Chapter 47
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 47
“Quite the performance. As expected of you, Roen. It seems there really is no one in this Union more trustworthy than the Chairman, eh?”
The Chairman’s shoulders shook with a satisfied laugh. He seemed genuinely pleased that I had named him the most trustworthy person in the Union.
“……”
I watched him, masking a bitter smile.
At a glance, the Chairman might not seem like the most reliable sort, but considering his true identity, there was no one better to share this information with.
“In any case, thank you for providing such valuable information, Roen.”
“Not at all, sir. I only did what was necessary.”
I had spent the last few days sorting through the details of the incident and had decided to hand a portion of that information over to the Chairman. Of course, I omitted the part about meeting Gilean directly or the fact that Demer had transformed into a demonkin.
Instead, I mentioned the ‘black mist’ and the powerful barrier magic—both hallmarks of Gilean—to lead him toward deducing the man's involvement on his own.
“Who else knows about this?”
“Freya. No one else knows, and I have no intention of telling anyone.”
After spending a few days gathering intel around the Union, it seemed Freya and I were the only ones who had directly encountered Gilean or the demonkin. When I stated my intention to keep it quiet, the Chairman gave a slow, deliberate nod.
“A wise choice. There is no benefit in having too many people privy to the full details of this incident. Pointless rumors would only breed greater chaos. Reporting it only to me was an excellent decision. I will make the proper preparations, so don't you worry about a thing.”
“Understood. If I may ask, what is the current assessment of the other professors?”
At my question, the Chairman scratched his cheek.
“Hmm… Most are speculating that it was either an anomaly in the ley line’s mana or the work of a powerful mage capable of wielding formidable barriers. For the most part, they remain ignorant of the culprit's true identity.”
I see.
After all, it would be a stretch to conclude the culprit was Gilean based solely on the few clues left behind. Besides, not many people even knew of the Twelve Honored Ones anymore. Only a few seasoned, high-ranking professors with decades of experience would likely recognize the name.
As if reading my thoughts, the Chairman spoke up.
“Do you know of the Twelve Honored Ones, Roen?”
“…Yes, I have heard of them.”
When I nodded, the Chairman’s eyes widened slightly in surprise. They hadn’t been active for nearly a century, so it was only natural for students my age to be completely unaware of them. Not to mention, the people of the continent were generally reluctant to even speak their names.
The Chairman continued, “The fact that you know makes this conversation easier. A very small number of professors suspect this was the work of Gilean, one of the Twelve Honored Ones. Powerful barrier magic is his signature, after all. However, they only have suspicions, no proof. They haven’t been able to find any physical evidence linking him to the scene.”
“I see.”
Indeed, simply guessing that this was Gilean’s doing and preparing for his return with absolute certainty were two entirely different matters. This was precisely why I had gone to the trouble of relaying the information exclusively to the Chairman. He was one of the few people with the power to prepare for such a threat without inciting a mass panic.
The Chairman sighed and continued, “In any case, if you saw the black mist with your own eyes, you must have been in a very dangerous situation. I’m glad that both you and Miss Freya are safe.”
“We were lucky.”
The Chairman nodded with a smile and gestured for me to speak freely.
“Alright, then tell me what you want, Roen. Consider it a reward for bringing this valuable information to me, as well as compensation for the damages you suffered during the incident.”
“……”
“I heard your team collected the most mana stones. You had at least second place secured, so you must be bitter that the exam was canceled. What is it you want? I’ll grant any request within my power.”
What I needed, and what the Chairman could provide. After a moment of careful deliberation, I made my requests.
“First, please secure my position as Student Council President.”
“Your position?”
“Yes. To be precise, I want the freedom to operate without external pressure, aside from the standard requirements needed to maintain the presidency. Specifically, I want protection from student votes or interference from inspectors and auditors dispatched by the Great Families.”
I was confident I could handle the duties of the Student Council President on my own. I was already seeing results, and if things continued this way, I was sure I could meet the formal requirements through high written exam scores and competitive match results. I was also working to gradually dismantle my notoriety and rehabilitate my public image.
However, external interference was something I couldn't easily handle alone. To prevent that, I would normally have to borrow the power of the Devalis family, but I was currently on Aslan’s bad side—to the point where even my allowance had been cut off. My situation was precarious.
Nothing would be more infuriating than having my plans derailed by outside meddling just as I was gaining momentum.
The Chairman tilted his head at my request.
“Hmm? Looking at the current climate, there seems to be little risk of that. Hasn’t public opinion been favorable since the Territory War?”
“I know that favor won't last forever. Besides, there's a saying about testing a bridge before you cross it, isn't there? If auditors start poking around the academy using this incident as a pretext, it will become a burden for me as well.”
“I understand. It will be difficult to use my official authority as Chairman for this, but I will mobilize my personal connections to shape public opinion in your favor.”
Although he was the Chairman of the Union, the formal power of the position itself was limited. The vast web of connections he had built over the years would be far more effective in granting this request.
“Thank you.”
“Of course. This is an easy task for me. Ho ho.”
The Chairman beamed like a kind-hearted grandfather. Then, in an instant, the smile vanished. His eyes gleamed with a sharp intensity as he shot a question at me.
“But Roen, why are you so obsessed with the position of Student Council President? In truth, it’s a cumbersome role with very little to gain.”
“……”
The Chairman’s sudden question forced me into a moment of deep contemplation. In a way, his question struck at the very core of my existence here in the Myrillin Saga and my future path.
Of course, the primary reason I was obsessed with the presidency was the main quest.
‘Maintain the position of Student Council President until graduation.’
If I failed, I would die. That was motivation enough. But that wasn't the reason the original ‘Roen’ had taken the position. The owner of this body had run for Student Council President even before I possessed him. Uncovering that original motive was a task I still had to solve.
‘Of course, I have my own answer to give him.’
After a moment of thought, I spoke.
“The Union.”
“……?”
I looked the puzzled Chairman in the eye.
“As you well know, sir, ‘Union’ means an alliance. This academy was founded to commemorate the victory of the allied forces of humanity.”
My gaze hardened as I continued.
“However, the Union of today is not upholding those values. The academies fight amongst themselves, pursuing only their own interests, and have become proxy battlegrounds for families and kingdoms to keep each other in check. The recent Territory War was a symptom of that.”
“……”
“I am moving to secure the position of Student Council President to set this Union back on the right path. To ensure this academy upholds the values upon which it was founded and fulfills its proper role. That is why I am obsessed with this position.”
As I finished, the Chairman asked in a voice that was uncharacteristically cold.
“There’s no reason it has to be you.”
“You’re right. But it is a job that someone must do.”
“A job that someone must do…”
The Chairman closed his eyes, seemingly lost in thought. Soon, his eyes snapped open, and he questioned me again.
“Do you truly believe that’s possible?”
I answered with unwavering confidence.
“Yes. I can do it.”
The Chairman stared at me silently for a long moment before finally nodding.
“You’re brimming with confidence. Very well. I will put my faith in you.”
A strange silence settled over the Chairman’s office.
“……”
At first, it felt like a profound moment of mutual understanding. But as the silence dragged on, it became increasingly awkward. Finally, unable to bear the atmosphere any longer, the Chairman scratched his beard.
“…Is there anything else?”
“Yes. I’m not finished yet. I have one more request, sir.”
Securing my position as president was, in a way, a given. My taking the vacant seat and actively working as the Student Council President was also beneficial to the Chairman. After all, the Chairman was little more than a figurehead in name. Through me, he could exert more influence over the Union and keep the other major academies in check. Simply guaranteeing my position was far from enough to be called a reward.
“You are very thorough with your calculations.”
“I’ll take that as a compliment.”
“Then what do you want? Name it.”
At the Chairman’s words, my eyes gleamed.
“Give me the development rights to the uncharted territories.”
*
A hospital room in Seintea.
Bright sunlight streamed through the window as a girl sat by the bedside, gently holding the patient’s hand.
“Sister.”
Verdandi was the only person in the academy whom Freya—who used formal speech with everyone—addressed so comfortably. Verdandi looked at her younger sister and let out a small sigh.
“…Didn’t I tell you to call me Professor while we're at the Union?”
“Never mind that. Are you really okay?”
Verdandi gazed out the window, clenching and unclenching her hand.
“I’m not fully recovered yet. But the healers say I’ll be completely healed soon.”
Verdandi, who had been watching the birds chirping on a tree branch, shifted her gaze back to her younger sister.
“I heard you fainted. What happened at the exam site?”
“……”
Her sister was someone she could trust, but Freya had promised Roen to keep silent about the matter. She fabricated a plausible story.
“Nothing much. I just overexerted my mana fighting some rather strong monsters.”
“I’m glad you weren’t seriously hurt. By the way, Roen stayed by your side the entire time you were unconscious. Did you know?”
“…Yes.”
“He refused to leave, even when your personal guards told him to stand down. For someone so frail, he can be quite stubborn.”
Verdandi sighed and closed her eyes.
“Sometimes he does the most wicked things, but his actions have been different lately. I can’t figure him out at all. He was such a kind and brilliant child when he was young…”
“……”
Freya thought for a moment, then shook her head and returned to the main topic.
“What are you going to do now, Sister? You’ve been suspended for three months.”
“I plan to train.”
“Are you quitting your job as a professor?”
“Yes. I cannot continue to hold a teaching position after putting students in danger. This is the least I can do to atone. I’ve also come to realize my own weakness. I don’t remember who that monster was, but I cannot let something like that happen again.”
When Verdandi said she would resign, Freya tried to stop her.
“…Can’t you just stay? This incident wasn’t really your fault. And leaving like this is just running away. You should stay until the end and take responsibility for the students.”
Her words were logical, but her voice sounded like she was whining. Having raised Freya like a daughter after they lost their mother at a young age, perhaps this was only natural.
Verdandi let out a small sigh. “…Freya, once I reach the Master level, I have to take up the sword for our family anyway. Even if I continue as a professor, it would be for less than a year.”
“Then at least until then…”
“Haa.”
At her continued pleading, Verdandi sighed and stroked Freya’s hair.
“You haven’t changed a bit. Still acting like a child.”
Verdandi gently caressed Freya’s cheek and smiled faintly.
“Alright. I will return after my suspension is over.”
*
A few days later.
The Student Council President’s Office.
“Um… I’m sorry about what happened last time, Roen.”
“……”
With a sullen expression, I leaned back on the sofa and stared at the unwelcome guest who had invaded my office. The student sat stiffly on the opposite sofa, cautiously gauging my reaction.
It was a member of the Journalism Club, Chloe Andina. She had come to the Student Council office again, under the pretext of covering the recent practical exam incident.
I rested my chin on my hand and narrowed my eyes at her.
“You’ve got some nerve, coming back here after the scene you made.”
“W-well, a journalist has to do what she has to do to find a scoop… I’m sorry. Please try to understand.”
“I understand perfectly. So you should understand my position as well. Ciel, show our guest out.”
“Yes, sir.”
As I stood up, making it clear the meeting was over, Chloe frantically waved her hands.
“No, no! Please hear me out! I haven’t published the follow-up article on the Territory War yet. I’ll write favorably about you, just as you requested last time! I’ll also start covering the 7 Great Mysteries you suggested, so please, just grant me an interview this one time. Please?”
Chloe pleaded, clasping her hands together as if begging for her life.
“……”
I stared at her silently for a moment before speaking.
“Fine. But on a few conditions.”