Chapter 526
Simon brought the transfer students to the student council room.
As soon as they stepped inside, everyone let out small gasps of admiration and looked around.
“So this is Keyzen’s student council room! It’s so flashy!”
“At our school, we just slapped a ‘student council’ sign on an empty classroom.”
“That’s usually the case.”
The secretary, Kamibarez Ursula, quickly moved to seat the transfer students on the guest sofas and served them tea. As soon as they took a sip, more murmurs of amazement followed.
But the calm teatime didn’t last long. With twelve people gathered in one room, it soon grew lively. Students gathered in small groups according to shared interests and began chatting.
“Vice-president! The Darkness Flare you used in today’s match was awesome.”
Jetz, the representative of Sierra, was chatting with Maelyn Villene. She snorted.
“At least you’ve got an eye.”
“Mixing pure magic and black magic on the spot to match your opponent was seriously impressive.”
“And you—you’re an Original, right?”
“Yeah. Which means my repertoire is kind of limited.”
Jetz ignited a flickering green flame in his palm. Maelyn’s expression turned serious.
“Just because you’re an Original doesn’t mean it’s automatically good. I think the best path is to focus on versatile academic courses as your main and branch out with side skills that suit you.”
“Of course, that’s the orthodox path. But doesn’t becoming the best with your own unique skill have a certain coolness and romance to it?”
“Does romance put food on the table?”
Elsewhere, Kamibarez was talking with Alizarin, who had fought in today’s match. Unsurprisingly, their topic was ‘blood’.
“Sorry again for bringing up Ursula earlier. People say I’ve got a pretty twisted personality.”
“N-no, it’s fine! Really! The black magic you used to move water with blood was amazing!”
“Want me to teach you?”
Meanwhile, Simon sat alone at the Student Council President’s seat in the back, sipping tea.
He watched with satisfaction as the transfer students got along with the student council members. Then Dick barged in with a loud shout.
“Hey! Simon!”
Dick playfully put Simon in a headlock.
“I heard you scored three straight wins in the transfer evaluation matches? As expected from you!”
“...My head hurts, Dick.”
“More importantly, check out who’s here.”
Dick gestured toward one student.
A sturdily built boy with a shaved head turned his face away, looking embarrassed. He was one of the male students from Aland who had come in with Benz.
“Remember him? That’s Recon! From our school’s Class B in first year!”
“...Huh?”
According to Dick, Recon was originally from Keyzen—an ace in Class B’s Spiritology.
But he had failed the very first exam of the second semester and caused a ruckus.
—This must be some mistake! In the final ranking I was in the upper squad and placed within the top 100, and you’re still expelling me?
He refused to accept it and made a scene, only to be subdued by Bahil, his Class B homeroom teacher.
Then, surprisingly, an unexpected development occurred.
—Recon is actually a decent talent. Moyran would gladly take him. From then on, whether he steadies himself, becomes Moyran’s top student, and eventually returns to Keyzen as a transfer student—or collapses completely—depends on his mindset.
Recon seemed to take those words to heart and entered Moyran, where he worked fiercely. There, he awakened a new talent: ‘curses’.
After hearing of this, Bahil transferred Recon to Aland, where his own junior worked. Compared to Moyran, Aland had a far better infrastructure for Katarology.
Recon rose to the top of the Katarology department there, and now had returned to Keyzen as a transfer student.
“Isn’t that a true human victory story?”
Dick chuckled, slapping Recon on the shoulder.
“Started as a Keyzen student, then went through Moyran and Aland, and now back to Keyzen! Crawled up from the depths of hell!”
“S-stop it. It’s embarrassing.”
Now that Simon had heard the story, he remembered that face.
Back in first year, Recon had a bowl cut. Now, with his hair shaved short and his height shot up, Simon hadn’t recognized him.
“Anyway.”
Simon smiled warmly.
“Welcome back to Keyzen, Recon.”
At those words, Recon’s nose twitched and his eyes grew red. Dick grinned slyly.
“Ohh, he’s crying! Are you crying? Guys, look at this~”
“Cut it out!”
Hahahahaha!
Everyone, already listening closely to Recon’s life story, burst into laughter.
Recon quickly wiped his eyes with his sleeve and let out a big sigh.
His expression carried a swirl of emotions.
That ended the teatime. Then Dick wheeled in a blackboard and began explaining Keyzen’s systems, rules, exams, and practical evaluations to the transfer students.
“What you’re most curious about is the classes, right? You’ll all take the core major subjects, and for general electives you’ll be slotted into courses with open spots. By tomorrow morning, the school will give you a neat timetable, so just follow that. Any questions?”
One transfer student raised his hand.
“I want to take Professor Bahil’s class.”
“Hah, dream on. Star professors’ classes are obviously already packed full. Even our enrolled students struggled like hell to register. Unless you’re a major student, forget it.”
The transfer student lowered his hand, disappointed. Dick marked a check on the blackboard with chalk.
“At least for general courses, you can choose freely and register within the week—up to eight classes. Sure, transfer students start off at a disadvantage, but what can we do? All the slots are taken.”
The transfer students nodded. In truth, they were just grateful Keyzen accepted them at all.
“That’s it for my explanation!”
Dick set down the chalk and continued.
“Oh, and our vice-president has something to say. You gonna do it?”
“...Don’t be a smartass.”
Maelyn shot him a glare, then stepped forward as he moved aside. She stood before the blackboard.
“It’s nothing major.”
She cleared her throat.
“Keyzen might look impressive from the outside, but honestly, people are people. You’ll still find jerks, cliques, bullying, ostracism. That kind of thing.”
The transfer students’ faces stiffened.
“But don’t get too scared.”
Maelyn put her hand on her hip.
“Our school doesn’t have a culture of transfers, so when new friends arrive, everyone’s usually happy. If you do face problems, feel free to come to the student council. We’ll help you.”
“Got it.”
“Thanks.”
Maelyn shrugged.
“Basically, this place is pure meritocracy. If you perform well, the other students will accept you quickly. Ah! And about the 3rd years—they often leave campus, so you won’t see them much. As long as you show basic respect, they won’t bother you. That’s all I had to say.”
The transfer students clapped. Maelyn smiled lightly and returned to her seat.
The student council’s part is done.
Simon, seated at the council president’s seat, checked the clock.
‘The others are a bit late…’
KWAANG!
Just as the saying goes—speak of the devil and he appears. The double doors of the student council room burst open, a massive leg stepping inside.
Heavy footsteps followed. The transfer students tensed, their faces frozen in fear.
“...The damn student council brats acting all high and mighty.”
A massive man entered, radiating hostility.
“Who the hell are you to order the department reps around with broadcasts?”
It was the 2nd year Summonology representative—ranked 3rd overall.
Hector Moore.
“Fwaaahm—”
A long yawn trailed beside him. A tall girl with light-green hair rubbed her sleepy eyes.
“Just finished field evaluation and came straight back… I’m dead tired. Why’d you call me here?”
She was Meridiana Anne Sudden Death, the 2nd year Toxicology representative and ranked 6th overall.
“…Kuuuul—”
Next to her was a girl actually dozing off. She had wrapped herself in a blanket like a robe, her head bobbing up and down.
The 2nd year Katarology representative, ranked 4th overall.
And the younger sister of the former Student Council President ‘Phantasus’, Merida Hugh Ikel.
“You brats! Who do you think you are, yelling at the student council like that?!”
A small, twin-tailed girl suddenly popped out, shouting in a shrill voice. She wore an oversized white uniform draped over her shoulders.
“When the student council calls, you come running immediately! You think you could act this cocky even if it were the 3rd-year student council calling you?”
After scolding the other department representatives, she glanced back at Simon and winked.
She was the 2nd year Spiritology representative, ranked 7th, Elisa Celine.
“President, aren’t you hungry? Should I buy you some bread?”
“…I’m fine.”
“No need to hold back! We’re comrades taking the same Monarch Studies class, after all!”
Simon gave an awkward smile. He couldn’t help but wonder what kind of favor she was going to ask later.
More well-known figures filed in.
Shatel Maer, representative of Darkness Dynamics, 2nd rank.
Elishia Rosenfeld, representative of Haematology, ranked 9th.
Jule Vincere, representative of Magical Combat, ranked 10th, wielder of a curse sword.
The renowned Keyzen Top 10 had gathered in one place.
Every name and family was one the transfer students had at least heard of. Their eyes spun in awe, trying to take it all in.
“Glad to see you all. Thank you for coming despite being tired.”
Simon, seated at the council president’s desk, welcomed them.
As the Student Council President, he was the one who oversaw all seven departments and acted as the bridge connecting the students with Chancellor Neftis.
The transfer students looked at him with shining eyes.
‘He’s not even flinching in front of such members. Standing tall…’
As expected of the president.
Simon continued,
“I called you regarding the transfer students.”
“Yeah, I heard they arrived.”
Hector furrowed his brows, clearly displeased.
“Then the student council should’ve just escorted them to their dorms. What’s the point of summoning department reps here just to play chauffeur?”
“Whiiiine~ whiiiine~ here we go again.”
Dick rose from his seat to back Simon up.
“You’re exactly the same as in first year. This is procedure, what’s your problem? Why do you always have to show off, huh? Acting like you’re hot stuff, Mr. Moore family’s young master?”
Hector’s fierce eyes snapped to Dick.
“This isn’t a matter for a nobody ranked 400th to speak on.”
Maelyn stifled a snort, while Dick flushed at the jab to his weak spot. But he quickly regained composure.
“Just so you know, this was Professor Jane Olivia’s order.”
This time Hector flinched.
“Oh? So now you’re defying Professor Jane? See this memorial crystal here? Go ahead, try running your mouth. You can’t, right? In front of adults you’re all politeness, but to kids you act like a tyrant. Classic ‘bully the weak, bow to the strong’. Hypocrites like you are the worst, you know that?”
Fire lit in Hector’s eyes.
“…Got cocky just because you clung to Simon Follentia and got yourself a title?”
“And you’re the one wagging your tail at the 3rd years just to grab a department rep position to oppose Simon Follentia. That’s rich.”
“…Don’t think that power will last forever. The moment Senior Aizel returns, I’ll personally twist your neck.”
“Oh, I’d love to see that. Why not twist it right now then? Can’t, right? Of course you can’t. And why do you think you wait until I leave the student council? Exactly—because you only ever bully the weak. Watching someone like you play gang leader with his little lackeys is laughable.”
Simon sighed and rose from his seat.
“That’s enough. Both of you, calm down.”
The two glared at each other with murderous eyes.
The transfer students froze, overwhelmed by the sudden hostility. Meanwhile, the other department reps looked completely unfazed, yawning and acting as if nothing unusual was happening.
“If this is Professor Jane’s order, then we should follow it.”
Ranked 9th, Elishia spoke up.
“Please proceed quickly, President.”
“Yes, that’s my plan.”
Simon turned to the transfer students.
“The department reps here will explain your department rules, class details, and required materials. They’ll also guide you through the dorm facilities. Maelyn has already submitted the paperwork for off-campus outings, so if you need to buy supplies, you may head to Rochest this evening.”
Simon smiled gently.
“Of course, the department reps will escort you to Rochest as well.”
That was the real reason he had summoned them.
The department reps smacked their lips in annoyance, but it was also their duty to manage and protect their students.
“That’s all from me.”
Simon looked at the transfer students with a smile.
“I hope your first day at Keyzen becomes a pleasant memory.”
The transfer students stood and bowed in thanks.
* * *
That evening.
Inside Jane Olivia’s research office.
Night had fallen. Jane, wrestling with paperwork under the glow of a small desk lamp, finally set down her quill with a long sigh.
Knock knock.
Just then, a knock sounded.
“Professor Jane, the examination results for student White have arrived.”
It was the voice of her chief assistant, to whom she had entrusted the task.
When Jane told him to come in, the assistant respectfully opened the door and stood before her.
“We ordered a total of twelve component analyses—hair, skin, Darkness, blood, and so on—and the results have just come in.”
Jane straightened her posture, lacing her fingers together.
“How did it turn out?”
Superb.
When are we getting more free chapters?
Thanks for the new chapters