Chapter 48
Chapter 48
Translator: Penny
Episode 48: The Tumultuous Student Council President Election, Begins
Episode 48: The Chaotic Student Council President Election Begins
Bracket:
Seong Arin vs. Hong Biyeon Yun Se-a vs. Lee Seo-yun
Ecclesia vs. Park Sujin No Unhyeon vs. Yu Eun-ha
We're screwed.
Kang A-yul vs. Choi Sira Seo Jian vs. Lee Myeongbok
We're really screwed.
Why did I have to randomize the brackets?! This is... this is...
To prevent first-year students from being eliminated early by facing top-ranked second and third-year students, the Student Council members used to manually match candidates based on their perceived potential, ensuring they could showcase their abilities without threatening the positions of older students.
This is driving me crazy.
But I was too lazy to handle all the details... If I had gathered Seo Jian and the main characters together and randomly assigned the rest to complete the bracket, the Student Council members might have found it suspicious. So, I pushed for a completely random draw. My past self flashes through my mind.
If only I could turn back time, I'd slap myself across the face.
Well, at least Kang A-yul is in the opposite bracket. That's a relief.
Looking at the bracket, Kang A-yul and Seo Jian are set to meet in the semifinals.
To decide whether I'll withdraw or run for a second consecutive term as Student Council President... I first need to make it to the semifinals.
Kang A-yul, being the second-ranked student in her second year and the current Student Council Vice President, would undoubtedly reach the semifinals. As for the Protagonist, Seo Jian, she'd likely make it to the semifinals no matter what, unless she got stabbed in her sleep or something.
Who would win their semifinal match...?
Maybe Seo Jian, being the Protagonist, would pull through? No, considering their recent growth, she might actually manage to win somehow...
Kang A-yul facing Seo Jian was one thing, but the real problem was my potential match against Seo Jian.
First off, the Protagonist and I have terrible compatibility.
The Protagonist, Seo Jian, seemed to be following the Striker route. Which meant... she was the absolute worst matchup for me, a Magician.
Even if I unleash magic, the Protagonist will likely evade some of it and close the distance. I need to prepare for close-quarters combat.
But if I'm facing Seo Jian... that means her close-combat skills are superior to Kang A-yul's.
Both of us are Strikers, Cadets who favor close-quarters combat. The victor would inevitably be seen as the superior close-combatant.
Kang A-yul is familiar and has a likable image, so I'm confident I can defeat her easily. Still, if she charges into close combat, my entire victory plan would crumble.
Here's the problem: what if Kang A-yul doesn't defeat Seo Jian, but loses?
Could I possibly defeat Seo Jian, who had already beaten Kang A-yul in close combat?
My mind instantly became a tangled mess.
"Hmm... It feels like we're facing ridiculously strong opponents right from the Round of 256, doesn't it?"
"Yeah, what are the odds of running into Miss Seo-yun right from the start?"
Lee Seo-yun, who had somehow materialized beside me, sighed, stroking her chin thoughtfully.
Ah, right.
Now that I thought about it, I was also facing an abnormally strong opponent in the Round of 256.
Lee Seo-yun... Honestly, I think she's hiding her true strength.
Unless she was a bugged character with Protagonist-level growth cheats, it was impossible for her to have held her own against Kang A-yul—the current second-strongest student at Raon Academy—even before fully recovering from her injuries. And recently, she had even secured two consecutive victories against him.
Of course, I had to consider that Kang A-yul hadn't fully matured yet... But since she wouldn't be at her peak during the Student Council President Election either, I personally thought the showdown between Seo Jian and Lee Seo-yun would be the most compelling match-up. I never imagined I'd be stepping in for the Protagonist.
Even as the sounds of everyone around us researching their opponents echoed through the air, Lee Seo-yun and I simply stood still, locked in a silent stare.
Her gaze... it's changed.
Just moments ago, her tone had been filled with concern, and her actions had been those of someone lamenting the situation. Now, everything had reversed.
"............"
I feel like she's scrutinizing every inch of me.
Her eyes were like those of a venomous snake, relentlessly searching for any weakness.
This is unnerving... it's giving me chills.
If I showed any vulnerability here, I felt like she would sink her fangs into my neck without hesitation, like a snake striking its prey.
Gooooooo...
"...Miss Seo-yun, your gaze is quite piercing."
"But even when I stare like this, you don't show any openings."
I quickly turned my head away.
I'm not particularly gifted in psychology.
I'd heard that those who have mastered psychology, or those who are exceptionally good at reading people's minds, can predict a person's psychological state and next actions based on the slightest movements.
In situations like this, showing nothing at all is an excellent way to overcome psychological warfare.
"Oh, Miss Se-a. Turning your head away like that is a bit unfair."
"Miss Seo-yun is strong, so I need to be careful too."
With that, I walked away toward the dormitory as if fleeing.
Absolutely not because I was scared.
Thump!
Thump! Thud!
"................"
A considerable amount of noise was coming from above. It was likely the sound of people taking their seats in the audience.
The problem was that there were quite a few of them.
"Comrade, what's wrong? You seem quite distressed by the noise."
"Shut up already. If you don't want to be annihilated, undo your Crystallization."
"Ahem... Very well."
Azathoth suddenly materialized again, asking the reason for my discomfort. The reason was obvious.
As Student Council President, I had to announce the start of the Student Council President Election. I was waiting in the waiting room beneath the audience seats until the opening declaration.
Why would they put the waiting room under the audience seats?
Thinking about the previous Student Council President having to wait here last year made me feel genuinely sorry for them.
"Well, it looks like the main story is finally starting."
From this point onward, the seemingly hopeful Academy setting takes a dark turn. Illegal drugs circulate, and Hong Biyeon, due to their side effects, transforms into a Low-Grade Demon and rampages through the arena.
Though weaker than the Seven Demons we've faced so far, Low-Grade Demons can unleash B-Rank Hero-level power without any constraints. In contrast, the Seven Demons, despite their immense strength, are burdened with numerous limitations.
I need to be careful.
The Student Council President Election operates under a Tournament System and begins after school hours. This system originated from the idea that Guild officials and cadets' parents would find it difficult to witness students fighting for the Student Council President position if the election were held during school hours.
During the week-long election period, all classes are suspended.
This meant students would get a short one-week break... During this time, they could return to their main residences for training or embark on dungeon expeditions...
Ah, but those who would do that are probably already participating in the election. Scratch that. Most will likely just relax in the dorms or read in the library.
I used to skip soccer games during sports festivals and hide in the library. Most of the time, I got caught and forced to play anyway.
Anyway, students not competing don't have many options.
- Who were the matches today?
- Today... Well, the main event was probably the match between Seo Jian, the first-year valedictorian who just rose to prominence, and Seong Arin, who was the valedictorian during the entrance ceremony. Nothing else particularly noteworthy.
Most people come to the stadium to watch the matches in person.
Or they're watching on their phones, like me.
Of course, I'm backstage.
The Demonization Event occurred during a match when Hong Biyeon injected drugs and stormed into Seong Arin's fight, inevitably happening when the stadium was packed with people. I have to save everyone there.
"Chairman, it's time to go out."
"Thank you."
"We believe you'll win the Student Council President Election again!"
"Thank you."
As I stepped outside, cheered on by the Student Council members, I saw the massive Colosseum-shaped stadium filled with countless people cheering for me.
Let's see... all the major South Korean guilds are here.
Chongun, Naseon, Golden, Divine Sword, Sun, Cogwheel, Gumi, Black Tiger, and... why are the Vultures here?
"Sis! Look at me!"
"M-Master... It's too loud!"
Ugh, it's so noisy. If it's this loud here, how deafening must it be in the seats next to the stage?
I glanced at the audience and saw Thomas Andrea waving enthusiastically at me.
Hmm... This woman is incredibly strong. She could probably fight me on equal footing even with my constraints removed.
Really? That strong?
Yes, it's been ages since I've sensed power like this. Instead of flying toward that comrade's aura back then, I should have gone to her.
Exactly! Why did you come here and get killed by Miss Eun-ha?
I had long known her by her epithets: S-Rank Hunter, One-Man Army, the woman capable of conquering S-Rank Gates alone. When she fell to corruption and emerged as a Boss, I learned firsthand just how terrifyingly powerful she was. But I never imagined she could have stood toe-to-toe with Azathoth even before her corruption.
Well, you've certainly forged some strong connections.
Currently, the Vultures' potion purchases ranked third overall, trailing only the Chongun Guild and Naseon Guild, and surpassing even many mid-tier domestic guilds.
I returned her greeting with a casual wave, then pulled the microphone from my pocket and strolled confidently onto the podium.
"Welcome, everyone, who has come to witness the Raon Academy Student Council President Election."
Please, let this be my last duty as Student Council President.