Ch.136Election (5)

“Excuse me, why haven’t you submitted your resignation letter?”

The unified candidate, senior Sinclair from the Department of Political Science and Foreign Affairs, raised his voice at the election headquarters with a hardened expression.

Zernya and I had stopped by to collect the election pickets when we witnessed this precious scene.

“Who hasn’t submitted it?”

“Not me.”

“Not me either.”

“I, I haven’t either…”

“Don’t you all know that none of you submitted it?”

The second-year senior raised his voice in apparent displeasure. I quietly took out my emergency popcorn from my pocket. And soon lost half of it to Zernya.

Crunching on the instant popcorn, Zernya started chuckling.

“What’s so funny?”

“Nothing. Just thinking how they’re falling apart without me even having to do anything.”

***

Human greed knows no bounds, and that applies to those in politics as well.

Although it’s just within the school, the position of student council president is one that fuels the desire for power.

Power struggles, splitting and separating, negative strategies—all at the student level. One must endure it all to sit on the throne.

And those who fail to see the bigger picture quickly become obsolete.

That’s exactly what was happening with the second-year students now.

“Really, how did it come to this…”

One hour before the public debate.

There are five candidates in total.

There should have been only three, but two candidates, blinded by the desire for the presidency, backstabbed Senior Sinclair. That’s how the current five-way race came to be.

It was an extremely favorable situation for Zernya or Eidel.

And the debate began without any particular twist.

After stating their main pledges, the candidates take turns attacking other candidates. The first right to attack went to a second-year senior.

Currently, Eidel has the highest approval rating.

He needed to attack him.

“Candidate Rheinland seems to have many pledges focusing on graduate school welfare. I wonder if the College Student Council should be concerned about this when there’s already a separate Graduate Student Council.”

Zernya nodded. It was a reasonable point.

“Those are pledges for third-year seniors who plan to enter graduate school. The seniors don’t have the right to be elected, but they do have voting rights. So we shouldn’t fill our pledges with policies that exclude them.”

“But such discussions should be held at the Graduate Student Council…”

“Seniors don’t immediately receive voting rights in the Graduate Student Council when they enroll. And in graduate courses, they’re too busy with research alone. Even if they have rights, they don’t have time to exercise them.”

“So the College should help them?”

“Yes. Because we use the same space, operate under the same administrative system, and learn from the same professors.”

“Even so, the budget issue…”

“I’ve already secured investments from professors.”

Eidel pulled out the materials he had prepared.

Graduate School Admission Counseling Office, Moving Walkway to Research Units, Graduate School Day Events, Research Lab Tours, Graduate School Promotional Video Production, Committee for Abolishing Graduate School Irregularities.

“I’ve secured this much support for various projects.”

“How did you… no, will that be enough?”

“If it’s not enough after trying, I’ll attract additional capital.”

“Wouldn’t it be better to focus that money on student welfare?”

“Specific budget allocations will be discussed with the finance department.”

“Your speaking time is up.”

The senior who attempted to attack Eidel was sunk instead. Bringing in more money—when someone with the Rheinland surname said such things, it didn’t sound like a false promise.

Next, Eidel took the right to attack.

The senior who had attacked Eidel gulped down water repeatedly. But Eidel didn’t even glance at him.

Zernya von Adelbein.

The eyes of the two first-years meet.

“You’ve proposed a pledge to restructure the school health insurance support. What specific plans do you have?”

As expected. Zernya smiled slyly. I knew you’d attack from there first.

Zernya quietly asked back.

“Do you know how the reimbursement procedure works for our school’s Student Health Association?”

“I’m not sure.”

Right, you wouldn’t know. You’re just a science freak who only knows research.

Let me tell you. What kind of injustices remain at Stellarium.

“First, you need to have been enrolled in the Federal Health Insurance for at least 2 years and use a hospital in the southern region. Pharmacies are excluded. Problems arise from here.”

“What problems?”

“Why do you need to be enrolled for 2 years? Why must you use only hospitals in the southern region?”

Zernya began explaining point by point.

“It’s fine for students born and raised within the Aether Belt because they recognize dependent status. Their parents pay the insurance premiums for them. But what about students from the border zones?”

Eidel’s mouth fell open. Even someone as research-obsessed as him could understand this much. Seeing his expression, Zernya continued her counterattack.

“They aren’t even eligible for health insurance coverage. Because public authority doesn’t reach that far. And after struggling to enter Stellarium, they can’t get reimbursed for their out-of-pocket expenses. Despite being the same! Academy! Students!”

Zernya pounded her chest as if frustrated.

“Moreover, reimbursement is only possible in the southern district. It’s regional discrimination! Because tax rates for hospitals are applied differently in each area! The school is using tricks! To save even a little money!”

In fact, most of Zernya’s behavior was an act.

The so-called crocodile tears.

It was comedic from the start that someone who grew up with a diamond spoon, lacking nothing, would say such things.

But some might see it differently.

“Wow, she has such deep thoughts.”

“Didn’t they say she’s only eighteen?”

“She’s much better than the previous student council that didn’t even discuss these issues.”

A wealthy young lady who isn’t even an adult yet has such admirable thoughts for the common people?

That’s the strategy.

“I’m going to change this. From 2 years to just 3 months of enrollment. I’ll ease the criteria so that reimbursement is possible at general hospitals in all regions of the Federation. I’ll also double the reimbursement limit.”

“…Is that realistically possible?”

“I can attract as much capital as needed.”

She repeated exactly what Eidel had said earlier. It was killing two birds with one stone—showing that Adelbein had as much financial power as Rheinland while also boosting her approval rating.

“As I’ve already mentioned, I plan to implement multiple pledges focusing on student health and rest. I’ve already prepared budgets for library nap areas and gym expansions.”

“Ohhh!”

“Woww…!”

The audience couldn’t hide their amazement. Good reaction. That exclamation—I’d like to hear more of it.

Eidel, after moistening his throat with water, resumed his attack.

“You also have a tuition freeze in your pledges. If you increase the reimbursement limit, won’t tuition have to rise somewhat?”

“I’ll discuss it well with the school.”

“Without specific plans, there’s a high possibility it will end up as an unplanned promise.”

“Here’s my thinking. Keep the total reimbursement amount for six semesters constant, but increase the amount per semester.”

“Isn’t that just robbing Peter to pay Paul?”

“It’s flexible management of medical funds.”

“Your speaking time is up.”

The two people who had been sparking against each other replenished their fluids. Their throats were burning. Zernya smiled crookedly.

Thump thump. Her heart was racing.

Why? Debating with you gives me a sense of exhilaration. It makes me feel alive.

“Next, we’ll give Candidate Sinclair the right to criticize an opposing candidate.”

At that, the expressions of the second-year seniors visibly hardened.

They must be feeling a sense of crisis.

“Who among the candidates seems good?”

“Aren’t the two first-years the best?”

“That silver-haired girl speaks incredibly well. I just saw her today, but I might vote for her.”

The fear of becoming a mere supporting candidate.

The anxiety of becoming experience points for the two first-years.

A debate level higher than expected.

Especially Zernya, who just scored many points. From her clear explanations to her decisive personality and kindness toward those from the border regions.

Zernya looked at Senior Sinclair.

For a moment, it overlapped with the image of a predator opening its jaws, making Sinclair’s lips go dry.

Come at me.

I’ll cut you down in return.

That’s what she seemed to be saying.

“…I’d like to ask Candidate Rheinland a question.”

He changed course toward Eidel, who seemed relatively milder. After all, he had the highest approval rating, so he needed to be challenged.

However, other candidates had already asked most of the reasonable questions, and Eidel had perfectly defended against them.

In short, there was nothing to pick on.

“A question, a question…”

“Go ahead.”

Sinclair bit his lip.

At this point, it was all or nothing.

“When you were researching resonators…”

“Yes?”

“There are rumors that you engaged in research misconduct.”

“What?”

Zernya frowned.

For a moment, she thought she had misheard.

“I’ve confirmed that you have personal connections with Professor Feynman and Professor Stranov from Iryuel Academy. I wonder if you improperly included your name in papers using these connections…”

It seems she hadn’t misheard.

Sinclair was questioning Eidel’s genius.

It wasn’t completely unreasonable. How could a first-year college student publish papers in <Universe>, and as the first author! And four of them in just one year! What kind of skill allows that!

Even professors find it difficult.

Could he have had outside help?

To someone who didn’t know, rumors might spread about black money changing hands.

But.

Zernya had clearly seen.

How hard he had worked during the summer vacation.

“I’d like to hear your explanation about this.”

“There’s nothing to explain.”

Thud.

Zernya slammed the desk to draw attention.

“Candidate Rheinland truly has nothing to explain regarding the research misconduct issue. Because he’s innocent.”

“Candidate Adelbein, it’s not your turn to answer…”

“It’s fine if I’m testifying, right?”

Everyone is inferior to Eidel, yet they dare to nitpick on such nonsense? Against my rival?

You’ve picked the wrong fight today.

“Now, give me the floor.”

Zernya gave the moderator a look. The moderator downed his water in one go and hastily nodded.

“I’ll give Candidate Adelbein the floor for, uh, testimony.”

“I visited the research lab with Candidate Rheinland before the summer semester. I have video footage of Candidate Rheinland and Professor Stranov researching together.”

“W-what?”

Sinclair flinched, and Eidel jumped up in surprise.

“W-why do y-you have that…?”

“Why? Because I was the one who recorded it.”

Zernya shrugged and raised her eyebrows.

“Then, I’ll submit the evidence tape.”

She placed the film on the table with a cold smile.

***

[Now, could you state your name and student ID for the camera?]

Ah.

Well, shit.