Book 1 Chapter 189

Rumors that Leo had visited the gardening club spread like wildfire throughout the entire club system.

It was a sensitive time due to budget issues, as it was the period leading up to the Luseon competition.

Therefore, the clubs generally welcomed Leo's appearance.

Among them, quite a few clubs had ulterior motives to squeeze more budget out of the easily manipulated first-year, future student council president.

"I don't think additional budget will be provided for this?"

"What?!"

Upon hearing Leo's words, the head of the Magic Engineering Department showed a surprised expression.

"Why? Why? Why! Why won't additional budget be provided! The Gardening Club received it!"

James Dect, the fourth-year head of the Magic Engineering Department, retorted.

Seeing James, Leo said,

"A teleportation magic formula that drastically reduces the consumption of magic stones. It has been the Magic Engineering Department's long-term project for the past two years, right?"

"That's right! Once it's completed, it will bring in far more funds than the budget we've received so far!"

"Be honest. From a senior's perspective, how complete do you think it is?"

"It's almost complete!"

"Almost?"

Leo's expression was blank.

At his words, James flinched and said,

"About half."

"Half?"

"We've solved all the difficult parts, so only the minor details remain!"

"Senior, you're graduating next year. Who will continue this after the head of the Magic Engineering Department graduates?"

"I have capable and intelligent juniors!"

At James's words, the members of the Magic Engineering Department sighed.

James often berated them for not understanding things.

Yet, in his desperation, he called them capable.

'He's just like the previous department head.'

'No, but if we want to get the budget, we need to act in unison.'

All the members of the Magic Engineering Department had invested at least half a year into this magic research.

Therefore, they desperately wanted to secure more budget.

"That's right, Leo. We will continue the project after our seniors graduate!"

"Yes, it's research that has been ongoing since the time of the seniors who have already graduated, and it's continuously evolving!"

The first, second, and third-year students appealed for the necessity of the research.

'Well, it's not theoretically impossible.'

Leo looked at the magic formula.

He could see that the research had actually progressed significantly.

However, achieving results was still a distant prospect for the magic formula.

"Still, it's not something that can be presented at Luseon. Additional budget is for preparing for Luseon, isn't it?"

At Chen Xia's words, James sighed and put his hand on his forehead.

"Oh, dear. This is why the Knight Department is no good. Even if magic research is in progress, it has presentation value. In fact, our Magic Engineering Department has always been praised by the Seirun professors at Luseon!"

"Yes. That's why we've always lagged behind in evaluations compared to the Seirun Magic Engineering Department, which presented practical magic formulas, according to this."

As Chen Xia spoke with her characteristic gentle smile, James bristled.

"Magic is the realm of exploration and creation! Don't compare us to the Seirun Magic Engineering Department, which only pursues practicality without dreams!"

"Right! Right!"

"Our Magic Engineering Department will stake everything on completing this magic! And it will bring about a revolution in the world!"

The students of the Magic Engineering Department responded enthusiastically to James's speech.

"Alright! Then I'll explain one by one why our Magic Engineering Department needs additional budget! Blackboard! Chalk!"

At James's shout, the Magic Engineering Department students brought a portable blackboard and chalk.

"Teleportation magic works on the principle of folding space to move, right? To connect an entrance to a distant space, it inevitably requires folding a large space, so it's bound to consume a lot of power! Therefore! We fold the space into smaller pieces repeatedly! Just like a spring! Then the mana consumed is…"

Watching James begin his complex explanation, Chen Xia looked at Leo with a troubled expression.

After all, Chen Xia was ignorant of magic.

She couldn't properly grasp the reasons when listening to such difficult explanations.

Leo listened to James's explanation, nodding in agreement with a "ho-ho."

At his words, James inwardly smiled triumphantly.

'Professor Ren and Senior Torua also praised our research as excellent!'

The reason the Magic Engineering Department could receive a large budget without significant achievements was largely due to Ren, who liked new attempts, and Torua.

With considerable influence in the magic department and the support of Torua, who was the vice president, there had been no budget worries until now.

'Leo Frolov is also a mage, for now! So he'll acknowledge our research!'

James put down the chalk with such confidence.

"How is it?"

"It's amazing."

"Right? So, additional budget…"

"But in this state, I think we should cut not only additional budget but next year's budget as well."

*Crack!*

James froze at Leo's unexpected words.

"You! You didn't understand my explanation, did you?"

"I understood it perfectly well. That's why I'll explain the reasons for cutting it now."

Leo picked up the chalk and pointed it at the blackboard where James had given his long speech, indicating all the parts that needed correction and improvement.

*Tap*

Putting down the chalk, Leo looked at the gaping James and said,

"If research continues in this direction, we can reduce the budget. So, it should be cut, right?"

What Leo said were improvements that James also knew about.

The reason he hadn't explained them was to find some way to secure the budget, but Leo had pointed them out precisely.

"Wait, just a moment! We have other research besides this magic…"

"You said you would complete this magic with the honor of the Magic Engineering Department and bring about a revolution in the world. So, you should focus only on this research without worrying about other research. Xia, let's check the budget cut and report it to Senior Elena."

"Understood, Master Leo."

"What? El, Elena?"

Hark, who was in charge of practical matters, didn't particularly like magic.

So, he would surely leave magic-related matters to Elena.

And Elena was also the acting chairman.

She was the source of the school's budget.

'It's good that he's needlessly cutting money.'

Elena would undoubtedly cut the budget mercilessly like this.

Torua, who had been a strong supporter of the Magic Engineering Department, was scheduled to graduate.

As for Ren, another pillar of support.

'Leo said to cut the budget? Then it should be cut.'

He would likely say that.

It was famous how much effort Ren put into luring Leo into the magic department.

In the end, James had no choice but to grab Leo's pants and beg.

"Please, just not the budget cut! Even if there's no additional budget! Please!"

Other members of the Magic Engineering Department also grabbed Leo's feet and pleaded.

In the end, the Magic Engineering Department received no additional budget at all.

The next place they visited was "The Power," a physical training club primarily composed of students from the Knight Department.

Leo and Chen Xia looked at the members of "The Power" doing strength training and said,

"…Do you need additional budget support?"

"Yes. We need to buy supplements that help strengthen muscles."

"Does that help?"

"Of course. Look! These impressive biceps!"

The head of The Power, the fourth-year Dick Bickler, showed off his arm muscles.

Seeing the huge muscles wriggling, Chen Xia exclaimed.

"Leo, as you know, while auras and skills are important in actual combat, physical training is equally important. Our The Power aims for a higher level through physical training! Look! This beautiful physique!"

With a grunting sound, muscles bulged all over Dick's body.

Seeing that, Leo said,

"You don't need to build muscles like that for actual combat. Let's consider the additional budget as non-existent."

"No, don't be so firm. Just a little… Huh? Even half would be good. No, even a quarter…!"

Dick pleaded with his junior.

The clubs that had intended to easily obtain additional budget simply because Leo was a first-year often faced budget cuts in the worst-case scenario.

By evening, Leo was being treated like a grim reaper by the club heads.

"Welcome, Leo."

Celia greeted Leo as he visited the Art Club.

"Where is the head of the Art Club?"

"They ran away because they were scared of you. The Art Club said they didn't need additional budget."

Celia sighed quietly as she watched the department head, who had been full of dreams of obtaining budget from Leo just a while ago, run away after hearing the rumors.

Hearing that, Leo tilted his head.

"They ran away before I even arrived? Hmm? Is there something they're guilty about?"

"No! There's nothing to be guilty about! Nothing!"

Maria Juliet, the head of the Art Club, who was hiding in the club storage, rushed out of the storage door in a panic.

Panting, she said while catching her breath,

"Welcome to the Art Club! While you're here, would you like to see the works we're exhibiting for this Luseon?"

"Yes."

Leo readily nodded.

Guided by Maria, Leo and Chen Xia looked at the artworks they were creating.

The most striking among them was none other than a painting of a phoenix.

"It's wonderful. Especially the depiction of the flames."

"Right? Celia drew this."

"Hooh."

Leo admired it and looked at his cousin.

Celia coyly swept her hair.

And there was a sculpture as magnificent as Celia's painting.

Leo stopped as he looked at the sculpture.

The sculpture was none other than Luna with a benevolent smile.

'How unfitting.'

He let out a hollow laugh and asked,

"Whose work is this?"

It looked exceptionally skillful at first glance.

"It's Warden's."

"Warden? He's in the Art Club too?"

"Yes. He doesn't come often, but his sculpting skills are amazing."

"Hooh."

Leo nodded in admiration.

Finally, after finishing his appreciation of the artworks, Maria asked Leo,

"What are your thoughts after seeing everything?"

"It's excellent." "Of course! The Art Club has beaten Seirun's Art Club in art exhibitions every year!"

Puffing out her chest confidently, Maria said, seeing Leo speak.

"Then shall we talk about the budget now? Don't you think the Art Club's budget is too much?"

*Thump*

Maria's legs gave out, and she sank to the ground.

And she looked up at Leo with terrified eyes.

"Please, no cuts…"

"It's a joke."

Leo smiled and left the Art Club.

Celia, who was seeing him off, narrowed her eyes.

"Leo."

"Why?"

"You're enjoying this."

"Yeah. It's fun."

'…I can't even imagine how terrifying he'll be when he officially starts his duties as student council president.'

Celia shook her head, thinking that her cousin would have no problem ruling through fear.

That evening.

Lumeren's annual banquet was held.

Every year, after the mid-term exams of the second semester, Lumeren held a banquet for all grades.

An event to mark the end of summer and the beginning of autumn.

And autumn was also the season when Kyle defeated Erebus.

This banquet also had the meaning of celebrating the day peace was regained.

'I didn't even know it was autumn back then.'

The grand hall attached to the Tower of Heroes.

All grades were seated, sharing a meal.

Meanwhile, wind spirits flew above the grand hall, presenting students with something.

As a time that heralded new hope, there was also a tradition during this period for adults to give children gifts they had always wanted.

Leo also received various gifts from his parents around this time every year.

But this year was a bit strange.

"…The number of gifts is insane."

Leo looked at the wind spirits busily bringing gift boxes to him with a displeased expression.

Kal checked the names written on the gift boxes and clicked his tongue.

"These are the powers that be from various countries and factions. They must be trying to curry favor by showering you with gifts after hearing that you've become student council president."

*Zip!*

Leo tore open the small palm-sized box and checked its contents.

Inside was a necklace.

"Wow, this is one of Dieden's artifacts."

Kal exclaimed.

"Dieden is that magic workshop Chelsea frequents, right?"

"Yes. It's a place that even ordinary noble families can't afford."

Shaking his head, Kal examined the necklace closely.

"It has a shield magic enchantment on it. This is incredibly expensive. They're gifting this? They must really want to impress you."

At Kal's words, Leo put the necklace back in the box.

"I don't really need it."

"It's better than nothing, right?"

Kal chuckled and looked at a few more gift boxes.

"This one doesn't have a sender's name."

As Kal said, the long box, simply wrapped in brown paper, had no sender's name.

"Items brought from outside undergo safety checks upon entry, so it's unlikely to be dangerous… but it's suspicious."

Chelsea, who was engrossed in eating, said with her mouth full of pasta.

*Zip!*

Leo, with a curious expression, tore open the wrapping.

An old, smooth wooden box appeared.

Leo carefully opened the lid.

*Click!*

And inside were a plain-looking longsword and a letter.

"A longsword?"

"What is it, it looks ordinary."

Chelsea and Kal looked puzzled.

While everyone else sent lavish gifts, a plain longsword.

"There's a peculiar mana… but…"

"Wait, I've never seen this material before!"

Kal, from an alchemist family, exclaimed in surprise.

Leo carefully ran his hand over the surface of the longsword and muttered,

"Dragonbone."

"What?"

"Dragonbone?!"

The surrounding gazes turned to Leo at the shocked cry.

Leo checked the contents of the letter.

It was written in small, neat handwriting.

-Congratulations on becoming student council president. Please use it well.