SPO 9

Chapter 9

“Therefore, I would like to give up my position as the representative of the Magitech Department to another student.”

I could feel Rihart staring at me, but I kept my gaze fixed on Professor Lily.

“All right. Let’s do that. If no one volunteers, I’ll call on someone by name.”

Perhaps she thought it was unfair for me to hold both the student council presidency and the representative position, because Professor Lily readily agreed.

However, no one volunteered. In the end, Marcel Tessen, whom Professor Lily randomly picked from the attendance list, became the department representative.

‘I don’t know who you are, but… I’m sorry.’

I quietly apologized to him in my heart.

“Let’s end things here for today. Rihart, stop by the faculty office. Archel, you have a student council meeting, so head straight to the council room.”

Ignoring the curious stares of the students, I left the classroom as soon as the bell rang.

‘That was one hurdle cleared…’

In my past life, I took on everything that came my way and ruined my personality more than once.

I’m not going to live like that in this life.

Shaking my head, I headed toward the student council room at the far end of the second floor.

After sixteen years since my reincarnation, I was finally going to meet the male lead candidates!

Calming my racing heart, I carefully opened the door.

But contrary to my expectations, the room was silent.

“No one’s here.”

The room, lined with solid wood bookshelves, was as large as two classrooms combined.

Along the walls were five individual desks and shelves, each with plush leather chairs that looked like president’s chairs.

And in the center stood a long wooden table.

“This is serious.”

What I liked most was the tall, wide window that stretched up to the ceiling.

Outside, acacia branches swayed gently in the wind.

Was it true that memories get beautified over time?

Despite everything, it felt like I had returned to a warm and precious school life.

I stared out the window with nostalgic eyes for a while, when I heard a faint muttering.

“They’re not coming… This student council is doomed… Though no student council has ever been normal.”

Turning toward the voice, I saw a man with long, messy hair sprawled across a seat at the central table.

He was slumped like a mollusk, looking as though he might slide off at any moment.

“Um…”

When I approached, he barely lifted his eyelids.

“…Who are you? Ah, the new student council president.”

“I’m Archel Nodovan.”

“You’ve got it rough. Poor student council president…”

I tilted my head at his constant murmuring about how pitiful I was.

“What’s so pitiful about me?”

“I want to explain quickly and go home, so go gather the others.”

Without any further explanation, he closed his eyes and dropped his head onto the table.

‘Do I have to start searching for Dragon Balls already?’

Since I knew where Rihart was, I headed up to the third floor.

It was quiet, as classes had already ended.

The faculty office door was open. Just as I was about to enter, I heard low voices.

“…So… this… that…”

They were clearly having a serious conversation, so I leaned against the wall.

“…It was Professor Dakota’s decision.”

“Do you mean Professor Dakota Devon?”

“Yes. He was in charge of the magic exam. I heard he gave Archel extra points.”

“…So that’s why I was pushed out, even with a perfect score.”

“It’s unprecedented, Rihart. It’s truly unfortunate…”

Silence followed.

“I understand. Thank you for telling me.”

Having overheard their conversation unintentionally, I grew anxious.

‘Maybe I should go back down and come up from the other staircase…’

‘No, do I really need to go that far? Should I just pretend I didn’t hear anything?’

I struggled briefly, but I didn’t really have a choice.

In the end, I ran into Rihart.

“…The professor told me to bring you.”

I barely managed to keep a straight face. My mouth felt dry, as if I were making excuses.

Rihart glanced behind him, then looked back at me.

“Did you hear that?”

“Hear what?”

“……”

The suspicion in his beautiful green eyes slowly disappeared.

Returning to his gentlemanly expression, Rihart suddenly held out his hand.

Unlike ordinary magic students, his hand was rough with calluses.

When I just stared at it, he spoke first.

“Let’s work well together.”

I was stunned.

This was the first truly otome-game-like situation since I reincarnated!

Of course, I wasn’t the heroine, but still.

‘A handsome guy is offering me a handshake…’

Thinking life was full of surprises, I took his hand.

It didn’t feel bad at all—

“Ah!”

A crushing grip nearly broke my bones, and I screamed.

I reflexively pulled away and stepped back.

Rihart, smiling calmly, shrugged dramatically like a Hollywood actor.

“Do you always answer in such an unusual way?”

Then he walked past me down the stairs.

“…What is wrong with him?”

Now I looked like the weird one.

Recalling how he had suddenly recommended me as representative in class, I followed him slowly.

‘Does he hate me? Or am I just overthinking it?’

Still confused, I arrived at the council room.

Everyone except Rihart and me was already seated.

With all the male leads gathered, the atmosphere felt different—as if sparkles were floating in the air.

“Sit down.”

The lethargic man tapped the seat beside him.

“Let me introduce myself. I’m Wid Tyrenol. I’m the Magitech homeroom teacher and the student council advisor.”

Not by choice.

He muttered the last part like a sigh.

Skipping formalities, he went straight to the point.

“There’s a parent orientation in a few days.”

He handed out several documents filled with text.

“For now, let’s write and send invitations.”

Although basic notices had gone out, he complained that they needed to show sincerity under the new student council’s name.

“I think Archel should write them. She represents us.”

Surprised, I looked up and saw Rihart scribbling on his papers.

“Hmm, Archel alone?”

“Yes. Her handwriting must be pretty, so she’d be best.”

Handwriting… Does that mean my face too?

I struggled to suppress my shameless grin and missed Professor Wid’s expression.

He tapped the table.

“Can you handle it alone?”

“Yes, I can.”

Writing letters wasn’t hard. Just a few welcoming lines and copies.

“Well, if you say so… I’m busy, so I’ll leave. Handle the meeting yourselves. Deal with things on your own.”

After glancing at his watch, he abandoned us and left.

Only then did I properly observe the male leads.

First, Crown Prince Rihart of the Empire.

He was Rena’s fiancé.

Extremely competitive—he’d grow interested if you showed talent. But if you ended up in the normal route…

[You must become Crown Princess. You can never leave.]

You get imprisoned in the palace.

‘It’s confinement, but in a palace… Is that good or bad?’

Next, the future Tower Master, Izael.

A gentle smile hiding his true intentions—a melancholic schemer. But his slightly perverted normal ending…

[Rena, I want to own even one of your cells.]

My brow twitched.

Nope. You’re out.

Turning away, I saw the youngest marquis, Kassel Zenda.

‘The big wolf type—cold to others but sweet to his woman… His normal ending is…’

He dies, saying he can’t let Rena go.

And Rena gets imprisoned for murder.

My shoulders sagged.

‘Snap out of it! It’s not over yet!’

What about Aben Loiters, eldest son of the Loiters family, with eyes like a clear lake?

I spotted him beside Kassel, smiling brightly—fair and soft-looking.

‘Yes. He’s my hope!’