### Chapter: 228
The First Student Council Tournament
Last year, the student council was just getting off the ground, so there was no tournament. This time, however, it was the first-ever student council competition!
The council that comes out on top would get the most support from Rahern Academy. But beyond that, for the student councils, this was a matter of pride!
The captains of each council were among the cream of the crop. Unsurprisingly, their self-esteem was through the roof compared to their peers.
These were people who had lived their entire lives thinking they were the best—so it was a given!
Especially since this tournament was the first of its kind. The glory of winning the inaugural event was far more valuable than any other wins.
And so, during this time when there were ominous vibes swirling around Rahern Academy…
Finally, the student council tournament was about to kick off!
In front of the Unnamed Academy’s arena, all the students gathered, standing at attention led by the twelve council captains.
“Oh, Charlotte! How coincidental it is that we’re assigned to be next to each other!”
At that moment, a figure with a relaxed smile approached them.
With a keen memory to remember every face, she was the literary department’s top student and the captain of the infantry council, Eirina Ornoa.
With a composed demeanor, she continued, “Did you know there will be a system of alliances in this student competition?”
What Eirina said was mostly true, so Charlotte couldn’t help but direct her gaze toward her.
“So?”
“I was just thinking whether to secure it first. The Lion’s Order is a prime target, after all.”
Upon hearing those words, Charlotte regarded Eirina quietly. If they were to form an alliance, the councils would likely share the victory.
Reducing the number of competitors was hardly a bad idea. But Eirina had chosen the wrong opponent.
“The winner will be the Lion’s Order.”
Charlotte had no interest other than for her council to win solo. Eirina didn’t seem disappointed by Charlotte’s resolute answer.
“That’s a relief. I wanted to avoid the Lion’s Order forming an alliance with others.”
On the contrary, Eirina smiled.
What she wanted to confirm was whether Charlotte had any intention of forming an alliance or not. And now, she had confirmed that intention was nonexistent. That was a victory in itself!
Eirina, being the cunning literary department top student, was quite clever indeed.
Just then, a giant man stepped onto the stage.
Nobody at Rahern Academy didn’t know this giant man.
It was Durandal, the headmaster and former war general.
He surveyed the students with his arms crossed. His imposing presence made even the students in the back tense up.
Noticing that all the students had gathered, Durandal slowly smiled.
“I’m Durandal, in charge of this first student council tournament.”
By now, everyone knew his name, yet he introduced himself briefly.
“Now, let’s go over the tournament rules.”
All eyes were glued to him instantly. Everyone had been anticipating this tournament.
Naturally, the rules were bound to garner attention.
“Today, Rahern Academy will turn into a battlefield.”
And then, he uttered the most ludicrous statement—Rahern Academy was going to be a battlefield!
“The rules are simple.”
At that moment, a professor from the magic department appeared in front of the council captains.
He held out a number of bracelets in his hand.
“First, you need to choose two individuals in your council to wear the bracelets.”
Durandal strapped a bracelet to his arm. A red glow emitted from the bracelet.
“Taking bracelets from others is simple. You defeat your opponent, and you can steal it.”
The magic department professor stepped closer to Durandal, holding out his glowing yellow bracelet for him.
Durandal then placed his bracelet against the professor’s, and soon, the professor’s bracelet turned the same red as Durandal’s.
“You can also form alliances like this. If both bracelets turn the same color, you’ll be on the same team and can share the victory.”
With that explanation, Durandal removed the bracelet.
“You have until six o’clock tonight.”
Since it was currently 9 a.m., it meant that for the next nine hours, Rahern Academy would be immersed in the chaos of war!
“The condition for victory is the council that holds the most bracelets by the end time.”
A clear-cut requirement.
“As soon as every council member puts on their bracelet, the start signal will go off.”
At that moment, the magic professor clapped his hands. In an instant, bracelets appeared in the hands of the council captains.
“Victory belongs to those who seize it.”
As Durandal finished his statement, the councils sprang into action.
Everyone realized the importance of securing the first location.
They had to select who would wear the bracelets without letting others catch on.
As everyone knew that, the moment they were about to move…
Click!
The sound of something being loaded rang out.
Those who thought they misheard turned to see a woman with dark blue hair standing there.
After registering the scene, the reality set in for everyone.
It was Charlotte Balheim, the captain of the Lion’s Order who just grabbed a bracelet without a second thought.
Her boldness was quintessentially Charlotte.
Everyone thinking the same thing: Ah, that bracelet won’t be taken from her, no matter what happens.
With all eyes on her, Charlotte calmly turned to lead her council.
Not one teammate dared to question her actions.
It was a given. In the Lion’s Order, Charlotte was the only one guaranteed to strap on a bracelet.
“I wonder who the other person will be.”
“Could it be her brother, Kraush Balheim?”
The other joker of the Lion’s Order—Kraush Balheim.
Everyone assumed he would also don a bracelet.
“Are you going to wear one?”
Charlotte showed Kraush her bracelet as they left the arena together.
Upon seeing her bracelet, Kraush shook his head.
“I have someone in mind.”
“Not wearing it yourself?”
“Given my traits, the chance of being forced to retire early is high.”
For Kraush, a bracelet was a constraint. If he put in his all, he was very likely to have to retire.
And if someone attacked him from the other side, he could lose the bracelet.
Thus, Kraush had no intention of wearing one. Instead, he looked at the person most suited to wear it.
As soon as she met Kraush’s gaze, she tilted her head.
“Haring.”
“Huh?”
The person Kraush chose was none other than Haring.
“You had quite the clever idea.”
Delon Mkis, son of the Prime Minister of Starlon, adjusted his glasses in agreement with Kraush’s choice.
“Haring has invisibility. She’s one of the best at protecting a bracelet.”
If Haring chooses to escape, there’s no way to find her.
So she was the perfect candidate to carry a bracelet.
“Oh, I’ll do my best!”
With Delon’s explanation, Haring’s eyes sparkled with realization.
Her eyes gleamed with delight at being helpful to Kraush, reminiscent of a cat that just offered its heart to its owner.
Thus, the second member of the Lion’s Order to wear a bracelet was Haring.
With Haring strapping on her own bracelet securely, some time passed.
Boom!
With the sound of fireworks echoing in the sky, letters appeared.
[START]
[8:46:13]
All the members had finished putting on the bracelets, marking the tournament’s commencement.
Moreover, a countdown was also visible in the sky.
For today, Rahern Academy was truly transformed into a battlefield.
“What are you planning to do, sis?”
Kraush asked Charlotte as they gazed up at the sky.
Charlotte, crossing her arms, looked back at Delon.
“Delon, besides us, which council is the top contender, and which is the trickiest?”
Gathering information was the literary department’s duty.
Quickly analyzing, Delon replied, “The Empire’s third princess, Sigrid Ephania, leads the White Ghost.”
As expected, the White Ghost was mentioned!
“And the trickiest contenders would be the council led by the first-year top student from the magic department, Barkram Arios, known as the Inma Council.”
Oh boy! This was looking spicy!
The infamous Demon King Dykram Arios—the long-awaited first blood of the magic line of the Empire.
Barkram Arios, dreaded for his expertise in long-range assaults shielded by impenetrable defense magic, would be a formidable adversary.
With such power, the Inma Council, populated with Empire-magic prodigies, posed a significant dilemma.
While the Empire’s magic was inherently unstable, it excelled in sheer firepower.
It might lack stability but could generate incredible destruction, proving most effective during wars.
Delon recognized these factors, hence why he deemed the Inma Council the trickiest.
Yet there was more trouble on the horizon.
Barkram Arios leaned toward the pro-Empire faction.
Although the councils were meant to function independently, there was a solid chance the White Ghost, led by Sigrid, would cooperate with him.
To top it off, Sigrid’s group also had Fleray, who led the Force Council.
Viewing this situation, one couldn’t help but recognize how powerful the Empire truly was.
And Sigrid had continuously been gathering her faction at Rahern Academy.
“Barkram, huh?”
By coincidence, Aslan took a slight interest in Barkram.
Aslan was also from the magic department, so he must have heard plenty about Barkram.
Since he recently got beaten quite badly by Charlotte, Aslan had redoubled his efforts in his magical training.
Originally training in magic to escape from the grip of the Fire King, Igrit, things had recently loosened, allowing Aslan’s focus to waver.
“Despite appearances, he’s as fiery as the flames he commands from the Igrit family.”
Due to his Lunar Body, Aslan was born with a frail physique; he didn’t have the persistence others possessed.
Yet, once he was fueled with determination, he became quite overwhelming—even Kraush would acknowledge that side of him!
Charlotte had spurred him on to realize his potential. And if he faced Barkram in this tournament, there was a good chance he would learn even more.
“Aslan.”
Kraush thumped his shoulder gently.
“You handle Barkram Arios when he shows up.”
You can do it!
Kraush wouldn’t have befriended him for no reason.
Even without hearing Kraush’s reassurance, Aslan cracked a smile.
“Leave it to me. I’ll show you the rebellion of a second-year top student!”
This one, you can definitely count on.
“The top contenders are locked in a showdown. Isn’t this interesting?”
“Yes, indeed it is.”
Meanwhile, with Charlotte’s concise summary, Delon nodded in agreement.
“Lastly, the wild cards would be the council led by John Gray, the top student of the special class, and the council headed by Talia Valles, the top student of the magic department.”
As soon as John and Talia’s councils were mentioned, Kraush glanced up at the sky.
At that moment, crows were flapping calmly up above.
‘What are they planning?’
Talia Valles, the magic department’s top student, hailed from the Crimson Garden.
Her name suggested an obedient nature, but one couldn’t be sure she wouldn’t compete for the top spot in the tournament.
“This group is truly full of unexpected variables, I have nothing more to say.”
The council led by Talia was a small group. They couldn’t wage a full-scale war, but they posed a threat.
Hence, predicting their moves was tricky.
On the other hand, the special councils piled with eccentrics were a hurricane of unpredictability.
Having undergone all the explanations, Charlotte nodded fervently.
“Well, that simplifies things.”
Charlotte’s hair swirled around as she stood up confidently before her council, turning the gaze of all the Lion’s Order members towards her.
“The Lion’s Order is going hunting for the White Ghost.”
A straightforward decision.
The strongest will go after the strongest prey without hesitation!
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