Ch.134Election (3)

Two first-years.

Six second-years.

A total of eight students are engaged in a death match for the positions of president and vice president of the Stellarium Student Council.

The second-year seniors, who would soon become third-years, sighed as they looked at the list of finalists.

[First-years]

[Eidel von Rheinland]

[Zernya von und zu Trisha Adelbein]

“Adelbein and Rheinland…”

“What’s with the freshmen this year?”

“At this rate, first-years will take both the president and vice president positions.”

At Stellarium, there’s an unspoken but firmly established rule that capable first-years occasionally become vice president, while second-years definitively secure the presidency.

But look at this magnificent lineup that no one expected.

One is the next head of the great Adelbein family, and the other is a hero who sent 300 foreign gods packing.

Moreover, both are top students in their respective departments, gorgeous enough to rival celebrities, and their campaign promises are impressive.

They can’t help but receive substantial support.

It’s said that first-years are already arguing among themselves about whether Eidel or Zernya will become president.

“If things continue like this, we’ll all lose.”

And so, an emergency countermeasure meeting was convened.

The second-year candidates sat around a round table like knights before battle, whispering among themselves.

“The support for those two freshmen is extraordinary. At this rate, none of us will be elected.”

“So what should we do?”

“If our probability approaches zero, let’s raise it to 1/6 instead.”

“Consolidation?”

“You mean consolidate the candidates?”

The senior leading the meeting had a gleam in his eyes.

“First-years are still inexperienced. They don’t know the school system well, and even if they have student council experience, it’s lacking compared to everyone gathered here. Therefore, I believe this is something we second-years should handle.”

He naturally created a sense of solidarity around being “second-years.” By building this fence, he subtly encouraged competition and hostility toward the first-years. Divide and conquer—a basic quality of politicians.

“But you know, I think both of them might do better than us…”

“Just because someone’s popular doesn’t mean they should be elected—would you make an idol the president? One is a medical student, and the other only does research. They’re already busy with their own work; they won’t have time to handle proposals coming from everywhere.”

Zernya and Eidel would scoff if they heard this, but their reaction wasn’t what mattered.

The priority was to unite the second-year candidates.

“Right now, the student council election has become a popularity contest because of family names. I wonder how many students actually vote based on campaign promises.”

The senior leading the meeting spoke calmly.

“Everyone, have you seen the promises made by our Rheinland junior?”

“I haven’t yet. What are they?”

“About half were related to graduate studies. Setting up a graduate school admission counseling center, comfortable meeting rooms with professors, adding research lab search functions to the school’s anonymous forum…”

Other promises included jointly reviewing tuition fees with the graduate student council, constructing a massive moving walkway connecting the college and graduate school, increasing the frequency of colloquiums, and so on.

“Are these really promises for college students?”

“Oh. Not bad.”

A senior who occasionally mentioned plans to attend graduate school for political science expressed admiration.

“If it’s a promise targeting third-years planning for graduate school, that’s pretty clever.”

“Let’s continue without this lunatic.”

And he was promptly shut down.

“Ahem.”

The senior at the center of the round table cleared his throat and brought the discussion back on track.

“As you all know, the voter turnout for third-years who are about to graduate is low. Conversely, our second-year turnout is the highest. If we consolidate, we can secure the student council president position.”

“So, who do we consolidate behind?”

“That’s what we need to decide now.”

***

[Well then, we’ll consolidate behind Sinclair. The rest of you, please submit your resignations by this Saturday.]

She heard everything.

The second-years’ movements, their judgments.

“How boring.”

It was so boring she wanted to die.

To have to win the student council presidency against such fools in an election—there could be no greater humiliation. Zernya clicked her tongue briefly as she removed the eavesdropping earpiece.

“No matter how many minnows gather, they’re still just minnows.”

Even if a salmon swims upstream with all its might, it’s over the moment it gets scooped up by a bear’s paw.

Zernya couldn’t help but smirk. Her smile was unmistakably that of a bear.

All that remained was to devise a plan to divide them. As she pondered various strategies, a voice reached her.

[“How interesting. Using eavesdropping just to win an election.”]

Was it from the side? From behind? Or perhaps from above?

[“I’m speaking directly into your mind.”]

“W-who are you?”

A voice she had never heard before in her life. Startled, Zernya stepped backward and tripped over a desk leg.

[“Oh my, you should be careful.”]

“D-damn it.”

[“Your palm is slightly scraped. Wait a moment. I’ll heal it for you right away.”]

Zernya stared blankly at her palm.

Starlight was flowing through it.

“Ah…”

The pain from where she had scraped her hand gradually subsided with a cooling sensation. Looking closely, she could see new skin forming.

Healing, healing.

She had seen Professor Rheinland do it before, but this was her first time experiencing it directly.

[“Were you very surprised?”]

“You’re a constellation, aren’t you?”

She unconsciously used formal speech. It was a kind of reverence.

“Why did you come to me?”

She asked reflexively.

[“I was just passing by and happened to see you. I was simply curious. But you don’t seem to be such a good child.”]

Definitely a constellation. The immediate moral judgment proved it.

It was laughable. She hadn’t killed anyone; she had merely eavesdropped on opponents to win.

[“That’s the problem. It’s wrong.”]

“You don’t understand.”

Zernya absolutely had to win this election. To build a foundation of fame comparable to Eidel’s.

[“Winning isn’t everything. Why don’t you try doing as I say?”]

“No thanks.”

[“Aren’t you looking for constellations? If you keep acting like this, even the constellations approaching you will all run away.”]

“This is my business, and I’ll handle it myself. If you have nothing else to say, please go somewhere else.”

Something, instinctively, she felt it.

Making a contract with this constellation would be troublesome in many ways.

It probably wasn’t even one of the constellations corresponding to the twelve zodiac signs. Only those would be worth contracting with.

[“Well then, for now…”]

Surprisingly, the constellation withdrew without resistance. She left with words suggesting she would return later.

“…”

Something was strange about that constellation.

First, it didn’t reveal its name.

Second, it didn’t mention artificial constellations.

Especially the second point. Demanding adherence to petty morals while saying nothing about artificial constellations? Something was off.

“How annoying.”

Zernya examined her palm where new skin had formed. It was fine. But something felt unsettling. So she went to the bathroom and scrubbed her hands thoroughly.

Just then, she saw Eidel approaching from the opposite direction.

Perfect timing.

She had something to confront him about.

***

“You should just focus on research. Why waste your precious time running for student council president?”

Once again, I find myself being confronted today.

Heavens above. What am I to do with this white rose? Must I truly remove all its thorns if there’s no other solution?

[“I could soak it for you if you want.”]

No, that won’t do. Cartesia, stay out of this.

[— The God of Wisdom and Curiosity clicks his tongue.]

Asking a foreign god for favors is like a monkey’s paw.

They always take something dangerous in return. That’s why asking for favors without insurance is taboo, no matter what.

Zernya continued with fierce eyes.

“Withdraw now. Don’t waste your valuable time.”

“I don’t want to.”

But surprisingly, my polling numbers are quite good.

Although I started this to prevent Zernya from meeting foreign gods and becoming corrupted, I also have many policies I’d like to implement as student council president.

Especially considering that talented researchers like Mezulen Hueritia and Welton Yusoford will be entering next year. As their senior, shouldn’t I pave the way for them?

“I hope we have a good competition.”

“…Don’t tell me. You entered deliberately to compete with me?”

Zernya widened her eyes like a rabbit, then twisted her lips.

What is she suddenly talking about?

Well, it is a competition, but…

“Hmm.”

[— Psychological state: Feeling good about being recognized as a rival.]

I blinked and touched my forehead.

Strange. Just three seconds ago, she was incredibly angry. I can never understand what this person is thinking.

“Hey, why are you here anyway?”

“I came to pick up the promotional pamphlets I ordered.”

Elections are war.

In war, what’s important is people (manpower), ammunition (promotion), and oil (gossip).

Strategic reserves are better in abundance. People need maximum exposure to me and my promises to decide whether to vote for me.

Of course, picking up pamphlets isn’t the only reason I came here.

A meeting disguised as coincidence.

I lower my head slightly and lean my face toward Zernya.

“Zernya.”

“W-what’s with you suddenly?”

“I have something to tell you.”