67. The First-Year Representative
Arcana Academy was on break.
Even so, the student council room was bustling with participants for the newspaper club's interview with club president Riel.
The newspaper was distributed not only within the school but also off-campus. That explained why, for a club activity, the staff and equipment were top-notch.
"The president of that proud newspaper club is none other than me, Riel. You haven't forgotten, have you, junior?"
Riel gazed at Zien with sparkling eyes. Zien couldn't forget her even if he tried—not with those glasses.
"Of course not."
"Already our second interview?"
"Yes."
Short answers.
Zien noticed Riel deliberately scanning the student council room. Even during break, four executives—including Riel—were all staring at him.
Under their gazes, Riel gave an awkward smile.
"Ah, after the interview, the student council president has a proposal. She's swamped as a senior, but she carved out time just to meet you."
Zien had made time too. Without Selphis's request, he would've turned down the interview altogether.
Whether she sensed his thoughts or not, Riel flashed a friendly smile.
"Well then, first question."
Riel's questions fell into three categories: his thoughts on dethroning Leon for year ranking 1st place, the battle survival tournament that had everyone talking, and finally, the 5th rank virtual gate.
"Everyone's dying to know about the Arcana-Celia joint raid. What do you think? Got a good feeling about it?"
Zone 1's virtual gate: Hunter's Night.
As a veteran, Zien knew the key to a 5th rank gate was draw luck.
Even among 5th ranks, difficulty varied wildly based on the quest, storyline, and objectives. It was spot on.
Claiming 100% certainty was pure hubris for any Saber. But Zien spoke with unwavering confidence.
"We'll succeed, no question."
"Love the confidence. Thanks, junior. That's the interview wrapped."
About thirty minutes of back-and-forth later, the interview ended. The newspaper staff filed out, leaving Riel behind.
Student council president Camille led the executives over.
The council had four members total.
Third-year president Camille, striking with her intellectual glasses.
The girl always glued to her side: third-year year ranking 1st, Stella.
The other two were newspaper club vice president Riel and sword club president Harmon—both acquaintances of Zien.
"Straight to business. Zien Russell, become a student council executive. The first-year representative."
Camille's tone was forceful, befitting a senior.
But Zien shot it down flat.
"I refuse."
"Reason?"
"No time."
"Figured as much. Just like Amy said. But no worries—you won't need to join any activities. Just sign up."
Zien eyed Camille curiously.
"Just sign up? What's the point?"
"You'd become Arcana Academy's public face."
At Camille's words, Stella muttered with a straight face.
"Fair. This first-year is pretty hot."
Camille rubbed her temple like her head hurt, glaring at Stella.
"Not what I meant. Zien's arguably the academy's biggest name right now. With the broadcasts out, he's got more recognition than us seniors. And he's first-year ranking 1st."
Camille turned to Zien.
"No one fits first-year rep better. It's purely for Arcana's external image."
"I see."
Free-spirited Stella and by-the-book Camille were polar opposites.
"Yeah..."
Camille suddenly looked drained.
"For that reason, Zien... would you take the role?"
Camille bowed her head politely.
No real commitments? Zien saw no reason to refuse.
"Sure. I'll do it."
Zien's crisp reply.
Camille finally relaxed, her expression softening.
Riel clapped gleefully.
"We had no one else if you'd said no. Perfect, President!"
Intimidated by Stella, Harmon spoke up cautiously.
"Uh... so, clubs? Zien's magic tool is a sword, so our sword club..."
"No time for slacking, Harmon."
Stella shut him down in a flash.
"Y-yes."
Harmon bowed to Stella without a peep. But she wasn't done.
"Think about it. Off-campus trips, party leader, now student council, and a gate raid coming up—when's he goofing off in your club?"
"He won't."
Harmon hung his head.
This pecking order dated back a year.
As a first-year, Harmon feared nothing. He even taunted senior Stella into a duel—and got crushed. Ever since, he'd treated her with utmost respect. Strength dictated hierarchy.
"Then go clean the clubroom."
Harmon taking heat from Stella.
Riel watched with satisfaction. The sole voice of reason: Camille.
The members brimmed with personality. Zien found the dynamic refreshing.
"Business done. Back to the strategy team."
"Good luck. Your success makes the school prouder for us seniors too."
With Camille's blessing, Zien left the student council.
"Seniors, we'll head out too..."
"Heh, me too—family business. Catch you later!"
Same for Harmon and Riel.
Only Camille and Stella remained. Now Camille voiced her burning question.
"If you two fought, who wins?"
Alias: Flash.
Nickname: Flash Sword Stella.
Undefeated Saber who'd held year 1st since enrollment. Her magic tool was a sword, just like Zien's.
But.
"Pure swordsmanship? I'd lose for sure."
Even she conceded Zien's prowess. Only natural. In his past life, he'd become the Murim Alliance leader's disciple in Zone 3's 7th rank gate [Sun and Moon], reaching the pinnacle of swordsmanship.
Zone 3 boasted the highest sword level of them all.
Students beating Zien at swords? Impossible.
"Really."
Camille looked surprised, pressing further.
"With magic arts and skills?"
"He's still first-year, so maybe 50-50."
"You saying that much? One hell of a monster. Makes me want him more."
The two third-years planned to found a guild right after graduation.
Zien joining? Dream come true.
But Stella shook her head at Camille's hopes.
"No way he'll join. He's cut from the same cloth as me."
Some are born feral. Untamable. Unwilling to heel.
Stella smiled slyly out the window, eyes narrowed.
D-DAY to the gate raid: 7 days.
Romina and Jerome were pulling overtime amid stacks of paperwork, even during break.
Awkward profs stuck working late on vacation? Romina was this close to trashing the faculty office.
"Ahem."
Why the fake coughs nonstop? Romina wasn't worried but asked politely.
"Caught a cold?"
"N-no."
"Then why all the coughing..."
"Haha..."
Romina's face soured.
Jerome, though, seemed thrilled.
Overtime alone with Prof Romina. Lucky day—no Karsen tagging along!
But they had zero common ground. Jerome racked his brain for a topic. Finally: Zien.
"Heard Zien got picked as first-year rep."
"Huh? News to me."
Romina eyed Jerome oddly for bringing him up but bit.
"Principal's call?"
"Nah, Camille's."
"Hm. She's strict on standards... Must've impressed her."
Zien as topic? Romina engaging for once. Jerome's golden chance—he wanted to ride the wave.
"...He's worthy."
"Eh? Pardon?"
Romina dropped her pen, stunned.
Jerome, who'd thrown fits pre-exam about stripping Zien's privileges, doing a full 180? Shocking.
Bad breakfast? What's with him?
Romina probed.
"That acting exam we saw. What'd you score Zien?"
"Ten, obviously."
"Isn't that full marks?"
She'd figured pride would dock points.
But that flawless performance? Jerome wasn't that petty.
"Correct. Perfect score."
"Huh. Unexpected."
Romina stared him down.
Nervous, Jerome gulped. Overtime sucked for everyone, but Jerome felt invigorated like never before. And the joy didn't stop there. Romina checked the clock.
"Ah, noon already. Lunch?"
"Together?"
"What, just us? Grabbing off-campus. Cool?"
Jerome nodded like a bobblehead.
"Yes! Totally."
"It's spicy."
"Spicy's my favorite."
"Alright, let's go."
Quick tidy-up, and Romina headed out.
Jerome stood frozen, savoring the afterglow.
Zien Russell.
One more reason Karsen was his rival now.
Not just love rival over Romina—but disciple rival too.
I'll back you off...
Karsen would find it ridiculous.