Chapter 118
“Long time no see, Erica. How have you been?”
“Oh… Diphelia. Yeah, it’s been a while.”
It was still early, an hour to go before class started.
In the Student Council Room of Academia, the student council members were gathered early in the morning for announcements about the new semester and a regular meeting.
The Student Council President had yet to arrive, so the meeting hadn’t started.
Diphelia, sitting next to Erica, wore a bright smile that reflected her warm feelings.
However, Erica looked somewhat drained. The forced smile on her face seemed awkward.
Diphelia whispered softly, “Erica… did something happen during break?”
“Oh, no. Nothing at all. Just… a bit tired.”
“Tired…?”
“Thanks for your concern.”
There was clearly something, but Erica didn’t seem to want to share. Diphelia read her expression and felt a bit disheartened, looking ahead.
Just then, as if on cue, the door opened, and the Student Council President entered.
“Let’s start the meeting.”
Rheincarven, the Student Council President, said as he took a seat. His voice was clear and resonant, even in the early morning.
The Secretary, sitting beside Rheincarven, began reading the date and the agenda for the day.
Overall, not much changed with the start of the second semester.
Special reports about Academia, budget settlements for the student council and research society, and handling students who had faced disciplinary action…
As the Secretary listed the items, the meeting progressed swiftly, and after about 50 minutes, only one item remained.
“The first round of nominations for the next Student Council President is coming up soon.”
The current president, Rheincarven, was in his fourth year.
He planned to graduate from Academia next year and embark on his journey as a hero, meaning he wouldn’t be around here.
The annual Student Council President election involves a first round immediately as the second semester begins, followed by a second round after the festival before reaching the final election.
It was a bit of a hassle with so many procedures, but that was the necessary process to choose someone who would represent the students of Academia.
Rheincarven scrutinized two individuals with eyes as cold as frozen orbs.
These two were the most promising candidates for the next Student Council President.
While it wasn’t mandatory for only student council members to run for president, almost all previous presidents had passed through the student council.
These two had enrolled in the student council from the start with the intention of becoming president.
There was no reason for them not to run in this election.
There is no reason.
“Those wishing to participate, raise your hands.”
As soon as Rheincarven finished speaking…
A woman and a man raised their hands simultaneously.
As expected by everyone, they were the two strong candidates.
Rheincarven first asks the man.
“I will confirm. Rezek, do you wish to participate in this upcoming student council president election?”
“Yes, I do.”
Rezek, a man from the Darek Union.
As a third-year student, he had passed the first and second rounds of last year’s election but was defeated by Rheincarven in the final stage.
Since that loss, he had been preparing for this election with a fierce determination to win.
From Erica’s perspective, he excelled.
Despite some fluctuations in rankings, he maintained the position of first place among the third years and was undoubtedly the most outstanding magician in his year.
His loss last year was due to Rheincarven’s position and charisma captivating the students, and he was certainly qualified to be student council president.
…However, this year’s opponent was no pushover.
In fact, she might be even more formidable than Rheincarven.
“I will confirm. Ocel Julio Clemens, do you wish to participate in this upcoming student council president election?”
With hair as crimson as blood, sharp eyes like the tip of a spear, and her pure gaze.
The daughter of the prestigious Julio family, currently ranked first in the Hero Ranking.
Ocel Julio Clemens.
“Yes, I do.”
Before Vargan arrived, she had garnered all the attention at the Academia with her declaration of intent to participate.
Now a second-year, her intimidating presence and skill were not at all inferior to Rezek’s, a third-year.
‘…Hmm?’
Erica’s gaze met hers for a moment.
Well, they had been looking at each other continuously, so it wasn’t surprising that their eyes would cross at least once, but it felt intentional rather than just coincidental.
…Could be just her imagination, but something felt off.
“Is there anyone else wishing to participate?”
At Rheincarven’s question, no one else raised their hands.
Everyone instinctively knew.
The next student council president would be one of these two.
Understanding their intentions, Rheincarven began to wrap up the meeting.
“The applicants already registered and the two present here are permitted to begin activities for the first round of elections starting this afternoon. Additionally, I will issue a notice to secure more participants…”
However, a certain individual’s action momentarily delayed the conclusion.
“Is that an intent to participate? Arterion.”
The Golden Knight Arterion had raised his hand.
His lips, which always remained sealed, finally moved.
In his dignified and intelligent golden eyes, determination shone through.
“Yes, I will participate.”
Thus, three members had declared their intent to participate in the student council already.
*
After an unusually cold summer vacation, the scenery of the Academia seemed ordinary.
While members of Arbol Frutal came to greet each other and giggle amongst themselves, it was hard to feel anything new.
The current time was shortly after lunch.
Under the guidance of the professor, Louisa, Class 1 was reminiscing about old memories as they faced off against golems in their groups.
The one notable change was that the golems had increased in power and there was a giant boss-level golem present.
Just that much.
I wish there had only been that much change.
“Next team, enter.”
Louisa’s strong voice echoed.
After the previous team’s turn was over, it was our turn now.
I moved while cradling the newly provided practice flail in my arms.
Alicia and Emily kept stealing glances at me from the side. I delivered a light slap to Alicia who’s come closer.
“Ow…!”
Suddenly struck on the forehead, Alicia had a confused expression as to why she was hit, and I immediately supplied the answer.
“You sometimes treat me like a child, rather than an adult capable of discernment.”
“No, Young Master!”
“Then why do you keep trying to read my face to resolve your concerns?”
“Th-that’s… ow!”
Slapping her caused Alicia’s head to whip back momentarily, like a bobblehead.
Watching that, the sharp emotions I had were somewhat eased.
…Wait, isn’t this a bit dangerous?
I shouldn’t have any sadistic tendencies.
Hmm, maybe it’s just been a long time since we last saw each other. With my noble and virtuous demeanor, that shouldn’t be the case.
“Alicia, stop harassing her! What kind of dirty greeting is ‘I’m glad to see you’ after so long?!”
“Since when is that a way to greet someone, Emily?”
“So that’s why I said not to do it! …Wow, look at you ignoring me and just walking away while I’m talking.”
Anyway, as we entered the spacious area prepared for our team training, a wide meadow came into view.
Golems, enhanced with stone dust, were rising in various places. The gems embedded in their eyes glimmered as they stared at us, the intruders.
Everyone was ready to charge at a moment’s notice.
This training mission was not about ‘rescue’ but ‘suppression.’
It was about subduing the golems, not completely destroying them, except for boss-level ones.
Then, a mechanical voice echoed widely for all to hear.
『Class 1, Team 1. Training begins.』
Alicia and Emily leaped forward without waiting for anyone.
They were following my earlier instructions.
But then.
“……”
“What are you standing there for? Hurry up and run.”
I turned to our newest group member, Protagonist Liam.
Alicia and Emily had been sneaking glances at me since earlier, and he was the reason.
This was definitely not the change I had hoped for.
Sure, with Finn’s absence, I thought about it, but I wished it was just pointless speculation.
“Just because you’re here in place of Finn doesn’t mean you should aim to perform at his level.”
“I’m not thinking that…. Now that I’m part of this team, I plan to be of real help.”
“Anyone can talk big. My evaluation of you is below Finn. You’ll need to work hard.”
“Don’t worry about it.”
Liam’s expression turned serious, and he drew his sword.
Releasing his mana, he continued speaking.
“From now on, I’ll move diligently too.”
After taking a brief breath, Liam held it in as he charged out at explosive speed.
A blue current flowed through his entire body, sparking each time his feet touched the ground.
It seems he acquired new skills by taking down group members; he now used them more adeptly than before.
Is he now focusing not just on simple skill usage but on embodying them? Well, it was about time. He was finally growing up.
Is it not just about usage, but also about embodiment? It should have been obvious. I’ve only just started maturing.
After the three left, I was left alone with Serena.
Her bow was infused with a wind that felt similar to Alicia’s magic. She had mastered establishing attributes.
Then, she picked up three arrows. At the same time, three were nocked. All adorned with attribute-imbued auras.
As expected of Serena. Quietly, she got her tasks done.
“I wish everyone could do things as smoothly as you…”
I snapped my fingers with a sigh.
A magic circle formed.
Emerging from it was my chimera familiar, Kry.
Even in this unfamiliar land, Kry stood tall and exuded confidence.
“Serena. Since we roughly understand the full power, let’s not drag this out.”
“…Okay.”
She nodded and adjusted her stance.
Without drawing from her quiver, she shaped her mana and unleashed a swarm of arrows like a swarm of bees.
The bow created from mana had not been given any attributes.
Instead, the rate of fire was unbelievable.
…Maybe someday it would shoot like divine arrows.
With that in mind.
I began to move alongside Serena and Kry.
“I’ll wrap this up as quickly as possible.”
This time, it’s not about carefully observing, it’s a short battle.
We’re going for quick results.
*
“Wait?! What’s happening! Why is that person… here right now?”
“I don’t know, I don’t know. But aren’t they super cool?”
“Definitely… they carry a different aura than us.”
The students of Class 1, who were waiting for their turn or watching the training of other teams, buzzed excitedly.
Having obtained permission from Louisa, the current professor of the class, she stepped in during the lesson and was accustomed to such attention.
Ignoring the noise around her.
With her striking red eyes, she was waiting for someone.
The screen she was watching was now empty.
Just a moment ago, the golems had been pitifully battered, but the training had ended and the group members were emerging.
With one hand on her chin, she was deep in thought. Soon, a gentle smile appeared on her face.
She moved to stand at the entrance of the waiting room.
Although the soundproofing from the outside was nearly perfect, she could clearly hear the presence of five people. Leading among them was that man.
Everyone’s attention was on her.
Whatever was going to happen next was undeniably captivating.
And just as her hearing was precise, the door to the waiting room opened.
“Nice to meet you, Schugenharz Troa Vargan. I am Ocel Julio Clemens.”
The first to enter was Vargan.
She stretched out her hand with composure, the strongest of the second-year students in Academia, Clemens.
She proposed, participating in the upcoming student council president election.
“I know it’s sudden, but Vargan. Would you be my electoral supporter?”
Vargan slowly scanned her.
With her red hair, Clemens possessed a charisma that could stand up to the villainous Vargan.
Clemens naturally guaranteed proper rewards and what’s to come.
What she wanted so badly was just one thing.
“I aspire to become the student council president.”
