Chapter 71
Chapter 71
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 71
Chapter Title: Post-Battle Cleanup (7)
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Aura-based martial combat fundamentally unfolds with one-on-one battles in mind.
That's why each technique boasts high lethality, but they inevitably fall short in terms of area coverage.
In contrast, shamanism specializes in support elements like barriers and shikigami.
Even if those shamans awaken demonic traits, it would at best amount to sealing movements or applying debuffs.
That's why it had to be magic.
Magic, which inherently features wide range and immense firepower, would produce even greater synergy once demonic traits were awakened.
"So that's why I chose Ramos, a school specialized in magic."
"There are plenty of other schools specialized in magic besides Ramos, aren't there?"
Ramos was, after all, just a mid-tier school even among G2 institutions.
Most of its students and even faculty were of average skill.
Objectively speaking, it wasn't on a level worthy of teaching someone precious demonic traits.
'If the Student Council President truly wanted a magic-specialized school, he should've sent me to Grimoire in G1.'
That place held the highest prestige as Academy City's premier magic academy.
Even if G1 was off-limits, there were plenty of renowned magic schools in G2 like Architect or Lemegeton—no reason for it to fall to Ramos in the lineup.
"While our Ramos does bear the name of a magic school, it's fairly average compared to the more famous ones. So why...?"
"That's exactly the reason."
"...Pardon?"
"Because your school showed the most average level of achievement."
The Student Council President's words left not only Phillips tilting his head but even Ivan doing the same.
"What do you mean? You chose it because it's average?"
"If you're insulting Ramos..."
"That's not it, so calm down, Councilor Ivan."
He gestured for the visibly displeased Ivan to stand down, then continued.
"Certainly, your school ranks mid-tier even in G2. Only a few students stood out, while the rest were average overall."
"Then why...?"
"Precisely because of that, I figured they'd show the most dramatic growth upon learning demonic traits."
"...?"
"A student with high achievement and one with average achievement. If you teach them the same concept, whose growth rate do you think would be higher?"
"Th-the one with high achievement, surely?"
"Wrong. The answer is the average one."
"That's nonsense! Talent levels differ—how could...!"
The Student Council President eyed Ivan quizzically at his outburst.
"Why do you assume the two students have different talents?"
"That's obvious. High achievement means they possess superior talent compared to others, literally."
"Hm, but your argument has a glaring flaw. What if the high achiever's potential has already maxed out?"
"Th-that..."
"All potential has limits. Just because someone achieves high results now doesn't guarantee they will in the future."
"......"
"Whereas those with average achievement are far less likely to have hit theirs. Most haven't fully bloomed their talents yet, so many develop them as they gain age and experience."
That's why I chose Ramos, with its average achievements.
"Even if their current accomplishments are ordinary, that's not their limit."
"......"
Ivan scowled deeply at the Student Council President's words.
Partly because he couldn't find a rebuttal, but mostly out of frustration at his own inability to counter.
"...You're underestimating the students from other schools."
But that lasted only a moment.
His serious tone drew silent stares from both the President and even Ivan.
"Of course, our students might reveal far greater talent in the future. But the same applies to students from other schools. Those with exceptional talent will likely achieve even greater heights."
So.
You, Mr. President, are dismissing their potential too.
"......"
"...Ah."
Instinctive words, perhaps.
As the President and even Ivan nearby stared at him wordlessly, Phillips finally took in his surroundings, his face paling.
Watching him calmly, the Student Council President spoke flatly.
"Seems my words came across differently. I'm not dismissing other students' efforts or talents. It's just that, for the same experience points, a level 30 grows far less efficiently than a level 20."
A level 30 character gains 1000 EXP and hits level 32.
A level 20 gains 1000 EXP and reaches level 25.
When gaining the same EXP, the lower-level one naturally grows more.
He knew reality was built on game-like systems, so he phrased it that way.
"What does that even mean?"
"Hm?"
Of course, the others clearly didn't grasp the explanation at all.
.
.
.
After detailing the reasons for choosing Ramos, he soon outlined countermeasures for the current crisis.
"First, we'll clear up the slanders against Ramos. The control AI will scrub all related topics from Flu and every other community."
"Also, the Student Council will step in to stop the defamation of Ramos. I'll lead this personally, centered on the leading committee."
At those words, numerous councilors visibly shuddered.
...Probably the ones who spread badmouthing about Ramos.
'Mostly G2 and G3 folks, I bet.'
If Ramos couldn't quash the rumors, maintaining its rank would be tough.
Looks like G2 and G3 exploited that.
"But that alone won't fully restore the damaged reputation."
The President followed up lightly.
"Fine. Instead, I'll give a speech to the entire city. If I, as Student Council President, officially deny Ramos's infamy, it should help."
Of course, those were far from light words.
"A citywide address!?"
"From someone who didn't even speak at his inauguration...!"
"To think I'd hear a speech from the President while still in school!"
"I believed in you, damn it!"
Not just his friendly councilors.
"Officially admitting fault!?"
"Finally, a blemish on the President's reputation!"
"A citywide speech! I can already hear his approval ratings plummeting!"
Even the anti-President faction, eager for his resignation, wildly cheered the decision.
And among them, the most moved was.
"President...!"
Phillips, swallowing tears with an emotional expression at the bombshell.
If the President himself denied the infamy—not anyone else—the smears on his alma mater would vanish in an instant!
Realizing this, Phillips bowed deeply to him.
"Thank you! Truly... thank you so much!"
"Enough. This mess is my doing, so cleaning it up is only right."
"Still, thank you! I honestly thought you'd delegate it to your subordinates...!"
How many leaders had started troubles and left them unresolved!
Compared to those politicians, the President was personally enduring insults to fix the damage—naturally moving Phillips.
Yet amid the universal acclaim, one watched the decision with displeasure...
"With this? You think this will clear Ramos's injustice!?"
Question marks popped over everyone's heads—even Phillips tilted his in confusion.
"If you truly want to right Ramos's wrongs, don't just talk—strip naked!"
"...Gasp!"
"...Hng!"
"...Cough!"
The blunt demand left pro-President allies and even anti-faction councilors visibly stunned.
"Wh-what nonsense is that!"
"Right! Hasn't the President already explained all the suspicions!?"
"He's even promising a citywide speech for Ramos!"
"Empty words won't soothe Ramos students' rage and injustice! To truly address it, show the resolve it demands!"
Eyes unfocused in blind fury, Ivan stared defiantly at the President and pressed on.
"Thus, I hereby request a suitability review for Student Council President Yeon Je-seong—right here, right now!"
───!!
Ivan's bombshell sent the chamber into uproar.
The G3 councilors, half-heartedly echoing others.
G2 councilors bickering fiercely along faction lines.
And G1 councilors silently observing from above.
All eyes turned to the President at Ivan's words.
──Gulp!
A collective swallow echoed from somewhere.
Even the councilors knew.
No one here could stop an enraged Student Council President.
'This fool...!'
Pafnir, gripping her fan tightly while watching him, inwardly gnashed her teeth at Ivan's outburst.
'What the hell possessed him to pull this stunt!?'
Could they even stop him?
No—correction.
Could they all step up and stop him?
As she gravely pondered a fight with him.
The President, silently wetting his throat with water, set down the bottle.
......Thud.
The quiet chamber amplified the sound.
Then his voice resounded.
"A suitability review, eh..."
"......!"
With those words, poor Phillips in front paled as he looked up.
He'd seen it.
The water in the President's bottle trembling nonstop.
"What a hassle."
A low voice echoed.
"I decline."
Ruthless tyranny, yet no one dared oppose.
Not even the instigator, Ivan.
"Councilor Ivan."
No—there wasn't even time to oppose.
"If you're a student of Academy City, challenge me with your skills."
"......"
It was a colossal tidal wave.
A wave thick with killing intent.
"......!"
Ivan, half-mad as he attacked before, snapped to his senses at the threat to his life.
'Wh-what is this...!'
"You know this already."
"......!"
"Academy City's Student Council President is always decided by strength."
Unchanging, anytime, anywhere.
Even if won through cowardly means, the seat transfers.
"Come at me. I'll always be here."
With raw power.
With blackmail or bribes.
Win however you want.
"So challenge me with intent to kill."
A hero's trial doesn't end so easily.
Evade danger.
Overcome crises.
Surmount adversities.
Thus, hero───
"Grow through trials."
That's a hero's quality—the qualification to lead all heroes (students).
With that, the President turned and strode out.
The heavy doors parted silently, spilling brilliant sunlight.
Bathed fully in it, he declared.
"If you want to topple me, enter the Agora Martial Tournament."
The Agora Martial Tournament.
The battleground for all students, a glorious event to appeal one's worth to countless clans.
And──
"I'll await you at its pinnacle."
The official tournament to challenge the Student Council President.