“Conditions… you say?”“Yeah. For this article, you’ll submit it to me for prior review.”“Review? That’s too much. It’s tyranny. Ever heard of freedom of the press?”“Then forget it.”“……”In the end, Chloe accepted my proposal, and I laid out my requirements one by one.“First, write this piece favorably about Professor Verdandi.”Freya’s older sister, Verdandi.If I gained her recognition, it would help improve my relationship with Freya.But if she returned to her house, that chance would disappear.“Didn’t Professor Verdandi get suspended for negligence? Is there really a reason to write favorably…”“If you manage things well, does a typhoon neatly swerve away? This incident was close to a natural disaster.”Who would have predicted that the Twelve Venerables would move and assault the Union?Even I, who knew the Mir-ellin saga’s storyline inside out, hadn’t seen it coming. If anything, she was the greatest victim this time.And the three months of discipline she received were decided with that in mind.“Even so.”“Ciel, see our guest ou—”“Okay, okay. I’ll write it with discretion.”Scowling as if she’d bitten into something foul, Chloe jotted my requirements into her notebook.“Good. See that you keep to them. I’ll agree to the interview now, so ask what you want.”“Is it true you saved Miss Yulina during this incident?”“Yeah. If not for me, she’d be dead.”Whether she would have died, I couldn’t say—but she could have been seriously injured.“Miss Yulina denied it.”“Lifesaver’s debt and no conscience, huh. Ask one of Yulina’s teammates who was there; they’ll testify.”“Understood. Next—Miss Freya supposedly cut down ten Dire Wolves and an automated golem in an instant. You saw it yourself, right?”“I did. She’s practically a human weapon.”She hadn’t subdued the demon, but her skill was beyond an academy student’s level. Natural for a Hero candidate, if anything.“Could you describe what happened then in detail?”“Wouldn’t it be more accurate to ask Freya?”“President Freya is busy, so I haven’t been able to set up an interview yet.”“So Freya’s a busy person and I’m an idle layabout, is that it.”“That’s not what I meant!”“Whatever. It’s true enough.”I’d been busy lately too, but not as much as Freya.Chloe glared at me for a moment, then moved on.“Oh, and Izelin Academy is supposedly starting a dormitory reconstruction with the damages received from Jerome. Are you involved?”So that tidbit had already reached the newspaper club’s ears.I shrugged.“Leave that out of the article.”Izelin’s dorm rebuild wasn’t something to publicize.It was a feint to obtain one of the Academy’s Three Great Divine Tools sleeping beneath Izelin’s grounds—the “Cognition Acceleration Stone.”Unlike the Seven Great Mysteries, there was nothing to be gained by drawing public attention to it.“Aw, why? The more material, the better for a story.”“When I say don’t, don’t. If you don’t like it, the door’s there.”“…You’re really insufferable.”After shooting me a sour look and grumbling, Chloe returned to her job and asked the next question.“Then lastly, the academy festival in autumn hosted by Voltimir—does the General Student Council Office plan to participate?”'The academy festival, huh.'Right, that was a thing.Rubbing my chin, I recalled the particulars.If the Competitive War and the Sports Festival were events to test one another’s ability and martial skill, the academy festival was a celebration to enjoy together and share intellect.At the festival, each academy’s scholars submitted inventions for competitions or held paper presentations to showcase their research.You could think of it as a bonus-point event for theory-focused students who were disadvantaged in the Competitive War.Of course, that wasn’t all. There were academy-run fireworks and many other fun events.Students could even open stalls and rake in money.It was also the main fundraising event for many clubs.This time, Voltimir Academy was hosting.Her question was whether the General Student Council President would be involved.After a moment’s thought, I shook my head. Preparing for the upcoming Sports Festival at Ishtal ✧ NоvеIight ✧ (Original source) took priority over the festival.“No plans yet. Autumn is still a ways off.”“…‘Yet’ meaning possibly?”“Mm. If conditions allow, preparing for the festival together wouldn’t be bad.”Reaching into everything I can. That’s the role of a Student Council President—and a “player.”By doing so, I could form or improve ties with many main characters and draw them in as allies, preparing for what lay ahead.It was also necessary to get involved in festivals and events to reduce my infamy.Like how Middle Eastern countries buy soccer clubs or strive to host global tournaments to improve their image.“Got it. Then, last question: the upcoming Competitive War and Sports Festival—please give me a comment. Make it cool; it’s going in the article.”The Sports Festival would be held before midterms, and the Competitive War after the summer camp.Chloe asked for a comment on them.After a brief pause, I answered.“Well, everyone should look forward to it.”***A few days later.Back to routine.The practical exam incident was splashed across headlines and spread throughout the Union.But whether by the Chairman’s influence or not, any mention of Gilean or the barrier had been neatly omitted.Also, unlike other articles, Chloe’s piece included content defending Verdandi.She’d probably receive a few angry letters from students who didn’t know the full story, asking how she could write that—but if she wanted to become editor-in-chief later, that much was the cost of admission.I folded the newspaper and stepped off the tram.Saintea.Somewhat tense, I attended Holy Studies.'Durability restoration is complete.'The Ring of Derode had its durability fully restored and polished to a gleaming shine, now functioning perfectly.I also wore Arin’s Pendant, which concealed internal energy.Ever since I accepted magi to subdue Demer, I’d been nervous that my identity might get exposed—but fortunately, what I feared didn’t happen.It was a peaceful class like any other, uneventful.One small difference: unlike when I always took the class with Garfield, someone else had joined us.Jimmy, the Holy Knight from Yulina’s team.When I saved them in the mountains, he’d expressed his thanks, and that became the pretext for him to join the group attending lectures together.Of course, that wasn’t the only reason; rumors said I was on good terms with Elena, so it looked like he hoped to pick up some scraps by staying near me.He leaned in close to my shoulder and asked in a quiet voice,“Sir Loen, did you know that Lady Elena still hasn’t found a pair?”“Yeah. Despite taking a hefty academic penalty, she hasn’t picked a partner.”There weren’t Holy Knights at her level, and as a princess and Saintess candidate, it would be hard for her to pair easily with another male student.Which is why many male students at Saintea were pining for the spot.We were chatting about Elena when—“Excuse me, what are you two talking about?”Speak of the tiger, and Elena came over and addressed us.“L-Lady Elena!”“Sir Jimmy. I heard you were attacked by Dire Wolves in the practical exam—are you all right?”“Y-yes! Thanks to you, I’m fine!”“……”I saved you with Freya, you little—what do you mean, “thanks to you,” Elena?“Hehe, I’m relieved. Loen, how about you?”“As you can see, I’m fine.”My shoulder had been pierced, my arm and chest slashed to ribbons—but when I transformed into a demon, it all healed in an instant.If not for that, I’d have been in a hospital bed for a long time again.“If you were hurt, I could have treated you—what a shame.”“…I’ll pass.”Treatment, my foot. Do I look like I want my corpse managed?Even with improved resistance to holy power, it meant nothing before Elena’s level of divinity.“Anyway, what brings you here?”“So cold. Friends can check in on each other, you know. But if you want, I’ll get straight to the point.”Elena took out a letter and handed it to me.“It’s an invitation to join a club. Would you consider joining Saintea’s Monster Purification Studies club?”“…Monster purification?”“Yes. From what I’ve heard, your extensive monster knowledge made quite an impact during the practical exam.”“……”At her words, I shot a sidelong glare at Jimmy.He whistled for no reason, avoiding my gaze.At some point, he’d spilled every last detail about me to Elena.And yes—information about monster habits, track-tracing, weak point targeting, and so on had been a big help in the exam.Elena continued,“I hear you know weak points that are generally hard to learn. How about joining our club and teaching us? You might even gain something from us in return.”“Mm.”I closed my eyes and did the cost-benefit math.Nothing for me to lose.Clubs weren’t mandatory, so I could join and not go. No harm in signing up.And the more connections to key figures, the better.Elena was also the perfect counterpart to whom I could sell monster intel.Decision made, I nodded.“Fine. I’ll join. On one condition.”I glared at Jimmy beside me.“He doesn’t join.”“!”Instantly grasping the situation, Jimmy clung to me and begged.“I—I was wrong, Sir Loen. Please? I’m begging you!”If he had his eye on Elena, this club admission had to be his highest priority—and I cut it off at the root.I frowned at him.“You go around blabbing other people’s intel that easily? Be grateful this is where it ends.”Someone with a loose mouth who repays kindness with spite is just exhausting to be around.He wasn’t even a key character with any real use, and I didn’t like how he tried to use me.And the nerve to covet Elena as his pair. Know your station.As for me, even if they told me to be Elena’s pair, I wouldn’t. No—constitutionally, I couldn’t.“All right. Then only you, Loen, will join. While we’re at it, would you like to have a meal together?”“…Sorry, I’m full.”“What a pity. Then I’ll send the club application to the General Student Council Office; fill it out and give it back to me.”“Got it.”'Come to think of it, there was an Alchemy Club too.'Thinking of clubs reminded me of the Alchemy Club the Chairman had suggested I visit when he gave me a permit to tour the Magic Tower.If I had time, a visit wouldn’t be bad.As I recall, there was a slight bad history between the Alchemy Club’s president and Loen; I should resolve that as well.***After all the lectures ended, I headed straight to Izelin Academy.I had been informed that the dorm designer I’d requested earlier had arrived.Since I’d been swarmed by a welcoming crowd last time, I visited in secret today.The reception room at Izelin Academy, where I arrived with Ciel.Familiar faces were waiting for us there.First, Illeina greeted me with a bright face.“You’re here. I heard you had a rough time with the practical exam incident. I’m glad you’re safe.”“Thanks for the concern. How are things on your end?”“Yes. We expelled the hardliners who had joined Jerome, including Roland. We plan to fill the vacancies by selecting talent gathered from all over, according to merit.”“Good.”I nodded slowly.Illeina could handle matters within the academy and kingdom. Not my place to meddle.“Have you thought about Elena’s proposal?”“…Yes. When I told Father, he said he’d consider it favorably.”Accepting the establishment of a Lu Church diocese in the Kingdom of Izelin.It seemed the King of Izelin had decided to permit it.Even though Jerome’s invasion had been repelled, the threat hadn’t vanished entirely.“How are Josefin and Joshua?”I shifted the topic, asking about the condition of Josefin’s younger sister.Josefin answered with a beaming face,“She’s doing really well. She can even get out of bed and walk around now.”“Good.”It seemed the medicine I’d given was effective.I knew from game info that it worked, but I hadn’t known how it would act in reality, so I’d been cautious.Since it worked well, I should visit the maker next time and offer thanks.We were chatting warmly, exchanging pleasantries in the reception room, when—Knock—Bang—Before the knocking had even finished, the door burst open.A male student threw the door wide with a rough motion and looked around the room.“What, don’t get all chummy with each other after calling me over.”Naturally curly brown hair. A strict-looking male student leaned against the door frame with a haughty air.I rose to greet him.“You’re here. Nice to meet you, Demian.”

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