A New Story

As soon as all the matches were over, the awards ceremony was held right there in the arena.

As expected, Roel became the top student of the second year again, and Ilia was the runner-up. The two of them together looked as good as ever.

I received the green medal for congratulating the runner-up, after Ellie.

An academy official I didn’t recognize handed it to me. I found out his name later, but considering I don’t remember anything about him, he probably wasn’t that important.

The top student and the runner-up each get a wish ticket as a reward for the duel.

Ellie and I each took first place in our respective divisions, so we already had one wish ticket each, making it two wish tickets in total.

When I asked Ellie how she was going to use her wish tickets, she said she would use one to become Nelson’s disciple, as expected.

She said she would think about the other one. The novel doesn’t mention what she does with the other one either.

The reason was simple. I forgot about it.

The boring awards ceremony ended.

I promised Ellie I’d meet her after dinner and then we parted ways.

The more you put something like this off, the more you lose trust. It was important to solve the problem as quickly as possible so that her faith in me could be solidified.

Lost in thought, I was waiting at the entrance of the arena when the club members, who were leaving the arena, spotted me and came over.

,Congratulations on being the runner-up, club president.”

I nodded at Rakar’s words.

,Thanks.”

,So, is the runner-up buying dinner tonight!!!”

At Aria’s words, I smiled and said.

,Yeah, I’ll buy dinner to celebrate.”

,You’re the best club president ever.”

At Kane’s words, Aria nodded enthusiastically from the side.

Luna, who had subtly approached me, gave me her usual pretty smile and said.

,Good job, Ross.”

I looked at Luna and nodded with a wry smile.

***

I bought food for dinner and returned to the club room. Since it was the last day of the festival, there were so many people that eating outside would have taken too long.

Elena, Rakar’s fiancée, was absent today. She probably planned to spend the last day of the festival with her friends.

Come to think of it, I’ve never seen our club members hanging out with other friends. Are they all outcasts like me?

While we were buying different foods and sharing them, as Aria had strongly requested, Aria suddenly asked me.

,By the way, what are you going to use your wish tickets for?”

As if agreeing with Aria’s question, the club members also looked at me with curious eyes. I shrugged and replied.

,First, I’m going to use one wish ticket to get out of the dormitory.”

I thought I said it in a nonchalant voice, but the reaction I got was one of surprise.

,A, are you thinking of leaving the academy…?”

Seeing Luna looking at me with anxious eyes at the first time hearing this, I hurriedly shook my head.

,No, it’s not like that. I was thinking of living in the club room because the dorm is uncomfortable.”

,What?! I’m jealous!”

Aria, who seemed genuinely jealous, stopped eating and gave me a look of envy, making me smile like a winner.

,Ah, I want to live in the club room too.”

Kane also leaned back in his chair with an envious expression.

,Definitely, there are many advantages to living in the club room. It’s easier to train, and you don’t have to worry about what other people think. I think it’s a good choice.”

Rakar, who was nodding with an admiring expression, gave me a burdensome look that meant, ‘As expected of the club president.’

As Rakar said, one of the advantages was not having roommates who were awkward to be around, but there was a reason why I was going to use a wish ticket to live in the club room.

With all the academy’s secret passages blocked, the only way to get out was through the club room.

I was going to use the door that led to the sewer to erase the names on the hit list.

,Since the club room is for everyone to use, it might be a good idea to build a new house on the island. Kane, can you help me?”

Kane snorted loudly, as if he was excited by my request.

,Sure, camping is next to settling down. I’ll even build you a fireplace if you want!”

While Rakar and I were giggling at Kane, who looked like he was about to grab his tools and run to the island, unlike his usual lazy self, Aria asked in an excited voice.

,Then what are you going to use the other one for? You have two in total.”

At first, I thought about using it for my own benefit, but after learning what Bella had done, I changed my mind.

Even if there came a situation where I couldn’t help them, I was going to help my precious people grow so that they wouldn’t have a hard time or be in danger again.

After clearing my throat to get the club members’ attention, I looked at each of them in turn with a serious voice.

,If you guys want, I want to help you guys improve and grow even more than you are now. Because I’m your friend before I’m your club president.”

At my words, the club members looked at each other and then turned their attention to me.

,Of course, improving and growing will be difficult. But if you trust me and follow me, I can promise you this. You’ll think that becoming my friend was the best thing you ever did after entering the academy.”

They were extras who didn’t appear or were even mentioned in the novel, but they grow and develop with me and live their lives.

Just like Ross, who was a mediocre student, became the top student in the combat department and the runner-up in the academy. The club members, who were just nameless supporting characters, can now become the main characters in a new story.

Because this world was no longer a novel.

I deliberately filled my voice with confidence, and Rakar was the first to open his mouth, as always.

,The fact that the club president is bringing up something so serious means that he already has a plan to some extent. I trust the club president. No, I trust my friend Ross. I’ll join you.”

Rakar smiled and raised the fork with the fried chicken on it, as if to agree with me.

,Great! I wanted to become a great wizard by working hard! Please take care of me, my friend~!!!”

Aria’s pasta-twirling fork and ever-bright smile naturally brought a smile to my face.

,I’m definitely in favor too. I’m having fun living because of Ross right now, so let’s all keep this friendship going for a long time.”

Kane raised his fork with a smirk.

Luna, who was the last in line, looked around at the club members and raised her fork the highest, saying.

,I always trust Ross.”

I swallowed a laugh at Luna’s words. Isn’t it cheating to be this cute all the time?

I nodded. I was grateful that everyone agreed with my opinion. I raised my fork along with the club members and opened my mouth.

,Okay, everyone agreed, so I’m going to drag you all along without exception, as promised. If you get tired and sit down in the middle, I’m going to force you to get up, so be prepared.”

Everyone laughed as I playfully threatened them with my fork.

,Oh, and I’m going to use one of the wish tickets for Aria first. I’m going to recommend Aria as Professor Leora’s disciple.”

Like Roel’s hero party, we will be a party for everyone’s happiness. To do that, we had to level up first. If Aria became Professor Leora’s disciple with the wish ticket, it wouldn’t be a waste at all.

Ellie’s talent was so great that she was considered one of the best geniuses, but Aria was also a talented student who participated in the duel.

,Wh, what?! Pr, Professor Leora…?!”

Aria, who seemed shocked by my sudden words, dropped the fork she was holding and looked at the club members with surprised eyes.

Professor Leora, who became the vice-principal of the academy at a young age, is considered to have a high chance of becoming a great wizard, like Nelson.

The fact that Professor Leora became the principal after Nelson’s death in the novel explained how outstanding of a magician she was.

So, Aria was surprised to hear that she would become Professor Leora’s disciple.

,I just said it. I’m going to help you grow.”

When I said that with a smile, Aria replied in a trembling voice.

,B, but Professor Leora is too scary!”

,Huh…”

I couldn’t help but let out a hollow laugh at Aria’s words. I thought she was happy, but she was just scared.

Aria, who was subtly watching my reaction, made a hehe sound and mumbled weakly.

,But it’s for my sake… I’ll try to bear it even if I’m scared…!”

The way she frowned showed that she was really scared of Professor Leora. Come to think of it, I always felt intimidated in front of Professor Leora too.

The way she stares at you with a stern expression, as if she’s looking at a criminal… It’s a little scary.

,I’ll find a way for the other club members, so please wait a little longer.”

The club members, except for Aria, nodded at my words.

,Club president, don’t feel too pressured~”

At Kane’s words, Aria glared at him and asked tentatively.

,Kane, you’re not saying that because you’re worried it’ll be a hassle, are you?”

,Wh, what are you talking about.”

,Ross, make sure Kane has to do twice as hard as me!”

,Hmph, anything would be better than Professor Leora~”

Listening to the two of them bickering again, we had a pleasant meal.