Chapter 104: Public Evaluation

“Katerina, you’ve really given me a big problem this time! Are you really sure about this?” In the office of the head instructor of the Psionic Arts Department at Almishas Academy, on the screen of the remote communication terminal, Principal Jackfleet smiled bitterly, wearing a hospital gown.

“I’m sorry to trouble you, teacher,” Katerina insisted with a nod. “Only by taking responsibility myself can I best preserve the prestige of the Psionic Arts Department. As long as the academy’s reputation remains intact, whether or not I remain in the Psionic Arts Department is no longer important. Besides… I’m already forty-nine this year. I can’t keep letting that fool waiting forever…” When she said this, for the first time, a rare blush appeared on Katerina’s face.

“Alright, alright,” Principal Jackfleet quickly raised his hands in surrender. “Since you’ve come this far, it would be too heartless for me, an old man, to keep holding you back! I’ll inform Governor Termis of your matter. However, I’m on leave right now. Whether or not your resignation will be approved depends on Professor Oude.”

“Thank you, teacher,” Katerina smiled and nodded.

“No, I should be the one thanking you. These twenty-five years, you’ve worked hard,” Principal Jackfleet also smiled, his eyes showing a mixture of sadness and joy, just like a loving father watching his beloved daughter appear before him in a wedding dress.

※※※

When Oude, the Dean of Discipline at Almishas Academy, received the news of Katerina’s resignation from Principal Jackfleet, his first reaction was that his head suddenly felt three times its normal size.

“Quick! Lilith, help me massage my head,” Oude, the acting principal, immediately collapsed into a chair after turning off the remote communicator directly linked to the imperial capital, pretending to be on the verge of a stroke, pointing frantically at his head toward a female discipline teacher standing beside him.

“Principal Oude, don’t you think you should pay attention to exercising? You can’t just collapse from such a small problem, right?” The seductive female discipline teacher put down the notebook she had been holding, walked behind Oude, and gently massaged his temples with both hands.

“Mmm… mmm…” Oude hummed, closed his eyes to enjoy the moment for a while, but his right hand had already sneaked down, reaching under the seductive female teacher’s short skirt to her enticing thighs, then lifting the skirt upward along her legs.

“Principal Oude, you’re so naughty! Don’t you still have matters to deal with?” Instead of objecting to Oude’s bold move, the seductive female teacher playfully laughed and leaned into Oude’s arms, offering her full, shapely bottom to him.

“Deal with those matters later!” Oude grinned lecherously, then simply grabbed the seductive female teacher’s skirt and pulled it all the way off, revealing her lower body, wearing only a nearly transparent thong.

However, upon seeing the top document on the notebook that the seductive female teacher had left on the table, Oude suddenly seemed to lose all desire, gritting his teeth and stopping his actions.

“Principal Oude?” The seductive female teacher looked at Oude in confusion.

“Heh… What difference does it make if I approve Katerina’s resignation?” Grabbing the document with only a few lines of text, Oude sneered for a while, then suddenly picked up a pen and quickly signed his name.

“Up!” Then, Oude pinched the seductive female teacher’s breast hard.

“Ouch!” The seductive female teacher cried out in pain and obediently stood up.

“Go! Take this document to the administrative office next door and tell them to announce it to the entire academy tomorrow.”

“What?” The seductive female teacher was almost scared to collapse.

“What are you afraid of? You go when I tell you to!” Oude helped the seductive female teacher put her short skirt back on, but then suddenly yanked down her nearly transparent underwear.

“Ahh!” The seductive female teacher cried out again, hurriedly covering her skirted bottom.

“Quickly go!” On Oude’s face, a strange, lecherous smile was filled with twisted desire.

The seductive female teacher could only nervously leave Oude’s office, and soon hurried back in panic.

“How does it feel wearing this outfit when interacting with others?” Closing the door, Oude immediately grabbed the seductive female teacher and asked.

“Giggle! Do you even need to ask? The Almishas Academy uniform made my heart race with nervousness when I went out! I was so scared someone would find out I was an impostor… If you don’t believe me, feel it!” The seductive female teacher grabbed Oude’s hand, giggling as she pressed it against her remarkably full chest.

“Haha! You’re such a little tease!” Oude laughed loudly, then yanked off the short skirt he had just helped the seductive female teacher put on, grinning lewdly as he pointed toward a bookshelf next to him that was nearly three meters tall. “Go help me get the files from the top.”

“Principal Oude, you’re so mean!” The seductive female teacher playfully rubbed against Oude for a moment, then turned around, covering her exposed bottom, and climbed onto the wooden ladder placed next to the bookshelf. Oude returned to behind his desk, staring intently at the female teacher’s completely naked lower body as she retrieved the files and brought them to him.

“What are these files? They look pretty important,” the seductive female teacher asked curiously as she fell back into Oude’s arms, looking at the files together with him.

“These are the personal files of all the Psionic Arts instructors at Almishas Academy rated at least three stars,” Oude said, spreading each document in front of him.

After spreading out all the files, Oude frowned again.

“There are only nine left? I remember at the beginning of the year during the Triumph Festival, weren’t there more than a dozen? How come there are so many missing now? Oh right! Two months ago during the survival competition, that little tease Linoia and Robert went missing together. Add Katerina’s resignation, and Almishas Academy has lost three three-star instructors all at once. This won’t do!” Oude muttered to himself, even losing his previous mood for flirting with the seductive female teacher.

Oude pushed the woman in his arms aside, stood up restlessly, paced back and forth a few times, then suddenly laughed heartily.

“Haha! That old Jackfleet chose a great time to go to the capital for rest! Such a great opportunity handed to me, how could I not take advantage? Hehe! I’m just doing this for the good of Almishas Academy! The Martial Arts Department of Almishas Academy has finally shown signs of revival. At this moment, how can I let the Psionic Arts Department decline again? Otherwise, we Kaseres people will be laughed at for being able to handle one thing but not another!”

“Principal Oude, what are you talking about?” The seductive female teacher curiously stared at Oude, who was muttering to himself.

“Haha! What was I talking about?” Oude laughed loudly, his gaze suddenly filled with twisted, perverted desire toward the seductive female teacher’s chest. “I was talking about, do you really want to become a teacher at Almishas Academy?”

“What? Principal Oude, don’t joke with me!” The seductive female teacher was stunned, then couldn’t help but giggle. “How could I possibly enter Almishas Academy?”

“Heh! What do you mean impossible? Almishas Academy has also come to a time for change. I’m telling you, this opportunity is once in a lifetime. If you miss it, it’ll never come again.” Suddenly, Oude’s eyes burned with a fierce desire. Almost impatiently, he pushed the seductive female teacher onto the desk.

Soon, the temporary principal’s office was filled with the intense panting sounds of a man and a woman.

“Help… no! Bastard…” In a room on the third floor of the high-ranking instructors’ apartment at Almishas Academy, Irina, who had gone home to sleep early, was also struggling violently in her bed. On Irina’s face, which kept murmuring in her sleep, was a mixture of submission and humiliation. Irina’s thin blanket had long been kicked onto the floor during her tossing and turning. Even so, her naked body was still drenched in sweat, as if she had just experienced a fierce battle.

“Ahh!” Finally, with a sharp scream, Irina’s body arched upward like a tightly drawn bow, and she suddenly woke up.

“Phew… phew…” After lying on the bed, panting weakly for a long time, Irina slowly sat up.

Facing Irina’s resting bed was a dressing table. Irina carefully observed the woman reflected in the mirror.

The woman in the mirror had an exquisitely youthful face, her sharp, sensual chin slightly raised, showing her strong confidence. Her chest was full and firm, her skin as white and tender as lamb fat, enviable to anyone. Even in a kneeling sitting posture, there wasn’t a trace of fat on her waist. Then, from her sensual, plump thighs down to her feet carved like jade, her long legs were flawless.

Yet, this proud and confident woman now had her eyes filled with humiliation. Irina could clearly see the lingering flush on the woman’s face in the mirror, her full breasts rising and falling violently with her breath, her fair skin seemingly turning an enticing pink… just like the lowest prostitute who had just served a customer and was using her body to beg for payment!

“Ahh!” Irina suddenly hugged her chest tightly, screamed, grabbed a glass box, and smashed the mirror into pieces. “Zhang Wen… bastard! Bastard…” Irina buried her head between her long legs, trembling, squeezing out words filled with hellish hatred from deep in her throat, one word at a time.

“Irina teacher, Irina teacher? Are you okay?” Suddenly, knocking on the door made Irina lift her head again. She silently stared toward the direction of the door, her eyes vaguely showing some panic.

“Irina teacher? Are you okay?” The voice outside paused for a moment, then knocked more urgently soon after.

At this time, Irina also recognized that the one knocking outside was the middle-aged woman who had been her neighbor for several years. The middle-aged woman’s husband seemed to be a discipline teacher working in the discipline committee. Irina rarely interacted with this middle-aged couple and couldn’t even recall their appearance.

“Irina teacher?”

“I’m fine!” When the door was knocked for the third time, Irina had already regained her usual confident and proud expression. Irina jumped off the bed, grabbed her nightgown hanging by the bed, put it on, and opened the door to coldly look at the middle-aged woman outside.

“Oh! I heard some noise from your room and was worried you might be sick or something happened. Since you’re fine, that’s great. Sigh, recently Almishas Academy hasn’t been very peaceful…” The middle-aged woman, seemingly completely unaware of Irina’s cold expression, chattered on incessantly.

However, just as Irina’s patience was gradually running out and she was about to tell the chatty woman to shut up, a sentence from the other party suddenly made Irina’s expression change dramatically.

“…By the way! Irina teacher, have you heard? Our academy is about to have some big moves! Principal Oude has issued two orders, which will be announced to the entire academy tomorrow.” The middle-aged woman whispered mysteriously as she leaned closer to Irina.

“What orders?” Irina hurriedly asked in return.

“Wow! Irina teacher, you really don’t know? Everyone in the school who’s a bit informed has already been talking about it…” Irina’s expression greatly satisfied the middle-aged woman’s vanity, and she smiled proudly, opening her mouth to talk nonstop.

Soon, the chatty middle-aged woman poured out all the information she knew to Irina.

The two orders signed by Acting Principal Oude were first, approving the resignation of the head instructor of the Psionic Arts Department—perhaps it should now be called the “former” head instructor, Lysia Katerina. Tomorrow morning, the administration office would officially announce Katerina’s departure.

For most of the Psionic Arts Department teachers who had attended the meeting earlier that day, the news of Katerina’s resignation was no longer a shocking revelation. Although Acting Principal Oude’s approval of Katerina’s resignation was indeed a bit fast, considering the traditionally not-so-harmonious relationship between Oude and Katerina, Irina didn’t find the speed particularly strange.

However, if the previous news couldn’t arouse much interest from Irina, the second order mentioned by the middle-aged woman almost instantly erased the last bit of sleepiness she had left.

While approving Katerina’s resignation, Acting Principal Oude had decided to hold an “Academy Public Evaluation” within the academy.

Every imperial academy would hold an “Academy Evaluation” every few years. The main purpose of such evaluations was to provide young, outstanding instructors with an opportunity to showcase their abilities, thus replacing the older instructors who had lost their ambition and drive.

For Almishas Academy, one of the top ten imperial academies, such evaluations were commonplace and no one paid much attention. However, the “Academy Public Evaluation” was quite different from the usual “Academy Evaluation.” Adding the word “public” meant opening the academy’s doors, allowing anyone to compete for the academy’s positions!

For imperial academies that valued tradition greatly, a public evaluation was almost equivalent to a major company on Earth announcing layoffs—a symbol of declining strength and falling into a difficult situation. Although public evaluations could replenish strength, they dealt a heavy blow to the academy’s prestige. Therefore, unless absolutely necessary, almost no academy would take such action.

“Public evaluation?” After sending off the chattering middle-aged woman, Irina frowned.

It was true that the Department of Incantation at Almaceus Academy had suffered several setbacks recently, but it had certainly not deteriorated to the point of needing to damage its reputation to replenish its strength.

Oude’s sudden proposal for a public evaluation—anyone with half a brain could see the acting dean’s true intentions.

In fact, Principal Jackfryd’s health had been deteriorating for several years. The recent heart attack had only worsened his already fragile condition. Those in the know understood that Jackfryd’s time at the helm of the academy was probably limited to just a few more years.

If Katjelena were still around, no one in Almaceus Academy would dare entertain thoughts about the principal’s seat. After all, in terms of prestige, strength, achievements, and her close relationship with Principal Jackfryd, Katjelena was the natural choice to succeed.

However, once Katjelena resigned, problems immediately arose.

In theory, after Jackfryd and Katjelena, the next highest-ranking and most senior figure at Almaceus Academy would be Xin, the chief physical arts instructor.

According to imperial tradition, once Principal Jackfryd retired, the principal’s position should rightfully go to Instructor Xin. Yet if you asked the entire Almaceus Academy, no one would dare entrust the academy’s leadership to Xin. This was evident from the fact that, after Jackfryd fell ill, the acting principal was Oude, not Xin. Now that Oude had obtained the title of acting principal, naturally he wanted to take the next step and remove the “acting” prefix.

However, coming from the background of being the head of the discipline committee, Oude’s ambition to ascend directly to principal would face no less resistance than Xin’s. Without the support of both the incantation and physical arts departments’ instructors, becoming the academy’s principal was nothing more than a pipe dream.

But the incantation department’s repeated failures and Katjelena’s resignation had given Oude a golden opportunity. Oude could now openly recruit a group of loyalists under the guise of “public evaluation.”

Understanding Oude’s motives for disregarding Almaceus Academy’s reputation and suddenly announcing a public evaluation, Irina sneered coldly. Oude’s actions were clearly driven by personal ambition, completely disregarding the academy’s centuries-old reputation. Yet, as acting principal, Oude indeed had the authority to make such a decision.

“Without Principal Jackfryd and Teacher Katjelena, the only person at Oude’s level left in the academy is Instructor Xin. But that guy is a useless idiot. So the only one who could possibly stop Oude’s reckless behavior would be…” Irina’s cold smirk suddenly stiffened as she thought. Suddenly, a face she hated most intensely flashed in her mind!

“No! Not that bastard… It’s Governor Temisso! Right!” Irina gasped a few breaths, shook her head hard, and muttered softly to herself.

Although it was already late at night, Irina didn’t hesitate at all. She quickly changed into her incantation department uniform and stood in front of the dressing table again.

If she could convince Governor Temisso to force Oude to rescind his decision and stop his reckless behavior, Irina’s prestige within the academy would surely reach new heights. Within the incantation department, no one would be able to challenge Irina for Katjelena’s vacated chief instructor position! And when Jackfryd retired in a few years, Irina, as the chief instructor of the incantation department, would undoubtedly become the top candidate for the next principal!

Irina stared intently at the beautiful woman in the mirror, clearly seeing the flame of ambition burning in her eyes.

“Governor, Teacher Irina from Almaceus Academy wishes to see you,” about half an hour later, the female aide Mishia suddenly entered Governor Temisso’s office and softly informed him.

“Irina? What does she want at the Governor’s residence?” Governor Temisso was still engrossed in the thick stack of documents on his desk, not even lifting his head.

“Teacher Irina didn’t say. However, she insisted on meeting the Governor personally,” Mishia added helplessly.

“Hmm…” Governor Temisso inhaled deeply and finally looked up from the thick pile of documents. “Alright. Let her in.”

“Yes, Governor.” Mishia bowed respectfully and left the Governor’s office. Soon after, Irina walked in.

“Irina, you only just returned to Casares today, and it’s already so late. What urgent matter brings you to the Governor’s residence at this hour?” Governor Temisso gestured for Irina to sit and then folded his fingers on the table. His tone and expression revealed nothing of his thoughts.

“I’m truly sorry for disturbing the Governor’s rest at such a late hour. However, this matter concerns the reputation of Almaceus Academy. If I waited until tomorrow, it would be too late,” Irina replied, sitting across from Temisso.

“Oh?” Temisso raised an eyebrow.

“Governor, do you know that Acting Dean Oude is planning a public evaluation at Almaceus Academy?”

“I do.”

“You… what? You know?” Irina exclaimed in surprise.

“Exactly. Oude informed me of his decision several hours ago.”

“Public evaluation?” After seeing off the incessantly chattering middle-aged woman, Irina frowned. The Department of Arcane Arts at Almythus Academy had indeed suffered several setbacks recently, but it had not yet fallen to the point where it needed to damage its own reputation to bolster its strength.

Ode’s sudden proposal for a public evaluation at this time made it clear to anyone with a bit of sense what the acting headmaster’s true intentions were. In fact, for several years now, Headmaster Jackfleet’s health had not been very good. The recent heart attack had further worsened his already declining health. Those in the know were aware that Jackfleet probably wouldn’t be able to hold onto his position as headmaster for much longer.

If Katerina were still here, no one at Almythus Academy would dare to covet the headmaster’s position. Whether in terms of prestige, strength, achievements, or her relationship with Headmaster Jackfleet, Katerina was the natural successor. However, as soon as Katerina resigned, problems immediately arose.

Theoretically, at Almythus Academy, after Headmaster Jackfleet and Katerina, the next highest-ranking and most senior person was Chief Instructor Xin from the Department of Physical Arts. According to imperial tradition, once Headmaster Jackfleet retired, the position of headmaster should naturally go to Instructor Xin. However, no one in the entire Almythus Academy would dare to let Instructor Xin become the headmaster. This was evident from the fact that after Headmaster Jackfleet fell ill, the acting headmaster was Ode, not Instructor Xin. Since Ode had secured the position of acting headmaster, he naturally wanted to go one step further and remove the “acting” from his title.

However, given Ode’s background as the head of the disciplinary committee, the resistance he faced in his ambition to rise to the top was no less than that faced by Instructor Xin. Without the support of the instructors from both the Arcane and Physical Arts departments, becoming the headmaster would be nothing more than a pipe dream.

However, the consecutive failures of the Department of Arcane Arts and Katerina’s resignation provided Ode with a golden opportunity. Ode could openly use the “public evaluation” to recruit a group of “allies” willing to stand by his side.

Understanding Ode’s disregard for Almythus Academy’s reputation and his sudden announcement of a public evaluation, Irina couldn’t help but sneer. Ode’s actions were undoubtedly driven by personal gain, disregarding the academy’s century-old reputation. As the acting headmaster, Ode indeed had the authority to make such a decision.

“Without Headmaster Jackfleet and Instructor Katerina, the only person at the academy on par with Ode is Instructor Xin. But that guy is a hopeless fool. So, the only person who could possibly stop Ode’s reckless actions is…” At this thought, Irina’s sneer suddenly stiffened. In her mind, the face of the person she hated most suddenly appeared!

“No! Not that bastard… it’s Governor Temiso! That’s right!” Irina took a few deep breaths, shook her head vigorously, and muttered to herself.

Although it was already late at night, Irina didn’t hesitate. She quickly changed into her Arcane Arts uniform and stood in front of the mirror once again.

If she could get Governor Temiso to force Ode to retract his decision and stop his reckless actions, Irina’s reputation within the academy would undoubtedly rise to new heights. In the Department of Arcane Arts, no one would be able to compete with Irina for the position of Chief Instructor left by Katerina! A few years later, when Headmaster Jackfleet retired, Irina, as the Chief Instructor of the Department of Arcane Arts, would undoubtedly become the top candidate for the headmaster position!

Irina stared intently at the beautiful woman in the mirror, and in her eyes, she clearly saw the flames of ambition!

“Governor, Instructor Irina from Almythus Academy wishes to see you.” About half an hour later, Deputy Governor Mishia suddenly walked into Governor Temiso’s office and whispered to him.

“Irina? What is she doing at the Governor’s Mansion?” Governor Temiso was still engrossed in a thick stack of documents on his desk, not even looking up.

“Instructor Irina didn’t say. However, she insisted on seeing you, Governor.” Mishia was also somewhat helpless.

“Hmm…” Governor Temiso took a deep breath and finally looked up from the thick stack of documents. “Alright. Let her in.”

“Yes, Governor.” Mishia bowed meticulously and left the office. Shortly after, Irina pushed the door open and walked in.

“Instructor Irina, you just returned to Kasares today, and it’s so late. What important matter requires you to come to the Governor’s Mansion at this hour?” Governor Temiso first gestured for Irina to sit down, then interlaced his fingers on the desk. His tone and expression revealed no emotion whatsoever.

“I’m very sorry to disturb your rest at this late hour, Governor. However, this matter concerns the reputation of Almythus Academy. If we wait until tomorrow, it will be too late.” Irina sat down across from Governor Temiso.

“Oh?” Governor Temiso raised an eyebrow.

“Governor, are you aware that Acting Headmaster Ode plans to conduct a public evaluation at Almythus Academy?”

“I am.”

“You… what? You know?” Irina exclaimed in surprise.

“That’s right. Ode informed me of his decision a few hours ago.”

“But…” Irina stood up, unwilling to accept this.

“Instructor Irina!” Governor Temiso’s gaze instantly turned icy. “Acting Headmaster Ode’s reasoning to me was that the Department of Arcane Arts at Almythus Academy has suffered consecutive setbacks, and in the past three months, a large number of instructors at the three-star level and above have left. After Katerina’s resignation, there are fewer than ten left. What reason do you think I should use to overturn Acting Headmaster Ode’s decision?”

“This… this…” Irina was momentarily flustered. Before coming to the Governor’s Mansion, she had not anticipated that Ode’s decisions were not made unilaterally!

“Hmph! Instructor Irina, I have always respected the instructors of Almythus Academy, but don’t think for a moment that this gives you the right to overstep your bounds! Acting Headmaster Ode’s decision was a result of your own failures at Themis Academy! I haven’t even settled that score with you yet, and now you come here asking me to be your shield for your failures, Instructor Irina?” Governor Temiso also slowly stood up.

The heavy and oppressive tone was enough to show the extent of Governor Temiso’s anger!

“I’m very sorry… Governor.” Irina’s face turned pale. With the flames of ambition extinguished, Irina now suddenly realized how foolish she had been! Due to the failures of the Department of Arcane Arts, Governor Temiso was already furious, and she had come here alone to deliver herself to her doom!

“Alright. Instructor Irina, if there’s nothing else, you may leave now.” Governor Temiso sat back down, picked up the documents on his desk, and didn’t look at Irina again.

Irina fled the Governor’s study with a pale face.

“Governor, are you just going to let this go?” Mishia glanced helplessly at Irina’s retreating figure and softly asked Governor Temiso.

“Mishia, I know you care about Almythus Academy. So do I. Almythus Academy is the pride of every Kasares citizen. But you must understand, Almythus Academy is not the entirety of Kasares. Right now, someone is step by step, methodically destroying Kasares, and I must protect this land, protect the home of all Kasares citizens! I’m sorry, Mishia. I truly don’t have the time to deal with Ode or any other fool’s petty schemes!”

“I’m very sorry, Governor.” Mishia sincerely apologized, then, like a nimble black cat, silently slipped out of the study.

“Irina!” Temisso’s gaze darkened instantly. “Oude’s reasoning is that the incantation department at Almaceus Academy has suffered repeated setbacks, with a large number of instructors at the three-star level or above leaving in the past three months, and now there are fewer than ten remaining after Katjelena resigned. Irina, tell me, what reason should I use to reject Acting Dean Oude’s decision?”

“This… this…” Irina panicked. She hadn’t expected, before coming to the Governor’s residence, that Oude’s two decisions were not made unilaterally!

“Hmph! Irina, I’ve always respected the instructors of Almaceus Academy, but don’t you dare think you can take advantage of that respect and overstep your bounds! Oude’s decision stems from your failures at Thaumas Academy! I haven’t even begun to hold you accountable for that, and now you come running to me to cover up your failures, Irina?”

Temisso slowly stood up as well.

The heavy, oppressive tone was enough to show how furious Temisso had become.

“I’m very sorry… Governor.” Irina’s face turned deathly pale. With the flame of ambition extinguished, Irina now suddenly realized how foolish she had been. She had come willingly into the lion’s den while Temisso was already furious over the incantation department’s failures.

“Alright. Irina, if there’s nothing else, you may leave now.” Temisso sat back down, picked up the documents again, and didn’t spare Irina another glance.

Irina fled from the Governor’s study, her face pale.

“Governor, are you really going to let this go unchecked?” Mishia looked at Irina’s retreating figure helplessly and softly asked Temisso.

“I know you care about Almaceus Academy, Mishia. In fact, I do too. Almaceus Academy is a source of pride for every citizen of Casares. But you must understand, Almaceus is not the entirety of Casares. Right now, someone is systematically and deliberately trying to destroy Casares. I must protect this land and the homes of every citizen of Casares! I’m sorry, Mishia, but I really don’t have the time to deal with Oude or any fool’s petty schemes!”

“Very sorry, Governor.” Mishia sincerely apologized, then, like a nimble black cat, silently exited the study.