“Here is Professor Marius, who has decided to cooperate nationally for the acting principal election~!”
“I am Marius. Though my abilities are lacking, I will strive for His Excellency Craft.”
Clap! Clap!
Pastel clapped her hands.
Professor Horace smiled contentedly.
“I knew this would happen. With justice, righteousness, and purpose on our side, everything flows smoothly like a gentle breeze.”
“That’s right! It’s only natural for us to unite our hearts to normalize the Academy!”
Pastel said this and then her expression turned slightly sad.
“But if Professor Marius withdraws as a candidate like this, it’s essentially the same as being elected unopposed. We would inevitably suffer from the wrongful suspicion of an election influenced by authority.”
“Hoho! An election influenced by authority!”
Professor Horace lamented.
“What kind of interference can there be in electing an acting principal? It is solely based on the trust of the faculty.”
“That’s true!”
The newspaper club is only reporting positive stories, so how could such rumors of interference even arise?
“But we shouldn’t needlessly create problems. If we’ve promised to elect by majority vote, we should follow a fair procedure for that majority vote.”
“Your Excellency, what should I do?”
Professor Marius’s expression became serious.
“We will conduct a fair contest according to the existing procedures. So, let’s change the previous method of selecting faculty votes to include votes from students and staff as well. In a more authoritative manner.”
We intended to hastily select an acting principal to check the Knight Corps, but now that we’ve got the Knight Corps under control, there’s no need to rush.
“Are you suggesting a normal election?”
Professor Horace looked puzzled.
“I’m not opposed to the opinions of the juniors, but how can being elected by an uninformed majority be considered an authoritative method?”
Oh dear.
Pastel thought for a moment.
“They’re not an uninformed majority; they are noble young heirs! They are smart students who have learned enough to gain admission to the Academy!”
It seems that Marius’s attempt to form an anti-tribal agenda has connected with the students; there seems to be a subtle shift in the atmosphere among them.
If we leave it like this, it might become difficult for Ellie to attend school!
We need to achieve an overwhelming victory here to make them realize they represent a minority opinion and create an embarrassed atmosphere for oppression!
“A good world through fair procedures!”
Pastel rallied her friends starting the next day.
Booths were set up all over the campus. They were booths with Professor Horace’s name written in big letters. Students who visited received gifts.
“Hemhem! That’s great! I’ll even spend from my own pocket!”
“Truly a senior caring for the students!”
It wasn’t that they were expecting anything in return; it was simply a gift stemming from genuine goodwill for the students.
A fair monetary election…!
#
Pastel distributed cookie bags in front of the dormitory.
“Enjoy! I specially baked these!”
“I’ll enjoy it.”
She smiled brightly as a classmate shyly accepted them.
“Pastel, um….”
Another classmate approached holding a half-eaten cookie. They looked perplexed.
“My cookie is kind of strange. I’m tasting flour in the cookie…?”
Yes, yes!
“Cookies are made of flour originally!”
Pastel flashed a peace sign.
“The deliciousness is doubled! I put in double the flour! It’s a flour-flour cookie! Enjoy it! If you ask for more, that’s a bit awkward~!”
The classmate hesitated and shoved the cookie into their mouth. Then they smiled and gave a thumbs up. The corners of their mouth trembled slightly.
Wow.
It must be super tasty!
I should have tried it too!
Dustyn, who was distributing cookies alongside, glanced over.
“Is this okay?”
Pastel turned back with a smile.
“What is it?”
“Is this really okay?”
Hmm.
What is he asking?
“Are you worried about my financial situation?”
Pastel smiled brightly.
“Thanks for your concern! But since Senior Horace is spending from his own pocket, I don’t have much burden!”
“That’s not it.”
Dustyn looked at the notice board. It contained details about the precious votes for a fair election.
“I just wondered if it was okay to give gifts in this situation.”
Pastel tilted her head.
“Dustyn, aren’t we electing our principal?”
“And?”
“Then, we should consider the future principal’s abilities, character, and passion, right?”
She looked around at the students and shouted as if rallying.
“A person so kind that they give gifts for the students! A capable person who prepares resources for the students! A passionate person who spends from their own pocket for the students!”
She pointed at the name on the sign the friend was holding.
“Professor Horace!”
Cheers erupted from the noble heirs. It was a sight of realization about how beneficial this election was for them.
Wow!
I finally spread advanced customs!
Pleased, Pastel savored the overwhelming victory on the day of the vote.
A vote rate of 96%.
It couldn’t have been solely because I handed out a gold coin at the voting entrance without expecting anything in return.
A true professor who would actually throw gold coins to students!
Truly a respected senior!
#
Ellie returned after a short break. She seemed somewhat perplexed by the changed atmosphere at the Academy from when she left.
“What’s happening?”
“Justice has won!”
Ahem.
With this, Pastel’s kindness was proven.
The title of Craft was too heavy, yet it was still insufficient to hide my good nature.
“Professor Marius has realized his overwhelming vote count and has withdrawn his position regarding radical policies. He even says he wants to apologize to you. What do you think?”
“The professor?”
Ellie placed her leather briefcase on her desk. A variety of miscellaneous stationery from the Demon Realm was taken out.
Pastel cautiously approached.
Boo boo boo.
“I talked to the professor, and it seems he has some emotional loyalty to the Craft clan. As soon as I mentioned that, he immediately conceded.”
Ellie looked at her oddly without saying anything.
“But the truth is, Professor Marius isn’t exactly remorseful. He was a bit stubborn, making communication difficult. So, after some persuasion, I ordered him to at least be kind to you outwardly. An apology too! But of course, if you don’t want to, it’s fine to not meet him.”
Isn’t that too much benevolent pity?
After a moment of hesitation, Pastel put on a business-like expression.
“The environment that places unnecessary stress on key members of the student council is troubling as a supervisor. It’s also unpleasant to have our limbs looked down upon. So, please feel free to speak up without hesitation about such matters to ensure our work goes smoothly.”
How frustrating.
Ellie patted her side hair. The black hair strands were caught and then let go.
“I will.”
Ellie’s hand rummaged through her briefcase. Office supplies were pulled out. She fiddled with an item as if pondering before handing it over.
“It’s a gift.”
“Huh?”
Pastel took the fountain pen.
Oh my!
“A fountain pen from the Demon Realm.”
Oh my!
“I brought it since using quill pens was inconvenient.”
She glanced back at her quill pen on her desk, which had become gunky from idly chewing on it.
She looked down at the smooth, shiny fountain pen.
“Whoa?!”
Cultural shock!
Technological shock!
Why have I struggled with quill pens all this time when such a convenient essence exists!
“The technological prowess of the Demon Realm is now ahead.”
There was an undeniable pride in her calm voice.
“You can use it without dipping it in an ink bottle. It is a bit more tricky to maintain than a quill pen, but I will help with that.”
The technological power of the Demon Realm is amazing…!
She gazed dazedly at the fountain pen.
“Wow! Wow!”
Dustyn, who had been watching, approached shyly. He caught a glimpse of the stationery being pulled out while stealing glances at Pastel’s fountain pen. Then he looked at Ellie.
Ellie responded with a look of disdain.
“Have you analyzed the status of the Knight Corps?”
“I’ve been busy with election activities…”
“Then do it now.”
With a nonchalant gesture, Dustyn quietly returned to his seat.
As the work atmosphere shifted, Ellie put away her briefcase and sat down. She started pulling out paperwork that needed to be processed.
Ellie looked at Pastel’s fountain pen and then picked up her original quill pen. The quill pen went into the ink bottle and came out.
“Pastel.”
The quill pen started to write elegant letters.
“You should get to work too.”
Whoa!
Suddenly, Pastel didn’t want to do paperwork.
The document principles I instilled in the student council are very effective, but actually making documents myself is something I don’t want to do!
I am a powerful being who must face extremely important dilemmas!
Returning to her seat, she put on a serious, contemplative expression.
A responsible face multiplied by a million.
Not that she wasn’t doing work, but rather that she was deep in thought.
So, so.
Let’s think about the side effects of banishing all demon race members from Sky Island.
Even though the malicious oppression mood was a motive, it is not a matter that can dismiss the concerns of patriots.
Since the terror of the demon race has become visible, there’s a sufficient possibility of spies from the demon race disguised as civilians. That’s why such a radical claim of all demon race banishment was made.
While I don’t particularly empathize, it’s true one should be on guard if any demons have reached the power core of Sky Island, a military strategic point.
It’s not like we need to oust them, but a minimum level of monitoring would be necessary.
But since I’ve destroyed the boundary conditions that allow such policies to be maintained, is there a possibility for problems to arise?
Especially during a time when the Demon King is prophesied?
Oh dear.
Pastel’s pink eyes widened.
That future Demon King was me.
Oh my.
Now it’s not about the spies; it’s that the future Demon King is already the sole power holder at a military strategic point.
“Ahaha!”
Pastel burst into laughter.
Totally a Craft-style joke!
I am just Pastel, after all!
