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Chapter 71
Princess Francizia, who had urgently summoned her election committee members, asked in a voice colder than ever.
“When was our official pledge announcement date scheduled for?”
“The official pledge announcement is in five days, Your Highness.”
“And what about the pledge to abolish class discrimination?”
“That… that pledge’s discussion hasn’t been concluded yet, so it was postponed until the final day as per your instruction back then…”
“No, the situation has changed now. We will announce the pledge to abolish class discrimination first. Tomorrow afternoon seems like a good time.”
“Pardon?”
“Y-Your Highness? What’s the sudden…?”
Everyone on the election committee couldn’t help but be taken aback by her unilateral declaration to suddenly change the selected pledge and its announcement schedule.
“Your Highness, has something happened?”
Vice President Obern quickly stepped forward and asked. In response, Princess Francizia looked at him and countered with a question.
“Does something need to have happened?”
“N-No, it’s not that, but…”
“Announcing a pledge that hasn’t even finished internal discussions so abruptly carries a very high risk of causing problems.”
Following him, Rosen Ravenia, who usually clashed with Vice President Obern at every turn, also spoke up in a voice full of incomprehension.
“Causes problems?”
“Yes, Your Highness. Of course, I and most people here sympathize and understand the intent and purpose of that pledge, but other students might feel differently.”
“That’s right. It would feel like suddenly having candy snatched from your hand.”
For the first time, Vice President Obern and Rosen Ravenia were in agreement.
“……”
The ‘pledge to abolish class discrimination’ that Princess Francizia had just mentioned was a promise to prohibit the implicit discrimination between nobles and commoners within the Academy.
It was a highly unconventional and progressive policy that would also repeal the clause preventing commoners from harming nobles, and unify the separate dining halls and dormitories divided by social status.
Therefore, even within Princess Francizia’s election committee, heated debates and discussions were ongoing regarding this pledge’s feasibility and the electorate’s potential reaction.
At that moment, Princess Francizia’s tightly closed lips parted once more.
“But there’s one thing I’m curious about.”
Muttering that, she soon continued with a faint smile.
“Can those so-called discussions actually reach a consensus before the election ends?”
“……!”
Instantly, everyone looked at Princess Francizia with expressions as if they had been struck on the back of the head.
Certainly, determining whether that pledge was advantageous or disadvantageous for the election campaign was an issue that absolutely wouldn’t yield an easy answer.
In response, Vice President Obern barely managed to open his mouth with an unconfident voice.
“But still, we have to try somehow…”
Just then, Princess Francizia’s voice continued.
“The pledge to abolish discrimination between nobles and commoners is the most dangerous card we hold.”
“……”
“But it is simultaneously the most powerful card that can capture the attention of the masses.”
Having stated that in a resolute tone, Princess Francizia soon looked at the other committee members.
“I’ve learned that elections can only be won by those who preemptively seize issues. Therefore, since the election campaign began, we’ve continuously strived to seize issues, whether they were bad or good.”
As her words continued, all the committee members closed their mouths and began listening quietly and concentrating.
“But now, we’ve lost that issue preemption.”
“Th-that is…”
“That’s a valid point.”
“Once President Alex declared his support for Princess Cecillia, most of the students’ interest shifted in that direction. So, doesn’t that mean we need an appropriate response from our side as well?”
Certainly, the most crucial aspect of this pledge was that, regardless of its electoral pros and cons, the content itself could become a powerful issue that attracts people’s attention.
“Once lost, momentum can be hard to regain. So, I intend to proceed with this matter as a way to play a proper, decisive move.”
In the face of Princess Francizia’s strong will, Vice President Obern, one of the figures with the strongest say among those gathered for this meeting, slowly opened his mouth.
“I understand your meaning, Your Highness. Then, let’s proceed that way…”
“Wait a moment, Senior.”
Suddenly, Rosen Ravenia cut him off and interjected.
“Of course, as Her Highness says, there’s nothing better than this for seizing the issue and making people pay attention. But no matter what, this pledge is too dangerous. We might face an uncontrollable backlash. Moreover…”
“Moreover?”
“Not everyone within the election committee has agreed to it yet.”
“……”
At Rosen’s words, Vice President Obern looked at her with deeply sunken eyes and spoke again.
“So, because internal agreement isn’t finished, we shouldn’t proceed with this?”
“Yes. Carelessly, members within the election committee might rebel against or resent Your Highness…”
“Rosen Ravenia!”
Vice President Obern shouted her name in an incredibly loud voice, speaking in a stricter and more resolute tone than ever before.
“Who would dare harbor such feelings towards Her Highness? We are election committee members gathered to make Her Highness the Student Council President. If someone is swayed by a mere pledge like that, it’s better for them to just leave.”
“No, Senior. Please, don’t say such frustrating…”
“This isn’t frustration; it’s the right principle.”
“Ah, and you, who love the ‘right principle’ so much, were betrayed so thoroughly by the former President you served, weren’t you?”
“What did you say?!”
As the two began arguing again as if fire had been lit, the expressions of the other committee members began to darken.
It was then.
“Both of you, stop now.”
Princess Francizia, who mediated between Vice President Obern and Rosen Ravenia in a firm tone, drove the final nail with an unwavering gaze.
“Even if internal opinions aren’t unified, I intend to proceed with this matter as planned. We will completely revise the schedule set thus far. I will personally announce the ‘Pledge to Abolish Class Discrimination between Nobles and Commoners within the Academy’ tomorrow afternoon.”
“I will act according to your command.”
In response, Vice President Obern immediately bowed his head and replied.
“Ha, this is truly frustrating. If it’s going to be like this, why did we even hold internal meetings? Everyone, just do as you please!”
*Thump, thump, BAM!*
Rosen Ravenia shouted sharply in an irritated voice and promptly stormed out of the meeting room.
“Does anyone know what formula is written here?”
[Þⁿ∑ʓA/2⇌я㍵+8⦡]
Alog with Baron Clarence’s cold voice pointing to another alien language written on the blackboard, the blue-haired girl swiftly raised her hand.
However, Professor Baron ignored her action and looked at me.
“Teaching Assistant?”
“Uh, it’s the formula for optimizing heated mana.”
“Right, correct.”
As he smirked, Chelsea, the girl who had raised her hand, glared at the professor with a displeased look.
But Professor Baron paid no attention to Chelsea’s glare and continued his explanation.
“As Kamon answered, this is the formula for optimizing heated mana. I assume there’s no one here who doesn’t know what heated mana refers to?”
*’Sigh, why does he keep targeting me like this?’*
I was the one unfairly caught in the crossfire between Professor Baron and Chelsea.
What did I care what heated mana was?
From the start, I couldn’t even understand what they were talking about in this class.
I was just…
*’…merely memorizing the textbook verbatim.’*
Just then.
“Just in case there are such fools, I suppose I need to hear the answer more clearly.”
Ugh, surely he doesn’t mean me this time too?
But what was heated mana again?
I don’t think this was in the textbook.
“Alright, then, Teaching Assis…”
Dammit, of course.
Faced with another crisis, cold sweat instantly broke out, and I couldn’t gather my thoughts.
*’This is bad. What on earth is heated mana?’*
Just as my mind was about to go blank…
“…Heated mana refers to the state refined by the Mana Heart. It’s the form before magical conversion.”
*’Thank you, Chelrmionne!’*
Without being asked, Chelsea preemptively shouted the answer. I sent her a silent thank you.
However.
“Who told you to answer without permission?”
Professor Baron sharply retorted, then slowly shook his head and muttered briefly.
“Point deduction. Teaching Assistant, mark it down.”
“Ah, yes, Professor.”
As Professor Baron mercilessly deducted points from Chelsea, her expression stiffened once again.
*’Hey, Chelsea. At this point, just stay quiet. Don’t bother fighting a pride war unnecessarily.’*
Why was she, someone usually obsessed with grades, picking a fight with this lunatic professor?
“Now, then, let’s begin today’s practical session as well. Today, the content we will cover is heated mana…”
Just as Professor Baron’s voice was about to ring out again.
*Knock knock!*
Along with the knocking sound, the closed classroom door opened, and a familiar face appeared.
*’Huh? Master?’*
It was Jace, one of the magic professors being impersonated by Jamie.
“Hmm? Professor Jace? What brings you here so suddenly?”
“Ah, there you are. Professor Baron, I’d like to borrow one student.”
“A student? Who are you referring to?”
“Student Kamon.”
“Pardon? The Teaching Assistant? Kamon?”
Professor Jace’s low voice echoed through the classroom, and everyone’s gaze focused on me.
“Might I ask the reason for this?”
“I require Student Kamon’s assistance for personal research.”
“Hmm. Originally, Student Kamon is my teaching assistant for this class, so having him leave like this is somewhat…”
Although Professor Baron replied in a slightly displeased voice, Professor Jace soon looked at him with a faint smile.
“I will be sure to properly compensate you for this matter later. I ask for your understanding just for today.”
“Well, if you insist. Kamon!”
“Y-Yes!”
“Professor Jace is calling for you. I’ll relay today’s lesson content to you separately, so you may go ahead.”
“Ah, yes. Thank you.”
“Then, I’ll take my leave.”
“Yes, Professor Jace. Let’s have a casual cup of tea sometime when you’re free.”
“Just say the word. Let’s go, Kamon.”
With that, Professor Jace gave a short nod and led me out of the classroom.
*Clomp, clomp.*
“Kamon.”
“Yes, Master.”
“Here, call me Professor, not Master.”
“Ah, yes. Professor.”
“So, how is the work progressing?”
“Yes, Professor. It’s not certain yet, but I think I can obtain it soon, somehow.”
“Is that so?”
He smiled deeply at my answer and soon poked my head with his finger.
*Swoosh!*
A sensation, like a cool breeze, swept through my entire body.
Soon, Professor Jace, putting on a serious expression, continued in a low voice.
“Your physical state is changing again. If this continues, you could truly become a time bomb that might explode at any moment.”
“……”
“I’ve already finished all the preparations. As soon as you bring the Princess’s artifact, we can start crafting immediately.”
“Yes.”
“Move as quickly as possible. We don’t have much time.”
“Thank you, Mast… I mean, Professor.”
“No need for thanks. And take this.”
*Ting!*
“What’s this?”
“A single-use invisibility tool. If it really seems impossible, just steal it by any means necessary. You’ve already attacked once; a second time shouldn’t be that difficult, right?”
“……”
*No, if that’s the case, couldn’t you just do it yourself, Master?*
“I know what you’re thinking right now. But that’s impossible. If I step in personally, things will get a bit complicated—no, rather, they’ll blow up. Very much so.”
“Ah, yes.”
“Then, see you later.”
With those final words, my master, Jamie—Jace—walked away from me at a rapid pace, as if his business was concluded.
“Not much time left?”
Certainly, a life with an expiration date never gets easier to accept.
No matter how desperately I struggled to survive, it felt like a net slowly tightening around my neck.
Reaching that thought, I strongly shook my head and steadied my breathing.
“*Hoo*, okay. I just need to keep going as I am now.”
I looked at the small clip in my hand.
The fact that he personally delivered a tool for emergencies, just in case, clearly showed that Jamie was also doing his best for me in his own way.
So.
“I will definitely get it.”
I reaffirmed my resolve, solidifying my determination to definitely steal the artifact from Princess Francizia.
