Book 1 Chapter 558

558.

The Erech training grounds, where Lumern's official events are held.

All the students of Lumern gathered there.

Today was the day for the retirement ceremony of the vice student council president and the inauguration ceremony.

"Do they always hold such a grand inauguration ceremony for the vice student council president?"

Juen, standing at the very front of the first-year magic department students, made a puzzled expression.

"They usually hold it together with the student council president's inauguration ceremony,"

Shasha, standing at the front of the summoning department in the row next to Juen, replied, snapping open a fan.

"Actually, last year, Senior Leo nominated Senior Hark then."

"Ah…"

At that time, the first-years had not yet enrolled and therefore did not witness Leo's inauguration ceremony directly.

However, the inauguration ceremony itself was passed down like a legend through the senior students of each department.

"If you're unhappy about being the student council president, challenge the senior students. Ah, they're so cool."

Shasha let out a squeal.

"It is amazing… Hark rejected the vice student council president position, and Leo told him to 'do as you're told.' I can't even imagine."

Juen shook his head and Haviden, standing in the knight department line, spoke up.

"Did you hear? Senior Leo reorganized the second-year student council?"

"I heard. They're planning to announce the list today."

"Who do you think it will be?"

The first-years were very curious about the newly reorganized second-year student council.

-Vice Student Council President, Hark Ligard, will now enter.

At that moment, a student council executive, acting as the MC, announced Hark's entrance from the podium on the Erech training grounds.

As the student council events were for the students, the professors observed the inauguration ceremony led by the student council from below the podium.

Hark, standing on the podium, looked over all the students and said,

- For the past year, I have led Lumern as its vice student council president. Thanks to your efforts, I was able to have a fulfilling and rewarding time. I am deeply grateful to you all for following me, who was lacking. However, as there is a beginning, there is also an end. For me, who is about to graduate, to continue as the vice student council president and handle affairs…

Hark began his retirement speech with a solemn and serious demeanor.

However, despite his voice, the corners of his mouth were twitching endlessly.

'His mouth must be stretching to his ears.'

'I've never seen Senior Hark look so happy before.'

'Is he that happy?'

The students of Lumern, trying their best to suppress their laughter, stared blankly at Hark as he continued his speech.

- My successor as vice student council president is Elena Zerron. I hope you will all follow her well.

With those words, Hark was about to descend from the podium.

The student council executive asked him,

- Do you have any last words for the students?

Hark paused at the question, pondered for a moment, and then said,

- Just mess around. Pfft… Pffkkhhuk!

It seemed he was so happy to be freed from the position of vice student council president that Hark finally burst into laughter.

- Hark Ligard, descend from the podium immediately, bow your head, and prostrate yourself.

With a chilling voice that seemed to blow away even the midsummer heat, Hark's face instantly stiffened.

"Wh-why! Senior Leo told me to 'do as I'm told' last year too!"

"Hoo… Have you lost all fear now that you're graduating?"

Halind looked up at the podium with a cold smile.

"There's a clear difference between ordering as student council president and mocking the students."

At those words, Hark, with a pale face, descended from the podium and prostrated himself on the training grounds.

Whether he was the strongest fifth-year of the knight department or a graduating student, he was just a lamb before Halind.

As everyone watched Hark, breaking out in a cold sweat, Elena calmly ascended the podium.

Elena, pulling up the hem of her school uniform skirt, bent her knees slightly and smiled gently.

- I am Elena Zerron, who will be taking on the role of vice student council president, though I am lacking. I ask for your kind cooperation for the next year, fellow students.

The first-year male students unconsciously blushed at Elena's elegant greeting.

The female students also looked at Elena, who displayed the image of a perfect honor student, with admiration.

Since entering Lumern, the first-years had rarely encountered Elena.

They were busy with their missions, and Elena herself did not feel the need to show herself to the first-years.

Crucially, the biggest reason was that Elena stopped her wild behavior after Leo became student council president.

For the first-years who only knew Elena by reputation, her current appearance was their first impression of her.

Therefore, they were impressed by her appearance, known as the Queen of Lumern.

Of course, the other grades were not like that at all.

'Why is she acting like that? Did she eat something wrong?'

'Why is she acting like that? I'm uneasy.'

'My stomach feels bad.'

The third and second-year students, as well as their classmates in the fourth year, watched Elena with trembling eyes.

"I heard Senior Elena is a very scary person. She's not at all?"

"She seems like a nice person."

"Ughhh."

The first-years looked up at Elena and gasped.

Elena was born with a magical charm that naturally drew people's attention.

The power to captivate people just by using magic.

While it could be a curse if mishandled, Elena's genius allowed her to control that power perfectly.

Originally, she used that power for her wild behavior, but now it served as absolute charisma.

Elena smiled at the first-years and waved her hand elegantly.

- First-years are indeed cute. So fresh~

"Senior Elena!"

"You're amazing!"

"Kyaak!"

A fervent reaction erupted among the first-years.

'Don't be fooled! She's a witch!'

The other grades looked at the first-years with pity.

- First, I have received the student council management from the student council president, so I have newly selected new executives to lead the next student council. Today, we will introduce the new student council members to you, fellow students. First, we will start with the fourth-year students in the student council.

The professors also looked surprised as they watched Elena diligently introduce the next student council members as vice student council president.

They already knew Elena would become vice student council president, but they never expected her to perform the duties of the vice student council president so exemplarily.

From the fourth-year student council to the third-year.

And then it was the second-year's turn.

"Wow, are all the department top students in the second year in the student council?"

"The members are so luxurious."

Not all honor students are interested in student council work.

Therefore, it was highly unusual for all the department top students to join the student council in the second year.

"I don't know about the others, but Eliza Hergin is definitely an unexpected one."

"That delinquent student?"

Questions and doubtful gazes were cast from not only the seniors but also the teachers.

Eliza's shoulders trembled.

"This is why your usual conduct is important."

"Chen Xia! Are you making fun of me now?!"

If it were any other student, Eliza would have reacted more fiercely, but she was particularly weak against Chen Xia.

Even so, Elena continued to call out the second-year student council members.

- Lastly, Vice President, Cal Thomas.

At Elena's words, the entire student body began to murmur.

"Vice President?"

"Cal?"

The undisputed last place in the second-year magic department.

No, the undisputed last place in the entire second year.

He was famous for always achieving good grades at the brink of expulsion and miraculously surviving, but that was it.

Everyone was surprised that Cal would be taking on the role of Vice President.

"Senior Cal!"

Juen clasped his hands together and jumped up and down.

"Is it because he's best friends with the president?"

"A parachute? No way."

However, as the first-years continued to whisper, Elena's face contorted.

"Hey! You guys! Are you looking down on Senior Cal right now…"

"Do you think Senior Leo would appoint someone to act as his proxy just because they're close?"

Haviden said coldly.

"Isn't it his skill that he survived in the first place?"

"Are they going to stand by and watch the second-year seniors take high positions based on friendship?"

"I got thoroughly defeated when I underestimated him during the entrance exam."

"Professor Halind also said he was a senior with a lot to learn."

"Come to think of it, I can't guarantee I'll still be at Lumern next year. Thinking about it that way, it's amazing, isn't it?"

The first-years showed signs of understanding.

Meanwhile, Cal ascended the podium and let out a deep sigh.

"I really don't know if I should be here."

"What? Fix that subservient attitude. You're Senior Leo's proxy now."

Chelsea said with a frown.

"Cal, you tend to underestimate yourself."

At that moment, Elena, who had turned off the magic megaphone, smiled.

"I don't entrust important positions to incompetent people. Have more confidence, Cal."

"Thank you."

"Yes. So, please take care of me from now on, slave."

"Did you just say slave?!"

"No. You misheard."

"I heard you clearly! You definitely said slave!"

"It's a misunderstanding."

Elena clapped her hands, laughing.

Finally, the first-year student council members were also introduced.

- For the next year, I will dedicate myself to the student council and lead Lumern well. This concludes my remarks as Vice Student Council President Elena Zerron.

'Did she just say she would "dedicate herself" to the student council?'

'It means she's going to work us to death.'

The student council members chuckled sadly.

After the inauguration ceremony ended, Juen approached Cal.

"Senior Cal! Congratulations on becoming Vice President!"

"I don't know if it's something to congratulate."

Cal chuckled sadly.

Just as the students were about to disperse.

- Oh, by the way.

Elena, who was about to descend from the podium, returned to the stage.

- I forgot to mention an important delivery.

Elena tapped her head with her fist.

- There is a message from the Student Council President.

All eyes turned to Leo, who had remained silent throughout the inauguration ceremony.

- It's about the Ruse Battle. You all know that this Ruse Battle will be held at Lumern, right?

Everyone nodded.

The Ruse Battle was an annual event.

As such, preparations had been underway since the beginning of the semester.

- The Student Council President wants to hold this Ruse Battle a little differently this year.

"Differently? How?"

- Not just Lumern and Seirun, but also Azonia and Demian. A school-versus-school competition where all the Hero Academies compete.

At those words, all the students' faces turned grim.

The professors also gaped.

Hark, who had been dragged away by Halind and was bowing his head, involuntarily jumped up.

"I've never heard of this before!"

"Since you told me not to mention anything about school operations anymore, Senior Hark, I discussed it with Senior Elena."

Leo replied with a smile.

"Hey! Even so, you should have told me something like this much earlier!"

Hark shouted indignantly.

Suddenly planning a competition where all the Hero Academies would gather?

It was an unbelievable story.

Everyone looked at Elena.

- It will be very difficult. We have to contact other Hero Academies and set up plans from scratch.

At Elena's words, everyone breathed a sigh of relief.

Since Leo became student council president, the operation of the school was under the authority of the vice student council president.

Even if the president made such a suggestion, it was over if the vice president rejected it.

- However, Lumern's motto is 'Surpass your limits!' If it's impossible, we have to make it possible, right?

But at Elena's following words, the faces of all the students turned pale.

- If everyone works like dogs, we will be able to finish the preparations for the Ruse Battle schedule. So, please consider this Ruse Battle as a four-school competition.

With those words, Elena descended from the podium.

Screams erupted from various places in response to the unilateral announcement.

At that moment, Leo ascended the podium.

- From today, Senior Hark will be the Acting Vice Student Council President. You need to coordinate schedules with other schools, so please come to the student council immediately.

At those words, Hark collapsed onto the ground and muttered with a vacant expression.

"Is this why you made Elena the vice student council president…?"