“Oh? But did something happen? You look really tired.”

As befits the number one insider of the current first-year S Class, Archiond was quick to notice things.

He approached Luca with a worried look after seeing that Luca’s complexion was poor. He helped Luca and laid him down on the bed.

“Is it because your injuries still haven’t healed?”

“… Well, yes, that’s right.”

“This is bad. You’re supposed to apply for grade representative in person, no matter what.”

Luca clicked his tongue as he watched Archiond’s troubled expression.

“You’re worrying about being grade representative even in a situation like this?”

“Well, obviously! If things were really serious, the festival would’ve been canceled, but it wasn’t, right? So it must be okay.”

“That’s true.”

If the situation had been truly dangerous, the Academy would have stopped the festival. That was the sensible thing to do.

‘I’m not sure if Herote intervened or if the Academy never planned to stop the festival in the first place.’

While Luca was having those thoughts, Archiond groaned.

“Umm… Even if I manage the speech somehow, I do have to show my face during the vote… Should I ask the Magic Department kids to make a double for me…?”

“There’s no need for that.”

“Huh? You’ll go yourself?”

Archiond looked puzzled. Luca replied flatly.

“I won’t run for grade representative.”

“Huh? Why all of a sudden?”

Archiond looked flustered. He seemed unable to understand why Luca, who had even made a bet to become grade representative, had suddenly changed his mind.

“One. Frankly, it’s a hassle. Now that I think about it, it’s all just one bothersome thing after another.”

“Well… that’s true.”

Archiond didn’t deny it. He already knew as much.

“But isn’t the gain worth the hassle?”

“Two. I’ll gain more by investing time in myself than I would from being grade representative.”

“Really? If you’re grade representative, you get better grades, more recognition, and talented allies.”

Luca said indifferently to the curious Archiond.

“I don’t need allies that come with a position.”

“… Luca, you’re cold and logical, but also strangely idealistic, you know? That’s your charm.”

In truth, Luca’s reason was simple. No matter how he calculated it, using his time freely brought more benefit than anything he would gain as grade representative.

‘There’s swordsmanship to learn from Kryphi, the secrets hidden in the Academy, and although it’s useless at the moment, even the gains I’d get through the phone.’

He hadn’t been able to properly tackle any of these because of all sorts of incidents, but there was a lot of hidden power in this Academy.

It may take some time to find, but if he did, it would be very useful.

“Hmm… But if I just sit back, some weird guys might become grade representative.”

“Why don’t you run yourself?”

“I told you. Even if I do, the votes would be divided so my chances are slim. And having said I wouldn’t, suddenly running again would look bad.”

Archiond wore an embarrassed expression. Watching him, Luca thought,

‘Either way, it’d be better for my school life if this guy’s grade representative. Isn’t there a way?’

As odd as their personalities were, he felt more comfortable with Archiond in front of him than with any of the weirdos.

‘Come to think of it, they said the first-year grade representative election is basically a popularity contest. In that case…’

Suddenly, something struck him. Luca spoke flatly.

“Just register for the grade representative selection. I’ll make sure you win.”

“For sure? How?”

“It’s a secret.”

At the word ‘secret,’ Archiond chuckled.

“You’re doing this on purpose, aren’t you? Just trying to get me to run for grade rep. You’re such a tease.”

“I’m not joking. I really do have a way to make sure you win.”

“Then why not just run yourself? I think that’s better.”

Archiond grumbled. Luca’s patience was starting to wear thin.

‘I’ve got a splitting headache and he keeps bugging me.’

Seemingly oblivious, Archiond continued.

“And even if I can talk my way out of things, if I run after saying I wouldn’t, the others will…”

“Just do it already.”

“Huh?”

Archiond flinched at the chilling tone in Luca’s voice. With half-shut eyes, Luca spoke.

“You’re not running only because you lost a bet with me, aren’t you? Then if I say run, just do it. Why are you making so much fuss?”

“T-that’s…”

“If people talk, just use my name. I don’t care about that. Are we clear?”

Luca’s words, if you looked at it a certain way, were heavy with pressure. Archiond was shocked.

‘Luca’s the only one who would talk to me like this.’

Born into a good family and joining Hernan Academy’s S Class. His whole life, Archiond had only ever been spoken to kindly.

Of course, there were a few who teased him because they were close friends.

But someone who acted so high-handedly was only Luca. Which first-year would dare address him so?

Archiond knew this confidence came from Luca’s abilities, and he didn’t dislike it. Rather, Archiond felt something else.

‘For some reason, I feel like I can trust Luca’s words.’

That unwavering confidence in his own statements—Archiond felt trust from that.

‘And somehow… he’s cool!’

Archiond had always played the role of mediator—balancing the egos of strong-willed kids.

He’d been a leader, but not by his own will; rather, he was the natural head chosen for peacemaking.

To him, Luca’s forceful attitude that compelled others to go along felt fresh.

‘Is this what they call charisma?’

Charisma. The power to make others follow. He felt that from Luca.

‘Maybe you really would have been the best choice for grade rep. But…’

Archiond’s eyes sparkled with admiration.

“If you say so, I guess I have no choice. I’ll do it!”

“Good. Well, I’d like to get some rest now, so get lost.”

“Ha ha, alright. Get some good rest!”

Archiond beamed as Luca spoke like he was tired of it. Waving as he left the hospital room, Luca took out his student notebook and contacted Milia.

― Contacting me right after I leave?

“I have a favor to ask.”

― A favor?

At the word ‘favor’ from Luca again, Milia tilted her head. As far as she knew, things were all settled. She wondered what he could possibly be asking now.

“You said you’re the one who rescued Latik, right?”

― Yeah. I untied him, treated him, and let him rest somewhere safe.

Luca licked his lips and said,

“Can I have that honor?”

* * *

“I’m so glad, professor Latik!”

When Latik appeared before the Terror Response Committee, vice-headmaster Ethylen Basta was overjoyed.

He’d been agonizing over whether or not to call off the festival; with the man at the center of the incident suddenly appearing, of course he was relieved.

“So, are you alright? You looked badly injured in the footage!”

“My body… I’m alright now…”

Even though he said he was fine, he didn’t look it. His eyes and hands were trembling, and his voice was too weak. Ethylen looked at him with concern.

“Are you sure you’re alright? Wouldn’t some rest be better?”

“N-no… There’s… something I have to say…”

The more he spoke, the more Latik trembled like a leaf. Ethylen gently gripped his shoulder.

“As long as we’ve confirmed you’re safe, I think that’s good enough for now. You can tell us the story later. For now—”

“I am… the terrorist.”

“……!”

Everyone in the temporary terror response committee stared at Latik with shock. With tears in his eyes, Latik spoke.

“I… I made the magic stone bomb… and detonated it…!”

“P-Professor Latik, please calm down—”

“I hurt a student… Ngh!”

Latik hung his head and sobbed.

“Calm down, professor Latik!”

Latik wept for quite some time before he managed to explain what had happened.

How, under ‘someone’s’ orders, he’d manufactured and placed the magic stone bomb, that a student was injured by accident, and that as a result, he was abandoned by ‘someone’ and nearly became a bombing victim himself.

After hearing everything, Ethylen asked carefully,

“Can you tell us who ordered you to do this?”

Latik shook his head, still trembling.

“… I understand. You’ve been through a lot.”

It was only reasonable. Anyone who could orchestrate such acts at Hernan Academy had to be highly placed. It could put even Vice-Headmaster Ethylen’s life at risk just to know their name.

“A-and… there’s… someone I want to thank…”

“Someone you want to thank?”

Ethylen tilted his head. Latik avoided his eyes.

“The student… who rescued me…”

“A student? A student saved you?”

At the mention of a student, Ethylen’s eyes widened. Despite teachers searching everywhere, they’d failed to find Latik, yet a student had rescued him. Latik nodded and spoke.

“That student’s name is…”

* * *

News that Professor Latik had been safely rescued and the festival would continue as planned was posted.

The scheduled first-year grade representative selection games were all carried out as well.

“Archiond, isn’t this too much? You said you wouldn’t run!”

“Ha ha, things just happened…”

“The competition will be fierce now. This puts Brace at too much of an advantage.”

Archiond brushed off his friends’ complaints with a smile.

‘Now that I’m doing it, I should do my best. Especially since I have Luca’s support.’

He gave his all in the representative games and somehow managed the speech too. All that was left was the vote on the third day of the festival.

‘But… how does he plan to make sure I win?’

As things stood, Brace Abinte was almost certain to win.

He was the only candidate from the Swordsmanship Department, so he’d obviously get the bulk of the Martial and Swordsmanship students’ votes.

Luca didn’t even give a speech; Archiond truly couldn’t see how he would win over the other votes as the third day dawned.

“Before we resume the festival, there will be an official statement regarding the recent terror incident during morning assembly.”

The alert arrived via student notebook in the morning. All the students assembled in the main auditorium.

“First, I deeply apologize for such an unfortunate event during what should have been a joyful festival. I fully understand the distress this has caused Hernan Academy students, who take great pride in attending the continent’s premier school.”

“Yaaawn~ What, did they gather us just for a boring speech?”

“Ugh… I need to get ready for my food stall. What’s the point of this?”

When Vice-Headmaster Ethylen stepped up to give what sounded like a speech, the atmosphere turned sour.

It seemed few actually cared about the terror incident—most just wanted to get on with the festival.

Ethylen quickly finished the greeting and got to the point.

“First, there is a student who rescued Professor Latik from great danger. Today, we have gathered here to honor that student.”

“What? Weren’t other teachers the ones who saved Professor Latik?”

“A student? Who?”

Murmur, murmur.

The students began buzzing.

“No way. Is that true? A student rescued Professor Latik?”

“Archiond. Who do you think it is?”

“I don’t know. An upperclassman, maybe?”

His friend next to him said something, but Archiond had other things on his mind. He was still wrestling with what to say during the final speech before voting for grade rep.

“The student who rescued Professor Latik is—!”

He wasn’t really paying attention to Ethylen’s words.

‘Wait, Luca isn’t going to beat up all the Magic Department kids to keep them from running, right?’

He was lost in such pointless thoughts, when he suddenly got a strange feeling. As if everyone was looking at him.

“?”

Archiond looked around. Everyone really was staring at him.

“Wh-why…?”

“A-Archiond. Is it true?”

“?”

His friend beside him was standing wide-eyed. Archiond tilted his head.

“True, what?”

“You… you really saved Professor Latik?”

————-= Clacky’s Corner ————-=

Yep, rig the election, why don’t you?

【ദ്ദി(⩌ᴗ⩌)】

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep