Chapter 12
Pastel looked over the document containing the signature sections for each Department.
Completely Empty signature sections.
Tremble, tremble.
“Everyone will support the Student Council, right? It makes no Sense for a School not to have a Student Council.”
She clenched Both Fists tightly.
“A Student Council For the Students! Even though it’s only been a day since the semester started, we’ve worked so hard during that time!”
For example,
Buying Smuggled Goods with the Student Council Budget.
It involves taking out an airship for the purpose of Smuggling.
The use of expensive Magic Stone Fuel for free is covered under the Airship budget.
Thanks to that, completing Smuggling resulted in a 100% Net Profit Margin.
Uh-oh?
Is a Student Council that became Corrupt even before the semester started necessary For the Students?
Isn’t the abolition of the Student Council System completely justified?
She clutched her heart.
Heuk.
“S-still, students need a Student Council, For the Students who are starving!”
That starving Student, the Vice Student Council President, head of the General Affairs Department, head of the Planning Department, head of the Public Relations Department, head of the Volunteer Department, and head of the Disciplinary Department, nodded her head.
“You aren’t seriously thinking of pointing your sword at every Department, are you? Do not underestimate an elder. Sufficient experience can drive a dagger into talent.”
Pastel Flinched, then shook her head.
“The Top Scorer in Written Exam has the methods of a Top Scorer in Written Exam!”
“…Do you like the Top Scorer in Written Exam Title that much?”
Ah.
Is it obvious?
Hehe.
She twisted her body Shyly, then gathered the documents.
“Anyway, I’ll try to get the support of every Department!”
Let’s go.
#
“Senior, please just give me one signature.”
Pastel hugged the documents tightly to her chest and followed the Senior Student around. The senior Class Representative looked troubled and sped up his pace.
It was following even faster, patter-patter.
The Class Representative looked even more troubled and repeatedly circled the Plaza. Pastel followed behind.
“Senior, just one signature, really.”
Ueng.
Students gathered as if surrounding the Plaza. Some senior students whispered to each other.
―We don’t need a Student Council that just eats up the budget. Why is he doing that instead of just chasing her away?
―What? How can you chase away the Young Excellency?
―No, even if she is a Marquis Excellency, Kraft is completely ruined anyway, eup!
The Senior Student was tackled.
―Cover this punk’s mouth! A guy without even a title is acting so disrespectfully!
―Eueup!
―Do you Think a Family that is a Founding Contributor, and a First-Class Meritorious Subject in both the Imperial Unification and the Conquest of the Demon Realm, is a pushover? Do you want to be punished for the crime of insulting a Family respected by the Imperial Family?
―Eueueup!
The Class Representative increased his walking speed even more.
When it became too much To Chase After him with her short legs, Pastel practically ran as she walked. Her Pink Hair bounced in time with her steps.
“Senior, just one signature.”
Ueng.
The seniors whispered to each other.
―What method, huh? What’s with him?
―Haha! I’ve come up with a way to politely send her back!
A Senior Student walked into the Plaza carrying a desk.
“Marquis, no, Freshman!”
“Yes?”
The desk was placed in the middle of the Plaza.
The Senior Student dusted off his hands and smirked.
“This place is the Garden of Academia and the Cradle of Martial Arts. You’re the Top Scorer in the Written Exam, so how can a Student Council that will Command every Department be so Weak, setting academics aside?”
The Senior Student swept his Hand Over the desk.
“Sparring against a First-year Student is a bit much.”
One arm rested on the desk.
“How about Arm Wrestling?”
The Senior Student smiled meaningfully.
“I do use a spear a bit, but I’m strictly a Mage. I absolutely cannot acknowledge a Student Council that can’t even beat a Mage.”
―Kyaa! That smart bastard! I knew it since he fell over while waving his spear around in the middle of the night! That’s my Friend!
―Right, right! I heard the Young Excellency got a 0 in the Combat Practical. Since she’s only got a good head on her shoulders, both the justification and the result are guaranteed!
The fleeing Class Representative quickly jumped on the situation.
“If you win, not only will I give you the signature, but I’ll also stake our Department’s honor on helping you with this matter.”
Pastel’s Eyes Widened.
―She must Be Flustered. What do we do?
―But the Academy is a cold and Ruthless place. The Young Excellency needs to know that too.
―That’s right! We go all out even against kids!
#
Oing.
Pastel stood in front of the desk with a Blank Expression.
When the Senior Student on the Opposite Side took an Arm Wrestling Posture, Cheers rang out. The voices of the Senior Students were loud.
Heok, a senior.
Am I in big trouble?
Euaaa.
I’ve fallen into a cold-blooded Death Game.
It’s a Ruthless World that doesn’t yield a single inch to a Freshman.
Pastel Idly took an Arm Wrestling Posture.
Hand clasped hand.
The sensation of hard, rough calluses.
Eueo, Lord Demon was right. The pressure created by time cannot be replaced by anything.
Especially not with Soft Hands that don’t have a single callus.
Perhaps feeling the difference, the Opponent deepened his smile.
Euaaa.
The senior Referee held his or her clasped hands.
“Get ready. 3! 2! 1! Start!”
The Arm Wrestling began.
Euaeuaeuang.
Pastel stayed still, trembling.
The observing Senior Student felt slightly apologetic. Then, he Mercilessly applied Force.
The Senior Student’s arm moved with all its might.
Whoosh, clunk.
Euaaa.
Clunk, clunk?
Clunk…?
The Senior Student, who was twisting his body, paused. The Freshman’s hand did not move. His wavering eyes looked at Pastel.
Euaaa, an Intense Gaze.
The Senior Student straightened his Posture. With a Serious Expression, he took a breath and flexed his muscles.
“Ha-ap!”
A Resolute Shout.
His wrist bent with all its might.
Clunk.
Euaaa, the calluses are rough.
The Senior Student’s pupils trembled. He turned his head with a creak and looked back at the Spectators.
The Senior Students whistled.
“Our Hero! You’re the smartest in the Department!”
The Senior Student turned his head back and looked straight at Pastel. Cold sweat poured down his face.
Then he whispered rapidly.
“M-Marquis Excellency, I’ve always respected - “
“Senio-r!”
Pastel, who had been lost in her own World, squeezed her eyes shut.
“Freshman, I will do my best!”
“Wai - !”
“Euryat!”
The Girl turned the Senior Student’s arm with all her might. It was bent Without Hesitation.
“Aaaack!”
The back of his hand slammed roughly into the desk. A loud Crash rang out. The desk shattered. The Senior Student rolled on the floor along with the debris.
“Aaaaack!”
Dust rose.
Silence flowed.
Pastel blankly looked down at her opponent, who was clutching the back of his hand and rolling on the floor.
Oing.
The dignity of an elder?
“Well done.”
The Demon’s Calm Voice was heard.
The corners of her mouth relaxed.
Hehe, did I win?
Oh yeah.
As she turned her body, she saw the spectators with their mouths hanging open.
She raised her arm high.
“I am victorious!”
Hurry up and give me the Student Council Support Signature.
From the floor, the Senior Student let out a pained voice.
“Ah, are you okay?!”
A moment later, Pastel was able to get the Sign. On one side, the Senior Student who had proposed the Arm Wrestling was rolling on the floor and getting kicked.
The Class Representative let out a sigh and looked around at the Department students. Then, he spoke with a Serious Expression.
“Since it’s come to this, we’ll stake the Department’s honor and Execute a Pull-Down Strategy.”
Pastel was able to witness the rare sight of every Department she visited proposing Arm Wrestling afterward.
―Hey, our Department smoothly sent the Marquis Excellency back through Arm Wrestling. She got a 0 in the Combat Practical, you know. We hit her Weak point right on the mark.
―Oh, Really? Then we too?
“Staking the Department’s honor…”
The desk crumbled to pieces.
“Aaaack!”
―Wh-what? What kind of monstrous strength is that? I thought she got a 0 in Combat! Don’t tell me! You Swindler bastards! Are you even Human?!
―Wh-what? You guys Help out now too?
Uwang.
Pastel left behind the Departments where she had finished her Dojo-Storming. She looked at the document that was almost filled with signs.
Her cheeks flushed red.
“Lord Demon! Lord Demon! The seniors are so nice! They united and chose an event just to lose on purpose so a Freshman wouldn’t be embarrassed!”
Was the World always this kind?
It’s beautiful.
“Haa, as long as you’re enjoying yourself, it’s fine.”
Oh yeah, it’s almost full.
As expected, students needed a Student Council, even if it was Corrupt.
“Hey! You!”
A Sharp Voice was heard. When she turned around, a burly Male Student with a Large Build approached.
He held a sword and a Shield in both hands.
Uh, his Build?
Is he a Senior Student?
Behind him, unfamiliar First-year students followed in a swarm.
Hmm?
She quickly scanned the Student Roster In Memory. Just in case this happened, she had Rummaged through the Student Council’s records and memorized the entire list of Prospective Friends.
Aha, they’re the Friends who enrolled via the Demon Realm Airship.
No wonder they’re unfamiliar.
Then the Male Student holding the Sword and Shield is…
Leonard Tyler is a member of Count's Family.
What did he eat to look like he’s from a different age Group? It’s a Build with immense talent.
She saw a male Student hidden behind the Sturdy Leonard’s back.
Dustin Wild.
The male Student she had first faced off against on the airship was present.
Dustin stared at Pastel, looking intimidated.
Ing?
“Oh Friend, why are you there?”
Leonard ignored her voice and stepped forward. The boy was obscured by his Sturdy Build.
Hmm.
Leonard glared at her.
“Hey, who do you Think you are, acting all high and mighty like the Student Council when you’re just a Peer like us?”
Pastel’s Eyes Widened.
Heok.
Such a Correct Statement!
Leonard’s eyes gleamed. They darted around quickly as if checking the spectators. Then, he looked straight at the fragile girl.
“The seniors told us to stay put, but First-year students have their honor. If we leave someone like you alone, we won’t have the face to walk around.”
A handkerchief was thrown.
Tap right on top of her Pink Hair.
Ing.
With the handkerchief resting on her head, Pastel cast a Glance at Dustin. Dustin Flinched, avoided her Gaze, and hid behind Leonard.
Oh my.
“Alright!”
Pastel smiled brightly.
“But are you okay?”
And she said this not to Leonard, but to Dustin.
“It’s Embarrassing if you lose.”
Dustin Flinched.
Leonard’s face turned red.
“What, you punk?!”
His sword was drawn and his Shield was raised.
“Come at me right now! What are you guys doing! Make some space!”
A Circular Space was cleared in the center of the Crowd.
Leonard took his Posture.
“I’ll yield the first Strike to you specially!”
The Large Shield covered his Sturdy body.
“Come at me!”
Pastel didn’t Attack, but tilted her head. She tapped the handle of her Magic sword with her hand.
“Sparring must be done with a feather sword. That way, it’s safe.”
Right?
After taking a moment to Think, she drew her Magic sword.
Leonard’s eyes shifted to a Serious Gaze as he Carefully gripped his Large Shield. The Iron Shield covered his Large Build stably.
Hmm.
Pastel took her Posture.
One, two, three!
She kicked off the Ground.
The Pink Figure rushed toward Leonard. The Magic sword was swung, its wielder aiming for the Shield.
Leonard’s eyes gleamed. The Shield was held firmly. The Sword Strike seemed To Arrive at that Shield.
However, the Magic sword did not Collide with the Shield, but brushed Right in Front of it.
By a paper-thin margin, the Sword Path turned around in a Circle. Pastel turned her body just like that and threw the Magic sword into the sky.
Leonard looked up blankly at the flying Magic sword.
“What?”
Pastel clenched her fist with a cold face. She stomped hard on the Ground. She struck the Shield with all her might. A loud Crash rang out. The air vibrated, and the Shield crumpled.
Leonard Staggered. His Eyes Widened greatly. The girl dug into the gap between his Broken Stance and Opened Shield. Her Pink Hair fluttered.
Her foot stepped a True Step. Her fist drew a trajectory. His abdomen was struck. A Shockwave erupted.
Leonard gasped for breath and bent over. The Sword and Shield fell from his hands. His knees touched the Ground, and a deflating sound came from his mouth.
Pastel dusted off her hands.
“They say Sparring must be done with a feather sword.”
She reached her hand into the sky. The falling sword turned around and was caught in her hand.
She swung the sword as if dusting it off and sheathed it. A Clicking Sound rang out.
Pastel turned her body. Her Pink Hair fluttered.
Silence flowed.
Suddenly, she met Dustin’s Blank Gaze.
She smiled brightly.
Her Pink Lips parted slightly.
―See you later, Friend.
She left the Site.
#
The Signs were almost filled.
Woah-Woah.
She just needed to Fill one more and she’d be done.
Department of Magic.
Hihi.
I can just do Arm Wrestling here too, right?
The Class Representative of the Department of Magic looked at her with Sleepy Eyes.
“I don’t want to.”
Yes?
From behind the Class Representative’s robe, a Blonde Girl peeked out. Then, she muttered to herself Loudly enough for everyone to hear.
“As expected of Kraft, your Sinister Plot is to Wave the Department around with a Secret Scheme/Intrigue. But I have executed a Counter to your Sinister Plot. Mother, I will protect the Department of Magic you graduated from. I can do it.”
Melissa’s cheeks flushed red.
The Class Representative, who heard the muttering along with Pastel, scratched his head. He dusted off his robe pointlessly and opened his mouth.
“Well, I can’t give you a Sign. We need a large budget. It’s better not to have a Student Council that takes the budget without being of any Help.”
Department budgets are tight.
Funding might Pour in for a few outstanding students, but that wasn’t the case for most. To resolve the Lack of funding, they had no choice but to borrow external power.
The easy method is Help from Family.
However, the majority of the Academy’s Enrolled Students were Illegitimate children or Collateral Branch members, and if lower, Commoners. Their Families could not be of Help.
Another method was a Merchant Guild's Investment. However, a Trading Group’s investment was quite a difficult matter because you needed to have connections first to even try anything.
The best they could do was frequently take commissions, go outside, and try to contact Trading Groups as much as possible.
The only thing worth hoping for was the Help of a Professor. However, the Faculty wasn’t in a good situation either.
Currently, with the Conquest of the Demon Realm finished, the Sky Island is the Frontier of the political World. Most people without power or influence have come here.
The Trading Groups that such Faculty could connect with were all much the same.
“Then.”
Her head spun.
“J-just, isn’t there a School festival?”
Pastel’s eyes sparkled.
“A festival to promote Industry-Academia Cooperation!”
Uwang, a festival.
The Class Representative looked at her In Confusion.
“What festival? If you mean a Department Demonstration, we have that.”
“Not on a Department level! A School festival! A festival! An event where everyone shows off their achievements and chats happily together!”
“I don’t know what you’re trying to say. A festival isn’t necessary for Research and Training. Playing around too much isn’t good.”
What kind of dry place is this?
No wonder there aren’t even School uniforms.
Pastel flailed both her arms.
“We have to Invite large trading groups to the festival! Then it’ll be easy to get opportunities!”
The Class Representative didn’t seem to feel it. He muttered apathetically.
“Would it really work out like that?”
“They’ll definitely come!”
This won’t do.
“A festival for Industry-Academia Cooperation!”
Pastel raised one arm high.
“The Student Council will push it forward!”
She shouted with all her might and pulled out the documents Juseomjuseom.
She smoothly held out the documents with both hands.
“So senior, a Sign please…”
Hehe.
The Class Representative was dumbfounded.