Chapter 173
Another student council president candidate, recommended by a powerful candidate for president.
Normally, such a person would naturally become a strong contender.
‘But still, not a first-year.’
The student council president is a position reserved for only the best student at Lumene.
It was true that Leo was the most talked-about student at Lumene this year, but he was still just a first-year.
Even with the fifth-years graduating, there were still three grades above him.
Realistically, it didn’t make sense.
The problem was, the one who recommended Leo was none other than Elena.
The acting director of Lumene and the so-called queen of the school—a one-of-a-kind individual.
She not only dominated the entire third-year but even wielded considerable influence over the fourth-years.
‘This could get annoying.’
Of course, if Elena pushed for Leo to become president, she’d face significant resistance.
The fourth-years would go ballistic, and plenty of third-years would oppose it, too.
Add in the second-years as well.
It would clearly throw the entire school into chaos.
“Who else knows about this?”
“For now, just you, me, and Elena. Only the three of us involved.”
At Rhys’s words, Leo gave him a look of pity.
“You’re not having a great final year, huh?”
Seeing Leo’s genuinely sympathetic expression, Rhys let out a small laugh.
With Leo acting as if it was none of his business, Rhys said, “So you’re not interested in the president’s seat?”
“I’m a first-year. There are plenty of outstanding upperclassmen. Isn’t it a bit much for me to take it?”
Leo shrugged.
Truthfully, he didn’t care for the student council president position, even if he became an upperclassman.
‘It just sounds like a hassle.’
He planned to devote himself to school life, but he had no intention of taking on extra trouble.
“From my perspective, Elena’s suggestion is both ridiculous and strangely tempting.”
Rhys smiled at Leo’s words.
“If my younger cousin became president—a first-year student council president, unprecedented in Lumene history—it would be a huge win for the Zerdinger heir like me.”
The Zerdinger name was already prestigious.
But if Leo became student council president as a first-year and held the role until graduation, he’d go down as a legendary graduate.
The Zerdinger family could rise even further.
“Besides, in some ways, I think you’re more suited to be president than I am.”
“Me?”
“Yeah. A hero has the power to lead others.”
Rhys smiled meaningfully.
“But those who can lead heroes are rare. I think you have that quality far more than I do, Leo.”
Leo scratched his cheek.
‘Well, that’s because I learned from Lysinas.’
The leader of the party that saved the world.
Leo had been influenced by Lysinas.
“Anyway, don’t think of it so negatively.”
Rhys gave a gentle smile.
“Nothing’s impossible, right?”
—
That afternoon after class.
Leo stood up after tidying his desk.
Carr waved at him.
“Leo! We’re heading to the Grand Library to study for midterms—want to come with us?”
Around Carr were all his close friends.
Chelsea and Nella, the top students in the class, were there too.
“Sorry, I have something to take care of after school.”
“Ah, that’s too bad.”
Carr smacked his lips.
“Leo, we’ll be in the Grand Library even after we’re done. Come by if you have time.”
Nella, with her usual lazy smile, chimed in, and Leo nodded.
After his classmates left, Leo headed alone toward the third-year building.
Normally, unless you were a pretty gutsy first-year, you’d never set foot in the third-year building.
First-years generally found upperclassmen intimidating.
So Leo, boldly entering the third-year building, naturally drew attention.
Especially since third-years had one more period than the lower grades and were still in class.
‘Elena was in Class 4, right?’
Leo entered the first floor and headed toward Class 4.
Unlike first-years, who had up to ten classes, the third-years only had five.
That meant more than half had already dropped out by the time they got here.
‘It really is impressive what my class has accomplished.’
They were still one of only two classes with zero dropouts.
Considering the class had the lowest average score at the time of admission, it was astonishing.
Leo sat down in front of Class 4.
He could hear the lesson going on inside.
After a while.
Ding-dong-dang-dong—
The bell rang, signaling the end of class.
Rattle! Clatter—! Clatter—!
He heard the sounds of desks moving inside.
The classroom door opened, and the professors came out.
The third-year professors, spotting Leo in the hallway, looked at him in surprise.
‘A first-year in the third-year building?’
‘Leo Plov. He’s certainly unusual.’
Even the professors admired the first-year representative’s courage as the third-year students poured out of the classroom.
When they saw Leo sitting on a chair in front of the room, they stopped.
“Wait, isn’t that the first-year representative, Leo Plov?”
“Seriously?”
“Where? Where!”
The girls from Class 4 crowded around Leo.
“Hello, seniors.”
When Leo stood up and greeted them, the girls looked at each other, then squealed.
“So cute! So fresh! I thought so before, but he really is a pretty boy!”
“Look at his red eyes! They’re gorgeous—like rubies!”
“Didn’t they say he’s the student council president’s cousin?”
The girls crowded around Leo, showing great interest.
Their reaction was completely different from the second-years.
Most second-years didn’t like Leo, but the third-years were different.
They simply found their junior adorable.
Not only the girls, but the boys looked at Leo with curiosity as well.
They too seemed fascinated that Leo had marched into the third-year building so confidently.
“Leo, call me ‘big sis’ just once. Come on, say it.”
“I’d rather not.”
“Oh? So firm! I kind of like that?”
“Do you like younger guys?”
The girls giggled as they teased Leo, then asked, “So, what brings a first-year all the way to the third-year building?”
“I’m here to see Elena.”
At those words, the girls’ attitudes shifted in an instant.
And the mood changed for the other third-years watching as well.
“You came to see Elena? Why?”
Just then, a male student from Class 4 curled his lips into a smirk.
“I have something to discuss.”
“Elena isn’t someone a mere first-year can meet just because you want to. Who do you think you are? So you’re in all the top classes and the first-year representative—do you really think that means anything?”
‘I expected some pushback, but this is a bit much.’
It was common knowledge that Elena liked to recruit promising juniors to her faction.
Plenty of first-years wanted to join Elena’s raid party, Blue Moon.
And Leo was a student she had shown constant interest in.
‘No wonder there’s this much hostility… Oh, right.’
He remembered something second-year representative Lily had said.
During the practical assignment, Elena was supposed to work with her party to clear a dungeon.
But she ignored everything and went to Leo’s side instead.
‘The Queen’s followers are fiercely jealous.’
Recalling Lily’s words, Leo let out a small sigh.
Meanwhile, the Blue Moon party members were openly glaring at Leo.
It didn’t matter if they were boys or girls.
At that moment—
“Master Leo?”
A female student walking down the hallway called out to Leo.
Leo turned to see who had called him ‘Master.’
‘Niel Roda. She’s Celia’s bodyguard, right?’
They rarely saw each other at school since they were in different years, but she’d been close friends with Celia since childhood and was from a family that served the Zerdingers.
Niel greeted Leo with a knight’s courtesy.
“I’m not a Zerdinger.”
“Still, you’re the cousin of Master Rhys and Lady Celia. I must be respectful. Anyway, what brings you to the third-year building, Master Leo?”
“I’m here to see Elena.”
Niel placed a finger on her lips, then tilted her head.
“Hmm. Elena was in class this morning, but she left for the club room this afternoon, saying it was boring.”
“Really?”
“Yes. I’ll take you there.”
Niel smiled and then glared at the Blue Moon students.
As a fellow third-year, she could guess how they’d reacted to Leo.
The Blue Moon third-years flinched under her gaze.
Elena dominated the third-year class.
Not just the third-years—she had many followers in the second year and even some among the fourth-years, most of whom didn’t even like her.
But not all third-years followed Elena.
Some students remained neutral.
Niel was one of the most notable among them.
She was also one of the top five students in the third-year Knights Department.
No one with mediocre skills could challenge her.
As Niel led Leo out of the building, a few students gritted their teeth.
“Tch! Cocky brat!”
“He’s getting ahead of himself just because he’s doing well!”
The Blue Moon students ground their teeth.
Other students clicked their tongues as they watched.
‘Does she really think Elena will care if they do this? There’s no need to get so worked up.’
‘It’s always the mediocre ones who act like that.’
A few third-years looked at them with pity.
—
Leo followed Niel toward the club building.
“Going through the fourth-year building is the shortest route.”
It was the first time he’d been there since the start of the semester.
Niel smiled politely as she explained the club building to Leo.
“I’m in the Art Club. You know Lady Celia is too, right? Are you not interested in art, Master Leo? I get the feeling you’d be good at it with all your talents.”
Celia’s hobby, befitting a noble young lady, was painting.
She was also skilled, thanks to her dexterity.
“No, I’m not really good at art.”
“What about sculpture or any other artistic hobbies?”
“…….”
At the mention of artistic hobbies, Leo’s thoughts wandered back to the past.
– ‘Kyle, you know… In my opinion, you were abandoned by the arts. Not just abandoned—you’re cursed and hated by them. Are you calling that thing a drawing?’
Dweno looked at Luna’s picture of Kyle with an exasperated, almost pitiful gaze.
Arron, who was next to Luna, gave an awkward smile.
– ‘Well, it kind of looks like you…’
– ‘You wanna die?’
– ‘S-sorry.’
– ‘Honestly, it’s better than Luna’s drawing.’
As Kyle protested in annoyance, Dweno nodded.
– ‘Well, aside from magic and that graceful figure, you don’t have many strengths. But that stubborn elf’s beauty is a work of art in itself. So she’s not cursed by the arts.’
– ‘You filthy old pervert!’
Luna strangled Dweno’s thick neck with her staff.
Of course, Dweno didn’t bat an eye.
– ‘See! Even in the face of violence, her beauty never fades!’
– ‘What’s wrong with my personality?!’
– ‘Anyway, Kyle, give up on the arts. You dabbling in art is an insult to art itself.’
Ignoring Luna, who was gnawing on his head, Dweno spoke more seriously than ever.
“My friend told me not to bother with the arts.”
“I see.”
Niel looked sympathetic just as—
“Pfft. What’s the Zerdinger lackey doing here?”
“Huh? And what’s a Lewellin lackey doing picking a fight?”
Niel instantly dropped her friendly demeanor, turning cold, as Leo glanced at the approaching boy.
Judging by the badge on his chest, he was a fourth-year.
But even as a senior, Niel showed no sign of backing down.
His nametag read ‘Matchel Luzia.’
‘Wait, isn’t Matchel Luzia from a vassal family of the Lewellins?’
The equivalent of the Roda family for the Zerdingers.
Chelsea had told Leo about him before.
‘No wonder they don’t get along.’
Even Celia and Abad are rivals, though they don’t bicker constantly, but they are still competing to see who comes out on top.
Naturally, their vassal families were rivals too.
“In this midterm, Lady Celia will prove she’s better than Abad Lewellin! There’s a sparring evaluation!”
“Well, what a coincidence—I thought so too. Of course, I think Master Abad will beat Celia Zerdinger.”
The third- and fourth-years busied themselves boasting about their masters.
“Honestly, Lady Celia is so much better! So popular! If she wanted, she’d be a femme fatale! Just one glance and the boys are hooked!”
“Hah. Master Abad is a real Casanova! No girl could resist his charm!”
“He’s just buttery, if you ask me.”
“Ha! You’re the real tomboy here!”
The two growled at each other.
Because of them, the fourth-years finishing class started to gather around.
“There they go again.”
“Aren’t they embarrassed with the juniors watching?”
“I’d love to bring Celia and Abad here and show them this.”
“That’d be hilarious.”
“Hey! Wanna bet who wins?”
The fourth-years laughed as they watched.
It seemed like an everyday occurrence.
Watching the two loyal vassals bicker, Leo asked, “When does this end?”
“Oops!”
Realizing she’d forgotten about Leo, Niel quickly apologized.
“Sorry, Master Leo. This annoying guy picked a fight.”
Niel smiled and stood next to Leo.
“Shall we go?”
“Wait.”
Matchel blocked their path.
Niel scowled, but he ignored her and looked at Leo.
He was tall for a mage and looked down at Leo.
‘Does he dislike me because my mother’s a Zerdinger?’
But Matchel politely introduced himself.
“I’m Matchel Luzia. Master Leo, Lady Chelsea always speaks highly of you.”
Leo’s suspicions were unfounded.
“My mother’s a Zerdinger, though.”
“I don’t mind. You’re Lady Chelsea’s close friend.”
Matchel smiled—much more warmly than he had at Niel.
“Please visit Lewellin sometime. The master is looking forward to meeting you—”
“Hey! Who do you think you’re hitting on?! Get lost! Shoo, shoo! Master Leo, let’s go!”
Niel scowled and inserted herself between them.
“You Zerdinger lackey!”
“That’s still better than a shady Lewellin lackey!”
As the two started bickering again, Leo approached the fourth-years watching from the sidelines.
The fourth-years looked surprised as Leo approached.
“I’ll bet on a draw.”
Realizing it was pointless to hurry, Leo decided to enjoy the scene.
“Sorry, junior, that option isn’t allowed.”
“That’s too bad. Then I’ll bet on Niel winning.”
“Oh! Come here, Leo Plov!”
The fourth-years supporting Niel welcomed Leo enthusiastically.
“A duel!”
“A duel!”
In the end, Niel and Matchel ended up dueling.
—
“…Niel, what happened to your face?”
“Stuff.”
Niel, sullen, soaked her handkerchief in potion and treated her wounds.
The match with Matchel was a draw.
It was impressive to fight a fourth-year to a draw, but honestly, Niel and Matchel had been equals since childhood despite being in different years.
Elena watched her classmate with a small smile, then turned to Leo with shining eyes.
“Still, I’m surprised you came looking for me, Leo.”
“I heard something interesting from the president.”
“Oh my.”
Elena covered her mouth in mock astonishment.
Then she smiled.
“I’d like to have a word in private.”
At those words, the other students in the room frowned.
“If this is about the student council, it must be important. Shouldn’t we hear it too?”
“Yeah.”
Elena smiled again.
“Don’t make me say it a third time.”
At that, the Blue Moon students flinched and left the room.
No one glared at Leo or anything as they left.
No one here was foolish enough to get on Elena’s bad side by acting rashly.
Even Niel, a bit confused, quietly left.
When it was just the two of them, Elena stretched comfortably.
“Before we talk about the student council, there’s something else.”
“What is it?”
“It’s about the Forbidden Library.”
Elena smiled.
“You’ve been granted permission to enter the Forbidden Library.”