Chapter 13
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 13
Chapter Title: There Are No Festivals at This School
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"Industry-academia collaboration?"
Professor Carlo examined the plan.
Pastel swallowed dryly.
Where's the problem?
"You've got signatures everywhere except one spot."
"Yes."
Carlo set the plan down. His serious eyes met hers.
"Why do you think the student council is necessary?"
Good. A question within my prepared range.
"Because consolidating and reflecting student opinions through a student organization is essential. There needs to be a standing body to prevent reasonable ideas from evaporating."
"Research and training don't need such a grand organization. If there's a complaint, talk to your department. If you have an idea, suggest it to a professor."
Good. Still within range.
"It's not just the sum of departmental parts. Someone has to encompass the departments and act as a lubricant. A single gear can't do anything, but meshed gears power a steam engine."
Carlo looked puzzled.
"What's a steam engine?"
Eh?
The professor's eyes pondered, then lit with understanding.
"Ah, that Pure Engineering Department research field. The one that barely gets merchant investments."
Oof. Flop.
Bad metaphor.
The professor, still looking at the plan, spread the paper and picked up his seal.
Thud.
A red stamp appeared.
"This is your last chance. No results, and the student council system is scrapped."
Oh yeah!
Pastel's eyes sparkled.
"I'll do my best!"
She left the professor's office.
She closed the door and slumped against it.
Haa.
"I nearly died of tension. That professor has such a stern face."
"Good grief."
The demon chuckled lightly.
"Still, you spoke well. Good work."
Hehe.
"See? I can do it when I try."
Surprisingly competent.
Ellie approached from down the hall.
"Pastel, all the department reps are gathered. Hurry up."
"Already? Such initiative! Got it! Let's go!"
She grabbed Ellie and ran.
They arrived at the borrowed conference room. Seniors huddled in a corner. At the crowd's center, some department rep rolled on the floor, getting kicked.
"Ouch! Ouch! What did I do wrong? You losers who can't win arm-wrestling are the problem!"
The kicks intensified at his excuses.
The Magic Department's rep watched the scene aloofly. A subtle air of superiority played on her lips.
The mage sipped coffee superiorly.
The Magic Department glanced at the entering student council members.
"Huh? The president too busy to come, as expected?"
"Yes, I'm in charge."
Pastel surveyed the chaotic room. The meeting needed to start, but the seniors were engrossed in stomping.
Wow, how to wrangle this.
Can a freshman butt in brashly in this mood?
Uwaaa.
The Magic Department spoke up instead.
"Student council's here! Quiet down!"
The seniors finally noticed Pastel. They flinched and hurried to their seats.
The chaos settled instantly into meeting mode.
Whoa, everyone's so considerate of freshmen.
Pastel bowed to the Magic Department.
"Thank you."
"No big deal. Start the meeting."
She walked to the head of the long table and sat. The lined-up department reps eyed her.
Ooh.
Uwaaa.
The unbalanced combo of freshman and leader weighed on her shoulders.
Total insubordination setup.
Perfect for backlash against the cheeky newbie. And probably 100% chance I'm the only one oblivious?
Uweee.
The death game of cold school politics begins.
Sacrificial lamb: the freshman.
Uwaaa, that's me.
Suddenly, a calm voice spoke.
"You can do it. Don't hesitate to act. Believe in yourself."
Huh, Demonius?
Her chaotic mind settled.
Courage surged from her master's encouragement.
Got it.
If that's what Master wishes.
Heck with it, let's do this!
Insubordination!
Truth is, I like insubordination...!
She took the meeting materials from Ellie, who was prepping minutes. She spread them out briskly, shaking off tension.
She faced forward.
Pastel Love Craft.
Insubordination debut begins.
The girl opened her mouth.
"Let's begin the meeting on preparations and procedures for the festival to promote industry-academia collaboration."
The meeting commenced.
Uwaaa, bring it on.
"So the festival is just an expanded version of the departmental demos? Scaled up to the whole school?"
A senior's leisurely voice?
Uwaaa.
"No. Not exactly. Departmental demos were pinpoint strategies to attract targeted merchant investments. Focused on themes and results merchants would like, then showcased."
"The festival's different?"
Her head spun.
"The festival and demos are like a buffet versus a set meal."
She spread her prepared materials.
"You don't really know what you want until you're in front of the food. Preparing what they'll like is effective, sure. But do merchants even know what they want? No. They just invest based on what you show."
She stared straight at the questioning senior.
"This time, we show as much as possible via buffet, not set meal. And evenly. We'll induce active investments, not passive ones."
Ellie scribbled minutes rapidly.
"Quantity ensures high quality. The festival pours out quantitative diversity, not qualitative results. Diverse ideas."
The girl at the head surveyed the room. She met each rep's eyes one by one.
Sparks lit in every gaze.
"Each department, ensure individual autonomy over unified participation. Pull out those hobby projects that got ignored. You won't decide or take responsibility. The investors will."
Quiet murmurs rose in the room.
The Magic Department scanned the bustling room. She hesitated, then spoke.
"Bad money drives out good."
Her face was skeptical yet thoughtful.
"Half-baked ideas and unrefined results will bore merchants. Good achievements buried in junk and discarded. How will you handle the resentment?"
"Some, yes. But more ideas will shine."
Pink eyes swept the room.
"I'll take responsibility."
Her voice rang out.
"Proceed."
The girl commanded.
Gazes slowly bowed.
Various issues were handled without delay.
The meeting ended soon after.
The reps left with complicated thoughts but uplifted expressions.
Pastel clutched her head.
Uwee.
Uweee.
I barely remember what I said during the meeting.
Uwaaa.
A student council swept up in tension spewing nonsense—maybe it should be disbanded?
Gasp.
She clutched her heart.
Too reasonable.
Someone deny it.
Pastel twisted and trembled.
This'll definitely spark gossip. Absolutely.
Eee, the freshman's pulling insubordination.
Whispers.
Uwaaa.
Too reasonable gossip.
I was so tense I don't remember the meeting. Forgive this freshman's antics just once.
Uwaaa.
Please, no gossip.
May no gossip swirl behind my back while I'm clueless...!
First-year friends, help!
The usually standoffish Magic Department approached.
Complicated eyes looked down at Pastel.
"As expected of Craft. Outside doesn't match the inside."
The Magic Department turned.
"Scary."
Her mage robe fluttered as she left.
Pastel's eyes went wide.
Uwe.
As expected of Craft?
Is our family used positively? Not at all. Every memory is negative.
This means that, right? For real?
Gossip's coming.
Gossip I alone don't know about!
Whispers.
Uwaaa.
Magic Engineering Department.
Triple crown holder in budget, support, investment rankings.
"The festival main event has to be us."
The rep guided her through the department.
Pastel followed with a serious but somewhat vacant expression.
A student hauled over a cannonball with grunts. The rep pointed proudly.
Mana stone powder was etched in magic patterns on the shell.
"New shell for the festival! Reduced mana stone usage by 2% for the same performance!"
Proud face.
The gathered students matched it.
Dark circles, but proudproud.
Pastel eyed the cannon shell.
Hmm.
Impressive?
Reducing precious mana stone use is definitely big, but...
2% feels subtle?
"Hoo, fine achievement."
Oh, really?
Pastel nodded.
"I saw the department-level participation. Impressive. Now, can I see individual ones?"
At the subtle reaction, the rep panicked. He exchanged quick glances with students. Resolve to claim the main spot gleamed.
Individual works were shown one by one.
"Meh. Not good. Lame."
The demon judged mercilessly.
Hmm, really?
Well, we're just checking procedure. Merchants decide.
Pastel pondered deeply.
Still, as student council, I want to push amazing items for festival success.
Something standout.
A commotion arose in the corner.
"You're really showing it?"
"What else to a kid freshman? Straight-up effective."
"Ugh, screw Craft. Let her die alone!"
"Aah!"
A senior about to emerge got dragged back. Along with a massive pedestal.
Oing?
Pastel hurried over.
"What's this?"
Nearby seniors mouthed silent screams. Fleeting intense shame crossed their faces.
What could it be?
The dragged senior shook off grabbing arms triumphantly and approached. The pedestal's wheels rumbled.
A cloth-covered massive something reached the high ceiling on the pedestal.
"See this and you can't not support our department!"
The senior reached for the cloth.
The hesitant rep flushed and yelled.
"N-no, not this! Stop him!"
Seniors lunged.
"Everyone, stop this guy-!"
The cloth came off.
Revealed: a massive fantasy reptile form.
Gasp.
Pastel's eyes went wide.
"Worst thing here so far. And this isn't a prank."
Yellow reptilian eyes flashed.
Sharp fangs went rawr.
Majestic wings flapped.
Pastel's mouth moved rapidly.
"D-dr-dr-dr!"
The senior pointed at his super-ultra masterpiece.
"Behold! This is!"
The dragon flashed.
"The strongest creature!"
Pastel shot her arms up.
"Wooow!"
A dragon!
Super awesome dragon...!
Exclamations swept the space.
The seniors were dumbfounded.
The solo hyped creator pulled a rod staff.
"Freshman, watch close! More!"
The staff swung.
All indoor lights went out.
Something emerged in the dark.
The creator screamed like a banshee.
"This is...!"
Green light flashed along reptilian skin.
The massive form glowed alone in the dark.
Green flashes.
"Huuuh!"
The staff pointed at Pastel commandingly.
Pastel inhaled sharply.
She puffed her chest, clenched fists.
And yelled at full power.
"Glow-in-the-Dark Draaaagon!"
Super ultra awesome glow-in-the-dark dragon!
Strongest creature complete: glow-in-the-dark dragon!
She threw her arms up.
"Woooow!"
This is the amazing item I dreamed of!
Dragon! Dragon! Glow-in-the-Dark Dragon!
This'll make the festival a success!
Only the creator and Pastel raged on.
Dead silence enveloped another world.
A stunned voice muttered.
"Wh-what is this."
After getting smacked in the back of the head by the rep, the calmed creator spoke.
"But there's a problem."
Pastel's eyes went wide.
A problem with this amazing creation?
The staff pointed at the dragon's reptilian eye.
"Originally, a light beam comes from there."
What?
Eye beam from the dragon?
Beam~.
The super-genius creator gloomied.
"But flying creature issues mean materials from the Demon Realm can't come now. Won't arrive before the festival."
"N-no way."
Unbelievable.
The creator's hand patted Pastel's pink head.
"Freshman, don't be sad. Our dragon's amazing as is. Adults know when to be satisfied. The dragon's complete against reality."
"B-but."
Pastel's eyes rimmed red uselessly.
"Don't give up! Our dragon isn't finished yet!"
She thrust one arm up.
"The student council exists for students!"
Demon Realm express delivery?
"Student council will handle it!"
Along with smuggling.
Oing?