Chapter 139

Chapter 139

From Cosmic Rascal to Professor.

Episode 139: I Am The President And You Are… (2).

Let’s take a long-term view of life. Let’s measure ourselves by achievements, not just grades, so we don’t fall behind those ahead of us.

“Starting today, you have to stick with me for a year. Absolutely no separating or acting alone. That’s the President’s order. Got it?”

“I wasn’t planning on separating anyway.”

“…Huh?”

They had different dreams.

Zelnya wanted to surpass Aidel.

Aidel intended to prevent Zelnya’s rampage.

They both thought of becoming watchdogs for each other.

Thus, a new student council was about to launch.

The handover—a mandatory procedure when the old student council passes the baton to the new one.

It’s a time when new heads of each department are appointed, student council regulations are taught, and tips are passed on in a friendly atmosphere.

Such an environment should be cultivated.

“But seriously! We can handle this ourselves, you know?”

The new President’s stubbornness was beyond imagination.

“Freshmen, you are still in your first year.”

“So what if we are in our first year?”

“If you had any experience in the student council, it might be different, but getting elected without knowing anything will lead to problems during the actual work. It’s better to fill director positions with experienced second-year students.”

“Again, Reinhardt and I will take care of that.”

The old student council president, nearing the end of his term, and the fresh upstart—locked in conflict.

In their grand power struggle, the subordinates are the ones feeling uneasy.

Of course, those subordinates include me, the current vice president.

As we exchanged glances, she and I awkwardly smiled and moved closer.

“Freshman, you must be having a hard time,” she said sympathetically.

“Not at all. By the way, I couldn’t drink water this morning…”

“Ah, there’s tea and snacks over here.”

While Zelnya and the current President—two fierce predators—were locked in heated debate, two herbivores slipped into a side room to chat.

“As the vice president, you can also take on a president position. The Welfare Department or Disaster Safety Response Department are the best. Just avoid the External Cooperation Department or the General Affairs Department; they’re hell…”

The vice president seemed like a good person.

It’s the higher-ups that are the problem.

“Ha, seriously.”

The current student president spat out those words as he flung the door open. He narrowed his eyes when he saw the vice president and me together.

“Reinhardt, I’d like to hear your thoughts too.”

So, since talking to Zelnya didn’t work, he came to me.

“What do you think about placing student council-experienced individuals in the director positions of each department?”

His tone was quite overbearing.

“I think it’s fine.”

However, I had to add one more thing.

“I think it would be good if about half of the current seniors inherit the positions. Even among the current first-year students, some are part of the student council, and even if they lack experience, it’s possible to discover talented individuals.”

“Half, you say… At least you’re reasonable.”

“Did Zelnya say there was no room for compromise?”

“Yes. She said that the new executive committee needs new directors, and she’s planning to appoint first-year students who have no experience.”

That makes sense. Zelnya thinks she’s the best, so why would she need directors?

Zelnya wants puppets.

At the same time, she’s wary of disrupting the order.

So, she’s trying to oust the existing veterans and completely overhaul the system.

“Haha, there shouldn’t be generational conflict in places like this.”

“I have known Zelnya for a long time. I will try to persuade her somehow.”

“If you, the vice president, say so, I couldn’t ask for more.”

“It’s all for the student council.”

Also, it’s for Zelnya.

I gave her a signal with my eyes. She frowned deeply. As I stepped out of the President’s office, she quickly followed.

“What do you want to talk about?”

“Let’s hand over the four departments.”

“What are you talking about?”

Although it wasn’t exactly politics, Zelnya’s gaze sharpened as if we were in a real political struggle. It was the expression of someone who felt like her territory was being taken away.

“You said it yesterday: ‘I got this position through my efforts. So, I won’t give my authority to anyone.’”

“What if the approval ratings drop?”

“If every policy succeeds, they won’t drop.”

“……”

I see what she’s trying to do.

Creating loyal subjects.

By handling everything herself, she makes those budget leeches who do nothing shout, ‘Wow, the president is amazing!’ and plans to expand her influence with that.

Oh, this type is perfect for getting exploited in group projects.

But Zelnya is different.

She has the capability for it and has done it before, rising to the top of a small society called Stellarium.

“Hey.”

She pouted, raising her chin.

“I’m the President, and you’re the vice president. Got it?”

“Yep.”

“As the vice president, you should listen to and respect the President’s words. We might be friends outside, but here, it’s superior and subordinate. Do you understand?”

“Since you’re a subordinate, you can get advice too.”

“What did you say?”

“The student council president represents the students. You’re not the owner. If you exclude the second years and select mainly first-year rookies, what do you think the upperclassmen will think?”

Zelnya is smart; she must have caught on.

Still, let’s make it clear.

“Oh, that person won’t be re-elected.”

“……Re-elected?”

“Yeah. A first-year became the student council president. If it were you, couldn’t you hold the position for two years?”

“You and me, for two years…?”

Zelnya’s eyes darted around.

I could almost hear the gears turning in her head.

She placed her hand on her waist and nodded. Then, she began to circle me leisurely and asked directly.

“Are you going to run for election again next year?”

“Depends on how this year goes.”

You or me. Or perhaps the second-year students.

The subject was not specified.

Just that would make her thoughts more complicated.

Let’s throw a jab here.

“But will you be okay then? You enter the main course right after finishing pre-med. You won’t be able to do it because you’ll be busy.”

“What do you think of me? Of course, I can do it.”

Sure. She’s actually done it for two years.

However, by the end of the second term, a severe lame-duck period sets in. No—when the legs are completely gone, does the word “lame” even make sense?

“So what I’m saying is, even then, if you say you’ll do it, I have the confidence to face you willingly.”

“Okay, then I’ll run.”

“Whew…”

Zelnya’s expression brightened. She must like competing with me that much.

Actually, I’m going to overhaul the early graduation system and move on to graduate school.

If only I could find and deal with the Outer God that might cling to Zelnya, it would be perfect.

“Alright. If that’s what you want, I’ll do it. I’ll even give up my position for you.”

In the re-election, she was planning to secure the support of the current second-year students to beat me.

Sure, go ahead and be the student council president. I’m going to meet the professor.

Later, Zelnya negotiated with the current student council president and handed over the Secretariat, General Affairs Bureau, Internal Affairs Bureau, and Policy Personnel Bureau to the second-year students. Essentially, she gave away all the prime positions.

Other than that:

Culture Bureau.

Welfare Bureau.

Public Relations Bureau.

Sports Bureau.

College Cooperation Office.

These are relatively less important areas. Even if they don’t perform well, it won’t cause the council to disintegrate.

The plan is to discover talented first-year students and appoint them here. If not, just place second-year students.

And…

“The Department of External Cooperation and the Disaster Safety Management Bureau. Who do you think should handle these two?”

The council had two positions left.

The Department of External Cooperation is responsible for securing budgets and recruiting by negotiating with external entities like public or educational institutions.

The Disaster Safety Management Bureau is tasked with inspecting school security and monitoring for any signs of Outer Gods 24/7.

Just hearing about it makes me tired.

However…

“If no one else takes them, we’ll just move on…”

“I’ll take the Department of External Cooperation.”

It’s a sweet deal for me.

Why?

Because other universities also count as ‘external institutions.’

“……Reinhardt, are you serious?”

“Yes.”

“If you take on both the vice president position and the Department of External Cooperation, it might really kill you. How about taking the Public Relations or Athletic Department instead?”

“I’m thinking of bringing in people from the Arts and Physical Education departments for those.”

I need to help them with their portfolios, after all.

“And for the Disaster Safety Response Bureau, I know someone perfect among my acquaintances.”

Edward Meyer.

He had once been Aidel’s tutor—a temporary worker at Ergos General Academy—and was a year ahead of him during their academic days.

And now, he was a college mate.

Despite his talent in mathematics and his daily studies, he lacked the necessary credentials. He had mistakenly thought that simply mastering calculus and algebra would secure him a job at a company.

But he didn’t intend to go straight into employment.

He planned to go to graduate school.

He had promised Aidel that.

“Senior—no, Brother.”

“Yes, what brings you here?”

The Stellarium is a natural sciences building where various departments of the science college are housed under one large roof. Thus, the departments of physics and mathematics were adjacent, like neighboring houses.

Aidel crossed the building and found Edward in an empty classroom, engrossed in manifolds.

He got Edward’s attention by tousling his hair.

“Brother, have you thought about joining the student council?”

“Ha, the student council?”

“Yes. I’ll give you the Director’s position.”

“But my studies come first…”

“One of the student council’s pledges is to improve the treatment of graduate students.”

Edward Meyer.

That’s how he became the Director of the Disaster Safety Response Bureau.

“Thank you for your hard work.”

“See you next time!”

The quarrel with the seniors ended on a surprisingly warm note.

Zelnya and I left the building and strolled through the park. She seemed somewhat uncomfortable.

“Why did you choose the External Affairs Department?”

“Hmm?”

Why, you ask. Well, because it’s easier to meet professors from other schools there.

Half a joke, but there’s more to it than that.

“To invite Mega-corp to the job fair, we need to meet with their people first. I thought the External Relations Department would be the most appropriate place.”

“…You remembered my pledge?”

“Yes, because I’m the president’s lackey.”

Zelnya, who was walking ahead, suddenly stopped. With a chilling smile, she turned around.

“Hoo, hoo hoo. You know well. I’m the President, and you’re the vice president. I was already thinking of taking you to the Adelwein Group.”

“…?”

What is she suddenly talking about that sounds so terrifying?

Taking me directly to the Adelwein Group, which is practically a dark force? I’d rather slide down a tiger’s den.

“Shall we stop by a restaurant and part ways? To celebrate my election, this President will treat you.”

“Thank you, President. Thank you…”

Today, I figured I could use as much of my research budget as I had saved on food expenses, so I entered a fancy family restaurant, unexpectedly escorted by Zelnya.

The call from Rustila came just as I was halfway through chewing the onion Zelnya had left behind.