Greetings, Mister Principal

Chapter 197: Dusk

Morale Support: Scherzo

Patreon: /ScherzoTranslations

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Astar Advanced Magic Academy is located to the east of Tristan City, closer to the city center than the thesis review institution.

Established fifty years ago, the school coincided with the rise of His Excellency Isaris Ableton, and Astar Kingdom, having been one of the first to break away from the Ancient Magic Empire, maintained a good connection with the mages. Seizing this opportunity, Astar Advanced Magic Academy was established.

Originally a royal academy that only admitted noble children, it transformed into a magic academy, welcoming mages of all backgrounds.

Here, students are not divided by factions, and everyone can freely choose the courses they want to study, as long as they pay the tuition and pass exams to earn credits.

To obtain a graduation certificate, there are two conditions: firstly, accumulate enough credits within three years, and secondly, have one’s thesis published in an academic journal rated level three or above.

The first condition is not difficult, as most people can complete it by avoiding extremely challenging courses or spending extra money on other subjects. The second condition is the real challenge. While a level three journal is like the “Monthly Alchemist Griffin,” according to Reiner’s previous investigation after coming into contact with Sue, publishing a thesis for low-level mages in a recognized academic journal wasn’t that simple.

Most people have to start preparing their thesis content right when they enter the academy to have a chance to complete the research and publish within the three-year timeframe.

Sitting in a carriage, Reiner observed the mages outside the Thesis Review Committee still waiting for their opportunity, mostly in vain.

The scenery outside the window continued to change as Tristan City stretched along the river. The wide Tristan River traversed the entire city from west to east. The carriage traveled along the riverside road, offering a view of the shimmering lake and a few jumping fish beneath the sunset.

The evening breeze from the lake brought a hint of coolness, dissipating the summer heat in Tristan City’s evening glow. Reiner put down the curtain and shifted his gaze inside the carriage.

This was not an ordinary, cheap rental carriage but a private carriage belonging to Percival, spacious enough for six people. The interior decoration was exquisite, resembling the transport of a noble.

Tristan’s was developed much earlier than small border towns like Prest, especially along the Tristan River. The roads were well-paved, and the horse-drawn carriage, equipped with the latest shock-absorbing wheels, traveled on this spacious road with almost no bumps.

Percival sat across from Reiner, leaning against the left window, opened the curtain, and read a book in the lingering sunset. It was a book on elemental magic written by His Excellency Sari Newington from Storm Council, which Reiner had seen in the library before.

“Is that a book about the electromagnetic field?”

Reiner asked, as the atmosphere in the carriage was a bit awkward. Instead of staying silent, he decided to find a topic.

“Yes, the theories of Mr Sari Newington and Mr Clark Holland are too profound. Especially these four equations. They look simple, but it’s too difficult for me to fully understand at my current level.”

Percival bookmarked the place he was reading, closed the book, and sighed helplessly.

“Thinking about it, I also graduated from the Law Department, but now I feel that my mathematical knowledge is insufficient.”

“Many mages think that math is irrelevant, but perhaps it’s these seemingly irrelevant things that limit people’s growth.”

Reiner murmured, prompting Percival to raise an eyebrow.

“We’re here.”

He looked at a house not far away in the villa area and didn’t continue Reiner’s words.

As the two got off the carriage, street lamps lit up one by one. The dim yellow light cast long shadows, indicating that this was the residence of the teachers from Astar Advanced Magic Academy. Many houses already had wisps of smoke rising, and as Reiner entered the yard, he saw a well-maintained garden.

Next to a built lawn was a dog kennel where a sleeping golden retriever lay. In front of the food bowl, the name “Parker” was written, apparently the dog’s name.

Following Percival, they entered the house, and Reiner immediately felt a cool breeze, a comfort brought by the temperature-regulating array.

Then, Reiner caught a whiff of a strange fragrance.

Slightly sweet and sour, with a hint of buttery, a scent Reiner had never smelled before.

“Ah, you’re back. Oh, who’s this?”

A brown-haired woman poked her head out of the kitchen, looking at Reiner with slightly widened eyes.

Her long hair was tied up, and she wore a light yellow apron, looking quite young. Even in a crowd, she wouldn’t be easily overlooked.

“This is our new colleague, Reiner. Today, I brought him to familiarize himself with the surroundings and have dinner together. Is that okay?”

Percival’s tone carried a hint of probing, indicating that his status in this house was far inferior to his wife’s.

Another man subdued by his wife.

Reiner sighed inwardly.

“Of course, go wash your hands quickly, and the other dishes… wait a moment.”

Mid-sentence, Percival’s wife suddenly raised her left hand, holding a stopwatch. It emitted a ticking sound.

Without further explanation, she turned back, grabbed a long spoon from the kitchen, and stirred the pot. However, her stirring was not uniform; instead, she stirred the pot every few seconds, following the stopwatch.

“You two, go wash your hands. The other dishes… in two minutes, wait… wait.”

Stirring the pot again, the hot air from the pot rose with the stirring and permeated the corridor.

“In two minutes, we can… wait a moment.”

Stirring again, the fragrance from the pot spread, and she continued.

“…have dinner. Ah, Percival, go to the cabinet… wait a bit.”

Moving the spoon again, Percival’s wife stared at the stopwatch, then continued.

“…Go to the cupboard and get another set of tableware. Thank you.”

After sporadic instructions, Percival’s wife finally focused on stirring the soup.

“I got it, Lisa.”

Percival showed no displeasure at his wife’s peculiar behavior and agreed with an extremely gentle voice. Then he guided Reiner.

“Reiner, the dining room is to the left down the corridor. You can wait there for a moment.”

“Oh, okay.”

Reiner nodded, casting another glance at Percival’s wife, who was fully immersed in cooking.

He was starting to worry about this dinner.