Chapter 47
Chapter 47
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 47
Chapter Title: Golden Generation (1)
-----------------------------------------------------------------
The class that Yeon Je-seong had graduated from was known across the continent as the Golden Generation.
Over half of that year's graduates had climbed into the upper ranks, with more than 30% reaching the very top—an unprecedented feat.
It was the golden generation, still writing legends from past to present.
Their fame had spread throughout the continent, and in Academy City, which had produced them, it was common knowledge that no class would surpass them.
And among them, those who had graduated in the ranking positions were called the Single Numbers...
"So why are you here?"
The current Hero ranking No. 11 and the Golden Generation's No. 3.
Sword Ghost Sena Lier.
"Where I am isn't something for you to worry about, is it?"
The current Hero ranking No. 21 and the Golden Generation's No. 5.
Thunderflash Alensia Trauzen.
Even during their school days, it was infamous that the Single Numbers got along terribly with each other.
Especially those two, who always caused incidents whenever they were together.
Stepping in before things escalated was a set procedure for the president.
"Long time no see, Alensia."
"Nyaa hat! President! It's been ages, nyaa!"
"...Vulgar cat."
At the president's words, Alensia transformed from a haughty cat to a fawning kitty in an instant and dashed straight to him.
"Have you been well, nyaa? I've been great, nyaa!"
"I've been well. No injuries?"
"Nyaha hat! This body is of course full of vim and vigor, nyaa!"
Confirming her twitching cat ears and the tail wrapping around her body, the president nodded.
"Glad you're safe."
"...Nyaa hat."
Crunch—
Meanwhile, Alensia, nestled in the president's arms, shot a mocking grin at Sena and savored the small victory from her displeased expression.
"Get off already, cat."
"No way, nyaa!"
Sena ground her teeth at Alensia, who stuck out her tongue to taunt her, then muttered under her breath.
"A thirty-something hag acting so childish."
"...What?"
Alensia's demeanor flipped in an instant at Sena's words, and she lunged ferociously.
"By beastkin standards, thirty is still young."
"Doesn't change the absolute age. Whatever. You look young enough on the outside."
Right then, lightning shot from Alensia's hand and exploded right in front of Sena.
"Still acting before thinking, as always."
In Sena's hand was now a rugged sword, appearing out of nowhere.
"I'll kill you."
"Stop it. You can't do it with that pathetic thunderflash."
"Ha! Funny. Want to test it?"
The two radiated killing intent, drawing up their energy.
──Enough.
In that instant, aura spread out, warping the space.
"Eut!"
"...!"
Their half-serious momentum was overwhelmed in a flash, forcing both to their knees.
'Kuh!'
'Nyaaat! The president got even stronger!'
They twisted their bodies to avoid damage to the surroundings, but as the president's aura dominated the entire room, they gave up resisting and raised both hands.
"Vice President, this is the student council room. Mind the location."
"...My apologies, President."
"Alensia, you're going too far with the jokes. Starting a ruckus in the sacred student council room. You must be prepared for the consequences."
"Nya, nyahaha... Sorry, nyaa."
Seeing both show signs of remorse, the president nodded slightly and withdrew his aura.
Just like that, the two moved freely again as if nothing had happened.
"Be careful next time."
"Got it, nyaa."
"Understood."
Even as they said that, they glared at each other before pointedly turning away.
Letting out a low sigh as he watched them, the president turned to the woman who had been leaning against the desk, observing with amused eyes.
"So. You're the new student in question?"
"Pleased to meet you~ Guardian of the Great Forest. I'm Phyllis."
The green-haired beauty with a warm impression greeted him in a soft voice.
'Guardian...'
Using that word in the Great Forest meant she was the pinnacle of hunters in her own right.
As expected of the Divine Bow's disciple.
"My apologies. We showed you an unsightly display."
"It's fine. I actually found it entertaining."
She covered her mouth with her sleeve, chuckling softly, then suddenly lifted her head to look at the president.
Well, not quite looking, since her eyes were closed.
"My master said to come since you called, but if it's boring, I'd go back?"
The president nodded without frowning at her self-centered words.
"Do as you like."
'As rumored, a fiercely moody elf.'
True to being the Divine Bow's disciple, she was stubbornly whimsical.
As he thought that and gazed at her, she looked back with a suspicious smile.
"Why are you staring like that?"
"Oh, just curious."
"Curious?"
"Yes. I've heard so much from Master, but meeting you in person... you're beyond my expectations~"
With that, Phyllis cracked her eyes open slightly, trying to gauge the president's strength.
But realizing she couldn't even fathom it at her level, she flashed a beaming smile as if nothing had happened.
Meanwhile, Alensia was questioning Sena from afar.
"Hey. Who's she?"
"A new student enrolling this time."
"New student? Her?"
Don't joke.
Alensia pointed at Phyllis and said,
"If she's a new student, then at least half the active heroes need to re-enroll in Academy City."
What new student in the world matched the strength of an active hero?
'She's beyond rookie level.'
Of course, the Executor who'd been the talk among recent heroes wasn't at student level either, but comparing her to him didn't even make sense from the start.
'At least upper rank. Top tier if she's lucky. But no way she's a ranker.'
For a fresh enrollee, it was an absurdly high assessment, but Alensia nodded with conviction.
"What's her deal?"
"Disciple of the Divine Bow."
"Ha."
Alensia let out a hollow laugh at the words from her rival.
"Weaker than I thought."
"Word is she's sorely lacking in real combat experience."
Realizing her identity, Alensia downgraded her evaluation from moments ago.
And for good reason.
'Her master is that lunatic who shoots down large-scale tactical magic with one arrow. It's no wonder. She's actually weaker than expected.'
That was her gauge based on outward appearances.
No telling how it'd change if she showed her true power, but Alensia figured she was at least weaker than herself.
"So why'd she come to Academy City anyway?"
"Who knows. How should I know the Divine Bow's thoughts."
Sena didn't know why she'd come here either.
She'd just brought her on the president's orders.
"Hmmm. Whatever, I don't care about fledglings. Time to enjoy my rare vacation!"
Shaking off complicated thoughts, Alensia began planning in her head how to spend time with the president.
"I'll head out first then. Tell the president I'll see him tomorrow!"
"Sure. I'll say you left for the front lines."
She bristled at Sena's words for a moment but quickly schooled her expression into a triumphant grin.
"Hmph! Say what you will, reality won't change. The president and I are going on dates starting tomorrow. You just work hard here!"
Nyaha hat!
Leaving her bright laughter behind, Alensia vanished. Sena pressed her brow, easing her fatigue.
"Annoying to the end."
With a small sigh, she glanced at the two conversing, then quietly closed the door and left the room.
'Time to brew some tea.'
It was late night already, but their conversation showed no sign of ending, so Sena headed quietly to the pantry.
───
Meanwhile, as the president exchanged words with Phyllis, he was explaining her current situation.
"...So right now, you're practically a golden goblin everyone wants."
"What a novel metaphor..."
"It's the most fitting example."
"Fair enough."
"Anyway, at my discretion, I've exempted you from the transfer exam. All that's left is the entrance exam each academy holds."
"Entrance exam, you say."
"Yes. Score well on the entrance exam in a few days, and you can enroll in that academy."
Well, even without effort, the instructors would pass her once they confirmed her reputation, but best keep that quiet.
"But I don't really have an academy I want to go to."
"No problem. The scouts from each academy will approach the prospects. Until now, we'd limited info for your protection, but now that you're here, the scouts will sniff you out."
Especially SKY—they might even contact her before the info restrictions were lifted.
'Since she's not tied to any academy, it might really come down to first come, first served.'
As he nodded inwardly, Phyllis, who had been gazing out the window, turned toward him.
At the same time, the atmosphere shifted in an instant, seizing the space.
"So."
She slowly opened her closed eyes, fixing her sparkling green gaze on the president.
"I'll agree to whatever the president demands. But in return, I have just one condition."
Her drawling tone vanished.
With a clear voice, she declared,
"Keep me by your side."
"...?"
He'd been short on sleep lately.
With that dazed thought, the president massaged his temples and asked again.
"What did you say?"
"...President, the talk seems like it'll drag on, so I prepared tea..."
"I want to stay by the president's side."
"...?"
"...?"
A voice even clearer than before.
And Sena, frozen in the open doorway.
At this absurd timing, the president just blankly stared at the ceiling.