Chapter 134: This Place Is An Excellent Source of Civil Servants (2)
The student council consists of seven officers: the President, Vice President, Treasurer, Accountant, Secretary, Leader of the Student Body, and the P.R.O. Excluding the Vice President, who is the only second-year student, all the others are aspiring civil servants about to graduate.
This means that six outstanding interns with three years of experience are produced each year. They even endured three years while being pushed around by high-ranking noble children.
Such a treasure trove of talent!
It’s not an infinite supply, but six fresh recruits with clear identities and abilities? That’s fantastic! Why go through the cumbersome tests to recruit them? Just take them!
You wouldn’t find such a stable supply chain anywhere else. The Academy has been around since the time of Apels, so it’s not like it’s going to collapse suddenly.
In my heart, I wish I could increase the number of student council members to boost the number of prospective civil servants, but the current officers’ abilities result from a select elite. Increasing their numbers could just lower the quality.
“I’m looking forward to next year’s student council.”
“Don’t worry. There are many outstanding second-years.”
“Oh, really?”
“If they don’t impress Carl, I’ll train them hard as President.”
I awkwardly smiled back at Marghetta as she giggled. Just like that, I decided the future of a bunch of faceless second-years!
Although it was conditional, “if they don’t catch my eye,” in reality, Marghetta would turn things upside down for them for a year.
Sorry about that!
Still, isn’t enduring a year of hardship in exchange for decades of stability a good deal? Sure, having the class bully be a duke’s daughter for a year might be a bit cruel, but let’s think positively! It’s a chance to learn how to deal with superiors.
Besides, regardless of which department you go to, it’s rare for someone from a lowly family to stay on top, so resilience will definitely build up. Honestly, it might even be a good thing!
“I trust Mar.”
“I won’t disappoint you.”
Those words began to fill me with anticipation. If it’s Marghetta, then she’ll surely excel.
“I’m looking forward to the future.”
Next year, we’ll have the current officers, and the year after, we’ll see the recruits Marghetta raised. Two consecutive years of excellent entrants will surely breathe life into the administration. I’m satisfied.
“Mar, which department are you thinking of joining?”
And the one I’m most eager about is Marghetta. If she’s a noble and willing to volunteer for the student council, imagine her enthusiasm for public service!
“Ah.”
But then Marghetta froze with a curt reply.
Her body became stiff, and her trembling pupils made me worry I’d accidentally set off a landmine with my words.
*
If I were alone, I’d probably be clutching a pillow and rolling around.
“Is repeating a year not an option?”
Hoo hoo…
“I want you to stay by my side instead of leaving first.”
Hehehehe…
“This is the best.”
I barely managed to keep my expression together, feeling like I was about to melt from happiness. A little slip-up and I’d end up showing Carl a foolish side of myself! But even his casual words overflowed with affection towards me. Holding out like this felt remarkable.
When Carl told me everything back in the Capital, I promised myself I’d wait—even if his wounds took a year or even ten years to heal. I vowed to stand by him, whether I turned thirty, forty, or older.
Carl was the first to reveal his wounds to me, so I figured he’d eventually return to me. That’s why I chose to endure this wait, which felt endless.
But Carl faced me directly.
“I’m happy.”
One year? Ten years? Carl smiled at me in just one day. Of course, that didn’t mean his wounds healed overnight. He probably hadn’t forgotten the past either.
Yet, Carl remained true to his word and showed me his genuine self.
“Carl’s sincerity.”
Seeing that warmth, it seemed Carl must have had feelings for me too. All my efforts had not been in vain.
No regrets. I’m genuinely happy.
Now, I’m thinking about having about five kids with Carl, watching the youngest get married, and once all my grandkids graduate from the Academy, I’ll declare I’ve truly lived a happy life.
“I wouldn’t mind if I died then…”
Of course, I’d probably die later than Carl. I can’t leave before him!
Ah, but living in a world without Carl would be tough. But I can’t inflict any more wounds on him, so I’d have to hold on!
To outlive Carl, I’d likely have to make it to ninety…
“I’m looking forward to next year’s student council.”
“Don’t worry. There are many talented students among the second-years.”
As I responded quickly to Carl’s voice while he signed business cards, I felt my reflexes were sharp, even to my own eyes.
Anyway, next year, when I’m President…
“I must not have any flaws.”
I can’t afford to disappoint Carl while I’m President. I must, absolutely, create the best student council that’ll satisfy him.
“I can do it.”
My time in the student council wasn’t just for show. I’ve learned how to run the council by watching the President.
The new civil servants must be capable; this way, it’ll make things easier for Carl. Making Carl comfortable will lead to more flexibility, which in turn gives us more time together.
“Let’s do our best.”
For the sake of our five future kids!
“Mar, which department are you thinking of going to?”
That single question quickly snuffed out my fiery enthusiasm.
Right, Carl thought I would also become a civil servant.
“I don’t really need that.”
I’m not particularly interested in being a civil servant. I wanted to become one just to get a little closer to indifferent Carl!
But since Carl’s become a permanent fixture at the Academy, there’s no longer a need for me to join the civil service, and as Carl warmed up to me, the wedge between us has vanished. If I can get closer to him without that title, why should I?
Honestly, how often will Carl, the Executive Manager, and I, a new civil servant, even meet face-to-face? Even if we did, there won’t be any chance for casual chats during working hours. Better to manage Carl’s mansion or territory instead!
“What should I do?”
Carl wants the student council members to become civil servants. In this situation, how could I, the President, not go down that path?
“Thanks to Mar, someone missed the opportunity to become a civil servant.”
That won’t do! I could end up being perceived as a villainess ruining someone’s future on a whim!
Should I quit the student council before graduation?
“So to Mar, the student council was just for fun.”
That won’t do either! I might be viewed as a light-headed, fickle woman without perseverance!
Then… should I boost through and become a civil servant with my eyes shut? But it’s a total lie that I can’t marry right after becoming one!
“I wished Mar would take over the territory as its hostess; this is such a shame.”
Ah, no…
As my thoughts spiraled negatively, everything turned frightening. Whatever way I thought, it felt like I’d disappoint Carl.
What should I do? What’s the right answer? Should I become a civil servant since Carl asked me which department I’d go to?
“Mar?”
“Oh, yes. Did you call me, Carl?”
I hurriedly answered, and Carl looked at me with a peculiar expression. No, don’t look at me like that!
As I instinctively lowered my head, Carl’s voice floated above.
“Do you happen to have no interest in becoming a civil servant?”
His words hit me like a ton of bricks, setting my whole body trembling for a second. He figured it out without me even saying anything. Carl and I are really in sync…
No, that’s not it! I shouldn’t keep running away with weird thoughts.
“… Yes, that’s right.”
After much contemplation, I carefully nodded my head. Since Carl had been honest with me, I thought I’d reveal everything to him without reserve. I made that resolve, so I shouldn’t hide this little thing.
As soon as I replied, I looked down, too scared to see how Carl was reacting as he watched me.
“That’s a relief.”
Huh?
As the unexpected comment surfaced, I glanced up and found Carl smiling at me.
“I don’t particularly want to recommend you become a civil servant.”
“Oh, really?”
His words felt odd coming from someone who’d just written several letters of recommendation.
“If being a civil servant were your only option, I’d understand, but Mar, that’s not the case for you, is it?”
However, it seemed Carl spoke sincerely, as if relieved I didn’t choose that path.
“If you can avoid it, it’s better not to.”
His eyes held a hint of sorrow as he said that.
*
Marghetta, who had been sulking, finally regained her spirits after some coaxing. Did she really think I’d be disappointed?
“On the contrary, I’m glad.”
While I found Marghetta’s interest in public service intriguing, it was really because she seemed to have genuine dreams about it. However, it would be best not to become one.
It’s one thing for me to roll in this role, but now Marghetta is entering the fray too? If Marghetta was worried about a career, it’d be understandable, but she’s the beloved youngest daughter of a Duke! Why should she fret?
No matter how many times I considered it, the conclusion stayed the same: it’s better not to join the civil service—at least for me and those aspiring civil servants.
“Your face is so dull. Maybe that’s why your personality’s gloomy too.”
“Gloomy isn’t me; it’s your future, you unchosen one.”
“It’s not unchosen, it’s woman!”
So when are these two going to stop fighting?!
As I thought about heading back to the club room, I approached the door but couldn’t open it due to the noise outside.
It seemed that the President’s eloquence and the Treasurer’s mental state had escalated into an actual brawl. I could hear the distinct sounds of someone grabbing collars and hair pulling.
Well, at least their relationship is solid!
After spending three years together like that, their bond is anything but ordinary!
“Mar, I’m going out now.”
I said this loudly on purpose so I would be heard over the door, and the UFC match ceased.
I found it amusing but now it was time to leave.
“Are you leaving, Executive Manager?”
“Yeah.”
When I opened the door, the President, with a composed face and appearance, greeted me as if nothing had happened.
But on closer inspection, I noticed the area around his collar was disheveled, and his hair looked like it was styled on some wild rollercoaster ride.
And compared to the Treasurer, who was keeping her head down behind him, the President’s appearance was more battered.
“Looks like you lost.”
He seemed to focus more on words than muscles.
When I turned back to the Treasurer, I noticed her shoulders weakly trembling. It looked like she was still hyped about their spat.
If I just leave, I feel like a round two might break out. I should probably hand her the letter of recommendation right away.
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