Chapter 45
Chapter 45
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 45
Chapter Title: Entrance Exam (9)
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"President."
Lu watched Noah depart with calm eyes.
"Were you waiting for him?"
The president neither confirmed nor denied Lu's words.
But that very reaction gave her all the certainty she needed.
"I've always wondered. Why do you insist on clinging to the presidency, even breaking the unwritten rules to extend your term?"
It wasn't just her curiosity.
From the central student council she belonged to, to the board of directors and the representative council, and even the students and instructors of each school.
The president's extended term had been seen as one of Academy City's seven great mysteries, an inexplicable eccentricity.
"Humanity's secret weapon, the bulwark against city invasions, the sniffer-out of demon race spies... Countless rumors swirled and faded, but you always responded with silence."
Why not reveal your intentions?
Was there some reason you couldn't?
Back then, when Lu wasn't part of the central student council, she'd pondered it endlessly without reaching a conclusion.
And time passed.
Now, as the head of the guidance department in the central council.
She had heard the reason directly from the president himself.
"You said it yourself, didn't you? That you're in that position solely for the sake of subjugating the Demon King."
And to prove that greater purpose, he'd persuaded the chief director and the control AI to allow what could seem like a dictatorship.
"'There will come a time when this seat is needed.' That's what you told me."
As if to affirm it, he'd gathered support from inside and outside the city, reigning as president of the central council for a full eight years.
"Honestly, it was hard to understand."
Lu turned her gaze, staring straight at the president.
His expressionless eyes met hers over tightly pressed lips.
"Why go to such lengths? Why cling so desperately to the presidency? Do you really need that position?"
For eight years, he'd poured immense effort into holding onto it.
Catering to the board and representative council for internal support, while striking deals with national leaders outside to build a solid foundation.
All the while dominating public opinion through the media to justify his extensions.
—But there were limits.
"As time went on, dissatisfaction grew among the students. Even in a world of the strong ruling the weak, holding onto power after graduation was just too much."
There was no refuting it.
It was too much, plain and simple.
What student keeps their position after graduating?
To current students, the president's tenure must have felt like outright tyranny.
"But you ignored it all and forced yourself to stay in the role."
Lu gazed at him with a serious expression.
"It wasn't like you at all."
In all the time she'd known him, he'd never shown such thirst for power from his lofty perch.
Except for that one seat.
"But that doesn't add up."
Lu declared it firmly.
Her eyes, filled with utter conviction, fixed on him.
"From the moment you graduated, the central student council presidency wasn't some grand prize for you."
Of course not.
No matter how great the president's authority, it paled compared to heroes fighting demons on the front lines.
The current president had earned untouchable status through long-term rule and frontline feats, but the previous one? No one ranked them alongside active heroes.
...Regardless of actual strength.
A student council president was bound to be stronger than most heroes, but still just a "student" in perception.
With the newbie stigma in hero circles, it was natural for veterans to look down.
"If you wanted to elevate your hero status, jumping to the front lines would be most effective. Easy points, endless fame opportunities."
Indeed, top heroes lived on the front lines.
Hunting demons big and small built merits and fame.
"That's how the modern hero system works."
Even the Hero Association's monthly magazine featured mostly frontline rankers.
Rear supporters earned points too, but far fewer chances than frontline fighters.
Those rear types topped out in the upper ranks at best.
"But you didn't. Despite your strength."
Lu knew.
How powerful he truly was.
Hundreds of spars had etched his prowess into her mind and body.
She had no doubt his strength stood apart even among heroes.
Yes.
That's why it was so strange.
"A surefire ranker tossing aside glory to stay as student council president?"
"...I'm second-ranked hero, you know."
"That's hindsight. The Spirit King recommended you for the holy site reclamation, sending you frontline. Luck aligned, and you took down the Four Heavenly Kings with other rankers. You didn't scheme for president aiming for that."
His contributions? Mostly from those Four Heavenly Kings.
Vast as they were.
His hero path leaned heavily on fortune.
Balancing presidency and heroics? Pure result.
"What if the Spirit King hadn't recommended you? Or if Academy City got hit by demons, pulling focus?"
So Lu thought.
For Demon King subjugation, he should step down.
The presidency was just shackles.
She told him so.
"Honestly, if you'd stayed frontline, we'd have reclaimed the holy sites by now."
The president's eyes, closed in quiet certainty, slowly opened as he spoke.
"...I."
But Lu cut him off before he could struggle further.
"I know. You had your reasons. We all do—everyone who supports you believes in you. Yes, I'm sure of it."
"......"
"Subjugating the Demon King. Tough road—barely any successes in history. But we believe you'll do it. We want to see the path you carve."
Respect, reverence, affection, faith.
Emotions swirled in Lu's chest.
That's why.
That's precisely why Lu clenched her teeth.
Steadying her surging heart, she unleashed her pent-up frustration at him.
"But this? No."
"......"
Lu recalled Noah's image.
Captured effortlessly, oblivious even to her presence.
Crying pathetically under interrogation at the barracks.
And deflating instantly upon sensing their strength.
That guy was who the president awaited?
The one he'd scoured for, sacrificing eight years?
'I can't accept it.'
She wouldn't.
The man the president entrusted the future to—that guy?
"I can't accept that he'll help subjugate the Demon King."
Better to step down now, hit the front lines than nurture mediocrity.
Her resolute words met the president's steady gaze.
"I get it. I understand."
"Then...!"
"Yes, Noah is indeed the one I've been waiting for."
The president nodded.
No denying it.
Lu had followed him like a little sister, after all.
Playful pranks, occasional clinginess—but ruthless removal if she deemed harm.
That's Lu.
And so.
He couldn't leave her like this.
"You don't like Noah, do you?"
"...It's not that I dislike him."
Her momentum wilted at his nonchalant response.
"I've held this position a long time."
True.
Too long, even by his measure.
"All for the Demon King's subjugation."
"......"
"That's unwavering truth."
"But Noah..."
"Noah is the son of the Hero of Light, Alex."
"......!"
Lu's eyes widened in shock at the bombshell.
"It's safe to say it now."
"W-What do you...?"
"Exactly that. Noah is Alex Premier's child."
He repeated the truth to her stunned gaze.
"Of course, Noah's weak now. Utterly helpless."
"......"
"But as Alex's son, he'll inherit that explosive growth."
"......!"
Lu gasped.
How could she not know?
The legendary hero who slew the previous Demon King: Hero of Light Alex Premier.
And his fabled explosive growth rate!
"I confirmed it today."
"Gasp!"
Uncertain at the transfer ceremony.
But this encounter sealed it.
No hiding it.
"The System. That unknown tech grasping our powers—it'll claim the Demon King's life."
"The System! That thing you mentioned..."
Only protagonists get Systems—proof Noah's this season's lead!
"Humble beginnings, grand finale."
Noah may seem weak now, but his growth will surpass expectations.
Lu inhaled sharply, then asked tensely.
"So, how far do you think Noah will grow?"
"I told you. To subjugate the Demon King."
"Then..."
"Yes, he'll become the continent's strongest."
The Seven Great Powers.
Even the top tiers: Sword God and Demon God.
He'll surpass, lead them.
And their pinnacle, the War God...
'...Not worth pursuing, drop it.'
Shrugging it off, the president watched Lu's ecstatic face, arms hugging herself, body twitching in rapture.
'Hm. Her switch flipped.'
Her battle-maniac tendencies ignited by his words.
Especially since she'd pegged Noah as weak.
Like finding a pearl in the desert.
'With a System, exponential strength. For her, endless fresh fights.'
That's explosive growth.
Nodding at visions of powered-up Noah, he figured Lu sensed it instinctively.
"So, now you get why I waited?"
"...Yes."
Calming herself, Lu asked.
"But President."
"Yeah?"
"I get Noah's no ordinary kid. Hidden potential, sure."
"Mm."
"So why not tell me sooner?"
She glared, protesting the secrecy from her department head.
But he shook his head calmly.
"No, that wouldn't do."
"Why!"
"Needed to hide his info until he entered Academy City."
"Hide info?"
"Lu, for your most hated target, easiest kill method?"
"Assassination...?"
"Yes. Especially if the target's a helpless civilian."
"......Ah."
She finally grasped it, gasping.
"That's why you hid it."
"Yes. Inside Academy City, with High Ho, protection's feasible."
But.
"Before he enters Academy City, that would be difficult."
"But if it’s Noah’s hometown, isn’t that where that person is?"
"Yes, Alex is there. And of course his wife, Elise, as well. Most threats could be dealt with by the two of them."
"Then...!"
—But they're human.
"Past their prime, sans holy sword—can they protect him long-term?"
He remembered.
Before his presidency.
Visiting Vihite Kingdom for Alex.
{Leave.}
{Urgent business with Sir Alex.}
{Alex sees no one post-subjugation. Leave.}
{Just once, please.}
{Impossible. 'Inviolability' is his reward for Demon King slaying. As continent's representative, I must grant the savior fitting repose.}
The king's ironclad secrecy left him meetingless, turning away.
That inviolability.
Choosing it over worldly glory meant one thing.
'Alex struggles protecting wife and child too.'
Demon King slain, fame soared.
Envy, jealousy followed.
Demons harboring grudges.
And newborn Noah amid it.
All burdens.
'Fresh off duty, hit harder.'
High level or not, humans die to vital strikes.
Post-prime, sans sword—unfair to demand frontline prowess.
If Alex maintained strength, his name'd grace Seven Powers still.
'But no.'
Retired, sword returned—regaining prime? Pipe dream.
He foresaw it, demanding inviolability as reward.
Nodding slowly.
'Missed meeting him, but no inviolability? Noah's existence continent-wide news.'
Demons would've learned.
And then—
'Obvious end.'
Death or a Four Heavenly King would've come.
No holy sword? Alex couldn't solo one—possible bad end.
'Vihite's king judged wisely.'
Skillfully blocking him and continent's hands—impressive.
'Perfectly, even Noah's clueless.'
Doesn't know his dad's world-saving hero.
Proof of masterful national info control.