"Very well. Since you believe change is possible... then make your position clear."
Yuri Phis was Kayneth's mentor and the only person outside the Three Great Houses who could be considered their equal. He looked like a necromancer, with white hair hanging down and gaunt skin. Though he wore numerous gemstone-encrusted rings and pendants, they didn't make him seem vulgar at all. Instead, he gave off a strong sense of gloom. His jewelry looked less like an old man's adornments and more like grave goods buried with the dead.
"The twelfth item..." Yuri Phis's weathered gaze finally settled on Rimuru for the first time. Rimuru met it without fear.
"The item concerns whether Lord Rimuru can resume his position as a professor," Gaiusling said. To ease the somewhat oppressive atmosphere, he took the initiative to explain, "The Director will handle the position and all the arrangements. We only need to give our opinions."
"To be precise, we're deciding whether to approve it," Barthomeloi Lorelei added gravely. "If too many people oppose it, the matter will be postponed again."
"So it would only be delayed, wouldn't it?" Liddell said softly. "A lecturer with a Color Rank? It's only a matter of time before Rimuru becomes a professor..."
"Color Rank... Blue?"
A slightly flippant voice suddenly chimed in with a laugh, then asked Rimuru, "May I ask, Lord Rimuru, are you Blue?"
Oh no... this guy...
Liddell paused, her pretty face darkening as she shot the man a long look. It was Meyastia, Lord of the Department of Archaeology: a mustachioed middle-aged man who wouldn't lift a finger without seeing a profit, a petty crook who seemed like a crooked merchant!
Everyone knew that Rimuru had never acknowledged the title of the Blue Twins. He always called himself Black, and Liddell couldn't help feeling a little discouraged—
A regular professor's appointment wouldn't have been so troublesome. Lords even had the authority to decide whether to appoint a particular mage as a professor. But Rimuru was different. His title of professor was, to be exact, more like a ticket into the world of the prestigious houses.
Professor Rimuru and Professor Entpeste were two entirely different things!
The most important issue was whether the prestigious houses would regain their glory and privileges, and whether the other houses would recognize them.
If the council approved Rimuru's appointment, it meant that one of the prestigious houses would eventually be challenged by him. Liddell had known all along that someone might raise objections, but she hadn't expected it to happen so soon!
This soon!
The Twelve Lords would inevitably prioritize their collective interests. They fought among themselves, but when it came to outsiders, they banded together. In a sense, the Twelve Lords ensured the Clock Tower's continued existence, while the Clock Tower also brought the twelve houses together.
That was why it mattered so much whether Rimuru was willing to make his position clear.
The title had been bestowed by the Magic Association, and the Clock Tower was practically the only representative of the Association's three major organizations at present—
So if Rimuru denied it... it might not be fatal, but it would be just like telling an interviewer that you didn't like their company culture. A surefire way to lose points!
The Clock Tower might make it seem as though all twelve Lords were equal, but factions were still factions. The three major factions each had their own circles, and wherever there was a circle, there was a leader!
Faced with Meyastia's question, Rimuru was clearly taken aback. But he soon smiled.
He wasn't like his predecessor. He had none of that pride or resentment toward Aoko.
In other words, even if this really did touch on his dignity, he could set it aside when necessary. Though he'd mostly studied business and management in his previous life, it just so happened that in business, you sometimes had to bow your head so you could swallow your opponent whole in the end.
He suddenly curled his lips into a faint smile and said, "Yes, that's right, Lord Meyastia."
His voice was soft. Liddell turned back to him in delight, but all she saw in his eyes was gold, now touched with a hint of depth.
"I'm Blue. That's right."
Perhaps business knowledge wasn't the best way to deal with Lords, but Rimuru didn't believe that... with all the methods and ways of thinking he'd picked up in his previous life, he would lose to a bunch of stuffy mages.
Since they'd invited him to the game, he'd play. They'd see who turned out to be the great white shark in the end... and then—
Winner takes all!
"Oh..." Meyastia was also stumped by the unexpected answer. He could only twitch his mustache and say, "Ahem. It seems you've changed quite a bit lately, Lord Rimuru. Haha..."
"I have," Rimuru replied, shaking his head. "Is there anything else you'd like to ask, Lord Meyastia?"
He deliberately stressed the words "Lord Meyastia."
More than telling him, I'll remember this, the important thing was that Rimuru knew he belonged to the neutral faction. He wasn't afraid of offending him, because neither the neutralists nor most of the democrats would agree to his joining anyway. Both he and the Achelotte family, whom he was close to, belonged unmistakably to the aristocratic faction.
In this complicated web of relationships, even Yuri Phis, who didn't get along with Achelotte, was more likely to support him than Meyastia.
After all, the aristocratic faction already held six of the twelve seats. That practically gave them a veto. And if Rimuru joined them...
Good grief. They might as well change the Academy Council into an Aristocratic Council.
Seeing Rimuru put pressure on a Lord, Yuri Phis's eyes flashed with surprise. Gaiusling, meanwhile, looked relieved. Good. His kid hadn't let him down this time.
Nearby, Trambelio slowly opened his eyes, like an old man who had just woken up, and spoke in a low, distant voice. "Come to think of it... Lord Rimuru is currently a Level Three lecturer in the Department of General Fundamentals, isn't he? If he becomes a professor, he'll most likely be a professor in the Department of General Fundamentals as well, won't he?"
Everyone heard that and cursed inwardly. The shameless old bastard!
He was blatantly hinting, "If you agree to become a professor in the Department of General Fundamentals, I'll support you"!
And wasn't he, Trambelio, the Lord of the Department of General Fundamentals?!!
Was he trying to take advantage of being the closest to him?!!
Chapter 10: That Familiar Magus Killer...
"Aren't the Director and the staff supposed to decide where I'm assigned?"
Rimuru looked puzzled.
"The Director may make the proposal, but every mage has their own style and area of expertise."
It was like expecting a biologist to work in the field of physics.
"So even if the Director makes the assignment, he'll probably ask you first, then decide based on your own preferences and your record over the years."
Liddell helpfully explained, "And judging by the Director's usual way of doing things, your own wishes will probably have a huge influence."
In other words, the Director's style was to respect each mage's wishes, right?
Rimuru nodded slightly to show he understood, then fell silent for a moment...
He had to admit, being watched by twelve big shots was... pretty exciting.
"That may be true, but I suppose we'll have to see what the Director decides when the time comes..." Rimuru politely declined, then gave Trambelio an apologetic nod. "That said, I've been lecturing in magecraft infection for several years. It's one of the few fields where I have some experience. So if my position really does change, I hope you'll let me keep my lecturer post at Mistics."
Mistics was the name of the Department of General Fundamentals' main lecture hall.
The answer hadn't surprised the other Lords. It was much like when Kayneth had left Yuri Phis's side to join the El-Melloi Faction and go independent: he'd used a similar arrangement to show that their relationship was still good, keeping his position as a Level One lecturer there.
The unsurprising answer hadn't satisfied Trambelio, but it hadn't displeased him either. It was just the standard answer he'd expected and the minimum he'd been prepared to accept.
In reality, he considered it practically impossible to stop Rimuru from becoming a professor.
As Liddell had said, Rimuru had the support of House Achelotte and good ties with both Aozaki Aoko, a Magician, and the Kuonji family, the only surviving pureblood Witch family. With the prestige that came from his own background, Rimuru Tempest only had to emerge from the shadows, stop shutting himself away, and build his reputation while studying magecraft. Even if all of them rejected him, sooner or later he'd still reach the rank of professor.
After all, a professor wasn't a Lord. Even if this professorship had special significance as a ticket to becoming a Lord, the meeting wasn't about "whether Rimuru should become a Lord." There was little point in blocking him so thoroughly.
In fact, whether or not the council approved the proposal, the moment Rimuru agreed to meet with the Director, he'd already been nominated as a Level One lecturer. At the latest, he'd be given the title of professor a year from now.
So why had the Twelve Lords brought up this proposal?
It was simple: to negotiate exchanges of interests and make their positions known.
And now Rimuru had made it clear that he was aligned with the aristocratic faction, while also showing that he was willing to maintain good relations with Trambelio. There was no need to keep blocking him.
After all... no matter how much Rimuru jumped around, he couldn't overturn the absolute authority of the Three Great Houses.
Better to take the opportunity to show that he'd help things along. I can support you, but you'd better remember who did you a favor.
As the Director's assistant, with authority to give the final summary and ruling, Barthomeloi Lorelei had watched coldly from the sidelines the entire time. She wouldn't voice her opinion or interfere in the other Lords' discussion—
One reason was the innate arrogance of the Barthomeloi family, which made them disdain getting involved. Another was that the Director's assistant had to remain absolutely neutral. Her position gave her enormous power, but it had also left the Barthomeloi family isolated from the other prestigious houses.
Fortunately, Lorelei didn't care in the slightest. She lightly tapped the tip of her pen. Once it had stopped recording the meeting on its own, she looked around coolly, then rubbed her forehead. "If I remember correctly, this is the seventh item..."
"Let's leave the discussion about Lord Rimuru there for now."
"Then what about the seventh item?" Liddell's eyes lit up. "Does that mean you've accepted my proposal?"
"..." Barthomeloi glanced coldly at Liddell and said without emotion, "After discussion, we've provisionally decided that Academic City Sila will remain as it is, with Norjiri continuing as the department head, funded by the investors..."
"What?!"
"Lady Achelotte." The elderly woman who had been silent until now—Aozaki Touko's teacher, Inorai, whose presence even made Rimuru feel uneasy—spoke up.
As always, she spoke gently. "No matter how much the Modern Magecraft Department has declined, it still has its own basic dignity. Whoever takes it over will likewise have basic duties and responsibilities."
"Lord Rimuru's qualifications and record are worthy of recognition, but he has no experience managing an academic city and has shown no aptitude for it."
"As the Director's assistant, Lorelei has to consider not only what you want, but also the interests of all the students in this department. Likewise, if Lord Rimuru becomes a professor, he'll have to shoulder the professor's duties and responsibilities toward his students."
"So I propose that we shelve the question of the Modern Magecraft Department's academic city for now. We can make a decision after Lord Rimuru has been a professor for one full year."
Inorai's words fell over the room. Apart from Liddell, who was slightly dissatisfied, the neutralists all wore helpless expressions. The elderly woman had directly rejected Liddell's proposal, but she'd also made it clear that she expected Rimuru to become a professor.
With two of the Three Great Houses supporting him—and both of them representatives of the democratic faction—unless Yuri Phis, who belonged to the aristocratic faction, firmly opposed it, Rimuru's becoming a professor seemed all but certain.
Still... several of the lower-ranking Lords exchanged glances. He was only becoming a professor, not a Lord...
After a moment's hesitation, the Lords slowly raised their hands and said dejectedly, "We agree."
They had no choice. The two Great Houses were the only force within the democratic faction capable of standing up to the aristocrats. They were its leaders. Even if the rest of them felt aggrieved, they had to be the first to show their support!
And with that, the situation was clear.
Lorelei looked at the elderly woman with a trace of displeasure. Had she said that to help explain things on her behalf?
Apparently not. She'd simply used the opportunity as a way to broach the subject and make her position clear, settling the matter outright.
And Lorelei had no reason to object.
After a moment of silence, Barthomeloi Lorelei tapped the tip of her pen. The contents of the seventh and twelfth items appeared at the same time, and she looked at Rimuru. "Do you have any objections to the decision and proposal concerning Sura?"
"None," Rimuru replied quickly. He really had no interest in Sura at all. Even if he could get it, he'd only consider selling it to Waver someday or offering it as a favor.
Managing a company was one thing. Managing a city... no way!
As far as Rimuru was concerned, that was a completely different field!!
"Then... regarding the twelfth item..." Barthomeloi Lorelei looked around at everyone and asked, "Does anyone else have any objections?"
Though she'd asked everyone, her gaze was clearly fixed on just one person: the gloomy, white-haired old man sitting beside her, Yuri Phis.
The Barthomeloi were supposed to lead the aristocratic faction, but after the family had become isolated because of Barthomeloi's position as the Director's assistant, the faction's most influential figure had become the one Lord who could stand up to the Three Great Houses: Yuri Phis.
Although Gaiusling and Achelotte had already sided with Rimuru, she still had to think carefully if Yuri Phis firmly opposed it.
"I don't think... I have any reason... to oppose it." Yuri Phis watched Rimuru for a moment, then slowly shook his head.
He simply disagreed with the principles of House Achelotte. It wasn't as though they were sworn enemies. Expanding the aristocratic faction would only benefit him.
Barthomeloi was at a loss. She looked down at the event ledger as it automatically displayed the final result and sighed. Even Liddell and the Director probably hadn't expected this—
Rimuru had won unanimous approval.
Well, not quite unanimous. Meyastia had voiced his opposition, but in the end he'd still agreed to the proposal... What a fence-sitter.
Still, it was a time-honored tradition among the neutralists.
Good. Seeing Liddell's excitement and happiness, Rimuru couldn't help smiling too.
Now he'd be a professor once the school year started. At least he wasn't bringing shame on all the transmigrators, was he?
"Now, on to the eighth item."
Barthomeloi Lorelei tapped the ledger, turning the page, but suddenly frowned.
Why was it... Rimuru again?
"Oh?" Trambelio clearly noticed as well. He looked at the magical text appearing in the middle of the conference table and chuckled. "So this is why Lord Rimuru is here today?"
"Tsk." Kayneth tilted his head slightly and clicked his tongue.
Liddell, meanwhile, released a murderous aura so palpable that the whole room tensed at once.
"The matter of a Clock Tower lecturer being assassinated within a Lord's protected domain." Barthomeloi quietly closed the event ledger.
"This phrase, 'within a Lord's protected domain'..." Liddell narrowed her eyes and looked at every Lord in turn, before fixing on Yuri Phis. Her voice was perilously cold. "It's a very subtle choice of words."
"..." The wrinkles on Yuri Phis's desiccated face twisted together like withered vines. He glanced at Liddell, then said in a low voice, "I wouldn't stoop to such a dirty trick to deal with a lecturer, Lady Achelotte."
"Besides, if I'd been concerned about this, I wouldn't have agreed just now."
"Maybe you agreed out of guilt, to cover it up?" Liddell narrowed her eyes, a smile playing on her lips.
"Achelotte!" Lord Gaiusling rapped on the table to stop Liddell from letting her emotions get the better of her. Liddell paused, then gave an unwilling little huff and sat back down.
By generation, Lord Gaiusling was her uncle. She had to give him some consideration...
"That's right, Liddell."
Rimuru chuckled, then placed both hands on Liddell's shoulders and kneaded them gently as he soothed her. "At the very least, the mage who tried to assassinate me used modern weapons. Clearly, he was a Magus."
Before you continue