As Luciana had said—
The next day, the bulletin board was crowded with people.
[Notice]
[With Reisia Parnell stepping down as Student Council President, a new Student Council President will be elected.]
Before long, the results of the Hunting Contest that had once occupied that space were long forgotten.
"Who's going to be the next Student Council President?"
"Surely, one of the graduating third-years…"
"No, no. It would be a mistake to ignore the second-year's top student."
As everyone buzzed about it, someone left out of the conversation approached me.
"Um… Hans, what's a Student Council President?"
Given how many people were crowding around, it was natural to be curious. But for Freesia, this was a world filled with strange humans she didn't know.
Naturally, she relied on the only familiar face she had—me.
"The pinnacle of Academy authority. In the South, think of a Duke. Or, if it helps, think of your mother, the Divine Archer."
"Oh! I get it. Hm. I'd like to aim for that too. It would surely help me explore the Central region."
Sharp insight, that. With the power of the Student Council President, it could indeed be possible.
"Too bad. If you had come a bit earlier, it might have been possible."
"What's with that tone? As if I could never make it?!"
Her ears, which had drooped a moment ago, now flared up in agitation. Freesia's energy was impossible to suppress.
"But what can I say—it's the truth. You just entered, your grades don't qualify."
What does the Academy look at when selecting a Student Council President?
Leadership that can unite many students?
The potential to grow into greatness in the future?
No.
For the Academy's leader, the most important condition was exceptional talent.
And the only way to quantify that talent was academic performance.
"Ugh… you're saying my second place in the Hunting Contest isn't enough?"
"Entertainment results have nothing to do with grades. Why do you think I skipped it?"
She hadn't taken part in any dispatch classes. She was a brand-new freshman. For Freesia, it wasn't even possible to challenge for the position.
"So give it up. From our year, there's only one possible candidate."
Even if I made the best possible play with Rene, there was no way a first-year could become Student Council President.
The reason was simple: insufficient grades.
Only Luciana Speda had the qualifications to aim for that seat.
"Hm? What are you talking about? You're listed too."
…What the hell was she on about?
At Freesia's words, I checked the notice again.
[The following students are eligible candidates for Student Council President.]
[Please report to your class teacher if you wish to participate.]
[Third-Year List]
[…]
[Second-Year List]
[…]
[First-Year List]
[Luciana Speda]
[Hans Byron]
"See! You're there!"
"No, why am I…?"
My grades qualified?
Enough to rival upperclassmen and compete for the Student Council President's seat?
"…What exactly did I do?"
Of course, I knew the answer.
I had never missed a single dispatch class.
I had made big moves in both the North and the South.
Still, this wasn't in the original story. No wonder I was momentarily thrown off.
"Hans? Where are you going! You promised to show me around the Academy buildings today!"
"Sorry! No time for that!"
Originally, I had planned to spar with Luciana for training.
But if I could directly enter the Student Council President selection, the situation had changed completely.
"Hans Byron, what is it?"
"I'm here to apply for the Student Council President selection."
At my words, Professor Marcus's lips curled into a sly smile.
"A Baron's third son aiming for the peak of Academy power. Hah, excellent. This is most welcome to me as well."
…What the hell was this old man going on about?
It's not like I was going to win.
"With someone like you, Byron, perhaps the Academy could adopt more commoner-friendly policies. I hope you prevail in this competition."
"Well, I'll do my best."
"Here—consider this a small token of goodwill."
What he handed me was a tournament bracket.
"So it's already decided, huh."
"Likely the other noble students all know too. Many of them have close ties with the faculty."
Not expecting such a gift, I bowed to him in thanks.
'The duels are in three days, huh…'
Plenty of time to quietly eliminate unmotivated competitors.
"So that's why you came to me?"
Rene glared at me, dumbfounded.
"Yeah. Got a problem?"
"Of course I do! You're asking me to forfeit against you—don't you care about my reputation?!"
I covered my ears at her screech.
That temper of hers… no wonder the Third Imperial Prince eventually fled.
"C'mon, if you cooperate, Luciana becoming Student Council President will be a sure thing."
"Sure thing?! You think everyone here follows Nepisa? At best, only a few would step down for me!"
"Exactly. A few. That makes it easier. Knock them out, and the path clears. We're in the same boat—so let's sail straight ahead."
"Would you accept such a ridiculous deal if you were me?!"
Still fuming, Rene exhaled sharply through her nose before brushing her face as if to cool her anger.
"You're underestimating the Student Council selection duels. Taking out a couple of candidates doesn't guarantee Luciana the win."
Well, she wasn't wrong. She wasn't just a hothead—she could think, too.
Even if I eliminated one or two, nothing guaranteed the outcome.
"Clicking your tongue at me? What was that?"
"You're looking at trees, not the forest."
"What did you say?!"
"Did you think I only asked you for help?"
"…What are you scheming this time?"
The noble world is complicated.
Noble faction, Emperor's faction.
East, West, South, North, Central origins.
Plenty of fault lines to exploit.
"Think about it. Where do these students go after graduation?"
"…Out of nowhere?"
"Use that stiff head of yours—think."
"Ugh, that smug tone…"
Grumbling, Rene still pondered it.
In reality and here both, my advice had never steered her wrong.
"…They'd return to their families or find positions?"
"Exactly!"
Graduating nobles—where else would they go? Back to their houses.
"…So what? You lunatic."
"How many of those families do you think want to make enemies with the Dukedoms?"
If anything, most were desperate to curry favor with the great Ducal Houses.
Reisia Parnell, the outgoing Student Council President, was a perfect example.
"Wait. Don't tell me… did you actually go to all Four Dukedoms' heirs?"
"Told you—I didn't rely on just you."
"You maniac! Only you would dare ask Dukes' heirs to not run for Student Council President!"
From Theodore in the East (promising him a duel),
to Camilla in the West (aiding her revenge),
to the Duke of the South (sharing a meal),
'Got plenty of mileage from the goodwill I built with the Southern Duke.'
They were even eager to recruit me. Not that I'd ever leave Luciana's side.
As for the North—well, no problem there.
I was already Luciana's right-hand man. The northern nobles were scared into compliance.
"But some idiots still won't drop out."
The type with screws loose, clinging to their beliefs.
Faith, for instance. That's why I came to Rene.
"So just agree. With your help, one more candidate will quit."
"…One more?! Wait, Hans, don't tell me you used more than just the Four Dukedoms? This is way too many."
I didn't bother answering—just smiled. Some things weren't worth explaining.
"…Fine. As if I could refuse. Leave it to me."
The Kaspara Count family had deep roots and high standing in the Noble Faction.
Through Rene, I could pressure them into supporting Luciana.
"Raising Lady Speda to Student Council President? Hah. I can already see the Prince fuming with jealousy. I'll cooperate."
And the Emperor's Faction? Easy.
With the Third Imperial Prince's backing, nobles had no choice but to comply.
"As for the Gruenhild Viscount family's tax evasion—led by their second son, wasn't it? Oh my, would you look at this ledger in my hands? Quite the weak spot, wouldn't you say?"
Even stubborn holdouts were silenced with leverage.
Thanks to Wolbaek, I had plenty of dirt to use.
"…Good thing you're not my enemy."
Hearing it all, Rene could only shake her head.
"But what about fairness? Won't the Academy Principal or professors interfere?"
"You forget—this is the Central Region, the city of politics."
Forcing students to give up on the presidency was just another form of politics.
If anything, the Academy might encourage it. They wouldn't block it.
"…Still, some will challenge no matter what."
True enough. The position was both the Academy's highest honor and its greatest seat of power.
No amount of pressure would deter every challenger.
"The second-year's top student… tch. No weakness at all. Annoying."
"Are you sure? That one was strong even in the original."
"Luciana can handle it, but… maybe I'll take care of him myself."
After all, I was also listed as a candidate.
Meaning, I could eliminate Luciana's toughest rival with my own hands.
[Group A]
[Colt Borg]
[…]
[Hans Byron]
By coincidence, my opponent was him.
"…O True Dragon. Forgive my impertinence, but the succubi are abandoning their posts one after another. I punished a few as an example, but—"
"Enough."
At the heavy, indifferent voice, Revine swallowed nervously.
"Why should I concern myself with such lowly creatures?"
Even as a high-ranking noble demon, Revine knew he was nothing but a minnow before the True Dragon. He bowed his head desperately.
"Of course not! I only meant to report… I feared the Queen might have betrayed us in the human Empire."
"…That lowly woman?"
Upon the throne that had once belonged to gargoyles, the True Dragon rested his chin on his hand.
"That's troublesome. To think she might slip my dominion."
"…O True Dragon."
"Yes. You'll go and confirm it yourself."
Pointed at without warning, Revine's face went pale.
Even as a noble, the defenses of the Human Empire were thick. His survival was far from guaranteed.
"You vouched for the Queen and the succubi's usefulness. Then you will seize this traitor and present her to me."
"…That…"
The refusal rose to his throat—only to sink back into his chest.
Defying the True Dragon meant death. He had witnessed that too many times.
"…I obey."
Not that he could have refused anyway. His very instincts bound him in blind loyalty.
"Do it well, and I will grant you a great reward."
"…! A reward?"
"Yes. I shall share with you a portion of my power."
It was an order he couldn't refuse, and a reward he couldn't ignore.
If he received the True Dragon's power, perhaps he could shed the disgrace of being the weakest of the Four Heavenly Kings.
"I will devote myself entirely!"
Revine had no choice but to cling to that promise.
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