Chapter 66
Chapter 66
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 66
Chapter Title: Handling the Aftermath (2)
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Phillips Newman was a lucky man.
From childhood, he'd pick up money just walking down the street.
Or on exam day, his half-assed guesses would all turn out correct.
He applied to Academy City, and the transfer exam featured his strongest subject.
He'd planned to apply for G3, but a scout spotted him and got him into G2.
He was undeniably blessed with incredible luck—enough to make anyone wonder if the Goddess of Fortune walked by his side.
And this year, he'd even snagged the student council presidency, a role far beyond his station.
Up until then, Phillips had no doubt his future was rock-solid.
A bit lacking, but still enviable martial prowess.
(Subjectively speaking) reasonably handsome looks.
And finally, the position of student council president at the prestigious G2 Ramos Magic School!
Even if his appearance was below average, his standing was objectively impeccable.
It wasn't strange for him to think that way.
Just graduating would have countless clans lining up to recruit him.
Yes, if demons hadn't shown up at his school...
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ "Wh-what the hell is this?!"
Phillips felt dizzy as he read the official notice from the central student council.
"A d-demon? Professor Ricardo is a demon? What kind of nonsense is this?!"
He tremblingly adjusted his glasses and stared at the notice again.
But no matter how desperately he wished, the words on the page didn't change.
"A demon? Professor Ricardo, who'd been teaching for three whole years?!"
Reeling from the shock, Phillips collapsed into his plush chair.
The executives, who'd been watching him carefully, took the notice and passed it around.
"Whoa."
"This is real?"
"Wait, does that mean our school...?"
Silence fell over the room at one executive's words.
Right after, Phillips clutched his head and slammed it onto the desk.
"We're screwed. A demon infiltrated us, and no one noticed for three years? Ugh, I wouldn't send my kid to a place like that either."
No wonder his luck had held out so far.
Phillips swallowed his urge to cry and racked his brain.
Okay, calm down. Think coolly, Phillips.
What's the situation?
We're screwed.
Any way out?
You think?
Who gets hit the hardest here?
Who else? Me.
"We're sooo screwed—!"
This would tank the school's image.
Excluding the chancellor and instructors, the student council president would take the biggest hit.
Phillips, just entering his second year in the university division, felt his stomach churn.
His connections to major clans were as good as gone.
Even mid-tier clans might hesitate to scout him after this.
It's not doubting my skills. It's doubting the instructors who trained me.
That was the clans' worry.
Could instructors who failed to detect a single demon produce proper heroes?
Even if he was student council president—could they trust a student who'd sat through three years of classes with a demon in disguise?
It's over!
There was no hope.
No matter how he thought about it, he only saw a future without job prospects.
Phillips squeezed his eyes shut and slumped back in his chair.
"Um... what do we do? If word spreads that there was a demon at our school, it'll hit our image hard."
"...Yeah."
He removed his glasses, rubbed his eyes, and looked at the executives with clearer vision.
Yeah, what did they do wrong?
He felt bad for himself, but most of these executives were juniors he'd recruited.
Juniors who'd suffer scorn and ridicule for even longer.
I can't let the kids who trusted me take the fall.
Slap—!
The sharp handprint on his cheek made the watching executives flinch in surprise.
"Everyone, focus. This is the most critical moment. We have to contain the rumors somehow."
"But is that even possible?"
"Right, President. The instructors are already trying to quash the rumors, but there's no good news yet..."
"First, calm the students. This incident will have a lot of them on edge."
The ones most anxious about the current situation were, without a doubt, Ramos's students.
Trust in the school had plummeted with a demon emerging from their midst, and the shock of learning Professor Ricardo—the most popular instructor at Ramos—was a demon would hit hard.
"First, during morning assembly, we'll broadcast a message to reassure the students. Tell them to hold back on spreading rumors and instill confidence that the school isn't shaking."
The chancellor had already given a speech once, but back then, the shock was still fresh, so it hadn't landed well.
Now that some time had passed, they might actually listen.
Not that it'll do much but buy time.
Nothing to be done about it.
With the demon culprit subjugated, time would sort it out.
If only we'd caught Professor Ricardo ourselves. But no.
Noah, was it?
Apparently, he'd boldly dueled Ricardo and won.
Though Ricardo was exhausted and not at full strength—but for a student, that was still an astonishing feat.
Anyway.
No time to dwell on the past.
Now, they had to pour everything into rebuilding the school!
Yeah, this could even be my chance.
The student council president who saves the school in its hour of crisis!
If he stepped up and resolved an issue tied to the school's very survival, his reputation would skyrocket.
Turning the current narrative of "lacking in power" completely around—he'd become the flawless president!
I can do this! If I handle this crisis right, I can be a charismatic student council president!
Who knew?
This could showcase his brilliant leadership and elevate him to grand council president level!
"Heh heh heh, alright! Let's get moving, everyone!"
Brimming with dreams, he didn't know.
That dark storm clouds loomed over his future.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ "Hoo."
A few days later.
Entering the Agora Grand Assembly Hall, Phillips broke into a cold sweat, constantly glancing around at the stares.
"Is that what you call a response?"
"What'd I say wrong? We've done all we could."
"Ha! Not even worth replying to."
"What the hell?"
The circular, tiered conference hall.
High-pitched shouts echoed where the delegates sat.
Killing intent erupted right after.
The auras radiating from all around made the relatively weak Phillips feel like vomiting.
"Urk."
...Sorry.
He glanced back to see his vice president covering her mouth with one hand.
She wasn't used to the atmosphere filling the space either.
How did things end up like this...?
I'd only done my best to boost the school's reputation.
Why am I at a hearing?
Phillips wanted to punch his past self for thinking he'd raise the school's image here.
School's image my ass!
They hadn't gathered for soft topics like that.
Just then, a handsome man with striking features took the podium, representing them.
The podium at the lowest level naturally drew all eyes.
Bowing slightly under their gazes, he announced the meeting's purpose in a clear voice.
"Greetings, everyone! I'm Ivan Doyle, student council president of Solaris Hero School, a G2 academy that proposed this hearing."
The blond with blue eyes bellowed to the assembly.
"This gate beast incident is the worst scandal in Academy City's history! Not only did they allow a demon infiltration, they let it fester for three whole years, endangering citizens and students!"
"And because they failed to handle the demon in time, beasts invaded Academy City. Regardless of the damage scale, they must take responsibility!"
Well said!
He's right!
The grand council president should step down!
Numerous delegates cheered Ivan's cry.
"Grand council president, resign!"
"End the dictatorship and usher in a new era!"
"Don't make me laugh! No one in the city noticed the demon!"
"How can you pin it all on one person?!"
"The grand council president handled it with zero casualties—an incredible feat!"
Ivan's speech ignited the pro- and anti-president factions, heating the room as they clashed.
Looking down, Ivan was veins bulging in his neck, shouting passionately.
What the...?
Phillips stared at the conference hall's frenzy in bewilderment.
This wasn't his first time at the delegate assembly, but it had never been this heated before.
The delegate chairwoman needs to step in! What the hell is she...?
Wasn't controlling this chaos her job?
Thinking that, Phillips looked up at the delegate chairwoman seated high above.
The woman in flowing traditional robes, hand over her mouth, watched with intrigued eyes.
Her black hair and matching black horns marked her as dragonkin.
"...!"
A moment later, their eyes met by chance, and he whipped his gaze away fast enough to snap his neck.
──Fufu.
He forced himself to ignore the faint laugh from behind.
Chills—!
"...!"
The hall froze.
Delegates who'd been hurling shouts and insults went silent, faces pale as they stared downward.
Step—
It felt like invisible hands gripped their throats.
Overwhelmed by extreme fear, Phillips blankly stared below, unaware his body was shaking.
Soon after, thuds echoed as people collapsed here and there.
Likely secretaries without strong mental fortitude.
Phillips realized his vice president had fainted beside him from the sound.
Step—
"Urgh..."
Ivan below let out a heavy groan.
Creeeak—
"You've arrived."
The delegate chairwoman from the back offered a greeting.
"Hm."
Finally, he appeared.
"It's been a while."
Grand Student Council President Yeon Je-seong had arrived.