Book 1 Chapter 173

173

Another student council president candidate recommended by a powerful student council president candidate.

Normally, it would be natural for him to quickly emerge as a very strong candidate.

'But no matter what, a first-year isn't it.'

The student council president is a position that only the best student at Lumern can hold.

While Leo is clearly the most attention-grabbing student at Lumern this year, he's still only a first-year.

Even if the fifth-years graduate right now, there are still three more year groups above him.

Realistically, it makes no sense.

The problem is that the person who recommended Leo is none other than Elena.

The acting director of Lumern and an autocrat known as the school's queen.

If Elena, who has not only taken control of all third-years but also exerts tremendous influence even over fourth-years, were to seriously pursue this.

'Things are going to get troublesome.'

Of course, if Elena pushed Leo as a year representative, she would undoubtedly face considerable resistance.

The fourth-years would immediately be furious, and not a few third-years would also object.

And on top of that, the second-years too.

It was clear that it would cause tremendous chaos throughout the school.

"Who knows about this fact?"

"For now, just me, you, and Elena. Only the three people involved."

At Rhys's words, Leo gave him a sympathetic look.

"It's unfortunate for you in your later years."

Watching Leo make a truly regretful face, Rhys let out a hollow laugh.

Seeing his attitude that it had nothing to do with him, Rhys said.

"It seems you're not interested in the student council president position."

"I'm a first-year, after all. There are so many strong seniors; isn't it a bit much for me to become one?"

Leo shrugged.

In fact, even if he became an upperclassman, he wasn't particularly interested in the student council president position.

'Because it seems like it would be troublesome.'

He intended to be diligent in school life, but he had no intention of taking on bothersome tasks unnecessarily.

"Actually, from my perspective, Elena's proposal, while absurd, is also quite tempting."

Rhys chuckled at Leo's words and said.

"If you, my cousin, become the student council president—and an unprecedented first-year student council president at that—it would be a very good thing for me, as the heir to the Zerdinger family."

Even now, the Zerdinger family's reputation is very high.

But what if Leo were to become the student council president from his first year and long-term reign until his fifth year, becoming an unprecedented graduate?

The Zerdinger family could rise to become an even greater household.

"Furthermore, in some ways, I think you're a better fit for student council president than I am."

"Me?"

"Yes. A hero has the power to lead people."

Rhys smiled meaningfully.

"But those who lead heroes are very rare. I believe your qualities in that regard are far superior to mine, Leo."

Leo scratched his cheek.

'Well, of course, I learned from Lysinas.'

The leader of the subjugation party who led the world to salvation.

Leo also received Lysinas's influence.

"Anyway, don't think negatively about it."

Rhys smiled sweetly.

"No matter what the matter, isn't it true that nothing is impossible?"

***

After school that day.

Leo, having tidied his desk, stood up from his seat.

Karl waved at Leo as he saw him.

"Leo! We're going to the Great Archives to study for our midterms starting now, want to come with us?"

Close friends were gathered around Karl.

This included Chelsea and Nella, the top students in the class.

"Sorry. I have something I need to take care of after school."

"Oh? That's a shame."

Karl clicked his tongue.

"Leo, well then, after you're done, I'll still be at the Great Archives, so come if you have time."

As Nella spoke with her characteristic languid smile, Leo nodded.

After his classmates left, Leo headed alone to the third-year classroom building.

Usually, unless a first-year is exceptionally bold, they rarely go to the third-year classroom building, which is two years above them.

This was because first-years basically tended to be intimidated by upperclassmen.

Therefore, Leo, who boldly entered the third-year classroom building, was undoubtedly a conspicuous presence.

Especially unlike the first and second years, from the third year onwards, class time increased by one period, so the third-years were still in class.

'Was Elena in Class 4?'

Leo, having entered the first floor of the classroom building, went to the front of Class 4.

Unlike the first-years, who had up to 10 classes, the third-years only had up to 5 classes.

This meant that at least half of them had dropped out of the first and second-year academic programs.

'Looking at this, my classmates are pretty amazing.'

It was one of the two classes that still hadn't had a single dropout.

Considering that the class's overall average grades were last at the time of admission, it was remarkable.

Leo sat down in front of the Class 4 classroom.

From inside, the sound of a class in progress could be heard.

A short while later.

Ding-dong-daeng-dong-

The bell signaling the end of class rang throughout the classroom building.

Drrrk! Clank-! Clank-!

The sound of desks came from inside the classroom.

The classroom door opened, and the professors came out.

The third-year professors noticed Leo in the hallway and wore curious expressions.

'A first-year in the third-year classroom building?'

'Leo Flobe. Truly extraordinary.'

Even the professors were impressed by the first-year representative's courage, as the third-years poured out of the classroom.

Then they paused upon seeing Leo sitting on a chair in front of the classroom.

"Wait, isn't that Leo Flobe, the first-year representative?"

"Really?"

"Where! Where!"

The girls from Class 4 swarmed around Leo.

"Hello, seniors."

When Leo stood up and greeted them, the girls, who had been looking at each other's faces, shrieked, 'Kyaak!'

"He's cute! Fresh-faced! I thought it before, but he's a bishounen!"

"Look at his red eyes! So beautiful! Like rubies!"

"Now that you mention it, wasn't he the student council president's cousin?"

The gathered girls showed great interest in Leo.

Their reaction was quite different from the second-years.

Most second-years didn't think highly of Leo, but the third-years were different.

Their reaction was simply that the first-year junior was cute.

Besides the girls, the boys also looked at Leo with curiosity.

It seemed they too found Leo, who had boldly ventured into the third-year classroom building, quite interesting.

"Leo. Say 'noona' once. 'Noona.'"

"That's a bit…"

"Oh my? Look how resolute he is!"

"But being this resolute makes him somewhat cool, too?"

"Were you into younger guys?"

The girls, who had been giggling and teasing Leo, then asked.

"So, what brings a first-year all the way to the third-year classroom?"

"I came to meet Senior Elena."

At those words, the girls' atmosphere changed drastically.

Not only that, but the atmosphere among other third-years who had been watching with interest also shifted.

"You came to meet Elena? Why?"

Just then, a male student from Class 4 curled up the corners of his mouth.

"I have something to discuss briefly."

"Elena isn't someone a mere first-year can just meet whenever they feel like they 'have something to discuss,' you know? Who do you think you are? Do you think being an All-Class and a first-year representative makes you special?"

'I expected this kind of reaction, but this seems a bit harsh?'

It's a well-known fact that Elena draws promising juniors into her faction.

Among the first-years, there are many students who wish to join Blue Moon, the expedition party led by Elena.

And Leo was a student Elena had consistently shown interest in.

'This level of hostility, suddenly… Oh, right.'

The mission practical training that took place earlier.

Originally, Elena should have been carrying out a dungeon raid schedule with her party members there.

But she ignored everything and came over to where Leo was.

'The queen's followers are very jealous, you see.'

Remembering what Lil, the second-year representative, had said earlier, Leo sighed lightly.

Meanwhile, those who appeared to be part of the Blue Moon party openly glared at Leo.

This included both males and females.

Just then.

"Young Master Leo?"

A female student walking down the hallway spotted Leo and spoke to him.

Leo looked at the person who had called him "Young Master."

'Niel Rhoda. She was Celia's bodyguard knight, wasn't she?'

At school, as a first-year and a third-year, they didn't see each other often, but she was a member of the Zerdinger family who had been close friends with Celia since childhood.

Niel showed Leo the courtesy befitting a knight.

"I'm not a Zerdinger, though."

"Even so, you're Young Master Rhys's and Young Lady Celia's cousin. I should show proper etiquette. By the way, Young Master Leo, what brings you all the way to the third-year classroom building?"

"I came to meet Senior Elena."

At that question, Niel put her index finger to her lips and tilted her head.

"Hmm. Elena attended classes in the morning, but she probably went to the club room in the afternoon, saying it was boring?"

"Is that so?"

"Yes. I'll guide you."

Niel smiled sweetly, then glared at the Blue Moon students.

As a third-year herself, she guessed what kind of reaction the Blue Moon students had shown Leo.

At Niel's gaze, the third-year students from Blue Moon flinched.

It's no exaggeration to say that Elena currently controls all third-years.

Not only among third-years and second-years, but she also has a considerable number of followers even among fourth-years, most of whom disapprove of Elena.

But that doesn't mean all third-years follow Elena.

Among them are students who remain neutral.

Niel was a representative figure among such students.

Furthermore, her skill was among the top five strongest students in the third-year knight department.

She was not a student that could be dealt with by someone with mediocre skills.

As Niel took Leo and left the classroom building, some people ground their teeth.

"Ugh! That arrogant brat!"

"Just because he's doing a bit well, he thinks he can't see anyone else!"

The students from Blue Moon ground their teeth.

Students nearby clicked their tongues at the sight.

'Elena isn't going to pay attention to them just because of that, so why do they need to get so worked up?'

'It's always the mediocre ones who act like that.'

Some third-years looked at them with faces of pity.

***

Leo followed Niel to the club building.

"Passing through the fourth-year classroom building is a shortcut."

It was almost his first time coming to this place since the beginning of the semester.

Niel smiled gently and explained the clubs to Leo.

"I'm in the art club. As Young Master Leo knows, Young Lady Celia is also in the art club. Are you not interested in painting, Young Master Leo? A multi-talented Young Master Leo would probably be good at drawing too."

Celia's hobby, befitting a young lady of a noble family, was painting.

Moreover, she had excellent dexterity, and her skills were top-notch.

"No. I don't really have a talent for drawing."

"How about sculpture or other artistic activities?"

"……"

At the mention of artistic activities, Leo naturally recalled the past.

'Kyle. You, I tell you. In my eyes, you are one forsaken by art. No, more than forsaken, you are clearly cursed and hated by it. Did you draw this and call it a painting?'

Dwenor pointed at Kyle's painting held by Luna with a gaze so pathetic it was pitiful.

Arion, who was looking at it with Luna, chuckled awkwardly.

'W-well, it looks a little bit like him, maybe…'

'Do you want to die?'

'S-sorry.'

'I think I drew it better than Luna.'

As Kyle complained irritably, Dwenor nodded.

'Of course, you're an ant's tear better than that eccentric elf who has no merits other than magic and graceful looks. But that eccentric elf's graceful looks are art in themselves. So, she's not cursed by art.'

'This damn perverted old man!'

Luna used her staff to vigorously throttle Dwenor's thick neck.

Of course, Dwenor didn't bat an eye, as usual.

'Look! This beauty that doesn't lose its radiance even in such violent acts!'

'What's wrong with my personality?!'

'Anyway, Kyle. You should give up on having art as a hobby. Your dabbling in art is an insult to art itself.'

Ignoring Luna, who was gritting her teeth at him, Dwenor spoke more seriously than ever.

"My friend told me not to take up that kind of hobby."

"Oh dear."

It was when Niel made a regretful expression.

"Hmph. What brings the tomboyish Zerdinger's minion here?"

"Hmph? You, the frail Rwallyn's minion, why are you picking a fight?"

Seeing Niel, who was exuding a fierce aura as if she had never worn a kind smile, Leo looked at the man who had spoken to him.

Looking at the badge on his chest, he was surprisingly a fourth-year.

But despite him being a senior, Niel was not intimidated at all.

His name tag read Marchel Rujia.

'Wait, Marchel Rujia, isn't that a vassal family of the Rwallyn household?'

If it were the Zerdinger family, it would be like the Rhoda family.

Chelsea had mentioned it before.

'It makes sense that they don't get along.'

Even Celia and Chelsea themselves are considerable rivals.

Furthermore, while Celia and Avard don't bicker or snarl at each other, they are competing as rivals who must be overcome.

Naturally, the vassal families also couldn't help but be on bad terms.

"It will be proven in this midterm exam that Young Lady Celia is superior to Avard Rwallyn! Because there's a sparring evaluation!"

"Oh, for once we agree. I thought so too, you know. Though I thought Young Master Avard would defeat Celia Zerdinger."

The third and fourth-years were busy boasting about their lords.

"Honestly! Young Lady Celia is far more amazing! She's so popular! If she set her mind to it, she's a femme fatale! A femme fatale! She could charm all the male students just by glancing at them!"

"Hmph. Our Young Master Avard is the true Casanova if he sets his mind to it! There won't be a single female student who won't fall for his gentleness!"

"He seemed like butter to me?"

"Hmph! You're the tomboy!"

The two people, growling at each other.

Thanks to that, the gazes of the fourth-years coming out after class naturally gathered.

"They're at it again."

"Aren't they embarrassed with juniors watching?"

"Honestly, I want to call Celia and Avard over and show them what these two are doing."

"That sounds fun, doesn't it?"

"Hey! Wanna bet on who wins?"

The fourth-years leaving the classroom building chuckled as they watched the scene.

It seemed to be an everyday occurrence.

Leo, who had been watching the war of nerves between the two doting seniors, asked.

"When will it end?"

"Oh, right!"

Niel, remembering Leo's presence, exclaimed in surprise.

"I'm sorry, Young Master. This unlucky fellow picked a fight."

Niel smiled sweetly and stood next to Leo.

"Shall we go?"

"Wait."

Marchel blocked their path.

Niel frowned and looked at Marchel, but he completely ignored her gaze and looked at Leo.

Being quite tall for a mage, he was looking down at Leo.

'Is it because my maternal family is Zerdinger that he doesn't like me?'

"I am Marchel Rujia, Young Master Leo. Young Lady Chelsea is always indebted to you."

Contrary to Leo's thoughts, Marchel very politely introduced himself to Leo.

"My maternal family is Zerdinger, though."

"I don't mind. Young Master Leo, you are Young Lady Chelsea's close friend, after all."

Marchel smiled gently, a smile incomparable to how he treated Niel.

"Do visit Rwallyn sometime. Our family head is also looking forward to meeting Young Master Leo…"

"Hey! Who are you trying to hit on right now! Get lost! Shoo! Shoo! Young Master Leo! Let's go!"

Niel made a fierce expression and interrupted the two.

"You ignorant Zerdinger minion!"

"I'm much better than the gloomy Rwallyn minion!"

Leo, who had been silently watching the two who started fighting again, approached the fourth-years who were spectating nearby.

The fourth-years wore puzzled expressions as Leo approached.

"I'll cast one vote for a draw."

Judging that he wouldn't be leaving anytime soon, Leo decided to simply enjoy the situation.

"Sorry, junior. That's not an option."

"That's a shame. Then I'll bet on Senior Niel winning."

"Ohh! Come here! Leo Flobe!"

The fourth-years who had bet on Niel's side enthusiastically welcomed Leo.

"It's a duel!"

"It's a duel!"

In the end, Niel and Marchel ended up dueling.

***

"…Niel, what happened to your face?"

"Something happened."

Niel dampened a handkerchief with a potion bottle and treated her wound with a sullen face.

The match with Marchel was a draw.

Achieving a draw against a fourth-year was remarkable, but in truth, Niel and Marchel had been evenly matched in skill since childhood, despite the difference in their academic years.

Elena chuckled at her classmate and then looked at Leo with sparkling eyes.

"By the way, it's surprising that you came to find me, Leo."

"Because I heard an interesting story from the student council president."

"Oh my."

Elena covered her mouth and gasped.

Then she smiled sweetly.

"I was thinking we could talk for a bit, just the two of us."

At those words, the students in the same room furrowed their brows.

"If it's about the student council president, it must be important. Shouldn't we hear it too?"

"That's right."

At those words, Elena smiled sweetly.

"Don't make me say it three times."

At those words, the Blue Moon students flinched and left the room.

They didn't glare at Leo or anything as they left.

There were no fools here who would rashly act emotionally and displease Elena.

Niel also left the room docilely, even though she wore a puzzled expression.

Once only the two of them remained in the room, Elena stretched leisurely with a relaxed expression.

"Before we discuss the student council president, I have something to tell you, Leo."

"What is it?"

"It's about the restricted archives."

Elena smiled sweetly.

"Permission has been granted for you to enter the restricted archives."