novelraw Chapter 464: Episode 464
Chapter 464: Episode 464
The head TA led them to a room with a plaque that read: Subordinate Waiting Room. She knocked twice with the back of her hand, and the door swung open as if they had been expected. Inside the spacious room, thirty subordinates in uniform stood shoulder to shoulder at attention.
"Well then! This third wheel will get out of your way. Have a good time!"
With a parting line worthy of a matchmaker, the head TA quickly shut the door and departed.
"Ah, ma’am!" Meirin called after her, but she was already gone.
An awkward silence filled the room as the four of them stood facing the thirty subordinates.
"It’s a pleasure to meet you."
A woman stepped forward. She wore the same uniform as the others, but with gray epaulets on her shoulders. Her short hair, husky voice, and sharp, piercing eyes were striking. She snapped into a crisp salute aimed at Simon. He returned it, looking slightly bewildered.
"We are the student council’s direct subordinates, assigned to assist you for the year!" she announced, her voice booming with discipline. "We look forward to working with you, sir!"
"Ah, yes. We’re looking forward to working with you, too."
The ‘subordinates’ of Kizen. They weren’t official staff, but they were directly employed by the academy. Most Kizen students, being nobles, treated them like servants, good only for cleaning and menial labor. But while they were low on the official hierarchy, they were highly skilled operatives who handled everything from espionage to assassinations for Kizen.
Above all, Kizen didn’t hire anyone who couldn’t fight. In times of war, every one of them would become a soldier ready to die for the academy. To the people of the continent, these subordinates were both successful elites and figures of fear.
’And we have thirty of them...’ He was finally beginning to understand the prestige of the student council.
Dick, who was generally on friendly terms with the subordinates, strode forward confidently.
"Alright, everyone! No time to stand around. We’ve got things that need moving, right now!"
The subordinates remained motionless, their gazes fixed forward. As an awkward expression crept onto Dick’s face, the woman in front spoke.
"We obey only the orders of the Student Council President, sir."
"Ah. Hahaha! S-So that’s the system!"
Dick tried to play it cool, but he couldn’t suppress an embarrassed laugh.
"In the President’s absence, we obey the orders of the Vice President, the second in command."
"You heard her," Meirin said, crossing her arms with a smug look.
Dick just muttered a sullen, "Yeah, yeah."
Simon then stepped forward.
"I don’t think we need to be so rigid about the chain of command. I would appreciate it if you would also fulfill the requests of the other student council officers."
"Yes, sir. If the President so orders, the other officers will be designated as third in command."
’Right back to the chain of command, I see.’ Simon let it slide with a smile and placed a hand over his heart.
"I am Simon Polentia, the Student Council President. This is our Vice President, Meirin."
Meirin gave a cheerful, "Hello!"
"And behind her are our Treasurer, Dick Hayward, and our Secretary, Kamibarez Ursula."
The two offered greetings in their own distinct styles.
"It looks like we’ll be working together a lot. I’m looking forward to it."
When Simon extended his hand, the subordinate took it with both of hers and bowed deeply.
"Yes, sir! We will do our utmost!"
"Y-You don’t have to be so formal. Ah, may I ask your name?"
"I am Number 1."
"Pardon?"
"Please refer to us by our numbers, sir. I am Subordinate Number 1."
He now noticed the numbers emblazoned on their chests. Simon shook his head.
"During urgent missions, we can use numbers or call signs, but I’d rather not start off that way."
The subordinate looked up, a flicker of surprise in her eyes.
"If you insist, sir."
For the first time, a hint of shyness touched the face that had been as impassive as a machine.
"Please call me Mojo, sir."
"Alright, Mojo."
Simon smiled gently.
"It’s too pretty a name to be replaced by a number."
"Ah. Yes. Thank you, sir."
Simon had only spoken his mind, but behind him, Meirin and Kamibarez were glaring, their eyes narrowed.
"Classic Simon," Dick chuckled playfully.
Simon turned back to the group.
"That’s enough introductions. Let’s all head to the Grand Auditorium."
---
Simon led the officers and their new subordinates to the Grand Auditorium, where the entrance ceremony would be held the next day. A team of subordinates was already hard at work, sweating as they mopped the floors and arranged chairs. When they saw Simon’s reinforcements, their faces lit up.
"We’re saved!" one of them cried out.
Simon dispatched his subordinates to help them.
"We need thirty more chairs over here!"
Vice President Meirin was a whirlwind of activity, directing the subordinates with sharp, precise commands. The heels of her shoes clicked against the marble as she strode across the hall, pointing with charismatic authority.
"Check every chair for damage! If one is broken, move it to the back immediately!"
"Yes, ma’am!" the subordinates replied.
Last year, there had been numerous complaints from guests about broken or dilapidated chairs. As two subordinates carried away a damaged one, Meirin yelled across the hall.
"Hey, you idiot commoner! Add two more to the broken pile!"
"Okay, okay!"
Dick was making his rounds, a checklist in hand.
"Treasurer!" one of the student council’s subordinates ran up, carrying a chair. "There are only ten chairs left in storage!"
"Ah, damn it."
Dick sighed, tapping a quill pen against his list.
"We’ll have to dip into the budget for new ones. Contact Talaria, use my name, and have them send over thirty chairs identical to these."
"Hey! Idiot commoner!"
Meirin rushed over, sensing an opportunity. Talaria was the delivery business Dick ran on the side.
"Trying to use school funds to line your own pockets? I’ve caught you red-handed, you corrupt official!"
"What are you talking about?"
Dick’s brow furrowed.
"I’m getting them on credit and will only pay the cost. I’ll pay the supplier directly, of course."
"Huh?"
Meirin blinked.
"Then isn’t Talaria just taking a loss?"
"Yeah, well, I’m on the student council, so I can take a small hit! Happy? Do I look like the kind of guy who’d screw over Simon?"
Watching them, Simon smiled wryly. It looked like they were fighting, but in reality, Dick was simply doing his job as treasurer, and Meirin was doing hers by keeping him in check.
"Testing, testing."
Kamibarez was on the podium, speaking into an amplification crystal orb.
"Simon! Can you hear me?"
"Loud and clear," Simon called back before heading up to the second-floor balcony.
"Simon! How about now?"
"Still perfect, Kami!"
After checking the third floor, he returned to the stage. Kamibarez, who was carefully placing the crystal orb back in its box, greeted him with a cheerful smile.
"Good work!"
"You too."
Simon knelt beside her to help.
"Simon," she cooed.
"What is it?"
"I’m so excited!"
She certainly seemed to be; the small wings on her back were fluttering rapidly.
"I can’t believe we’re actually in charge of a major school event!"
"I know what you mean."
"Lots of people will come tomorrow, right? I hope they all have a good time!"
Across the hall, they could see Meirin on the podium again, yelling about the lighting being in the wrong position. The two of them shared a quiet laugh.
"You were right, Simon."
A faint blush colored her cheeks.
"I’m really glad I joined the student council."
"See? I told you it would be."
"Yes."
Kamibarez beamed.
"I’ll be sure to follow your lead from now on, Simon!"
A sudden warmth spread through his chest. He forced a smile and scratched the side of his head.
"Hey, guys!"
A boisterous shout echoed from the auditorium entrance. Jamie, Cindy, and Claudia from their old Class A were walking in.
"Ah! Thanks for coming!"
Meirin hurried over to greet them.
Jamie’s eyes went wide as she took in the preparations.
"Oh my gosh! You guys are actually doing real student council work!"
Meirin laughed.
"Did you think we were faking it?"
"You all look so cool! Hi, Simon! Hiii, Kami! Dick, long time no see!"
While Jamie made a fuss, Cindy Vivace coolly surveyed the scene before nudging Meirin’s thigh and whispering, "You meet one capable guy and suddenly you’re doing all this. I’m so jealous."
"Wh-What are you talking about?!"
Meirin shrieked, her face turning beet red. Cindy smirked, and Claudia had to cover her mouth to stifle her laughter.
"A-Anyway!"
Meirin spun around.
"Simon! Kami! Can we use the podium for a bit? We need to do a quick rehearsal!"
"Go for it!"
Jamie, Cindy, and Claudia were also buzzing with excitement at the thought of introducing their departments to the new first-years. None of the second-years had fully processed that they were seniors now; they were mostly just eager to meet the cute new students.
"Ah, the good stuff is finally here!"
Dick announced, waving as he pushed a large cart loaded with bottles of high-end whiskey. Simon and Kamibarez walked over.
"Is this the liquor for the VIPs?" Simon asked.
"You got it!"
Dick expertly uncorked a bottle, poured just enough to coat the bottom of a glass, and handed it to Simon.
"A little sample. The President has to approve, right?"
"I don’t think we should be drinking on the job."
"Don’t be a baby. It’s not even a quarter of a glass."
Reluctantly, Simon took the glass and took a small sip. His eyes widened.
"Wow. This is..."
"Mhm! Good stuff, right? Kami, want some?"
She shook her head, crossing her arms in an X.
"No alcohol for me, thanks!"
"What’s that?"
Meirin and the other three girls from Class A approached, their curiosity piqued.
"It’s for the VIPs. Have a taste."
He poured a small amount for each of them.
"Wow, the student council is serving hard liquor? Is that allowed?" Claudia asked, accepting a glass with a hesitant look.
"It’s an old tradition in the Dresden Kingdom. Called an ‘Old Chair.’ It’s a top-tier hosting technique."
The girls laughed, clinked their glasses, and took a sip.
"Ugh!"
"It’s so bitter!"
They all grimaced, sticking out their tongues.
"Hey! Commoner! You’re planning to serve this bitter swill to the VIPs? Are you trying to bankrupt the school?!" Meirin demanded.
"It’s a strong whiskey, of course it’s bitter! You amateurs."
Dick sighed dramatically.
"You girls are all the same, always drinking that sweet wine. You don’t appreciate the taste of real liquor."
"Simon! Is this really okay?" Meirin asked urgently.
Simon nodded.
"Yeah. I think the older guests will appreciate it."
"See! See!"
Though it was debatable, the purchase was final. The whiskey was moved to the liquor storage, to be brought out the next day. As a compromise, Meirin declared that if the VIPs complained, Dick would be banned from speaking at the next brainstorming meeting.
They were throwing themselves back into their work when a voice called out.
"Professor Jane!" Meirin exclaimed.
Her meeting finally over, Jane strode into the Grand Auditorium. She walked directly to Simon, her expression uncharacteristically grim.
"Mr. President."
"Yes, Professor."
She met his eyes.
"This is sudden, but there is something you must do immediately in your capacity as Student Council President."