The Easiest Way to Steal Faith (2)
Student Council President Julius Keiar is a good man.
Ah, Keiar is a middle name, not the name of the empire. Originally, there was only one term referred to as "the Empire" at Esdinas Academy. There were several nations with empire-level might, but only one could truly be called an "emperor's" domain.
But now that the di Ershi Empire has appeared, we'll have to distinguish the original one somehow. The student council president's full name: Julius von Keiar Nors America. Among them, "America" is the name of the empire.
It's the kind of empire name that makes anyone go, "Huh?" the first time they hear it. And as the name suggests, its spirit is incomparable to any other nation.
In the story, the America Empire is currently rotten to the core. Corruption runs rampant in every corner, tensions between nobles and commoners are severe, and the wealth gap is extreme.
Story-wise, Julius is the hope of the empire. His appearance draws people in so effortlessly that some think, "That guy's face screams future betrayer!" But if the protagonist sees him as "hope," this man will do everything in his power to help.
Who sets up the heroine events? The student council president.
In Esdinas Academy's regular curriculum of nothing but classes, practicals, and training, who squeezes in clubs, sports festivals, picnics, summer camps, culture festivals, and the grand student festival to build affection with heroines? The student council president.
Of course, these events didn't pop up out of nowhere—they've existed for ages—but the one who makes them the most spectacular and proactive is this Julius.
In game terms, in "Male Character Restriction Play," he's the strongest and most reliable after the protagonist. If men have pork ribs, pork cutlets, and beef soup, then players have Julius and a couple others. That's the kind of guy he is.
The sad part? This academy has some crazy folks scheming in the shadows. Who's the gong? Who's the shou? Alchemists of rosy fantasies trying to mash together friendly-looking guys into some biting-and-sucking creation.
Nicely put, they're what you'd call "fujoshi" in euphemistic terms. You don't want to become their target. Though you kinda already are, you can't let it hit you too hard. At least until graduation, you shouldn't have to witness it firsthand.
"This guy's the one who sets up proper events for me to connect with the heroines." You can't drop out early from academy shock after getting hit by gay yaoi art featuring yourself.
The future: the true great empire, America.
He's the true emperor who walks the path of pure love himself while paving the harem road for others—charging ahead with the flag for men's dreams.
"Harem, huh."
Deliberately sharpening his tone, Student Council President Julius smiles wryly and nods.
"What should I call you, Junior Phoenix? You're quite the self-sacrificing type."
Something about the way he nods while using formal speech toward me feels oddly familiar.
"You know the academy's female students hate the idea of harems, right?"
"I know."
"And yet you're declaring you'll build one anyway? Straddle multiple women?"
"Straddle? No. I'm not planning to settle for just two."
I raise my voice on purpose, and the female students start murmuring openly in disgust.
Now they're starting to misunderstand me as a womanizer.
The murmurs grow louder, and Julius's expression hardens. But as hostility toward me builds...
Some of those rosy alchemists start feeling disgust at the idea of pairing me with Student Council President Julius. And thanks to that, the suspicious glances toward Julius fade away.
"Hoo."
Student Council President Julius lets out a short sigh toward me. His eyes say he understands, but there's a hint of apology too.
"This guy's misunderstanding me?"
He's taking my swordmaster-harem master retort and seeing me as some "aggro-pulling tool under the harem master pretext."
I am pulling aggro, sure. The looks from some female students are starting to seethe with clear displeasure at my words.
"...Is that the path you intend to walk?"
But this man doesn't judge it that way.
"What exactly do you stand to gain from it?"
He sees my aggro-pulling as a "sacrifice."
"Everything you need to survive in this world."
"???"
"That's how it is. Now, shall we get started?"
I point ahead.
"Chit-chat's over. The freshman welcome ceremony begins."
The freshman welcome ceremony kicks off, and various people take the podium one by one for speeches.
"...As a representative of the current students, I congratulate all you freshmen on your enrollment!"
After Student Council President Julius's pledge on behalf of the current students, the distinguished guests follow with their remarks.
I'm half-listening, half-not. I've never been to one, but is this what an all-girls high school or college entrance ceremony feels like? If the Hall of Courage weren't so vast—like an academy awards hall—the speakers up front might get drowned out by students chattering among themselves, which would be awkward.
"Ah, with the dean and vice dean away on business again this year, I, Ederson Lionheart, the academic affairs director, must stand here in their stead."
With a kindly face—and a touch of relief—Academic Affairs Director Ederson ascends the podium.
"This year holds special meaning. The students entering now will graduate after their third year, right on the eve of Continental Year 1000."
As if aware of something, he doesn't stand at the podium with the mana-amplifying magic tool—the mana stone mic—but steps to the side, positioning himself where everyone can see him clearly.
"Yet we're facing various crises at the moment. And that includes those of you living in the academy."
Many female students flinch at Academic Affairs Director Ederson's words.
"Mana Drain."
No one expected the director—a man—to bring it up so directly.
"As you all know, mana drain is the act of 'stealing' someone else's mana. Under the guise of extracting their vitality and life force, you take their mana to increase your own 'maximum capacity.'"
Call it mana drain, but rephrase it as "level drain." Maximum level, even. Maximum "length and size" potential.
"Mana drain isn't just taking someone else's mana. It steals their potential, their pride, and even their future chance to become a father."
The reproductive capacity of a male as a stud.
"That's why in the past, people prioritized subjugating succubi and gumiho-like yokai. They were once such a massive threat to humanity that they had to be sealed away. Many nations are investigating why they've broken free now, but..."
Ederson's speech drags on. If the audience were mostly men, they'd perk up, relating it to their own plight. But most here are the opposite—the predators. In the back, they're pondering "How can I maximize mana without breaking laws or getting a bad rep?"
No matter how much Ederson warns them, the backs of the hall are filled with thoughts of devouring males. So much so that those males might think, "Better to cut it off myself than get drained like this." They're obsessed with sucking out men's essence.
Words like "Don't do it, it's wrong, for humanity's sake—" fall on deaf ears for them.
"Mana drain..."
Shh.
I gesture subtly from my seat. From an angle hidden from those behind me, I use mana to write letters on my chest, signaling Academic Affairs Director Ederson.
"......!"
He pauses, looks at me. For a split second, his eyes ask "Is it okay?" I nod curtly.
"...And this year."
Ederson abruptly drops the mana drain topic.
"We've invited 16 very special individuals to the academy."
Sixteen. Special. Even the disinterested start perking up ears, and all eyes turn to me.
"As their representative, I'll hand the mic to the one here with us."
Ederson gestures for me to stand, and I rise very slowly.
Step, step.
In full view of everyone, I stride confidently to the podium and take the mic.
"Ah, ahh."
I infuse my voice with mana, projecting to all.
"Have you all ever experienced love?"
Right here, right now.
"What is love, anyway."
I weave hypnosis magic into my voice as I expound.
"I've come here to awaken that love."
Humanity's love.
"To spread true love."
Beautiful boys and girls gathered from every nation.
Through innocent high school romance and youthful growth.
On the day you become adults.
Bear the fruits of love.
"If you truly love one another, everyone can grow and expand."
In game terms.
A relationship blending platonic and eros.
Cumming Dream, then.