“Very well observed. As expected of you, Loen. In this Union, there’s no one as trustworthy as the Chairman.”The Chairman chuckled in satisfaction, his shoulders shaking.He seemed quite pleased that I had chosen him as the most reliable person in the Union.“……”Watching him, I hid a wry smile.To look at him like this, he didn’t exactly inspire confidence—but considering his true identity, there was no one more suitable to share this with.“Anyway, thank you for providing such valuable information, Loen.”“It’s nothing. I only did what I ought to.”I had distilled a portion of what happened a few days ago and handed it to the Chairman.Of course, I didn’t bother saying I had met Gilean or that Demer had turned into a demon.Instead, I mentioned the “black fog,” Gilean’s hallmark, and the powerful barrier magic—enough to lead him to infer Gilean’s presence.“Who else knows about this?”“Freya. No one else, and I have no intention of telling anyone else.”After making the rounds across the Union for several days to gather intel, it seemed only Freya and I had directly encountered Gilean or the demon.When I said I planned to tell no one, the Chairman slowly nodded.“A sound choice. The fewer who know the full story, the better. Pointless rumors will only cause greater chaos. Informing only me was an excellent decision. I’ll make suitable preparations, so set your worries aside.”“Understood. How are the other professors viewing the situation?”At my question, the Chairman scratched his cheek.“Mm… most think it’s an anomaly in the leylines’ mana, or the work of a powerful mage capable of handling strong barriers. But it seems few have any idea who exactly is behind it.”'Figures.'From the scattered clues and details alone, it would be a stretch to conclude the culprit was Gilean.Hardly anyone knows of the Twelve Venerables to begin with.At most, a handful of senior, seasoned professors would even know they exist.As if to answer my thoughts, the Chairman spoke again.“Are you familiar with the existence of the Twelve Venerables, by any chance?”“…Yes. I’ve heard of them.”When I nodded, the Chairman’s eyes widened a little in surprise.They hadn’t moved openly in nearly a hundred years; students my age might not even know they exist.People on the continent even avoided saying their names aloud.The Chairman continued,“Since you know, this goes faster. A very small number of professors suspect this was the work of Gilean, one of the Twelve Venerables. Powerful barrier magic is his signature. But all they have are suspicions—no proof. Not a single piece of material evidence pertaining to him has been found.”“I see.”It was one thing to simply conjecture that Gilean was behind it, and quite another to be certain and prepare accordingly.That’s precisely why I went to the trouble of telling only the Chairman.He was one of the few who could prepare without inciting public turmoil.The Chairman sighed and went on,“In any case, if you saw the black fog with your own eyes, it must have been extremely dangerous. I’m glad you and Miss Freya are safe.”“We were lucky.”He nodded with a smile, then gestured for me to speak freely.“All right then, tell me what you want. Consider it a reward for providing this information to me, and compensation for damages suffered in this incident.”“……”“I hear your team collected the most Magic Stones. You had at least second place secured, only for the exam to be voided—no doubt that stings. What do you want? If it’s feasible, I’ll accommodate it as much as possible.”What I needed—and what the Chairman could grant.After some thought, I made a few requests.“First, ensure that I retain my position as General Student Council President.”“Your position?”“Yes. To be precise, I want freedom from external interference beyond the requirements needed to retain the presidency. Things like student referendums or involvement from monitors and inspectors dispatched by the various houses.”I was confident I could perform the duties of the President well.I’d already produced some results; at this pace, I could satisfy the requirements with high written-class scores and Competitive War results.I was also working to gradually reduce my infamy and improve public perception.But external interference was difficult for me to handle alone.To preempt it, I would have to rely on House de Valis—but right now, I was out of Aslan’s favor and had even had my allowance cut off. Not ideal.If everything I was properly doing were undone by outside meddling, I couldn’t imagine anything more infuriating.The Chairman tilted his head at my request.“Hmm? Judging by current opinion, that risk seems low. Public sentiment has been favorable since the Territorial War, hasn’t it?”“I’m aware it won’t last long. And there’s the saying about knocking on the stone bridge before crossing. If inspectors use this incident as a pretext to stir up the academy, it’ll be a burden on me as well.”“Very well. It’s hard for me to use the Chairman’s official authority, but I can mobilize acquaintances to shape opinion.”Though he was the Union’s Chairman, the power and official authority that came with the position weren’t that great.Rather, the personal connections he had built up would be more effective in securing this favor.“Thank you.”“Yes, this much is easy for me. Heh heh.”He smiled like a kindly old grandfather.Then—suddenly, the smile vanished from his face, his eyes sharpening as he fired an abrupt question.“But Loen, why are you so fixated on the presidency? In truth, it’s a cumbersome seat with little to gain.”“……”I fell silent, pondering the sudden question.In a way, it was a fundamental question about my existence dropped into this Mir-ellin saga and the path I’d take.On the surface, I was fixated on the presidency because of the Main Quest.'Maintain the presidency until graduation.'If failure meant death, of course I had to do it.But that wasn’t the reason this “Loen” had run for President.Even before I possessed him, the owner of this body had entered the race.Explaining that reason was also a task I had to resolve sooner or later.'Of course, I do have my own answer to it.'After thinking it through, I parted my lips.“The Union.”“…?”I spoke to the Chairman, who tilted his head.“As you know well, Chairman, ‘Union’ means an alliance. This academy was founded to commemorate the Allied Human Army’s victory.”I lowered my gaze slightly and continued,“But the current Union is not upholding that value. The academies fight among themselves, seeking only their own interests, and the houses and kingdoms turn this place into a proxy battleground to check one another. The Territorial War from the other day was part of that.”“……”“I aim to take the presidency to set this Union right. To preserve the founding values of this academy and ensure it fulfills its proper role. That’s why I’m fixated on the seat.”When I finished, the Chairman—uncharacteristically—asked in a cool voice,“There’s no particular reason it has to be you.”“True. But it’s something that someone has to do.”“Something that someone has to do…”The Chairman closed his eyes, as if to think.Soon, he snapped them open and asked me again,“Do you truly believe it’s possible?”I answered without hesitation,“Yes. I can do it.”After staring at me in silence for a long while, the Chairman nodded.“Brimming with confidence. Very well—then I’ll place my faith in you.”A peculiar silence settled over the Chairman’s office.“……”At first, it felt like a good silence—two people aligning their intentions and confirming their resolve—but as it dragged on, it got awkward.Unable to endure the mood any longer, the Chairman scratched his beard and asked,“…Anything else to say?”“Yes. We’re not done yet. There’s one more request I have for you.”In a sense, guaranteeing my presidency was only natural.My activity in the previously vacant presidency also benefited the Chairman.He could exert a bit more influence over the Union through me, and he could keep the bigger academies in check.Calling that “compensation” would be far too cheap.“Your calculations are very thorough.”“I’ll take that as a compliment.”“So, what do you want? Name it.”At his prompt, I let my eyes gleam quietly and spoke.“Grant me the development rights for an undeveloped region.”***A room in Saintea.Sunlight streamed through the window as a girl sat by the bed, gently holding the patient’s hand.“Sis.”Verdandi—the one person at this academy to whom Freya, who used honorifics with everyone, spoke comfortably.She looked at her younger sister and let out a small sigh.“…Did I not tell you to call me ‘Professor’ while at the Union?”“Forget that. Are you really all right?”Verdandi looked out the window, opening and closing her hand.“I’m not fully recovered yet. But they say I’ll be fine before long.”Watching the birds chirp on the branches, Verdandi shifted her gaze to her sister.“I heard you fainted as well. What happened at the test site?”“……”Her sister was someone she could trust—but she had promised to keep quiet about Loen and the incident.Freya chose her words carefully.“Nothing special. I just fought a few stronger monsters and overused my mana.”“I’m glad you weren’t badly hurt. By the way, did you know Loen watched over you the whole time you were unconscious?”“…Yeah.”“Even when your guards told him to leave, he held out to the end. For a weakling, at that.”Verdandi sighed and closed her eyes.“Sometimes he does truly wicked things, and yet lately his conduct has changed again. I can’t make heads or tails of what’s inside him. As a child, he was so genuinely kind and bright…”“……”Freya thought for a moment, then shook her head and returned to the point.“What are you going to do now, Sis? You’re under discipline for three months.”“I plan to train.”“Are you quitting as a professor?”“Yes. After putting students in danger, I can’t keep holding the chalk. It’s the least I can do to make amends. I also realized my own weakness all too clearly. I don’t remember who that fiend was, but such a thing must never happen again.”When Verdandi said she would resign, Freya tried to dissuade her.“…Can’t you just stay? Strictly speaking, this wasn’t your fault. And leaving like this is just running away. Stay and take responsibility for the students to the end.”Her words were correct, but her voice sounded almost like a child’s whining.After all, Verdandi had raised Freya like a daughter since their mother passed away when she was young.Verdandi let out a small sigh.“…Freya, once I reach the realm of Master, I’ll have to take up the sword for the house. Even if I remain a professor, it won’t be for a full year.”“Then at least until then…”“Hoo.”At her continued pleas, Verdandi stroked Freya’s head and sighed.“You haven’t changed. Such a spoiled child.”Verdandi carefully caressed Freya’s cheek and smiled faintly.“All right. I’ll return after my discipline ends.”***A few days later.General Student Council President’s Office.“Um… about last time, I’m sorry, Loen.”“……”Leaning back on the sofa with a sullen look, I stared at the uninvited guest who had come to the office.A student stiffly seated on the opposite sofa, furtively gauging my reaction.A member of the Union Newspaper & Broadcasting Club: Chloe Andina.Under the pretext of covering the recent practical exam incident, she had once again come to the GSC office.Resting my chin on my hand, I narrowed my eyes at Chloe across from me.“Bold face you’ve got. After making that mess and storming out, you dare show up again.”“W-well, I had no choice if I wanted a scoop… I’m sorry, okay? Please understand.”“I understand quite well. ◈ Nоvеlіgһт ◈ (Continue reading) Then understand my side, too. Ciel, see the guest out.”“Yes.”As I issued the eviction order and rose from my seat, Chloe frantically waved her hands.“No, no—please hear me out. I still haven’t run the follow-up piece on the Territorial War! I’ll write favorably about you, just like you asked. And I’ll start the ‘Seven Great Mysteries’ coverage you proposed. Please, just this once—agree to an interview, okay?”Chloe clasped her hands together, pleading.“……”I looked at her in silence, then spoke.“Fine. But there are a few conditions.”

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