Book 1 Chapter 551
551.
Luke glanced to his right.
There sat the 5th-year students, who were considered the pinnacle among seniors, like a sky above them.
Right in the center of those 5th-year students, in what could be called the most prestigious seat, sat Hark, the Vice President of the Student Council, who was currently the de facto leader of Lumern.
‘To be precise, he’s almost half-lying down.’
He had leaned his chair back, supporting it only on its rear legs, and tilted his head back, with both his legs propped up on the desk.
Seeing his chest move evenly up and down, it was clear he was in a deep sleep.
‘He won’t fall over, will he?’
Luke's gaze, which had been anxiously watching Hark for a moment, now turned to his right.
There, the 4th-year students had taken their seats.
And in their midst, Elena was reading a book in an upright posture.
From Elena, often called Lumern's greatest beauty, the beautiful Queen of Lumern, a natural grace seemed to emanate.
Outwardly, anyone would see her as a model, diligent honor student.
The problem was that the book Elena was reading was a grimoire designated as a 'forbidden book' in Lumern.
‘Is it okay for both of them to be like this?’
This was the esteemed Student Council, a place where students representing the school gathered to hold meetings.
Yet, the two students who could be called the core of the Student Council were, to anyone who looked, excellent delinquent students.
For Luke, attending as a class representative, it was a sight he simply couldn't get used to.
“Luke.”
“Ah, yes! Senior Lil.”
“Your mana characteristic is mana amplification, right, Luke?”
“Yes.”
“I’m envious. I’m just too ordinary, you see. Whenever I see shining talents like yours, Luke, I truly envy you.”
“Oh, Senior, you’re much more amazing.”
“No. You are more amazing, Luke.”
At Lil’s gaze, looking at him as if genuinely envious, a scene flashed through Luke’s mind.
It was what had happened a few days ago at the Magic Department's practical training ground.
Ku-gwa-ga-ga-gang!
‘Aaaaah! Our golem, on which we poured our entire first semester!’
‘This is too weak. It seems like it needs to be made sturdier, doesn’t it?’
‘You’re the monster! You monster woman!’
‘Who are you calling a monster woman?! I have a distinct nickname: the Spirit User of Gust!’
‘Is that important right now?!’
It was Lil destroying the battle golem made by the 3rd-year Magic Department students with her bare hands.
‘They said that was definitely made of pure Mithril, right?’
Luke stared at Lil, sweating coldly.
“Ah, I’m so ordinary. I’m just too ordinary.”
The 1st-year students merely looked at Lil, who treated herself as ordinary, with strange eyes.
But the other years were calm, as if used to it.
‘I thought I had somewhat gotten used to Lumern.’
Lumern was still far surpassing the common sense of the 1st-year students.
Just then, Hark, who had been leaning his head back, raised it.
Elena also closed her grimoire.
At the same time, the door opened and Leo entered.
After confirming that Leo sat in the Student Council President’s seat, Hark spoke in a voice heavy with fatigue.
“Alright, the President is here, so shall we start the meeting?”
Originally, it was a meeting led by the Student Council President.
However, since Hark, the Vice President, was in charge of the practical affairs in the current Student Council, Leo merely watched the meeting he conducted in silence.
Hark, with a sleepy face, yawned continuously and clearly showed his annoyance, but he carried out his role splendidly.
“Alright, finally. This is about the entrance examination for new students next year.”
At those words, the 1st-year students twitched.
“This year, the exam supervisor is… Huh? What is it?”
Hark looked at Juen, who had raised her hand, and spoke.
“If you have something to say, say it.”
“Yes! I’m Juen Tobidna from the 1st-year Magic Department! If the exam method hasn’t been decided yet, I strongly recommend last year’s entrance exam method!”
“We all think that’s a good idea!”
“We learned so much from the seniors during the entrance exam!”
All of the 1st-year Student Council members unanimously agreed with Juen's words.
“Unfortunately, it’s a rule for Lumern’s entrance exam to change every year.”
Making the impossible possible is one of a hero’s important virtues.
Therefore, the entrance exam was also the very first trial for Lumern students.
If it could be predicted, it wasn’t a trial.
That’s why Lumern’s entrance exam changed every year.
At Hark's words, sighs erupted among the 1st-year students.
“We could have paid them back too!”
“What a waste!”
Seeing their reaction, Hark said.
“Professor Halind is in charge of this year’s entrance exam.”
At those words, the entire atmosphere of the Student Council froze.
Halind, known as Lumern's Wailing Wall, is currently in charge of the 1st-years but remains a figure of dread for Lumern students.
“Professor Halind asked us to select the necessary number of people per year, so the class representatives should select the people among themselves.”
Hark spoke indifferently and tried to get up from his seat.
“Alright, since all agenda items are finished, let’s conclude the meeting here.”
“Just a moment.”
Then Leo spoke.
At those words, Hark furrowed his brows with all his might.
“Why? Again? What?”
“There’s one agenda item I’d like to propose as Student Council President.”
“As Student Council President?”
Hark curled his lips into a sneer.
“You don’t handle practical matters, but you want to use your authority as Student Council President? No matter if you’re the Student Council President, don’t you think that’s overstepping your bounds?”
Hark openly displayed his antagonism towards Leo.
At this sight, not only the 1st-year students but also the usually relaxed students from other years showed tense expressions.
Students gulped dryly.
Since Leo took office as Student Council President, there had been no overt friction between Leo and Hark.
Leo was the Student Council President, but he had delegated real power to Hark.
This Student Council was practically Hark's Student Council.
It was also Hark who had exercised power as Lumern's leader for the past year.
And Leo had never once asserted his authority as Student Council President.
‘So there hasn’t been any conflict until now, right?’
The 5th-year students also looked between Leo and Hark with tense faces.
This could be called the first friction between a powerless Student Council President and a Vice President with real power.
“Aren’t you going to answer something?”
Hark smiled coldly.
Seeing his expression, the 5th-year students nodded.
‘No matter if it’s Leo Flob, Hark won’t tolerate it either. For him to meddle carelessly in the Student Council that he… that we have led for a year.’
The 5th-year students' chilling gazes turned to Leo.
‘Leo Flob, I know you’re amazing. But your exercising influence over the Student Council will be from next year…’
“Are you everything just because you’re the Student Council President?! Are you everything just because you’re a hero?! Are you everything just because you were chosen by God?! You ungrateful junior who only makes your seniors do all the work! Do you know how much I’ve suffered from sleep deprivation since becoming a 5th-year because of you?!”
‘This guy! He just holds a grudge because he can’t sleep enough!’
The 5th-year students cursed Hark inwardly.
Dark circles under his eyes.
Bloodshot eyes.
His appearance literally clearly showed 'sleep deprivation'.
Just as the tension was palpable.
“Senior Hark, every time I've met you, you’ve been sleeping. Were you suffering from sleep deprivation?”
“That’s right, Luke. Senior Hark needs much more sleep than others. Perhaps because he’s suffered from sleep deprivation for the past year, he’s become very prickly.”
Hark’s murderous gaze turned to Lil and Luke.
At that gaze, Luke showed a flinching expression, but Lil clenched her fists and said.
“Even if he’s become prickly, I still respect Senior Hark! You managed the school operation splendidly as Vice President!”
“Lil, you need to correct that. His original personality wasn’t that good either.”
Elena chimed in, laughing from beside them.
‘Stop it, you two!’
‘The atmosphere is already tense enough!’
Students screamed inwardly, watching Lil, who was fanning the flames without any ill intent, and Elena, who was openly pouring oil on the fire.
“President, what agenda item were you planning to bring up?”
Then, a 5th-year Student Council member asked, trying to mediate.
“I was planning 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 flashed a bright smile, as if nothing had happened.
Chen Xia, one of the Student Council secretaries, raised her hand.
“Senior Hark, we should eat lunch now, shouldn’t we?”
“Don’t be ridiculous, no one leaves until this meeting is over.”
“But shouldn’t the Student Council President, even if it’s him, refrain from making a big decision like electing a Vice President on his own? He hasn’t done anything for a year.”
“Who said such a thing? The President’s word is absolute.”
Hark said with eyes that seemed to blaze.
Looking at Hark, Leo said.
“Then please recommend a candidate for Vice President.”
“I recommend Elena Zeron.”
“I recommend Lil.”
Hark and Elena spoke simultaneously.
Lil, suddenly recommended for Vice President, widened her eyes.
Hark curled his lips into a smile and said.
“Why are you acting like this? You, who will be a 5th-year, should take on the role of Vice President, shouldn’t you?”
“Since it’s going to change next year anyway, wouldn’t it be more stable for Lil to take on the Vice President position long-term?”
“Lil still has a lot to learn. And you can definitely teach Lil a lot.”
“Oh? You flatter me.”
“No, it’s true! Your administrative ability is definitely superior to mine.”
“How could I possibly work as well as Senior Hark?”
They laughed and complimented each other, but their eyes were incredibly sharp.
‘You try it too.’
‘As if I would.’
In fact, this year's Student Council was one of the busiest in Lumern’s history.
As major incidents erupted one after another, the Student Council, which managed all of Lumern, inevitably became incredibly busy due to the aftermath.
Elena, who assisted the Vice President, had been as busy as Lys, the previous Student Council President.
Naturally, Hark, who was responsible for the practical affairs of the Student Council, suffered to the point where his head felt like it would explode.
And looking at the current world situation, next year’s Lumern Student Council would only be busier than this year, never less.
A career running Lumern's Student Council could be the best career after graduation.
From the outset, Lumern's Student Council President wields influence comparable to a king of a nation.
Not only can one gain great renown, but a smooth path opens up after graduation.
But beyond all that, it is a coveted position for any Lumern honor student who always aims for the top.
‘The problem is that both of them are delinquent students.’
Just as Leo clicked his tongue.
“If you entrust it to me, I will try.”
Lil said with a serious face.
Looking at Lil, Leo replied.
“Rejected.”
“Why, brother?”
Looking at the crestfallen Lil, Leo said.
“Senior Lil, you don’t have administrative ability.”
“No, I do! I can do well! Right, everyone?”
Lil clenched her fists and looked at her 3rd-year classmates.
At her gaze, her classmates turned their eyes away.
“Let’s just leave it to Senior Elena.”
“Yeah, Lil. I don’t think you’re right for it.”
“I don’t know about combat-related things, but not administration.”
“The President certainly has a good eye for people.”
At her classmates’ words, Lil's shoulders slumped.
Everyone’s gaze turned to Elena.
Receiving those gazes, Elena smiled faintly.
“Look away.”
The 2nd, 3rd, and 4th-year students flinched and turned their heads.
Although she had lived relatively quietly after becoming a 4th-year, Elena Zeron was a student called Lumern's Queen and Witch.
Looking at such an Elena, Leo said.
“Senior Elena, please take on the Vice President role.”
Elena twirled a strand of her hair and said.
“No. Make someone else do it.”
“I think Senior Elena is the most suitable person.”
“Why?”
“Because you have the ability.”
At those words, Elena stared at Leo intently.
“A veto power?”
“There isn’t one.”
After looking at Leo for a moment, Elena said.
“Alright, but there’s a condition.”
“A condition?”
“Yes.”
Elena said with a beautiful smile.
“Go on one date with me.”
At those words, everyone in the Student Council was surprised.
“E-Senior Elena. A date with brother as a condition? Isn’t that too strange?”
As Lil was flustered, Elena widened her eyes.
“Huh? Is there a problem? It’s just one date, isn’t it?”
“W-well, how should I put it? It seems a little… inappropriate?”
“What kind of sly thoughts did our cute Lil have for her to say a date seems inappropriate?”
“I-I wasn’t thinking anything!”
Looking at Lil, who was shouting with a reddened face, Elena rested her chin on her hand and smiled faintly at Leo.
“So? What will you do, President?”
At Elena’s words, Leo said leisurely.
“That’s not a difficult request.”
“You mean?”
“Let’s do it, the date.”