The Retired Supporting Character Wants to Live Quietly

The decision to select external special students for the first time at the academy had the faculty department extremely busy.

While the administrative office was responsible for issuing announcements and setting up the examination venue, it was the faculty who conducted the actual selection exams.

If this were a routine annual event, they could have just slightly revised last year’s plan. However, since this was the first time, they had to start from scratch.

“Don’t worry too much, both of you. I’ll consult with the headmasters of other academies and get their advice. If we’re lucky, we might even get a copy of their plans.”

Kirrin assured Ismera and me before leaving for an external business trip in a carriage.

“It’s rare to see the headmaster so enthusiastic. Haha.”

Ismera praised Kirrin, covering her mouth with a laugh that didn’t quite match her expression.

“Given that it’s been a while since she last interacted with other academy headmasters, even a small outcome would be significant.”

What Ismera really meant was, ‘She’s likely to return empty-handed.’

I couldn’t really argue with her on that point.

There are many academies in the Empire, most of which focus on academic teachings like modern universities.

Among them, some academies, like ours or the Imperial Military Academy, were established with specific purposes in mind.

There are even quasi-military institutions like the Special Warfare Training School, where every department focuses exclusively on combat-related subjects.

These academies, eager to attract the best talents in the Empire, are all running similar external special student selection systems.

So, the chances of Kirrin getting useful know-how or related materials from other academy headmasters seemed slim. They wouldn’t slam the door in her face outright but would likely give her the runaround, just like Ismera implied.

“While the headmaster is away, let’s start preparing ourselves.”

Ismera and I sat at an outdoor table in a dessert cafe, selecting subjects for the entrance exams.

Ismera kept looking discontent every time I took a bite of dessert, but whenever our eyes met, she would cover it with a charming smile.

“Won’t you have some, Professor? It’s really delicious.”

When I pushed the plate with the cake toward her, she pulled back with a disgusted look.

“No, thank you. As you know, elves prefer a vegetarian diet. (Did you not know something so simple?)”

“Really? There’s no meat in this.”

“Most people aren’t aware that milk is used to make fresh cream.”

“Ah, in that case, you definitely can’t eat it.”

Pulling the plate back, I continued eating the cake while Ismera frowned again, only to cover it quickly with a lovely smile.

Elves sure live a complicated life.

# # # # # #

That evening, as I was leaving after a meeting with the Combat Department professors, Professor Lina pointed ahead.

“The headmaster is coming back.”

We saw Kirrin getting off the carriage in front of the main building, looking dejected with her ears drooping.

It was evident how her business trip went without even asking.

“Thank you for your efforts.”

“Everyone’s leaving for the day… have a good rest…”

She weakly acknowledged the greetings of the professors as she sluggishly entered the main building.

“The headmaster looks really down today. Do you know why?”

“It seems she went to gather information about special student selection from other academy headmasters and failed.”

“That was an impossible task from the start.”

Psychological Warfare Professor Felimia adjusted her glasses and spoke up.

“Every academy is trying to secure the best talents. Why would they willingly help a competition academy directly under the Imperial Palace?”

“Hmm, that’s true…”

After a moment of thought, Lina quietly whispered to me.

“Head Professor, I have a good idea. Professors, please listen too.”

Lina shared her recently thought-up plan with us.

Her “good idea” was to infiltrate one of the academies that annually conducts external special student selections, secretly copy their plan, and return it without getting caught.

“That’s a brilliant idea!”

Professor Kazadar laughed loudly.

“Why go the hard way when there’s an easy solution!”

“Are you justifying theft?”

Professor Morton, who had been silently listening, interjected, but Professor Waver intervened with a smile.

“Professor Morton, didn’t you do similar things during your active service?”

“Military operations under orders can’t be equated with this.”

“Would your opponents have thought the same back then?”

“Hmm.”

Waver quickly silenced Morton, and Anna chimed in gloomily.

“I agree… We have so many other responsibilities… we can’t afford to spend too much time drafting plans…”

“If no traces or evidence are left, it would be like it never happened.”

Adjusting her glasses, Felimia added, and Lina looked at me.

“What do you think, Head Professor?”

Honestly, it wasn’t a bad idea. If we could temporarily take it, copy it, and return it, it would be fine, right?

It’s a morally dubious act, but as Felimia said, if no one finds out, it would be like it never happened.

Asking about legality or morality is something only people like Linus do, and doing things his way wouldn’t have kept either of us alive this long.

“I think it’s a good idea. Can we do it tonight?”

“Of course. But where should we go?”

After a moment’s thought, I came up with a suitable place.

“The Imperial Military Academy. Since they’re similar to us, let’s take it from them.”

While there are numerous academies, those with Combat Departments are few and far between.

Among them, only a handful strike a balance between combat and theory, with the Imperial Military Academy being a prime example.

This academy, renowned for training elite officers of the Empire, even counts members of the royal family among its alumni, including our superior, the second princess.

Compared to our academy, which was recently established to supply new personnel to the Imperial Security Bureau, the Imperial Military Academy operates on a completely different level.

Although there is the Special Warfare Training School, it focuses on training ‘active soldiers’ for special operations, which is quite different from our mission.

The difference between soldiers and agents is significant, even if they perform similar tasks.

In that regard, the Imperial Military Academy, which trains well-rounded officers, is the most suitable for us.

And if we get caught, it’s better to face another imperial institution rather than a private academy.

Most private academies are backed by nobles, and getting entangled with them would be more trouble than it’s worth.

“The Imperial Military Academy… won’t infiltrating it be a bit too difficult?”

Orendi asked worriedly, and Lina playfully tapped his forehead with her fingers.

“What do you think of me? We can do it. If no one finds out, it’s like it never happened.”

Orendi, who had been scratching his head, quickly brightened up as usual.

“Now that you mention it, you’re right. Let’s go steal it right away!”

“Not steal, but borrow and return it. Let’s be clear on that.”

Even Morton, who had been hesitant, seemed to ease up, feeling the pressure of drafting a new plan.

Waver and Lina, who always agreed with me, were already discussing infiltration methods. Kazadar and Brogg were happy about not having to write the plan themselves.

Even the timid Anna, though a bit worried, muttered that it was good to save time for taking care of the horses.

Felimia just adjusted her glasses, and Geneb, as always, remained silent. I never know what that guy is thinking.

# # # # # #

At midnight, Lina appeared in the faculty office, dressed in the black attire commonly used for infiltration.

“I’m heading out now.”

“It’s still cold outside… take this before you go….”

Anna offered the warm tea she had been drinking, but Lina shook her head.

“I’ll have it when I get back. I don’t want to end up needing a bathroom break in the middle of the mission.”

“But it won’t taste as good once it cools down….”

“I’ll just reheat it. See you later.”

Lina, masked, disappeared through Orendi’s dimensional portal. Anna placed the teacup on the desk, murmuring.

“Will it be okay… Isn’t the Imperial Military Academy a bit too much…”

“Do you think an infiltration professor would fail at infiltrating? Come on, let’s have some snacks while we wait!”

Waver cheerfully announced, pulling out a cloth-covered basket from under the desk. It was filled with jerky, bottled yogurt, and smoked meat, all homemade.

Products made by the Quirana hunters are known for their quality and taste, sold at high prices to large merchants and noble families.

The professors eagerly helped themselves to the delicacies.

“Mmm, this is really good. As expected from the Quirana hunters.”

“Indeed. No matter how much I eat, I never get tired of it.”

“Waver, isn’t it about time for another hunting trip? Take me with you next time.”

“Of course. The weather has warmed up, and the meat in my lodge is running low.”

“Hey, I want to go too.”

We were chatting and enjoying the snacks when suddenly, Lina popped out from the dimensional portal.

Why is she back so soon? Did she get caught? But then I noticed the clear stack of documents in her hands.

“Here it is, Head Professor.”

Lina handed me the documents she was holding.

“Read through it, and if it’s what we need, we can copy it and return it immediately.”

As I reviewed the documents, it was clear they were indeed the plans for selecting external special students from the Imperial Military Academy.

“Well done, Lina. You’re the best.”

“Tehe!”

Lina gave a V-sign with her hands, her eyes smiling above the mask.

“This hasn’t cooled down yet, right?”

She removed the mask and picked up Anna’s still-steaming teacup, taking a sip.

Impressive.

Just like Guan Yu, she had infiltrated the Imperial Military Academy at night and retrieved the necessary documents before the tea had even cooled.

I knew she had been a special operations member, but I didn’t realize to what extent.

Alright, let’s modify this plan to fit our academy’s needs and complete it.

[Note: see pinned comment for Chapter 31 illustration]