Chapter 47
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 47
Chapter Title: Mage of the Four Seasons Society (4)
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That initial impression of something incredibly glamorous and dazzling, making my parched heart flutter ever so slightly, didn't even last five minutes.
"The professors go on about how our Four Seasons Society—where the top students uphold the academy's traditions and discuss the future—is something so grandiose—"
Seraphina-senpai, the student council president sitting across from me, stretched elegantly.
"Um, honestly, it's nothing special. It's basically just a twice-a-year networking event to let everyone outside the academy know we're doing fine."
The president chuckled softly and continued.
"So, you just kill time appropriately, then head out with a smile and say 'We had a very informative and productive discussion,' and that's it."
This didn't seem to be just the president's personal view.
Miriel-senpai, across from me, was simply savoring her fragrant tea, while Gaius-senpai was focused solely on polishing the blade of his drawn sword.
Suddenly, this gathering... started to look utterly trivial.
If that's the case, then why the hell did they drag me here by force?
Spending that time sleeping in would have been far more beneficial.
On the other hand, I felt a slight sense of inner camaraderie with the people sitting here.
A meager consolation to these folks who'd likely been dragged here just like me...
...Wait. Miriel-senpai and the president don't exactly look like they were forced to come?
If anything, they walked in on their own two feet.
"Yawn..."
I couldn't endure the boredom any longer. Yawning widely, I made a suggestion.
"Um... We've all seen each other's faces now, and there's nothing much to say, so how about we call it here and head back quickly?"
"We can't do that, Lunaris."
Miriel-senpai set down her teacup and giggled softly.
"But since we're gathered, we have to at least 'propose' something."
"There's nothing to propose, so forcing an issue just feels wrong, doesn't it?"
The president smiled awkwardly at my words.
"I agree—but the problem is these automatically generated minutes."
"...Huh?"
"A summary of everything we discuss here goes straight to the chancellor and all the department heads. So, we have to at least pretend to have a meeting."
Does that mean even this trivial chit-chat gets recorded in the minutes?
But the other seniors didn't seem to care, so probably only the key points get summarized.
Or maybe it just doesn't matter either way.
"If there's nothing else, I'll kick it off like usual."
Miriel-senpai continued with a bright smile.
"Don't you think twice a year for our Four Seasons Society regular meetings is too few? It'd be nice to have more, right?"
Eek—wanting more of these annoying meetings?
Absolutely not.
"That's hard to agree with."
But before I could open my mouth, Gaius-senpai shook his head first.
As expected, my one true ally in this room.
"Considering the weight carried by every agenda item proposed by the Four Seasons Society, more meetings would actually be an abuse of privilege."
"Oh my, Sir Gaius. Only proposals that pass unanimously even have any influence, so calling it an 'abuse of privilege' is a bit of a stretch, isn't it?"
"Aren't every topic raised in the Four Seasons Society conveyed to the chairman and department heads through the minutes?"
Ultimately, they inevitably influence how the higher-ups run the academy, whether intentionally or not. Gaius-senpai stated firmly.
"That's why our gatherings must be handled with care."
"Then how about unofficial gatherings more often?"
Naturally, the ever-feisty Miriel-senpai didn't yield an inch.
"I think we need to get a little closer."
"...After we graduate and leave Elterion Academy, won't these connections all fade into distant acquaintances anyway?"
"Oh, Sir Gaius. Actually, it's after leaving the academy that things get real. Academy ties can run just as deep as blood ties bound by family."
I never knew blood ties, regional bonds, and school connections were universal concepts even in this fantasy world.
By the way, Miriel-senpai really is something else.
Her network is already overflowing with the finest catches, regardless of gender, and piling on more? Just thinking about keeping track is exhausting.
"Um~ The intention to bond is great in itself, but..."
The president smiled awkwardly and stepped in to mediate.
"Carving out separate time is tough for everyone. I'm swamped with student council work as it is, and you're always at the Political Affairs Salon during office hours, aren't you, Miriel?"
"Time is something you make, President Seraphina. Early morning or late night."
"Haha. Well, if we really push for it, we could make it happen, but..."
The president's bright yellow eyes flicked toward me.
"That's bedtime."
I fired back as if I'd been waiting.
And punctuated it with a refreshing yawn.
"No matter how you slice it, with one person dead set against it, this proposal's shot down."
The president burst out laughing, as if she'd seen it coming.
"More importantly, do we even need to set specific dates? If our schedules align naturally, we can just meet then."
"...I guarantee you, no plans will ever get made before I graduate."
Miriel-senpai grumbled in dissatisfaction.
Of course.
Saying "let's meet sometime" is basically code for "that was fun, but seeing you again sounds like a hassle, so let's skip it."
Its close cousin is "let's grab a meal sometime."
"If not, there's always joining the student council with Lunaris, Miriel."
The president tapped the table lightly with her fingers, half-joking.
"Then we could stick together all work hours. Bonus of getting close to me or Lunaris. What do you say?"
"I'll pass."
Even the indomitable Miriel-senpai shook her head at the idea of student council.
"I'm way too lacking for the student council."
"No need to play coy between us. Just be honest."
The president laughed, pointing out that if even the grade-topper was lacking, who could qualify?
"Anyway, putting that aside."
Then she turned back to me.
"Lunaris, got any suggestions?"
"...Me?"
"Yeah, like things that bugged you, or stuff you'd change."
"Too many to count."
"Well, you've only been here three months, so you might not know yet... Huh? Too many...?"
The president's head tilted sideways.
"First off, the maids—especially Linea Hall's dedicated maids—have way too much authority. Student rights violations are out of control."
Seizing the chance, I unleashed all my bottled-up grievances.
"We need a minimum sleep guarantee system. Sleep deprivation during growth spurts is a massive issue."
"W-Wait... Just a sec..."
"This could tank the empire's average height. At minimum, enforce twelve hours."
Having grabbed the floor, I let it all pour out in a rush.
"Worst of all is forcing lecture attendance. Can't we just dock points for skipping?"
"Luu... Lunaris?"
"Students can own their grades themselves, so why force attendance?"
Strictly speaking, students are the 'customers' paying tuition and fees.
Isn't this treatment kinda off?
What, don't say that while freeloading on a full scholarship?
I never asked for the scholarship. Hell, I didn't even want to come to the academy.
After spilling every last pent-up word, the president touched her forehead and shook her head in distress.
"Um... So many counters to hit... Can't even organize where to start..."
I yawned lazily, waiting for her response.
Would she trot out some boring, preachy lecture to sway me?
I'm ready to clap back.
But at that moment, someone utterly unexpected cut in.
"If you want freedom, just become the best in the academy."
It was Gaius-senpai, still casually polishing his sword even now.
"...Huh?"
"Means don't matter. Build reputation with students and faculty like Miriel, or wield influence inside the academy like President Seraphina."
Gaius-senpai sheathed his sword and continued.
"Become the absolute top in any field, and you can do as you please. In your case, probably raw power."
The senior met my eyes briefly and flashed a faint smile.
"Gain strength no one in the academy can touch, and you can have your way."
"So... if I can steamroll the maids and professors alike, that's the ticket?"
Sigh—this hits hard.
...Not that I couldn't.
"Why bother sweating for it? Sounds exhausting."
Gaius-senpai snorted a laugh.
"Just join the Imperial Mage Corps. Once my Imperial Knight Order enlistment was locked in, no one dared touch me."
...Ah, well, that's...
"Heard your guardian, Vice-Captain Albert, keeps extending love calls."
"Jumping from a four-year stint to rotting away forty years straight? Pass."
"Is that so? Then snag a Sword Master title. Or Archmage in your case."
At that level, the honor of the title alone would make anyone in the academy think twice, the senior declared.
"...Hmm."
That's tempting.
"Think we've awakened the sleeping dragon?"
"If mere words like that spark motivation, they were motivated from the start."
Gaius-senpai replied indifferently to the president.
It does sound feasible.
I even caught a breakthrough recently, unleashing magic beyond limits against that magic golem.
...Oh, right. Speaking of which, I should share the magic golem details with them.
"Sudden thought—this isn't really a gripe, but feels like something I should mention..."
"Hm?"
"There was that thing with the magic golem recently, right?"
"Ah, that."
Miriel-senpai cut me off abruptly.
"We went through hell. You and me both."
"...The student council's already watching that incident closely."
The president said gravely.
"Acting on testimony about blueprints from an external sponsor. Cleanup's underway—sponsorship system, outsider access regs need tightening. But why now?"
I scratched my head, speaking in a bored drawl.
"That magic golem blueprint? Pretty dangerous."
Gaius-senpai narrowed his eyes.
"What do you mean? Hidden cipher in the blueprint?"
"Nothing fancy. If the core got built right per the blueprint, the golem would've endlessly sucked mana from the air... Probably desertifying the whole empire from mana depletion."
"...!"
"Like someone malicious planted an elaborate trap... Drew too grand a scheme, tore the canvas..."
As I went on, their faces grew stiffer by the word.
Miriel-senpai froze mid-sip with her teacup.
Gaius-senpai gripped his sword hard.
The strongest reaction came from Seraphina-senpai herself.
Her usual relaxed poise vanished; eyes wide, staring right at me.
"Huh? Why the grim faces?"
"L-Lunaris."
The president sighed deeply, calling my name.
"Something that huge... shouldn't you have led with it at the meeting's start...?"