The Academy Union.
This institution, forged to cultivate the future talents who would stand against the demon race, was less a single, unified educational body and more a federation of elite academies.
Among its countless schools, four great pillars supported the weight of the Academy Union.
The austere academy of knights, which taught the way of the sword and various other armaments alongside the arts, discipline, and etiquette befitting a warrior.
Ishtal of Steel.
The frigid academy of mages, where scholars explored the source of the world, governed magic through law, and advanced toward the shores of providence.
Eredor of Magic.
The passionate academy of summoners, who wove humanity and spirits together, channeling the five elements that govern nature and the cycles of their flow.
Voltimir of Spirits.
The sacred academy of seekers, who chased the divine light cast upon the land and followed their path with justice and love.
Seintea of the Heavenly Path.
Countless smaller academies, each with their own history and purpose, existed in the orbit of these four giants.
This was the Academy Union.
A city of students, built upon the Meteor Archipelago in the sea east of the Myrillin continent.
And so.
"…"
The four students gathered in this conference room, where a heavy, stifling atmosphere had settled, were the heads of those great academies.
Like it or not, they were the partners I would have to lead the Union with from now on.
I checked my wristwatch and spoke calmly.
"Then, let's begin the meeting."
"…"
Despite my declaration, only an uncomfortable silence lingered in the room.
The reason for it was, without a doubt, my presence. The presence of Roen.
Considering Roen's past as a notorious scoundrel, this kind of reaction was to be expected. It was a problem I would have to solve one step at a time.
Hoo. Shall we get started?
Just as I took a silent breath and prepared to speak, a voice cut through the oppressive quiet, creating a clear ripple.
"Oh my, Roen. What's the occasion? You're dressed so neatly today. I wonder… will the sun rise in the west tomorrow?"
The person who spoke to me wore a bright, airy smile.
She was a lady with beautiful blonde hair that cascaded down to her waist.
Elena Sion Celestia.
The Student Council President of Seintea and a princess of the Holy Kingdom of Celestia.
She was a remarkable figure, currently being discussed as a candidate for the next Saintess, and she had been the first to address me.
I turned my head toward the voice and looked at Elena.
…She really is beautiful.
Just as the in-game descriptions portrayed, she possessed a beauty that could only be compared to a goddess. Moreover, she exuded a strange sense of composure and a maturity that belied her age.
Elena possessed an incredible social grace that allowed her to befriend anyone easily, and her kind, devoted attitude earned her the respect and love of all. Her presence was more than enough to fill the void left by the previous Student Council President, Leonhardt the Holy Sword.
However, to the current me, she was also the most dangerous person in the room.
As the very essence of divine power, Elena was my natural enemy, given my [Half-Human, Half-Demon] trait.
Elena's eyes scanned my neat attire from top to bottom as she posed her question. I opened my mouth and answered calmly.
"To welcome the new semester, I've decided to be a little different from now on. In a word, I'm turning over a new leaf. Today's meeting will likely be the first step."
Tap, tap—.
As if to declare my will to correct my past misdeeds and start anew, I tapped the briefcase I had placed on the desk with my fingers.
It contained the meeting materials for the General Student Council for the new semester—vital documents for the Academy Union. It was a sign of my intent to diligently carry out my duties as the Student Council President.
"Aha. I had no idea. In any case, you look much better dressed so neatly. I'll be cheering for your 'turn over a new leaf' project."
Elena brought her hands together in a small, prayer-like pose.
I didn't sense a shred of sincerity in her words, but I was grateful enough that she wasn't showing me any outward hostility.
"…"
Unlike Elena, who at least pretended to be supportive, the other three were radiating clear animosity.
Leading the charge was Kiriel, the Student Council President of the spirit academy, Voltimir.
Bang—!
She slammed her hand on the desk and shot up from her seat.
"Turn over a new leaf? Don't make me laugh. Hey. The rumor is that just a few days ago, a medic who went into your hospital room came out screaming. Who do you think you're fooling?"
Kiriel spat the words out, her tone dripping with distrust.
She mentioned the incident from a few days ago and demanded an explanation, but it was news to me.
Did that bastard Roen harass the medic or something?
This was awkward to answer. I'd better change the subject.
I shrugged and retorted.
"Still judging people based on rumors, I see. Kiriel, are those big ears of yours just for decoration?"
"Wh-what did you say?"
As I pointed to her ears, Kiriel's large, pointed ears turned bright red.
Observing her reaction, I recalled the information I had on her.
Kiriel Silverwalker.
She had become the Student Council President this semester, succeeding the Sage, Agnes Whitewood.
With her turquoise ponytail, she was a high elf who had received the full blessing of the sea of trees, possessing incredible spirit affinity and an aptitude for spirit magic.
It might be a trade-off, but as a high elf, Kiriel had ears that were even longer and more pointed than other elves, and this was her greatest insecurity. Kiriel already had a hot-headed personality, but prodding this weak spot was always extra effective.
"Damn it, are you done running your mouth? You want to settle this right here?"
See? Just like that, the topic changed. Thanks to that, the subject of my misdeeds was quickly forgotten.
"Quiet. We don't have time for squabbling. There's much to be done."
I cut off Kiriel, who was still yelling, and opened the lid of the briefcase on the desk.
Thump—.
As I opened the case, the papers that had been packed tightly inside burst into the air. The documents rained down on the round table like scattered flower petals.
I stared blankly at the papers dispersing in the air.
…You really stuffed a lot in here, Ciel.
It was hard to tell if she had worked with the utmost devotion for her master, Roen, or if she was just trying to screw him over.
"Wh-what is this?"
Thanks to the sudden flurry of paper, even the growling Kiriel paused for a moment and sat back down.
Rustle—.
One of the papers fluttering through the air slid across the round table and came to a stop in front of a girl.
Tap—.
The red-haired girl closed the book she was reading and quietly picked up the document before her. After reading it carefully, she spoke in a regretful tone.
"How unlike you to prepare for a meeting so diligently, Roen. Of course, this is all Ciel's work, I'm sure. That poor child, how did she end up working for someone like you…"
The red-eyed girl lamented Ciel's situation, then glared at me with sharp eyes.
"But before that, Kiriel's question was not merely idle chatter. The subject of you is an issue important enough to dictate the future of our student council, and of the Union itself."
"…"
Fiery reddish-gold hair and eyes as sharp as a hawk's.
The Student Council President of Eredor of Magic, and a 5th-tier mage strongly considered to be the next Grand Mage.
Beatrice Le Cassandra.
She was also the First Imperial Princess, a direct blood relative of the Cassandra Magic Empire—the most powerful force on the continent, which commanded seven Magic Towers. She, too, had ascended to the position of Student Council President this semester, succeeding the Sword of the Empire, Gawain Ardion.
Beatrice continued, piercing me with her crimson eyes.
"So let us move to a more fundamental issue. Namely, how a person like you became the Student Council President in the first place. This is a matter that must be addressed. If anyone has an objection to this agenda, please raise your hand now."
Swish—.
When I raised my hand to object, Beatrice narrowed her eyes.
"Not you."
"…"
I silently lowered my hand. In the end, no one else raised theirs. Even Elena, who was the most favorable toward me, simply watched with a faint smile, as if she found the situation amusing.
Everyone seemed to be waiting for an answer, so I spoke calmly.
"How was I elected? It was nothing special. I registered as a candidate, and since there were no other candidates, I was elected. Is any further explanation necessary?"
"No. As I recall, you didn't even meet the qualifications to be a candidate in the first place."
I smoothly sidestepped Beatrice's sharp question.
"I'm not sure why, but the eligibility requirements for candidacy were particularly relaxed this year. I was more than qualified."
"Don't tell me… you lobbied the board of directors?"
At Kiriel's follow-up question, I simply shrugged.
I don't know either, pal.
How should I know if it was lobbying or something else? Though the words were rolling off my tongue, I didn't know how Roen had become the Student Council President either.
In the original story, information on Roen was extremely limited, and by this point in the timeline, that bastard Roen was long dead. Besides, I had been dropped into this world less than a few hours ago. I hadn't had the time to grasp the exact facts.
The only reason I could speak so fluently without trembling was thanks to my extensive knowledge of the Myrillin Saga, supplemented by Roen's [Thick Skin] and [Sophist] traits.
The ability to spout illogical or unsubstantiated claims without flinching, and the shameless poker face to endure it all. Being able to speak without getting flustered in any situation was a good trait.
Hearing my non-verbal answer, Kiriel began to seethe. It seemed she had arbitrarily concluded that I had obtained the presidency through bribery.
"Those… bastards at the top! I know they granted the students autonomy, but this is too much! Is taking bribes all they care about?"
Bang—!
As Kiriel slammed the round table, Elena, who had been listening quietly, intervened with a gentle voice.
"Hehe. Don't be so angry. It's not like the board's incompetence is anything new. And let's be honest, thanks to them, we can run this academy as we see fit, can't we? Isn't that right?"
"Well… I guess that's true."
As Elena said, the Union's administration—the Chairman, the principal, the vice-principal, and so on—were essentially figureheads. They were merely support staff who helped ensure the smooth processing of tasks necessary for the academy's maintenance. Most major decisions were made by the hands of the student council, just like now.
This included everything from establishing academy ordinances to budget allocation and execution, and even the selection and employment of staff. As such, the student council presidents of each great academy wielded truly immense power. The description of them as the pillars of the academy was no exaggeration.
And I, the 'Student Council President' who was supposed to lead and command these powerful presidents, should also hold the ultimate authority befitting the position.
However.
…The reality is a little different.
The current position of Student Council President was not so grand. After I finished my answer, Beatrice sighed and spoke.
"Hmph. It's a bit distasteful, but it can't be helped. It's not like we can kick you out right now. However, since Roen holds no real power, we will leave him be for now."
"True. The Student Council President is just a rubber stamp anyway. Whatever. Just get ready to pack your bags next semester. We're going to hold a student-wide vote and kick you out."
Kiriel warned me, glaring with fierce eyes. I met her gaze impassively and thought to myself.
'I hold no real power. A rubber stamp…'
It was unpleasant, but what they said was true. The seat of the Student Council President I currently occupied was nothing more than a hollow title.
The biggest reason for this was the current method of distributing the donations that flowed into the academy.
Money. It's always about money, isn't it?
Originally, donations from nations and families to the academy went through the board of directors and were distributed equally to each academy via the General Student Council. The intention was for the Union, founded to commemorate the alliance of humanity, to be a place of equal education for all.
But then came the 'Chegevill Rebellion,' which shook the continent.
After the events of that day, the Union's board and the General Student Council were dismantled, leaving behind little more than an empty shell filled with figureheads. And the donations that had been distributed equally through them began to be sent directly to each academy.
Through direct financial support, sponsors began to selectively cultivate academies that suited their tastes and served their interests. In the end, the academy today has become less a place of learning to foster future talent and more a proxy battlefield for the various kingdoms and families.
The smaller academies that fell behind in this struggle gradually declined, while the four academies backed by great empires and kingdoms grew disproportionately large. That was the current power dynamic of the academy, and the reason why the Student Council President and the board of directors had become positions in name only.
But did that mean I had to just stand by and be a scarecrow…?
Absolutely not.
My eyes gleamed quietly as I stroked a document on the desk.
Flutter—.
I was someone who had cleared the Myrillin Saga countless times. I knew full well how to solve a problem of this magnitude. For now, let's start with the first step.
After assessing the situation, I moved on to the main agenda of the meeting.
"It seems the discussion about me has been more or less settled. Then let's move on to the first item on the agenda. It concerns the operation of the Union's General Student Council."
"Yes~"
"Hmph. Do as you please."
"Let's hear it."
Elena, Kiriel, and Beatrice answered in turn.
Having received their consent, I looked toward the girl who was sitting with her eyes closed quietly in a corner of the round table. The one person who had remained silent this entire time.
A girl whose silvery-white hair, like snow on a winter field, harmonized with her pale skin. She was the Student Council President of Ishtal of Steel, the academy of solemn knights, and the one closest to being the 'Hero' at this moment.
"Freya."
When I called her name, she, who had been silently meditating, finally lifted her eyelids to look at me. I met her eyes directly and declared.
"I hereby appoint you as the Vice President of the Union Student Council."