The Retired Supporting Character Wants to Live Quietly

Chapter 82 - Academy\'s Representative Team Complete (3)

Professor Ismera, still slightly stunned, presented another problem to Merilda.

This time, it was a problem that required identifying a pattern in numbers to deduce critical geographical information.

120 121 123 131 141 151 161

230 231 232 242 252 262 272

310 320 330 340 350 360 370

410 411 412 413 414 415 416

520 530 540 550 560 570 580

630 631 632 642 652 662 672

740 741 742 752 762 772 782

"This one was solved like this."

Merilda explained, as if it were no big deal.

She assumed that the first digit of each row represented the horizontal coordinate.

The second digit was assumed to represent the vertical coordinate.

The third digit appeared to be the result of a specific rule being applied.

The entire pattern likely corresponded to a specific date and geographical location, as indicated by the problem.

Using this assumption, Merilda analyzed the pattern and identified the rule, eventually deducing the correct date and coordinates.

This was an extraordinary stroke of luck. Her initial assumption was as random as blindly throwing a rock and having it hit a dragon’s vital spot. Yet, it was spot-on.

Honestly, even after listening to Merilda’s explanation, I still had a hard time grasping it.

My approach, and that of Linus, was nothing like this.

"Student Merilda, wait in the assistant\'s office for a moment."

Ismera instructed Merilda out. She stared intently at the process Merilda had just written down with her pencil.

"What do you think, Professor Ismera?"

"Although she lacks specific knowledge, her ability to solve problems with keen intuition and logic is remarkable."

Ismera replied, not in her usual sarcastic tone, but with genuine surprise.

"She has potential and promise. As much as I hate to admit it, the headmaster\'s judgment was correct this time."

Oh, Ismera praising Kirrin? That’s a rare sight.

"Student Merilda seems to have an exceptionally sharp mind. In cases like hers, even without prior knowledge, she can see through to the essence of the problem."

So, in other words, Merilda’s a genius? It wasn’t even my accomplishment, yet I couldn’t help but feel proud.

But why would someone so intelligent settle for a temporary position as a deputy administrator?

Even if she graduated from a public academy, as the top student with such talent, she could have aimed much higher.

Then again, Kirrin was also the top student at a public academy, wasn’t she?

"It’s strange, isn’t it? How a student like her ended up as a deputy administrator in a small town instead of pursuing opportunities in the capital."

Ismera seemed to be thinking along the same lines as me.

After a brief silence, Ismera made a sudden declaration.

"Head Combat Professor, I will personally guide this student."

"Suddenly?"

"Student Merilda has innate talent. She’s a gem with boundless potential. A student with such a brilliant mind needs a specialized curriculum."

Was she suggesting that she wanted to tutor Merilda personally, the way I tutor Knightley?

"Oh, really? Actually, I was considering placing Merilda in our academy’s representative team."

The moment I saw her evaluation results, I made up my mind.

If I could place Knightley and Hindrasta in charge of assassination and infiltration, and have Merilda handle intelligence, we’d have the perfect team.

"Are you out of your mind? You’re thinking of sending a public academy graduate to represent the Special Mission Academy in a competition?"

Ismera looked at me as if a filthy insect had just crawled into her neck, raising her voice in disbelief.

"You just said she’s a genius. Geniuses excel in any field. I’ll guide her alongside Knightley."

"That won’t work. Merilda’s talents lie more in theory than in combat."

"In active duty, you can’t separate combat from theory."

"Not everyone has to be on the front lines. Supporting the field from the rear is also crucial."

"I’ve never disregarded support roles. But there’s no need to view things so dichotomously. Right now, what’s most important is the competition. We need to focus all our efforts. We need to make a good impression on the Imperial Security Office and the Second Princess."

Ismera’s expression changed at the mention of the Second Princess. I didn’t miss that.

"The academy is in a good position right now. I heard the Second Princess was pleased when we brought in Sophia. If we do well in the competition, and the team includes two special students directly recruited by the academy, how do you think the Second Princess will view us?"

Ismera was a rational person. Unable to find fault with my reasoning, she reluctantly nodded, though she still didn’t seem fully convinced.

"How about this?"

Ismera proposed, adding a condition.

"You handle Student Merilda until the competition, and after that, I’ll take over."

It wasn’t a bad idea. After all, it might be beneficial for Merilda to experience instruction from both of us before making a decision.

Knightley personally chose me, and Hindrasta would never adhere to Ismera’s authority, but Merilda might benefit from it.

Honestly, I also felt that Merilda might be better suited to Ismera’s teaching.

"Alright. Student Merilda, come back in."

Ismera called out. Merilda re-entered the room, having been waiting in the assistant’s office.

Ismera greeted her with a warm smile and spoke kindly.

"Student Merilda, I’ve heard your explanations. I hope I’m not being too hasty in my judgment, but it seems you have considerable potential."

"Thank you, Professor."

"But I’m curious about something. You were the top student at a public academy, and you have such abilities. Why did you take on a position as a deputy administrator in a small town?"

"After I graduated, someone from the capital approached me."

Merilda answered calmly.

"They invited me to join the Imperial 5934th Division."

The 5934th Division is part of the Empire’s intelligence unit, known for its expertise in signals and human intelligence. It’s where the Empire’s brightest minds go.

"But Tatanok is my hometown. It’s a small village without an administrator, and I was the only qualified person available."

"And now that Tatanok has been upgraded to a city, your contract as a deputy administrator has ended. Did you have other plans afterward?"

"If the offer from the capital still stands, I was planning to join the 5934th Division. But then the headmaster suggested I transfer here as a special student, so I decided to come."

"I see. I understand now. Well, I have a proposal for you."

Ismera then explained to Merilda that she had shown exceptional talent in the intelligence field, and that with such potential, she should take advanced courses. She offered to personally tutor Merilda.

"So, you’re suggesting I receive separate instruction from the head professor of the theoretical department? But doesn’t the Theoretical Department overlap a lot with what I learned at the public academy?"

"That’s true, but here we delve into the material in more detail. Even if you’ve studied it before, you’ll find it a fresh experience here."

"I see... but..."

Merilda hesitated, then looked at me.

"Won’t the Head Combat Professor be offering personal tutoring?"

"Me? Yes, I will."

"Then I’d like to learn from the Head Combat Professor."

At Merilda’s firm request, Ismera smiled, though it seemed forced.

"Of course, the Head Combat Professor is an excellent teacher. However, since you’ve shown such great potential in intelligence, I thought the Theoretical Department might be a better fit."

"But I believe that if I’m at the Special Mission Academy, I should also master the subjects in the Combat Department."

"I’ve discussed it with the Head Combat Professor. Until the competition, you’ll train under him. After that, I’ll take over."

Merilda was silent for a moment before asking.

"If the professor decided so, do I have to follow it?"

"The choice is yours, Student Merilda. I can’t force you."

"I understand, Professor. I appreciate your offer, but if I’m to receive personal tutoring, I’d prefer to learn from the Head Combat Professor."

Wow, she’s leaving no room for doubt. Not even a needle could penetrate that resolve.

Ismera was clearly taken aback, and her forced smile wavered slightly.

"Merilda, how about this?"

Unable to stand it any longer, I intervened.

"For now, let’s have you learn from both Professor Ismera and me during the competition. I’m completely clueless about the intelligence field. After experiencing both sides, you can decide what’s best for you after the competition. Sometimes, a person’s perspective changes once they’ve experienced things firsthand."

"If that’s what you suggest, Professor Dean, then I’ll agree to that."

Merilda’s immediate and compliant response made Ismera’s eyes twitch slightly.

After all her attempts to persuade Merilda had failed, seeing her agree so quickly to my suggestion must have stung her pride.

However, Ismera maintained her composure, smiling warmly at Merilda as she gestured toward the door.

"Alright, Student Merilda. You may return to your studies."

"Thank you, Professor."

After Merilda left, I turned to Ismera.

"That’s settled, then. You’ll handle the intelligence training, and I’ll take care of the physical and other aspects. In fact, why don’t we co-lead the entire representative team? It’s not just about Merilda."

Since Ismera wanted to make a strong impression on the Second Princess, leading the representative team together would be beneficial for her as well.

But Ismera didn’t respond. Was she upset?

"Professor Ismera, what do you think?"

"Why do you..."

Ismera began, still staring out the window.

"Why do you always get ahead of me and take everything?"

"Me...?"

"No."

Ismera shut her eyes tightly and waved her hand dismissively.

"It’s all my fault for being incompetent and unlucky."

Now that I looked closer, Ismera’s face was pale.

"Are you okay?"

But she didn’t respond. After hesitating for a moment, I decided to leave the office.

As I closed the door, I caught a glimpse of Ismera holding her face in her hands.