Chapter 34
Chapter 34
Translator: Penny
Chapter 34: This Isn't a Gun, It's a Cane [End]
Episode 34: This Isn't a Gun, It's a Staff [END]
What am I doing?
After loudly declaring in front of the entire Student Council that I was quitting the Student Council President position because it was too exhausting, suddenly submitting an application felt incredibly awkward.
I wish I could hide in a mouse hole.
Though I hadn't used it during my first year, one of the Student Council President's most absurdly overpowered privileges was the Attendance Exemption.
This meant that my scores from the Midterm Evaluation and Midterm/Final Exams could replace my grades in all classes. In other words, if I scored high enough in Practical Combat, I wouldn't need to attend classes at all—a truly absurdly overpowered privilege.
Beyond this, they could leave the Academy without needing permission, simply by notifying the authorities. They also enjoyed special privileges like one-on-one meetings and consultations with the Chairwoman.
In the original story, after the Protagonist joined the travel club, Yun Se-a, the original Yun Se-a, had stamped their exit permits as they encountered Gates and acquired various Hidden Pieces. This suggested she might have the authority to control other students' departures as well.
Though the original Yun Se-a never used this power even once, it was undeniably an absurdly advantageous privilege.
I'll make sure to use it wisely.
The Protagonist had a duty to venture outside and devour the Hidden Pieces scattered across the world. To achieve this, I needed my allies, Kang A-yul and Lee Seo-yun, to secure the positions of Student Council President.
Still, there's a chance Kang A-yul and Lee Seo-yun might lose to the Protagonist...
This Student Council President Election is going to attract some truly formidable candidates.
Villain 1, consumed by inferiority to Seong Arin, will go berserk. Villain 2, manipulating Villain 1's rage, will distribute illegal drugs infused with demonic power. I'd rather stay out of the election and pull the strings from behind the scenes, but... there's no choice.
If the Protagonist becomes Student Council President? That would be a catastrophic deviation from the original plot.
Just eliminate the Protagonist, then withdraw.
No matter what happens, the Protagonist must be eliminated.
The Protagonist couldn't be allowed to look down on his seniors during the mentor-mentee sessions after the Student Council President Election. In the game, the system forced him to wander around; in the original story, the Student Council President's orders and teachers' suggestions kept him on a leash. If we gave him true freedom... who knows what might happen?
So...
"Chairman? I thought the Yuseong Group matter..."
"Ah, fortunately, it's been resolved smoothly. I think I'll be able to continue as Student Council President next year too."
Just a little more effort, Kim Chun-sik.
SIDE: Yuseong Group Headquarters
"...I have a feeling I'm about to be buried under an avalanche of work..."
"Acting President? Is something wrong?"
"Ah, no. Let's get straight to the meeting. What's on the agenda today...?"
"Ah, let me explain. First, there's the pricing for today's new product launch. After that, we have simultaneous meetings: one with the Naseon Guild regarding potion prices and another with the Vultures Guild for a dinner meeting... Huh?"
"...It seems the Young Lady brought Thomas Andrea along to block the Naseon Guild's excessive potion price demands. The Chairman probably believes Guild Master Ryu Seong-ho will behave himself with the world's strongest Defender right in front of him..."
"Pitting them against each other to drive up overall prices... You're truly remarkable, Chairman."
"You think so too? Let's head to the conference room quickly."
Kim Deok-bae had remarkably sharp ears and was exceptionally efficient at his job.
The Student Council President's announcement of her participation in the Student Council President Election was enough to crush the remaining candidates' will to compete.
I expected to hear whispers about her being power-hungry or using the students as pawns, but instead...
"The President is running for Student Council President again!"
"I heard she's deliberately entering to have a rematch with the Vice President! The finals are going to be epic!"
Hmm... well, since the reaction is positive, I guess that's good.
Surprisingly, there were no voices of criticism.
"Good, this is how it should be."
"I'm really looking forward to facing Miss Se-a in the finals."
Kang A-yul, sitting in the front row, grinned at me, clearly pleased with my decision. Beside him, Lee Seo-yun beamed, welcoming my participation.
"What? You're clearly only top 4 material."
"Are you so sure? If Miss Se-a hadn't blocked my attack during that practice match, your right hand wouldn't still be attached to your arm right now."
Is this really a welcome...?
Still, I'm glad this settled the seating dispute.
Originally, Kang A-yul and I shared a two-person desk. Now, I sat at a single desk placed directly behind my original spot, while Lee Seo-yun took over my old seat.
With both of us satisfied, what a perfect resolution!
"Alright, everyone, enough bickering. Class is about to start."
"Yeah, look forward to today."
"Today's class is... oh."
Practical Combat
"Back then, you were in such a terrible state that I didn't even feel like I'd won. But today, I want you to go all out."
With those words, Kang A-yul grabbed his gym uniform and headed to the changing room.
Tch.
Escaping would be awkward now.
I fiddled with the earring Eve had given me.
Click!
"...With this, the restriction has been reduced to 20%."
I moved my hand around, lightly testing the strength of my psychokinesis.
At this level, I should be able to manage without much trouble.
I casually tossed the dagger inscribed with Constellation Magic.
"Recall."
Just before it struck the wall, the knife curved back like a boomerang, returning to my hand as if drawn by an invisible thread.
Pisces is well-engraved.
Using High-Purity Mithril has significantly increased the durability and Mana Amplification of these knives.
Engraving Information
Recall: Allows one knife to summon the other to its location.
Like the paired stars of Pisces, these two daggers will form a perfect pair. My expectations for them are high.
With these... I've recovered some of the main weapons I used when I played the original game.
Well, I still haven't made a shield yet... But since I'm not the protagonist and have no intention of being a Defender, this is more than enough.
Should I change into my gym uniform now?
First, I should hurry and change before class starts.
"Today's class will be a one-on-one sparring match, as announced last week. Find your sparring partner and come forward."
Thud
"Let's go quickly."
Before the Instructor could even finish speaking, Kang A-yul's hand landed on my shoulder.
Everyone in the class knew he had already staked his claim, so no one dared approach me...
"Yun Se-a, spar with me today instead of Kang A-yul."
Ah, there's one.
"What? Get lost."
"I think it's unfair for you to monopolize the President."
The man brushed off Kang A-yul's irritable retort without a second thought.
"So, are you up for a duel with me?"
"Hey, are you really going to duel with that male prostitute?"
"Miss Ayul, I don't think it's appropriate to call Cadet Ryu Shin-woo a 'male prostitute'."
"Yeah, it's not nice to say things like that about the Spearman."
His name was Ryu Shin-woo.
"Don't worry, I'm only saying this to you."
"...Miss Ayul, would you duel Miss Seo-yun today?"
Let's see what you're made of.
"What?!"
"Oh, the Chairman is taking my suggestion?"
Ryu Shin-woo grinned, pulling his spear off his back and twirling it excitedly.
"Well, I'm a bit hesitant to test my new weapon on you, Miss Ayul."
He gently patted Kang A-yul's shoulder and whispered in her ear, "If you beat Miss Seo-yun, I'll spar with you in the training hall tonight."
Only then did Kang A-yul finally seem satisfied, turning to look for Lee Seo-yun.
"Alright, let's start right away!"
Zzzzzzz...
As Ryu Shin-woo spoke, the cadets had already moved back, watching our mock battle as if it were the opening match.
"Alright," I said.
Ryu Shin-woo channeled mana into his spear, and I drew Silver, beginning to infuse it with mana as well.
"What's that, a gun?! Are you underestimating me just because I'm not Kang A-yul?!" Ryu Shin-woo charged at me, his expression slightly irritated by the weapon I'd drawn.
Just as he reached me...
"Unfortunately, it's not a gun, but a staff. Judging by appearances alone? That kind of careless attitude earns you a deduction."
"What?!"
"And if I were underestimating you, I would have just punched you. Why bother pulling out a staff?"
Mana, fully charged.
One second should be enough.
I couldn't unleash magic like a machine gun, firing five to eight spells per second...
"Magic Missile."
Whoosh!
But I could certainly fire simple impact spells in bursts, like a revolver.
"Kaaaaaaahhhh!!!"
The magic bullet struck Ryu Shin-woo's abdomen. Unable to withstand the force, he crashed into the training ground's outer wall, briefly losing consciousness before collapsing.
"Winner: Yun Se-a."
"That was a good match, Ryu Shin-woo."
Having carefully modulated the spell's power, and perhaps because Ryu Shin-woo's resilience was surprisingly high, he naturally dusted himself off and stood up about ten seconds later. I tossed him a bottle of water.
"Haa... you're ridiculously strong. By the way, you didn't use your staff at all during our first year... Does this mean you've finally revealed your true abilities?"
"No, that's not it. I've actually been searching for a craftsman for a year who could forge a staff capable of withstanding my mana."
"Haa... Well, it was a reasonably satisfying sparring match. I'll definitely win the Student Council President Selection, so be prepared at the top."
In an instant, the mock battle concluded.
The cadets were stunned by the overwhelming power, while Kang A-yul seemed even more excited, as if he couldn't bear to wait any longer to face me after witnessing the enhanced potency of my magic.
"...Hmm, impressive performance."
And then there was me, satisfied after confirming the capabilities of my new weapon.
It had been a thoroughly satisfying mock battle.