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Chapter : 07
“That’s quite a sensitive matter you’re bringing up.”
Park Do-woon sipped his coffee and replied calmly.
From the moment the Student Council President requested a private meeting, he had already expected the content would not be ordinary.
But since the Security Office was also involved in the matter, he thought it required even more caution.
“It is indeed a sensitive issue, but I don’t believe my assessment is wrong. Why must the Security Department assist the Security Office?”
“Hm, you’re not wrong. The Security Department is not strictly required to assist the Security Office. However, isn’t the Security Department’s work closely related to theirs? That’s why cooperation is unavoidable.”
“The purpose of the Security Department’s establishment is to actively respond to issues that may arise during Advance Battles or Ranked Battles. Beyond that, it is to prevent fights between students and to catch those who violate Mitelichi’s rules.”
Seo Hyun-woo recited the contents exactly as written in the Student Council executive handbook.
Park Do-woon, the headmaster of Mitelichi, held near-absolute authority here, second only to the board chairman.
In other words, depending on his will, he had the authority to interfere in detail not only with the Student Council but also with higher departments.
“You know your material well. So what exactly is the problem? The Security Department has been faithfully carrying out its role under the Security Office’s instructions until now. From my perspective, it almost feels like the Security Office is doing the Student Council’s work instead. What do you think?”
Park Do-woon spoke without a hint of falsehood about how he felt.
From an objective standpoint, it was hard to say there was any real issue with the Security Office.
They were using the Student Council’s direct subordinate, the Security Department, but there had never been a single disruption in operations.
“Headmaster, there is something you are not aware of.”
“Something I am not aware of? And what might that be?”
“According to my investigation, the Security Office appears to be collecting students’ personal information through the Security Department. What is your opinion on this?”
“What did you say?”
Park Do-woon clenched both fists and glared at Seo Hyun-woo.
No matter what the Security Office was, they could not freely collect students’ personal information.
Above all, the idea that they were using students from the Security Department to carry out such acts was unacceptable.
“Student Council President, can you take responsibility for what you just said? If it turns out to be false, you won’t escape severe punishment.”
“If it turns out to be true, then the head of the Security Office and all subordinate staff will be punished. In that case, will you also discipline every student in the Security Department?”
“If what you said is true, then the Security Department won’t be able to escape responsibility either. The department head, as well as students holding team leader and manager positions, will be demoted regardless of skill.”
Of course, Seo Hyun-woo had anticipated that the headmaster would respond like this.
The issue he had raised was one of those controversies that would eventually explode sooner or later.
The reason he hadn’t brought everything up was to avoid unnecessarily interfering with the flow of events.
For now, his plan was simply to bring the Security Department back under the Student Council’s jurisdiction, closely observe the department head, and wait for an opportunity to build a connection.
“I think you should reconsider the punishment regarding the Security Department. From their perspective, they had no choice but to follow the Security Office’s orders.”
“That doesn’t mean they’re free of wrongdoing. If something like that truly happened, they should have reported it to the administration or to me.”
“No, that’s not what I mean. Isn’t it possible the Security Department didn’t even realize they were doing something wrong?”
“…What do you mean by that?”
“I mean the Security Department may have been used by the Security Office. Since Security Department members frequently move around inside Mitelichi, they would have been perfect targets. Why don’t you check the battle watches used by the Security Department?”
Seo Hyun-woo could explain in detail because he already knew the method the Security Office had used.
Of course, this contained some false information.
Not all Security Department members involved in illegal acts by the Security Office were completely innocent.
“That’s a bit strange. Even if you are the Student Council President, you shouldn’t be able to know the Security Office and Security Department’s affairs in such detail. Are you perhaps connected to the wrongdoing committed by the Security Office?”
“If that were the case, I would have chosen a different approach. I would either continue cooperating with the Security Office or negotiate directly with the headmaster.”
“To me, this private meeting already looks like a negotiation.”
“If that’s what you think, then feel free to investigate me. I will say this in advance—I have never once abused my authority for personal gain since becoming Student Council President. I am simply telling you the truth for the sake of doing what must be done.”
Seo Hyun-woo spoke confidently, his eyes shining.
He knew exactly how the original Seo Hyun-woo had handled the Student Council President position.
Although the original Seo Hyun-woo lacked in background, connections, and wealth, he had never once abused his authority for personal gain.
He may have used the position to maintain his status as the strongest, but he never allowed himself to corrupt it—his pride and convictions would not permit it.
“Then I will conduct a separate investigation as you suggest. The Security Office, the Security Department, and you as well. If you truly have no issues, I will personally apologize as the headmaster.”
“I don’t expect that much. This is simply what I’m supposed to do. If it bothers you, how about increasing the Student Council President’s allowance for maintaining dignity?”
“I don’t see how allowance for dignity comes into this.”
“Isn’t it better than receiving less?”
“……”
Park Do-woon looked speechless and lifted his coffee cup.
Allowance for dignity referred to funding given to individuals in certain positions.
For department heads or higher, it was likely a substantial amount.
More importantly, it wasn’t something that could simply be increased at will just because one wanted to.
“You seem quite confident.”
“There’s nothing to be confident about. I simply trust myself.”
“Is that all? If you have no further business, then could you leave for my next schedule?”
“Understood. Thank you for your time.”
Seo Hyun-woo immediately stood up and bowed slightly.
Then he quickly left the headmaster’s office.
Park Do-woon watched his back until he disappeared, then let out a deep sigh.
“There’s no way I wouldn’t investigate you. Of all the Student Council Presidents I’ve seen, you are the most honest and diligent. In fact, you’re so flawless it almost makes me suspicious.”
Inside the Student Council President’s office.
Seo Hyun-woo, as usual, was taking short breaks between work.
No matter how busy he was, it was still just paperwork—only the volume was large.
However, even so, he could never skip personal training and mana cultivation, which left him constantly exhausted.
‘Seo Hyun-woo trusted his abilities too much. That’s why he ended up seriously injured. Even if he tied with the protagonist, there’s no guarantee he could win against other Awakeners.’
His copy ability was undoubtedly rare and powerful.
With his innate mana reserves and the ability to reproduce original techniques, he could easily be called a genius.
But Seo Hyun-woo was not the protagonist of this world—and he had indeed ended up with damage to his left eye and right leg.
‘Lately I haven’t been sleeping properly, so I’ve got dark circles… I try to sleep, but it’s not easy. Strangely, I can’t sleep at night, but at work I get insanely drowsy. Damn it…’
He let out a small yawn, resenting his own body for the first time.
Compared to others, Seo Hyun-woo lacked in background and connections, but his appearance and abilities were quite good.
However, he never expected that insomnia would become such a fatal weakness.
Knock knock.
A knock came from beyond the office door.
Seo Hyun-woo immediately composed himself and pretended to work.
When the door opened, a silver-haired girl in a black uniform entered.
“Vice President, what is it?”
“I sent you the schedule for departmental inspections, but you didn’t respond.”
“…You could have sent a message for that.”
“That’s true. However, I judged it better to check your condition in person. You might be sleeping without me knowing.”
Baek Seo-yeon walked forward and stopped in front of the desk.
Then she narrowed her eyes and studied his face.
Dark shadows were clearly etched under Seo Hyun-woo’s eyes.
No matter what he did at night, it was obvious he wasn’t sleeping properly.
“What are you doing during work that makes you act like that?”
“You’d know better than anyone. What are you doing at night to get such dark circles?”
“I’m not doing anything. I just can’t sleep, so this is how I ended up.”
“Ah, I see. That’s a pretty weak excuse. Thanks to you, I can’t sleep either.”
Baek Seo-yeon pulled out her smartphone and held it out in front of him.
He looked at the screen.
[Scarlet Lord (18:05): Vice President, you know?]
[Baek Seo-yeon (18:05): Know what?]
[Scarlet Lord (18:06): People are saying the president and vice president are dating.]
[Baek Seo-yeon (18:06): Where did you hear that nonsense? Of course not.]
[Scarlet Lord (18:06): Hmm? You two actually look good together though.]
[Baek Seo-yeon (18:06): Control your members. Rumors are just rumors.]
[Scarlet Lord (18:08): But the president himself said he has a girlfriend.]
[Baek Seo-yeon (18:45): I will confirm it myself tomorrow.]
“I want an answer regarding this.”
“I was wondering what it was. It’s just a rumor that I have a girlfriend.”
“Then why am I the one being dragged into it?!”
Baek Seo-yeon raised her voice, her eyes trembling.
Seo Hyun-woo chuckled and stood up, walking toward the coffee pot.
“It’s probably just coincidence. You’re the only student I’m often seen with.”
“That’s exactly why this rumor started!”
“I did kind of cause it… I did say I had a girlfriend.”
“Excuse me? So you actually do have a girlfriend?”
“W-well… yes. I do.”
Seo Hyun-woo answered while pouring water into the coffee pot.
For a brief moment, he considered telling Baek Seo-yeon the truth—but it was pointless.
If she learned the truth, she would only scold him for doing something useless.
“Ah, so that’s why you’ve been meeting your girlfriend at night and not sleeping.”
“If that were true, wouldn’t I have already stepped down as Student Council President?”
“What kind of logic is that? Both you and I are in positions that constantly draw attention!”
“I did it on purpose. There are too many people clinging to me—it’s annoying.”
“Hah! So I’m just collateral damage now? That’s great.”
“Isn’t it not so bad for you either? If rumors spread that you’re dating me, other male students won’t approach you. Think of it positively. For both you and me, life at Mitelichi just got a little easier.”
