Cracks in the Council and Sea-a's Debut
A student council room steeped in an unusually serious atmosphere. At the round table sat the entire executive board, with Ray Pendragon at the head.
"Treasurer. What's the situation?"
"Yes, President. As expected, the targets all flocked straight to Familia. They went in but came right back out after just a short time... They must've cut their losses when things got messy."
Ray shook his head at the treasurer's report.
"No way. That guy's the type who'd fight even harder for others—he's not the kind to abandon his people... Treasurer, keep eyes on them and make sure we stay updated."
"Yes, President."
At that moment, Yuri Rodmang, seated next to Ray, stood up.
"President. I have something to say."
"Oh, sure. Vice President. Got some fresh ideas?"
His voice was incredibly kind and gentle. But Yuri felt her rising anger boil over at the sound of it.
"Why... why was I kept in the dark?"
"Hm? What do you mean?"
"Today's meeting topic. The operation you launched against Familia. Why does the treasurer know details I don't?"
The others lowered their heads or swallowed hard at her unfamiliar fury.
"Oh, that? Sorry, sorry. It was a top-secret op—just me and the treasurer pulling the strings. Slipped my mind to loop you in. Right, Treasurer?"
Ray flashed a cool smile despite Yuri's reaction. The treasurer nodded with a grin of his own.
"Yes. It all happened so fast. My deepest apologies, Vice President."
With both of them saying that, there was nothing Yuri could do. She bit her lip and sat back down.
"See? Treasurer's sorry. We're apologizing—gonna accept it, Yuri Rodmang, Vice President?"
Ray clapped his hands sharply as Yuri finally nodded.
"Alright, we're good now, right?"
His tone was utterly flat, devoid of inflection. Yet for some reason, Yuri felt a chill sweat break out.
"Okay! Let's get back to it. Club Affairs Head. How do you think Familia will move after getting hit by our secret op? Does it violate academy rules?"
The meeting resumed. Seo Yeon-su, the Club Affairs Head, stood at Ray's question.
"Low probability. The small clubs and groups we challenged are bottom-tier even among Bronze. The faculty won't say a word."
"So the op landed perfectly. Guess we just sit back and watch how they respond~"
Ray rose from his seat, eyes gleaming with anticipation.
"Then. Let's see how Familia plays it."
* * *
"W-We each take on one club and wipe 'em out? Th-that possible?"
Sea-a shot up from her seat in shock at my proposal. Jinwoo Bivalt leaned back casually, like it was no big deal.
"What's stopping us? You know it too—excluding combat clubs, they're all mid at best."
"Sure, I know that. But there are seniors mixed in. We let our guard down, we could get wrecked."
"No worries there."
I closed the intel packet from Latte.
"They don't know our full strength since we don't do much outside stuff. If things go my way, no one'll struggle much."
"R-Really?"
Maybe my confident tone sold it—Sea-a sat back down, scratching her head sheepishly. Choi Yeon nodded.
"Yeah. If it's too tough, I could solo 'em all. Just give me time."
"Nah. The more clubs you handle, the more they learn about you. They might target you specifically with counters."
That's why one per person.
"Bu President's got a point... Fastest match is tomorrow, right? Who's up first?"
"Sea-a."
"Eek! Me?!"
Sea-a jumped up, yelling as her name was called.
"F-For real? I'm first?"
I handed her the sheet with opponent intel, as she pointed at herself in disbelief.
"Magic Kid Magic club. All mages. No real magic talent, so they do illusions and tricks."
And the key part:
"All lower-level casters than you. Perfect matchup for someone who can mess with their spells."
Youngje nodded, backing me up.
"Yeah, first time your orbit shifts? Terrifying. I was shook bad."
"Uh... y-yeah?"
Sea-a's expression softened.
"Right, and you're learning melee from homeroom too. Teleport in, stab—done quick."
Jinwoo's clincher made her beam ear-to-ear.
"Hehe... think so~ Yeah, probably~"
It might look like teasing, but I genuinely believed Sea-a could handle them solo. Not just trajectory tweaks or spell interference—the real ace was what Jinwoo mentioned.
Space-teleport melee combos were Ji Suhyun's specialty. No way she'd skip teaching her prized pupil.
'Impossible.'
Not long training, sure, but as someone who knew its value best, it was rock-solid insurance.
'In-game, it was called CTC—Close Teleportation Combat.'
A flashy, brutal high-difficulty tech with a cult following. Master it, and the damage output was insane.
'Honestly, I'm hyped to see it.'
Knowing CTC meant she'd graduated from noob in City of Seoul. Couldn't wait to watch live.
"Rest of you, train for group fights meantime. Clients might call emergency—keep phones on you."
All that was left: wait for tomorrow's club war.
* * *
Maybe post-exam buzz. Academy morning felt extra lively.
'Familia doing another club war?'
'Right after tests? They're doing it for our entertainment lol.'
'Events like this? Chef's kiss.'
Amid the light vibe, one fidgety soul stood out...
"Wh-what do I do what do I do what do I do? I'm so nervous!"
Sea-a, up for today's match.
"Gah! Calm down. Sit!"
"Shut it! Today I'm fighting!"
Jinwoo clamped his mouth at her hypersensitive snap—way touchier than usual. Youngje watched amused; Jinwoo looked dazed.
"You'll do great. No need to stress. After lunch, right?"
Sea-a nodded at my careful question.
"Yeah. Instructor Ji Suhyun said skip lunch, stay sharp. Better that way..."
"Follow her advice. Mild hunger cuts tension. Youngje, opponent club moving normal? Anything special?"
Youngje shook his head.
"Nah, business as usual. Stick to plan."
"...Right."
Then it was whose plan proved sharper.
Contrary to early nerves, Sea-a's face grew serious as time passed. By arena arrival, pure focus.
Across, Magic Kid Magic stared, puzzled at her solo prep.
Didn't matter. They were doomed to fall to Familia's 'space mage'.
"Go get 'em."
"Sea-a! Slaughter 'em!"
"Sea-a, fighting!"
"...Wooow."
We cheered her varied ways into the arena. She waved, nodding.
"Got it. Be back soon."
No trace of earlier jitters—steady steps.
Her figure appeared on screen; opponents followed.
Right, that instructor. Pado Yun—the one maxed on commentary stats.
This club war might actually be fun.
Instructor hyped, not expecting her solo.
Now, Sea-a's stage. Arms crossed in the stands, I focused on the screen to spectate.
* * *
Sea-a donned her signature gear, the gloves Dimension Designer, eyeing the three men before her.
Weird hats, outfits, even fake mustaches—Magic Kid Magic crew looked like they dressed to troll.
'Eugene said those are all signature weapons or magic items.'
I'd heard the basics on their gear and skills.
Now, prove her own worth.
Stands already rowdy.
Beeeep────!!
Buzzer silenced the noise, sealing the field. Just the two sides now.
Mage duels were straightforward.
"Blast 'em!"
"Fireball!"
"Peace Maker!"
Probe with basics, gauge gaps, adapt, build intricate setups to tilt odds.
Magic Kid Magic's spells flew at Sea-a: head-sized fireballs, sharp-beaked pigeons diving to peck.
On-brand magic drew a wry chuckle from Sea-a. She thrust her hand forward.
"Orbit Control."
Orbit Control
Familia's space mage was now challenging a new wall.