GameDev Reincarnated into His Own Creation

Vol 2 - Chapter 29.1: Stack Overflow

Vel's grip tightened on the registration form, crinkling the parchment. The tension in the room was palpable even from his hiding spot. He'd known there might be resistance to their cross-class team, but he hadn't anticipated this level of animosity between the instructors.

Vel held his breath as the argument continued to escalate.

"You already know what I mean. The students were divided into different teaching groups for a reason. Going against tradition does not make one innovative." Caldwen's voice had taken on a patronizing tone.

"The Academy teaches collaboration and balance, why would we stop the students from exercising such lessons?" Lyvenna countered.

"You call forcing a potential student to team with weak ones 'balance'?" The venom in Caldwen's voice made Vel flinch.

"Your unstable students will drag her down, and you know what would happen to students who fall behind. Especially the instructor in charge of them."

"Need I remind you of Instructor Morivan's dismissal three years ago?" Caldwen continued, his words precise and cutting. "His 'experimental' approach resulted in the lowest tournament rankings in Academy history. The board didn't even wait until term's end to replace him."

Papers rustled inside the office.

"Your probationary period ended just last year, Lyvenna. Your position here isn't as secure as you might believe. One significant failure, especially one this public, would undo all your hard work."

"So this is just about reputation and appearance?" Lyvenna's question carried a hint of weariness beneath her defiance.

"It's about reality," The sound of knuckles rapping against wood punctuated Caldwen's words. "Your sentimentality blinds you. Not everyone is meant for greatness. Some students simply lack the proper foundation."

For the first time, Vel heard Lyvenna speak with unflinching confidence. In the usual spats between instructors, she was always the first to back down and de-escalate. But not today.

"Or perhaps some instructors lack the imagination to see beyond traditional foundations. The tournament will reveal which of us is correct."

"Until then, I think our 'discussion' ends here."

"This is far from over. I hope you are ready for the consequences."

Footsteps approached the door rapidly. Vel pressed himself flat against the wall as Caldwen stormed out, face flushed with anger, ignoring his surroundings completely as he marched down the corridor.

Vel remained frozen in place until Caldwen's footsteps faded down the corridor. His mind raced as he processed what he'd just overheard. This wasn't merely about team formations or crossing class boundaries anymore—Lyvenna's career hung in the balance.

He glanced down at the registration form in his hands, now crumpled from his tight grip. What had begun as a strategic decision to combine their talents had escalated into something far more consequential.

Vel took a deep breath and straightened his uniform before entering the office. Lyvenna stood by the window, her back to the door, shoulders tense.

"Instructor?" Vel called softly.

She turned, quickly composing her expression. "Velarian. Come in."

"I brought the registration form for our tournament team," he said, holding up the wrinkled parchment. "Though I couldn't help overhearing..."

Lyvenna's eyes narrowed slightly. "How much did you hear?"

"Enough," Vel admitted. "I had no idea forming this team would put your position at risk."

Lyvenna took the form from his hands. "My career isn't your concern. Velarian"

"It is if I'm the reason you lose it," he countered. "I had no idea instructors could be dismissed for their students' performance."

Vel watched as a small, determined smile formed on Lyvenna's lips.

"There are always stakes at the Academy," she said, her voice calm but weighted. "Politics and reputation often overshadow actual learning. That's the nature of this place."

She walked to the desk, smoothing the crumpled registration form with deliberate care. Vel noticed her movements lacked their usual grace—her fingers slightly trembling as she pressed the parchment flat.

"It's a harsh world out there, Velarian," Lyvenna added, her gaze shifting to him. "And in here, everyone is constantly pushed to their limit. That's what the Academy does: it tests all of us, instructors and students alike. Failure has repercussions, more than you realize."

Vel felt a weight settling on his shoulders as he absorbed her words. His plan had been simple, almost naive in retrospect: learn just enough to grasp the intricacies of this world, stay unnoticed, gather information, and keep a low profile. His choices weren't supposed to carry this kind of impact.

But now, the fallout was undeniable. Celia's academic future, Lyvenna's precarious standing—his decision to form this team had already started rippling outward in ways he hadn't anticipated.

"So the question is do you still wish to proceed?" Lyvenna asked.

If his actions were going to affect the people around him, then he would make sure those effects were worth the risk they were all taking.

"Yes. Instructor"

Lyvenna's expression softened momentarily. "Prove that there's still hope for those who fall behind, Velarian. Give me a reason to believe redemption is possible."

The click of the door closing behind him sounded like the turning of a lock—sealing his commitment to a path that would either vindicate Lyvenna's faith or confirm her critics' doubts.

His responsibilities were stacking faster than he could process them, each new obligation pushing deeper until something threatened to overflow.