Pastel looked over the documents with the signature lines for each department.
The signature lines were completely empty.
Tremble, tremble.
“Everyone must support the Student Council, right? It doesn’t make sense for the school to be without one!”
She clenched her fists.
“A Student Council for students! Although it’s only been a day since the semester started, just look at how hard we’ve worked!”
For example.
Buying smuggled goods with the Student Council’s budget.
Taking a scoff out for smuggling purposes.
Using expensive magic stone fuel for free from the scoff budget.
Thanks to this, completing a smuggling operation with a 100% profit margin.
Oh dear?
Is a corrupted Student Council needed before the semester has even started?
Isn’t the abolishment of the Student Council too justified?
She clutched her heart.
Ugh.
“Y-yes, but students still need a Student Council! For the students who are starving!”
The starving student, who also happened to be the Vice President of the Student Council, as well as the head of the administrative department, planning department, promotional department, and service department, nodded.
『You wouldn’t really consider pointing swords at every department, would you? Don’t underestimate your seniors. Sufficient experience can pierce the heart of talent.』
Pastel flinched for a moment and shook her head.
“There are ways for the top student!”
『…Are you really that fond of the top student title?』
Oh no.
Is it obvious?
Hehe.
She twisted her body and gathered the documents.
“Anyway, I’ll seek the support of all departments!”
Off she went.
#
“Senior, could you please give me just one signature?”
Pastel hugged the documents tightly and followed the upperclassman around. The representative of the senior class walked faster, looking flustered.
Faster, faster.
The class representative, even more flustered, kept circling the square. Pastel followed closely behind.
“Sen-ior, just one signature, please!”
Wah.
Students gathered around the square like it was the end of the world. Some seniors whispered to each other.
―We don’t need a Student Council that just consumes the budget. Why don’t they just chase her away?
―What? How could we chase away a young noble?
―Even though she’s a viscount, Craft’s been obsolete anyway, ugh!
The upperclassmen were attacked.
―Shut that mouth! How dare you disrespect someone without a title!
―Ugh!
―Is a clan that’s been a top contributor to founding the nation, unifying the empire, and conquering the Demon Realm something to be underestimated? Want to face punishment for disrespecting a clan that the royal family respects?
―Ugh!
The class representative increased his pace.
As Pastel struggled to keep up with her short legs, she began to walk faster, almost running. Her pink hair swayed with her steps.
“Sen-ior, just one signature, please!”
Wah.
The seniors whispered to each other.
―What can we do, huh? What’s she doing?
―Haha! I’ve brought a way to politely turn her away!
The upperclassman picked up a desk and walked into the square.
“Viscount, no, freshman!”
“Yes?”
A desk was placed right in the middle of the square.
The senior brushed his hands off and smiled slyly.
“This is the garden of academia and the cradle of martial arts. You may be the top student in academics, but would a Student Council that oversees all departments be weak?”
The senior leaned on the desk.
“How about an arm-wrestling match against a first-year?”
The senior smiled cryptically.
“I may wield a spear a bit, but I am officially a magician. I can never acknowledge a Student Council that cannot defeat a magician.”
―Wow! That bright kid! I recognized him the moment he fell while brandishing a spear at night! That’s my friend!
―Right! The young noble is rated zero in combat! Since he’s only good in academics, it’s a clear justification!
The fleeing class representative seized the opportunity.
“If you win, you can not only get a signature but also help us honor our department!”
Pastel’s eyes widened.
―Did he seem flustered? What now?
―But the Academy is a cold and cruel place. Even the young noble needs to realize that.
―Exactly! We give our all even against a kid!
#
Oh dear.
Pastel stood in front of the desk with a blank expression.
The senior on the opposite side struck up an arm-wrestling stance, and cheers erupted. The voices of the seniors grew loud.
Huff, seniors.
Am I in big trouble?
Ahh.
I’ve fallen into a ruthless death game.
It’s a cruel world that won’t give even an inch to a freshman.
Pastel awkwardly took her arm-wrestling stance.
Their hands clasped.
The feeling of calloused, strong hands.
Ugh, the devil was right. The pressure of time can’t be substituted for anything.
Let alone with a soft hand that hasn’t even developed a callus.
Noticing the difference, her opponent’s smile became more pronounced.
Ahh.
The upperclassman referee held their hands.
“Prepare. 3! 2! 1! Start!”
The arm-wrestling match began.
Ugh, ugh, uuugh.
Pastel trembled and stood still.
The senior watching her looked slightly apologetic. Then, without hesitation, he gave it his all.
The upperclassman’s arm moved with all its might.
Wham, bump.
Ahh.
Bump, bump?
Bump…?
The twisting senior suddenly paused. The freshman’s hand did not move. Dazed eyes stared at Pastel.
Ahh, that intense gaze.
The upperclassman straightened his posture. With a serious expression, he inhaled and tensed his muscles.
“Haah!”
A firm shout.
His wrist bent back with force.
Bump.
Ahh, the calluses are rough.
The senior’s eyes trembled. He turned his head, looking at the onlookers.
The seniors whistled.
“Our hero! You’re the smartest in the department!”
The senior turned back to fixate on Pastel. Cold sweat dripped down his face.
Then he whispered quickly.
“Hah, Viscount, I’ve always respected you—”
“Sen-ior!”
Pastel, lost in her own world, shut her eyes tightly.
“Freshman, I’ll give it my all!”
“Wait—!”
“Yahhh!”
The girl spun her arm with all her strength. The senior’s arm was effortlessly bent.
“Ahh!”
The back of his hand slammed hard against the desk. A tremendous sound erupted. The desk shattered. The senior rolled on the ground amongst the debris.
“Aaaah!”
Dust flew up.
Silence ensued.
Pastel stared blankly at the opponent rolling on the floor while holding her hand.
Oh dear.
The dignity of an elder?
『Well done.』
She heard the calm voice of the devil.
The corners of her mouth turned up.
Hehe, did I win?
Oh yeah.
As she turned her body, she saw the faces of the stunned onlookers.
She raised her arms high.
“I am the victor!”
Quick, signatures supporting the Student Council.
On the ground, the senior let out a pained voice.
“Ah, are you okay?!”
A moment later, Pastel was able to get a signature. Meanwhile, the senior who proposed the arm-wrestling was kicking and rolling on the floor.
With a sigh, the class representative surveyed the students. Then, with a serious expression, he said.
“Given the circumstances, we must embark on a water ghost operation for the honor of our department.”
Pastel would later witness the spectacle of departments proposing arm-wrestling matches wherever she visited.
―Hey, we smoothly sent the Viscount back using arm-wrestling. He was rated zero in combat. We hit him right where it hurts.
―Oh really? Then what about us?
“For the honor of our department….”
The desk shattered.
“Ahh!”
―What, what is that? What kind of monstrous strength is that? Zero in combat, right?! Seriously? Are you even a person?!
―What, what? You all help now.
Wow.
Pastel turned her back on the departments she finished facing. She looked at the documents that were almost filled with signatures.
Her cheeks flushed.
“Devil! Devil! Seniors are so kind! They united so the freshman wouldn’t be embarrassed, chose a category, and let us win!”
Was the world this kind?
So beautiful.
『Ah, I’m glad you’re happy.』
Oh yeah, it’s nearly complete.
Indeed, a Student Council was necessary for the students. Even if it was corrupt.
“Hey! You!”
An icy voice echoed. When she turned around, a rugged, large-built male student approached.
He carried a sword and shield in both hands.
Oh, his build?
An upperclassman, perhaps?
Behind him followed unfamiliar first-years in a rush.
Hmm?
Quickly flipping through the student list in her memory, she had memorized all the names from the Student Council just in case something like this happened.
Ah, friends from the Demon Realm’s scoff, I see.
They should stand out.
Then the male student holding the sword and shield is…
Leonard Tyler, of the Count family.
What did he eat to look so different age-wise? An outstanding physique.
Behind the robust Leonard, another male student emerged.
Dustyn Wild.
The boy she had faced off against for the first time on the scoff.
Dustyn looked timidly at Pastel.
Huh?
“Oh, buddy, what are you doing here?”
Ignoring Dustyn’s voice, Leonard stepped forward, hiding the boy behind his sturdy figure.
Hmm.
Leonard glared.
“Hey, who do you think you are, trying to act like a Student Council member when you’re our age?”
Pastel’s eyes widened.
Gasp.
That’s way too accurate.
Leonard’s eyes gleamed. He quickly scanned the onlookers, then fixated on the frail girl.
“Seniors should stay quiet, but a first-year has their pride. If a kid like you gets to roam free, we won’t have any face left to show.”
A handkerchief was thrown.
It landed lightly on her pink hair.
Huh.
Pastel placed the handkerchief on her head and glanced at Dustyn. Dustyn flinched and hid behind Leonard.
Oh dear.
“Okay!”
Pastel smiled brightly.
“But are you okay?”
And she spoke toward Dustyn, not Leonard.
“If you lose, it would be embarrassing.”
Dustyn flinched.
Leonard’s face turned red.
“What are you saying, you brat?!”
The sword was drawn, and the shield lifted.
“Come at me right now! What are you all doing? Clear the space!”
A circular area was formed around the crowd.
Leonard took his stance.
“I’ll generously allow you to attack first!”
The large shield covered his sturdy physique.
“Bring it on!”
Pastel didn’t charge forward but tilted her head. She tapped the hilt of her magic sword with her hand.
『Dueling should be done with a feather sword for safety.』
Right?
After a moment of thought, she drew her magic sword.
Leonard’s expression became serious as he carefully held his large shield. The metal shield securely covered his bulky frame.
Hmm.
Pastel got into position.
One, two, three!
She stomped her foot down.
The pink figure surged toward Leonard. The magic sword swung, aiming for his shield.
Leonard’s eyes shimmered. The shield was firmly held. It seemed the sword strike was going to land on the shield.
However, the magic sword didn’t hit the shield; it grazed just in front of it.
By a hair’s breadth, the trajectory of the sword swung round. Pastel turned her body and threw the magic sword into the air.
Leonard stared vacantly as the magic sword soared.
“What?”
Pastel, with a cold expression, clenched her fist. She stomped down firmly. With all her might, she struck the shield. A tremendous sound echoed. The air vibrated, and the shield buckled.
Leonard staggered. His eyes widened. Amidst his ruined posture and the opened shield, the girl slipped through. Her pink hair fluttered.
Her foot stepped on the ground in a decisive manner. Her fist traced its path. She struck him in the abdomen. The impact resounded.
Leonard inhaled deeply, bending over. The sword and shield fell from his hands. His knees hit the ground, and a huff escaped his lips.
Pastel dusted her hands.
“Duels should be done with a feather sword.”
She stretched her hand to the sky. The falling sword spun in mid-air and landed in her grasp.
She swung the sword, sheathing it with a satisfying click.
Pastel turned her body. Her pink hair fluttered.
Silence filled the space.
Suddenly, her gaze met Dustyn’s blank eyes.
She smiled sweetly.
Her pink lips twitched.
―See you again, friend.
She left the scene.
#
The signatures were nearly filled.
Oh wow.
Just one more, and it would be finished.
The magic department.
Hehe.
I can arm-wrestle here too, right?
The representative of the magic department looked at her with droopy eyes.
“I really don’t want to.”
What?
Peeking out from behind the representative’s robe was a blonde girl. Then she murmured loudly to herself.
“To be stirring the department with clandestine schemes, truly Craft. However, your sinister plots have been foiled by me. Mother, I will protect the magic department you graduated from. I can do it.”
Melissa’s cheeks flushed.
The representative, who heard the mutterings along with Pastel, scratched his head. After shaking his robe, he opened his mouth.
“Well, I can’t give you a signature. We require a substantial budget. It’s better not to have a Student Council that only takes the budget without contributing.”
The departmental budget was tight.
Although a few outstanding students would receive funding, most certainly would not. To solve the funding shortage, they had no choice but to rely on external assistance.
The easy way out was the help of a clan.
However, most academy students were either illegitimate children or collateral relatives, and further down the line, commoners. Clans weren’t of much help.
Another method was investments from the trading guild. However, guild investments required connections beforehand, making it quite challenging.
The best they could do was to frequently receive requests and go out on trips to make as much contact with the guilds as possible.
The only thing left to hope for would be assistance from the professors. But the professors themselves weren’t in good shape.
Now that the conquest of the Demon Realm was over, Sky Island was on the outskirts of the political sphere. Most of its inhabitants were people without power or influence.
Those professors would not have connections to guilds to help.
“Then, then.”
Her head spun.
“Ugh, there’s no school festival, is there?”
Pastel’s eyes sparkled.
“A festival to promote industry-university cooperation!”
Oh wow, a festival.
The class representative cast a perplexed glance.
“What festival? If you’re talking about department demonstrations, we have that.”
“Not at the department level! A school festival! A festival where everyone showcases their achievements and enjoys chatting together!”
“I don’t understand what you’re trying to say. Festivals aren’t needed for research and training. It’s not good to play too much.”
What kind of stone-hearted place is this?
No wonder there are no school uniforms.
Pastel flailed her arms.
“We must invite large trading guilds through the festival! Then opportunities will arise, right!”
The class representative seemed unperturbed, mumbling disinterestedly.
“Will it really happen?”
“It definitely will!”
She couldn’t give up.
“A festival for industry-university cooperation!”
Pastel raised one arm high.
“The Student Council will promote it!”
She shouted with all her might and quickly pulled out the documents.
With both hands, she pushed the documents forward.
“So please, senior, just a signature…”
Hehe.
The class representative stood dumbfounded.
