Episode 34: This Isn’t a Gun, It’s a Staff [End]

 

‘What kind of nonsense am I pulling?’

After publicly declaring I’d quit the student council presidency because it was too exhausting, suddenly submitting my application form feels utterly bizarre.

‘I want to crawl into a mouse hole right now.’

Though unused during my first year, the student council president’s privileges include an absurdly overpowered perk called attendance exemption.

This special privilege allows replacing all class attendance grades with midterm/final exam scores – essentially meaning you don’t need to attend classes if your practical scores are high enough.

Beyond that, other benefits include leaving campus without permission (just notification), one-on-one consultations with the chairman, and similar privileges.

In the original work, when the protagonist joined the Travel Club and obtained hidden pieces from external Gates, it was Yun Se-ah who stamped their outing permits… meaning the president likely controls all student outings.

The original Yun Se-ah never used these privileges… but regardless, they’re ridiculously advantageous.

‘I’ll make full use of them.’

The protagonist needs to go outside and devour external hidden pieces. For that, my acquaintances Kang A-yul and Lee Seo-yun must become student council presidents.

‘Still… just in case A-yul or Seo-yun might lose to the protagonist…’

This election will see many strong candidates emerge.

Villain 1 who feels inferior to Seong Arin and goes berserk, and Villain 2 who gaslights Villain 1 into rampage while distributing illegal drugs containing demonic power – both appear in this arc. I’d planned to manipulate the election from behind the scenes rather than participate… but there’s no choice now.

The protagonist becoming student council president? That would be an emergency scenario causing massive deviations from the original plot.

‘I’ll eliminate just the protagonist and withdraw.’

No matter what happens, the protagonist must be defeated.

Also, during the upcoming Mentor & Mentee classes, we can’t have the protagonist looking down on seniors… and if we give freedom to the protagonist who’s supposed to roam everywhere under student council orders and teacher suggestions… who knows what might happen.

So……

“President? But with the Yuseong Group affairs…”

“Ah, fortunately everything was resolved well, so I should be able to continue as president next year too.”

Endure a bit longer, Kim Choon-sik.

[SIDE: Yuseong Group Headquarters]

“……..I feel like I’m about to drown in this massive workload…”

“Acting Chairman? Is something wrong?”

“Ah, no. Let’s head to the meeting. What was today’s agenda…”

“I’ll explain. First is pricing for the new product launch, followed by simultaneous meetings – potion pricing with Naseon Guild and dinner with Vultures Guild… huh?”

“……..Probably the young mistress placed Thomas Andrea there to block Naseon Guild’s excessive potion price demands. Chairman must have thought Ryu Seong-ho would behave with the world’s strongest defender present…”

“Making them compete to drive up overall prices… truly remarkable.”

“You think so too? Let’s get to the conference room first.”

Kim Deokbae, ever sharp-eared and competent.

…

…

…

The current student council president’s declaration to run again was enough to crush other candidates’ motivation.

I expected whispers about power hunger or accusations of toying with students… but…

“The president is running again this year!”

“I heard she entered specifically for a rematch with the vice president! Can’t wait for the finals!”

‘Well… the positive reception is good, I guess.’

Surprisingly, there were no critical voices.

“That’s more like it.”

“I’m really looking forward to facing Seah-nim in the finals.”

Kang A-yul in the front seat grinned with satisfaction at my decision… while Lee Seo-yun beside her smiled warmly in approval.

“What? You’re clearly quarterfinal material at best.”

“Is that so? Had Seah-nim not blocked my attack during practice, your right hand wouldn’t be attached right now.”

This… counts as approval, right?

‘At least the seating conflict is resolved.’

Though we originally shared a two-person desk, I now sit at a single desk placed behind them, having surrendered my original seat to Lee Seo-yun.

Since both are satisfied, what better resolution could there be?

“Alright everyone, enough bickering. Class is starting soon.”

“Right, looking forward to today.”

“Today’s class is… ah.”

[Practical Combat]

“Last time didn’t feel like a real win since you were out of it. Go all out today.”

As she said this, Kang A-yul grabbed her gym clothes and headed to the changing room.

‘…Tch.’

No escape now.

I fiddled with the earrings Eve gave me.

*Click!*

“…Restrictions lowered to 20% now.”

I moved my hands around, lightly testing my psychokinesis strength.

‘This should be manageable.’

I lightly tossed a dagger engraved with Stellar Magic.

“Recall.”

The knife boomeranged back to my hand just before hitting the wall.

‘Pisces constellation – well engraved.’

<><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><>

[Item Information]

[Mithril Knife] X 2

[High-purity mithril provides exceptional durability and magic amplification.]

[Engraving Information]

[Recall: Can summon one knife to the other’s location]

<><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><>

Like the twin fish of Pisces, these daggers make an excellent pair. I have high expectations for them.

‘With these… I’ve mostly recovered my original main weapons from the game.’

Well, I haven’t recreated the ‘shield’ yet… but since I’m not acting as a Defender like the protagonist, this should suffice.

‘Should change into gym clothes too.’

Not much time before class starts – better change quickly.

…

…

…

“Today’s class is 1v1 sparring as announced last week. Find your partners.”

*Thud*

“Let’s go.”

Before the instructor finished speaking, Kang A-yul’s hand landed on my shoulder.

Since everyone knew I was already claimed, no one else approached… except…

“Yun Se-ah, fight me today instead of Kang A-yul.”

Ah, there’s one.

“What? Back off.”

“I think monopolizing the president is unfair.”

Ryu Sinwoo brushed off Kang A-yul’s irritated response with ease.

“How about it? Want to duel…”

“Hey, you’re seriously dueling that spear bastard?”

“A-yul Yang, calling Ryu Sinwoo a ‘spear bastard’ isn’t appropriate.”

“Right? Spear users might get offended hearing that.”

The infamous Ryu Sinwoo.

“I only talk like this to you, so don’t worry.”

“…A-yul Yang, would you duel Seo-yun Yang today?”

Time to see your skills.

“What?!”

“Oh? The president accepts my offer?”

Ryu Sinwoo excitedly spun his spear, pulling it from his back.

“Well, I also felt awkward testing my new weapon on A-yul Yang.”

After patting Kang A-yul’s shoulder, I whispered in her ear:

“If you defeat Seo-yun Yang, I’ll spar with you at the training ground tonight.”

Only then did Kang A-yul start looking for Lee Seo-yun with satisfaction.

“Great, shall we begin?”

*Ziiiiing…!*

As Ryu Sinwoo spoke, students had already distanced themselves to watch our simulated battle as the first match.

“Alright.”

When Ryu Sinwoo channeled magic into his spear, I drew Silver and began pouring magic into it.

“What’s that? A gun?! Are you disrespecting me since I’m not Kang A-yul?!”

My weapon choice visibly flustered him as he charged with irritation.

Just as he reached me…

“Unfortunately, it’s not a gun but a staff. Judging by appearance alone? That’s careless – points deducted.”

“What?!”

“And if I were disrespecting you, I’d have punched you instead. Why bother drawing a staff?”

Magic – sufficiently gathered.

‘One second is enough.’

While I can’t machine-gun spells at 5-8 rounds per second…

“Magic Missile.”

*Pew-pew-pew!*

…I can fire simple impact spells revolver-style.

“Kyaaaaaaaah!!!”

The magic bullet struck Ryu Sinwoo’s abdomen, slamming him against the training ground wall where he briefly lost consciousness.

“Winner: Yun Se-ah.”

“Good match, Ryu Sinwoo.”

Having controlled the power and thanks to his sturdy physique, he regained consciousness after 10 seconds. I tossed him a water bottle as he dusted himself off.

“Ha… ridiculously strong. By the way, you never used a staff in first year… were you holding back until now?”

“No, I spent a year finding a technician who could make a staff durable enough for my magic.”

“Ha… well, satisfying match. I’ll definitely beat you in the presidential election – be ready at the top.”

The spar ended instantly.

Students gasped at the overwhelming power while Kang A-yul vibrated with excitement seeing my enhanced magic.

“…Hmm, excellent performance.”

And me, having confirmed my new weapon’s capabilities.

A thoroughly satisfying spar.