The next morning, I woke up feeling like my body hadn't rested at all.
Bright sunlight was already spilling across my face through the window, stabbing straight through my half-conscious state like a blade with no regard for mercy. I lay there for a moment, blinking against the glare, my body still heavy with the kind of exhaustion that sleep alone couldn't fix.
...
After going through my morning routine, I left home and headed toward the academy.
As I walked, my thoughts naturally drifted.
Although I still hadn't fully sorted everything out...
I was beginning to see a rough shape.
My intuition played a major role, but with enough information, I could gradually turn that shape into a proper framework. A clearer picture of the people around me. The kingdom. The academy. And everything moving beneath the surface, like roots spreading unseen beneath a garden that looked peaceful only to those who never bothered to dig.
On the way to the academy, I passed by a beautiful fountain.
Water flowed gently from the pot held by four angel statues, the morning sunlight striking its surface and scattering soft reflections across the stone. Normally, just looking at it would have been enough to make the place feel peaceful.
But today...
There were people gathered nearby, shouting in a heated group.
"Catch the criminal!"
"What are the Knights of Order doing?!"
One knight stood in the middle of the commotion, trying to calm the crowd, his hands raised placatingly as voices rose around him from every direction. A second knight arrived moments later, breathless, and unfolded a letter — most likely sent by a commander, a noble, or perhaps someone from the royal side itself. He cleared his throat and read it aloud, his voice carrying over the murmuring square.
"We are doing everything possible to catch him."
"The Royal Committee of Justice has decided that the sins he has committed deserve the death penalty."
"Since the criminal is too dangerous to keep alive for even one more day after being captured..."
"The Knights of Order have been ordered to execute him on the spot the moment he is apprehended."
"His head will be displayed atop the execution grounds."
...
Rather suspicious.
As a former assassin, I could say this much. This might be because the criminal possessed information that would be dangerous for those in power.
Though...
That was only one possibility.
What I really needed to consider was whether this affected me or my family in any way.
...
I may need to be cautious.
As far as I knew, the criminal hadn't targeted the Common Class yet. But one never knew when the chain of events might reach that far.
Before entering the academy, I noticed Ravian Edevane standing nearby, staring at a cat as it ate fish, his posture relaxed, almost lazy, as though he had nothing better to do with his morning than watch a stray animal enjoy its breakfast.
For some reason...
The moment he noticed me, he turned his head.
...
Can he sense his surroundings that well?
Hmm.
Could he be hiding his real abilities?
Ravian began walking toward me, unhurried, a faint smile already tugging at the corner of his mouth. For some reason, I didn't sense a peaceful day coming.
"We meet again."
"I was just waiting for ya, my friend."
He placed an arm around my shoulder, and his previously distant expression shifted into a cheerful, almost boyish smile.
...
When did we become friends?
I don't know much about friendship...
But do two people become friends after just one conversation?
I thought it would take far more than that.
Or...
Maybe Ravian's intentions should be doubted.
He continued walking with me, his hand still resting on my shoulder, smiling as though this were perfectly natural. People nearby began noticing. Some stared. Some whispered behind raised hands.
At this point, I already had enough things to think about.
This one had joined the list too.
...
I honestly wouldn't have been surprised if—
Reinhardt Elthorn appeared right in front of me before I could even enter the academy building, blocking the entrance like a wall of stubborn muscle and worse timing.
...
Ah.
I really needed this today.
What a wonderful morning.
"Oi!"
"Your name is Katsuhito Kurogane, right?!"
Reinhardt shouted loudly while pointing his spear at me, the tip gleaming in the morning light, his stance already braced as though he expected me to bolt.
I wondered why I hadn't used teleportation today.
I paused for a moment, weighing whether there was any way to escape without causing consequences.
...
Where was Shirohana today?
"Yeah."
"I'm Katsuhito Kurogane."
"Can I help you with something?" I replied, keeping my tone level despite the spear pointed at my chest.
"I challenge you to a duel for your seat as Student Council President!"
Reinhardt shouted, his spear still pointed at me, his voice carrying easily across the courtyard and drawing more than a few curious heads.
...
Where were you when I was being crowned against my will?
I really couldn't afford to lose this seat now.
Wait...
This guy was the one who put up a decent fight against Ashrune.
I didn't know much about his background, though.
How was I supposed to determine whether someone like that would remain loyal or not?
Before I could continue thinking...
Edevane leaned close and whispered into my ear, his voice low enough that only I could catch it.
"You know..."
"His family has a history of producing some of the most loyal servants to the royal families."
...
How did he know what I was thinking?
More importantly...
Did he know what we were up to?
I'll think about that later.
For now, if his information was correct, then there were two possible outcomes. And to secure both possibilities in my favor... I needed to push the negotiation in the right direction.
"So..."
"What do I get in return if I win?"
"Is this how a noble warrior fights against a Common Class student?!"
I raised my voice on purpose so others could hear, letting the words carry across the gathered crowd. Whispers immediately spread through the onlookers.
"Do you know the words dignity and pride?"
Edevane said calmly, his arms crossed, watching the scene unfold with visible amusement.
...
Yep.
That was exactly why I was using them.
Reinhardt looked slightly bewildered, his brow furrowing at the sudden shift in the exchange. That reaction told me something. He wasn't well-versed in political exchange.
Still...
I would be in trouble if he said something that implied he merely doubted my competence as Student Council President. Before that could happen... I had to push forward.
"How about an equal exchange, then?"
"Since I'm giving away one of my most precious opportunities..."
"...the chance to serve this academy and protect its order..."
"...you should also bet your most precious thing."
I shouted loudly enough for everyone around us to hear, letting my voice ring with a confidence I didn't entirely feel.
Reinhardt smiled.
...
Did I fail?
"An equal fight."
"That's what a warrior wishes for."
"Fine then."
"If you win..."
"I, Reinhardt Elthorn, will give you my absolute loyalty."
...
Ah.
I...
Miscalculated.
What am I supposed to do if his family learns that he pledged loyalty to a Common Class student?
"Oi, oi..."
"Isn't something interesting going on without me?"
"...Or should I say, without my permission?"
Ashrune's voice cut through the courtyard from nowhere, casual and amused, as though he had been lounging just out of sight waiting for the perfect moment to intrude. He had clearly been waiting for this exact moment. Every head in the crowd turned toward him as he casually walked up to us, hands in his pockets, an easy grin already forming.
Without saying anything else, he placed both hands on my shoulders and pulled me a little farther away from Edevane, his grip firm despite the lightness of his tone.
"Well, you see..."
"I don't have the authority to stop this fight unless I can prove that it's disrupting the academy's order or stagnating the students' progress."
He spoke in a low voice, almost as if he were sharing a secret meant only for the two of us.
"And besides..."
"You're the Student Council President."
"So even from a raw authority standpoint, I can't really intervene."
Ashrune paused, then lowered his voice even more, leaning in close enough that his breath ghosted against my ear.
"...But if you lose, that'll be a pretty heavy blow to the principal's goals and plans."
"So..."
"You understand, don't you?"
...
I already knew that.
But the fact that he had come all the way here and said it like that made the whole thing feel suspicious.
"Then why didn't you try to stop it?"
"Aah..."
Ashrune slowly lifted his hand from my shoulder and started walking away, his footsteps unhurried, as though the matter had already lost his interest.
"Well then..."
"Good luck."
And just like that, he ran off, his laughter trailing behind him.
...
Why did he come all this way just to say that?
Wait...
I sensed something at the back of my coat. A seal. It was suppressing my mana and preventing me from using skills.
...
Though I highly doubt Ashrune was foolish enough not to know I could easily nullify this kind of seal.
Still...
I decided to go along with it for now.
"Oi."
"Are you ready or not?"
Elthorn shouted while taking his stance, spear angled low, feet set wide against the packed earth.
"Ah."
We made our way to the duel grounds. It was a training area specially built for students of the academy to duel and practice combat, the earth there packed hard from years of clashing feet and fallen bodies. By the time we arrived, too many students had already gathered there, their voices a low buzzing hum of anticipation.
...
Is there some kind of force in this world that exists solely to oppose whatever I want?
I stepped toward the center of the arena. Reinhardt stood behind me, still cheering himself on as if he were already invested in the result, his spear tapping restlessly against his palm.
The sun was shining brightly overhead, and most of the people gathered around us were not on my side. Some of them simply didn't want a Common Class student to win. Others just wanted entertainment. A thrill. Something to stir their boredom.
A barrier had already been erected around the arena, the faint shimmer of it catching the sunlight like a soap film stretched too thin.
"You know the rules, right?"
Elthorn shouted from the opposite side, spear in hand.
...
How would I know the rules?
Still...
I could guess.
"Fight with everything you have."
"Isn't that it?"
"Exactly."
Elthorn grinned, wide and unguarded. Anyone could probably infer that much from his personality alone.
"Enough talk."
Ashrune stepped into the center of the arena in the role of referee, his casual stride cutting through the tension like it was nothing at all. Even when I set aside whatever strange force seemed determined to interrupt my peace, his mere presence was enough to disturb it.
"As of now..."
"We will begin this year's first duel."
"Reinhardt Elthorn versus Katsuhito Kurogane."
He raised one hand.
"Start."
Ashrune shouted, his voice amplified far beyond what the moment called for — then immediately coughed, clearing his throat with a wince.
"...Ah. I shouldn't have shouted that loudly."
...
Then don't.
"
Kakugo!
"
(En garde!)
Elthorn charged at me with his spear raised. The moment he closed the distance, he thrust the weapon toward me in a clean, practiced line. I dodged to the side and caught the shaft with my hand, the impact humming faintly through my palm.
He immediately tried to swing it sideways.
"It's not moving!"
Elthorn's expression shifted into surprise, eyes widening at the spear refusing to budge in my grip.
I looked him straight in the eyes.
"Are you underestimating me?"
At this point, there was no reason to hide my strength from him anymore.
Elthorn smiled, teeth flashing.
"Fine by me."
Using the spear as support, he instantly pivoted and launched a stone-coated kick toward my head, the surface of his boot cracking with grey mineral plating mid-motion. I grabbed his spear and used it to block the kick. The force disrupted his balance while also taking the weapon from him. To recover midair, he planted both hands on the ground and vaulted to the other side, landing in a low crouch.
"You think taking my spear will cause me any trouble?"
Elthorn said with a smile, already rising.
I gave a faint smile of my own and closed my eyes for a moment.
Then I let go.
The spear dissolved into dust, scattering into a fine grey mist that hung in the air for the span of a heartbeat. At the same time, the particles swirled and gathered back into Elthorn's hands until the spear reformed completely, whole and gleaming once more.
...
Oh.
So that's how it is.
He hurled the spear at me again and immediately moved to the side, closing in from another angle.
I have to admit...
His speed was impressive.
I dodged the spear. He was already in close range before the weapon even finished its arc. As if the spear had never left his hands, he attacked again. The spear I had avoided dissolved into dust once more and returned to his grip as he pressed forward.
He threw the spear at me from above. Then dropped low and rushed in underneath.
"Hmm..."
"I think you made one mistake."
I spoke quietly as I slipped past the punch he tried to throw from below. Using the opening, I moved behind him. Now he was trapped between his own spear and my kick. He dissolved the spear at once and attempted to dodge.
Too late.
My kick struck, and he took the impact with both hands raised in defense. He slid back across the ground, dust kicking up around his heels. He had taken damage, but he hadn't lost his balance.
...
Interesting.
I had been holding back.
But he was using every bit of power he had to its fullest.
I wonder...
What would happen if I helped expand his base potential?
Elthorn stood up, brushing dust and a little blood off himself, wiping his lip with the back of his hand. He was still smiling.
"You were holding back even against Ashrune, weren't you?" he said, eyes narrowing with sudden clarity.
He dissolved the spear again.
So he figured it out.
For a moment, he went silent. Then...
He took a deep breath. This time, he raised his bare hands, knuckles cracking as he flexed them.
"Here I come!"
His shout echoed across the arena as he charged at me with completely different speed than before, the distance closing so fast it nearly caught me off guard.
That surprised me a little.
We began exchanging attacks and evasions at a speed only a handful of people could properly follow, blows and dodges blurring into a rhythm the crowd could barely track. He was nowhere near my full speed. Nor Shirohana's. But it was still enough to keep me fully alert.
If I pushed any further...
I would probably break a bone or two.
That didn't mean I couldn't change my approach.
I slipped past his punch and created a little distance. Elthorn immediately closed in with a kick. I took the force and redirected it back through his own motion, causing him to lose a bit of balance. Using that opening, I launched another kick. He had no choice but to block it with both hands, given his current position and the speed of my strike.
But just before the kick landed...
I pulled it back.
Then I grabbed his arm, redirected his momentum toward himself, and then back toward me. Before he could respond, I pinned him down by the shoulder with my other hand. His arm was folded backward. I forced him flat against the ground with my knee.
He tried to summon a weapon with his free hand.
He couldn't.
My clothes were directly touching his bare skin. The cloth seal that was preventing me from using mana or skills was, in this moment, working just as effectively against him.
A pause followed. Then...
"Katsuhito Kurogane wins."
Ashrune announced the result, using a skill to amplify his voice across the arena.
A loud wave of cheers rose from the audience. Some of them had clearly begun to respect me. Others still clung rigidly to class hierarchy. But that was exactly the kind of thing that kept this system alive in the first place.
Even after I stood up from Elthorn, he remained on the ground for a while, chest rising and falling with heavy breaths.
"Oi, oi..."
"Trying to kill him would make the whole kingdom turn against you."
Ashrune whispered into my ear, half-joking, half-serious.
I sighed.
"You and I both know he's alive and conscious."
"Ah..."
"Joke didn't land."
Elthorn slowly started pushing himself back up, brushing the dirt from his knees. Then he turned toward me. He stared directly into my eyes with a serious expression, all traces of his earlier grin gone.
I smiled faintly.
He lowered himself onto one knee in front of me, spear laid flat against the ground beside him.
"From now on..."
"My absolute loyalty belongs to Katsuhito Kurogane."
His voice was completely different from the loud, reckless one he normally used. It was sincere. Steady. Entirely without hesitation.
The crowd's noise on the arena floor grew even louder the moment he said it, ripples of murmurs spreading outward like a stone dropped into still water.
...
Hmm.
Up until now, I had been predicting the duel.
Now the real question is...
How am I supposed to deal with the drama this is going to create?
By the time things finally settled down, students from the stadium began leaving in scattered groups. The noise that had filled the place only moments ago gradually faded, leaving behind the faint echo of footsteps and conversation.
...
Yet Reinhardt Elthorn remained at my side, without saying a word, spear now slung casually over one shoulder.
"Well..."
"Why are you still here?"
He turned toward me with an unusually serious expression.
"Isn't it obvious?"
"A servant stays by his master's side at all times."
...
For someone with his personality, that tone felt almost unnatural.
Still, it would be a problem if he actually started following me everywhere.
"By the way..."
Ashrune's voice suddenly reached my ear, his breath close enough that I could feel it against my skin.
"Do you know that a master is responsible for every action their servant takes under the master's order?"
"...Whether the servant succeeds or fails."
He whispered the words with an amused calm, as though delivering a piece of gossip rather than a warning.
...
Right.
I already knew there would be a cost.
Nothing ever came without one.
Ashrune laughed quietly.
"Didn't I say I believed in cost?"
"Though what I told you just now is the common cost that comes with a master-servant relationship."
"There are more depending on the situation."
"And on necessity."
He turned away and began walking toward the exit as if the matter were no longer important, hands tucked behind his head.
"You don't need to stay with me all the time."
"I can't do that."
Elthorn answered without hesitation.
"...Then let's do this."
I looked at him.
"I'll implant a summoning seal in your hand."
"With that, I can summon you and speak to you whenever I need to..."
"Or if I'm in real danger."
Elthorn glanced at his own left hand for a moment, turning it over as though inspecting it for the first time, then held it out toward me.
"Hmm..."
"Okay."
I placed my palm over his, the contact warm despite the cool morning air still clinging to the arena.
"Hereby..."
"I make Reinhardt Elthorn my servant."
"Become my sword and shield."
"Swear your absolute loyalty to me."
His response came immediately, without a trace of hesitation.
"I, Reinhardt Elthorn, hereby swear my absolute loyalty to Katsuhito Kurogane."
...
Ah.
He actually took it seriously.
Well...
I can perform this skill without a chant as long as the participant has the will to accept it.
Still...
It sounds cooler this way.
A faint golden light traced itself briefly across the back of his hand before fading, leaving only the barest impression of a mark against his skin. I extended my hand. Elthorn smiled and took it. We shook hands. Then we started walking toward our classroom.
But just as we moved forward—
Something descended from above.
A strike. It came down like a shooting star in broad daylight.
Both Elthorn and I jumped away in time, each moving in opposite directions. The ground exploded beneath the impact, dust rising into the air in a thick, choking plume. A shadow stepped forward from the center of the crater.
"Ohh..."
"So you can dodge my attacks now?"
"Shame of our family, Reinhardt Elthorn."
The voice was deep. Calm. Harsh.
A man emerged from the dust, silhouette resolving into sharp, imposing lines as the cloud settled. He was taller than me. More muscular too. Even compared to Reinhardt, his build was clearly more imposing, shoulders broad enough to cast a shadow of their own.
He walked straight toward Elthorn.
"I heard a report."
"You became the servant of a commoner."
His tone remained controlled. Yet beneath it, the anger was obvious, simmering just below the surface like heat under a closed lid.
He stopped directly in front of Reinhardt. The shadow of his body swallowed Elthorn completely. A frightening presence pressed down on him.
"Nii-san."
(Elder Brother.)
Elthorn straightened himself as much as possible. Even so, I could see the hand gripping his spear tremble slightly.
...
Older brother?
I didn't expect this problem to appear so quickly.
The man glanced at the mark on Elthorn's left hand and immediately understood what had happened.
"Tch."
His eyes shifted toward me. Then he turned his spear and swung it in my direction. A sharp air slash shot toward me, cleaving the space between us with a whistling crack.
...
Ah.
So that's it.
He's trying to handle me first, so that none of this ever happened.
...
Quite a good brother, in that sense.
I simply stood there. The slash struck my barrier and dispersed. The barrier behind me cracked instead, a spiderweb of fractures spreading across its shimmering surface.
His brother smiled faintly. Then he turned and began walking toward me.
"You are quite strong."
"So, respecting that strength, I ask you to cancel this contract."
"In exchange, I will promise you a good position in the future."
...
So you're trying to buy me.
Not a bad offer.
...
Unfortunately...
I can't afford to lose my tool.
"My answer is—"
Before I could finish speaking—
"Elder brother."
Elthorn stepped forward, placing himself squarely between us.
"Now I'm his servant."
"I have judged him worthy of offering my life."
His voice trembled slightly. Yet the conviction behind it was unmistakable.
His brother stopped.
...
Silence.
A pause stretched between them, taut as a drawn bowstring. Then Valdrik slowly opened his eyes — I hadn't even noticed he'd closed them. The anger in them had sharpened into something firmer. Something resolute.
"Katsuhito Kurogane."
"Prove your worth to me."
He pointed his spear directly at me.
...
Ah.
Another duel.
By the time I faced Valdrik, class time had already begun. It was noon — a hot, bright noon with the sun hanging high overhead, its glare bleaching the color from the stadium stone.
Reinhardt had been moved to the audience seats, where he sat watching in silence, his hands clenched tightly on his knees. Valdrik stood on the field opposite me, his entire body radiating pressure, the air around him seeming to thicken with the weight of it.
He straightened and spoke in a deep voice.
"My name is Valdrik Elthorn."
"The eldest son of the Elthorn family..."
"...and servant of the Second Prince."
I gave him a slight nod.
"My name is Katsuhito Kurogane."
"Student Council President of Daimadō Mahō Gakuen."
Valdrik's lips curled slightly, something almost like respect flickering across his stern features.
"Let's go fair and square."
He dissolved his spear, apparently intending to fight me on equal terms, empty-handed.
...
So he's similar to his younger brother.
Valdrik suddenly rushed in, his speed far faster than Reinhardt's, closing the distance almost before I registered the motion.
However...
The instant he attempted to throw his first punch—
My kick struck the side of his face.
His reaction speed was impressive. He managed to twist his posture into a defensive stance just before the blow fully landed. Still, I had put more force behind that kick than the one I used against Reinhardt.
The impact sent Valdrik flying. He slammed into the stadium floor hard enough to crack it, stone splintering outward in jagged lines from the point of impact.
...
At minimum...
I need to fight at this level if I want to win against him.
He was almost twice as strong in raw power and technique.
Reinhardt watched in stunned silence from the stands, his mouth slightly parted.
So he was holding back...
That thought was written clearly across his face.
Valdrik rose from the crater he had created, dust falling from his shoulders. He wiped blood from the corner of his mouth with the back of his hand.
"...Ah."
"Now I understand why Reinhardt entrusted his loyalty to you."
He raised his eyes toward me.
Then I lifted one finger. A flame burst into existence at its tip. In an instant, the fire condensed into a sphere. Then the color slowly shifted. Red. Orange. Blue. A flame the shape of a blazing orb, deepening toward blue as it stabilized in the air, casting a cold, sharp light despite its heat.
Valdrik stared at it, his eyes widening for a brief moment.
I remained silent and watched him.
Then Valdrik smiled. His eyes closed for an instant.
"...Ah."
"I understand now."
He opened his eyes again. Water began gathering around his arm. It twisted and condensed, taking the shape of a bow, droplets clinging to the curve of it like beads of glass. His other hand drew across empty space. A water arrow formed along the string.
Then he pulled. The arrowhead sharpened. The force accumulated behind it. The pressure expanded wide behind him like a rising tide, the air growing damp and heavy.
I erected a second barrier above the academy's existing one. The air around both of us grew heavy, charged with the promise of violence. Our attacks were building. Expanding. Pressing outward with increasing force.
Then...
Both attacks were released.
They collided in the air with such intensity that the academy's existing barrier cracked immediately. The impact tore through the field. The ground beneath us shattered, earth and stone exploding outward until my own barrier absorbed the worst of it. The barrier directly in front of me cracked slightly.
...
Ohh.
Valdrik wasn't able to completely block the impact either.
When the dust finally settled, he stood back up. Only barely. His body had taken severe damage — blood covered parts of his face and uniform, his sleeve torn along one seam. Even so, he took a stance and tried to advance.
He still wanted to continue.
...
Ah.
I can use this.
At the moment he took another step forward—
I summoned Reinhardt between us.
A good opportunity to test his loyalty.
The moment Reinhardt appeared, he looked startled, eyes darting between the two of us. But only for a second. He immediately understood what I wanted him to do. He intercepted his elder brother's attack with his spear, the shaft catching the strike with a sharp crack.
The force pushed Valdrik back. Valdrik's feet slid across the stone. He stared in disbelief at the sight before him. His own younger brother was standing in front of him, spear braced, expression unwavering.
"Isn't it against the rules?"
I asked calmly.
"Summoning is part of my power."
Valdrik's eyes shifted to Reinhardt. Reinhardt stood there, still barely steady, but his expression was unwavering. Then Valdrik looked back at me.
The conviction in my eyes seemed to reach him.
...
"Ah..."
Valdrik exhaled quietly. A smile slowly appeared on his face. Then his strength gave out.
Valdrik collapsed just after speaking.
Reinhardt turned toward me, silently asking for permission, his eyes flicking between his brother's fallen form and my face.
I gave a small nod.
"Yeah, you can."
Just as Reinhardt was about to carry his brother toward the medical room, another voice cut through the stadium.
"Take him to the medical room!"
The heavy voice carried clearly across the grounds. Vivienne Arkwright. A few students immediately moved to assist, and Valdrik was carried away by several people while Reinhardt followed with the others, casting one last glance back at me before disappearing through the stadium exit.
The principal began walking toward me, her heels clicking sharply against the fractured stone.
"Well..."
She glanced briefly at the scene, taking in the shattered ground and the lingering dust with an expression of weary resignation.
"Ah... no need for explanation."
"I've already heard everything from Ashrune."
"What I'm here for is to see the aftermath of things."
Her gaze moved across the shattered stadium floor.
"...Haa."
"This ground is going to need maintenance."
Then she looked at me.
...
Sounds like she wants to make me do the work in exchange.
Naturally.
"By the way..."
"How far did you get in assembling the student council committee?"
Principal Vivienne asked without much ceremony.
"After making Reinhardt my servant, I'll add him to the student council committee."
"I see."
"Well, I found another member already."
A voice came from the stadium entrance. Two figures were walking toward us. Shirohana... and another girl beside her. They approached without hesitation, their footsteps unhurried despite the destruction surrounding them.
Shirohana gestured slightly toward the woman beside her, silently telling her to introduce herself.
The girl bowed gracefully, the motion practiced to perfection.
"My name is Celestria Varnhilde."
"I am Shirohana-sama's personal servant."
"Please feel free to call me Celestria, Kurogane-sama."
...
Ah.
I had forgotten Shirohana was a noble.
Still...
If Shirohana could use a skill at my level or even higher, then...
My eyes moved briefly to Celestria's hands. There was no sign of a summoning seal. Then I looked at Shirohana's face. She had remained fixed on me the entire time, her lower face hidden behind her sensu
(folding fan)
, her eyes carrying an unreadable calm that unsettled me more than any glare could have.
...
"Well then."
"Now that the Student Council has four members..."
"It would be a good time to begin Student Council work."
"You three, come with me."
Principal Vivienne began walking toward the exit of the stadium.
...
I would much rather go home and sleep.
But apparently not.
We left the stadium and headed toward another building within the academy grounds. It was a two-story structure, its stone facade worn smooth with age but well kept, ivy climbing along one wall in neat, deliberate patterns.
The principal opened the front door. We entered, and I looked around. Inside were a meeting room, kitchen, hall, storage room, separate bathrooms and toilets for each gender, and a room for staying overnight on the first floor.
Principal Vivienne sat down on the sofa in the hall, crossing one leg over the other with the ease of someone thoroughly at home in this space.
"Here are the keys to every room."
"You may use this house however you please."
We began climbing the stairs from the hall. The carpet covering the wide staircase was soft beneath my feet, its deep color muffling every footstep into near silence. At the top, there was a straight corridor leading to the Student Council President's Office. From there, a two-way corridor overlooked the area below.
In that corridor, there were two rooms. One appeared to be a library, shelves visible through the half-open door, lined with spines of every color and age. The room opposite it contained a wide variety of weapons, racks of blades and polearms catching the light from a high window.
Shirohana remained silent beside me, quietly observing everything as we moved, her gaze lingering just a moment longer on the weapons room than anywhere else.
When we reached the office door, Celestria stepped forward, took the key, and opened it for us. She bowed slightly.
"Please."
I entered the room with Shirohana. A table and chair stood near the center of the room, positioned in front of the window. There was also a sofa, an additional table, a cabinet, and several other pieces of furniture, all arranged with a kind of careful, deliberate order that suggested someone had once cared very much about this room.
...
I wonder if this academy had a Student Council in the past.
Shirohana walked behind the chair, rotated it outward, and smiled at me from behind her fan.
"...Ah, thanks."
I sat down. Shirohana stood beside me. Celestria remained in front of us, hands folded neatly at her waist.
"You two look perfect together."
Celestria said it with complete sincerity, no trace of teasing in her tone at all — which somehow made it worse.
...
Ah.
Oh.
Hmm.
"You done seeing?"
Principal Vivienne asked as she entered the room, a bundle of papers tucked under one arm. She tossed it onto the desk with a heavy thud.
"Inside these are the details for work separation and each role."
"Now that I have other matters to attend to, I'll take my leave."
With that, the principal turned and left, her footsteps fading quickly down the corridor.
I picked up the papers and started reading them while Shirohana read alongside me from the side, close enough that I could catch the faint scent of something like jasmine from her hair.
The roles required for the Student Council were:
President Vice-President Treasurer General Affairs Manager Information Officer Public Relations Officer
...
Hmm.
"Celestria-san."
I looked toward her.
"Will you take the role of Treasurer?" I asked.
"Leave it to me, Kurogane-sama." Celestria replied, bowing with graceful poise, her expression brightening with something close to pride.
Then... Reinhardt seemed like he could handle the General Affairs Manager position. That still left the Information Officer and Public Relations Officer roles unfilled.
I had known Reinhardt since he was a child. Even back then, he was the same kind of person. Determined. Straightforward. The sort who would keep charging forward as if the word yield had never existed in his vocabulary. Unlike me, he had never cared much about status. He never once looked at position, rank, or authority the way I did. He wasn't the type to chase power for the sake of standing above others.
He wanted to become stronger.
That was all.
And perhaps because of that... he was more sincere in his warrior code than I was.
Far more sincere.
...
We had fought over that before.
At the time, Reinhardt had been training again instead of attending his home lessons.
As usual.
The home tutor sat in the receiving room with an expression that had already grown tired from repeating the same complaint too many times, his fingers drumming an impatient rhythm against the arm of his chair.
"Even today, Reinhardt is not attending home tuition?"
His gaze drifted toward the empty seat beside me, then back again, as though hoping Reinhardt might magically appear out of guilt.
"At this rate, he will not be able to survive the society he has to go in future."
I let out a short breath, stood up, and said, "I will be back in a moment."
Then I headed straight toward the training grounds of our house.
Today...
I was going to teach him a lesson.
The training grounds were open to the wind. Weapons racks lined the edges of the yard. The packed earth had already been worn by countless footsteps, sword swings, and practice duels, small divots and scuffs telling their own quiet history.
In the middle of it all, Reinhardt was training alone. Sweat covered his body. His hair was damp and clinging to his forehead. He moved with stubborn intensity, repeating the same motions again and again, never showing even a hint of exhaustion in his expression.
I stopped at the edge of the yard and watched him for a while.
...
Even now...
His effort was undeniable.
His eagerness too.
I clenched my fist.
It wasn't enough to be strong.
That was meaningless if he couldn't direct that strength properly.
Strength without purpose...
Strength without discipline...
It would only become waste.
I picked up a sword from the weapon store nearby and walked toward him.
"You have been training uselessly."
I raised my voice.
Reinhardt stopped mid-swing. Slowly, he turned around and looked at me without saying anything. His face was already slick with sweat. His expression remained as unreadable as ever.
"...Tch."
I pointed my sword toward him.
"Let me teach you the difference in our power."
He met my gaze with that same flat, unresponsive stare.
"...Now come at me."
I wanted to provoke him.
And it worked.
He tightened his grip on his sword and marched toward me with all the force his small body could gather, as though he believed sheer will alone could bridge the gap between us.
So earnest.
So stubborn.
So impossible.
I thrust my sword toward the weak point between his weapon and arm, the gap where his guard was least stable. The impact struck him cleanly. He was thrown several steps backward.
I lowered my eyes toward him with deliberate arrogance, making sure he understood I was looking down on him.
Yet... his face remained unchanged. That dead fish expression of his didn't move at all. He simply stood there and tried again.
Then again.
And again.
He attacked from different angles. Different rhythms. Different footwork.
But...
He didn't stand much of a chance. Not against me. Not then.
Eventually, he collapsed onto the ground, breathing heavily.
Beaten.
Yet somehow...
Still staring at me with that same tenacity.
"You are amazing, brother."
His voice carried no resentment. Only admiration.
I answered coldly.
"You are just weak."
"If you continue skipping class, then not only will you stay weak in terms of physical strength..."
"...you will also remain dumber than the other nobles."
I looked down at him from above.
There was a pause. Reinhardt slowly raised his head. Then he looked directly at me.
"...Then will you train me?"
He stood up again, sword still in hand.
His question irritated me.
His audacity always did.
"Don't we have an instructor?"
"Why do I need to train you anyway?"
I frowned.
"Also... what will you even do by getting stronger?"
Reinhardt didn't flinch. He looked straight into my eyes. His voice was calm. Serious. Unwavering.
"I want power enough to eliminate any threat."
For a brief moment...
I looked away from his eyes.
I knew where that conviction came from.
I understood it too well.
But...
"Hah..."
"You are still a kid."
I said it with a proud smile, carefully hiding whatever emotion had tried to surface. Then I turned around and began walking back toward the classroom.
After taking only a few steps, I stopped.
"...Though, what do I have in return for teaching you?"
I asked while slightly turning my head back toward him.
Reinhardt began thinking immediately. There was no bargaining skill in that expression. No practiced answer. He looked like he had nothing prepared.
And that was exactly why classroom education mattered.
It taught more than letters and arithmetic.
It taught negotiation.
It taught structure.
It taught the world.
I resumed walking.
"Well..."
"If you properly attend class..."
"...then perhaps I can think about training with you until you reach academy age."
Hearing that, Reinhardt looked away, trying to hide the happiness creeping into his expression.
"...Ah."
It was a tiny response.
Barely more than a breath.
Still...
I noticed it.
A faint smile tugged at my lips as I walked away.
"Brother."
"Brother."
"Brother..."
Valdrik opened his eyes.
White ceiling. Soft bedding. The smell of medicine lingered in the air. He was lying on a bed in the infirmary. For a moment, he remained still, blinking once as his mind finished crossing the boundary between dream and waking life.
Then he looked beside him.
Reinhardt was sitting there. Waiting. As though he had never left.
That was when Valdrik realized it had only been a memory from the past.
"...Ahh. Te...tee te."
Valdrik tried to sit up too quickly. Immediately, Reinhardt leaned forward and supported him, one hand steady against his brother's back.
"You still need to rest, brother."
Valdrik clicked his tongue and shook off Reinhardt's hands.
"I'm fine."
"No need to worry."
He began gathering his things and preparing to leave the infirmary bed behind, movements stiff but determined.
Reinhardt simply watched him. He knew his brother's personality well enough not to stop him more aggressively. He knew Valdrik would stand up no matter what anyone said.
"See you later, brother."
Reinhardt spoke as Valdrik walked away.
Valdrik paused at the door. Then answered without looking back.
"Ah, later."
He left the infirmary with steady steps, pretending not to show the weakness his body still carried.
The night streets echoed with the rhythmic pounding of armored boots.
A squad of Knights of Order raced through the dimly lit roads, their lanterns swinging wildly with every stride. The orange flames inside flickered violently, casting long, distorted shadows across the stone streets and abandoned alleyways.
Leading them was their commander.
Her silver armor reflected the pale moonlight with every movement, and the heavy cloak flowing behind her snapped sharply in the cold night wind. Unlike the knights following her, her breathing remained perfectly steady despite maintaining a speed few could match.
She was desperately searching for someone.
No... more than anyone else present, she wanted to find that person.
Every new corpse only deepened the hatred burning inside her.
The roads ahead split into several narrow alleys. She immediately raised a hand.
"Split up."
Her voice carried the authority of someone long accustomed to command.
"Search every route."
"Pay attention to anything unusual. Even the smallest inconsistency."
The knights nodded without hesitation.
"Yes, Commander!"
They divided into multiple groups and disappeared into different streets.
The commander remained still for only a brief second before speaking again.
"It's already night."
"Don't let your guard down."
Her warning lingered in the air even after everyone had dispersed. Silence returned. Only the distant chirping of insects and the sound of footsteps echoed between the buildings.
Then...
"Aaaaaaah!"
A terrified scream erupted somewhere deep within the maze of backstreets.
Every knight stopped simultaneously. Their heads turned toward the sound.
"It's coming from the four o'clock direction!"
One of the knights shouted.
The commander closed her eyes for a brief moment, estimating the distance. Then she nodded.
"You all continue searching the surrounding area."
"I'll handle that location myself."
Without waiting for a response, she turned and sprinted toward the scream with explosive speed, her cape billowing violently behind her.
"The moment you stand before me..."
"...it will be your end."
She whispered those words only to herself.
Elsewhere.
Two knights who had separated from the main squad searched another district with their lanterns raised. The streets were deserted. Broken barrels. Old crates. Dark windows. Nothing unusual.
One knight let out a slow breath.
"Nothing seems odd here."
His partner didn't answer.
"...Oi."
Still no response.
"Oi, are you listening?"
The first knight frowned and turned around. His companion stood completely frozen. His lantern trembled violently in his hand. The light pointed toward something lying further down the alley.
"...What happened?"
The first knight hurried over.
Then he saw it.
"...Oi..."
His own words died in his throat.
A corpse lay collapsed against the stone wall. An arrow had pierced directly through its skull. Attached to that arrow was a wooden board. A message had been carved into it.
Neither knight spoke.
On another street...
The commander found a corpse almost identical to the first. She slowly crouched beside it. Her eyes moved toward the wooden board hanging from the arrow.
It read:
"What is the difference between justice, revenge, and management?"
Silence.
Her fist slowly tightened. The leather of her glove creaked under the pressure.
"As if you have the right to talk about justice."
Her voice carried barely restrained fury.
Before she could inspect the scene further, one of the communication crystals hanging from her waist began glowing. A report. Another corpse. The description matched exactly.
She immediately contacted the nearby patrol.
"Secure this location."
"Do not touch the body until investigators arrive."
She stood up at once. Then sprinted toward the newly reported scene.
"How long do you intend to keep mocking us...
...before you're finally satisfied, you monster?"
By the time she arrived, two knights had already secured the area. They immediately stepped aside.
"Commander."
She walked between them and lowered her gaze.
Another corpse. Another arrow. Another board.
This one read:
"I have no intention of being killed by a fool like you."
For a brief instant, pure rage surfaced across her face. Her jaw tightened. The veins along her clenched fist became visible.
"...Commander?"
One knight called cautiously.
"Commander..."
He could tell she was barely containing herself.
"...Co..."
Before he could finish speaking, she turned around and started walking away. A few steps later, her walk became a sprint.
"Continue searching."
"Report every single thing you find."
Her voice echoed behind her as she disappeared into another street.
Far away from those bloodstained alleys, inside the royal palace, warm golden light illuminated an extravagant chamber.
Every wall displayed paintings by renowned artists. Ancient artifacts rested inside crystal display cases. Decorative armor stood like silent guardians along the walls. Even a single ornament inside this room could rival the value of an ordinary noble's estate.
At the center sat a young man upon an ornate chair crafted from polished silver and gold, its back embroidered with intricate golden threads over white fabric. One leg rested casually over the other. A wine glass slowly rotated between his fingers. The deep crimson wine reflected the candlelight.
He smiled faintly.
"I heard you lost in battle..."
"...to a normal-class student, Valdrik."
The man spoke without even looking up immediately.
Valdrik remained kneeling. His head lowered respectfully.
"Julian Morcant-sama..."
He couldn't find any words beyond that.
Silence lingered.
Julian finally took a slow sip of wine.
"Don't worry."
"I know your abilities."
"I have no intention of punishing you."
His expression remained relaxed.
"Though..."
"...it is certainly interesting."
"A person this useful was hiding among the common class."
He paused. Another sip. The crystal made a soft sound as he slowly rotated the glass again.
"Personally..."
"I don't have much attachment to my position."
"I believe we should use whatever..."
"...and whoever..."
"...can be useful."
He crossed one leg over the other more comfortably.
"But that doesn't mean everyone should be treated equally."
His tone remained calm. Almost conversational.
"To maintain a kingdom..."
"...people must continue believing in their own doubts."
"Their own illusions."
"Their own models of reality."
"So long as none of them cross certain boundaries..."
"...the system continues to function."
He placed the wine glass gently onto the nearby table. Then leaned forward.
"Though first..."
"...I need to know his limits."
"Depending on those limits..."
"I'll decide whether he should work beneath me..."
"...beside me..."
"...or..."
His smile deepened ever so slightly.
"...depending on his actions..."
"...whether he should become a cautionary example..."
"...or our common enemy."
His eyes shifted toward Valdrik.
"What do you think?"
Valdrik answered honestly.
"He is certainly much stronger than me."
"I don't know by how much."
"Our fight wasn't long enough."
"And..."
"...he was most likely holding back."
Julian's eyes widened slightly. A genuine smile appeared.
"Hm..."
"He may be a much bigger fish than I originally thought."
He picked up the wine glass once more. Silence settled over the room as he thought. Then another subject entered his mind.
"Have the Knights of Order solved the serial killer case?"
"No."
"They haven't."
"But according to them..."
"...they're doing everything they can."
"I see..."
Julian slowly swirled the wine. Then smiled.
"Then why don't we let Daimadō Mahō Gakuen's Student Council assist them?"
"We might obtain additional information about him during the investigation."
He looked toward Valdrik again.
"As I recall..."
"...your younger brother recently became his servant."
For the first time during the conversation, a trace of panic crossed Valdrik's face.
Julian noticed it immediately.
"Relax."
"I'll try to spare your brother if things go south."
Valdrik lowered his head again.
"Thank you."
Julian merely smiled.
'Even if his brother dies...'
'...I still benefit.'
'The emotional attachment restraining Valdrik will disappear.'
'At that point...'
'...he'll be more vulnerable than ever.'
'Winning his complete loyalty would become far easier.'
'Either outcome benefits me...'
'Also... I need more data on this commoner.'
Julian thought, the calculation settling behind his pleasant expression like something cold beneath still water.
Julian quietly placed the wine glass back onto the table. Then leaned comfortably against his chair. His decision had already been made.
"Get him involved in this case."
His voice carried quiet authority.
Valdrik immediately bowed.
"Understood."
He rose, offered one final respectful salute to Prince Julian Morcant, and silently left the chamber. The heavy doors closed behind him.
The room returned to silence. Only the faint sound of wine swirling inside a golden glass remained.
It had already been two days since the Student Council officially began operating.
The principal had dumped every pending task directly onto us without the slightest hint of mercy, and our sleep had become something to negotiate over rather than a basic human necessity. Naturally. Why give students rest when you can instead hand them paperwork and call it a day.
I had barely returned home late last night after midnight, only to be greeted by my mother's lecture because I had forgotten to tell her I would be staying at the Student Council building.
That, too, had been a pleasant experience — in the way a knife to the ribs is a pleasant experience.
Still...
Today, I wanted a peaceful day. A simple one. A day where I could go sit near that fountain, read some books from this world, and do absolutely nothing that involved emotional instability or surprise.
As I walked toward the fountain, clinging to that wish like a fool believing in a convenient future, reality naturally decided to insult me.
Just as I reached the area...
There was already another uproar there.
A crowd had gathered, all of them staring upward at something hanging in front of the fountain square. I stopped. Then looked up as well.
...
A knight was hanging there.
He was wearing only his clothes, without armor, though a helmet still covered his head. Hanging from his neck was a board with a message written in bold letters.
"IM USELESS"
...
People immediately began shouting.
"Another knight like this."
"What are they doing exactly?"
"Why doesn't the killer kill them?"
"Do the knights and the killer have some kind of collaboration?"
"No, that seems unlikely after seeing this."
"But something is definitely going on."
The gathered crowd quickly began forming their own interpretations, each more nervous than the last. A few people pointed, others whispered, and some simply stared in stunned disbelief.
One knight stood nearby, trying to calm everyone down.
"What are the Knights of Order doing?"
"Just how long has it been?"
People kept shouting over him, their frustration rising by the second.
Then another knight arrived and signaled the one speaking to step back. She climbed onto a wooden crate that had been used like a makeshift stage, standing with a proud and rigid posture. Even before speaking, she looked like someone born to command.
"I am the commander of the Knights of Order."
"We are doing our best to execute justice."
"People of this kingdom, do not worry."
"We will do everything in our power to ensure that justice falls upon evil."
Her voice rang through the square with enough confidence to silence most of the crowd.
And for a moment, it worked. The people who had gathered there seemed reassured. Most of them accepted her words and decided to wait and see what happened next. A few still looked doubtful, but they didn't seem bold enough to stir up even more chaos.
The crowd slowly scattered. Some people walked away while muttering to each other about what they had seen, trying to decide whether the knights were truly in control or whether everything was already falling apart in the back streets of the kingdom.
I, who had been watching from a little distance, simply turned away.
Looks like today wasn't going to be the peaceful fountain-reading day I had imagined.
As I walked, I thought back on that speech and this case.
...
Ah.
I remember hearing those words before.
Some knight had said something similar already.
But if a higher authority says the same thing...
The effect becomes stronger.
That was how people worked.
That was how systems worked.
For now, though, I had no intention of getting mixed up in this mess. I had already placed a protection spell on my parents, so I didn't need to worry too much about them unless the killer was stronger than me.
...
Which, of course, was exactly the sort of sentence the universe liked to punish.
I turned toward the academy.
As I walked toward the entrance of the academy, once again... I saw Ravian Edevane. He was standing near the roadside, staring at a cat that was eating fish, as still and unbothered as if the whole city hadn't just been in an uproar a few streets over.
...
Well.
Let's ignore him.
I had already made that decision when Ravian suddenly turned his head toward me as if he could sense my presence from a mile away.
...
Really?
I'm definitely using concealment next time.
"My friend."
Ravian smiled and walked toward me. He acted as if we had been friends for months, moving close enough to casually drape his arm around my shoulder.
I wondered where he had gone after that match with Reinhardt.
Even though I didn't trust a random noble calling me his friend out of nowhere... for some reason, hearing it from him didn't feel unpleasant.
That was annoying.
It was strange, honestly. I was actually enjoying his company despite how little we had interacted.
He gave off the impression that we had something in common. Especially something close to my past self.
...
Though that "feels like" feeling had betrayed me enough times already that I had no intention of trusting it.
Still...
No, he is suspicious.
With great effort, I suppressed the strange comfort I was beginning to feel and instead started observing him carefully for any sign of ulterior motive, any pattern that might reveal why he was this close to me.
As I walked with Ravian into the academy grounds, a high-class wagon came to a stop behind me. A butler sitting beside the coachman climbed down first, then opened the carriage door with a practiced motion.
From the wagon stepped Reinhardt and Valdrik.
"Have a good day, Valdrik-sama and Reinhardt-sama."
The butler bowed respectfully before returning to the seat beside the coachman and preparing to depart.
Reinhardt walked toward me and took my bag from my hands before greeting me.
"Good morning."
His voice was polite. Too polite. So polite it was completely unlike the Reinhardt I knew. But the expression on his face made it obvious.
He was forcing it.
The funniest part was that this was the first time I had ever seen a servant arrive in a high-class wagon while his master commuted on foot.
But there was something else that bothered me even more.
Valdrik was staring at me. And he was doing so while walking beside Reinhardt, who was trying his best to behave like a proper servant. His stare felt very much like the stare of someone evaluating a threat before deciding whether to cut it down now or later.
We entered the academy grounds together.
As expected...
That man remained the enemy of my peace.
We stopped near the entrance. And just then, Principal Vivienne came walking toward us. The moment she arrived, Valdrik nodded at her at the same time she nodded at him, as though this meeting had been arranged beforehand.
She instructed me to come with her to the Student Council office.
And thanks to the principal's order...
We were skipping class again.
Wonderful.
As the principal, Valdrik, Reinhardt, and I started walking away, Ravian called out behind me.
"Let's meet again, my friend."
I glanced back while continuing forward. He then headed toward class while I went with the others toward the Student Council building.
For some reason, this scene felt strangely familiar.
This was the second time it had happened.
And both times...
The Elthorn family and the Edevanes had been involved.
...
As we reached the Student Council room, Shirohana and her servant Celestria were already there. I sat down on the president's chair while Reinhardt pulled it out for me. Principal Vivienne and Valdrik sat on the sofa. Shirohana served me green tea with a small smile hidden behind her sensu.
For some reason, seeing her like that made me feel oddly peaceful.
...
No.
Wait a second.
Wasn't I getting a little too comfortable around these unknown people?
I took a breath and forced myself to suppress the warmth creeping into my chest.
I needed to stay vigilant.
I rested my chin on my crossed fingers, my elbows supported on the desk in front of me, and leaned forward slightly.
"So, what do you need from the Student Council?"
I asked.
Valdrik set down the tea cup Celestria had served him.
"To be direct, my master has ordered this academy to use its talent and assist in the investigation of the serial killings currently taking place."
He said it while looking toward the principal.
"Well, I have been helping as well, but we need more hands."
"The anxiety among the people is increasing day by day."
Principal Vivienne Arkwright spoke with calm composure, though her tone made it clear this was not a minor matter.
I said nothing and simply looked at them.
Valdrik understood the meaning of my silence.
"We will provide a satisfactory reward for your contribution once this case is solved."
"I promise that none of you will feel at a loss for helping us."
...
"Feel."
That word bothered me.
It meant this was not an absolute guarantee.
It was only a promise regarding perception.
And he had made this request directly to the principal and probably even higher authority.
Tch...
Still, that didn't change the fact that the situation itself was dangerous.
"Well..."
"Let's discuss our benefit first."
I said.
Valdrik gave a slight laugh.
"You really don't show much pride, do you?"
Then he pulled out a royal scroll and handed it to Reinhardt so he could deliver it to me.
I don't want pride that makes me unable to accept pride again.
Reinhardt placed the scroll on my desk and stepped back into position. I opened it and examined the bottom, where the royal seal had been stamped.
...
Trustworthy.
The rewards were listed as follows:
The academy will receive increased funding.
On top of that, the Student Council will receive separate funds from the ones provided to the academy.
Support will be granted to a certain extent directly from the prince.
10 Suncrest.
By the way, one Suncrest equals 5000 gold coins, and 1000 gold coins can already buy a house better than what a normal class student would normally live in.
Direct audience with the prince.
(Only applicable to the Student Council President.)
Hmm.
Not bad.
Though...
It was possible that the prince's support would be used as a means to influence the nobles connected to the academy.
And this "direct audience with the prince" being limited only to the Student Council President...
That sounded suspicious.
I could assume all of this was a positive development.
But if my suspicions happened to be even partially correct, then this prince was clearly trying to accomplish something.
And he was likely quite competent at it.
Either way...
The danger wasn't going to disappear just because I looked at the problem from a different angle.
For now...
"Okay then."
"We will help."
I said, placing the scroll carefully aside.
"I see..."
"Then we will count on all of you."
"Tomorrow, the commander of the Knights will provide you with further information and instructions."
"Well then, my business here is done."
"I will take my leave."
Valdrik said this as he set down his tea cup and began walking toward the exit after giving his greetings.
Following him, the principal stood as well.
"I also have work to do, so I will be leaving too."
"Tomorrow, all of you will discuss the details with the commander. I will not be able to attend, as I have other matters to take care of."
She walked out as she spoke.
Shirohana had remained beside me the entire time, her eyes half-lidded and her lower face hidden behind her sensu, a faint smile lingering just behind it. I could see it from the side.
Her thoughts were one of the most dangerous things I needed to worry about.
But for now...
I would trust that she would not become an obstacle.
And that she would not play with the little peace I still had left in a situation like this.
"What do you all think?"
I asked while leaning back.
"We will follow the judgment of the President."
All three of them answered at once.
...
Sigh.
This kind of trust from others only makes me more anxious.
As I continued thinking about the case, we began handling the remaining Student Council work.
After all...
From tomorrow onward, I doubted we would have much time for it.
Also...
I was still wondering how badly our studies were going to suffer because of all this.