It had been a fierce battle. The student council members, led by Simon, had finally broken through the hordes of monsters to reach the pavilion by the waterfall.
’Hah! Hah!’
They all collapsed where they stood, gasping for breath. The monsters that had relentlessly pursued them had mysteriously retreated, unable to approach any closer.
"You all worked very hard, my students!" Hong Feng beamed, rising from her seat. "I’ve been waiting for you."
Though they were so exhausted their breath caught in their throats, the four friends met each other’s eyes and smiled. They had done it. They had secured the general course schedule coveted by so many second-years: Jane’s Jet-Black Dynamics, Bahil’s Cursology, and Hong Feng’s Combat Magic.
"Professor, ’pant, phew!’ But this test was, ’huff, huff,’ just too much!" Dick gasped, collapsing flat on his back, completely spent.
Meirin chided him for being rude, but the slight smile on her lips showed that she agreed.
"Alright, then." Holding the registration forms they’d given her, Hong Feng picked up a quill. "First, Dick Hayward. Your form was average, but I was impressed by your ability to use various weapons at the right place and time."
Dick’s eyes widened, and he shot upright. "Y-You were watching? With an observer?"
Hong Feng’s eyes crinkled in a smile as she nodded. "In the second-year Intermediate Combat Magic class, you’ll also learn how to properly handle weapons. I saw you break several spears during the fight. If you learn to master them, it will synergize very well with your specialty in Enchantment."
"Wow, thank you!"
Hong Feng then evaluated Kamibarez and Meirin. She told Kamibarez that her small stature was no disadvantage in martial arts; in fact, she was impressed by how cleverly Kamibarez used her size to deflect monsters with her own original technique. As for Meirin, she noted that while her overall movements were sluggish and her reflexes slow, she had a true talent for kicking.
"Your hand-to-hand techniques were lacking, though. Ah, but your piercing technique, Cheonhyung, was excellent. You seem to have learned that one very well indeed."
At her words, Meirin’s face turned red again. When Dick snickered beside her, she shot him a death glare.
"And lastly, Simon." Hong Feng turned her gaze to him. Simon felt a knot of tension form in his stomach as he nodded.
"As an instructor, I could find no weaknesses to point out. Your martial arts are polished to a very high degree. Your fundamentals are impeccable, of course, and your use of the terrain in combat was superb." She smiled warmly.
"Even among the top students from every major, Simon is the best in Class A."
Behind him, Dick, Meirin, and Kamibarez murmured in envy.
"Thank you," Simon replied politely.
"Is there any particular combat magic you’d like to learn in your second year?" Hong Feng inquired.
Simon stared down at his palm, then clenched it into a tight fist.
"You said we could learn to use weapons in second-year Combat Magic, correct?"
"Yes."
A grin spread across Simon’s face.
"I’d like to properly learn the greatsword techniques you use, Professor."
She smiled sweetly and tilted her head.
"Excellent."
With that, course registration was complete. Once a course was selected, it couldn’t be changed, so students grumbled with regret as they headed back to the dorms. According to Dick, a full-blown disaster had erupted during the registration for Jane’s Jet-Black Dynamics. Over two hundred students had swarmed the class, which had a maximum capacity of sixty. One hundred and forty were turned away, their schedules thrown into chaos.
In the end, the key figures from last year’s Class A secured most of the spots: the Student Council members, Jamie, Cindy, Claudia, Hector and his faction, and so on. It had essentially become a Class A-only lecture, prompting boos and complaints from students in other classes.
"Is this your first time taking a Kizen exam? If you don’t like the results, then win next time."
"The losers are always the loudest."
Meirin and Hector’s sharp retorts silenced the crowd, and the dissent was quickly stamped out. At Kizen, such complaints were nothing more than the whining of the defeated.
To celebrate creating the best possible schedules, Simon and the other Student Council members agreed to freshen up in their respective dorms before gathering in the student council room for a small party. Afternoon classes were canceled, as students were scattered across campus registering for any remaining open courses. Time was also needed to clear away the monsters and Endolas’s cards. It was during this period that the previously ignored elective courses were quickly filled. Meirin signed up for an elective called ’Understanding Mana,’ Dick chose ’Economics,’ and Kamibarez registered for ’History of the Races.’
Simon, already busy with his duties as Student Council President and satisfied with his seven courses, had no intention of adding more. But that all changed after Jane paid a visit to his office.
"The Student Council President, who should be a model for everyone, is taking only seven courses? That is unacceptable."
Jane had scolded him. And, as he now learned, there was one elective he was required to take as the Student Council President.
The next morning.
Simon looked around, a dazed expression on his face. It was a small, elite class with a capacity of twenty, and he didn’t know a single person.
’I’m screwed.’
A quick glance revealed that every student in this class exuded an unmistakable air of nobility. The male students had their hair slicked back or meticulously parted, wore makeup, and sported expensive watches. The female students, adorned with lavish accessories, gave off the aura of high-society matrons, covering their mouths with fans as they tittered.
’What is this, a social club?’
Simon felt like he’d been stranded on a deserted island. It seemed to be a general course for all years, as there were even third-years present. In fact, they made up the majority.
"Hey there..."
’Huh?’
He turned his head at the cloying voice. A male student with an overwhelming presence—his blond hair plastered in a severe side part—approached with a wink. The color of his badge indicated he was a third-year. Simon immediately wiped the blank look from his face and spoke politely.
"Yes, senior."
"Mmm, mmm. You’re the Student Council President, I hear? ’Sooo’ dashing, my dear."
The heavy double eyelids, the high-bridged nose, and the cringey, theatrical gestures—he was practically oozing with grease. The sandwich Simon had eaten for breakfast threatened to make a reappearance.
"Simon Polentia. Polentia? Forgive me, but which kingdom’s territory do you manage?"
"The Leshill fiefdom in the Baldwin Kingdom."
"Oh, ’myyy’. I don’t seem to recognize it. Perhaps if you told me a neighboring fief, I might know?"
’You don’t need to know, so please just go away,’ Simon thought, but he forced a kind reply.
"Ah, yes! Next to Leshill, there’s a rather large fief called Hove—"
"Hove! Baldwin’s Hove! I know it! The coffee from Hove is simply divine, my dear! It’s quite famous in the Kalos Kingdom, too. Coffee grown at high altitudes in warm climates is known for its strong aroma and acidity! To be from the source of such coffee, your father must be truly remarkable!"
’Hove isn’t my fief, it’s the one next door.’ Simon kept his smile fixed, but his head was starting to throb. Just then, a third-year passing by—a timely savior—called out.
"Shariet! What are you doing? I asked to borrow some ink."
"Oh, right. My apologies!"
The third-year, Shariet, gave Simon a final wink.
"Let’s talk more later."
Simon wanted to refuse, but he couldn’t say that to a senior. He just managed an awkward smile. As he watched Shariet walk away, Simon stroked his chin.
’Shariet, Shariet. I’ve heard that name somewhere... Ah!’
Simon took out his student council president’s notebook, flipped through the pages, and found it.
’What? That guy is ranked eighth overall?’
Shariet Tenier: the Necrology department representative and eighth in the school. Despite his appearance, he was incredibly skilled.
’I’ll have to be careful.’
Having lived within the meritocracy of Kizen, Simon couldn’t help but see the man differently the moment he learned his rank.
’The strongest third-year in the Necrology department. I wonder what kind of black magic he uses?’
Come to think of it, all the third-years here were people of immense wealth or skill. They showed no hostility or jealousy toward Simon for becoming the Student Council President as a second-year. Was it because they were so self-assured, or because they were simply above such petty concerns? In Kizen, where competitiveness was a virtue, they seemed to exist in a different world.
"...H-Hi! President!"
Simon turned his head. This time, a female student with twin-tails and a white formal jacket draped over her school uniform approached him.
’So she’s in this class too. Makes sense.’
Elisa Celine, ranked seventh overall. Like Simon, she was one of the few second-years in this class.
"What is it?"
She stood there, her face flushed, beads of sweat on her brow. She had clearly been waiting for him to be alone before approaching. Clearing her throat with a loud ’ahem’, she slid something onto Simon’s table.
"Aren’t... aren’t you hungry?"
Inside the paper bag was a baguette. As Simon stared at it, dumbfounded, she launched into an explanation at lightning speed.
"You know this brand, right? Moist on the inside, crispy on the outside! It’s baked with the golden ratio of flour, salt, water, and yeast, slathered with butter and parsley, and there’s even whipped cream inside...!"
Simon blinked at her.
"But why are you giving this to me?"
Her face turned an even deeper shade of crimson. Unused to such gestures, she was panting lightly, her eyes darting around frantically.
"W-Well, it’s morning, so I thought you might be hungry!"
"I already ate breakfast."
She squeezed her eyes shut.
’Hey! I’m Elisa Celine! When I go this far, you should just take it!’ she fumed internally. How could anyone be so infuriating? Just because he became Student Council President? Just because he got a little power, he thinks he can look down on me, especially given my situation! How could he treat me with such disdain? ’I’m a prime minister’s daughter, for crying out loud!’ She had never been treated like this in her entire life.
’Haa, calm down.’
She forcefully suppressed the surging feelings of shame and humiliation.
’I am a politician.’
Her father had told her: a politician doesn’t bow their head to a person. They simply bow their head to the power that person holds. That’s right. She wasn’t running an errand for Simon Polentia; she was running an errand for ’power’!
"Yes! I am an errand girl for power!" she declared.
"Huh? What did you just say...?"
"Oh my! Ahaha! Our president’s shoulders are so tense!"
Elisa came around behind him and started massaging his shoulders. Startled, Simon let out a yelp and squirmed.
"I heard the news! The Student Council members all managed to register for Professor Hong Feng’s class, right? Wow, that must’ve been tough. I didn’t even dare to try! The competition was so fierce, it must have been hard, right?"
"Wait, hold on!" Simon exclaimed, covering her hands to stop the forced massage. "I get it! I get it, so let’s just talk...!"
’Screech!’
Just then, the classroom door opened, and the professor entered. Students began moving to their seats. Unlike in other classrooms, there was no boisterous chatter; even with the professor’s arrival, they maintained an air of decorum.
’Screech!’
’Thud!’
Amidst the shuffling, Elisa Celine slid into the seat right next to Simon. When he shot her a look, she just brushed it off with a smile.
"Ahem! A pleasure to meet you all," a man with an unusual, curly perm announced as he entered. His clothes were adorned with all sorts of medals. "My name is William Spenzer. I have served as the Prime Minister of the Kalos Kingdom, among other positions."
His sharp gaze scanned the students’ posture.
"You there, young lady. Shoulders back, chin tucked. Right hand over left."
He began by correcting the posture of three students at the front. Finally satisfied, he resumed his introduction.
"A year from now, or perhaps several years from now, you will all become leaders who govern countless people. I am confident that my knowledge and experience will be of great help to you."
This was the elective course Simon was required to take as the Student Council President. It was ’Regal Studies.’
The people living in the Washburn Mountains loved to talk about the ’mysterious old castle’ perched on the mountain’s peak. They spoke of the horrifying screams that occasionally echoed from it and the vivid bloodstains visible throughout its halls. Opinions were divided on whether anyone lived there, but no one dared to venture into that dangerous place.
And it was here...
"Is everyone ready?"
"Yes!"
Over thirty necromancers from Kizen’s headquarters were preparing for an assault. Every one of them was an elite Kizen prided itself on, professionals of war. Though there were only thirty of them, when you included the undead they had summoned, their numbers swelled to the hundreds.
At the very front stood a man draped in a crow-feathered cloak, holding a communication crystal.
"We have located the main base of the Fifth Legion Commander, Magnus. We will now commence the annihilation."
He raised his voice.
"Enter."
The necromancers and the dead marched toward the castle as one.

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