Chapter 71
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 71
“What exactly are you getting at?” Freya asked, her eyes narrowing sharply.
I met her gaze and answered calmly, pointing to the documents she had handed me.
“Some of the merchant guilds listed here as suppliers for the Sports Festival are, as I understand it, currently involved in some rather risky financial ventures. It’s common for guilds that make poor investments to run into cash flow problems. I’m suggesting there’s a high probability their financial instability could disrupt the supply of necessary goods for the festival. I recommend securing backup routes now.”
“This is quite sudden,” Freya countered. “All of these guilds are reputable businesses from the Gilbert Kingdom.”
“...It’s merely a word of caution. The choice is yours, so do as you see fit.”
“...”
I didn’t bother trying to persuade her further. Besides, I didn’t have the confidence to explain the situation in granular detail without giving myself away.
The ruin of the Galevier Guild—which had been selected as a primary supplier—and the other Gilbert Kingdom guilds associated with it was already a foregone conclusion. Thanks to my tip, Sheika had caught wind of their illicit activities. She was currently working behind the scenes, using their own schemes against them to bleed them completely dry.
Once they were left penniless, they wouldn’t have the luxury of worrying about festival deliveries. A massive disruption was inevitable.
I nodded to myself as I considered the timeline. If Freya doesn’t make a move, I’ll have to handle it myself.
I couldn't let the Sports Festival that Freya was hosting be ruined because of my side projects. I’d have to ask Sheika to procure some backup supplies in advance. It would be a tight schedule even if we started now, but I was certain she’d accommodate my request.
As I was lost in thought, Kiriel narrowed her eyes and shot a glare my way.
“Hey, what’s with the attitude? You’re just picking a fight for no reason. Don’t tell me you’re trying to sabotage things just because Jeremy-sunbae is handling everything so well?”
“Quiet. Everyone here knows it would be more efficient to kick you out and have your aides take your place. Sit still before I actually do it.”
“Hmph.”
Once Kiriel was silenced, Elena spoke up.
“I don’t think Roen would bring this up without cause. Do you have any specific grounds for your concerns?”
Elena gently mediated the tension, giving me an opening to explain.
“I had some business in Stella yesterday and had to visit for a bit. I happened to overhear some rumors regarding the various guilds. I also ran into an acquaintance at a bookstore.”
“...”
I glanced subtly at Beatrice, who avoided my gaze with a look of pure displeasure.
“In any case, I’ve given my warning. Let’s move on.”
I cut the conversation short and transitioned to the next agenda item.
“Next, we need to decide on the prizes, rewards, and benefits for the Sports Festival. Ishtal will provide the bulk of the basic prizes, but there are certain rewards we presidents need to decide on collectively.”
The prizes for the Sports Festival were a major point of contention. Each academy had a tradition of donating prizes for the event. It was an opportunity to showcase an academy’s generosity, ambition, and financial might; consequently, the academies often competed to see who could provide the most extravagant items.
But it wasn't just a vanity contest. If an academy’s team won or produced many high-ranking students, the donated items would return to their own students. In that sense, the prize competition was also a display of confidence in their own representatives.
“Yes. We at Ishtal will be donating this item as a prize.”
Freya placed a wooden box she had brought with her onto the table. When she opened it, a pair of brilliant silver gauntlets was revealed.
The Silver Dragon Gauntlet!
It was an Epic-grade item, a high-tier piece of defensive equipment so fine that legends claimed it was forged from the scales of a silver dragon. In reality, I knew it was the work of a dwarven artisan who had woven adamantium as if it were silk thread.
Its primary ability granted the wearer resistance to all poisons. Furthermore, it allowed the user to survive a single fatal blow. It wasn't exactly an extra life, but it would prevent instant death from a lethal strike. It was a versatile item with no class or profession restrictions, making it a precious artifact whose price was essentially whatever the seller demanded.
Seeing her wager this as a prize, it was clear Freya had no intention of losing this year. After all, when it came to physical contests, Ishtal held the natural advantage.
“A considerable item, indeed. We at Eredor have prepared this.”
Next, Beatrice presented her contribution. She produced a neatly folded, translucent cloak that shimmered with an iridescent, aurora-like light.
[Yurian’s Cloak of Invisibility]
It was reminiscent of an item from a certain famous novel. However, it didn't erase the wearer’s magical presence or sound, making it far less prestigious than its namesake. It seemed an academy of mages, who had little interest in physical training, couldn't be bothered to donate anything truly spectacular.
“Huhu, we at Seintea will be donating this.”
Elena placed a small wooden box on the table. When she opened it, an expensive-looking blue ring sat nestled in the velvet.
[Gregor’s Holy Ring]
This, too, was an Epic-grade item, said to be a relic left behind by Cardinal Gregor, a famous inquisitor of the past. Its ability was ‘Purification.’ It demonstrated outstanding power in exorcising evil and subjugating monsters, and it could even purify tainted water or foul air.
This item is my polar opposite.
I coveted the first two, but I had zero desire for this one. If I wore it, my own body would probably be 'purified' right out of existence. Besides, since I was already wearing Derod’s ring, it offered no stylistic advantage.
“Last one. What did you prepare?” I asked, turning my gaze toward Kiriel.
“W-Well…”
Unlike her usual boisterous self, Kiriel’s voice was subdued as she took out a single sheet of paper and placed it on the table.
“This… is it.”
It was an old piece of parchment, rolled up and tied with a simple red string. Elena tilted her head as she examined it.
“What is that, Miss Kiriel?”
Kiriel scratched her head, looking embarrassed.
“I-It’s a treasure map. A map showing the location of a valuable item buried somewhere in the Union.”
“Hmph. A treasure map. How quaint.”
When I snorted, Kiriel snapped back.
“I couldn't help it! We have to prepare for the Academy Festival this fall, so our budget is tight!”
“I suppose that’s fair…”
Her situation was understandable. The Sports Festival was a costly event, but it was nothing compared to the Union’s Academy Festival. That was a massive event that drew hundreds of thousands of tourists from across the Myrillin Continent. Royalty and noble parents from every kingdom would be in attendance; naturally, the preparation required an astronomical budget.
Furthermore, various academic societies and competitions were held during the festival, attracting the greatest minds of humanity, including those from the seven Magic Towers. They couldn't afford to be negligent.
I nodded. “Well, fine. The prizes for the Sports Festival are voluntary donations, after all. We can’t force you to provide something spectacular. I’ll accept it.”
“But why are you the one acting like you’re accepting it? Ishtal Academy is the host!”
She wasn't wrong. Kiriel then shot a pointed look at me.
“So, what did you prepare?”
The gazes of the other three immediately fell on me. I nodded confidently.
“Of course I have something. Our Student Council has decided to grant a special benefit to the academy that performs well in this Sports Festival.”
“What is it?”
Spurred on by their anticipation, I pulled a document from my coat and slapped it onto the table. Kiriel leaned in, reading the words aloud with a hesitant tone.
“A tram… branch line extension?”
“That’s right.”
I lightly tapped the table and stood up.
“Currently, the tram lines connecting the Union only reach the Four Great Academies and other mid-to-large-sized institutions. Because of this, students from smaller academies waste dozens of minutes walking to the nearest station. This benefit is for them.”
“What? That’s actually… not bad. What’s gotten into you?”
Following Kiriel’s lead, even Elena agreed with the plan.
“I agree. Your ulterior motives are a bit transparent, but it’s a good prize.”
“Ulterior motives? Providing benefits to as many students as possible is the natural duty of the Student Council President.”
“...For someone who says that, you seem to be putting an awful lot of effort into winning over the minor academies,” Beatrice pointed out sharply.
I simply shrugged. It wasn't as if I had no such intention.
The students of the Four Great Academies already enjoyed a lavish school life with every luxury provided by their hefty sponsorships. It wouldn't be easy to raise my approval rating by satisfying their needs.
But the minor academies were different. They received less funding from their kingdoms or families, their facilities were relatively poor, and their basic student life was far less supported. These were the students who truly needed the help of the Union and the Student Council.
My reputation among the minor academies has already seen a boost thanks to the Iselin incident.
Even now, dozens of letters requesting help were flooding the Student Council’s suggestion box. More than anyone, they needed the intervention and assistance of a public authority. The tram construction I offered as a prize would help fill a desperate need.
Freya spoke up. “The prize is just an excuse. Your real plan is to bolster your approval rating.”
“It’s not a bad thing, is it?”
“Do you have the budget? The funds currently allocated to the Student Council are for operational costs and maintaining dignity. It’s nowhere near enough to open a new tram line. Covering it with your personal funds will have its limits.”
“You don’t need to worry about that. I don’t have the liquid capital now, but I will soon.”
Once the returns from my investment with Sheika came in, expanding the tram line wouldn't be difficult. It wasn't like I was undertaking a massive civil engineering project like digging a subway; I just needed to lay tracks and build stations.
And besides.
“There’s no need to spend the money this second.”
If I was short on funds, I could take out a loan or simply promise the construction and postpone it until the money arrived. There was no need to rush.
“A typically political way of handling things.”
“That’s what the position of Student Council President is all about.”
Of course, I had no intention of making an empty promise. I actually needed to raise my approval rating. I planned to secure the support of the minor academies with this project. As for the Four Great Academies, as long as I could win over their presidents, the students would generally follow my lead. Strategically, it was better to win over the minor academies first, as they lacked a central figure to rally around.
“Then, Roen, what will be the conditions for obtaining this tram benefit?”
To Elena’s question, I gave a calculated answer.
“I’ll create a special prize for it. The top ranks will likely be dominated by the Four Great Academies. We need to ensure the benefits go to those who actually need them.”
“Very well. This will be a good thing for the students of other academies as well. As long as you handle it in a way that doesn’t compromise fairness, it should be fine.”
Even Freya agreed. With that, the issue of the Sports Festival prizes was resolved.
“Good, let’s wrap up the discussion on the Sports Festival here. Is there another agenda item?”
The items I had prepared were finished. We had gathered for the festival, after all.
At my question, Beatrice’s eyes lit up with intensity.
“Yes. I have something urgent to discuss with everyone regarding the Dark Mana Stones.”