Salenium's Student Council
Salenium's Student Council. As the name implied, it was the group that literally ran the academy. The rules set by the founding emperor strictly forbade any intervention from professors or other adults. That was why the Student Council—composed solely of students—wielded immense power, to the point where it was no exaggeration to say they held absolute authority over the academy.
From major matters like departmental budgets to minor ones like tuition payments or approving new clubs, they handled nearly everything that happened at the academy. Thanks to that, no matter one's background, simply being a Student Council alum was a golden ticket to a smooth career after graduation. Freshmen yearned desperately to join... and the council was always said to welcome them with open arms... or so the setting went.
"Here we are."
"Mm."
The grand building in the central district. Following Lady Shukros's guidance, I entered... and saw.
"Ugh... ughhh..."
"Ahh... ahhhh..."
A caffeine stench so overpowering it made my brow furrow on instinct. Swimming through that haze were countless figures.
"Lady Shukros, what are all these?"
"...You don't need to know."
She brushed me off curtly and began weaving through towers of documents and shambling zombies. Once we rounded the corner, the noise faded abruptly. I glanced back and ventured casually,
"They seem short-staffed. If you're on the Student Council, shouldn't you help?"
"Different department."
Whatever. With her help anyway, we reached the top floor of the Student Council building, where Shukros knocked lightly on the door.
Meeting the president this quickly? I hadn't expected it.
"President, I've brought Adrian."
"Let him in."
A strangely childish tone. Shukros opened the door, revealing a round table inside—and two people. My eyes went to the one at the center.
A lollipop in hand. Blue hair tied into twin tails with ribbons. Red eyes fixed on me.
And.
"Hey, Adrian."
A chair. Piled high with cushions so she could sit tall.
"Mint, give our guest some cookies too."
She waved her lollipop, and a student popped out from beside her, deftly swapping the empty plate for one brimming with cookies.
Canaria, fourth-year magic department and Salenium's Student Council president. Granddaughter of the current principal, who'd vanished into another dimension. She wasn't top of her class not because of skill, but because council duties kept her from attending lectures. Even so, she'd already earned all her graduation credits.
"Surprised your first time seeing the president is such a little kid?"
"Hardly. President Canaria's reputation as a grand magus precedes her."
"Heh, you know your stuff. Sit."
The tiny girl—barely half my height—beckoned me imperiously. She gestured to the seat opposite her, and once I sat, tea was served for me too.
"Simple reason I called you here today."
She hopped down from her six-cushion throne and walked over to me. Standing by my side, she fixed me with a serious look.
"What's your angle?"
I stared blankly.
"Why play dumb? I heard you planned and stopped everything alongside Reina von Wolfgang. Her, I can buy. But you being involved? That's suspicious as hell."
She returned to her seat, then walked up the air to cross her legs atop the cushions.
"...I did nothing. It was all Reina, Lumen Ribens, and Sub-Marquess Ebnis. I merely lent a hand."
"Oh? Ebnis Sub-Marquess reported it was all your doing."
Really? What was that girl thinking?
"Anyway, that's why you're here. What are you scheming this time? One minute you're a wastrel scoundrel, the next you're stepping up like some hero. If you've got something shady brewing, spill it now. 【Word Command: Impart: Speak】."
She thrust out her hand, and an irresistible pressure clamped down on me.
Word Command. Magic that bent reality to the words infused with mana. Grand magus's granddaughter indeed. Utterly unfair.
But I had my own unfair trick.
‘Bloodline Dignity’ is stirring!
Repeated skill use unlocks a new function! You can now target one individual with ‘Intense Intimidation.’
Tip. What is Intense Intimidation? A mental status ailment that inflicts unbearable psychological pressure on the target character. Strength scales with bloodline disparity!
‘Bloodline Dignity’ elevates your lineage.
‘Gaze’ manifests ‘Intense Intimidation’!
Ineffective against ‘Pureblood Imperial’! Perfectly shatters 1 commoner's ‘Mental Focus’ state.
✦ Shine on! Repelheit! ✦
"Eek!?"
Canaria clutched her forehead in shock, and the mana squeezing me vanished without a trace.
It worked. Not magic, just my ability—no grand magus's granddaughter could block it, especially something so novel.
"President, you don't look well."
"Y-You resisted a Word Command? What did you do?"
"First, know this: I'm not plotting anything harmful to the academy."
"Your words were always silver-tongued."
"I know I've lost your trust. So this time, I'll prove it myself. Midterms are coming soon, right?"
Midterms. Salenium's biggest event on the horizon.
"I'll prove it. I'll ace at least one subject. How's that? Believe my innocence then?"
"Hah, prove it with grades? Fine, one more condition. Our Daisy is taking Elemental Mana Linkage this midterm. Beat her and take first. Deal?"
She twirled her lollipop as she continued.
"Even geniuses struggle to keep up at Salenium. No matter how smart you are, constant wastrel antics mean crap grades. And Daisy's always absolute number one in Elemental Mana Linkage. Even Reina von Wolfgang cedes points to her there."
Hm, true enough. I was the flunking delinquent on academic probation. Daisy von Shukros dominated Elemental Mana Linkage.
Beat her to prove my innocence. Fittingly impossible. Like arm-wrestling Ebnis and winning.
"I accept."
"Wh-what?"
"If I beat Daisy von Shukros in midterms, the Student Council acknowledges me, right? Good. Accepted."
I had no doubt I'd win. My instant agreement left President Canaria nodding in disbelief.
"...Fine. No take-backs."
"Then, to the main topic."
She nodded.
"Right, Melwood Elion. The magic tome being demon-related got him leniency—no expulsion."
"What punishment then? Suspension? Probation?"
"Mm, pretty severe."
Severer than that...? I eyed her, and she crunched her lollipop, whispering grimly.
"Melwood Elion's punishment is..."
And the revealed penalty made me sigh inwardly.
"Grad school."
Mild compared to his crime, so we could only nod silently. Salenium's magic grad school was hell beyond hell. Survive, and fame, connections, theses paved a golden path. Fail, and you were trapped forever.
"Understood. Who's the advisor professor?"
"Professor Walnut for General Element Theory and Elemental Application."
Oof.
Additionally, Canaria mentioned the Student Council would investigate cases like 'demon remnants.' Not actual demons, just remnants—a relief, but still under watch.
"Ah, there you are."
Outside the council room, Lumen Ribens waited. She pulled me aside, saying she had something to discuss. We walked the night paths.
"Melwood senior choosing grad school as punishment was meaningful."
"Is that so."
"You graduate in two years, right, Adrian?"
"Yes."
"He accepted your offer to join you. But then he'd wait two years out in the world for your graduation."
"Mm."
"Better to enter grad school and sync graduations. Not the wisest, but his best option."
Lumen nodded, then turned to me.
"Adrian, you'll become marquess, right?"
"Obviously. If I become marquess, you'll be emperor. First, midterms though."
"Yeah. Hehe. Looking forward to it."
She headed to the knight department—unfinished work—over dorms.
The next week was routine. Classes, assignments, training. Chapter 2 was distant, but no slacking. A true veteran squeezes max gain from even mundane days. Tripping on a rock? "I fell here to unlock the hidden dungeon." Then casually enter.
Lunch with Reina daily. Training end synced with Kalen for walks back. Sparring wooden swords with Relbrian, chatting. Spotting protégé Millije or busy Erhan darting about.
All under my calculations: favorability management, Chapter 2 prep, midterms. Pop quizzes aced. Finally got Professor Bedel's 'Stamina Boost Quest' in Basic Swordsmanship.
Yes. Live diligently. Effort would ease breathing room, raise survival odds.
And.
"What now? Another issue?"
"Hmph, perfect timing."
Finally, the annoying one appeared.
Ebnis.
"This time, I'll watch closely. Not that you'll score well. Quietly accept defeat and abandon your pipe dream of becoming marquess."
She jabbed a finger at me, declared, and spun away without hearing my reply. A blurring speed—running or walking?
Now ignoring my words too. Her retreating back twisted my smile.
I knew exactly what she meant.
Lose like this? Accept defeat?
"As if."
Exactly one day later.
"Next week: midterms. You know the scope? Prepare well."
The terror of all Salenium had arrived.