Chapter 516
A few days later, signs indicated that this year’s class rivalry would be a grand spectacle.
“Please! Help me!”
The once-sustained Purple Retriever, Senior Manager Olivia, burst into the club room, no longer living off radishes.
Caught off guard by the unexpected situation, my mind froze for a moment. Sure, I can understand a sudden guest dropping by—strange emergencies happen.
But a student coming in of their own accord, not staff or the Tri-Nation Guard, was something I never imagined. From a student’s perspective, there’s really no reason to meet me. Unless I’m the one going to hand out a recommendation, that is.
“…What?”
I ended up answering late thanks to the shock.
Despite Olivia’s cheerful and naive personality, she’s not dim-witted. So even though she greets me warmly, she never approaches me without a good reason. She knows the repercussions of casually approaching me without cause.
Especially after her sister Amelia joined my ranks, she’s been even more careful not to ruffle her superior’s feathers—a sensible choice for her.
So, to have Olivia waltz in like this with a desperate cry for help was something else.
“First, have a seat. It looks awkward with you standing there.”
After a moment to collect my thoughts, I gently patted Olivia, who was practically hunched over, nearly falling on the floor.
I didn’t know why she was like this, but if she had come to me like this, there must be a valid reason. She’s not someone totally unfamiliar; I plugged her into the student council. If she’s in a pinch, I can at least listen to her.
And besides, the current student council is one Mar passed down to the juniors. If Olivia, the Senior Manager, is here, it’s undoubtedly about a student council issue; I have plenty of justification to help out.
“Do you like tea? We’ve got coffee and juice too.”
“Uh, um, juice please.”
“Sure.”
Olivia barely managed to sit down, answering in a hazy voice as though she’d expended all her energy with that heart-rending SOS.
At this point, I’m getting a bit scared. What kind of trouble would drain the ever-energetic Retriever?
‘Is the class rivalry atmosphere that severe?’
The only guess I have revolves around the end-of-semester class rivalry, our only big event in the second semester.
Damn, can’t we ever get through one without a hitch?
Happiness circuits may always miss the mark, but my ominous premonitions are always spot-on.
“The Senior Management alone can’t handle it! We have expanded its scale compared to last year, and we even drafted an emergency budget as soon as the semester started, but… even with that, this year is impossible!”
As she sipped the juice and regained some energy, Olivia explained the situation with fierce urgency, almost like a large dog growling in frustration.
Anyway, Olivia’s report on the Senior Management situation was less than rosy. The student council’s personnel and budget are always limited, and if limited resources are divided among various departments, the idea of “abundant budgets and relaxed personnel” becomes nothing but a fantasy. When I was with the Information Department, I wasn’t free from budgetary and personnel issues either.
Nonetheless, considering they are far from incompetent, the student council and Senior Management had been quite efficient. They’ve utilized the limited resources in a reasonable and frugal manner. In fact, they referenced the class rivalries from the past two years, understanding that this would be the last one for the foreign royal families, resulting in pushing more resources towards the Senior Management.
But still, trying really hard won’t help when the enthusiasm of Rutis and Lather exceeds 100.
“So, um, I’m really sorry, but we… need the Judicial Minister’s help…”
After spilling her sorrows, Olivia started awkwardly peering at me with uncertain glances.
I couldn’t blame her for feeling guilty. No matter what the circumstances, asking for help from an outsider to handle work they should manage themselves is pretty awkward. And not just any outsider, but someone from the Executive Office.
“Will me joining really make a difference?”
Throwing a pitying look at Olivia, I said it matter-of-factly. If they were just blindly asking for help, I couldn’t nod along so easily—
“Yes! Just standing around at the venue will suffice! Just the possibility that the Judicial Minister might intervene reduces the risk of accidents!”
‘Oh.’
Thankfully, it seems she came armed with some plans.
‘People think alike, huh?’
Right up my alley!
I felt a bit guilty for Olivia, who was desperately trying to convince me, but honestly, I was already planning to move for the safety of the class rivalry. I wouldn’t want to take the blame from the Emperor if something went awry because I left it all to the student council.
And it seems the student council kids have some mistaken notion that I helped with academy work last year because of Mar. They think I’m doing this out of concern for the club members’ safety.
‘So they’re worried I’ll just watch the show?’
I couldn’t help but let out a wry smile. Mar knew I was busting my chops managing the pastry club, so there was little need for communication on that. But the other student council members didn’t get the memo. They figured with Mar graduating, I’d shift away from school activities, resulting in them shaking in their boots.
A hint of regret crawled up on me. I kept my distance from them, thinking they’d feel overwhelmed if I dropped by, but that choice only added to their confusion.
‘Should’ve at least synced up with those below me more often.’
Working with those around my level or just a bit underusually leads to some intuitive understanding. But the student council? They’re like a bunch of kids far below my level. Expecting unspoken understanding was utterly selfish.
“I can help with that. Don’t worry about it.”
Hence, I quickly nodded and accepted Olivia’s plea.
“Th-thank you!”
Seeing Olivia beam and bow repeatedly made the guilt bubble up again.
I reckon I’ll have to drop by the student council once every two weeks from now…
“Don’t let Carl go; leave it to me.”
After sharing the news about the Retriever ambush that happened today with Mar, she gently shook her head and opened her mouth.
“Carl keeping his distance from the student council was the right move. It’s only because of the variable of the class rivalry that the student council is in a tight spot; after the rivalry, there won’t be any major events, right?”
“That’s true.”
“If there is anything that needs communication with the student council, let me know. I’m still in occasional contact with the current student council president.”
It seems Mar is quite chummy with the current student council president. She’s the successor that Mar personally trained, so it makes sense she’d have insider info about this year’s school trip location being in the Servette Principality. Skipping me and going through Mar would benefit both sides.
“And there are still juniors in the student council who aren’t engaged. It’d be a shame if they go crushing on Carl for no reason.”
Seeing Mar wearing a playful smile made me chuckle. No matter how silly the concern, it was just too absurd.
“Are there any unmarried ladies who’d fall for a married man?”
“Golden Duke is around, isn’t he?”
“Oh.”
Once the Golden Duke entered the chat, I could hardly disagree. Unlike me, who’d met every love interest while single, it seemed the Golden Duke had a history of dating while already married. I heard there’s quite a bit of an age gap too.
Of course, in a world where polygamy is allowed, anything’s fair game as long as it doesn’t cross the line into infidelity. What matters is the prosperity of the family, after all.
But honestly, what’s the deal with having twelve wives?
‘It’s not like we’re in the Habsburgs or something.’
Honestly, if the Osiden Dukedom was on the eastern continent, wouldn’t they already be called the Osiden Kingdom? The only reason they’re not is that the Osiden family hails from a nation that has always been an empire; if it were a kingdom, they’d have been annexed by now.
With those thoughts rolling around, I almost leaned onto Mar’s lap, but I reconsidered after spotting the rapidly growing First Snow. I can’t just shove her aside to claim the territory.
“Carl, over here.”
After witnessing a father’s sacrifice for his child, Mar chuckled softly and patted her shoulder.
Shoulder cushions are unbeatable.
*
Recently, I’ve been spending more time sparring with Rutis. The chess I loved is now on the back burner as he seems to be gearing up for the class rivalry.
The cold chill around Lather has intensified. Rutis distancing himself from chess was initially due to his rival Lather’s withdrawal. It’s not that they wanted to stop; they simply can’t find the time to play. Most likely, the pair won’t face each other again until after the rivalry.
It’s a pride battle between Rutis, the prince of the Knight Kingdom, and Lather, the prince of the Magic Powerhouse. After three years of watching their fierce rivalry unfold, I suddenly had an epiphany.
‘Why should those two be allowed to win?’
We’re at the Imperial Academy, so naturally, the imperial students should take the crown, right?
It was a thought that sprang up suddenly but was rather sensible. After all, does it make sense for a foreign student to take the win at an imperial educational institution?
I hadn’t noticed it before, but now that the truth dawned on me, unease washed over me. I’m Erich Krasius of Hardenir, a member of the prestigious Count Krasius family and a noble by title. I have a duty to serve the empire’s honor willingly.
‘Victory… should I try for it?’
I glanced at Ainter, who was quietly training in one corner.
If I showcase Ainter, the prince and a marquess, the imperial students will rally behind him. They won’t flinch in the presence of royal blood.
This was something I hadn’t thought to try last year because Ainter was too reluctant to move, but that’s a different story this year.
‘Alright.’
Why not give it a shot?
If I’m going to graduate, it makes sense to leave behind some dazzling and memorable experiences.
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