Chapter 150: Last Class Standing (6)
The student council was pleased to receive a manpower boost of +2, and Amelia and Olivia no longer had to worry about going hungry. It was the perfect world where no one gets hurt.
However, this time, I couldn’t muster any joy over the future civil servants we were gaining. All I could think about was hoping those kids would find happiness. As students of the academy, they technically belonged somewhere between nobility and commoners. Yet here they were, living as if they were stuck between commoners and the impoverished.
Or rather, not stuck in between, but outright living like the destitute. Honestly, if the academy hadn’t provided them uniforms for free, they probably would’ve looked like beggars.
“What happened, Carl?”
After the two poverty-stricken sisters bowed deeply, promising to work hard, Marghetta shattered the silence.
While I did accept the duo due to my request coinciding with the student council’s need for manpower, it was still quite a random proposal. Thinking of it as me acting without a reason is even stranger.
“It pains me to see Mar struggle. Wouldn’t things be easier with capable students around?”
Truth be told, I merely invited them in so they could at least get a meal. But judging by Amelia’s reaction, they seemed reluctant about someone discovering their plight. It felt like they were worried about what the noble students might think of them.
Of course, Marghetta would likely express concern for their situation rather than scorn. She would greet them with a flood of sympathy and kindness.
Ugh, that’s where the real problem lies.
Amelia had been mingling with the nobles for a year and a half now. She would definitely catch on to Marghetta’s compassionate attitude without missing a beat.
That would spell trouble! Keeping something secret is one thing, but having someone else spill the beans is quite another. Plus, the thought of Amelia panicking if someone from a Ducal house witnessed their shameful state was terrifying.
I could totally picture Olivia penning a letter claiming her innocence and dropping out of the academy. Just from today’s brief encounter, I could already envision the future.
“Hmm, really?”
Marghetta narrowed her eyes, her gaze questioning the truth behind my excuse.
I gently ruffled her hair in response.
“Actually, it involves their personal lives, so it’s difficult for me to divulge everything. I’m sorry, Mar.”
A cowardly evasion, yet it worked wonders! Marghetta’s creased eyes softened and slowly closed, settling into a peaceful expression.
“Can you understand?”
“If it’s about privacy, then there’s nothing we can do.”
Her gentle reply finally eased my mind. If she had pressed harder, I might have had to reveal everything, but Marghetta was willing to let this slide.
“Since you recommended them while thinking of me, I’ll take good care of these talented students, Carl.”
“What an honor!”
I didn’t quite grasp the entire situation, but I appreciated that she was taking my dignity into consideration with her offer to look after them.
I truly owed a lot to Marghetta’s generous spirit.
*
Shouldn’t I just go home, wash up, and hit the hay after this sports festival?
This competition doesn’t seem like it’ll resolve any time soon.
“That doesn’t look good; it might drag on.”
“That’s actually better. If the result is determined too quickly, it’s boring.”
Hahaha! We’ve been syncing up a lot lately!
I don’t fit in, so those who do should just vanish.
My little sanctuary, the pastry club room, had been overrun by these pesky invaders! They technically had the right to be there since they were members, but still, they felt like invaders!
Honestly, I didn’t expect anyone to show up during the inter-class competition. There was no time for clubs, so why bother?
Yet here they all were, from the club president to all five members.
“Aren’t you tired? Why not head back to rest?”
= Get your filthy selves out of my sanctuary, you horrid fools!
I especially directed that at the extremely noisy red and blue duo. If I were being hyperbolic, I wouldn’t have circled around with my words; I’d have already grabbed them by their collars and tossed them out!
“How could we be tired when we didn’t even participate? We just didn’t feel like going home yet!”
I found myself nodding along as Rutiss spoke. Indeed, they were just spectators! Participating in the four-person event alone required an intense escort service—participating in any other games would have been a huge headache.
That’s a fair point. But really, there’s just a minor difference between a fair point and a bad beating.
“If I had to possess a body, why not one of high status?”
For a fleeting moment, I even took to wondering if I was enduring this agony simply because I belonged to a count’s line. Wouldn’t it be completely fine to wipe the floor with them if I were of royal blood? After all, reckless princes are a dime a dozen in novels.
Oh wait, come to think of it, that was the second prince. Damn, this isn’t just fictional; it really is reality.
“Well then.”
In the end, I gave up. It stung to have my expectation dashed, but it’s hardly unusual for the club room to be bustling at this hour.
I tried to redirect my attention and saw Louise and Erich kneading dough together.
Is it just me, or had Erich and Louise grown closer after his breakup?
Somehow, Louise picked up on my gazing and looked up.
“Take a break today, won’t you?”
“It’s not fun just spectating. I figured it’d be better if we had something to munch on together.”
I found myself nodding at Louise’s reply, a slight grin creeping onto my face.
Just like how watching a movie is way more enjoyable with popcorn, spectating is better with snacks! Louise probably felt bored, especially since only the four-person event participants were in the mix.
“You too?”
“Yep.”
A short conversation was all I needed with Erich.
“Do you want some too?”
“I’ll make some for my oppa!”
“Then I guess I don’t need any.”
This really does seem to confirm they’re closer now after the breakup.
Anyway, since she offered to make something, I should graciously accept.
“Sure, I’d appreciate it.”
“You can count on me!”
It was nice to see Louise grinning brightly after such a long time. I was worried since she had been avoiding me, but she seemed fine now.
And for the first time in a while, I spotted the cookie jar overflowing, just like it had during the first semester.
*
The inter-class competition unfolded smoothly right up to the final day.
Every time Rutiss’s class won, the next match would go to Lather’s class. Whenever the opponent clinched a victory, the students in the class with royalty would transition into berserk warriors due to encouragement (which really felt like pressure). Meanwhile, others looked on like they were watching a distant fire from across the river.
A few endured sacrifices for the sake of the harmony of many. The greatest happiness for the greatest number. From a utilitarian viewpoint, it’s the right call.
Sure, Rutiss and Lather’s students might feel it’s unfair, but what can they do? That’s just their fate.
Luck is a talent, too.
I thought this during the last practical exam, and it held true. There’s even a LUCK stat on a character status screen, right? It’s a bona fide ability! There’s even a ‘luck thief’ concept in games.
If you think positively, being in the same class as royalty is a valuable chance to build connections. When else would they get such a great opportunity?
Of course, I’d probably decline such a chance if it were offered to me.
“I’m glad we didn’t have that happen to our class.”
I turned towards a voice and found Olivia staring blankly at the arena.
I hadn’t intended to run into her, but I bumped into her while roaming. I just wanted to exchange casual greetings and move on, yet she suddenly latched onto me.
Poor girl.
An unfortunate kid without parents. Especially since Amelia, who filled that parental role, entered the academy, leaving her behind to care for her younger siblings.
At an age where she should have received love, she likely endured a love deficit. Yuris and Sophia had experienced similar feelings.
That must be why she comes running to me just for a bit of food, even though I’m someone people typically try to dodge.
She’s like a dog.
It sounds odd, but Olivia genuinely resembles a big dog. Kind of like a purple golden retriever.
“Where’s Amelia?”
“She was with me until a moment ago, but she’s gone now. My sister sometimes gets lost…”
Sounds like it’s more you who loses track.
I silently imagined Amelia anxiously searching for Olivia, biting my lip. It was a sadly humorous image.
In the silence, Olivia shifted her gaze toward me, or rather, my hand.
“Excuse me, Executive Manager, may I have some of that too?”
“Sure.”
“Wow! Thank you!”
I willingly offered her the cookie jar, noting her keen interest in Louise’s homemade cookies.
That’s strange. Since joining the student council, she seemed to have been eating well … or maybe she was just determined to eat her fill after having starved previously by engulfing everything in sight.
Regardless, her expression quickly morphed from joy to a frown as she took a bite.
Maybe it tastes like the old ones?
Louise must have reverted to her first-semester recipe, thinking that only I would eat it. It supposedly tasted so terrible that even members who liked Louise didn’t dare touch those cookies back then.
“I guess my taste doesn’t align with the noble class.”
After a few half-hearted nibbles, Olivia muttered glumly.
No, that’s an understatement. Some people couldn’t even swallow those cookies!
“Tastes differ from person to person. It’s nothing to worry about.”
From that point onward, Olivia didn’t so much as glance at the cookie jar again.
Before long, panting Amelia came rushing in and whisked Olivia away. As she led her off, she bowed her head to me multiple times.
It seemed like her wariness towards me had lessened a bit since joining the student council, but she still appeared frightened. Well, that’s the norm—Olivia’s the odd one out.
After the purple meerkat retrieved the purple golden retriever, I also decided to make my move. The four-person event was about to kick off, and I needed to secure a spot where I could observe the field.
“Did you just arrive?”
“Ah, yes. I’m a bit late.”
When I arrived, not only was the Principal present, but also the Vice Principal and the student council. With it being the final event, everyone seemed anxious. If this final challenge went smoothly, the inter-class competition would finally conclude.
“That seems concerning.”
Something definitely felt off.
Glancing at the somewhat disorderly field, the Principal gave a shy laugh.
“That’s because—”
Instructor Alberto, a faculty member and participant of 1st year, class 3, had to leave urgently due to a summons from the Magic Tower.
“That’s what happened.”
“I see.”
The public announcement reverberated appropriately. It seemed Louise’s class had successfully recruited an instructor from the Magic Tower.
What a perfect addition.
An instructor dispatched from the Magic Tower would undoubtedly be skilled.
However, the downside is that they would need to prioritize any matters of the Magic Tower over academy affairs during emergencies like this. And wouldn’t you know it—this weakness reared its head right at this moment.
“Most competent faculty were probably snatched by other classes already.”
The Principal’s face bore a slight shadow of disappointment as he stroked his beard.
It really is a troubling situation. The students were suffering setbacks not due to their own failures but because of external matters beyond the academy’s control.
The four-person event will be delayed until 1st year, class 3 secures a new staff member. We appreciate your understanding.
While it was a considerate move, there was hardly any relief in it. Honestly, any faculty members still available might not be the most helpful for reinforcing the team.
What a shame.
In any case, the victory of the four-person event was likely destined for Rutiss or Lather’s class. It’s just a bummer that Louise’s class seemed doomed to flounder without showing their capabilities.
After a few minutes, another announcement rang out.
1st year, class 3 has nominated a new staff member.
“Nominated?”
In circumstances like these, the usual procedure of seeking permission from the faculty is waived. It’s a gesture of consideration for the class affected by sudden changes.
A sensible approach! Given the significant gap in their ranks, it would have been awfully harsh to start persuading someone all over again.
Th-th-the, f-f-faculty member t-the 1-1st year, c-c-class 3 has n-nominated, is …
What the heck?
Did it glitch?
Suddenly, the announcement stuttered. This had never happened before!
…The advisor of the pastry club!
…?
Hold on, was there another pastry club advisor I didn’t know about?
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