I Got a Fake Job at the Academy

Chapter 857 – Side Story 130: Masterpiece and Fragrance (2)

Rudger Chelici, the Chancellor of Theon. Originally, the position of Theon's Chancellor was typically held by an outstanding mage. And usually, mages of high rank were quite advanced in age.

It couldn't be helped. Reaching the 6th tier Lexer rank was difficult without considerable skill.

And mages with such skill would wield tremendous power wherever they went. There was no reason to specifically take the position of Theon's Chancellor, which involved bothersome administrative work and being caught up in the pressures of surrounding nations.

So Theon's Chancellor was always filled by 5th tier mages. As this continued for a long time, it became customary, and people took it for granted.

The person who broke this was the previous Chancellor, Elisa Willow. She was a genius mage of the century who achieved the 6th tier Lexer rank at a young age. She graduated at the top of her class from Theon and was a woman who earned the qualification to elevate the prestige of magic.

When she took on the position of Theon's Chancellor, no one knows how much those around her tried to dissuade her.

The position of Theon's Chancellor was prestigious, but a mage of Lexer rank could reach even more prestigious positions. Nevertheless, Elisa chose the path of Chancellor. And she made Theon stand tall by demonstrating tremendous capability that surpassed all previous Chancellors.

'That's why there were voices of concern.'

The ability shown by Chancellor Elisa Willow was terrifying. She had already carved her name in the most brilliant place in Theon's museum. From the past to the present, and encompassing the future, she would always be called a great Chancellor.

'When one person shines so brilliantly, those who come after, no matter how well they do, are bound to pale in comparison.'

People like Hugo Burtag who didn't know their place and were excessively greedy would consider that great, but anyone with even a bit of sense knows how heavy the burden of the Chancellor is.

In Rudger's past life, there was a similar anecdote.

It was an anecdote where someone, fed up with being told "Yi Sun-sin did it, why can't you?" because Yi Sun-sin was so great, burst out shouting "I'm not Yi Sun-sin!"

Naturally, even kings couldn't avoid such comparisons. The kings of Joseon were constantly scolded by their ministers with "King Sejong did well" whenever they did anything.

When such a great precedent is set, those who come after, whether they want to or not, are bound to be compared.

Elisa Willow's existence was exactly like that.

So when she said she would retire from the Chancellor position for rest and for her personal life. Everyone tried desperately to stop her again.

-No! Why would you step down, Chancellor! 

-Aren't you still in good health!

-We can't do without you, Chancellor!

At the sight of people coming directly to the Chancellor's office and begging so desperately, Elisa Willow laughed helplessly.

-You know, when I said I would become Chancellor, people tried to stop me like this too? But now that I'm saying I'll quit, here you go again. -Then will you listen this time? 

-I've never bent my thoughts, then or now.

So no matter what persuasion they tried, she was quitting. People around her asked why she was quitting, but Elisa didn't answer.

She said it was for personal reasons, and actually that wasn't wrong. However, Rudger could know the detailed reason.

'To ascend to the 7th tier.'

Through the holy war, Elisa experienced many things. And in that ordeal, she grasped a clue to the next realm. As time passed and it became clearer, she chose that path.

Before being Theon's Chancellor, she was a mage. No mage would give up the chance to ascend to the next realm.

Rather, precisely because she was someone who reached the 6th tier, Lexer rank, at a young age, her obsession and madness would be far greater than other mages. She simply didn't express it outwardly.

However, people who didn't know that fact were frustrated. And then they became afraid.

-Then who will be the next Chancellor?

There had never been a case of an outsider becoming Chancellor. Usually the Chancellor was chosen from those who had served at Theon for a long time.

Those with low seniority didn't care. They didn't expect the Chancellor position in the first place. It was a matter unrelated to them.

But teachers with accumulated seniority were different.

-It would be terrible if I'm chosen! 

-When Chancellor Elisa became Chancellor, administrative work increased fivefold! 

-They say just stamping documents alone isn't enough time in a day!

People who already knew the vicious workload of the Chancellor all said this together. That you'd be ruined if you sat in that position.

Naturally, teachers with accumulated seniority tried to avoid the Chancellor position as much as possible.

-I'm not feeling well physically. 

-I'll be quite busy with magic research. 

-My cat at home is very sick.

They had to make all sorts of ridiculous excuses. So what if it was unseemly. If they didn't, they would definitely have to wear an unwanted burden.

-I'm leaving for the Elf Kingdom for a while.

Teacher Vierano Dante, who was evaluated as most suitable for the Chancellor position, simply chose to flee. Since he even had the status of an Elf Elder, it was an excellent choice that couldn't be faulted on any grounds.

There might be those who wanted to become Chancellor themselves, but surprisingly, there weren't. Even Hugo Burtag shuddered saying he wouldn't take the Chancellor position.

-This is crazy. I almost died from overwork in a position inferior to that, and you want me to sit in the Chancellor's chair? Just kill me instead!

When even the person who had shown the greatest greed for the Chancellor position in their ignorant days reacted like that, the other teachers' fear only grew.

That's when Chancellor Elisa stepped forward and sorted out the situation.

-Oh my. I'll accept volunteers, but I won't force anyone who doesn't want to do it, okay?

At those words, people sent looks that were half relieved, half doubtful. She said she'd accept volunteers, but then what if there were no volunteers?

-But I can recommend a successor, right? 

-Uh, a recommendation? Who? 

-Who else. Obviously Teacher Rudger Chelici.

Surprisingly, Rudger was also present at that place, and at the time, Rudger momentarily couldn't grasp reality upon hearing those words.

Belatedly realizing, Rudger asked accusingly.

-Didn't you say you wouldn't force people who don't want to do it? 

-Except for Teacher Rudger. 

-…….

Rudger looked around at the other teachers with an aggrieved expression. His eyes were asking them to say something.

Of course they should. Rudger's seniority as a teacher wasn't very high. He had even been injured due to an unfortunate incident in the middle, and there was a three-year gap for recovery. Although he proved his ability again by teaching the special class well afterward, the lack of seniority was undeniable.

When there were teachers with longer careers than him right there, if he suddenly sat in the Chancellor's chair like this, wouldn't Theon's hierarchy be greatly shaken?

Naturally, Rudger thought the other teachers would stop Elisa with rational arguments and rebuttals.

-Sounds good! 

-……? 

-If it's Teacher Rudger, we can trust and leave it to him! 

-Of course! It's that Teacher Rudger!

Rudger was dumbfounded. No, he sent looks asking for help, so why was everyone supporting Chancellor Elisa's opinion instead?

Regardless, the excited teachers proceeded with things swiftly among themselves.

-Since it's come to this, let's vote! What do you think about Teacher Rudger becoming the next Chancellor? We'll vote by show of hands for or against! 

-I'm in favor! 

-In favor! 

-I'll agree too.

All the people gathered raised their hands in favor. Only those who didn't particularly welcome Rudger didn't raise their hands for approval, but all they did was cast abstention votes by not raising their hands for rejection either.

-Yes. So by the principle of majority rule and the Chancellor's recommendation, Teacher Rudger Chelici has become our next Chancellor! Everyone applaud!

Clap clap clap clap clap clap!

Amid the thunderous applause, Rudger saw the people congratulating him. They weren't sincerely happy that he became Chancellor. There was only one thing they were happy about.

I'm glad it wasn't me.

Chancellor Elisa approached with an eye-smile.

-Then, please take good care of Theon for the next generation after me?

Rudger let out a sigh. It would be ridiculous to say he didn't want to do it at this point.

-Well, I'll try my best. Though I don't know if it will satisfy you, Chancellor. 

-Oh my, you're so good at joking. Rather, I'm relieved, you know? Because it's none other than Teacher Rudger who's taking over. Now I can step down with peace of mind.

Elisa's words were sincere. Even Rudger couldn't refute that.

'That's how I became Chancellor.'

It was an unconventional promotion, but the process proceeded as naturally as flowing water. When the news that Rudger would be the next Chancellor was announced, outside Theon became quite noisy.

Some people who didn't know much about Rudger said there must be some internal dealing going on.

But such rumors were completely overshadowed by the support of famous figures.

-Uh. Teacher Rudger? If it's that person, he's trustworthy. 

-If, if it's that person, I think he's qualified to assume the Chancellor position. 

-Hahahaha! If not that person, who else would be Chancellor!

Renowned 6th tier mages unanimously praised him.

-Hehehe. Teacher Rudger, you say? He's a great mage. Theon's future is bright.

Even humanity's strongest mage, Clinton Rothschild, came forward to defend him like that. Those who harbored suspicion and dissatisfaction about Rudger's unconventional promotion disappeared that very day.

Thus Rudger came to sit squarely in the Chancellor's office despite not having made any proper preparations.

-Then please take care, Teacher Rudger! I'm off to find my happiness now! Farewell!

Carrying her personal bag, Elisa visited the Chancellor's office one last time and flew away like a bird through the wide-open window after her farewell.

Would it be an exaggeration to say that sight looked like watching a bird escaping from a cage?

Anyway, Rudger came to assume the Chancellor position. And he was managing the work reasonably well.

Of course, if others heard Rudger's such inner thoughts, they would have been dumbfounded.

It wasn't just reasonably well—he was splendidly showing work processing comparable to Elisa Willow.

Rather, as he didn't have to be politically cautious, with that decisiveness, in some aspects his work processing was even more definitive than Elisa's.

This was also because the contemporary empress Aileen supported him, and the ducal family clearly backed him as well.

However, Rudger also felt the limits of handling work alone like this. And he came to desperately desire the existence of a vice-Chancellor who would help with his work.

When he came to conduct vice-Chancellor interviews, it was Flora who appeared.

"And that's how you ended up here." 

"Oh my. Why are you suddenly bringing up past stories?" 

"I just reminisced. And it's not that long ago in the past anyway."

Walking through Theon's grounds, Rudger gazed at the internal scenery. In Theon's brightly decorated landscape, students could be seen walking around with smiling faces.

In the past, commoner and noble factions would have been divided, but not now. At Theon, commoners and nobles were all equal.

That too was a scene created through the efforts of Elisa and Rudger. In that beautiful scene, a warm fragrance wafted over.

Joy and happiness, youthfulness and hope. Walking through the grounds like this wasn't without the purpose of seeing such sights.

"Ah! It's the Chancellor!" 

"Chancellor Rudger!"

A group of female students who discovered Rudger approached giggling. They chattered incessantly asking where he was going, what he ate, if he heard any news.

When he was a teacher, many people were too afraid of Rudger's cold atmosphere to approach him, but rather after becoming Chancellor, a strange situation unfolded where he became popular with students.

That was rather because Rudger was in a much higher position, so that distance didn't feel realistic.

And from the female students' perspective, Rudger was not only Chancellor but also very handsome, so he couldn't help but be popular.

Still young, handsome, excellent at magic, and even a Chancellor. There was no reason not to like him.

"You girls! What kind of appearance is that for students! You! Why is your skirt that length! There, you, what's that in your ear!"

Flora glared at the students with blazing eyes from the side. The female students who had flocked to Rudger scattered in all directions as if stung by bees, jumping in shock.

Kyaaah! Run away!

"Those brats!"

Flora ground her teeth watching that sight. Rudger smiled slightly watching Flora like that.

"Why are you laughing?" 

"Just, it's nice to see. Should I say it's unexpected to see you, who was once a problem child, grow up so admirably like this." 

"……Why are you suddenly bringing up past stories!"

Flora shouted with a reddened face. She walked ahead huffing. Rudger gazed at Flora's back and slowly followed behind her.