Chapter 551

Luke glanced briefly to his right. Seated there were the fifth-years, seniors who could be called the pinnacle even among the god-like upperclassmen.

And in the very center of those fifth-years, in what could be called the seat of honor, sat Hark, the Vice President who currently pulled the strings at Lumene.

More accurately, he's practically half-lying down.

Hark had tilted his chair back, balancing only on its rear legs, with his head thrown back and both feet propped up on the desk. Judging by the even rise and fall of his chest, he was fast asleep.

He won't fall over, will he?

Luke's gaze, which had momentarily rested worriedly on Hark, shifted this time to his right, where the fourth-years sat. In their midst was Elena, known as both the greatest beauty of Lumene and the Queen of Lumene, reading a book with perfect posture and a natural air of grace.

Judging by appearances alone, anyone would see her as the picture of a diligent honors student. The problem was that the book Elena was reading was a grimoire designated as a forbidden text at Lumene.

Is it really okay for both of them to act like this?

This was the student council, a place where students representing the school gathered for meetings. Despite that, the two students who could be called the core of that student council were, by anyone's standards, prime examples of delinquents.

For Luke, who was attending as the first year representative, it was a sight he couldn't get used to at all.

"Luke."

"Ah, yes! Senior Lily."

"Your mana characteristic is Mana Amplification, wasn't it?"

"Yes."

"I envy you. Mine is almost excessively ordinary, you see. When I see brilliant talents like yours, Luke, I'm truly envious."

"Oh, come on, Senior, you're more amazing."

"No. You're more amazing, Luke."

As Lily looked at him, appearing genuinely envious, a certain scene that happened a few days ago in the Magic Department's practical training hall flashed through Luke's mind.

KRRRRAAAAASSSH!

"Gyaaaaaaaah! Our golem! The one we poured our entire first semester into!"

"This is too weak. Don't you think you need to make it sturdier?"

"You're the beast! You monster girl!"

"Who are you calling a monster girl! I have the distinct nickname 'the Storm Elemental Summoner'!"

"Is that important right now?!"

It was the image of Lily destroying a battle golem built by third-year Magic Department students with her bare hands.

They definitely said that was made of pure mithril, right?

Luke broke out in a cold sweat as he looked at Lily.

"Ahh, ordinary. I'm just too ordinary," she muttered.

The first-years could only stare at Lily, who treated herself as an ordinary person, with bewildered eyes. On the contrary, the students from other years were nonchalant, as if they were used to it.

And here I thought I'd gotten somewhat used to Lumene.

Lumene still far surpassed the common sense of first-years.

Just then, Hark, who had his head thrown back, lifted it, and Elena, too, closed her grimoire.

At the same time, the door opened, and Leo entered.

Hark, confirming that Leo had taken the Student Council President's seat, said in a voice thick with fatigue, "Alright, now that the President is here, shall we start the meeting?"

Normally, the Student Council President would lead the meeting. However, since Vice President Hark handled the practical affairs in the current student council, Leo merely watched silently as Hark conducted the meeting.

Hark overtly showed his annoyance with a sleepy face and constant yawns, but ultimately, he performed his role excellently.

"Alright, lastly. This agenda item concerns next year's entrance exam for new students."

The first-years flinched.

"This year's exam supervisor is… Huh? What is it?" Hark looked at Juen, who had raised her hand. "If you have something to say, say it."

"Yes! Juen Torvina, first-year Magic Department! If the exam format hasn't been decided yet, I strongly recommend last year's entrance exam format!"

"We all think that would be good!"

"We were able to learn a lot from the Seniors during the entrance exam!"

The entire first-year student council cohort agreed with Juen's words in unison.

"Too bad, but the one of the core principles of Lumene is to change our entrance exam every year."

Making the impossible possible was one of the important virtues of a hero. Therefore, the entrance exam also served as the very first ordeal for Lumene students.

"If it can be predicted, then it's not an ordeal."

That was why Lumene's entrance exam changed every year.

Sighs erupted among the first-years at Hark's words.

"We could have paid them back too!"

"What a waste!"

Watching them, Hark said, "The overall supervisor for this entrance exam is Professor Harrid."

The entire atmosphere in the student council froze. Harrid, known as Lumene's Wailing Wall, might only be in charge of the first-years now, but he remained an object of fear for all Lumene students.

"Professor Harrid asked for the necessary personnel to be selected from each year, so after the meeting, the year representatives should sort out the selection themselves," Hark added indifferently, then made to get up from his seat. "Alright then, since all agenda items are finished, let's conclude the meeting with this."

"Wait a moment," Leo cut in.

Hark furrowed his brow with all his might. "Why? Again? What?"

"As Student Council President, there's one agenda item I'd like to propose."

"As Student Council President?" Hark curled the corner of his lip, openly displaying his resentment towards Leo. "You don't even handle the practical work, yet you intend to exercise only your authority as President? Even if you are the President, don't you think that's an abuse of power?"

Not only the first-years but also the previously relaxed upperclassmen wore tense expressions and gulped nervously.

Since Leo took office as President, there had been no overt friction between Leo and Hark, because although Leo was the President, he had delegated the real authority to Hark.

In other words, this student council was effectively Hark's student council.

Indeed, it was Hark who had exercised power as Lumene's leader for the past year, while Leo had never once asserted his authority as President.

So there was no reason for conflict until now, right?

The fifth-years also looked back and forth between Leo and Hark nervously. This could be called the first clash between the figurehead President and the authoritative Vice President.

"Why don't you say something?" Hark smiled coldly.

The fifth-years nodded.

Even if he is Leo Plov, Hark can't tolerate this. Interfering carelessly in the student council that he… that we have led for the past year.

The fifth-years' cool gazes turned towards Leo.

Leo Plov, we know you're amazing, but you exerting influence on the student council should start from next year…

"Does being President make you everything?! Does being a hero make you everything?! Does being chosen by the gods make you everything?! You ungrateful junior bastard who just bosses Seniors around! Do you know how sleep-deprived I've been since becoming a fifth-year because of you!"

This bastard! He's just holding a grudge because he couldn't sleep! The fifth-years cursed Hark inwardly.

Dark circles prominent under his eyes. Pupils shot with blood. His appearance literally revealed his sleep deprivation vividly.

Tension filled the air.

"Senior Hark, every time I've seen you, you were sleeping, but yet you claim you're sleep-deprived?" Luke asked, confused.

"That's right, Luke. Senior Hark needs much more sleep than others. Perhaps because he's suffered from sleep deprivation this past year, he's become quite irritable," Lily replied.

Hark's murderous gaze turned towards Lily and Luke.

Luke flinched at that gaze, but Lily clenched her fists and said, "Even if he's become irritable, I still respect Senior Hark! As Vice President, you ran the school administration excellently, didn't you!"

"Lily, you need to correct yourself. His original personality wasn't great either," Elena chimed in from the side, laughing.

Stop it, you guys! The atmosphere is already murderous!

Watching Lily fan the flames without any malice and Elena openly pour oil on the fire, the students screamed internally.

Just then, a fifth-year student council member asked, "President, just what agenda item were you trying to propose?"

"I intended to change the Vice President starting today."

"What? That was the most important agenda item! You should have said so sooner. Let's restart the meeting!" Hark beamed brightly, as if nothing had happened.

Chen Xia, one of the student council secretaries, raised her hand. "Senior Hark, it's time for lunch now, isn't it?"

"Don't be ridiculous. No one leaves until this meeting ends."

"But even if he is the President, shouldn't he refrain from unilaterally deciding on something major like selecting the Vice President? Especially since he hasn't done anything for a year."

"Who said such nonsense? The President's word is absolute," Hark insisted, his eyes seemingly ablaze.

Looking at Hark like that, Leo said, "Then please recommend a candidate for Vice President."

"I recommend Elena Zeron."

"I recommend Lily."

Hark and Elena said simultaneously.

Lily, unexpectedly recommended for Vice President, widened her eyes.

Hark grinned slyly. "Now why would you do that? You, who will soon be a fifth-year, should take on the Vice Presidency, shouldn't you?"

"Since it will change next year anyway, wouldn't it be more stable for Lily to take the Vice President position long-term?"

"Lily still has much to learn, and you can definitely teach Lily many things."

"Oh? You flatter me."

"No, I mean it! Your administrative skills are definitely superior to mine."

"How could I possibly work as well as you, Senior Hark?"

The two laughed 'haha' and 'hoho', praising each other, but their eyes were incomparably murderous.

You should suffer too.

Hmph, as if I would sacrifice myself.

In truth, this year's student council was one of the busiest in Lumene's history. As major incidents occurred one after another, the student council managing the entirety of Lumene inevitably became incredibly busy dealing with the aftermath.

Naturally, Hark, who was responsible for the President's practical duties, had suffered to the point where his head felt like it would explode. Even Elena, who assisted the Vice President, was just as busy as the previous Student Council President, Rhys.

Moreover, considering the current world situation, next year's Lumene student council would inevitably be even busier than this year's, certainly not less so. It was to the point where the experience of running the Lumene Student Council could become the best political and administration career credential after graduation.

First and foremost, the Lumene Student Council President had influence comparable to that of a king of a nation. Not only could one gain great fame by achieving this position, but a smooth career path would also open up for them after graduation.

Beyond all that, it was a position coveted by any ambitious Lumene honor student.

The problem is, both of these people are delinquents.

Leo clicked his tongue.

"Um, if you just entrust it to me, I will try my best…" Lily said with a serious face.

Leo instantly replied, "Rejected."

"Why, Hyung?" Lily said tearfully.

Leo said firmly, "Senior Lily, you don't have any administrative skills."

"No! I can do well! Right? Everyone?" Clenching both fists tightly, Lily looked towards her third-year classmates.

Her classmates quickly averted their eyes.

"Let's just leave it to Senior Elena."

"Yeah, Lily. I don't think you're very suitable for the job."

"Maybe something related to combat, but not administration."

"The President certainly has a good eye for people."

Lily's shoulders slumped.

Now, all eyes turned towards Elena.

Receiving those gazes, Elena smiled softly. "Stop staring at me."

The second, third, and fourth-years flinched and turned their heads away. Although she had lived relatively quietly after becoming a fourth-year, Elena Zeron was the student known as both Lumene's Queen and its Witch.

Leo requested, "Please take the Vice President position, Senior Elena."

"No way. Get someone else," Elena said, twisting a strand of her hair.

"I believe Senior Elena is the right person for the job."

"Why?"

"Because you have the ability."

Elena gazed intently at Leo. "What about my right of refusal?"

"You don't have any."

Elena stared at Leo for a moment, then said, "Fine, but I have a condition."

"A condition?"

"Yep." Elena smiled beautifully. "Go on one date with me."

Everyone inside the student council gaped in shock.

"Eh, Senior Elena? A date with Hyung as the condition? Isn't that too strange?" Lily gasped, flustered.

Elena widened her eyes. "Hm? Is there a problem? It's just one date, isn't it?"

"W-Well, yes, but… how should I put it? It seems… a little inappropriate?"

"Our cute Lily, just what kind of naughty thoughts did you have to make a date seem inappropriate?"

"I-I wasn't thinking anything like that!"

Elena rested her chin on her hand as she looked at the red-faced, screaming Lily. Then, turning to Leo, she smiled gently. "So? What will it be? President?"

Leo nodded leisurely. "It's not a difficult request."

"Meaning?"

"Let's do it. The date."