Audit Confrontation and the Coup Proposal
My remarks, straight out of the academy rules, brought their footsteps to a halt.
"A first-year reciting the school regulations like that... No, did he know we were coming and prepare in advance?"
Yeah. No. I'd already memorized everything I'd need against you guys.
Did they have any idea I'd gone through the academy's entrance—and even graduation—countless times, more than they ever had?
Jinwoo, apparently fed up with the ongoing standoff, impatiently thrust out the hand holding the documents.
"You swarm in here like beans popping in lightning, and now you're talking about preparation? Come on, just take this and go already. What kind of tyranny is this, messing with someone else's club business?"
Seo Yeon-su squinted at the thin stack of papers, clearly not much there.
"What's this?"
"What else? The documents your seniors told us to bring. Club funding usage confirmations and supporting receipts."
"...Hand them over."
At Seo Yeon-su's words, another male senior snatched the papers from Jinwoo like they were his by right. She scanned the contents.
"Expenditures: 0 won? You trying to mess with us right now?"
"Are you saying we tampered with the documents? No evidence, and now you're accusing us of forgery? Looks like your president is sweating bullets. What, did President Asher tell you to squeeze us a bit?"
She flinched. A faint tremor ran through her, laced with unmistakable fear.
It was a bullseye.
"...The student council's audit is being conducted fairly. No one's personal feelings make it overly strict or lenient."
Yeah, right. Calling it an "audit" based on tips alone? Even a passing financial auditor would laugh.
"Then, fairly and by the rules, since our club has provided every single document needed for the audit with utmost sincerity, there's no reason to deem it deficient, is there?"
A grinding sound came from her clenched teeth.
"Jinwoo."
"Yes, sir!"
"The guests are leaving. See them out—and sprinkle some salt while you're at it."
"Yes, sir! Alright, everyone, time to head out. You can't block the hallway like this; how are our clients supposed to come in? Huh?"
With the rules, documents, and not a speck of dirt to grab onto, they had nothing left. They knew it too, turning on their heels only after our pointed remarks.
"Oh, and before you go, those seniors over there."
My follow-up stopped the audit team at the hallway door.
"Looks like a few from Ares club are mixed in. Say hi to your president for me."
This confirmed it. Student council president Ray Pendragon had noticed Vivian's Spring was gone.
And he'd pegged me as the prime suspect.
How? There wasn't any suspicious evidence. I'd mapped every CCTV angle to the garden, confirmed no witnesses nearby. Hell, after the villain terror incident, I'd even scattered villain remnants around Vivian's lake to make it look like their doing.
Was it because I sided with the chairman and badmouthed the association? Nah, he'd stab me in the back if anything, but he wasn't the type to go all-in with the association.
Maybe ruining his plan in the student council room? No, that alone wouldn't spark suspicion.
So, a probe after all?
If I had to guess, as a standout first-year with exceptional strength, he probably figured I'd already drunk from Vivian's Spring. That seemed the most likely inference.
"Shoo~ Shoo~"
With Jinwoo behind me liberally sprinkling Himalayan pink salt in their wake, I headed back to the manager's office and gathered the kids from the training room.
They knew that little encounter wasn't trivial—their faces were dead serious.
"They'll probably hassle us for a while. Pressure us under every pretext, make things annoying."
They might block our grade-up, nitpick every damn thing we do. For a still-bronze club like ours, it could be fatal.
So.
"I'll handle it personally tomorrow."
Frontal assault.
Just prove to them I didn't take Vivian's Spring. Simple.
Even though it's snug and safe in my cube right now.
"The boss is gonna negotiate?"
"A little chat should clear up the misunderstanding."
If it's not about the spring, things might get messy... but whatever. Most of it I can handle.
All I need is time.
First priority: grow the club until we can stand toe-to-toe with them.
Then Jinwoo shot his hand up.
"Boss. Got a great idea."
"Great idea?"
"I'll snag some explosives from home, rig 'em up, and blow the president's hair right off his—"
"The terror attack was just days ago, and you wanna set off bombs in the academy? Cut the crap."
"Tch..."
He deflated instantly, like he'd truly thought it brilliant.
Anyway, shelve Jinwoo's input.
If memory served, the guy had a way to detect Vivian's Spring.
Prove my innocence(?) with that ability.
What if he still suspects? If his precious power says I didn't drink it?
Then he brings the proof, right? With that lofty pride, he'd have to accept what his own ability confirms.
So, meeting him directly should force the issue.
Of course, I'd stash the spring from my cube at the mansion first.
"Don't stress too much for now—focus on club work. Youngje, how's that last commission going?"
"The literature club protection gig? Finished most of the pre-info gathering."
"Then take that intel, chat with their manager alongside Jinwoo, write a report, and bring it to me."
"Got it. Hey, quit fake-crying and get up. Gotta meet the lit club seniors."
"Glasses..."
"Huh?"
"Are the seniors there pretty?"
"You lunatic."
With those two heading out first, I was in the manager's office sorting docs to prep for the student council pressure when—
A massive surge of mana flooded the room.
I bolted up, shotgun in hand, when a frantic voice rang out.
"Junior! Calm down! Calm!"
...That voice?
Looking toward it, a black bat perched on the sofa.
"...Senior Yuri Rodmang."
"Phew. At least you remember my voice?"
Crimson mist swirled around the bat, expanding as it dissipated to reveal a woman crossing her legs with a grin.
Yuri Rodmang, academy student council vice president.
"Startled you bad? Sorry, but this is serious business."
"How'd you get in?"
"Window? You saw—my magic's a bit unique."
She flapped her hands playfully at my question, then glanced at the opposite sofa.
"Got a sec to talk? Important stuff."
"...I'll have a member prep some tea."
"Huh? No, no need. I'm here secretly—don't wanna be seen. You get it, right, junior?"
Why all the caution? I sat opposite, tension high since she was student council VP.
"Just ran into your audit team."
"Yeah, that? I know. President ordered it mid-meeting. What we're about to discuss ties right in."
Ties in?
"What do you mean?"
"Seems your speech last time really got under the president's skin. And now he's gearing up to keep you in check."
"Keep me in check?"
She pointed at me.
"Your moves. Even you gotta admit they're bold, right? Starting a club as a first-year, crushing seniors with raw power. Sounds a lot like current president Ray Pendragon, doesn't it? Get my drift?"
"So, squash me before I take over the student council?"
"Squash is harsh... More like checking you. Since you turned down his invite to join."
I'd figured as much, but hearing it straight was amusing.
"So, here to warn me?"
"No. To propose."
"Propose? Like, join the student council now?"
"As I said before, I'm not—"
Then, unbelievable words slipped from her lips.
"—How about we oust Ray Pendragon together?"
"...Pardon?"
My brain froze.
"Oust the student council president? Did I hear that right?"
"Yep. Spot on."
A coup proposal, yet her smile didn't fade.
"This some sting operation?"
"No way. I'm dead serious."
"Serious with that mischievous grin?"
"Smiling suits me. Call it a honey trap?"
...She seemed genuine, not joking or trapping.
The game had academy coup events in CS too. But the triggers were insanely complex: top entrance score, join student council—none of which I'd done.
"Why propose this to me?"
I had to ask. Why me?
For her, even voicing this risked expulsion as VP and fallout for her family back home.
Yet to me, with zero trust built?
Hard to buy.
"Junior, you really don't know? How many orgs in the academy rival or match the president?"
"...Diamond club presidents. A few independents, some platinum clubs."
"Right. And how many are tight with our president?"
"...Most keep smooth relations with the council."
"Bingo. But I see you on their level. You're the most openly antagonistic—makes you the most trustworthy."
True, no other club was this hostile to the council.
But why this unseen pattern now?
As I eyed her suspiciously, she sighed like it was inevitable and continued.
"Half personal grudge. Half ambition? Help me, and I won't leave you out in the cold."
"Leave me out? What exactly?"
"One of the treasures the president's hiding. And a future alliance with my new student council. Tempted?"
The alliance, sure...
"A treasure he's hiding?"
She nodded, glanced around cautiously, covered her mouth with her palm, and whispered.
"...Junior, you know about Vivian's Spring?"
"Pardon?"
That's already mine.