Chapter 13
“Industry-Academia Cooperation?”
Professor Carlo looked over the proposal.
Pastel gulped dryly.
Was there a problem somewhere?
“You got signatures from everywhere except one place.”
“Yes.”
Carlo put down the proposal. His Serious Gaze met hers.
“Why do you Think the Student Council is necessary?”
Good, this is a question within the expected range I prepared for.
“Because the role of a Student Organization to synthesize and reflect students' opinions is essential, a Permanent Organization must exist so that reasonable opinions don’t just Evaporate.”
“Such a grandiose Organization isn’t necessary for Research and Training. If there are complaints, you can talk to your affiliated Department, and if you have opinions, you can suggest them to a Professor.”
Good, the expected range.
“The whole is not just the sum of its parts. Someone needs to encompass the departments and play a lubricating role. A single Gear can’t do anything, but interlocking gears move a Steam Engine.”
Carlo looked at her questioningly.
“What is a Steam Engine?”
Eh.
The Professor’s eyes seemed To Be Lost in Thought before he found the Answer.
“Ah, that Research Field of the Department of Pure Engineering. The one that doesn’t even get much Trading Group investment, does it?”
Blast, it’s ruined.
The analogy was bad.
The Professor, who had been looking at the proposal, flattened the paper and picked up his stamp.
Thud.
A Red Mark was stamped.
“This is your last chance. If there are no results here, the Student Council System will be abolished.”
Oh yeah.
Pastel’s eyes sparkled.
“I’ll work hard!”
She left the Professor's Office.
She closed the door and leaned against it limply.
Phew.
“I almost died from nervousness. That Professor’s impression is too Stiff.”
“Oh my.”
The Demon chuckled lightly.
“You spoke well, though. Good job.”
Hehe.
“I know how to do things when I set my mind to them.”
Surprisingly competent.
Ellie walked over from the other side of the corridor.
“Pastel, the Upperclassman class representatives are all gathered. We have to go quickly.”
“Already? Such proactiveness! Got it! Let’s go quickly!”
She grabbed Ellie and ran.
When they arrived at the borrowed Conference Room, the upperclassmen were gathered in the corner. In the center of the Crowd, some Class Representative was rolling on the floor and getting kicked.
“Ack! Ack! What did I do wrong? You guys who couldn’t even win at Arm Wrestling are the problem!”
Because of the excuse, the kicking became even more heated.
The Class Representative of the Department of Magic watched the scene aloofly. A Subtle Sense of superiority could be felt from him.
The Mage sipped his coffee with superiority.
The Mage turned his Gaze to the Student Council that had just entered.
“Hm? As expected, the Student Council President is too busy to come?”
“Yes, I am the Person in Charge.”
Pastel looked around the chaotic Conference Room. They needed to start the meeting, but the upperclassmen were engrossed in stomping on someone.
Whoa, how do I handle this?
Is it okay for a Freshman to speak up Arrogantly in this atmosphere?
Alas.
The Mage spoke up instead.
“The Student Council is here! Quiet!”
The upperclassmen finally noticed Pastel. They Flinched and Hurriedly returned to their seats.
Instantly, the commotion was sorted out, and the atmosphere shifted to that of a meeting.
How kind, everyone is so nice, being considerate of a Freshman.
Pastel Bowed Her Head to the Mage.
“Thank you.”
“Don’t mention it. Start the meeting.”
She walked over to the Head Seat of the long table and sat down. The class representatives sitting in rows on the left and right looked at her.
O-Oh.
Oh dear.
The unbalanced combination of being a Freshman and the Person in Charge weighed down on her shoulders.
A Complete insubordination dynamic.
It was the Perfect situation for Gossip To Spread about the crime of being an Arrogant Freshman. But was there a 100% chance that I would be the only one not to know?
Woe is me.
The heartless Death Game of Campus Politics begins.
The scapegoat is a Freshman.
Alas, that’s me.
Suddenly, a Calm Voice was heard.
“You can do it. You can act Without Hesitation. Believe in yourself.”
Ah, Lord Demon.
Her chaotic mind calmed down.
Courage that wasn’t there before welled up from Master’s cheering.
I understand.
If that is what Master wishes.
I’ll just do it!
Insubordination!
Actually, I liked insubordination…!
She received the Meeting Materials from Ellie, who was preparing To Take the meeting minutes. She tapped and unfolded the materials as if shaking off her nerves.
She looked straight ahead.
Pastel Lovecraft.
My insubordination debut begins now.
The girl opened her mouth.
“We will now begin the meeting regarding the preparations and procedures for the festival to promote Industry-Academia Cooperation.”
They dove into the meeting.
Bring it on.
“Should we understand the festival as an expanded version of the existing Department Demonstration? Is it expanded to the scale of the entire School rather than just the Department?”
An Upperclassman’s Relaxed voice?
Alas.
“No. To be precise, it’s not like that. The Department Demonstration was mainly a Precision Strategy to Receive investment from targeted trading groups, wasn’t it? It focused on topics and results that the trading groups would like, and then demonstrated them.”
“Is the festival different?”
Her head was spinning.
“The difference between a festival and a demonstration is like the difference between a buffet and a formal dinner.”
She spread out the prepared materials.
“You can only truly know what you want to eat when you’re actually in front of the food. Preparing food you will like is definitely effective. But do the Trading Groups themselves even know exactly what they want to eat? No. They just invest based on what is demonstrated to them.”
She looked straight at the Upperclassman who had asked the question.
“This time, instead of a formal dinner, we will show them as much as possible through a buffet. And we will let them choose. We will Induce Proactive Investment rather than passive investment.”
Ellie quickly completed the writing of the meeting minutes.
“A large quantity guarantees high quality. We will Pour out Quantitative Diversity rather than Qualitative Achievement, a colorful array of ideas, at the festival.”
The girl in the Head Seat looked around the Conference Room. She met the eyes of the class representatives one by one.
A Strange light swirled in every Gaze she met.
“Please guarantee autonomy on an individual level rather than unified participation from each Department. Have them bring out something they researched as a hobby, but which was ignored. You will not be the ones making the decisions and taking responsibility. The investors will be.”
Quiet Murmuring arose in the Conference Room.
The Mage looked around the Bustling Conference Room. And a Representative’s lips moved slightly before he spoke.
“Bad money drives out good.”
He still had a cynical expression, but his thoughts seemed to have become complicated.
“Half-baked ideas and unrefined results will only make the Trading Groups sick of it. Good achievements will be buried in the junk and abandoned. How do you plan to handle the Resentment?”
“That might be true for some. But even more ideas will shine.”
Pink Eyes looked around the Conference Room.
“I will take responsibility.”
Her voice rang out.
“Push forward with it.”
The girl commanded.
The gazers slowly lowered their heads.
Various matters were handled Without Delay.
A while later, the meeting ended.
The class representatives left the Conference Room with complicated thoughts but flushed, excited expressions.
Pastel grabbed her head.
Oh dear.
Oh dear.
I don’t even really remember what I did during the meeting.
Alas.
Wouldn’t it be fine if a Student Council that just throws a Nonsense Talk Fest while swept up in nervousness gets abolished?
Gasp.
She clutched her heart.
Such a Valid point.
Someone please deny it.
Pastel twisted her body and her hands trembled.
This will definitely cause Gossip. unconditionally.
Hmm, they say the Freshman committed insubordination.
Whisper Whisper.
Alas.
Such justified Gossip.
I was so nervous that I don’t even remember what I did during the meeting. Please just overlook it once as a Freshman’s cute antics.
Alas.
Please, anything but Gossip.
I hope all sorts of Gossip don’t spread without me knowing…!
Friends, as a First-year Student, Help me.
The Mage, who hadn’t left, approached.
A complicated Gaze looked down at Pastel.
“As expected of Kraft, it is Different on the Inside and outside.”
The Mage turned around.
“Scary.”
The Mage Robe fluttered. The Mage left.
Pastel’s Eyes Widened.
Oh.
As expected of Kraft?
Was our Family ever used in a good Sense? Not at all. No matter how I Think back on it, it doesn’t sound like a compliment.
It’s that, right? It’s really that, right?
Gossip is really going To Spread.
Gossip that only the party involved doesn’t know about is going To Spread!
Whisper Whisper.
Alas.
#
Magic Engineering Department.
The Triple Crown Winner is shining in first place for budget, support, and investment.
“The main event of the festival has to be we.”
The Class Representative guided her through the Department.
Pastel walked along with a Serious but somewhat Blank Expression.
A Department Student came over groaning while carrying a single iron Cannonball. The Class Representative Proudly pointed at the Cannonball.
On the surface of the Cannonball, Magic Stone Powder was arranged in a Magic Circle Pattern.
“The new Cannonball will be showcased at the festival! We actually reduced the Magic Stone Usage by 2% compared to the same performance!”
A proud expression.
The gathered Department students were the same.
Proudly weary, with Dark Circles.
Pastel looked at the Cannonball.
Blast.
Is that Amazing?
Reducing the usage of Magic stones, which are basically gold bars, is definitely Amazing, but…
Isn’t 2% somewhat Subtle?
“Oho, a splendid result.”
Oh, Really?
Pastel nodded.
“I’ve seen the Department-level participation. It’s Excellent. Then, can we see the individual entries now?”
The Class Representative was flustered by her Subtle reaction. Then, she quickly exchanged glances with the Department students. The will to defend the main spot of the festival sparkled in their eyes at all costs.
The Individual Entries were shown one by one.
“Mediocre. Mediocre. Mediocre.”
The Demon declared Mercilessly.
Blast, is that so?
Well, I just came to check as a matter of procedure. The Trading Groups will make the decisions.
Pastel fell deep into thought.
Still, I want to Host the festival successfully by pushing an incredible item at the Student Council level.
Isn’t there anything?
A commotion arose in the corner.
“You’re really going to show it?”
“What else would we show a young Freshman besides this? I’m telling you, the effect is immediate.”
“Sheesh, what’s with Kraft? Just die alone!”
“Aah!”
The Upperclassman who was trying to come out was dragged away, along with the massive pedestal that was trailing behind him.
Oh?
Pastel trotted over.
“What is it?”
The surrounding upperclassmen let out a Silent Scream. A flash of Intense Shame crossed their faces.
What could it be?
The Upperclassman who was being dragged shook off the grabbing arms Triumphantly and approached. The wheels of the pedestal rumbled.
A massive something covered in a cotton cloth was placed on the pedestal, reaching all the way to the incredibly High Ceiling.
“You won’t be able to Help supporting our Department after seeing this!”
The Upperclassman reached out to the cloth.
The hesitating Class Representative blushed and shouted.
“T-This isn’t it! Stop him!”
The upperclassmen rushed in.
“Everyone, stop this bas - !”
The cloth was pulled away.
What was revealed was the shape of a massive Fantasy Reptile.
Gasp.
Pastel’s Eyes Widened.
“This is the most mediocre thing I’ve seen here. This isn’t even a joke.”
Yellow Reptilian Eyes flashed.
Sharp fangs roared.
Magnificent wings flapped.
Pastel’s mouth moved slightly and rapidly.
“D-D-D-D!”
The Upperclassman pointed at the super-ultra result.
“Look! This is it!”
The dragon flashed.
“The Strongest Creature!”
Pastel threw both arms up in the air.
“Huzzah!”
It’s a dragon!
A super awesome dragon…!
Exclamations swept through the space.
The upperclassmen were dumbfounded.
The maker, excited all by himself, pulled out his Staff.
“Freshmen, Watch Closely! There’s more!”
The Staff was swung.
All the Indoor Lighting went out.
Something was revealed in the darkness.
The maker shouted as if screaming.
“This is exactly…!”
A green light flashed along the Reptilian Skin.
In the darkness, the massive figure emitted light all on its own.
Green light flashed brightly.
“Gasp!”
The Staff pointed at Pastel as if telling her to speak.
Pastel inhaled deeply.
She puffed out her chest fully and clenched Both Fists.
And she shouted with all her might.
“It’s a Luminous Dragon!”
Super ultra awesome Luminous Dragon!
The Strongest Creature in its Perfect Form is a Luminous Dragon!
She threw both arms up.
“Huzzah!”
This is the incredible item I was hoping for!
Dragon! Dragon! Luminous Dragon!
I’ll make the festival a success with this!
A frenzy shared only between the maker and Pastel flowed.
Silence flowed as if surrounding a different World.
A Dumbfounded Voice muttered.
“Wh-What is this?”
#
The maker, who had calmed down after getting smacked in the back of the head by the Class Representative, opened his mouth.
“But there’s a problem.”
Pastel’s Eyes Widened.
Is there a problem with this incredible result?
The Staff pointed at the dragon’s Reptilian Eyes.
“Originally, a beam came out from there.”
What did you say?
An Eye Beam comes out of the dragon?
Beam Ray.
The super genius maker became gloomy.
“But because of the Flying Creature, the materials coming from the Demon Realm can’t arrive right now. They probably won’t arrive before the festival.”
“H-How could this be!”
This makes no Sense.
The maker’s hand pressed down on her Pink Hair.
“Freshman, don’t feel bad. Our dragon is incredible even as it is now. There are times when an adult just has to Be Satisfied. The dragon has been completed in the face of reality.”
“That’s, that’s…”
Pastel’s eyes grew red with tears needlessly.
“Don’t give up! Our dragon isn’t finished yet!”
She threw one arm up.
“The Student Council exists For the Students!”
Demon Realm Express Delivery?
“The Student Council will do it!”
Along with Smuggling
Oh?