Chapter 53
Chapter 53
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Translator: uly
Chapter: 53
Chapter Title: Student Council President Election That Calls the Storm (1)
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The midterm exam period that had drained the blood from the veins of Pharenchia Academy's students had finally passed.
This year, unusually many students ended up hospitalized at the temple. Some from overwork, others from stress after receiving unexpectedly poor grades. But most of the patients were freshmen.
Especially during Professor Vincent's "Fundamentals of Elemental Magic" exam, numerous students checked the final question and fainted from trauma.
Thanks to that, Adella managed to avoid failing the hastily prepared exam. She'd leisurely guessed on the problems and even laid her head down for a nap.
As a result, since she didn't fail more than half her subjects, she wouldn't be expelled from Pharenchia Academy.
"Haa, I barely survived...!"
Watching her from the side, Erzebet let out a small sigh of relief.
She'd stuck by Adella's side throughout the exam period to help boost her grades even a little, so a bad outcome would have been heartbreaking.
Anyway, this period right after exams was when students' tension was at its maximum release. But conversely, Erzebet was more anxious than ever, unable to hide it.
The reason was the student council president election, the grand finale of the first semester, held right after midterms.
The position of student council president was her ultimate goal in enrolling at Pharenchia Academy.
It was the most important role: acquiring and managing interests within the academy in place of the chairman who generally didn't interfere in operations, and building connections with key figures in politics and business.
Every year, children of royal officials vied fiercely for the seat. But this year, the winner was all but decided.
Erzebet Brunhart de Baor.
The foremost jewel of the Penheim Kingdom and direct heir to the current king was at the academy.
Of course, the royal family had publicly declared no interference in the election. But which noble would dare block the path of the future queen?
They knew better than to try.
"Freshman, Erzebet Brunhart. Will you register as a candidate for student council president?"
"Yes. For the development of Pharenchia Academy, I will do my utmost."
During the candidate registration period, Erzebet observed the situation even more cautiously. As expected, no children from prominent families or last year's student council members applied.
'At this rate, a little campaigning should get me elected.'
In the sparsely attended auditorium, where only a few curious students wandered, Erzebet nodded upon seeing her name on the large poster plastered to one wall.
Adella, who had just finished checking her exam answers one last time, was peeking from the side.
"Princess, you're running for president?"
"Yes. That's why I came here."
"What's so good about being president?"
"Hmm... To put it in terms Adella can understand, it's like owning a part of this academy."
It was just a metaphor, of course.
But Adella glanced back and forth between the receptionist, Erzebet, and the poster several times before taking a big step forward.
And then—
"I wanna do it too."
After midterms ended, I reopened the canteen. However, after careful consideration, I removed all the traps that could injure students.
With Liv's already-installed deadly barrier plus the iron hounds, the canteen's defenses were sufficient. Those traps could neutralize even a Goliath, but leaving them felt too risky.
Business resumed right after exams, and students were trickling back in. But the cafe still wasn't open.
Not because construction was unfinished or the trend had passed.
Though I hate to admit it, it was because Adella, the biggest star of the Pharenchia canteen cafe, hadn't been seen lately.
I'd clearly told her not to come until exams were over.
Even after, she didn't show her face.
Going to her dorm and knocking would look weird.
Besides, with Liv still recovering from injuries, focusing on the canteen seemed best, so I left it alone.
"Come to think of it, I haven't seen Adella lately."
"Y-Yes!?"
"Have you seen Baroness Liv by any chance?"
"No, absolutely not. Never in my life."
I occasionally asked Liv, who denied any future sightings for some reason, but Adella's whereabouts remained unknown.
On the flip side, with business just restarting and few customers, time alone with Liv at the canteen was increasing.
"Owner. What does this word mean?"
Since getting treated for her last injury, her attitude toward me had subtly changed.
Hard to pinpoint, but little things.
Like tensing her abs instead of her usual straight-backed reading posture.
"...abdominal massage? What book are you even reading?"
"Just a general knowledge book..."
Or asking about words unrelated to magic.
She also tucked her hair behind her ear more often and stared at my hands intensely. Thankfully, no deep trauma from the previous incident.
She was startled by the iron hounds growling in one corner of the canteen but bought my excuse about picking up strays on a walk.
One idle afternoon like that.
As I swept the front of the canteen with a broom, a poster with a familiar face blew in at my feet on the wind.
[Pharenchia Academy Student Council President Election Guide]
[No. 2: Adella Sylvestra de Roshiar]
[Self-Introduction: Adella here~! Turn the academy into paradise on earth! Make the canteen a sweet loving home!! Vote for me~!]
"What the hell."
A chilling aura suddenly enveloped the surroundings. Something felt off.
I dropped the broom and rubbed my eyes a few times. Felt like I'd seen something unbelievable...
When I refocused, the poster had already fluttered away on the wind, as if it had legs.
Nah, must've been a mistake. Was I that hung up on Adella?
With her gone so long, my mind conjured this ridiculous hallucination of her running for president.
I resumed cleaning as if nothing happened.
Come to think of it, around this time last year, salons popped up everywhere, and I struggled tearing down their posters.
"Maybe reinstall the traps."
They'd probably plaster the canteen walls and windows. Being in the academy's center made it prime advertising real estate.
No idea why they use someone else's place, but at least this time, unlike those anonymous salons, responsibility was clear.
Election posters featured candidates' faces big as doors.
Last year, one clueless guy who papered the canteen got his head fixed to a poster spot personally.
Wouldn't happen this time. After cleaning, I went back inside.
And a few days later, I heard the shocking news that Adella was really running for student council president.
"Um, Adella? Are you... no, are you serious?"
"Yep."
Adella tilted her head in front of Professor Roilen, who had suddenly called for a meeting.
Seeing her innocently sparkling eyes, Roilen voiced her concern.
"Even if it's a trial system for academy operations, an election isn't a joke."
"I'm serious."
"Where will you get the manpower and funds?"
"My friends agreed to help. And I have money."
She showed the money pouch at her waist. Not from canteen work, of course.
To Adella, living off family support, part-time earnings were pocket change. She treasured Louis's gift, never spending it.
For some reason, money from the Roshiar family kept coming even after she ran away, so election activities were no issue.
Her chances seemed less than 1%, but with her resolve firm, Roilen couldn't strongly dissuade her.
"Haa... Alright. Here's a list of precautions candidates must know. No illegal funds for campaign staff, and don't miss the two pre-vote speeches. No-shows count as forfeits. Read all the detailed rules."
"Got it."
Leaving the meeting room, Adella lightly climbed to the top of the academy's tallest clock tower.
Under the clear blue sky with fresh wind from distant low mountains, the entire Pharenchia grounds lay in view—a stunning panorama.
She chased away the birds that had claimed the spot, took a deep breath, and surveyed the surroundings.
"So pretty..."
Adella hadn't forgotten her promise with Louis.
Her wish.
She'd passed exams without expulsion, so now it was time to tell him her long-dreamed wish.
But preparation was needed first.
A bride going to her wedding without a trousseau? Unthinkable. She had no family prestige, no grand procession to dazzle the venue, not even a torn, soiled dress fit to wear.
Family funds still came as "living expenses," but real support was unlikely.
So, she'd seize everything with her own two fists.
By becoming the academy's student council president.
And giving this beautiful scenery—all of it—to her teacher.
"Then sweetly together at the canteen... hehe."
Ding, daaang~! Ding!
The midday clock tower bells rang, heralding the start of her grand plan.
Adella spread her arms toward the sun and spun around.
"Alright. Let's do this."
May. The student council president election that would summon the storm began.