The next day.
Celestial Stadium.
Unlike yesterday's packed crowds, the stadium was eerily quiet today, with not a single spectator in the stands. The only people gathered here were representatives from each academy, committee members, and a few participating students interested in the drawing ceremony.
Inside Seidoukan Academy's exclusive VIP viewing box...
"Wow! Almost all the student council presidents are here! This is really rare!" Yabuki pressed his face against the window, watching the distinguished figures gathering on the massive stage below with great interest. Each possessed unique charisma that made them stand out in any crowd.
The representative from the prestigious Saint Galahadworth wore pristine white uniforms symbolizing purity. A blond young man with gentle noble bearing, his short golden hair and handsome features made him the epitome of a prince charming. More impressive was his calm, composed demeanor and refined movements.
"That's Ernest Fairclough - student council president of Saint Galahadworth, ranked first overall. They call him the 'Holy Knight,' wielder of the White Filter, one of the Four Colored Magic Swords. Rumor says he's extremely popular with women but maintains impeccable conduct with zero scandals. Truly admirable! I doubt I could show such restraint!"
Julis shot Yabuki a disgusted glare at his shameless remark.
To Ernest's left stood a short, stocky young man. His jet-black red hair and ordinary face were unremarkable, save for the malicious gleam in his eyes. The oppressive black uniform of Rewolf Black Institute accentuated his murderous aura - the kind of person police would instinctively monitor in public.
"Dirk Eberwein - student council president of Rewolf Black Institute. The first ordinary human (non-Genestellar) to hold that position in history. Though physically weak, he's a master strategist who ensnares enemies like a spiderweb before crushing them. Infamously called the 'King of Malevolence.' He operates so carefully no one's ever caught him red-handed. The type you'd rather avoid at all costs."
Julis' expression darkened with visceral disgust upon seeing the red-haired young man.
Beside him cowered an unremarkable black-haired youth - average height, plain features, squinting eyes that made him practically invisible in a crowd. Wedged between these extraordinary figures, his timid demeanor and downturned eyebrows rendered him utterly forgettable.
"And that's... uh, Sakon Shuuma, student council president of Arlequint Academy. Their system's special - real power lies with the research factions. The president's just a figurehead. Not worth noting."
Yabuki's voice suddenly turned dull. This Sakon Shuuma guy was probably just some ordinary person not worth paying attention to—at least compared to their group, he was indeed very average.
On the other side of the three young men were three women.
At the forefront was a girl with deep purple hair, slender and petite in stature, but with an undeniably adorable face. Her eyes were especially lively, and she wore a faint, gentle smile. A wing-shaped hair accessory adorned one side of her ear.
"Whoa! Isn't that the student council president of Queenvail Girls' Academy, the rare songstress herself, Sylvia Lyyneheym?! I heard she disappeared after pausing her concerts—turns out she came back to Queenvail! Ah, I never thought I'd see the songstress here. Should I go ask for an autograph later?"
Yabuki's voice instantly regained its vigor, as if he were seriously considering whether to approach the songstress for a signature.
Standing in the middle of the three women was a girl who looked no older than ten.
Her jet-black hair was tied into a butterfly-like style, and her youthful features were charmingly innocent, her face brimming with a carefree smile. Yet, her every movement carried an air of maturity, creating a bizarre sense of contradiction.
"The student council president of Jie Long, the third-generation 'Banyuu Tenra'... If she were old enough to compete in the Festa, she'd definitely be a formidable opponent for all participants. She's terrifyingly strong!"
Yabuki clicked his tongue at the sight of the young girl, a genuine fear creeping into his heart.
Inside the private box.
Only Yabuki, Julis, and Roy were present at the moment.
As Yabuki's gaze swept over the student council presidents of the five academies, offering earnest commentary on each, Roy nodded slightly in acknowledgment of his introductions.
Then, in a cold tone, he spoke.
"And then?"
"Huh?"
Yabuki turned back, wearing a puzzled expression.
"The student council presidents of the other five academies are all here. Where's ours from Seidoukan Academy?"
Roy's gaze fixed squarely on Yabuki. Despite wearing glasses, his expression was far from friendly—instead, it carried a faint pressure.
The representative from Seidoukan Academy standing on the stage below was also a woman, but it wasn't Claudia herself. Rather, it was one of the academy's vice presidents.
In such an important setting, Claudia was nowhere to be found.
It wasn't mandatory for the student council president to personally handle the drawing, but Claudia wasn't the type to skip such a significant event. Just yesterday, she had even joked about them praying for her luck. Yet today, she hadn't even shown up, instead sending a vice president as her representative—meaning she had never planned to attend in the first place.
"How would I know where the president is? I'm not exactly close with her."
Yabuki spread his hands innocently, his expression practically screaming, Don't ask me.
"Are you playing dumb with me?"
At this, Roy straightened slightly in his seat, his gaze peering over the rim of his glasses to lock onto Yabuki.
His modified physique was already imposing, but now it radiated even greater pressure. His crimson eyes, usually gentle, now exuded a chilling coldness that made Yabuki shiver involuntarily.
"What could I possibly be hiding from you—"
"You're from Shadow Star, aren't you?"
"..."
Yabuki fell silent instantly, the smile on his face stiffening involuntarily.
Julis's gaze remained fixed on Yabuki, her expression calm as if she had anticipated this development all along.
Each academy in Asterisk City had its own intelligence agency affiliated with major corporations, tasked with monitoring and investigating events within the city—as well as handling operations too sensitive for public scrutiny.
Typically, only the student council presidents of each academy had the authority to mobilize these agencies.
At Seidoukan Academy, the intelligence agency established by the Ginga Corporation was called "Shadow Star." Its members were selected from among Seidoukan's students—outwardly ordinary pupils, yet secretly stained with who knew how much blood.
Yabuki was one of Shadow Star's operatives.
"Don't make me ask a third time, Yabuki."
Roy's expression grew increasingly icy, his crimson pupils radiating frost-like intensity.
"Answer me. Where is Claudia?"
***
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