Chapter 33

The day after I joined the student council as a general affairs member.

After finishing the morning classes, the three of us—me, Lea, and Rose—gathered in front of the student council room to attend the daily lunch meeting.

I knocked on the door as a representative of the three of us,

"---Come in."

The president's voice, like the tinkling of a bell, replied.

"Excuse us."

I slowly opened the door, and there were the president, Lirim-sempai, and Ferris-sempai.

They were all sitting in their respective seats, and bento boxes were placed on the desks.

"Welcome. Allen-kun, Lea-san, Rose-san."

"This is your first regular meeting... please be on your best behavior!"

"It's just a regular lunch, though..."

Our desks were already prepared, and name plates with our names and positions were placed on them.

After exchanging brief greetings with the seniors, we sat down,

"Then, let's start with introductions!"

The president said this and shifted her gaze to Lirim-sempai on her left.

"Um, cough. I'm Lirim Tsorine, the secretary of 2-A. The title of secretary is just a name, and I mostly pass the work to the vice president! Hope you get along with me!"

Lirim Tsorine.

She has slightly short, light brown hair.

Her forehead is well exposed, with a pink hair clip parting her hair on the left.

She is a lively girl with large cat-like eyes.

"Ferris Magdalot, the treasurer of 2-A. The title of treasurer is just a name, and I mostly pass the work to the vice president. I hope we can get along..."

Ferris Magdalot.

She has dark blue hair cut around her shoulders.

Her right eye is hidden by her bangs, giving her a downcast impression, in contrast to Lirim-sempai.

She is slightly taller than the president, probably around 160 cm.

"Also from 2-A, I'm Shii Arcstria, the student council president. The title of president is just a name, and I ask the vice president to do all the work. Let's have fun together!"

To my surprise, our student council was entirely 'in name only.'

(Are all the tasks concentrated on the vice president... Is this okay?)

Suddenly, the relationship between Ms. Lea and No. 18 came to mind.

Then we introduced ourselves to the president and the others.

"I'm Allen Roadel. I accepted the president's invitation and joined the student council as a general affairs member. Nice to meet you."

"I'm Lea Vestaria. I look forward to this year."

"I'm Rose Valencia. Nice to meet you."

After we finished our introductions, the six of us enjoyed lunch together.

The president, Lirim-sempai, and Ferris-sempai were all nice people, and it was a very enjoyable time.

There was just one thing that caught my attention...

(Is this 'regular meeting' just a 'lunch gathering' in name only...?)

During the meeting, no talk about student council work came up.

(But, thinking about it, today was like a 'first meeting.' They must be trying to help us get along quickly.)

However, my prediction... or rather, my wish, was completely shattered.

As time passed, a week, two weeks... the student council did no work at all.

This was symbolized by the mountain of documents piled up on the vice president's desk.

Then, one day.

Unable to bear the sight of the mountain of documents growing day by day, the president muttered,

"The vice president is coming back later than expected... This might be a bit bad."

The vice president—wasn't she said to be 'out of the country' due to a penalty game in the club fee war...?

I had been a bit concerned about this, so I decided to ask about it now.

"By the way, I heard the vice president is out of the country... Where did she go?"

The president replied with a completely normal but shocking answer.

"The underground veins of the Holy Roneria Empire."

"...What?"

The Holy Roneria Empire—a dictatorial state ruled by a tyrannical emperor, and one of the countries designated as off-limits for travel by the government.

"Such a dangerous place... What did the vice president go there for!?"

"Excavation."

"...Excavation?"

"Yes. When I said I wanted a Blood Diamond during the penalty game, she said, 'Leave it to me!'... She actually went to dig for it, which is a bit of a problem..."

The president sighed softly.

Blood Diamond.

A super rare mineral that is only found in the deep underground of the Holy Roneria Empire.

Its deep red glow is so beautiful that it is favored by nobles as a gemstone.

However, due to the location of the mines, it rarely reaches the market.

When it does appear at auctions, it is sold for astronomical prices and makes headlines.

(But, to go to the Holy Roneria Empire so casually...!)

From what I heard, the vice president seems to be quite a dangerous person.

Lirim-sempai and Ferris-sempai, who had been listening to the conversation, spoke up.

"Speaking of which, she's been late coming back. Maybe... she's dead?"

"No way. I can't even imagine that idiot dying..."

"Haha, that's true!"

It seems her toughness is well recognized by the student council members.

(I wonder what kind of person she is...)

I wanted to meet her just a little.

After that, I spent my days with morning soul armor classes, lunch meetings in the student council room, afternoon soul armor classes, and after-school kendo club activities.

Time flies when you're having fun, and before I knew it, it was June 30th, the last day of the first semester at Senrin Academy.

"---Alright, I've finished returning the answer sheets! Students with grading errors or questions, come to me!"

Ms. Lea clapped her hands.

Since it was the last day of the semester, the final exam papers from the other day were all returned.

"Well, that's about it..."

I nodded quietly, looking at the answer sheet that had just been returned to me.

National Studies: 68 points.

Mathematics: 78 points.

History: 62 points.

Chemistry: 75 points.

Military Science: 85 points.

I sighed in relief, having passed the failing mark of 40 points, and Lea, seeing this, put her hand on her chest.

"That's good, you're okay!"

"Yeah, somehow."

Students who fail have to attend summer school, so avoiding this was a big deal.

"Lea... as usual, you're amazing."

Her scores were all over 90, and she even got a perfect 100 in Military Science. I had heard she received a gifted education from a young age—this result is truly impressive.

"Hehe, thanks."

We confirmed with each other that we had avoided failing, and our gazes turned to the problem child, Rose.

She, surprisingly, was very, very bad at studying.

Seeing her serious face mutter, "I don't even know what I don't understand," I was convinced that she was really in trouble.

After that, we held a sleepover study session, and Lea and I took turns cramming as much knowledge into her as possible, right up to the limit.

(I managed to cover all the test material, but...)

According to her, she had no sense of accomplishment, but...

"How did it go... Rose?"

"Is it okay...?"

She slowly turned around,

"Safe!"

All her scores were in the 40s—just above the failing mark.

"Wow, you did it!"

"Amazing! You did so well!"

"Thanks, I'm relieved..."

At least, we managed to avoid failing.

This meant we could participate in the student council's summer camp, which was scheduled to start the next day.

After that, Ms. Lea, who had finished dealing with grading errors and questions, started the final homeroom.

"Alright, from tomorrow, you all have the long-awaited summer break!"

The summer break at the five academies starts a bit earlier than at other middle schools.

It runs from July 1st to July 31st, a full month.

This is apparently a form of care for the first-year students, who are exhausted from the intense soul armor classes.

"Your first summer break in high school. I understand the excitement, but don't go overboard! That's it—dismissed!"

Thus, the first semester at Senrin Academy was successfully completed.

■

The next day.

I set out for the city of Aurest with the map given to me by the president.

Lea and Rose, in their uniforms, followed behind me.

"Hey, Allen. Where are we now?"

"Probably, if we turn right on this street... here it is."

Turning the corner, there was a large mansion with a wide garden.

The stone sign read 'Arcstria,' confirming that this was the president's house.

(But, what a grand mansion...)

As I looked up at the imposing three-story building,

"Hey, Allen-kun! Over here, over here!"

The president, jumping up and down in the middle of the garden, waved and called out to me.

Behind her were the usual two student council members.

"President, Lirim-sempai, Ferris-sempai—good morning."

"Yeah. Good morning, Allen-kun."

"Good morning, Allen-kun! It's a nice day today!"

"...Yeah. Good morning."

The president and Lirim-sempai were as usual, but Ferris-sempai seemed even more lethargic than usual.

From the way she was yawning and rubbing her eyes, it seemed she, like Rose, was not a morning person.

(But... with worse bedhead, Rose looks even sleepier.)

As I compared Rose and Ferris-sempai,

"Hey, Allen-kun. What do you think of my casual outfit?"

The president tugged at my sleeve and asked.

Dressed in a simple white dress, she looked a bit more mature and fresh.

"I think it suits you very well."

"Hehe, thanks."

Suddenly in a good mood, she walked to a large building that looked like a warehouse, whistling.

"Everyone, this way!"

Following her into the building, there was a large airplane stored inside.

It seemed the takeoff preparations were already complete, with three pilots sitting in the cockpit.

"Ta-da! Our family's private jet! We're flying to Venelia Island today!"

A grand mansion and a large private jet—luxurious enough to rival the Five Great Merchants.

"Is the president, by any chance, a noble?"

"Well, not exactly. The Arcstria family has held key positions in the 'government' for generations. 'Rodis Arcstria'—my father's name. Have you heard of him?"

"I've seen his name in the newspaper a few times..."

I don't remember clearly, but I think he was a minister in some government department.

"Alright, everything is ready. Everyone, don't be shy, get in!"

"First flight since spring break! I'm excited!"

"Lirim, you're really into mechanics..."

We followed the president and climbed into the jet.

The inside of the private jet was like a luxurious guest room.

It was equipped with sofas, beds, a kitchen, and a refrigerator.

After that, we enjoyed a leisurely flight and arrived at the southern resort island of Venelia a few hours later.

Venelia Island.

One of the country's top tourist spots.

It is said that many tourists from neighboring countries come to enjoy the beautiful sea and beaches.

As we stepped out of the private jet, we were greeted by a vast expanse of sea.

"Wow, it's beautiful! Look, Allen! It's so beautiful!"

"Amazing."

"Nice breeze, huh?"

"Hey-ho!"

"Lirim, that's for mountain climbing..."

As everyone expressed their thoughts, I was deeply moved.

(This is the sea...)

Having spent my childhood in the inland village of Goza and my middle school years at Gran Sword Academy, this was my first time seeing the sea.

The clear blue water stretching endlessly.

The distinctive smell of the sea breeze.

The pristine white sand.

(Amazing, everything is just as Mom described...)

As I was moved by the sea I saw for the first time,

"Alright... Lirim, Ferris, and I will go clean the villa a bit. It might be a bit messy since we haven't used it in a while."

For some reason, the president suggested a separate action.

"If that's the case, we can help—"

"---No, no, it's fine! Don't worry! We'll clean it up quickly by ourselves! It's really okay!"

The president, perhaps out of consideration, quickly shook her head.

"Hehe! Shii's room is a mess, you know! The last time, there were some... uh!?"

Lirim-sempai was about to say something, but the president's incredibly fast hand chop easily knocked her out.

"Words are the source of trouble, as they say..."

Ferris-sempai poked the unconscious Lirim-sempai and muttered.

From this exchange, I understood.

(...Probably, there are some private items the president doesn't want to be seen.)

From the fact that she didn't leave the cleaning to the servants and moved herself... it must be true.

"---Cough. Anyway! We'll clean the villa a bit! Allen-kun and the others... how about spending some time at the 'beach house' down the road?"

"Alright, we understand."

Then the three of us headed to the beach house down the road.

After walking on the beautiful sandy beach for a few minutes, we saw a very large beach house.

"Ah, this is it."

"A big beach house. There are a lot of customers!"

"Quite crowded, isn't it?"

The beach house was a wooden structure, like three average houses put together.

On the right side of the shop, they sold food items like yakisoba and curry rice.

On the left side, various beach toys like beach balls and inflatable boats were lined up.

(Well, with so many different things, we can definitely pass the time.)

As we wandered around the shop, Lea reacted to something.

"Watermelon splitting...?"

At the end of her gaze was a 'watermelon splitting set' with a watermelon, a stick, and a blindfold.

Rose, as usual, provided an explanation.

"A traditional game in this country. You blindfold yourself and try to split the watermelon."

"Is that fun...?"

It seems there is no such culture of watermelon splitting in Vestaria, and Lea tilted her head in curiosity.

"Hehe, it might be fun to try later."

As we enjoyed looking at various items, an old man in front of us suddenly attacked Lea.

"Watch out, Lea!"

"Kyaa!?"

I pulled her to my right and drew my sword with my left hand, barely blocking the attack.

"Ugh, brat... You're in the way..."

"---A trick cane. Who are you?"

This is not a random attack.

There was a clear intent to kill Lea.

Then,

"Ha, I told you... Don't sneak attack, just attack all at once..."

"Princess Lea. I have no grudge against you, but you must die for the sake of the country."

All the customers in the shop, with drawn swords, surrounded us.

(Forty, no... more than fifty...)

It seems we were dragged into a very troublesome situation right at the start of the summer break.