NOVEL NEXT Chapter 824
<824 – Student Council's Power (7)>
Arcadia was furious after hearing Oknodie’s grumbling.
“I once received something like that as a gift.”
“Di. Should I scold her?”
“No. If I scold her for already eating or trying it all, it would disappoint the people who went through the trouble of preparing the gifts. Let’s just pretend I received their goodwill!”
Oknodie, who wasn’t feeling down from being bullied but rather because the collection of darkness was already complete, sulked.
Instead of getting mad for Oknodie, Arcadia awkwardly switched the topic.
“Is the Limit Break Operation preparation going well?”
“We’re in the final stages. The most difficult equipment is being quickly prepared thanks to the help from the senior producers and a massive budget!”
“That’s great. If we can free ourselves from the pressure of the fourth years, the Homunculus Human Rights Advancement movement can proceed smoothly.”
“Right?”
“The atmosphere on campus isn’t good. There are rising complaints from the lowerclassmen that it’s not just the Homunculus who have rights, and they want the student council to take care of the rights of non-Homunculus students too.”
“Wow. Where did you hear such talk, sis?”
“I’m hosting a tea party with the female students from the Organization that Plays with Oknodie and other various organizations, gathering to function as a council.”
As the right hand of Seoguyeon, Countess Arcadia created another position for managing many students.
“People aren’t ignoring you, right? Then I’ll scold them!”
“Hehe. I appreciate the thought, but I’m not such an incapable woman. I’ve already discussed with Jezel and confirmed a position in the student council. My tea party’s affiliation is likely to occupy one of the student council’s subordinate organizations, so attendance and loyalty are pretty high!”
“That’s a relief!”
Unlike other students, Arcadia had many concerns aside from the Limit Break Operation.
“By the way… are you okay, Oknodie? I’d expect attacks for the initiative of accepting the remnants of the foundation.”
“I’m a bit upset because the new butlers and maids keep getting hurt outside…”
The foundation’s members, who had been widely active as symbols of fear, were facing intense scrutiny due to the strong declarations from countries worldwide that they would no longer be manipulated by shadow governments like the foundation.
The butlers and maids who made it to the Gift Academy might have saved their lives, but many branches or factions of the foundation were already perishing outside the academy.
Even the uncle of Seoguyeon’s Creamfield Rozepasta didn’t rebel against the main faction for no reason.
Thud.
Once their identities were discovered, they risked being cut off at any moment, hence had to strike first.
“The awareness and treatment of those involved in the normalization of Seoguyeon has slightly improved due to public support, but outside of the western region, it’s still pretty bad!”
Arcadia suddenly thought that Oknodie had matured considerably.
Surpassing the strange and pitiful child who was fixated on a bizarre growth method, Oknodie now had someone she felt responsible for and was working hard to take responsibility.
What else could be considered being an adult?
In a way, it wasn’t much different from children who learn responsibility by raising pets and mature through support and nurturing.
The fact that the subjects of nurturing weren’t pets but rather butlers and maids weighed on Arcadia a bit, no, a lot.
What kind of insane parent would raise a pet that’s a killing machine or gift a butler skilled in close combat techniques and assassination to wield against interdimensional invaders?
‘The director is a crazy person, so crazy parents fit too, leaving behind a legacy of death as a present.’
Thinking this only heightened her worries.
“Does discontent reach Di as well?”
“The Saintess Alliance sponsors indirectly convey dissatisfaction to Saintess Nepher-tem! They say if they keep showing favoritism towards the foundation, they’ll reduce their funding.”
“Oh dear.”
“The Divine Alliance is also shaking the foundation, requesting to open the Hero’s Tower and related facilities owned by the foundation. The administrators came to me about it.”
“Huh?”
“The director of the Spirit Realm nuclear weapons research facility also came to me, insisting that disaster-grade weapon developers and related facilities should be handed over to the international union formed by various nations for international safety! They’re downright nasty!”
“I see…”
Isn’t it getting to a scale where lightly chiming in becomes burdensome?!
“Isn’t it hard for you? Like feeling burdened, wanting to escape from all this?”
“Did you feel that way, sis?”
“A bit? When my body was weary and my heart felt empty. Thinking nobody recognized my struggles, feeling resentful toward the whole world.”
Though she found Oknodie’s maturation and growing closer to adulthood commendable, part of her wished it hadn’t been that way.
After all, it was an agonizing path.
She hoped Oknodie wouldn’t go through the pain and suffering she endured.
Let a child remain a child.
It would be nice if she grew up unwrinkled, unaware of the pain this adult feels.
Swish
When Arcadia came to her senses, Oknodie was adorably rubbing her head awkwardly in an effort to comfort her, using her own foot to do so.
“Di, what are you doing?”
“I was trying to comfort big sis Arcadia for working hard!”
“Hehe. Di, you’re something else.”
Arcadia smiled brightly as she slipped her hand under Oknodie’s armpit.
She lifted Oknodie onto her lap.
As Oknodie blinked innocently, “What’s going on?” Arcadia’s hand landed on her cheek.
Whether it was instinct or intuition.
Feeling a squirm from Oknodie, she tried to wriggle away, but Arcadia’s hand had long since stretched her cheek.
“How many times have I told you not to mess around with a woman’s hair like it’s combat gear?”
“I’m sorry!!”
Tears welled up in her eyes as she whined, which was both pitiful and gratifying.
Indeed, Oknodie fit this level perfectly.
Arcadia felt relieved.
“Di. If you ever need help regarding the remnants of the foundation, feel free to come to me anytime. Though I don’t particularly like those messing with the Sebiche family, there are also good people like you. I don’t think everyone in the foundation needs to be unhappy.”
“Let go of my cheeks….”
The cheek-stretching session continued for another minute.
*
“I, Countess Arcadia Sebiche, have officially taken office as the director of the newly established Student Council Emergency Rescue Department today. I sincerely thank all the members of the tea party for their support and encouragement.”
As promised, Arcadia received shared power in the student council from Jezel.
This was a result of understanding between Jezel, who needed someone she could trust, and Arcadia, who was proving her capabilities in practice and forming a new faction.
“Wow! Congratulations, Arcadia!”
“Isn’t this essentially the first selection of a student council executive after Director Velvet’s re-election as the director of the Executive Headquarters?”
“Truly amazing!”
Receiving applause and praise from the noble ladies, Arcadia’s nose also lifted slightly.
“Hehe. I want to share this joy with you all. If sadness is shared, then there are two sad people, but if joy is shared, then there are two joyful people, right?”
The applause and praise from the ladies became even more fervent.
Their vacant spots, a passionate signal asking for a share of the joy.
“The members will be elected here by the five representatives who hold independent selection rights. The first member will be given to the poor Titosso, who can’t attend due to busy supplementary lectures.”
The ladies accepted it with bittersweet smiles.
“Titosso stayed by Arcadia’s side even when she was in greatest distress.”
“Her loyalty cannot be denied.”
“Likewise, I’ll give membership to Prill and Kanilian Truffle, who stood by Titosso during hard times.”
The first three spots were universally accepted results.
The competition had effectively turned to the remaining two spots.
“The fourth goes to Camela, who has improved herself greatly, contributing to the romantic endeavors of the ladies and bringing much joy to the tea party members.”
Once counted among the targets of Oknodie’s purge as a chapter boss, the villainous Camela reformed her harsh attitude through a life-and-death struggle with Instructor Russo.
Her changed demeanor and continuous effort made her a part of Arcadia’s inner circle, which the noble ladies couldn’t help but recognize.
Anticipation for the last spot grew.
“The final spot will be awarded to a member who diligently attended our tea parties and demonstrated their reliability.”
While loyalty and individual strength may fall behind, sincerity alone could earn new nomination opportunities!
With many noble ladies not hiding their hope for the opportunity, the recipient of that glory was announced.
“It goes to our hidden member, Maid April, who undertook the setup and cleaning of the tea time location!”
“Ugh, a hidden member with both diligence and virtue…! Morally impeccable…! It’s frustrating but impossible to compete…”
“It’s disappointing, but we have no choice but to accept it…”
The noble ladies had to strive to conceal their gloom as they awaited the next opportunity.
Yet, a bit of resentment was unavoidable since they were human.
“So what does the Emergency Rescue Department do exactly?”
The student council is awarded a title of ‘Department’ to handle significant matters concerning the administration.
The existing Executive Headquarters and the Student Monitoring Department were representative examples.
The Emergency Rescue Department was a new administrative body that did not previously exist in the student council.
It felt like a lightly challenging question, akin to wanting to find out how delicious the rice cake I couldn’t eat was, but frankly, she was curious too.
Is it an administrative department that rescues poor lowerclassmen from the threats tied to joining upperclassmen’s clubs?
“The Emergency Rescue Department is an organization that supports Academy students or organizations from undue external pressure. External support will be the main focus.”
“Can we really take on such a role? Our external support is quite limited…”
“And there are many big players at the Academy, so our influence might be a bit lacking…”
Prill and Kanilian Truffle spoke weakly.
Being members of the Free National City Alliance, they certainly felt inferior compared to the significant royal nobles, imperial nobles, and large organizations.
“It’s okay. Those we assist will soon become our allies.”
“What a method!”
“They could become new supportive forces for the future! So which factions should we help now? I want to get started on something right away!”
To the eager members wanting to gain a new backing, Arcadia, looking like a friendly multi-level marketing scammer, smiled benevolently.
“It’s the butlers and maids.”
“Excuse me?”
“Seriously?”
Arcadia drove the nail into the dazed noble ladies.
“To be exact, we can call them the remnants of the foundation.”
The Emergency Rescue Department became an administrative body aiming to stop the undue persecution and attacks targeting the remnants of the foundation, fueled by Arcadia’s strong will that adored Oknodie.