Chapter 104: A Surprise Celebration
Ashytara returned much sooner than Ludenberg had expected. Curious about what she could have been doing outside, he asked her directly.
"Tara."
"Yeah?"
"Where'd you go?"
"Oh, just picked up something I left with someone."
"Something you left?"
"Yeah. But it's nothing to do with you, so..."
"Ah."
With that, Ludenberg dropped the subject. She seemed reluctant to say more.
"What're you planning after dinner?"
"Gonna drop by my sister's for a bit."
"Sione? Why?"
"Remember I said I had something to ask her about the Adem Festa? She thinks we'll probably have to prep with the student council."
"Student council?"
Of course Solemnute Adem had a student council. They selected outstanding students regardless of year to assist the faculty, organize events, and wielded considerable authority within the academy.
"Yeah. She said she'd tell me today who to contact from the council."
"Isn't it obvious? The president."
"Sure, but... we don't even know who the president is right now."
"Ah."
True enough. Aside from festival season, when they took center stage for academy events, first-years had little idea what the council even did.
"Yeah, exactly."
"I didn't get a chance to ask yesterday. Who the president is. So I'll check, and if possible, visit next week. Oh, and she said she had something to tell you about the Adem Festa too. That's why she told me to bring you along."
"But why's Sione calling for me? I'm not even interested in this Adem Festa thing."
"No idea. She just said to come."
"Fine, let's go then."
"Okay."
The two headed to Sione's office. As always, she greeted them in her pristine white priestess robes.
"Hey, sis."
"Come on in. Tara, Ludenberg."
"Hello, Professor Sione."
"Just call me sis. This is casual, after all."
"Got it, sis."
Sione immediately handed Ashytara a stack of documents.
"What's this?"
"Stuff you'll need. You said you wanted info on the student council."
"Yeah, but... isn't this a lot?"
"There are that many members. I've marked the most important ones, so you could get by with just those. But it's good to know anyway. You never know when you might join yourselves."
"What?"
"Pardon?"
"The student council here is selected entirely based on the dean's and faculty's recommendations. You both did great on the evaluations, so... you'll probably be added automatically soon. Spots are filled by grade ranking."
Ludenberg looked uneasy. Student council out of nowhere?
"Isn't student council work a huge hassle?"
"It can be. I dealt with plenty when I was president. But unless you're president, no real worries. The members have it easy—just help out when the president asks."
"Even so, forcing us into it feels unfair."
"Can't be helped. It's the rules. I don't fully get why they drag in unwilling students either."
"Shouldn't those roles go to diligent people who actually want to improve the academy?"
"Ideally, yeah... But it's tradition, hard to change. Sensitive issues too. And most selected end up liking it."
"...I see."
"Besides, it's mostly helping with festivals and faculty tasks. And the perks are nice."
"Perks?"
"Yeah. Like scholarships, or accessing restricted areas without professor permission."
"Restricted areas?"
"Yep. Star Tower, places like that. Normally need Professor Nah's okay, but council members roam free. They study there when Wisdom Pavilion's packed—better resources anyway."
"Ah."
Just thinking about how crowded Wisdom Pavilion had been during exam prep, making it hard to study with Ashytara, made the idea appealing—even to Ludenberg, who had zero interest in council. Sure, solo study worked in the dorm, but pulling materials on the spot beat hauling books back and forth. And Star Tower, managed by Setra priests, surely rivaled Wisdom Pavilion's archives. Plus the quiet atmosphere—perfect for discussing ideas with Ashytara like during exams.
"That's tempting. Anything else?"
"Honestly, my favorite perk."
"Which is?"
"Skipping class on 'council business.' Best part. Faculty doesn't meddle beyond assignments, so tons of freedom."
"...Not really my thing."
"Why? My lectures bore you too, right?"
"Yours were fine."
"Sweet of you... but you're weird. What's fun about dull theology?"
"Isn't that a problematic thing for you to say, sis?"
"I don't have to be pious all the time. Gotta vent to the gods sometimes. Keeps them from ignoring us. Relationships bloom through give and take."
"..."
Ludenberg stared in disbelief. While they bantered, Ashytara skimmed the council roster and asked,
"Sis, for Adem Festa stuff, better to see the president directly?"
"Yep. This one's super capable—tell her what you need, she'll sort it. But be careful."
"Huh? Why?"
"Busy and stressed lately."
"Busy how?"
"Told you—members coast, president drowns in work. Perks for light duties. But with the raid, shutdown, delays... and Festa coming? She's swamped."
"Then I should go sooner. Can't summon a busy person."
Sione shook her head.
"You'll join next week anyway—notice'll hit dorms. Show your face then, ask about Festa while you're at it. No need to rush."
"Got it, sis."
"Good. Come back if more questions. You too, Ludenberg."
"Yes."
"Oh, and Ludenberg."
"Yes?"
"Congrats on top of the year. You earned it."
"Ah."
Ludenberg smiled at her praise.
"Thank you."
* * *
Leaving Sione's office, they wandered the faculty district aimlessly, chatting.
"Student council, huh..."
Ashytara murmured, so Ludenberg asked,
"What do you think?"
"I like it. Doesn't sound too bad from sis—help faculty a bit, get perks. Long-term win, right? You?"
"Not sure. Guess I'll see when it happens."
"Don't dread it. Could be good. Like sis said—free access to places. Might suit you even better."
"...Maybe?"
"Yeah. Star Tower's great, but White Pavilion's training grounds? Probably included. You hate training around others anyway."
"Yeah... it's annoying."
"So you can use that anytime. No more late nights or dawn sessions."
"How'd you know I train then?"
"Caught you once. Back when you were all prickly."
"Prickly..."
"Anyway, don't overthink negatively. You'll train there whenever from now on."
"If that's allowed, aren't the perks overkill?"
"Dunno why they're so generous... but that's not our worry, Rud."
"True."
As they talked, evening fell.
"Oh, time's up. Rud, come with me somewhere."
"Huh? Where?"
Ashytara grabbed his hand, heading to the shopping district again.
"Shopping district again? Why?"
"Just follow."
"...Okay."
She led him to the district's priciest restaurant. Not quite Garden of Repose in the capital, but the go-to for special occasions among students.
"Welcome."
"All set?"
"Yes, Your Highness."
"Good."
Overhearing, Ludenberg followed inside, puzzled.
Preparations? What preparations?
And at peak dinner hour, not a single other guest.
Ashytara ignored the odd vibe, sat him at a table, took her seat, and pulled something from her pocket—a small gift box.
"Ta-da!"
"What's... this?"
"Congrats on top of the year! Open it!"
She beamed. He panicked—he'd never dreamed she'd get him a gift for his ranking.
"H-Huh?"
"Hurry!"
Urged on, he opened it. Inside was a sturdy yet luxurious ash-gray brooch shaped like a shield.