Page 298

A major incident erupted just before the club fair. Even I, the Principal, and Sir Villar, who had become somewhat desensitized to typical crises, unanimously agreed that it was a bombshell.

“It’s true. My mana circulation has sped up.”

I silently nodded, acknowledging the dazed tone of the Principal’s voice. This proved that the Mage Duchess’s cookies could enhance anyone’s magical abilities regardless of their skill level.

“Unbelievable. Who would’ve thought a mere cookie could have this kind of effect?”

The Principal, still in shock, lifted the cookie with trembling hands, clearly unable to gather his thoughts. I just watched silently given the gravity of the situation. This was shocking even for me, a non-mage, so I could only imagine how the Principal, who was an experienced mage himself, was processing it.

No one could have predicted this, especially not at such a critical moment. Who would have guessed that the Mage Duchess, who had been quietly focused on baking, would drop such a surprise—and right before the club fair, no less?

It wasn’t intentional, though.

Not that anyone could blame the Mage Duchess—this was as much a surprise to her as it was to everyone else.

The Mage Duchess had immediately started baking after finishing her weekly lecture at the debate club yesterday. She must’ve been tired from the long day, but she threw herself into her work with a bright face. I didn’t interfere; after all, she seemed to enjoy it.

The cookies, which she made with a wide smile and Louise’s encouragement, were eventually placed in front of me.

“Baby, would you mind tasting this and giving me your thoughts?”

“Of course I’d be happy to.”

I nodded quickly. The Mage Duchess had baked countless cookies since the start of the semester, but she always insisted on handling the ‘failed’ ones herself. This was the first time she was offering me one of her creations.

So I gladly took a bite, fully prepared to say that it was delicious no matter what.

What is this?

But something strange happened the moment I tasted it. The mana in my body started circulating faster—much faster.

This shouldn’t be possible. A minor stimulant or potion could have an effect on someone who was just starting to learn magic. But for someone like me who had been through all sorts of magical enhancements and potions, only the strongest ones would have any effect. And yet, my mana flow had increased with just one bite of a cookie? Doubled, even?

At first, I thought it was just a coincidence. However, I became sure of it after finishing the entire cookie and then the entire plate. This was no fluke. Somehow, the Mage Duchess had imbued these cookies with the potency of high-grade potions.

“So… how is it? Do you like the taste?”

I almost laughed when the Mage Duchess asked me that while looking at me with a hint of nervousness. It didn’t seem like she was hoping for a reaction to some potion surprise effect—she just wanted to know how it tasted.

I answered with a quick ‘It’s delicious’ to reassure her, but my mind was racing. If the Mage Duchess had taken these cookies to the debate club without even knowing about this mana-boosting effect, then this absurd rumor would spread like wildfire.

And of course, those rumors came true. Word of the Mage Duchess’s homemade mana-boosting cookies spread rapidly, which was why I was now sitting here on a weekend, brainstorming with the Principal.

“The timing couldn’t be worse. It’s just before the club fair.”

The Principal finally spoke after a long silence, sighing deeply.

“I completely agree.”

It was an entirely reasonable statement, and I couldn’t help but agree. Just the fact that these cookies were handmade by the Mage Duchess made them incredibly symbolic. Every mage at the Academy—and even outsiders—would be clamoring to get their hands on one.

I could already picture people buying one for themselves, one to brag to friends who couldn’t come to the Academy, and another to preserve forever using a preservation spell.

But now, the cookies had the power of a potion on top of their symbolism? And not just any potion, but one so potent that even a seasoned warrior like me, who had been through plenty of doping, and the Academy’s Principal, a grandmaster-level mage, were affected? There was no way people could resist.

The higher the level of a mage, the stronger their thirst for mana. Besides, mages were the type to bet everything they had, even for the slightest advantage.

This will cause an uproar for sure.

The Mage Duchess had really done it this time. Not only did she turn the Academy upside down, but probably the entire continent as well.

“So, what do you plan to do?”

I asked the Principal, who was sighing deeply while still nibbling on more cookies. How would he handle a rumor so enticing that it could throw the mages into a frenzy?

“It’s too late to contain it. It’s been a full day, so the rumor’s already spread as far as it could. Trying to silence the students now would only confirm the story for any visitors.”

Once again, the Principal’s response was spot on. Indeed, there was no way to keep a lid on this. The mages, known for their relentless curiosity and action, would have spread the word as soon as the club session ended, just like human loudspeakers.

Those loudspeakers wouldn’t just echo within the Academy; the news would travel across the Empire and beyond, reaching the whole continent. The mages’ network wasn’t something you could ignore.

Anyone could tell there was a cover-up if all those Academy ‘loudspeakers’ suddenly went quiet. Even those who were uncertain about the rumors of these doping cookies would rush to the Academy, fully convinced.

It was a nightmare. Letting the gossip spread was a problem, but trying to stop it would do more harm than good and would only spark debates about student oppression.

Should we just let it be?

It was a major incident, but we seemed to have no choice but to sit back and do nothing. It was frustrating.

“So, I have a favor to ask of the Executive Manager.”

“From me?”

His request caught me by surprise. Was there really something I could do in this situation? Even with my title, my authority wouldn’t mean much if foreigners started flooding in.

“Since things have turned out this way, we’re going to make it a full-blown promotional event.”

…?

Did I hear that right? He wanted to advertise it even more in a situation where we should be trying to keep as many people away as possible?

Has he lost his mind?

I couldn’t help but wonder. The Principal, who had once dreamed of hosting a modest, cozy club fair—where the most he expected were visits from a few noble alumni—seemed to have finally snapped. His modest little event had now evolved into an international fair, so maybe it made sense.

The Principal continued, undeterred despite my disbelief.

“Everyone will want a taste of the Mage Duchess’s cookies, but demand will far outstrip supply.”

“Yes, that’s likely.”

It was so obvious that it didn’t even need to be said. There was only one Mage Duchess, and yet hundreds, if not thousands, of people would come from all over the continent. No matter how skilled she was, there was no way she could meet that kind of insane demand.

“So, let’s make it a limited edition. Perhaps auctioning them off wouldn’t be a bad idea.”

“…Pardon?”

What was he saying now?

***Experience and quick thinking honed by years in leadership were things no youngster could match. It was clear that the Principal didn’t earn his title through luck alone.

“If we can’t meet the demand, then it’s better to make the cookies a limited edition. People will complain if we sell them normally and they sell out, but they’ll just blame their own wallets if they’re auctioned off.”

“Ah, right.”

“But we can’t just auction off something the Mage Duchess made without her consent. That’s where you come in, Executive Manager. I need you to persuade her.”

“Of course. That much I can do.”

A chill ran down my spine. It would look like we failed to prepare if we sold them normally and they sold out, but that would be the buyers’ problem if they went up for auction and people couldn’t afford them. It was the kind of ruthless capitalist logic you’d expect from a merchant leader.

But it wasn’t wrong. The Mage Duchess’s special mana-enhancing cookies weren’t something people could just buy easily. If they wanted one, then they’d better be prepared to shell out a fortune—or maybe two.

“I don’t mind. I don’t even have enough to give to you, so selling fewer cookies isn’t a problem.”

Fortunately, the Mage Duchess didn’t have some altruistic dream of wanting more people to experience her cookies, so persuading her was easy. The downside was that I’d probably end up eating the cookies that were supposed to be sold at the booth.

“Thank you, Beatrix.”

Feeling grateful nonetheless, I reached out and gently rubbed the Mage Duchess’s ear. We were alone since the other members were still in class, so I could get away with it.

Rubbing someone’s ear as a form of thanks might seem strange, but surprisingly, the Mage Duchess preferred it over a head pat. It must be some kind of elf thing.

“Hmmm…”

Sure enough, the Mage Duchess melted into a relaxed puddle as soon as I touched her ear.

She seemed to like it so much that it made me happy, too.

***Ernesto Academy was more than just an educational institution—it was practically the symbol of the United Kingdom of Yuben.

The great mage who played a crucial role in uniting the five rival kingdoms of the Yuben region into one and dedicated his life to advancing magic after the kingdoms became the United Kingdom of Yuben became revered as Mentor Ernesto.

Bearing his name, Ernesto Academy wasn’t just a school; it was the very embodiment of Yuben’s identity and a living piece of its history.

“If the Empire of Kefellofen is the one with Heaven’s mandate, then Yuben holds the hegemony of magic.”

This was a quote left by the third Principal of Ernesto Academy, a source of pride. While they acknowledged the Empire as the strongest, they firmly believed that even the Empire couldn’t surpass Yuben when it came to magic.

Every mage from Yuben held onto that lesson deep in their heart: ‘We hold the hegemony of magic. In all things magical, we do not bow to the Empire. We are the greatest magical nation on the continent.’ That sense of pride had never faded.

As a result, Ernesto Academy has been locked in a long-standing rivalry with the Imperial Academy.

“Is everything ready?”

“Yes, we’re ready to depart at any time.”

It was only a shame that this rivalry ended in defeat during my time.

But what could be done? The Mage Duchess had aligned herself with the Imperial Academy, and there was no way to challenge her unless Mentor Ernesto himself were to rise from the dead.

The loss stung, but for a mage, refusing to accept a disadvantage and clinging to pride was a mistake worse than death. You had to acknowledge your shortcomings and gather what resources you could—that was the rational way.

“Let’s go. The students are eagerly waiting.”

Besides, losing to the Mage Duchess was an honorable defeat. Future generations who mourned this loss would surely understand once they learned who the opponent was and respond that there was nothing we could have done.

It’s just a temporary retreat for future progress.

And if I could meet the Mage Duchess in person, learn from her, and secure one of those elusive mana-enhancing cookies that rumors were spreading about, then this defeat would be well worth it.

I made sure to bring plenty of funds just in case, enough to buy a decent territory or even a castle. It should be enough.