Chapter 56

It's the third term school event, and with the end of the year approaching, a student council meeting will be held.

The meeting hasn't been held for the past two years. Since I've caused so much trouble, it's probably inevitable that it has to be held. The assembly hall is filled with all the students, and on the stage are the student council officers, including the absolute queen of the school, Eleana Stradis.

First on the agenda is the revision report of the accounts.

This is a revision report for the past three years, starting from when Eleana entered the school. Eleana became the student council president in her second year, so it would seem that a revision report for just two years would suffice. However, it seems that the negative legacy left by the previous officers is to blame. The purpose is to erase all the miscellaneous expenses that were used up.

Surprisingly, the miscellaneous expenses are zero. The funds that were supposed to be used for miscellaneous expenses, which were of unknown purpose, have somehow been reimbursed and are now treated as carryover funds for the next year.

Fifteen gold coins two years ago, and thirty-two gold coins last year. It's a mystery what they were used for.

Of course, this year's miscellaneous expenses will also be zero, which means that fifty-three gold coins have been secretly reimbursed from the pockets of the student council officers. My condolences.

Well, let's not delve into that. The accounting officer, sweating profusely, explains quickly, and the advisor teacher, with a smile, approves the audit report, bringing the revision report to a close. The teacher's position was also weak, I see...

Perhaps half of the students thought, "Ah, that's what it is." But with the absolute queen as the president, no one would stand up to question it.

This means that the bad habit of diverting student council funds to elegant tea parties will no longer exist, and the students' applause will approve it.

If this had not been corrected and had been ignored, I would have pursued it without hesitation.

Next is the general accounting report.

There are only five clubs in the school: drama, art, literature, music, and swordsmanship. The cost of equipment for these clubs is relatively low. The drama club uses the most budget, as stage props, costumes, and other items are expensive.

I would like to see the student council budget used more fairly.

The student council spends the most money on the school festival. The drama club gets the most funding. This is because there are few classes that put on performances, so it's not fair. Our class's maid and butler café barely broke even, so we didn't use the student council budget.

With the carryover funds from this year, we want to make next year more active so that all classes can put on performances.

After all the income and expenditure reports are completed, the activities are reported and approved by the students' applause, and the student council president's work is officially over. Eleana, who will graduate next month, bowed to all the students on the stage and was applauded as she stepped down. Well done, well done.

"Regarding the student council president for next year..."

According to tradition, Eleana would recommend a second-year student council officer...

"I recommend Shin Midland."

The hall erupts with excitement!

So that's how it is... Honestly, I had predicted this.

It's probably also a form of payback for all the trouble I've caused her. Since I, a first-year, have been recommended, I will automatically serve two consecutive terms as a second-year and third-year.

More importantly, according to Serea's game knowledge, I was already supposed to be the student council president from my second year, so I have no choice but to accept it.

I am called to the stage, and the applause is overwhelming.

I shake hands with the president, who extends her hand.

"You've caused us so much trouble. It's only fair that you experience the same, future king. You can handle running the student council, can't you?"

"Of course. Drinking tea is something anyone can do."

Eleana's cheeks twitch.

"I look forward to it."

"I will humbly accept."

I bow deeply and turn to face the hall, bowing to all the students.

It seems I won't have any time for studying, official duties, or even sleeping.

After being appointed as the student council president, I am called to the student council room after the meeting.

"Well, let's see what you can do."

I receive the key to the student council room from Eleana and the key to the safe from the accounting officer.

"I accept. Now, regarding the other student council officers..."

"The officers will be appointed by the president from among the students in the school. I hope you will choose good people with your own eyes."

"Then, for the accounting officer, I would like to ask Remi Atkinson, a second-year student."

"Y-Yes!"

Remi is surprised. The other officers also seem surprised. They didn't expect me to choose from the old officers.

"Did you think I would bring my own staff, Your Highness?"

"I don't have any followers, so I welcome anyone with experience as a student council officer."

The accounting officer, who managed to reconcile the contradictory and unknown expenses, did a great job among the third-year officers. I definitely want her on my staff.

"Are there any other second-year officers? The third-year officers will graduate this year. Thank you for your hard work with the student council."

"Hmph!"

The vice president and secretary don't seem amused.

"Then, I will take my leave."

"Thank you for your service."

The third-year student council officers leave the room.

"Let's review the student council accounts, shall we?"

"Y-Yes."

Remi and I open the safe and check the remaining student council funds. As reported at the student council meeting, there is a carryover of fifty-three gold coins. It's just gold coins, no small change, which is a bit odd.

"What's this? Who prepared it?"

"Eleana said, 'It's my responsibility,' and reimbursed the full amount..."

"I see. I thought the officers would share the burden fairly since they all enjoyed tea parties together."

Perhaps it's a matter of pride for the duke's daughter, or rather, the president.

"Please keep this confidential..."

"It's already known by all the students. No one would think the unknown miscellaneous expenses suddenly turned into carryover funds without being used improperly."

"...Please forgive me."

"Sure, sure. Let's redo the calculations."

"All of it!"

"Of course."

We then went through all the ledgers and recalculated.

There were a few silver coins off, but I'll let that slide.

"So... Your Highness."

"Please don't call me that. Just Shin is fine."

"Shin, you're really fast at calculations!"

Well, that's just basic. There's no need to be surprised. I learned multiplication tables from Serea and can handle basic accounting and general tasks.

"I've been trained in council meetings. I've been drafting laws and creating documents since I was eleven."

"Wow... That's amazing."

"Remi, please appoint a second-year student as the accounting officer. Choose someone you trust."

"Is that okay?"

"Yes, we need some third-year staff. I don't know many upperclassmen, and they don't think highly of me."

"What about the secretary?"

"I'll ask a friend of mine."

When I went to the library, the literature club members were still there.

They were compiling the graduation anthology for the third-year students, handling editing and proofreading. Serea was also helping.

The graduation ceremony is next month...

"Ah, welcome, President."

"...Will I be called that from now on? It's better than 'Your Highness' or 'Prince,' I guess."

Everyone laughs.

"But please call me Shin as usual."

"Sure, sure."

For everyone, calling me 'Prince' might be a bit of a stretch. I won't deny being called 'President.'

"Heath, I have a favor to ask."

"Yes, what is it?"

"Would you consider being the student council secretary?"

Heath looks thoughtful.

"Actually, Serea said you would probably ask me and that I should accept. I'm happy to help if I can."

Wow, she saw it coming. Serea really knows what I'm thinking.

But Heath's willingness to accept is impressive.

"Thank you. I appreciate it."

"What about the vice president and accounting officer?"

"I asked the accounting officer who will be a third-year. We need some third-year staff."

"That's a good idea. If a second-year is the president, the third-years might not find it interesting, so we need to balance it out."

"Alright, I'll count on you!"

Later, Remi brought a classmate and introduced her.

She's a second-year named Olivia, a friend of Remi's.

"Thank you for taking on this responsibility. I would like to appoint you as the accounting officer. I look forward to working with you for the next year."

"I am honored by your kind words. I will do my best to assist you, Your Highness."

"Here, please don't call me 'Your Highness' or 'Prince.' As a junior, 'Shin' is fine. If you find it difficult, 'President' is also acceptable."

"Understood!"

"We'll start activities when the new term begins. Please gather in the student council room after school. Thank you."

Well, my student council officers are decided. We'll work hard for the next year. I won't let Eleana down.

Next: "56. Graduation Party"