How to Survive as the Academy Student Council President

I finished the Spirit Studies exam, and after that, I took several more liberal arts exams.
Since I relied on the system encyclopedia, the liberal arts exams weren’t particularly difficult.
Using the encyclopedia is practically the same as having an open book. For subjects based purely on memorization, you can achieve an accuracy rate close to one hundred percent.
If you open the answer sheet and even use the search function, and still fail to get the answer right, then that’s a problem in itself.
If there was any difficulty at all, it was the listening section in Understanding Classical Music, where you had to listen to music and choose the right answer.
Of course, I had studied in advance for that as well, so it wasn’t a big issue.
‘Classical music only becomes boring when it’s theory; the music itself is pleasant to hear.’
There’s a reason classical music is called classical. When I listen to the beautiful melodies produced by the instruments of this world, I naturally think, Ah, so this was that song.
I should repair the phonograph in the Student Council Office soon so that we can set a good atmosphere by playing music.
At any rate, since I cleared most of the liberal arts subjects, the only important exam left was Introduction to Intermediate Magic.
A week-long midterm exam period was finally nearing its end.
“Whew.”
‘My mind feels a little lighter.’
I thought I wasn’t particularly worried about the exams, but perhaps the pressure of needing to get an A grade had been secretly making me tense.
I let out a small sigh and checked my wristwatch.
‘It’s about time for the appointment.’
I had someone to meet today, so I headed toward Eredor Territory before it became too late.
***
The sky, draped in sunset.
A small botanical garden located near Eredor’s Hall of Truth.
As I entered the greenhouse—shaped like a translucent dome—I felt the characteristic earthy fragrance and refreshing air.
In the botanical garden, there was nothing you couldn’t find: aquatic plants growing near an artificial stream, enormous flowers the size of a person, and even insectivorous plants shaped like pouches.
This botanical garden handled rare medicinal herbs and vegetation that either couldn’t survive naturally in Voltimir Territory or required special care.
Walking along the well-maintained trail, I soon found a building resembling a log cabin. It was the Pharmacology Club’s clubroom.
I stood before the door and knocked cautiously.
Knock knock-.
After a brief wait, a male student wearing glasses opened the door and greeted me.
“Ah, you’re here, Lord Loen.”
A boy about my height, wearing a white lab coat, with a gentle impression.
Region Pastel.
I lifted a hand to acknowledge the greeting.
“It’s been a while.”
“Yes, please don’t stand there—come in. I prepared tea.”
Following Pastel inside, I looked around.
Unlike most buildings in Eredor, the Pharmacology Club’s interior was nature-friendly.
Tree trunks and vines wrapped around the log walls.
But on the opposite side, various magical tools for experiments and advanced mechanical equipment also stood, giving the space a faintly strange feeling—nature and magic melted together in an oddly harmonious way.
After looking around the room, I sat comfortably on the sofa and enjoyed the tea Pastel had prepared.
A tea of deep dark-brown color.
Upon tasting it, it wasn’t ordinary black tea or coffee; it was a medicinal tea similar to traditional herbal tea.
Sweet yet bitter—pleasant enough, and it felt as though it nourished the body.
My body felt warmly heated, making me think it would be perfect to drink in winter.
Setting the teacup down, I asked,
“It tastes good. What is it called?”
“It’s a medicinal tea made with Flame Herb fruit shell, palm rind, adlay, and so on. It doesn’t have a particular name. I prepared it thinking it might be helpful for your constitution, Lord Loen.”

“Indeed.”
I slowly nodded.
If it was a medicinal tea made from ingredients with yang properties, such as Flame Herb, it would help neutralize the cold energy of the Nine Yin Severed Meridians.
It might even synergize with the mana orb inside my body.
However, since I’m not a pure human but half-human, half-demon, I need to be cautious about what long-term effects this medicinal tea might have.
“Pastel, if you don’t mind, can you tell me the ingredients and mixing ratios used in this tea?”
Pastel nodded readily.
“Of course. I made the tea for you anyway, Lord Loen. Since you’re an alchemist, it shouldn’t be difficult to reproduce. I’ll give you the formula when you leave.”
“Good.”
Once I receive the mixture ratio, I can process it into a blend more suitable for me—without side effects and with better efficacy.
After expressing thanks, I took out the bag I brought and placed it on the table.
Thud-.
“This is a token of thanks for the previous matter. The ten wild ginseng roots you wanted—aged over one hundred years. Check them.”
Ten roots of wild mountain ginseng acquired through the underworld.
All of them were at least one hundred years old; according to appraisal, one of them was said to be over five hundred years old.
Pastel accepted the bag I handed him and expressed gratitude.
“There’s no need to check. I’m sure you prepared them properly. Thank you very much, Lord Loen.”
“No need for thanks. If anything, I’m the one who should be grateful.”
I waved a hand at Pastel as he bowed politely.
He was the pharmacologist who helped develop the new medicine used to treat Joshua—Josefin’s younger sister's rare illness.
He could be considered the hidden hero who helped us win the territory war against Jerome.
I’d been far too busy to spare time before, but since I needed to deliver the wild ginseng he had requested, I decided to visit today.
‘But that’s not all.’
I silently observed Pastel as he took the bag with a bright expression.
He was one of the indispensable talents I absolutely needed to recruit—an individual with outstanding perception and skill in pharmacology.
Later known as the “King of Medicine”, he would even contribute to the development of the legendary potion—Elixir. Along with Trishi, he was someone who would advance my alchemy to an even higher level.
‘If Trishi specializes in fusion, transformation, and creation of matter, then Pastel is specialized in revealing how existing substances interact and function when applied to the human body.’
A talent perfectly suited for mastering pharmacology.
Just by hearing the symptoms of Joshua’s illness—an illness said to be incurable—he managed to develop a treatment.
Even though I helped him, it’s still a ridiculous level of genius.
Of course, some might ask, What’s the need for a pharmacist in a world where divine magic can even reattach severed limbs?
‘……But divine magic in this world has clear limits.’
When pushed to its extreme, divine magic can—without exaggeration—reach the point of reviving the dead. But it cannot cure innate constitutions or congenital illnesses.
Of course, someone like Elena, or a priest of similar caliber, could treat such illnesses by removing the cause itself.
But that method physically removes the faulty part of the body and regenerates it anew—purely dependent on the priest’s personal ability.
That is vastly different from a pharmacist who develops appropriate medicines tailored to the patient’s symptoms and constitution, distributes them, and thereby cures countless civilians’ illnesses.
In that sense, Pastel’s existence is akin to that of a savior who can preserve countless lives.
Moreover—
‘Pastel is one of the few who can face Plügel of Black Death—one of the Twelve Venerables.’
To face a being who wields the Authority of Pestilence, nurturing Pastel is absolutely essential.
For me, there is no reason not to recruit him.
“How about it—have you thought over my proposal?”
“Yes, the conditions were excellent.”
The proposal I gave Pastel was the same one I had offered Trishi’s Alchemy Club.
Monthly support totaling tens of millions of krone, along with obtaining all the materials he’d need for research—on the condition that he prioritize my requests above all else.
Of course, unlike with Trishi, I wouldn’t be directly helping him grow a profitable business or anything like that.
‘That was also my way of apologizing for ruining the Alchemy Club.’
Since I didn’t owe Pastel anything, this level of offer was sufficient.
Pastel cautiously opened his mouth.
“I appreciate the offer, but I’m concerned I may cause trouble for you, Lord Loen. I’m sure you’ve heard the rumors about me?”
“I’ve heard them, of course.”
I glanced around the empty Pharmacology Club room and shrugged.
Even the failing Alchemy Club had at least five members, °• N 𝑜 v 𝑒 l i g h t •° but despite Pastel having a fine clubroom and even a botanical garden attached, the Pharmacology Club had no members.
And understandably so.
‘Because there are rumors that Pastel performs human experimentation.’
I frowned slightly while looking at Pastel’s gentle face.
And those rumors weren’t entirely baseless—he had, in fact, tested medicines he created on other students or test subjects several times.
He didn’t kidnap anyone or do it illegally; all experiments were conducted with full consent, and no one died or suffered major harm.
However—
‘……“Human experimentation” is such a provocative term it overshadows all those facts. And it’s something that’s generally taboo.’
I too have a lingering rumor about performing human experiments with alchemy—so I know the feeling well.
To understand how certain compounds affect the human body and what effects they produce, experimentation is unavoidable.
In any case—
If rumors spread that Pastel receives my support, it would worsen both our reputations.
People would talk—Of course those two associate. I knew it. They must be sharing test subjects, and so on.
I organized my thoughts and spoke.
“You don’t need to worry about that. I visited this late deliberately to keep information contained. If no one knows, the rumors won’t spread.”
“A private sponsorship, then.”
“Yes. Wouldn’t that be better for both of us? At least… until they eventually understand your true intentions.”
“……”
Pastel closed his eyes at my words.
After emptying his teacup, he nodded with a smile.
“Very well, Lord Loen. I accept your proposal.”
***
After meeting with Pastel, I returned to the Student Council President’s Office late at night.
Since I told Ciel in advance that I wouldn’t be eating dinner outside, she prepared a boxed meal for me.
Fluffy rice packed in a lacquered lunchbox, along with delicious side dishes to go with it.
A soup similar to kimchi stew, Vienna sausages seasoned with something like ketchup-based sauce, and savory rolled omelets.
These side dishes originally didn’t exist in this world, but when I requested that she make them this way, Ciel procured suitable ingredients and cooked them to resemble my description.
Because of her exceptional skill, even though the ingredients weren’t exactly the same, the taste was almost identical.
“It’s delicious.”
Good enough to run a lunchbox business with.
It had been a long time since I’d tasted dishes reminiscent of my hometown; it felt nostalgic.
After finishing dinner and enjoying some tea time, Ciel spoke to me.
“Come to think of it, quite a lot of letters arrived addressed to you, Lord Loen.”
“That happens every day.”
That was what accumulated in the mailbox outside the Student Council Office.
Though recently, the number of letters containing crude insults or calls for my resignation had decreased significantly.
Instead, there were many letters from small academies seeking help, like during the Izelin Academy incident, or inquiries about tram construction.
So the mailbox outside the Student Council Office was filled to the brim every day.
If Ciel was bringing this up specifically, these letters must be different from the usual ones.
“I believe you should read them personally, Lord Loen.”
Ciel opened the box and poured the letters onto the desk.
Rustle-.
All were blue envelopes of the same size. I picked one up and examined it.
Those blue envelopes had identical words inscribed on them:
[Challenge Letter]
At last, the curtain on the Competition Battle had risen.