Chapter 173
Chapter Title: An Unexpected Candidate
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Another candidate for student council president, recommended by a powerful candidate.
It was only natural that such a person would emerge as a strong contender.
‘But still, a first-year? That’s just not right.’
The position of student council president was reserved for the very best student at Lumerne.
Leo was undoubtedly the most talked-about student in all of Lumerne this year, but he was still just a first-year.
Even after the fifth-years graduated, there were still three entire years above him.
It was, realistically speaking, out of the question.
The problem was that the person who had recommended Leo was none other than Elena.
Lumerne’s acting chairwoman, the lone wolf known as the queen of the academy.
If Elena—who not only controlled the entire third year but also wielded immense influence over the fourth-years—was serious about this…
‘This is going to get complicated.’
Of course, if she pushed for Leo to become student council president, Elena would surely face considerable resistance.
The fourth-years would be up in arms, and a significant number of third-years would oppose it as well.
On top of that, the second-years too.
It would undoubtedly throw the entire academy into chaos.
“Who knows about this?”
“For now, just me, you, and Elena. Only the three of us.”
Leo gave Lis a pitying look.
“That’s rough, especially in your final year.”
Lis let out a dry laugh at Leo’s genuinely sympathetic expression.
Seeing Leo’s attitude, which clearly stated this had nothing to do with him, Lis spoke.
“You don’t seem interested in the student council president position.”
“I’m a first-year. With so many formidable upperclassmen, wouldn’t it be a bit strange for me to take the position?”
Leo shrugged.
In truth, he had no particular interest in becoming student council president, even as an upperclassman.
‘It sounds like a hassle.’
He intended to be diligent in his school life, but he had no desire to take on unnecessary burdens.
“To be honest, from my perspective, Elena’s proposal is as tempting as it is absurd.”
Lis chuckled at Leo’s response.
“My cousin becoming the student council president. An unprecedented first-year president, no less. From my standpoint as the Jerdinger heir, that would be a very good thing.”
The Jerdinger name already carried immense prestige.
But if Leo were to become president in his first year and hold the position for his entire tenure, graduating as an unprecedented figure…
The Jerdinger family could rise to even greater heights.
“Besides, in some ways, I think you’re a better fit for the presidency than I am.”
“Me?”
“Yes. Heroes have the power to lead people.”
Lis smiled meaningfully.
“But someone who can lead heroes is a rare sight indeed. I believe your aptitude for that is far greater than mine, Leo.”
Leo scratched his cheek.
‘Well, that’s because I learned from Lisinas.’
The leader of the expedition that had guided the world to salvation.
Leo had been influenced by Lisinas as well.
“In any case, try not to be too negative about it.”
Lis smiled brightly.
“After all, nothing is impossible, right?”
***
That day, after school.
Leo straightened up his desk and rose from his seat.
Karl spotted him and waved.
“Leo! We're going to the Great Library to study for the midterms now, want to come with us?”
Karl was surrounded by a group of close friends.
Among them were the class's top students, Chelsea and Nella.
“Sorry. I have something to take care of after school.”
“Really? That's a shame.”
Karl clicked his tongue in disappointment.
“Well, Leo, we’ll be at the Great Library for a while, so come by if you have time after you’re done.”
Nella offered her characteristic languid smile, and Leo nodded.
After his classmates left, Leo headed to the third-year classroom building alone.
Usually, unless a first-year was incredibly bold, they would almost never go to the third-year building, a full two years above them.
First-years generally tended to be intimidated by the upperclassmen.
Thus, Leo, who had boldly entered the third-year building, was a conspicuous presence.
Unlike the first and second-years, third-years had an extra class period, so they were still in session.
‘Was Elena in Class 4?’
Leo entered the first floor of the building and made his way to Class 4.
Unlike the first-years, who had ten classes, the third-years only had five.
This meant that at least half the students had dropped out during the first and second-year curriculum.
‘Looking at this, the kids in my class are pretty amazing.’
It was one of only two classes that still hadn't had a single student drop out.
It was a remarkable feat, considering their class had ranked last in average scores upon admission.
Leo took a seat outside the Class 4 classroom.
From inside, the sound of a class in progress could be heard.
A moment later.
*Ding-dong-daeng-dong—*
A bell chimed throughout the building, signaling the end of class.
*Scrape! Clatter! Clatter!*
The sounds of shuffling desks echoed from within the classroom.
The classroom door opened, and the professors emerged.
The third-year professors noticed Leo in the hallway and gave him curious looks.
‘A first-year in the third-year building?’
‘Leo Flove. Truly exceptional.’
Even as the professors admired the first-year representative’s courage, the third-year students began to pour out of the classroom.
Then, they spotted Leo sitting on a chair outside the classroom and paused.
“Wait, isn't that the first-year representative, Leo Flove?”
“Really?”
“Where! Where!”
The female students of Class 4 flocked around Leo.
“Hello, upperclassmen.”
As Leo rose and greeted them, the girls exchanged glances and let out a collective squeal.
“He’s adorable! So fresh-faced! I’ve thought it before, but he’s such a pretty boy!”
“Look at his red eyes! So pretty! Like rubies!”
“Come to think of it, didn't they say he's the student council president's cousin?”
The girls gathered around, showing immense interest in Leo.
The reaction was quite different from that of the second-years.
Most of the second-years disliked Leo, but the third-years were different.
Their reaction was simply that of finding a first-year underclassman cute.
Besides the girls, the male students also looked at Leo as if he were a curiosity.
Apparently, they too were intrigued by the first-year who had so boldly marched into their territory.
“Leo, try calling me big sister. Go on.”
“I’d rather not.”
“Oh? Look how decisive he is!”
“But that decisiveness is kind of cool, isn’t it?”
“You have a thing for younger guys?”
The girls, who had been laughing and teasing Leo, soon got to the point.
“So, what brings a first-year all the way to a third-year classroom?”
“I came to see Elena.”
At his words, the girls’ atmosphere shifted instantly.
The mood shifted not just for them, but for all the other third-years who had been watching with interest.
“You came to see Elena? Why?”
Just then, a male student emerging from Class 4 smirked.
“I have some business to discuss.”
“Elena is not someone a mere first-year can meet whenever they want just because they have 'business.' Who do you think you are? Do you think being an All-Class and the first-year representative makes you something special?”
‘I expected this kind of reaction, but this seems a bit harsh.’
It was well-known that Elena recruited promising underclassmen into her faction.
Many first-years wanted to join Blue Moon, the expedition party led by Elena.
And Leo was a student Elena had continuously shown interest in.
‘To feel this much hostility… Ah, right.’
The mission practicum a while back.
Elena was originally supposed to be leading her party on a dungeon raid.
But she had ignored her schedule and come straight to where Leo was.
‘The queen's followers are very jealous.’
Recalling what Ril, the second-year representative, had said before, Leo let out a light sigh.
In the meantime, those who seemed to be from the Blue Moon party openly glared at Leo.
That included both men and women.
It was then.
“Young Master Leo?”
A female student walking down the hall spotted Leo and spoke to him.
Leo looked at the person who called him Young Master.
‘Niel Roda. She was Celia's escort knight, wasn't she?’
At school, as a first-year and a third-year, they didn't see each other often, but she was from a family that served the Jerdingers and had been close with Celia since childhood.
Niel showed Leo the courtesy befitting a knight.
“I'm not a Jerdinger.”
“Still, you are the cousin of Young Master Lis and Lady Celia. I must show respect. By the way, Young Master Leo, what brings you to the third-year classroom building?”
“I came to see Elena.”
At his answer, Niel put her index finger to her lips and tilted her head.
“Hmm. Elena attended classes in the morning, but in the afternoon, she said it was boring and probably went to the club room.”
“Is that so?”
“Yes. I'll guide you.”
Niel smiled brightly and then glared at the Blue Moon students.
As she was also a third-year, she had a good idea of how the Blue Moon members had treated Leo.
At Niel's gaze, the third-year Blue Moon members flinched.
It was no exaggeration to say that Elena currently controlled the entire third year.
She had a considerable number of followers not only among the third-years but also the second-years, and even among the fourth-years, most of whom disliked her.
But that didn't mean all third-years followed Elena.
Among them were students who remained neutral.
Niel was a representative figure among such students.
On top of that, her skills were among the top five of the third-year knight students.
She wasn't someone who could be trifled with.
As Niel led Leo out of the classroom building, a few people ground their teeth.
“Hmph! Arrogant brat!”
“He's getting a little popular and now he's got no respect!”
The Blue Moon students ground their teeth.
The surrounding students clicked their tongues at the sight.
‘It's not like Elena will pay attention to them for acting like that. Is there a need to get so worked up?’
‘It's always the ones with mediocre skills who act like that.’
A few third-years watched them with expressions of disdain.
***
Leo followed Niel towards the club building.
“Passing through the fourth-year classroom building is a shortcut.”
It was a place he had barely visited since the beginning of the semester.
Niel smiled sweetly and explained about the clubs to Leo.
“I'm in the art club. As you may know, Young Master Leo, Lady Celia is also in the art club. Aren't you interested in drawing, Young Master Leo? A multi-talented person like you would probably be good at drawing too.”
Celia's hobby, befitting a noble lady, was painting.
Moreover, she was dexterous, and her skills were top-notch.
“No. I don't really have a talent for drawing.”
“What about sculpture or other artistic activities?”
“…”
At the words 'artistic activities', Leo naturally recalled the past.
‘Kyle, my boy. In my view, you are one abandoned by art. No, beyond abandoned, you are clearly cursed and hated by it. Did you draw this and call it a painting?’
Dweno gestured toward the drawing Kyle had made, which Luna was holding, his gaze a mixture of pity and disdain.
Ar-on, who was looking at it next to Luna, laughed awkwardly.
‘I-It does look a little similar…’
‘Wanna die?’
‘S-Sorry.’
‘I think it's better than Luna's.’
As Kyle protested irritably, Dweno nodded.
‘Of course, you are an ant's tear better than that eccentric elf who has no merits other than magic and a beautiful appearance. But that eccentric elf's beautiful appearance is art in itself. Therefore, she is not cursed by art.’
‘This damn perverted old geezer!’
Luna used her staff to choke Dweno's thick neck repeatedly.
Of course, Dweno didn't even bat an eye, as usual.
‘Look! This beauty that doesn't lose its light even with such violent actions!’
‘What's wrong with my personality!’
‘Anyway, Kyle. Give up on having art as a hobby. You having a hobby in art is a blasphemy against art.’
Ignoring Luna, who was now gnawing on his head, Dweno spoke with more seriousness than ever before.
“A friend told me not to take up hobbies in that area.”
“Oh dear.”
Just as Niel was showing a sympathetic expression, a voice cut in.
“Hmph. What's a tomboyish Jerdinger lackey doing here?”
“Huh? What's a scrawny Llewellyn lackey like you doing picking a fight?”
As if she had never smiled kindly, Niel exuded a harsh atmosphere. Leo looked at the man who had spoken to them.
Judging by the badge on his chest, he was a fourth-year.
But despite him being an upperclassman, Niel wasn't intimidated at all.
The nameplate read 'Machel Rujia.'
‘Wait, Machel Rujia… isn't that a vassal family of the Llewellyn family?’
For the Jerdingers, they were the equivalent of the Roda family.
Chelsea had mentioned it before.
‘It makes sense that they don't get along.’
Just looking at Celia and Chelsea, they were considerable rivals.
Moreover, Celia and Abad didn't bicker or growl at each other, but they were competing as rivals who must be defeated.
Naturally, their vassal families couldn't help but have a bad relationship.
“In this midterm, it will be proven that Lady Celia is superior to Abad Llewellyn! There's a sparring evaluation!”
“Hoh, for once we agree. I was thinking the same thing. Of course, I was thinking that Young Master Abad would defeat Celia Jerdinger.”
The third and fourth-years were busy boasting about their masters.
“Honestly! Lady Celia is way more amazing! She's popular too! If she wanted to, she could be a femme fatale! A femme fatale! She could charm the male students with just a look!”
“Hmph. Our Young Master Abad could be a Casanova if he wanted! There isn't a single female student who wouldn't fall for his gentlemanly ways!”
“I thought he was just greasy.”
“Hmph! Your lady is the tomboy!”
The two of them growled at each other.
Thanks to them, the gazes of the fourth-years coming out of class naturally gathered.
“Those two are at it again.”
“Aren't they embarrassed in front of the underclassmen?”
“Honestly, I want to call Celia and Abad over and show them this.”
“That sounds like it would be fun.”
“Hey! Wanna bet on who wins?”
The fourth-years leaving the classroom building saw the scene and were snickering.
It seemed to be a daily occurrence.
Watching the war of nerves between the two sycophantic upperclassmen, Leo asked.
“When will this end?”
“Oops!”
Niel, recalling Leo's presence, was startled and said.
“My apologies, Young Master. This jerk started it.”
Niel smiled brightly and stood beside Leo.
“Shall we go?”
“Wait.”
Machel blocked their path.
Niel frowned and looked at Machel, but he completely ignored her gaze and looked at Leo.
For a mage, he was quite tall, so he was looking down at Leo.
‘Is it because my maternal family is Jerdinger that he doesn't like me?’
“My name is Machel Rujia. Young Master Leo. Lady Chelsea is always in your care.”
Contrary to Leo's thoughts, Machel introduced himself to Leo very politely.
“My maternal family is Jerdinger.”
“I do not mind. You are Lady Chelsea's close friend, Young Master Leo.”
Machel offered a gentle smile, a stark contrast to how he’d treated Niel.
“Please visit Llewellyn sometime. The head of the family is also looking forward to meeting you, Young Master Leo…”
“Hey! Who are you trying to sweet-talk! Get lost! Shoo! Shoo! Young Master Leo! Let's go!”
Niel made a harsh expression and stepped between the two.
“This ignorant Jerdinger lackey!”
“It's much better than a shady Llewellyn lackey!”
Leo, who was silently watching the two who had started fighting again, approached the fourth-years who were watching nearby.
The fourth-years made puzzled expressions as Leo approached.
“I’ll put my money on a draw.”
Deciding that leaving anytime soon was a lost cause, Leo decided to just enjoy the situation.
“Sorry, junior. That's not an option.”
“A shame. Then I’ll bet on Niel.”
“Ooh! Come over here! Leo Flove!”
The fourth-years who bet on Niel's side welcomed Leo enthusiastically.
“A duel!”
“A duel!”
In the end, Niel and Machel ended up having a duel.
***
“…Niel, what happened to your face?”
“Things happened.”
Niel soaked a handkerchief in a potion bottle and treated her wounds with a sullen face.
The match with Machel had been a draw.
Achieving a draw against a fourth-year was an amazing feat, but in truth, although their years were different, Niel and Machel had been evenly matched since they were young.
Elena snickered at her classmate, then her eyes lit up as she looked at Leo.
“Anyway, I’m surprised you came looking for me, Leo.”
“I heard an interesting story from the Student Council President.”
“Oh my.”
Elena covered her mouth and let out a gasp.
Then she smiled brightly.
“I'd like to talk with you alone for a moment.”
At those words, the other students in the room narrowed their eyes.
“If it's about the student council president, it must be important. Wouldn't it be better if we heard it too?”
“That's right.”
At those words, Elena smiled brightly.
“Don't make me say it a third time.”
The Blue Moon students flinched and then left the room.
They didn't glare at Leo as they left.
There were no fools here who would act rashly and emotionally to displease Elena.
Niel also left the room obediently, though with a puzzled expression.
Once the two were left alone in the room, Elena stretched comfortably with a relaxed expression.
“Before we talk about the student council president, there's something I need to tell you, Leo.”
“What is it?”
“It's about the Forbidden Library.”
Elena smiled brightly.
“Permission has been granted for you to enter the Forbidden Library.”