Chapter 558

558.

At the Erek Training Ground, where the official events of Lumeran were being held, all the students of Lumeran gathered.

Today was none other than the day of the vice student council president’s farewell and inauguration ceremony.

“Is the vice student council president’s inauguration usually this grand?”

Juen, standing at the very front among the first-year students of the Department of Magic, wore an expression of puzzlement.

“Apparently, it’s usually held together with the student council president’s inauguration ceremony,” answered Shasha, standing at the head of the Department of Summoning in the row beside Juen’s, as she flicked open her fan with a swish.

“Also, last year, Senior Leo did appoint Senior Hark during his own inauguration.”

“Oh…”

The first-year students hadn’t attended Senior Leo’s inauguration since they were yet to enter school, but the ceremony itself was legendary among their senior classmates.

“To say that if someone isn’t content being student council president, they should challenge upperclassmen — wow, he truly was magnificent.”

Shasha let out an excited scream.

“He’s certainly amazing… When Senior Hark rejected the position of vice student council president, and Leo-senpai told him if he wanted, he could challenge him, wasn’t it? I wouldn’t dare.”

Juen slightly shook her head, and Harbit Din, standing in the line of the Department of Knights, spoke up.

“Did you hear about it? Senior Leo restructured the second-year student council.”

“Yeah. The list is supposed to be announced today.”

“I wonder who they’ll be?”

The first-year students were very curious about the newly reformed second-year student council.

-Vice Student Council President, Harc Ligard, is entering.

At that moment, the student council executive in charge of the ceremony on the podium of the Erek Training Ground announced Harc’s arrival.

Since it was a student event, the professors stood below the podium, observing as the students led the inauguration ceremony.

Standing on the podium, Harc scanned all the grades before speaking.

“For the past year, I’ve led Lumeran as the vice student council president. Thanks to all of you, it was a meaningful and rewarding time. I am deeply grateful for your support during my tenure. But every beginning has an end. With graduation approaching, it wouldn’t be right for me to continue in this role…”

Harc began his farewell speech with a solemn and serious demeanor.

However, despite the somber tone, the corners of his mouth kept twitching uncontrollably.

‘His smile is going to stretch from ear to ear.’

‘I’ve never seen Senior Harc this happy.’

‘Is he really enjoying it this much?’

While trying their best not to laugh, the students watched Harc continue his speech in a daze.

“My successor as vice student council president is Elena Zeruon. I hope everyone will support her well.”

With that, Harc turned to leave the podium.

But then a student council executive asked, “Do you have any final words for the students?”

After hesitating for a moment, a thoughtful Harc finally replied,

“Cheers, hahahaha!”

Clearly overjoyed by being relieved of his position as the vice student council president, Harc couldn’t hold back his laughter.

“Harc Ligard, step down from the podium immediately and bow your head.”

A voice colder than the summer heat froze Harc’s elated expression.

“But, but, didn’t Senior Leo tell me to do it the same way last year?”

“Seems like you’ve lost sight of your responsibility now that you’re graduating.”

Halind smiled coolly as he looked up at the podium.

“The responsibilities of an official student council president and mocking students are clearly different.”

With that, Harc, his face pale, stepped down from the podium and bowed his head in the training ground, as if planted on the ground.

No matter how strong or senior he might be, in front of Halind, Harc was just like a little lamb.

As everyone broke into cold sweats watching this scene, Elena confidently ascended the podium.

Lifting the hem of her uniform skirt slightly and bowing elegantly, she gave a gentle smile.

“I am Elena Zeruon, your new vice student council president. Although I may fall short, I kindly ask for everyone’s support for the next year, fellow students.”

Seeing Elena greet them so gracefully, the first-year male students couldn’t help but blush involuntarily.

The first-year female students too gazed at Elena, the perfect top student, with admiration.

Since the first-years had hardly come into contact with Elena since entering Lumeran — because she was busy with her duties and didn’t see the need to interact with the first-years — this was their first impression of her.

After Leo became the student council president, Elena stopped her usual antics, and so the first-years only knew her by hearsay.

Seeing her for the first time, they were astounded at why she was called the queen of Lumeran.

Of course, that wasn’t the case for the other grades.

‘Why is she acting like that? Did she eat something bad?’

‘Why is she behaving like this? It’s unsettling.’

‘My stomach feels strange.’

The 4th, 3rd, and 2nd years watched Elena with trembling eyes.

“Isn’t Senior Elena supposed to be very scary? But she doesn’t look that way at all.”

“She seems nice.”

“Ugh.”

The first-years looked up at Elena with admiration.

Elena possessed a magnetic allure, something innate that attracted people’s gazes.

Just using magic gave her the charisma to charm people, though this could easily turn into a curse if mishandled. Yet, Elena’s talent enabled her to perfectly control this force.

Once, she used to exploit it for her mischievous antics, but now it manifested as absolute authority.

Elena flashed a warm smile to the first-years and waved elegantly.

“First years are indeed cute—so young!”

“Elena-senpai!”

“You’re amazing!”

“Kyaaa!”

Thrilled reactions erupted among the first-years.

“She’s a witch—don’t be deceived!”

The older grades watched the first-years sympathetically.

“Since I’ve inherited full control of the student council from the president, I’ve selected new executives to form the next student council. This ceremony will introduce the new member to all of you. We’ll start with the fourth year.”

As Elena diligently carried out the responsibilities of vice president, introducing the next batch of student council members, even the professors appeared surprised. They knew Elena was to become the vice president, but they hadn’t anticipated she would perform her duties with such exemplary discipline.

Starting from the fourth year, she introduced the third and then the second year.

“Wow, it seems all the top students in the second year have joined the student council.”

“The lineup is extravagant!”

While many top academic students don’t necessarily take interest in student council activities, the second year’s case of all top students joining the council was an exceptional one.

“Some expected, but Eliza Hergin is rather surprising.”

“Really, that delinquent?”

Surprised glances were thrown from both seniors and even teachers.

Eliza’s shoulders were visibly trembling.

“That’s why one’s usual conduct is critical.”

“Shen Sia! Are you mocking me?!”

Though she might have snapped nastily at other students, Eliza had always been weaker when it came to Shen Sia.

Meanwhile, Elena continued to announce the second-year student council members.

“Last but not least, the Acting Student Council President–Kal Thomas.”

At Elena’s words, the crowd buzzed with murmurs.

“Acting student council president?”

“Kal Thomas?”

Kal, the perennial bottom-ranker of the second year magic department—and indeed, the entire second year—famously survived on the brink of expulsion with surprisingly good test scores. His story was well-known, yet that was nearly all there was to him.

The news that Kal was to become the acting student council president left all students astounded.

“Kal-senpai!”

Juen clapped her hands together, jumping excitedly.

“Maybe due to his close relationship with the president?”

“Could it be favoritism? There’s no way.”

As the first years murmured among themselves, Kal frowned.

“You! You’re belittling Kal-senpai…”

“Did you think Leo-senpai would assign someone just because they’re close?”

“Besides, the guy has proven himself every time!”

“Did anyone think otherwise of the second years assuming higher positions?”

“Those who underestimated him during the entrance exams paid dearly.”

“Professor Halind even said there was a lot to learn from this guy.”

“If you think about staying another year in Lumeran, it seems impressive, doesn’t it?”

The first years appeared to understand.

Meanwhile, Kal, stepping onto the podium, sighed deeply.

“Seriously, I’m not sure I should even be here.”

“What’s with that pitiful attitude? Now that you’re Leo’s acting president, you should straighten up.”

Chelsi remarked, frowning.

“Kal has always undervalued himself.”

Then, Elena, who was amplifying through a magic amplifier, smiled.

“I don’t give important responsibilities to incompetent people. You should start believing in yourself more, Kal.”

“Thank you.”

“Yes. And from now on, I expect your best, my slave.”

“Did you just call me a slave?!”

“That’s not what I said.”

“I clearly heard you call me a slave!”

“You’re mistaken.”

Laughing cheerfully, Elena clapped her hands.

Finally, the introductions of first-year student council members ended as well.

“Over the next year, I will dedicate all my strength to properly lead Lumeran.”

With that, Elena stepped down from the podium.

“Did she just say she’d ‘dedicate all her strength’?”

“It’s another way of saying ‘I’m going to push you all to your limits.'”

The student council members exchanged wistful smiles.

After the inauguration, Juen approached Kal.

“Kal-senpai! Congratulations on becoming the Acting Student Council President!”

“Does this even qualify as something to celebrate?”

Kal responded with a bittersweet smile.

Just as the students were about to disperse,

“Hold on, hold on.”

Elena climbed back up the podium, having forgotten something important she needed to communicate.

“I almost forgot—there’s an announcement from the student council president.”

Everyone turned their attention to Leo, who had remained silent throughout the ceremony.

“The topic is about the Ruse Tournament. Everyone knows this tournament is being held here in Lumeran, right?”

Everyone nodded. It was an annual event, preparations for which had been ongoing since the start of the semester.

“President Leo wants to do something special with this year’s Ruse Tournament,” Elena continued.

“Special? How?”

“Besides Lumeran and Seirun, schools like Azonia and Demian will also join this year. It will be an inter-school competition among all the hero academies.”

Hearing this, everyone’s face turned solemn.

The professors too, looked surprised.

Hark, who had been forced down by Halind, involuntarily got up.

“I’m hearing this for the first time!”

“I discussed this matter with Elena-senpai, given Hark-senpai was instructed not to involve himself in school affairs.”

Leo smiled.

“What?! You should’ve at least mentioned this earlier!”

Hark burst out angrily.

Suddenly planning an all-out competition with all hero academies was completely absurd.

All eyes turned to Elena.

“This will indeed be tough. We’ll need to establish initial contacts with other hero academies and plan from scratch.”

Elena’s response provided a momentary sense of relief.

Since the president’s appointment of the vice president held precedence, any suggestions made by the president could be vetoed by the vice.

“But our school’s motto is ‘to surpass our limits’! We’ll have to figure out how to make something unfeasible possible, right?”

Then came Elena’s next words, and the faces of all the students turned white.

“If everyone works like dogs, we’ll be able to complete the Ruse Tournament schedule in time. So, everyone, consider this a competition between four schools.”

With that, Elena stepped down from the podium.

Cries of despair erupted from all corners.

As soon as this was announced, Leo ascended the podium.

“From today onward, Senior Hark will take on the role of the Acting Vice Student Council President. You’ll be responsible for coordinating schedules with other schools, so report to the council right away.”

At this, Hark, slumped into his seat, murmured in a stunned voice.

“So this was the reason you made Elena the vice student council president, huh…”