Chapter 47: Representative

Leave a Comment / Level 999 / By IX

After a one-month summer vacation, it was the first day back to school.

During the morning assembly, I listened to the talk about the Starry blossom Festival and couldn’t contain my excitement.

As soon as the assembly was over and we returned to the classroom, I decided to share my thoughts with Mil.

“I also want to be a representative for the Starry blossom Festival!”

Looking at me, buzzing with excitement, Mil gave me an amused smile.

“It’s quite impressive how energetic you are right after the summer break, Sachi.”

“But you see, the Starry blossom Festival, a major event, is just a month away. I can’t stay calm about it!”

I swung both of my arms up and down to express my excitement.

On the other hand, Mil and the other classmates seemed to still carry a sense of vacation atmosphere, wearing somewhat absent-minded expressions.

Maybe they were feeling down, not so much due to summer fatigue, but because they were anticipating the return of daily classes.

I could somewhat understand that feeling.

“Well, I guess some people are exhausted from all the fun they had during the summer break. They might need some time to recover.”

“Some of them might have focused on their club activities or went back to their hometowns. Everyone spent the break in their own way. As for us, we mostly spent our time fulfilling school requests and shuttling back and forth to the research lab.”

“Yeah, it was truly a fulfilling summer break. Well, if I had to voice a desire, I would have liked to go to the beach or an island.”

Since it was a precious vacation, I had wanted to go on a trip somewhere. However, I became engrossed in my research at the Magical Device Research Club and fulfilling school requests, so I hardly went out.

I had considered visiting Mulberry-san’s place, but I thought it might be too soon to go back home after only half a year away.

“You’re such a lonely person, Sachi-chan,” Mulberry-san would say when we meet after a long time. I can easily imagine her saying that.

I’m not really a lonely person, though.

Well, I can go back to Mulberry-san’s place anytime if I use the teleportation magic, “Selfish Summoning Ariane Shiftle,” which allows me to choose my destination. So, it doesn’t have to be right now.

I decided to return home once my student life settled down a bit.

During the summer vacation, I focused on my student life, worked hard on school requests and at the research club. We also went to the capital city to enjoy some festivals. Mil and I went there to have fun, but…

“Anyway, this isn’t the time to reminisce! We should talk about the Starry blossom Festival!”

“But it was you who started talking about the summer vacation…”

Once again, I received Mil’s exasperated gaze.

Anyway, it seemed like we managed to get back on track, and Mil tilted her head inquisitively.

“So, you mentioned wanting to be the representative for the Starry blossom Festival. Is that correct?”

“Yes, that’s right. I want to be the representative for our class.”

“I heard that the students who become class representatives for the Starry blossom Festival can participate in the competitions multiple times throughout the day. Are you looking forward to the competitions that much, Sachi?”

It seemed like there was a strange misunderstanding, so I immediately shook my head.

“Well, it’s not that I’m particularly excited about the competitions. Well, they do seem somewhat interesting, though.”

“Then why do you want to be a representative?” Mil asked, seemingly skeptical. “Besides being able to participate in the competitions without restrictions, it doesn’t seem like there are many advantages.”

It was a natural question, of course.

One would assume that someone aspiring to be a representative for the Starry blossom Festival would have a high interest in the competitions, considering that representatives could participate multiple times. However, the reason I wanted to be a representative wasn’t because I was looking forward to the competitions.

There was another, much bigger reason.

In short…

“I want to be a representative for the Starry blossom Festival because… I want to stand out as much as possible!”

“….?”

Mil’s head tilted so much that it seemed like it would make a strange sound.

I gently placed my hand on Mil’s cheek and straightened her crooked head.

Still, she looked puzzled and asked me.

“Sachi-san, are you really that eager to stand out?”

“I’m more like someone who prefers to live their daily life in peace. I don’t want to attract negative attention or anything like that.”

“Um, isn’t what you’re saying contradictory?”

Indeed, the way I answered just now might sound contradictory.

It’s absurd to say that I want to stand out a lot even though I don’t want to attract attention.

“No, no! I mean, I already stand out to a certain extent within the academy. Are you saying you still want more attention from those around you?” Mil asked.

“No, that’s not it! Not within the academy, but in the ‘world of magicians’ is where I want to stand out!”

“….??”

Mil furrowed her eyebrows even more and had numerous question marks floating above her head.

To make it easier for her to understand, I cleared my throat and revealed the reason.

“…There’s someone I want to save. That’s why I joined the magical academy and aim to become a national magician.”

“Oh, now that you mention it, you said something like that on the day of the entrance exam. That becoming a national magician is the best way to save someone important to you.”

It was good to know that she remembered. With that in mind, I continued explaining.

“If I become a national magician, I can make a name for myself in the world of magicians. Furthermore, if I become famous as the ‘world’s strongest’ national magician, I thought everyone would listen to my voice. I believed that it would be the fastest way to save the person dear to me. But…”

“But?”

“If I become a representative for the Starry blossom Festival, I might be able to stand out in the world of magicians at an earlier stage. After all, the Starry blossom Festival attracts a lot of people, including famous magicians, right?”

According to what I heard during the morning assembly, the academy opens its doors to the public during the Starry blossom Festival. Many visitors, including renowned magicians, are expected to be present.

So…

“If I can make a great performance in front of those people, I can immediately show my presence. I believe everyone would remember the name Sachi Marmelard when they leave.”

“Indeed, it seems like you could stand out in the world of magicians faster than becoming a national magician. So, you want to become a representative for the Starry blossom Festival and shine in multiple competitions?”

Mil nodded, seemingly convinced.

Upon reiterating it myself, I thought it was quite a clever plan.

If I can achieve significant accomplishments during the Starry blossom Festival, it might expedite Mulberry-san’s liberation from the Forest of Judgement.

That’s why I wanted to become a representative and make a strong showing in numerous competitions.

“What do you think? I’m pretty smart, aren’t I? I never thought my dream would come true so soon.”

“Um, I don’t want to burst your happy bubble, but how exactly do you plan on becoming a representative for the Starry blossom Festival? As far as I know, the class representatives are typically chosen through ‘recommendations’ based on everyone’s agreement.”

“Huh?”

Sweat, sweat…

My mind went blank.

“D-did they… say something like that?”

“They did mention it during the morning assembly. They asked for everyone’s opinions to decide the representatives in a way that satisfies everyone. So, it seems like the selection process is primarily based on recommendations.”

“…”

R-really?

I never imagined that representatives would be chosen through such a method.

Or rather…

“So, basically, it means the popular ones in the class get chosen?”

“Well, yes, it might end up that way. Since the goal is to win in the Starry blossom Festival, they would likely choose someone who has both popularity and ability. As for strong candidates in our class, Maron-san and Poire-san would probably be among them, right?”

W-well, if it’s those two, there’s no doubt about their popularity and ability.

Maron-san is undoubtedly the epitome of perfection in Class 1-A. She possesses beauty, a good personality, exceptional skills, and comes from a prestigious family.

Poirer-san, despite her absent-minded demeanor, secretly gathers popularity through her overflowing charm and high magical power.

To surpass these two and become the most popular person in the class? That’s almost impossible.

I’m already an ordinary commoner without a noble crest, and I stand out in a negative way within the class. It’s almost like an impossible task for me.

“M-Mil…!”

“E-even if you show me such a teary face, there’s nothing I can do.”

My dream of becoming a representative for the Starry blossom Festival was shattered, and I couldn’t help but sob.

It was such a precious opportunity to potentially free Mulberry-san from the forest…

Then, Mil, who had been observing the situation, gave a slightly exasperated smile.

“Well, I was planning to vote for you from the beginning, so please rest assured.”

“Huh?”

“I may not know much about your abilities, but I already know your power, Sachi. So, I will vote for you.”

I was taken aback by her unexpected words.

Continuing to encourage me, Mil spoke words that warmed my heart.

“No matter what anyone says, I have no doubt that you are the most skilled person in this class… No, in this academy.”

“…”

Certainly, I lack popularity within the class.

But I have at least one friend who recognizes my abilities.

Just having that fact made me feel somewhat relieved.

“Mil, I love youuuu!”

“Hey, Sachi-san! Please calm down in the classroom… And don’t suddenly hug me! Everyone is looking at us!”

After giving Mil an embrace filled with gratitude, she fidgeted while glancing around.

Although it might be difficult to become a representative, I was already grateful to receive her vote.

Therefore, all I could do now was pray for a miracle to happen.

Please, let my luck shine!

Please make me the representative for the Starry blossom Festival!

And then, the next day arrived.

In Class 1-A, the voting for the representative of the Starry blossom Festival took place.

All thirty students were given one vote each to recommend the person they deemed suitable as the representative.

As a result, the voting outcome was as follows:

Maron Melange: 18 votes, Poire Mule: 7 votes, Miltyu Glace: 4 votes, Sachi Marmelard: 1 vote.

Therefore, Maron, who gathered the majority of the class’s support, was chosen as the representative for the Starry blossom Festival.

My luck might not have been enough to gather popularity within the class.

But I felt content with the fact that I received a significant vote.

Well, even if I couldn’t become the representative, I just need to make a big impression in the few competitions I participate in. I’ll switch my mindset and move forward.