NOVEL NEXT Chapter 35.1
Stage 2-4. Budding Curiosity
Royal Rishberg Magic Academy Student Council.
Our academy only elects the student council president, who then scouts for the other officers.
Just the fact that you were part of the student council at Rishberg Magic Academy adds considerable prestige.
That’s why every year, there’s an endless stream of candidates, and this method has become the standard.
Last year, despite being a first-year, Reina Milfonti, the apprentice of ‘Frone of Thunder,’ won the election and built a council centered around third-year students.
Those students who supported her have since graduated, and now the student council has many vacant seats.
If I recall, only Karen and one second-year senior are left.
“Reina has already fulfilled her duties as president, and Roida has taken over from last year. So, it’s a safe environment for you first-years, don’t you think?”
I have no issues with the workload.
Once I’m explained, I’m confident I can handle most tasks.
The reason I don’t want to join the student council is that I don’t want to be under Milfonti’s watch.
Unless I’m offered a benefit that outweighs the disadvantage of being monitored, this conversation will remain at an impasse.
So, I decided to play my trump card early.
“Why are you nominating me in the first place? There’s no advantage to having someone like me, who can’t use magic, in the student council.”
Naturally, the student council officers are expected to have ‘status.’
And now, Reina Milfonty, the ‘Child Loved by the Gods,’ is the student council president.
Would the general students really accept me, a nobody, sitting in the vice president’s seat beside her?
Strong opposition is guaranteed.
You don’t need to be a fortune teller to predict that.
“Why not just have Roida-senpai be the vice president? He has the experience, after all.”
“Well, that’s the issue. Roida has already declined the vice president position.”
“It’s a valid reason not to take a position that even an experienced senpai rejected, isn’t it?”
“I believe your abilities are more than adequate. Are you saying the ‘Frone of Thunder’ is mistaken?”
“I’m flattered by the overestimation.”
Honestly, the only reason the headmistress is pushing this far is because she highly values my abilities.
Was I noticed during my fight with Crown Prince Arnia last time?
If she assessed my skills in that brief encounter, then I should have raised my guard even more.
“Being in the student council would undoubtedly add prestige to your future. It’s a title you can’t buy, no matter how much money you have.”
“I’m the eldest son of one of the Four Great Dukes. I already have plans for after I graduate. I’m not fond of being tied down by obligations.”
“So you’re absolutely refusing, is that it?”
The headmistress sighed deeply, and her breath echoed through the room.
The heavy atmosphere suggested that negotiations were about to end.
…However, her eyes showed no signs of giving up.
It’s as if she has a trump card that could flip the unfavorable situation…
“Well then, how about this offer?”
The headmistress grabbed my shoulder and said:
“If you become vice president, you can do whatever you like with Reina.”
“…What?”
“What!?”
The ones who immediately reacted to that proposal were Mashiro and Karen, who had been anxiously watching the situation unfold.
They rushed up to the headmistress and started protesting fiercely.
“What are you saying, Headmistress!? You can’t let him add another fiancée!”
“The student council president is your precious apprentice, isn’t she!? You can’t make such decisions without her consent!”
“Oh my, I think Vellet would be just fine. It’s rare to find someone who can act so selflessly for another person.”
“But the student council president’s feelings are important too…”
“She’ll definitely like him.”
“—Why?”
I made Mashiro and Karen back off and faced the headmistress directly.
I locked eyes with her, trying to read even the slightest emotion.
“Why are you so sure?”
“Fufu, that’s an easy answer. That girl is just like me. I wouldn’t pass up the chance to become part of one of the Four Great Dukes’ families.”
“…I see.”
The reason I kept pushing this far was because the headmistress’s attitude intrigued me.
I had been observing her the whole time, but this old woman showed no sign of wavering… her expression barely changed.
Even though she’s a hero who’s survived life-threatening battlefields, where does this strange confidence come from?
I guessed the answer.
That’s why I’m willing to take the risk and face her head-on.
I might as well place a bet of my own.