Chapter 35

Chapter 34

The Cheerful Fair - 1

With the fair approaching, I, the inspector and advisor, also busied myself.

To apologize for wasting time feeding cookies last time, I worked with Margareta in the afternoon and shared a few cookies with her each time she came to the club room. Despite her initial reluctance, seeing her enjoy them made me feel accomplished.

Margareta seemed to like it too, as she looked happy when we went out to work together after eating cookies. I should take better care of her in the future.

"The club booth assignments are done, so the Student Council's work is finished."

Margareta and I toured the academy to check the locations where the club booths would be set up. Considering the number of club members, their characteristics, accessibility, and expected crowd, this was the most cumbersome task. Allocating booths was more challenging than the budget.

Especially for the baking club booth. Despite having the fewest members, they were of extremely high status, and some of the security personnel also participated under the guise of helping. I had to find a secluded spot to avoid the crowd while ensuring it was appropriate for their status and accessible to external guests.

Considering all these conditions was maddening. Fortunately, the Student Council President managed to secure a good spot for the baking club booth.

I already look forward to after the President graduates. He will surely work hard as an excellent imperial civil servant. It's really something to look forward to. New slaves are always welcome.

After confirming the last booth, the official work of the Student Council was all done. The Student Council must endure a lot, having to do this every year.

"Thank you for your hard work, Margareta."

"Thank you, Karl. It was comfortable and nice thanks to you."

"You're too kind."

In truth, I only skimmed through some documents and accompanied Margareta on her rounds. It's embarrassing to hear "thank you for your hard work."

Still, finishing a project makes me feel relieved. It would be perfect if nothing goes wrong during the fair.

Until yesterday, I wished it would start soon, but now that it's about to begin, the first day of the fair already feels bothersome.

"We are a new club this year, so we don't expect much. Our goal is to sell everything and rank well."

"You seem to be expecting a lot."

As I addressed the club members gathered at the baking club booth, Tanya muttered quietly. But there's no choice. That's the minimum.

We need to sell everything we made. That way, I won't have to deal with leftovers. We also aim to rank well in the fair. This ranking is based on club sales, student, and external guest reviews, but it doesn't really matter if we don't make it. Still, it would be nice to have a good result.

"Your efforts have improved the taste. Be confident."

The members' skills steadily improved, and they managed to produce a good taste. The improvement in taste is confirmed by Villar, so it's reliable.

Anyway, I finished my role as an advisor by giving some encouragement and support. Honestly, I think I've been diligent in my duties just by handling the products we made. How many advisors do that?

"Everyone, let's do our best! We've done our best, so good results will come!"

After me, the vice president, Louise, boosted morale. They probably find her words more motivating than mine.

I quietly turned my gaze away. I kept my mouth shut to avoid making them lazy and wandering around the booth, but the structure ensures the baking club will rank first.

Would anyone give harsh reviews to a club with royalty, nobility, and saint candidates? Such a social misfit wouldn't survive. Even if they don't rank, the structure ensures they will.

It's unfair for clubs that worked hard, but what can be done? This is part of the talent recruitment strategy.

'They're only useful during events like this.'

Usually, they are a burden, only active during the fair. I wouldn't want them even if they were given to me. I'd rather pay to get rid of them.

I sighed softly and glanced to the side, meeting Villar's eyes as she put on an apron. A royal knight in an apron instead of armor is rare.

Feeling a sense of self-loathing, I exchanged a glance with Villar, and we both turned our heads away as if on cue. To Villar, I must look like an inspector covered in flour, more valuable than a royal knight in an apron.

After sharing the bittersweet feelings of a middle manager with Villar, the lively atmosphere of the approaching crowd was palpable.

'It's starting.'

The academy is only open during the fair, but the city around it is accessible beforehand. People who had booked accommodations in advance rushed in as soon as the academy gates opened. The fair seems to have a higher status than I expected.

"Is everything ready?"

"It's already done. We should be more concerned about how many people will come."

"It's a bit secluded, so it will take time for guests to arrive."

The members gathered to discuss the booth opening time. The academy is large, and there are many clubs, so they think it will take a while for guests to reach the baking club booth. But that's only if they tour other places first.

As I silently looked ahead, the crowd was already visible. Yes, I expected this.

The booth opened earlier than the members anticipated. External guests came straight from the main gate to the baking club booth at an unexpected speed.

The members were a bit surprised by this unexpected speed but quickly regained their composure and greeted the guests. Actually, there's not much to greet. Just show some samples, hand over what they want to buy, and that's it. With their status, there won't be any troublesome customers, so it's almost like a handout.

And no matter what the guests bought, the destination was the same.

"Ah, it's you. How have you been?"

"Of course, I've been well. I missed you, but it's nice to see you again."

I greeted the noble with a smile, and he returned it. I am the destination. I serve as the totem and the final destination for these guests.

"Has it been a year since the New Year's ceremony last year?"

"You remember. Ha, it's an honor."

Quickly recalling who he is and when we met is no small feat. But for smooth relationship building, it's necessary.

See, just by lightly hinting that I remember you, you're already pleased. Social life starts with remembering faces and names.

'How many are there?'

While shaking hands with the guest, I glanced around and saw several nobles using the booth. More are coming from behind. Someone must have given them the coordinates, and they hit the mark.

The reason for this situation is simple. I am treated like a near-legendary Pokémon in the imperial social circle. Like Entei or Raikou, rare and hard to see. I rarely attend social events unless it's the New Year's ceremony.

Even then, I only attend to meet the imperial viscounts with the head of the family. The legendary Pokémon is the Information Minister, who can't leave the office. He's a rainbow bird. I don't just find comfort in thinking about the Information Minister.

"It's been a while. How have you been?"

"Ha, of course, I've been well."

While thinking about the Information Minister trapped in the bell tower, the person in front of me changed. This one is a bit more significant.

"I heard your son is preparing for a civil service position. Good news will come soon."

Using power appropriately is also a virtue needed for social life.

The first rush ended.

"Good job, everyone. Take a break now that it's quieter."

I said to the members who were sitting down. The ones who worked the hardest were my head and hands, but they did work hard. However, they look at me with strange eyes.

I know I acted like a campaigner while they were doing business. But don't look at me like that. Did I call those people? They came on their own.

"Big brother, you worked hard too!"

Louise, who had been serving water to the members and reinforcements, handed me a cup of water.

"Drink first. You haven't had any yet."

I gently pushed the cup towards Louise. Why does she take care of others before herself? Ensuring Louise's hydration is more important than the health of the male members.

But when she pushed it back, I silently turned my hand away, and she hesitantly drank first. Good, drink well.

"There are ladies enjoying the fair properly."

"I'm envious. When I have time, I'll do the same."

Then, I heard the voices of Ruitis and Erih. Turning to look, Ruitis was smirking while looking ahead. What's going on?

Looking in the direction Ruitis was looking, my brows furrowed. A woman with white hair and red eyes was walking with her arms full of food. She had a chicken skewer in her mouth and was walking with a cheerful step.

It's not an annoying sight. The fair is a festival, so there can be guests enjoying food like that. It's normal. The problem is the identity of the person doing this.

'First Division Chief, you brat.'

Why are you here?

Author's Note

It feels strange to see 'Preliminary Round Ended' on the contest announcement I've been following for almost a month. I'm excited to see which works will be selected and advance to the main round.

Thank you for reading this chapter!

Thank you for the support, thinkofrecommendation! I appreciate your sponsorship!