Chapter 263
Chapter 263
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 263
Chapter Title: So That's How You Want to Play It? (4)
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The election for the academy's first Student Council President had been conducted under ironclad security.
"Voting's over."
"It is."
As the last cadet emerged after casting their vote, Brother Kyung-ryong spoke up.
"I kept quiet out of fear of vote tampering, but now that only the tallying is left, I'll ask. Did you have any good dreams last night?"
"I just slept soundly."
"As expected of Vice President Eon. You're unflappable."
"No need to call it unflappable over something like that."
"...I didn't sleep a wink."
That explained the dark circles under his eyes.
Brother Kyung-ryong turned to me again.
"No dreams, then. What's your gut feeling?"
"What's there to feel? I did my best, so now we wait for the results."
"Still, don't you have a sense of it? Yours usually hits the mark."
"It's either me or Senior Dang Jun-ki. If I win, we'll steer it my way. If Senior Dang wins, it'll continue like Azure Bamboo Hall has. He's done well so far, hasn't he? As even Fragrant Orchid Hall acknowledged. Of course, no one can compare to Brother Kyung-ryong..."
About then, I noticed Senior Ye Hae-su scribbling furiously in her notebook.
"What are you writing so intently, Senior Ye?"
"Sorry, Junior, but don't talk to me right now. I'm on the verge of nailing the newsletter headline."
That was when Master chimed in.
- ...It's not Ye Hae-su that's the issue. Kyung-ryong looks like he's about to cry again?
Come to think of it, Brother Kyung-ryong's eyes were reddening.
"Why are you tearing up again, President? No pollen in the air, sky's clear, perfect weather, and the results aren't even out yet."
"No idea. Hearing how well I've done, that no one can compare to me... it just tugs at the heartstrings."
"...You sure milk the crybaby label."
That was when the Administrative Director stepped out from the polling station.
"Tallying will begin shortly. The autonomous council presidents of the four great dorms, come inside."
Brother Kyung-ryong wiped his eyes and headed in.
"Ahem. I'll be off, then."
How much time passed after the council presidents entered to observe?
The tally must have finished.
Everyone except Director Kyung Hye and the Administrative Director—the operating committee members and council presidents—poured out and took the stage.
"......"
Brother Kyung-ryong, mixed in with them, looked grim.
"...H-Hyung. The president's expression looks really bad."
Woo So-rung spoke up with a dirt-pale face.
And Brother So-cheon blurted thoughtlessly.
"If Yong-un lost the elec— Mmph."
Cheon Jang-ho clamped a hand over his mouth.
"Sniff. You'll jinx it."
"Mmph mmph."
"Why?"
"Salty!"
Seeing the little brothers in an uproar, even Je-gal Seol-ji furrowed her brow.
"Azure Bamboo Hall cadets all voted for Lord Yong-un, and the vibe from the others was good too. No way we lose. Maybe President Jin misread or is just managing his expression?"
Nam-gung Yun addressed her.
"From what I've seen, Senior Jin Kyung-ryong is a serious man. He gets emotional and tears up easily in situations like this. He's not one for pranks, so if his eyes aren't red..."
"How much have you even seen of President Jin to say that?! He teared up just before going in, so they could have dried by now!"
She shot him a cold glare.
"...Why are you mad at me?"
That was when Director Kyung Hye and the Administrative Director emerged.
The Administrative Director spoke first.
"We will now announce the results of the Righteous Martial Academy Student Council President election."
The crowd fell deathly silent.
The Director stepped aside and handed a scroll to Director Kyung Hye.
Director Kyung Hye unrolled it and spoke.
"Tally results: Candidate Eon Yong-un, who received a total of four hundred sixty-nine votes from the six hundred twenty enrolled cadets, has been elected as the academy's first Student Council President!"
Cheers erupted from all sides.
"Waaaaah!!!!!"
When I first declared my candidacy, the cheers had mostly come from Azure Bamboo Hall cadets.
"Eon Yong-un! Eon Yong-un!! Eon Yong-un!!!"
This time, those who voted for me joined in, making it feel like the academy would shake apart.
The little brothers were the same.
Je-gal Seol-ji gestured triumphantly at Nam-gung Yun.
"See? What did I tell you!"
Jeong Hyeon and Woo So-rung chimed in right after.
"Primeval Heavenly Lord! I believed Junior Je-gal from the start! I never even thought Brother Eon could lose!"
"Me too!"
"......"
Nam-gung Yun, sandwiched among them, looked so comical that I couldn't help but chuckle.
Silver River Star immediately jabbed my side.
"Acting humble in front of Brother Kyung-ryong and Sister Ye just now, but your lip's twitching, Bro? Feeling good?"
"What? I laughed because of you lot enjoying it. Specifically, Pal-yun..."
As I replied, his sister Yin Xia Lian grinned and poked my side too.
"Nyeh nyeh. Sure you did. You look just like the Family Head right now!"
It felt a bit unfair.
But they were all excited.
"Think what you want."
I let it slide, not wanting to dampen the spirits of those who'd worked so hard preparing.
Meanwhile, Yong-myeong asked Brother Kyung-ryong, who'd stepped down from the stage.
"President. What was with that expression earlier?"
"Oh, that? You always tease my sensitive side, so I wanted to mess with you too by managing my expression. How was it? Convincing?"
"As if that'd work on us, Hyung. We were the ones sweating bullets. Poor Brother Nam-gung got wronged."
"...? Why Nam-gung?"
"...That's the kind of guy he is. I've reevaluated you, President Jin."
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ Surrounded by cheers and little brothers for a moment.
The Administrative Director calmed the crowd and addressed me.
"Cadet Eon Yong-un, please come to the stage."
I strode up confidently.
Director Kyung Hye smiled softly and handed me the scroll with the results.
"Congratulations."
"Thank you."
"Lead the cadets well."
"I will."
She stepped aside, signaling for an acceptance speech.
I turned to the cadets.
"I'm pleased. Not just because I was elected Student Council President. Despite the joint trainings you've seen, far more of you voted for me than I expected. That's what makes me happy."
I swept my gaze over Cloud Plum, Fragrant Orchid, Yun Nation, and Azure Bamboo Halls in turn.
"Tough times lie ahead. But the hardships we share today will give you the strength tomorrow to protect what you hold dear. Let's grow stronger."
As I finished, thunderous applause poured forth.
The professors on stage each offered words.
Yun Nation Hall's Professor Je-gal Min spoke first.
"Smooth as flowing water. Hye was itching to take you as her grand disciple, but that's off the table for now. Congratulations."
"Thank you, Professor."
As I replied, Professor No Sam placed a hand on his waist and boasted proudly.
"Who is Righteous Martial Academy's first Student Council President?! None other than Azure Bamboo Hall's Eon Yong-un! Kahaha! Who brought that kid to Azure Bamboo Hall?!"
Professor Chang-ryang narrowed his eyes at Professor No Sam's words.
"Why take credit when it's the cadet's own talent and capacity?"
"Hmph. If Yong-un were in Fragrant Orchid Hall, you'd be crowing too."
"I wouldn't. I was his recommender to begin with."
"Just now! You took credit!"
"This is because Professor No..."
Uncle Jae-hyeok stepped between the bickering pair.
"What a joyous occasion. Your father Eon Jeong-ung, Lady Mother Plum Blossom, your great-uncle in the mountains... and my brother will be thrilled. Leave these two to me and go rejoin your brothers."
"Yes, sir."
I descended the stage amid the professors' congratulations.
"Bro! What's that scroll from the Superintendent?! Letter of appointment?"
"Just confirmation of election. Tally results with the seal."
"Lemme see!"
"Me too!"
The little brothers swarmed me again, begging to see the scroll from Director Kyung Hye.
About then, Dang Jun-ki and Mae Jin-ak's group approached.
I immediately asked Dang Ok-gi.
"...Your brother's heading this way? Doesn't look like he's here for you, Dang Ok-gi."
"...Yeah. Looks like he's got business with you, Eon Yong-un."
The campaign had pitted me against Dang Jun-ki head-on, leaving Dang Ok-gi anxious throughout. She scowled fiercely.
"Argh! Why's my baby acting like that? What nonsense is he gonna spout now, scaring me?!"
Defying her outburst.
Dang Jun-ki's first words upon reaching me were gracious concession.
"I lost."
"No need to divide into winner and loser. From now on, we'll lead Righteous Martial Academy together, right?"
Fragrant Orchid Hall's council president Mae Jin-ak, who'd come with him, replied.
"That's separate. A loss is a loss. We raised the banner we believed in and gave our all, but even Fragrant Orchid Hall's votes didn't fully go to us. We were wrong, and we must change. This outcome shames me."
His unexpectedly clean concession left me momentarily at a loss for words.
Mae Jin-ak took Dang Jun-ki's hand and placed it over mine.
"Congratulations. And... please take care of things."
I didn't pull away.
Instead of words, I nodded.
Only then did it feel like the academy's cadets truly united in their cheers.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ The Student Council President election had concluded.
The dormitory supervisors who'd congratulated me first sent fine liquors representing their halls to Azure Bamboo Hall.
Such gifts were best opened promptly.
I gathered the little brothers who'd helped with the campaign and Azure Bamboo Hall cadets for a modest celebration.
"You all worked hard. Training starts tomorrow morning, so no overdrinking. Get drunk on joy instead."
After kicking off the party.
I gathered bottles by type to take outside, when Cheon Jang-ho spoke up.
"Ah, off to anoint your sword?"
"Yeah."
"Have fun! If you're late, I'll eat all the food and drink!"
"But why are you and Brother So-cheon here? You weren't even helpers."
"We helped in spirit! When Yong-myeong raised his hand to help Brother Yong-un, Brother So-cheon and I did too!"
"Even if."
"It's true!"
Leaving the party behind, I stepped out and offered the liquor to Master.
'Three bottles. Which first?'
- Start with Yun Nation's chrysanthemum wine. Ease in with the mild stuff.
Kkolkolkkolkol—
Meanwhile, I pondered the threats ahead.
'The Heavenly Demon Divine Cult's next move is a complete unknown now.'
Three major plans foiled, and in the process, I'd protected Tae-won Merchant Group—their thickest cash cow.
Their forces would naturally weaken, but they'd be equally enraged.
To counter them, I'd secured a foothold over the four dorms' cadets today.
'But it's not enough.'
My name was surely on their watchlist by now.
Personal growth had to accompany it.
'But the Transformation Realm is too distant.'
Too distant might understate it.
I'd reached a pinnacle that drove most martial artists mad, yet the Transformation Realm felt like an endless ocean with me adrift alone.
But there were other paths to strength.
'...Tempering the Blood Ring to bolster the Blood Tide Art.'
To offer liquor to Master, I drew Regret and nicked my left hand lightly.