Lenny Bankle, one of the student council members who had been watching the situation unfold from the corner of the room, was stunned to be suddenly called upon, face filled with shock.
“Is there a problem?”
“No, it’s not exactly a problem, but…”
The person in question was the notoriously fearsome Disciplinary Committee Chairman. The likelihood of him willingly responding to a summons was slim, and if his temper were to be provoked, there was no telling what might happen.
“Can I count on you?”
“…Yes.”
However, Lenny had no choice but to obey the student council president, Misha, Lenny expression one of utter despair.
“I’ll relay further instructions to the others as well. Thank you for your cooperation. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I’ve been summoned by the headmaster.”
“…………”
As Misha left the student council room, Lenny, who had just received the instructions, and Sena, who had finished her report, exchanged looks of utter dread.
“We’re both in for a rough time, huh?”
“I’m the one who’s really in trouble… Do you think I’ll make it back alive?”
Lenny sighed deeply under Sena’s sympathetic gaze, let out a deep sigh and muttered. Just the thought of having to go to the Disciplinary Committee Chairman’s office for a routine business matter was bad enough.
“Seriously, what’s up with these guys? Are they really not interested in the Grand Spirit Martial Festival?”
“I don’t know. Honestly, I’d like to ask them myself. I never expected all three of them to decline.”
Especially in the case of Rourke Areas, Misha had high expectations after seeing his performance in the recent ranking matches, so delivering the news had been particularly daunting. As expected, she didn’t take it well.
“Wait, what do you mean Rourke lacks confidence? What’s he talking about? He’s the second-ranked student in our year without even showing his contracted spirit!”
“That’s why I said I don’t know. If you have a problem, take it up with him directly.”
The two of them spent a while venting their frustrations about the troublesome trio who had added to their workload, before letting out another deep sigh.
“…Huh!?”
“What’s wrong?”
After class, as Rourke was about to leave his seat, he suddenly shuddered, causing Gareth to tilt his head in confusion.
“Nah, it’s just a weird chill…”
“A cold?”
“No, it’s not that… I don’t know. Just a bad feeling…”
As he muttered, Rourke himself tilted his head, unable to pinpoint the cause of the sudden chill. Why had he felt such a foreboding sensation?
“Probably just your imagination.”
“…Yeah, maybe.”
After thinking for a moment and finding no particular reason for it, Rourke decided to chalk it up to his imagination and left the classroom.
It would be a few days later before Rourke realized that his bad feeling hadn’t been wrong after all.
READ THE ORIGINAL TRANSLATION AT LOCALIZERMEERKAT.PAGES.DEV
“By the way, there’s been a rumor going around the academy lately that Loxley, the Disciplinary Committee Chairman, and Trallus were summoned to the student council.”
That day, while having lunch in the cafeteria with Gareth and Lily, Gareth casually brought up the recent gossip circulating among the students.
“Those two? Why?”
“No idea. I don’t know the reason either.”
Trallus was the type of guy who could be considered a bit of a troublemaker, so it made sense that he’d be summoned. But as for the Disciplinary Committee Chairman, there was no clue as to why he’d been called. Well, he wasn’t exactly a model student either, but he was still a disciplined person.
“Given the timing, it’s probably about the Grand Spirit Martial Festival.”
“That seems the most likely.”
Lily, who had been listening to the conversation, chimed in, and Gareth nodded in agreement.
Now that it was mentioned, considering the connection between the two, it made sense that they’d been summoned for a discussion about the Grand Spirit Martial Festival.
“Then, if I haven’t been called, does that mean my opinion on the survey was accepted?”
If that’s the case, and those two were called while I was ignored, does that mean they’re participating and I’m not needed? I didn’t have much hope for that survey, but it seems like it might have worked out after all.
“Don’t get your hopes up too much. Besides, Rourke, you did well in the ranking matches and got a good score.”
“But does that have anything to do with participating in the Grand Spirit Martial Festival?”
The ranking matches are just for grading practical skills. Why would they come up in a discussion about the Grand Spirit Martial Festival?
“Rourke, haven’t you been paying attention to the notice board? This year, the participants for the Grand Spirit Martial Festival are being selected based on their performance in the ranking matches.”
“Wait, really?”
“Yeah, that’s why Misha’s been coming to watch the matches more often than usual, and even when she’s not there, someone from the student council is always present to observe.”
I had noticed that Misha had been attending the ranking matches a lot recently, but I had no idea it was for that reason…
“Because of that, it seems like everyone’s been taking the matches more seriously than usual this term.”
“I see. That’s why everyone’s been so up and down about the results of the ranking matches…”
Thinking back, even that first-year I helped was unusually devastated after losing just one match, even though it was their first one. But if participation in the Grand Spirit Martial Festival was on the line, it makes sense.
“Well, it’s not just about winning or losing. They’re also looking at the quality of the matches, so it’s not all about the results.”
“Her Highness is really serious about this…”
Just hearing about the selection process made it clear how much effort Misha was putting into the Grand Spirit Martial Festival. Considering how busy the student council is, finding time to observe the ranking matches must have been a huge challenge…
“Well, the Eutrea Academy hasn’t been performing well in recent years. As the student council president, Misha probably wants to turn things around.”
“Is our academy really that bad?”
“Yeah, for the past few tournaments, we haven’t even made it to the top eight, let alone the top three.”
“Seriously…”
Given that Eutrea Academy is the only spirit mage training institution in the Romus Kingdom, I’d assumed we’d be performing much better… But apparently, our results in the Grand Spirit Martial Festival haven’t been great.
“And if things continue like this, it’s going to start affecting the academy’s reputation. That’s why Misha’s putting so much effort into it now that our generation’s here. I mean, wouldn’t you want to step up too?”
“Talk about bad timing to enroll…”
Of all the times to join the academy, it had to be during a slump in the Grand Spirit Martial Festival. It feels like I’ve been cursed with bad luck. Was I just born under an unlucky star?
“From my perspective, it’s actually a great time to join. You’re the only one complaining.”
“No, that’s not—well, maybe…”
I was about to argue, but upon further reflection, I realized that if I had a contracted spirit, I’d probably want to participate too. Lily was nodding enthusiastically beside me, so my mindset was clearly in the minority.
“Yeah, most people would participate.”
“Definitely.”
“…Yeah, I guess you’re right.”
If you have the skills, it’s only natural to want to participate. There are basically only benefits, and thinking about it that way, it seems like I’m the only one who’d actively decline.
“Rourke, why you don’twant to participate so badly?”
“Well, it’s just…”
Caught off guard by Lily’s innocent question, I struggled to come up with an excuse. Gareth knew the reason, but I couldn’t explain it honestly to Lily, who was completely unaware.
“He’s probably just lazy. With the ranking matches and lectures, he’s already got his hands full.”
“Shut up. I’m giving it my all in both the ranking matches and lectures.”
As I was trying to figure out how to respond, Gareth threw me a lifeline with a teasing remark, and I gratefully took the opportunity to deflect.
“…Hmm.”
Lily stared at me for a while after my response, but eventually nodded, though she didn’t seem convinced. She then picked up her empty tray and left the table.
Watching Lily’s small back as she walked away, Gareth let out a small sigh.
“…You could probably tell Lily about your spirit. I don’t think she’d judge you for it.”
“…Yeah, I think so too. But…”
“I’m not saying you have to tell her. It’s best if you talk about it when you’re ready.”
“…………”
Even if I did tell her, what if she found it creepy? What if she looked down on me? What if she started avoiding me?
It’s strange how my mind immediately jumps to those negative possibilities. Logically, I know Lily wouldn’t react that way, but even the slightest chance makes me terrified.
“Besides, right now, we’re managing to keep the truth hidden.”
“True. I’m still surprised by that.”
Thanks to the support of understanding teachers and friends, I’ve managed to make it to my second year without any major issues. Personally, I’d even considered the possibility of being expelled in my first year, but life is full of surprises.
Although, as a result, there’s been a lot of misunderstanding around me.
“Sir Areas, do you have a moment?”
“Huh? Oh, it’s you, the student council secretary.”
Turning around at the sudden voice, I saw Sena Thiedor, the student council secretary, standing behind me.
“Is something the matter?”
“I’m sorry to bother you, but could you come to the student council room after school today?”
“Today? To the student council room?”
“Yes, if today isn’t convenient, we can arrange another day. What do you think?”
“…………”
I instinctively glanced at Gareth, who gave me a look that said, “Told you so,” before shrugging.
“…No, today’s fine.”
“Thank you. We’ll be waiting for you after school.”
Sena bowed politely and then turned on her heel, leaving the cafeteria. I watched her go, muttering to myself.
“Did I forget to submit some form or something?”
“It’s almost definitely about the Grand Spirit Martial Festival.”
—-Yeah, probably.
I quietly looked up at the ceiling in the cafeteria.
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