Chapter 189
News that Leo had visited the Horticulture Club spread through all the clubs in an instant.
It was a sensitive time, with Lumeiren just around the corner and club budgets under scrutiny.
So overall, the clubs welcomed Leo’s arrival.
Some even schemed to squeeze more funding from the supposedly easygoing first-year student council president.
“I don’t think we can approve your request for additional funds.”
“What?!”
The Magic Engineering Club president’s face went pale at Leo’s words.
“Why?! Why not?! The Horticulture Club got more funding!”
Fourth-year president of the Magic Engineering Club, Jaem Dect, demanded.
Leo responded calmly.
“The spell you’re developing—an ultra-efficient teleportation spell that dramatically reduces mana stone consumption—has been the Magic Engineering Club’s long-term project for the past two years, right?”
“Exactly! Once it’s finished, the revenue will far exceed all the funding we’ve ever received!”
“Be honest. How close is it to being finished?”
“It’s practically done!”
“Practically, huh?”
Leo stared blankly.
At that, Jaem flinched and muttered,
“O-Okay, halfway…”
“Halfway?”
“The hard parts are done! Just some minor details left!”
“You’re graduating next year. After you leave, who’s continuing the project?”
“My juniors are all smart and capable!”
His clubmates sighed.
Jaem constantly berated them for not understanding his theories, and now he was calling them ‘capable’?
‘He’s just like the last president.’
‘Still, if we want the budget, we’ve got to back him up.’
The club members had invested at least six months into this research. They desperately wanted the extra funds.
“That’s right, Leo. We’ll carry the project forward!”
“We’ve been improving it since our seniors’ time!”
First to third-years emphasized its importance.
‘Well, it’s not impossible in theory.’
Leo reviewed the spell diagrams.
A lot of progress had been made.
But actual results were still a long way off.
“This isn’t something you can present at Lumeiren. Additional budgets are only for Lumeiren prep.”
Chen Xia’s words made Jaem sigh and clutch his forehead.
“This is why the Knights Department doesn’t get it. Magical research has value even in progress! Every year we’ve been praised by Seiren’s professors!”
“And every year, you’ve been outscored by Seiren’s Magic Engineering Club, which presented practical spells. That’s written right here.”
Chen Xia smiled gently, but her words hit hard.
Jaem exploded.
“Magic is about exploration and creation! Don’t compare us to Seiren’s utilitarian mindset!”
“Exactly!”
“We’re putting everything into this spell—it’ll change the world!”
His underclassmen roared in agreement.
“Alright! I’ll explain why we need the budget, step by step! Chalkboard! Chalk!”
Jaem barked, and someone brought over a board and chalk.
“Teleportation works by folding space to bring two points together! But folding vast distances takes immense energy! So—we fold it multiple times, like a spring! That way, the mana cost…”
As Jaem launched into a complicated explanation, Chen Xia glanced at Leo with a troubled look.
She was clueless about magic.
Leo, however, nodded thoughtfully with each point.
Jaem smiled inwardly.
‘Even Professor Len and Torua praised our research! Leo’s a mage too—he’ll get it!’
Buoyed by confidence, Jaem finally set the chalk down.
“Well?”
“It’s impressive.”
“Right?! So about that extra budg—”
“But based on this, we should be cutting next year’s budget too.”
Crack—!
Jaem froze.
“You didn’t understand a word, did you?!”
“I understood perfectly. And that’s exactly why I’ll explain why this budget should be cut.”
Leo picked up the chalk and pointed out flaws, inefficiencies, and necessary corrections on the board.
Tack—
After finishing, Leo looked at Jaem, who stood speechless.
“With this approach, you could reduce costs. So we should cut the budget, right?”
Everything Leo said was already known to Jaem—he just hadn’t mentioned it, hoping to secure more funds.
“W-Wait! We’ve got other projects too—”
“But didn’t you just say this spell would change the world and carries your department’s honor? Then you should focus only on this. Xia, mark it for budget cut and report to Elena.”
“Understood, Sir Leo.”
“W-Wait, Elena?!”
Hark, who handled most admin work, wasn’t fond of magic.
So anything magic-related would be handed to Elena—who also served as acting director.
She was the budget’s source.
‘Oh no… she’s definitely going to slash our funding.’
Torua, who used to shield them, was graduating.
And Len?
‘Leo asked to cut the budget? Then it shall be cut.’
Len was infamously obsessed with dragging Leo into the Magic Department.
In the end, Jaem collapsed to his knees and grabbed Leo’s pant leg.
“Please! At least don’t cut it! I don’t need more, just don’t cut it!”
The rest of the club joined in, clinging to Leo’s feet.
But the Magic Engineering Club received no additional budget.
—
Next stop: “The Power,” a physical training club led by Knight Department students.
Leo and Chen Xia watched them work out.
“…Do you need additional funding?”
“Of course! We need supplements to aid our muscle training.”
“Do they actually help?”
“Absolutely! Look at these arms!”
The fourth-year club head, Dick Bickler, flexed his muscles proudly.
Even Chen Xia was impressed by their size.
“Leo! You know this—Aura and technique matter in battle, but so does physical strength! We at The Power strive for a higher level through training! Witness this beautiful physique!”
With a grunt, Dick flexed his whole body.
Leo replied,
“You don’t need that much muscle in real combat. No additional budget.”
“Wait, don’t be so harsh! Just a little…? Half? Even a quarter…?”
Dick pleaded with the first-year junior.
But clubs who thought Leo would be easy to exploit due to his year were now facing cuts instead.
By evening, club leaders had begun to treat Leo like a grim reaper.
—
“Welcome, Leo.”
Celia greeted him as he arrived at the Art Club.
“Where’s the club president?”
“He ran off. Said he didn’t need more funding after all.”
Celia sighed. The president had once dreamed of getting more funds—but fled after hearing the rumors.
Leo tilted his head.
“Ran away before I even got here? Hmm. Feeling guilty, maybe?”
“No! Nothing shady! I swear!”
Myria Juliet, the Art Club president, burst out of the storage room in a panic.
Panting, she said,
“W-Welcome to the Art Club! Since you’re here, want to see our Lumeiren entries?”
“Sure.”
Leo agreed without hesitation.
Guided by Myria, Leo and Chen Xia toured the studio.
One piece stood out—a painting of a Phoenix.
“This is amazing. The way the flames are expressed is beautiful.”
“Right? Celia painted that.”
“Hoh.”
Leo admired his cousin’s work.
Celia casually flipped her hair.
Next to it was an equally stunning sculpture.
Leo paused.
It was a serene statue of Luna.
‘This doesn’t suit her at all.’
He laughed and asked,
“Who made this?”
The craftsmanship was superb.
“Walden did.”
“Walden? He’s in the Art Club?”
“Yeah. He doesn’t come often, but his sculpting skills are insane.”
“Hoh.”
Leo nodded in admiration.
When the tour ended, Myria asked,
“So? What did you think?”
“Impressive.”
“Right?! We beat Seiren’s Art Club every year!”
Myria puffed her chest proudly.
Leo responded,
“Then shall we talk about your budget? Don’t you think it’s a bit too high?”
Thud—
Myria collapsed to her knees.
She looked up at Leo with horror.
“P-Please don’t cut it…”
“Just kidding.”
Leo laughed and left the club.
As Celia escorted him out, she narrowed her eyes.
“Leo.”
“Yeah?”
“You’re enjoying this.”
“Yup. It’s fun.”
‘…He’s already like this. I can’t imagine how terrifying he’ll be once he starts really running the council.’
Celia shuddered. Her cousin seemed born for budget tyranny.
—
That evening—
Lumene held its annual banquet.
Every year after the second semester midterms, students from all years gathered for a feast.
It marked the end of summer and the beginning of autumn.
And autumn was when Kyle defeated Erebos.
The banquet also celebrated the return of peace.
‘Back then… I didn’t even realize it was autumn.’
In the large auditorium next to the Hero’s Tower, students enjoyed their meals.
Above them, Wind Spirits fluttered around, handing out gifts.
This season, when new hope was born, was traditionally when adults gave children presents.
Leo used to receive many gifts from his parents around this time.
But this year felt different.
“…That’s a lot of gifts.”
Leo frowned as Wind Spirits struggled to carry box after box to him.
Carr checked the senders and clicked his tongue.
“Looks like they’re from leaders of various nations and factions. Now that you’re student council president, they’re trying to curry favor.”
Rip—
Leo opened a small box.
Inside was a necklace.
“Whoa, that’s an artifact from Dieedn.”
Carr gasped.
“Dieedn? That’s the workshop Chelsea always raves about.”
“Yeah. Most nobles can’t even afford them.”
Carr inspected the necklace.
“It’s got a shielding spell. This thing’s ridiculously expensive. They must really want your favor.”
Leo tucked it back in the box.
“Not like I need it.”
“Still better to have than not.”
Carr chuckled and checked a few more boxes.
“This one doesn’t have a name.”
It was wrapped in plain brown paper.
“There’s a screening process for external items, so it’s probably safe, but still… suspicious.”
Chelsea, chewing pasta nearby, added through full cheeks.
Rip—
Leo opened the package with a puzzled look.
Inside was a smooth, old wooden box.
He cautiously lifted the lid.
Click—!
Inside lay a plain longsword and a letter.
“A longsword?”
“Looks ordinary.”
Chelsea and Carr looked confused.
While everyone else sent luxurious gifts, this one looked simple.
“…The mana feels unusual.”
“Wait, I’ve never seen this material before.”
Carr, from an alchemist family, was shocked.
Leo carefully traced the blade.
“It’s dragon bone.”
“What?!”
“Dragon bone?!”
Gasps erupted from nearby students.
Leo opened the letter.
The handwriting was neat and small.
—Congratulations on becoming student council president. Please make good use of it.