I created my own system

The day passed at an agonizingly slow pace. Apollo spent most of it deep in thought, carefully considering his next move. By the time classes ended, he turned to his friends and said, "Let's pause the investigation for now."

Blair frowned. "What? Why? We're making progress." he had thought that they did a good in the party before but now they are suddenly stopping.

"Not really," Apollo countered. "Whoever's covering up last year's events knows we're looking. They've been sending people who don't know anything just a vague idea, and the seniors are actively avoiding us. If we keep pressing, we might just scare them into tightening their guard."

McKenzie crossed her arms. "So we just stop?"

"For now." Apollo's eyes gleamed a hint of mischievous in his face. "Once they think we've lost interest, they'll relax. That's when we strike again. But in the meantime… I'll handle things myself."

His friends wanted to do more, but they trusted him enough to back off.

Like the previous day, Apollo made his way to the student council office at nearly the same time, catching Celestine Halstead alone.

She looked up from her paperwork as he entered, raising an eyebrow. "Lionheart. You're persistent."

Apollo flashed a polite smile. "That's a nice way of saying 'annoying.'"

Celestine chuckled. "Perhaps. But since you're here, I assume you want to continue our discussion from yesterday?"

"If you're not too busy."

She waved a hand. "I can make time."

And so, their conversation continued. Unlike the first time, where Apollo simply asked questions, he began to offer insights and suggestions. He pointed out inefficiencies in the academy's management, proposed solutions for minor student disputes, and even helped draft ideas for upcoming events.

At first, Celestine listened out of courtesy. But as the days passed, she found herself genuinely impressed by his observations.

"You have a sharp mind, Lionheart," she admitted one evening after one of their discussions.

Apollo leaned back in his chair, smirking. "I like understanding how things work."

"More like you like figuring out how to control them," she countered, watching him carefully.

Apollo only smiled in response.

"She is very sharp" he could only said in his head knowing that the young woman in front of him can see through lies. That is why Apollo will speak the truth that will lead to him to what he wants. Of course he is aware that somehow the president can sense that he has other agenda, "She must have thought about what I want, and perhaps she had already link it to my recent inquiry about the events last year. And since she hadn't push me away means either she wants to keep an eye on me or she just doesn't care what I found since it doesn't concerned her"

Apollo continue approaching her and after several days of these meetings, Celestine finally did something unexpected.

"You've been helpful," she admitted. "You have a knack for leadership, and you clearly understand how to navigate school politics."

Apollo simply waited, sensing something more.

Celestine then leaned forward, her expression unreadable. "How about officially joining the student council?"

Apollo blinked. For a moment, he thought he had misheard her.

"I'm serious," she continued. "You're already acting like a council member, giving input and helping solve problems. Why not make it official?"

It was an offer he hadn't anticipated, he had thought that the president was being cautious of him, but unexpectedly she gave an opportunity.

Joining the student council would give him direct access to its inner workings different from merely studying it through the insect spy. It would place him in a position where he could learn more about the seniors, their influence, and—most importantly—the truth about last year's incident. His mission could end more faster as well.

But it also meant committing himself to Celestine's authority. It meant being watched more closely. For a moment Apollo even thought that this was the president's way to keenly observe him.

He weighed the pros and cons carefully.

"Give me some time to think about it," he finally said.

Celestine nodded. "Of course. But don't take too long. We could use someone like you."

As Apollo left the office that night, he felt conflicted then he shifted his gaze towards the monitor and it shows nothing suspicious around the roms of the seniors. Nothing just studies doing normal things a student should do. Each dorm each classrooms hass spies yet even so nothing out of ordinary happened.

"This is an opportunity. But it could also be a trap"

Now, he just had to decide whether to take the risk.

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Apollo walked through the dimly lit corridors of the academy, his footsteps echoing softly. The offer Celestine had given him replayed in his mind.

"How about officially joining the student council?"

At first glance, it was an opportunity he couldn't ignore. It gave him direct access to information, influence over decisions, and a reason to be in places most students had no business being in. But at the same time, it was also a risk.

He made his way to the academy's garden, where the festival decorations as been cleaned up. The plaza were empty unlike the day of the festival filled it to the brim. Strangely despite the place being empty of anything Apollo could still feel it, the atmosphere of the festival. The air smelled of melted wax from lanterns and faint traces of burnt wood from the evening bonfires. Apollo couldnt help but laugh Finding himself missing the event. Finding a quiet bench, he sat down, rubbing his chin in thought.

"Jeremiah"

[Yes]

"Create scenarios about the possible things that might transpire about this offer, put it in my perspective"

[Affirmative Creator]

[Scenario 1: The Advantages

If I join the student council, I'll be in a perfect position to learn more about the seniors.

He would gain access to confidential documents, internal reports, and student records.

He could interact with key figures in the academy, including faculty and staff who might know about last year's incident.

If he played his cards right, he could even manipulate events from within, steering decisions in a way that benefited his investigation.

Good effect:

Gaining Celestine's trust, and the possibility that she might even disclose some secrets no one else knows.

And if things went well, he might find out who was pulling the strings behind the seniors' behavior.

Scenario 2: The Disadvantages

But then there was the downside.

If I join, I'll be watched more closely.

The student council wasn't just a group of students with power; it was also a web of politics. Some members would see him as an ally, while others might view him as a threat.

If the seniors suspected his true intentions, they could use his position against him.

There was also the risk that Celestine herself was hiding something. If she caught on to his investigation, he could be walking straight into a trap.

Joining the council would open doors, but it would also put him on a stage where every move would be scrutinized. Was he ready for that?

A Third Option

A thought crossed his mind.

What if I accept… but stay on the sidelines?

Instead of actively involving himself in the council's work, he could play the role of an uninterested member—one who only joined for the benefits but wasn't ambitious enough to make waves. That way, he could observe without drawing too much attention]

Apollo smirked, leaning back on the bench.

"Well not bad. That might work but I should also try to be a bit useful after all the president might kick me out if I slack off"

Still if he choose the third option he would have a reason to be around the council without making himself a target. And when the time came, he would strike.

With his decision made, Apollo stood up, stretching his arms. The night was still young, but tomorrow, he had a new strategy to try on.

"Let's see how far I can take this game."

Then he chuckled a bit suddenly realizing something, "Man I just realized I am a bit kinder than I expected"

[You are?]

"Yeah cause if I wasn't the the first thing I did is abuse the power of the Gods and just brainwashed everyone to do my bidding"

[Well perhaps you still have your own morals and standard so you never thought of that]

"Nah... perhaps I just miss the opportunity of using it, however its best to using my own skills after all if I used the authorityies it will be hard for me to report to the emperor how I received all the information I have. So its also good I refrain from using them"

[Well if you really need to use the authorities then you can use your classmates as a scapegoat]

"Maybe but for now lets stick to what we can do"

Apollo walk through the night and strangely the chilly wave of the wind made his mind even clearer. However despite the dark path he is taking he didn't mind it at long. He continue to hum a melody and calmly reach their dorm.