupt. 

Funny. 
He didn’t seem nearly this nervous before. 

Maybe he got spooked by that explosion spell earlier... 
Or maybe the headmaster’s praise made him change his attitude. 

Either way, it’s amazing how quickly people switch behavior when the situation changes. 
I guess being a working adult isn’t easy. 

“Next is a classroom lecture, huh...? I wonder what they’ll be teaching.” 

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“Ninety percent of people are their appearance” is a parody of the jp saying, meaning that first impressions are overwhelmingly determined by looks