Sponsorship Review (3)
Theodore gaped at the sight before him.
"Pleased to meet you. I am Yeon Je-seong, the Supreme Student Council President."
Why the hell are you here...?!
Suppressing the urge to bellow it out loud, Theodore forced his twitching lips into a smile.
"Wh-what brings you here, Mr. President...?"
"I heard that Centonio, the director, was discussing sponsorship details with you. When helping out a well-intentioned activity like this, shouldn't the Supreme Student Council at least extend a proper greeting?"
Theodore could only nod with a strained smile as the president added that he was just there to express gratitude.
"Y-yes, of course."
"Though I'm here in person, I'll leave the practical matters to Director Centonio, so no need to worry."
"Exactly. You're just here to convey thanks to Flugel on behalf of the council, so please don't feel burdened, sir."
At the smooth words from the president and Centonio, Theodore inwardly spat curses.
'You bastards...! Stealing the early momentum and then spouting empty platitudes!'
Seizing the initial flow in negotiations was a crucial factor.
Not only did it impose psychological pressure, but among veterans, that early momentum often carried through to the end.
That was why the standard process involved a probing phase at the start, gradually taking control of the flow...!
'But the president's appearance flipped the momentum in one go!'
Sometimes, such absurd things happened.
People who could steal the entire flow just with their presence.
Commonly called charisma, it stemmed from an innate aura utterly unlike that of ordinary folk—and it was especially strong in those who held high positions.
Yet to Theodore, Yeon Je-seong's charisma was beyond imagination.
An overwhelming presence he'd never encountered, despite meeting countless people throughout his life.
It rivaled the innate majesty of a king or emperor of a nation.
'This is the Supreme Student Council President...!'
Even just standing there with arms crossed crushed his body involuntarily, delivering a fresh shock.
A powerful charisma that forced submission, emotionless eyes that seemed utterly indifferent to everything.
And on top of that, a cold, unchanging expression no matter the situation.
He was a man of far more intense impression than the rumors suggested.
Facing him, Theodore instantly understood why no one challenged for the president's seat.
'To take on a monster like that for the presidency... absurd.'
Ivan planned to impeach a guy like this?
'...Might've picked the wrong side.'
Doubts about Ivan surged just as suddenly.
Centonio, who had been silent until then, finally spoke.
"Shall we get into the main discussion, then?"
"Yes, let's."
Pretending composure in his response, he glanced around sharply.
'As expected, the president's presence is huge. Even the executives are intimidated.'
He'd called in his own executives and key staff to counter Centonio and the council members...!
"Who'd have thought we'd face the president himself..."
"What an intimidating aura...!"
It was only natural for Theodore to wear an uncomfortable expression when they were already losing momentum before talks even began.
In contrast, Centonio and the other deputies maintained calm faces as they distributed various documents to Theodore and his executives.
.
.
.
.
A short time passed.
Documents had circulated to everyone in the conference room. With the president at the center, Centonio and a girl with blue hair sat on either side.
"Good work."
"You all take seats too."
Once the deputies handling odd jobs sat down following the president's brief praise, Theodore swallowed hard and spoke.
"First off, welcome to Flugel."
"Mm."
"As pre-arranged, we wish to sponsor those clubs that passed the review."
"Yes, I've seen the related documents. You want a joint sponsorship, right?"
"Yes. The total prize pool of 10 billion for the passing clubs—we'd like Flugel to cover half."
"...Frankly, we're grateful."
Centonio opened with those words, then swept the room with a gentle tone belying his appearance.
"From our Supreme Student Council's perspective, 10 billion isn't a small sum. But I don't quite understand."
"What part?"
"A company like Flugel could easily approach promising clubs directly for private sponsorship without partnering with us. So why insist on a joint effort?"
It was a perfectly reasonable question.
From a corporate standpoint, handling things solo maximized profits more efficiently than collaborating with another entity.
—Assuming the company had the capability, which Flugel undoubtedly did.
Leading tech in Academy City's Research District.
Capital dominating nearly 30% of the city's economy.
The savvy to grow from a small firm into a continental giant.
Objectively, Flugel could independently sponsor promising clubs without the council's involvement.
That was why it made no sense.
"A joint sponsorship means the council will naturally offer various inputs. It's more economical than shouldering the full amount alone, but coordinating opinions could hit snags."
"Haha, I understand. You're overseeing and running the reviews, after all—how could you not care? It's fine. We go in fully aware."
Theodore chuckled and replied, but the silent president tossed in a single remark.
"If you plan to meddle in the club reviews, I recommend stopping now."
"......"
As expected—he suspected ulterior motives like bribery.
A plausible guess, but unfortunately wrong.
'Flugel must always present as an upstanding corporation.'
The public face of Flugel had to radiate unassailable benevolence.
Instill an image of a socially responsible enterprise in the light, while pursuing unethical experiments in the shadows to advance technology.
To that end, Flugel was secretly advancing plans in hidden facilities unknown even to leading executives, the council, or the board of directors.
'Thus, the joint sponsorship must be packaged as Flugel's charitable initiative.'
The first step in branding the impeccably conscientious Flugel as a socially responsible company.
That was this club joint sponsorship.
'Of course, I'd love the president's cooperation on the real project investment, but...'
Probably impossible.
Glancing at the president with faint hope, Theodore soon turned away with a wry smile.
'...So even the president is a hero, huh.'
His seasoned business instincts told him.
The man before him would never accept his true proposal.
A mere hunch, but Theodore had always trusted his instincts in pivotal moments.
Trusting it again, he concealed the project's existence and deliberately feigned displeasure.
"We're solely sponsoring to secure promising talent. Even from you, Mr. President, such words are a bit offensive."
"If it's needless suspicion, my apologies. But know that club sponsorship reviews are always conducted fairly."
The president calmly stated his stance, Centonio flashed an awkward smile beside him.
And the girl wore a tense, rigid expression.
A sharp tension suddenly filled the conference room, prompting the nearby executives to wipe cold sweat as negotiations continued.
Meanwhile, eyeing the three apparent key negotiators, Theodore maintained his expression while thinking.
'A little loss is fine. Scouting test subjects via promising clubs, and forging ties with the council? That's a net gain.'
So, emphasize building connections with the council here.
'Treat the joint sponsorship as charity PR, and handle real support independently through Flugel.'
It'd take effort, but worthwhile investment.
Wrapping up his thoughts quickly, Theodore nodded, affirming the president's earlier point.
"Let me make it clear now. Flugel's goal is purely discovering promising teams. We have zero intention of interfering in the review process."
"Understood. We deeply appreciate your company's benevolence."
"Hahaha, not to haggle, but we do plan exclusive contracts with passing clubs on Flugel's behalf... You wouldn't block that, right?"
"Of course not. Sponsors pursuing exclusive deals with recipients is commonplace."
The unexpectedly straightforward reply drew a quiet sigh of relief from Theodore.
'Feared they'd reject even exclusives, but thankfully not.'
Typically, public joint sponsorships embedded a socially responsible image while imprinting the company name on passing clubs.
Whether current members or future applicants, it planted the notion of Flugel as a benevolent supporter of students.
Thus, corporate outreach to reviewed clubs was entirely natural.
For the company, it nurtured promising talent to boost tech; for clubs, corporate funding covered pricey research, enabling higher quality work.
A successfully groomed club benefiting the company? Hardly a bad outcome.
'Handled right, we snag project-useful researchers.'
Moreover, given the review's nature, most passing clubs were support, alchemy, or engineering types desperate for research funds—far more than martial ones.
Students a step back from the front lines.
Lacking combat prowess, they focused on rear support, with the Research District as their main hub.
'Meaning whole clubs could join Flugel.'
As a top player in the district, Flugel already housed countless researchers. Even otherwise, most labs collaborated with Flugel, wielding near-absolute influence.
Thus, passing clubs might entirely enlist!
'Students fated for Flugel anyway. A bit of favoritism is warranted.'
How could he not invest in future family-like subordinates?
"Heh, glad we're on the same page."
"Then, next condition..."
But his smile faded quickly.
"Now, let's discuss post-review care."
"...Pardon?"
Listening with eased mind, Theodore stared blankly at Centonio's follow-up.
"Haha! Sponsorship can't just end there. Even great research fails often, especially in costly fields. We need safeguards so clubs don't collapse. One slip-up racks up astronomical bills, given their nature."
"Uh."
"Let me see... Bankruptcy prevention per club, monthly stipends for living and smooth research, miscellaneous support... roughly this much."
"......"
Staring at the calculator Centonio proffered with trembling eyes, Theodore worked his lips futilely before hanging his head in silence.