The situation was rapidly changing, almost too quickly to keep up with.

Veronica, the principal, could feel it in her bones.

"Support is impossible?"

"Yes, it is to ensure the independent status of the academy, so we ask for your understanding."

"...I see. You may go. Send my regards to him."

"I will do so."

As the royal envoy, who had bowed and completed his farewell, left the room, Veronica sighed repeatedly and took out the bottle she had kept tucked away.

"Hmph. The youngsters these days are impossible to understand."

The sight of the young girl pouring a drink with a radiant glow was entirely natural. Anyone witnessing the scene would be struck by the seasoned wisdom within the girl's body, despite her appearance.

The girl drained the expensive-looking drink in one gulp and began to grumble.

"What nonsense is this about the independent status of the academy? Do they think I wouldn't understand what that means?"

Of course not. It was no different from pushing through, knowing I couldn’t resist.

They were reducing external support to guarantee the academy's independent status. It sounded good on the surface.

But ultimately, it was no different from saying, "We don’t want to help you."

So much time had passed since the terrorist incident that shocked the world, yet the investigation was still sluggish.

It made her wish they’d just come out and say they didn’t intend to help.

"...Tsk. The world really does change quickly."

Before the war, things were busy, but not precarious.

Now, Veronica couldn’t help but think that if things continued this way, the academy, with its proud history, might not last much longer, and she emptied her glass repeatedly.

"Sigh, drinking alone is so lonely..."

They haven’t even figured out the identity of those trying to kill their own kin, yet they’re busy keeping other institutions in check.

Just how far has the royal family fallen? It would be nice if they understood the concept of priorities.

"I thought that insolent one might still be somewhat useful."

She had been a cheeky brat since she was young, but she did have talent.

Even though she had become arrogant because of that, Veronica had thought that if she could just temper that personality a bit, she could become quite a good emperor.

Never had she imagined that because of that very personality, she would lose her supporters and naturally be pushed out of the mainstream.

In my day, even if someone had a bit of an arrogant and nasty personality, people would overlook it because they were noble.

But these days, tsk, tsk.

Thinking that, Veronica continued to drink until she soon realized that the bottle was empty. She reached into the drawer to get another bottle.

Let’s see, it should be here... Why isn’t it?

"...Oh, come to think of it, I forgot to buy more last time."

Veronica finally realized that her secret stash of alcohol had run out.

Usually, she drank only occasionally, so it was fine to refill it only when she remembered.

But with all the recent stress, she had been drinking more frequently, and the alcohol, which normally wouldn’t run out, was now gone.

...I want to drink a bit more.

Just as I was getting into the mood, the alcohol ran out. Veronica was irritated.

She could go buy some cheap alcohol right away, but she didn’t like that the flow had been interrupted.

At that moment, Veronica suddenly remembered a promise she had casually made some time ago.

"...Didn’t the counselor say I could come over if I wanted to drink?"

Veronica recalled that the counselor had said something like that.

Even though it had been quite a while, the fact that she still remembered it improved Veronica's mood.

Maybe it was because she was slightly drunk that even small things could lift her spirits, but that wasn’t the important part.

Despite the slander of those who always called her old, she still had a good memory.

That boosted Veronica’s pride.

A senile old woman, am I? With this appearance? I still have a bright future ahead of me. Look how well I remember things.

Muttering that to herself, Veronica left the principal’s office with a light step.

To get some free drinks for the first time in a while.

However, Veronica didn’t realize one thing.

It was her obsession with her age that made her seem even older.

"Come here!"

"...You startled me. Oh, it's you, old hag."

"What is it with you? Isn’t it time you stopped calling me an old hag?"

That rude kid, always ruining a good mood.

Even when I’m willing to acknowledge his talent, he always acts like this.

Needlessly getting under people's skin. No wonder he’s naturally being left out.

Veronica decided to show off her magnanimity and forgive him just for today.

"Hmph."

"But, why are you here...?"

"I’m leaving now. Ophelia-sensei, see you next time."

"Oh, yes. Goodbye."

"...?"

But something seemed strange.

Why were there two people in the counseling room?

If it were other students, I could have dismissed it as surprising that the rude one was walking around with someone else.

But not with that student. Not with Anastasia, the Observer.

To see one of the church’s key figures with the princess...

And something about their reactions was suspicious, as if they were trying to hide something from me...

"It’s been a while, Principal. What brings you here?"

"Oh. It’s nothing much. I was wondering if I could borrow some alcohol."

"Alcohol?"

"Yes. Didn’t you say before that I could come to you if I wanted to drink? Do you not remember?"

Well, it’s probably nothing.

Veronica decided to let it slide.

This is the counseling room. It’s a place where students talk about anything and everything.

Everyone has at least one secret they don’t want anyone to know. It’s no different for those in high positions—I know that better than anyone.

No matter how high-ranking they are, they’re still young students. It’s right to turn a blind eye when they try to escape with their secrets intact.

"Oh, that’s right. I didn’t think you’d remember. I thought you might have forgotten."

"What?! Do you think I’m old too?! This is shocking!"

"...Have you already had a drink? You seem a little tipsy."

"I’m not drunk!"

"..."

Hmm, she doesn’t seem to believe me.

I’m not drunk, I say... Huh? Where else can you find someone as lively as me, even after drinking?

But proving that I wasn’t drunk wasn’t as important as getting more alcohol.

"...So, do you have any?"

"..."

"You don’t...?"

Veronica couldn’t hide her disappointment as Ophelia hesitated.

So, she doesn’t have any.

Well, this is a school. It’s not exactly common to secretly stash alcohol here...

"I do."

"Then just say you do! Why the hesitation?"

"Well, I mean... How do I tell my superior that I smuggled alcohol into the academy?"

"No! It’s fine! I’ll give you permission! Hide as much alcohol as you want! As long as you leave some for me!"

Was that what she was worried about?

Veronica, feeling good, gave her permission to hide it.

As long as the students and other teachers don’t find out, it’s fine. It’ll be a secret just between the teacher and me.

...A secret just between the two of us? The thought made her feel even better, like she was part of a young person’s conversation.

Veronica quickly downed the drink that Ophelia had poured and handed over.

"Ah! This is it!"

"Does it suit your taste?"

"Not bad. It’s good. The peat flavor is a bit light, though."

"How about trying this one? It has a stronger aroma than the last one."

"Good! I’m curious about that too!"

A counseling room is, by nature, a haven for students.

But sometimes, it doesn’t hurt to let it be a haven for adults as well.

Veronica genuinely thought so.

She felt her stressed body and mind relax.

It’s only natural that drinking with someone while chatting is more enjoyable than drinking alone, but until now, she had no one to drink with, so it had been quite lonely.

She felt her fondness for the counselor rising.

"Come on, you drink too! Don’t worry, I won’t scold you for this."

"...Then, just a little."

Even the way she drank was to Veronica’s liking.

How could she be so beautiful in everything she does? She doesn’t have children, but if she did, I’d want to marry them off to her.

"Principal. Since I’m meeting you, there’s something I’d like to ask you..."

"What is it? Go ahead, I’ll listen to anything!"

"I’d like to take some vacation time. Would that be possible?"

"...Hmm? Vacation?"

"Yes, for about a week."

"Go ahead, take it!"

Taking a whole week off at once.

To be honest, if it were any other teacher asking, I would have refused outright.

The current situation isn’t stable, and the exam period is approaching. Things are about to get busy, so we need every hand we can get.

But if she says she wants to rest, I must allow it. Although the counselor’s role doesn’t directly impact students’ classes, she must be tired, so it’s right to let her rest.

The person who knows best when they’re tired is themselves. It’s best to rest when you need it.

As someone who listens to others’ problems, it must be hard for her to talk about her own. She must have accumulated a lot of fatigue.

She’s probably planning a trip to relieve stress.

"But if you’re going on a trip, be careful, teacher."

"Yes, I’ll be careful. Thank you."

"I mean it. The current situation isn’t stable. It wouldn’t be strange if something bad happened."

However, I decided to give her some advice just in case.

She’s a teacher I like, so it would be a shame if something happened and she couldn’t come back to work.

"The academy terrorist incident, the tension between the Pope and the royal family... When things are like this, bad events tend to occur."

"That’s true."

"By the way, I’m curious where you’re going that requires such a long break. Where are you off to?"

"It’s nothing special. As you said, the situation isn’t stable, so there are some things I need to take care of."

"Oh... I see?"

"Yes. But let’s put aside the headache-inducing talk and have another drink?"

"Good idea! Ah, this one’s good too! One more!"

And so, the night for the adults deepened.