Book 1 Chapter 551

551.

Luke glanced to his right.

There sat the fifth-years, arguably at the pinnacle of the "Heavenly Seniors."

At the very center of the fifth-years, in the most esteemed seat, sat Hark, the vice president who effectively ran Rumern.

'Strictly speaking, he's almost lying down.'

He had reclined his chair, balancing it on its back legs, his head tilted back and his legs propped on the desk.

His chest rose and fell evenly, indicating he was in a deep sleep.

'He won't fall over, will he?'

After watching Hark with a moment of concern, Luke's gaze shifted to his right.

There, the fourth-years were seated.

And among them, Elena was reading a book with a straight posture.

Elena, known as the most beautiful woman in Rumern and the Queen of Rumern, exuded an undeniable grace.

From outward appearances, anyone would consider her an exemplary model student.

The problem was that the book Elena was reading was a forbidden Grimoire, designated as such by Rumern.

'Can these two really be acting like this?'

This was, after all, the student council, a place where the school's representative students gathered for a meeting.

Yet, the two central figures of the student council, by all appearances, were excellent delinquents.

As Luke, attending the meeting as the representative for his year, found it completely jarring.

"Luke-kun."

"Ah, yes! Lil senpai."

"You said Luke-kun's mana specialty is mana amplification, correct?"

"Yes."

"I envy you. I'm simply too ordinary. When I see brilliant talents like Luke-kun's, I genuinely envy you."

"Ah, senpai, you're even more amazing."

"No. Luke-kun is more amazing."

At Lil's gaze, which seemed genuinely envious, a scene flashed through Luke's mind.

It was from the magic department's practical training grounds a few days ago.

Kugagagaga!

'Kyaaaaaaak! Our golem, into which we poured our entire first semester!'

'This is too weak. Shouldn't we make it sturdier?'

'You're the monster! You monster girl!'

'Who are you calling a monster girl! I distinctly have the epithet of Spirit Master of Gale!'

'Is that important right now!'

It was Lil's act of destroying the combat golem made by the third-year magic students with her bare hands.

'They said it was made of pure mithril, didn't they?'

Luke looked at Lil, breaking out in a cold sweat.

"Ah, so ordinary. I'm too ordinary."

The first-years looked at Lil, who considered herself ordinary, with strange eyes.

However, the other years seemed accustomed and unfazed.

'I thought I had gotten somewhat used to Rumern.'

Rumern still far surpassed the common sense of the first-years.

At that moment, Hark, who had been tilting his head back, lifted it.

Elena also closed the Grimoire.

Simultaneously, the door opened, and Leo entered.

Once Leo had taken his seat as student council president, Hark said in a voice filled with exhaustion,

"Alright, now that the president is here, shall we start the meeting?"

Originally, the meeting would have been led by the student council president.

However, since Hark, the vice president, was handling the actual work of the current student council, Leo merely watched him conduct the meeting.

Despite Hark's sleepy expression, frequent yawns, and obvious annoyance, he carried out his role admirably.

"Now, finally. The agenda concerning the entrance exam for next year's new students."

At his words, the first-years flinched.

"This year's exam supervisor is… Huh? What is it?"

Hark looked at Juen, who had his hand raised, and said,

"If you have something to say, go ahead."

"Yes! This is Juen Tobidna from the first-year magic department! If the exam method hasn't been decided yet, I strongly recommend last year's entrance exam format!"

"We all think that's a good idea!"

"We learned so much from our senpais during the entrance exam!"

The entire first-year student council unanimously agreed with Juen's statement.

"Unfortunately, the principle at Rumern is to change the entrance exam every year."

Turning the impossible into the possible is one of the important virtues of a hero.

Therefore, the entrance exam is the first trial for Rumern students.

If it's predictable, it's not a trial.

That's why Rumern's entrance exams change every year.

At Hark's words, sighs erupted among the first-years.

"We could have repaid the favor!"

"What a waste!"

Seeing their reactions, Hark said,

"The overall supervisor for this year's entrance exam is Professor Halind."

At those words, the entire student council atmosphere froze.

Halind, known as the "Wall of Weeping" of Rumern, although now in charge of the first-years, remained a figure of terror for Rumern students.

"Professor Halind requested that we select the necessary number of people by grade, so the meeting will be for the grade representatives to select the numbers themselves."

Hark said indifferently and began to rise from his seat.

"Well then, all agenda items are concluded, so we shall end the meeting here."

"Wait a moment."

At that, Leo spoke.

Hark scowled with all his might at his words.

"Why? Again? What?"

"I have an agenda item that I wish to propose as student council president."

"As student council president?"

Hark grinned.

"You want to use your presidential authority without even handling the actual work? Even if you're the president, don't you think that's overstepping your bounds?"

Hark openly showed his animosity towards Leo.

At that sight, not only the first-years but also the other, usually relaxed, years wore tense expressions.

The students swallowed nervously.

Since Leo's inauguration as student council president, there had been no overt friction between Leo and Hark.

Leo was the president, but he had delegated the real authority to Hark.

This student council was, in essence, Hark's student council.

Hark had exercised power as Rumern's leader for the past year.

And Leo had never once asserted his authority as president.

'So that's why there hasn't been a conflict until now?'

The fifth-years also looked nervously between Leo and Hark.

This could be considered the first friction between a president with no real power and a vice president with real power.

"Are you going to answer something?"

Hark smiled coldly.

Seeing him, the fifth-years nodded.

'No matter how great Leo Flob is, Hark probably can't tolerate this. Meddling in the student council that he… we have led for a year.'

The cold gazes of the fifth-years turned to Leo.

'Leo Flob, I know you're great. But your influence on the student council will begin next year…'

"Is it because you're the president that you can do anything?! Is it because you're a hero that you can do anything?! Is it because you're chosen by God that you can do anything! You ungrateful junior who just uses your seniors! Do you know how much I've suffered from sleep deprivation since becoming a fifth-year because of you!"

'This guy! He's just holding a grudge because he can't sleep!'

The fifth-years cursed Hark inwardly.

Dark circles under his eyes.

Bloodshot pupils.

His appearance clearly indicated "sleep deprivation."

It was at such a tense moment.

"Senpai Hark, you've always been asleep whenever I've met you. Were you sleep-deprived?"

"That's right, Luke. Hark senpai needs much more sleep than others. He's become quite irritable because he's been suffering from sleep deprivation this past year."

Hark's chilling gaze turned to Lil and Luke.

Luke looked a bit taken aback by the gaze, but Lil clenched her fist and said,

"Even if you've become irritable, I still respect Hark senpai! You've done an excellent job running the school as vice president!"

"Lil, you should correct that. Your personality wasn't that good to begin with," Elena chimed in with a laugh.

'Stop it, you guys!'

'The atmosphere is already grim enough!'

The students shrieked at Lil, who was fanning the flames without any malice, and Elena, who was pouring oil on the fire.

"President, what agenda were you going to propose?"

At that, a fifth-year student council member asked, trying to mediate.

"I intended to change the vice president starting today."

"What? That was the most important agenda item. You should have said so earlier. Let's restart the meeting."

Hark smiled brightly, as if nothing had happened.

Chen Xia, one of the student council secretaries, raised her hand.

"Hark senpai, it's time for lunch."

"Don't be ridiculous. No one leaves until this meeting is over."

"But even the president shouldn't arbitrarily decide on major issues like electing a vice president, should they? You haven't done anything for a year."

"Who said something like that? The president's word is absolute."

Hark said with burning eyes.

Looking at such Hark, Leo said,

"Then please recommend a candidate for vice president."

"I recommend Elena Zerone."

"I recommend Lil."

Hark and Elena said simultaneously.

Lil, who was suddenly recommended as vice president, opened her eyes wide.

Hark grinned and said,

"Why are you doing this? You're going to be a fifth-year next year, so you should be the vice president, shouldn't you?"

"Since it'll change next year anyway, wouldn't it be more stable for Lil to serve as vice president long-term?"

"Lil still has a lot to learn. And you'll surely be able to teach her a lot."

"Oh my? You flatter me."

"No, I'm serious! Your administrative skills are definitely superior to mine."

"How can I possibly be as good at work as Hark senpai?"

They smiled and praised each other, but their eyes were sharp and deadly.

'You too, suffer like this.'

'As if I would.'

In fact, this year's student council was one of the busiest in Rumern's history.

With a series of major incidents, the student council, which managed the entire Rumern, inevitably had an immense workload.

Elena, who had assisted the vice president, had days just as busy as the previous president, Rhys.

Naturally, Hark, who was responsible for the president's duties, had a headache-inducing amount of work.

And considering the current world situation, Rumern's student council next year would be even busier, not less.

Having operated Rumern's student council could be the best career after graduation.

In the first place, the Rumern student council president holds influence comparable to that of a king of a nation.

Naturally, one could gain great fame, and a smooth path opened up after graduation.

But beyond all that, it's a position coveted by any top student at Rumern, who is always aiming higher.

'The problem is that both are delinquents.'

It was when Leo clicked his tongue.

"If you entrust it to me, I will do it."

Lil said with a serious expression.

Looking at such Lil, Leo replied,

"Rejected."

"Why, brother?"

Seeing Lil with a sad face, Leo said,

"Lil senpai, you don't have administrative skills."

"No! I can do it well! Right? Everyone?"

Clenching her fists, Lil looked at her third-year classmates.

At her gaze, her classmates turned away.

"Let's just leave it to Elena senpai."

"Yeah, Lil, it doesn't seem like you."

"I don't know about combat, but not administration."

"The president definitely has a good eye for people."

At her classmates' words, Lil's shoulders slumped.

All eyes turned to Elena.

Receiving their gazes, Elena smiled faintly.

"Look down."

The second, third, and fourth-years flinched and turned their heads.

Although she had been relatively well-behaved since becoming a fourth-year, Elena Zerone was a student known as the Queen and Witch of Rumern.

Looking at such Elena, Leo said,

"Please take on the role of vice president, Elena senpai."

Elena twirled her hair and said,

"No. Have someone else do it."

"I think Elena senpai is the most suitable candidate."

"Why?"

"Because you have the ability."

At those words, Elena gazed at Leo.

"Do I have veto power?"

"No."

After gazing at Leo for a moment, Elena said,

"Alright, but there's a condition."

"A condition?"

"Yes."

Elena smiled beautifully and said,

"Go on a date with me once."

At those words, everyone in the student council was astonished.

"Eh, Elena senpai. A date with brother as a condition? Isn't that too strange?"

As Lil stammered in surprise, Elena opened her eyes wide.

"Huh? Is there a problem? It's just one date, isn't it?"

"B-but how should I put it? It looks a little inappropriate?"

"What kind of naughty thoughts did our cute Lil have to think a date looks inappropriate?"

"I wasn't thinking anything at all!"

Looking at Lil, who was shouting with a blushing face, Elena rested her chin on her hand and smiled faintly at Leo.

"So? What do you say? President?"

At Elena's words, Leo said leisurely,

"It's not a difficult request."

"Does that mean?"

"Let's do it, the date."