With bags of snacks from the campus store spread open before them, Simon and the student council members launched into an excited, chaotic conversation. Simon, whose department was led by the benevolent Leonard, felt his first day hadn’t been so bad. His friends, however, strongly disagreed.
"Are they really only one year older than us? They act like such fossils!" Meirin fumed. "It’s always ‘do this!’ and ‘do that!’ We have to jump up and bow whenever a senior walks by while we’re eating, and if they’re in the shower room, we can’t even go in! We just have to wait around for them. Would it kill them to share? What’s the point of all this nonsense in a meritocracy like Kizen?"
"They’ll probably be extra strict for the first few days to establish dominance," Dick said wearily, rubbing his shoulder. "This year’s third-years have a bit of an inferiority complex. Our class is considered one of the best in Kizen’s history, so they’re probably trying to crush our spirits while they still can."
"Exactly!" Meirin’s breathing grew heavy with indignation. "And their reasons for tormenting us are so ridiculous! ‘Proper etiquette between seniors and juniors?’ What etiquette do they show us? It’s so obvious their mindset is just, ‘We suffered through this, so now it’s your turn’!"
"S-Still," Kamibarez murmured, fidgeting with her fingers, "there were some nice seniors, too."
"Ah, yeah, of course!" Meirin said, blushing as she realized how worked up she’d gotten. She sank back into her seat.
"We can’t afford to make enemies of all the third-years," Simon said, mediating the heated atmosphere. "Like Dick said, let’s just be extra mindful for the first few weeks. If things don’t improve, the student council will have to step in."
"Hehe! You won’t be saying that for long," Dick said with a sinister laugh, clapping Simon on the shoulder. "I hear the Summoning Department’s hazing rituals are notoriously brutal."
"Is that so?"
"They say Summoning and Venomology are the top two." Dick stuck out his tongue and made a throat-slitting gesture, a clear sign that it was torturous enough to kill.
"Haaah, still, it’s a relief we’re in the student council!" Meirin said with a smirk. "If we finish late, we might get to skip the hazing, right?"
A faint smile touched Kamibarez’s lips. "When I said I was leaving for council business, everyone looked so envious. They were all worried about the hazing."
"Hey, hey, Simon! We’re going to be here a while, right? Let’s stay as late as possible! As late as possible!" Dick pleaded.
"Haha, that’s up to you guys," Simon replied. He was still worried about Toto being left alone and planned to stop by the welcome party, no matter how late.
’Knock, knock.’
At the sound, Simon called, "Come in." The servitor who had guided him earlier entered the room.
"The preparations are complete. I will now escort you to the student council room."
Meirin let out a shriek of pure joy. "We’re finally going!"
They walked down a grand, glass-walled hallway on the top floor of the student council building.
"It’s beautiful," Meirin breathed, her expression enchanted as she gazed out at the glittering second-year campus below. The building’s central location offered a stunning panoramic view of the school’s nightly glow. It would also be the perfect vantage point for observing students during the day.
"We’ll be walking this path every day now! I’m so excited!" Kamibarez chirped, practically bouncing with anticipation.
"This way," the servitor said, guiding them to a room at the end of the hall.
A set of ornate double doors stood before them, a large nameplate in the center bearing the words ‘Student Council Room’. Their hearts pounded in their chests. As if performing a sacred ritual, Simon straightened his collar, adjusted his tie, and pushed the doors open with a flourish.
"Woooow!"
A collective gasp of awe escaped the members behind him.
The first thing they saw upon entering was a massive, floor-to-ceiling window, through which the pale moonlight streamed. A magnificent wooden table stretched the length of the glass wall, and at its center sat a lavish, high-backed chair. Simon knew instantly that it was his.
[Student Council President, Simon Polentia]
A nameplate bearing his name and title confirmed it. Beside it sat a mana-powered lamp and a potted plant.
"Whoa, that’s slick, Simon! A proper president’s throne!" Dick laughed, slinging an arm around Simon’s neck. "The classic move is to be spinning in that chair, staring out the window. Then, when someone comes in, you slowly turn with a smirk and say, ‘So, you’ve arrived.’"
"Stop talking nonsense, commoner," Meirin scoffed. "More importantly, where are our seats?"
"I think they’re over there!" Kamibarez pointed.
Two long tables flanked the president’s desk, forming the workspace for the other officers. They were arranged so that two people could sit on each side, facing each other with the president at the head. In the center of the room was a plush sofa. Dick immediately plopped down on it, testing the cushions.
"Guys! This stuff is all seriously expensive!" Meirin called out, having already opened a cabinet to reveal a stash of snacks and high-quality tea. Even the teapot and cups were exquisitely crafted.
"Just like you to go for the food first—Oof!" Dick grunted as a sofa cushion hit him squarely in the face.
Meirin ignored him and turned to the servitor. "Can we really eat all of this?"
"Of course," the servitor replied with a bow. "It is intended for guests, but we will replenish the supply as needed."
The room was equipped with a magic circle that would boil water for tea and another that could retrieve any book they desired. To think that this would be their new hideout felt like a dream.
Kamibarez pulled back a set of heavy curtains, fully revealing the enormous window behind the president’s desk and the breathtaking campus nightscape beyond.
"It’s so beautiful!" she exclaimed.
Simon took a moment to admire the view before turning to her. "Want to try sitting in the president’s chair, Kami?"
"Huh?" Her eyes widened in surprise. "Is it okay for me to sit there?"
"Why not?"
At his encouragement, she cautiously settled into the grand chair. It was far too big for her small frame, and she looked down shyly.
"How do I look?"
Before Simon could answer, Meirin shrieked from across the room. "Aaaaaah! You’re so cute, Kami!"
Dick snickered. "What is this? She looks like a baby in a high chair."
"D-Don’t tease me!" Kamibarez squealed, her face flushing bright red as the others laughed.
"Alright, now it’s your turn, Simon," Meirin said. "It’s your seat, after all."
"Okay."
Kamibarez hopped down, and Simon took her place.
"Hey, strike a pose!" Dick urged.
The chair was large even for him, but he leaned back, crossed his legs, rested an elbow on the armrest, and propped his chin on his hand. "Like this?"
A sudden silence fell over the room.
Dick let out a dry chuckle. "The pose is a little over the top, but I gotta admit, it suits you. Right?"
Meirin and Kamibarez didn’t answer. The angle of the moonlight was perfect, casting a melancholy, silver glow that gave his dark hair a mystical sheen. Dressed in his black Kizen uniform, seated in that grand chair with a confident smile—they found themselves unable to look away.
"Ahem."
A wave of belated embarrassment washed over Simon, and he quickly stood up. Ever since that newspaper photo of him atop Deimos on the Parona Peninsula, he’d become wary of striking such pretentious poses.
’These kids are cute,’ the servitor thought, watching with amusement as they made a fuss over the room. His thoughts were interrupted by the sound of approaching footsteps, and he turned. "Ah! Everyone, the professor in charge of the student council is arriving."
At his words, the four students snapped to attention. The servitor turned, placed his hands formally over his stomach, and bowed deeply.
’The professor in charge of the student council?’
’Who could it be?’
They all stared at the door, their bodies tense with anticipation. The light click of heels echoed on the floor, and a woman appeared in the doorway. The students’ nervous expressions instantly melted into bright, welcoming smiles.
"Professor Jane!"
Jane gestured for the bowing servitor to rise and entered with a calm, measured stride. "So we meet again. I am the professor overseeing Kizen’s student council." A barely perceptible smile touched her lips as she looked at the four of them. "It’s been a while, everyone. The troublemakers of Class A."
"Professooor!" Meirin squealed, sounding like a joyous dolphin.
Dick let out a hearty laugh and whispered to Simon, "Wow! No wonder the student council has so much power. Vice Headmaster Jane was backing them the whole time!"
They all sat on the sofa to talk, with Jane taking the seat of honor.
"I’ve been briefed on the situation," Jane said, pulling a stack of documents from her bag. "Including the details of Phantez and Aizel’s deal."
Simon’s expression tightened. Was it really okay for the professors to know about that?
As if reading his mind, Jane continued smoothly, "The student council is an autonomous organization representing the students, and as a rule, the faculty interferes as little as possible. If the former president made that decision, then I have no complaints." She scanned the group. "Simon as president and Meirin as vice president. Not a bad combination. And the meticulous Kamibarez as secretary. I’m well aware of your achievements in Class A, so I am at ease. However..."
It was Dick’s turn, and he leaned forward, his face full of expectation.
"I am a bit worried about you, Dick Hayward."
"Hey, why is it always me?!"
A burst of laughter filled the room. Jane flipped through her papers.
"Of course, I am well aware of your abilities, Dick Hayward."
"Still, if a student council member were to be expelled in the middle of their second year, it would tarnish the reputation of the entire council. Please ensure you attend your classes diligently this year."
A proud grin spread across Dick’s face. "Of course, Professor!"
’Rumble.’
Just then, servitors wheeled a cart into the room and served them all black tea. A platter of simple snacks was placed in the center of the table. Simon took a sip and his eyes widened in amazement. ’Wow, this is jaw-droppingly delicious!’ So this was what Meirin meant by ‘high-quality’. With tea like this readily available, he could see himself spending a lot of time here.
Jane took a sip of her own tea before speaking again. "Do you know what the student council does?"
Simon calmly raised his hand. "It represents the students and proposes their agendas and requests to the school."
"Correct."
Next, Meirin waved her hand eagerly. "It plans and oversees various school events!"
"That’s right."
Kamibarez timidly raised her hand. "It... it participates in external events to uphold the school’s honor."
"Indeed."
Dick raised his hand. "With the Headmaster’s permission, it’s involved in adjusting and increasing the school budget!"
"Yes."
Jane closed her eyes. "You are all correct. The student council is a powerful organization that represents the students. However, on a more fundamental level..."
’Clink.’
She set down her teacup. "The greatest virtues of the student council are ‘dialogue’ and ‘coordination’."
’Dialogue and coordination.’ Simon’s eyes gleamed.
"Within this school, countless organizations already coexist alongside you," Jane explained. "The seven departments, the clubs, the student union, the self-governing committee, the faculty, the teaching assistants, the servitor league, and even our various corporate partners and the Rochester Merchant Association. Most of them act solely for their own benefit." She held up her palm. "But the student council must remain neutral. You must negotiate with these groups for the good of the school, bring them to the table, and guide them toward a consensus."
Everyone hung on her every word, their focus absolute.
"Of course, the student council cannot simply wield its power as it pleases," Jane continued, reaching for a cookie. But the two she had been aiming for had vanished. A flicker of suspicion crossed her face before she went on. "The organizations I mentioned exert influence in every corner of this school, and within their domains, you must acknowledge their authority. For example, in your second-year classes, you are just another student. You will be tested, punished, and evaluated just like everyone else. The same applies to department life and all other areas."
’Nom, nom—’
The distinct sound of someone munching on cookies echoed in the quiet room. At the same time, more than half the snacks in the basket disappeared.
Jane let out a long sigh. "Come out."
She thrust her arm under the table. Meirin and Kamibarez gasped and scrambled back as a small, silver-haired girl was pulled out from underneath. Her face was covered in crumbs. Jane held her dangling by the scruff of her neck.
"Lady Nephthys!" Simon exclaimed.
Nephthys gave a cheerful wave. "Hiii, everyone!"

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