Chapter 63
Chapter 63
Translator: Penny
Chapter 63:
Episode 63: As Student Council President of the Academy
"What did the letter say?"
"Just that I should contact them if I need help."
I deliberately withheld the letter's contents.
There's no need to tell Lee Seo-yun or Kang A-yul about this.
It would be quite awkward if they found out I'd been vomiting blood while making the Potion.
Whoosh...!
"Fire...!"
"It seems this letter was designed to ignite as soon as the recipient finished reading it."
The moment I folded the letter after reading it, it suddenly burst into blue flames and began to burn.
Thorough to the end.
Judging by how cleanly the evidence was disposed of, the sender of this letter... wasn't Thomas Andrea, but rather the person who had been sitting next to her at the time.
The Vultures Guild's rise to the top of the United States might owe a significant portion to that person's influence.
Though I don't know who they are, exactly.
If it was someone I saw when receiving potion deliveries, I could assume they held a high position. Unfortunately, Thomas Andrea always came alone to Korea, handling everything from price negotiations to the final delivery. As a result, I know little about the Vultures Guild's internal affairs.
Besides, Thomas Andrea herself was more of a supporting character, appearing only once or twice to advance the narrative: "An S-Rank Hero who lost a loved one due to Yun Seong-ho's potion price manipulation, fell into despair, and became obsessed with money." I barely remember anyone else from that side of the story...
"Anyway, congratulations on your victory."
"Well, your stamina bar was still over 50% before that black dome thing appeared. Besides, Seo Jian's stamina gauge hit zero first. It was a foregone conclusion that you'd win. Though you did take a bit of a beating in the mid-game."
"Is that so?"
Listening to their conversation, it seemed I had been in control from start to finish.
Was I too distracted by the fact that she's the Protagonist...?
I should have just forgotten about the Barrier and fought at full power.
After all, I had Eve with me, and the S-Rank Heroes in the audience would have blocked most attacks anyway. It was a regrettable decision.
Now that it's all over, I feel so empty.
It was terrifying, but I managed to safely win the first round of Seo Jian's Student Council President Showdown.
I have no idea what will happen in the second round a year from now... but I guess I'll figure it out somehow when the time comes.
Should I start building goodwill in advance?
When Seo Jian helped me up earlier, her touch was surprisingly gentle, so I don't think I've earned her deep hatred.
If I toss the Protagonist some Hidden Pieces and build up some goodwill... would she agree to withdraw from the next Student Council President Election if I asked her?
Alternatively, I could force her to choose between a Fortuitous Encounter and the Student Council President Election, making it a binary choice.
"The most reliable thing would be for me to become stronger... but that's impossible."
Even with such a significant difference in stats, I was so terrified of Seo Jian that I failed to capitalize on my advantage and nearly suffered a humiliating defeat.
I foolishly focused on the fact that I was the original protagonist, when all I needed to do was focus on the single tree before me. Instead, I let my gaze wander to the vast forest of the Student Council President Election and the overarching narrative... That was my mistake.
"Still, since I technically won..."
The victory felt hollow, tainted by the mysterious Rampage that secured it. But the fact remained: I was the victor.
Therefore... I could claim to have defended the Student Council President position from Seo Jian.
"That... that final attack was a bit terrifying."
"......"
As expected, they must also find that scene strange.
Even I, the one who delivered it, think I went too far.
Seo Jian's stamina bar was nearly empty, depleted to zero by even simple attacks. For the Student Council President to unleash such a powerful attack against a restrained cadet...
I wonder if she'll be okay.
I can just ignore it, so it doesn't matter to me. But Seo Jian, who loves spending time with her friends, might get labeled with something unpleasant. That would be a bit troublesome... I'd rather people see her as a "promising newcomer who cornered the Student Council President" than a "first-year who lost miserably."
"By the way, are we keeping the same Student Council roster as last year?"
Just as Seo Jian was contemplating the challenges she would face at the Academy, Kang A-yul suddenly brought up the topic of Student Council membership.
Ah, right. I'm the Student Council President.
Having defeated Seo Jian in their showdown, I became the first person in Raon Academy history to hold the position of Student Council President for two consecutive years.
Not exactly a title I wanted, though.
It would likely be difficult to retain the presidency when I become a third-year student.
Because the protagonist at that time will be an absurdly overpowered character capable of defeating even S-Rank Monsters that have claimed the lives of S-Rank Heroes.
Unless I suddenly transformed into a Striker and unlocked potential far surpassing Seo Jian's, it seemed impossible to win the Student Council President election for a third consecutive year through sheer skill.
"Hmm... I have someone in mind, but we'll probably need to shake things up quite a bit..."
"Alright, handle it however you see fit."
Well, that should be enough to get us close.
First, I'd cram Seo Jian's pockets full of Hidden Pieces and Fortuitous Encounters during my year as Student Council President.
Then, when the election rolled around, I'd toss her into a Dungeon where a Fortuitous Encounter was about to appear and not go with her.
Fortunately, one of the Student Council President's unofficial perks was being able to skip classes without consequence.
Seong Arin had even entered the tournament specifically to exploit this privilege. After getting a taste of such sweet benefits, she wanted nothing more than to stay in the safe house, eating, playing, and relaxing...
"Then the world will be destroyed."
I needed to guide the Protagonist to his Fortuitous Encounter and dismantle the power structures threatening him beforehand, if I wanted even a sliver of peace when I finally returned home.
"Still... maybe I could rest a little?"
Perhaps it was the relief of averting a major crisis, but I allowed myself to savor a long-overdue break in the safe house.
Unlike my usual routine, I spent an entire week lounging and indulging in leisure within the safe house.
During that time, I was able to relax comfortably, exchanging updates with Yu Eun-ha and the Protagonist's group, who had formally requested a meeting with Eve.
"...Then, shall we return?"
I managed to return safely to the Academy.
"Sigh... I have to keep up this charade for another year."
Back to my position as Student Council President of Raon Academy.
As soon as I returned, the students didn't swarm me. The Class A students already knew they couldn't get past Kang A-yul and Lee Seo-yun to reach me. On the way to school, Yu Eun-ha inexplicably radiated such murderous intent that no one dared approach me.
Though some students were so shocked by my appearance that they burst into tears, I suppose anyone would react that way if told they'd suddenly lost sight in one eye...
I hoped the rumor wouldn't spread too far, but judging by the cadets' gazes, that seemed impossible.
"Hmm..."
After mindlessly entering the Student Council Office, I glanced at the desk engraved with the nameplate "Student Council President Yun Se-a" before turning to survey the dusty bookshelves.
The bookshelf held old books and diaries kept by past Student Council Presidents. But hidden within its depths was a crucial Hidden Piece.
"I think it was around here... and here..."
Click!
"Ah, found it."
After searching a secret compartment within the bookshelf, an old key predictably popped out.
Item Information
[ Key of Mimicry's Blessing ] X 1
Can open all chests except the golden treasure chest inside the Gates.
When opening a treasure chest, grants a 20% bonus reward.
Since Seo Jian plans to enter the Gates frequently, she'd probably appreciate this as a gift.
[ Magic Page ] X 3
Stores magic for later release.
"I'll keep this one for myself..."
The ability to store and release magic meant that in critical situations, one could immediately unleash pre-programmed spells like in a game, without having to cast a Spell Formula.
Even just Chapter 1 would be enough for Seo Jian.
"With this... have I collected all the Fortuitous Encounters hidden within the Student Council Office?"
By now, everyone should be in class, so I should quickly clear the backlog of paperwork.
"Hmm... the most common applications are for club creation."
It's about time for students to start looking for clubs, so a flood of applications for various new clubs is pouring in.
Clubs like the Weapon Crafting Club and Magic Research Club are already well-established and famous, so there were no new applications related to them. Instead, most of the applications were for unique clubs like the Pottery Club and Tea Ceremony Club.
There were plenty of unusual clubs like the Riding Club and the Sugar Craft Club, but most of the proposals were just typical high school club applications.
Most of them were easily rejected and discarded without a second thought. But I kept digging through the pile for one reason:
Found it.
Club Establishment Application
Club Name: Travel Club
Members: Seo Jian, Yu Eun-ha, Ecclesia, Hanae Sakura, Seong Arin
Activities: Traveling to tourist destinations around the world to experience stunning scenery and immerse ourselves in the beauty of nature.
Because this club exists, Seo Jian can go abroad and have all sorts of Fortuitous Encounters... Of course, I have to approve it.
Thump!
A red stamp, signifying approval, had already been stamped on the club establishment application.
This was my first accomplishment as Student Council President, a position I had secured in my second year.