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Chapter 16
“Archel Nodovan, the 154th Student Council President of Judea, Leading the Latest Trends.”
“Janet… can’t I sleep a little longer?”
I had stayed up all night preparing for the briefing session, so I could barely keep my eyes open.
After suffering for a while under the light streaming in through the window, I finally pulled the blanket over my head.
“When did you open the curtains… You’re really too much…”
On weekends like this, it was only proper to sleep without even noticing the sunrise, so I whined.
But instead of feeling sorry for me, Janet climbed right on top of the blanket.
“You’re heavy…”
“The briefing was like a mysterious banquet held in outer space. A great event that recreated the beauty of the universe in broad daylight took place at Judea. And the creator of that magical device is—!”
Unable to bear the weight pressing down on my back, I struggled.
“I’m getting up, so move. And what are you even reading right now?”
I stuck my face out from under the blanket, barely opening my eyes. Janet handed me a glass of water.
When the cool water soaked my dry throat, my mind finally cleared.
Through my sharpening vision, I saw the newspaper she was reading.
“What’s that?”
“Today’s paper. I’ve been reading it to you this whole time. ‘Chairwoman Archel Nodovan, Leading a New Trend,’ remember?”
Janet winked playfully.
“What?”
Leading a trend?
I snatched the newspaper from her.
“W-What is this?!”
The moment I saw my huge face printed on it, all my remaining drowsiness vanished.
A student council president from a baron family that existed in name only, appearing like a comet. After creating a universe within Judea, she even discovered a hidden treasure-like bakery. Who is she?
My pupils shook as if there had been an earthquake.
“If it weren’t for Janet mischievously whispering the last line—‘What kind of path will Archel Nodovan’s student council take from here?’—into my ear, I might never have recovered from the shock.”
Clutching the newspaper tightly, I muttered,
“Is this really that big of a deal? Enough to make the front page?”
How peaceful must the empire be!
It might be ironic for someone who had become student council president, but I wanted to avoid attention as much as possible.
Given my background, gossip would bring me nothing but trouble.
Even yesterday, there had been countless subtly mocking questions.
I frowned miserably, but Janet just laughed, saying it was already too late.
“You’d better hurry and apply for a patent on that mood lamp. The response was amazing.”
Her warning that someone might steal the idea if I hesitated made me quickly get ready.
She was right.
The Milky Way mood lamp I had presented at the briefing—
I had poured so much effort into it that it was on a completely different level from anything in my previous life. I was confident in its beauty.
It had originally been Backup Patent No. 7, something I prepared just in case I failed to enter Judea and needed to make a living.
I never expected it to shine here.
After the briefing, many people showed interest, and Aven even suggested investing.
“Good thing I prepared the paperwork in advance.”
I rode a carriage to the outskirts to submit the documents to the patent office.
The streets there were wide and clean, quiet compared to the city center.
Leaning back in my seat, I gazed at the peaceful scenery like a dream and thought about the future.
I’d get the patent, mass-produce the product, and sell it.
With Aven’s investment and support, it wasn’t impossible.
“Then I’ll save up some money, right?”
Of course, I could always take out loans.
I still couldn’t forget the capitalist smile I’d seen at the Reuters Bank Judea branch…
But I didn’t feel comfortable.
Unless it was something essential like mana stones, I wanted to pay with my own money.
I didn’t like borrowing recklessly.
Even just the cost of mana stones made my hands tremble.
“I wish I could at least cover my living expenses myself…”
As I closed my eyes, the carriage stopped smoothly.
I got down and submitted my documents.
They said the results would come within three months, so in the meantime, I could plan production and sales with Aven.
“Please take me to Second Central Street in Santalea.”
After leaving the patent office, I headed to Daina’s bakery.
I wanted to share yesterday’s success.
“I hope this gives her confidence to keep running the bakery.”
But from the moment I arrived in the district, something felt strange.
People kept glancing at me.
“Am I just being self-conscious?”
As I straightened up, a small child suddenly ran toward me.
“President!”
Startled, I froze.
The child stared at my face, then pulled out a crumpled newspaper and waved it.
“Cool President!”
“…Is this some new game? ‘President play’?”
I asked for permission and unfolded the newspaper.
It wasn’t the Tersen Daily Janet had shown me, but the Santalea Daily.
In the middle page was a small photo of me next to Daina’s interview.
“Oh, I’m sorry!”
The child’s mother hurried over, bowed, and took her hand.
She was holding a large bakery package.
I blankly watched them walk away.
“Don’t tell me…”
I hurried forward, hiding my face.
The alley that had once been empty was now packed with people.
Following the line, I entered the bakery.
No one stopped me, which made me even more uneasy.
Jingle—
“Archel?”
“Daina, what is going on?!”
She rushed over.
“It’s all thanks to you. A reporter interviewed me last night, and people started flooding in this morning!”
Though she said she was overwhelmed, her face was dazed with happiness.
I rolled up my sleeves.
“I’ll help. Should I handle the register?”
She happily handed me the price list.
After memorizing the menu, my childhood-trained customer service skills kicked in.
Automatic smiling. Polite words with empty eyes. Watching customers and their backs at the same time…
Occasionally, I heard people call me “the future of the Tersen Empire,” which made me blush, but I stayed focused.
“I need to read what Daina said about me…”
Only after ingredients ran out and the shop closed early did peace return.
She handed me a grapefruit ade.
“I couldn’t have managed without you. How are you so good at this?”
“I barely did anything.”
I took a sip and read the article.
“When I first heard she was Judea’s student council president, I couldn’t believe it. Judea! And she came to a humble place like this! What amazed me most was that Archel recognized and acknowledged my desserts when no one else did. I’ll never forget this kindness. Someone who sees people without prejudice and gives them chances is exactly the kind of person who will lead our empire…”
I kept drinking because my mouth was so dry.
“Daina… this is…”
Isn’t this exaggerated?
No wonder people were staring at me.
She scratched her head shyly.
“I got excited during the interview… But I meant every word. If it weren’t for you, I’d have given up my dream.”
She gave me some reserved cookies.
After telling her to rest well, I left.
“The media is really fast…”
In less than a day, everything had spread.
“What a scary world.”
I resolved to be more careful.
On my way back, I stopped at a sign:
“Part-Time Workers Wanted.”
I rushed to the window.
[Tues & Thurs / 50 Silver per Hour]
“50 silver?!”
I covered my mouth.
“This is insane!”
The café was small and tucked away.
Small meant less cleaning.
No visible bathroom…
“Does that mean I don’t have to clean it?! Jackpot!”
After calculating everything, I approached the counter.
“I’d like to apply.”
The man smiled and led me inside.
There was a bathroom.
“…Of course there is.”
I sighed.
“Do you have experience?”
“Yes. Café, bakery, daycare, flower shop, wedding hall, babysitting, pet sitting, restaurant, magic tool shop desk—”
“Stop! I get it.”
He laughed.
“May I see your ID?”
I handed over my student card.
“Archel Nodovan… Archel Nodovan?”
He looked at me, then opened a newspaper.
“Archel Nodovan?!”
Lately, my name was being called everywhere.
