Chapter 393

St. Lepheria Academy, with its thousand-year history.

A new club, one that had never existed before, was established there.

The Special Vigilante Activities Department.

There were only three founding members.

President Camian, Vice President Annette, and member Leon.

However, it was a dazzling combination, unbelievable for a newly established club.

Because all members were part of the 4th-year Golden Generation Royal Class.

Another thing that caught the eye was the motto of the Special Vigilante Activities Department.

– We will protect the academy with our own hands.

A motto that seemed more fitting for a lawless zone.

However, no one could laugh it off.

Because in reality, for the past few years, the academy had been a place on the brink of crisis, with incidents and accidents erupting whenever one forgot.

Still.

It was also true that for at least the past six months, it had been peaceful without any incidents.

Humans are animals that forget the past and repeat the same mistakes, so those who quickly grew accustomed to the peace subtly criticized the establishment of the Special Vigilante Activities Department behind their backs.

– Is there really a need to do that when we’re finally enjoying some peace?

– I know, right? It’s not like they’re waiting for a problem to occur.

– Are they going to take responsibility if they bring bad luck?

– Aren’t they just trying to get noticed by the professors?

But regardless of what others whispered, Camian and the members didn’t care.

Instead, they boldly began their actual vigilante activities.

Their main activity was patrolling different parts of the school after classes.

It wasn’t just patrolling.

It was carefully observing every nook and cranny of the academy.

Students who just lived their daily lives wouldn’t know.

But it’s different if you carefully observe your surroundings every day.

You develop the power to intuitively grasp even the slightest sense of unease or change.

And that effort did not betray them.

They began to successively solve the incidents that actually started occurring on campus from the new semester.

– A person who disguised themselves as a staff member and tried to secretly plant an explosion magic in Annex 1 was caught by President Camian of the Special Vigilante Activities Department while fleeing and was apprehended!

– A Red Rain mole hiding among the freshmen was arrested thanks to a report from Vice President Annette of the Special Vigilante Activities Department!

– A person who disguised themselves as a food delivery person and tried to secretly spread poison in the cafeteria was subdued on the spot by member Leon of the Special Vigilante Activities Department!

A series of surprising news.

And the Special Vigilante Activities Department was always in that news.

Only then did the students look at the Special Vigilante Activities Department with new eyes.

Eyes of surprise and admiration.

The popularity of the Special Vigilante Activities Department soared, and the number of students wanting to join also noticeably increased.

That was the current situation.

*Swarm, swarm.*

Students were currently lined up in front of the Special Vigilante Activities Department clubroom.

It was a line to join the club.

“Did you hear?”

“What?”

“President Camian was actually Senior Max’s most cherished junior.”

“What? That Senior Max?”

“Yes, that legendary Senior Max.”

That was right.

Max’s name had already become a legend in the academy.

From a troublemaking underachiever to a top student, the main figure who solved various incidents and accidents, a hero who ended the imperial civil war, and finally, even became a duke, it was natural that he became a legend.

The campus legend (?) of him always being surrounded by beautiful seniors, juniors, and classmates, born out of envy and jealousy, might have contributed a little.

“Huh, then it was natural that he was an amazing person?”

“That’s right.”

Camian’s reputation rose automatically.

It wasn’t just Camian.

“You only know one thing and not the other. Vice President Annette was also Senior Max’s most adored junior.”

Someone interjected as if they knew something others didn’t.

“What? Vice President Annette too?”

“Yes, it’s confirmed information. She’s my type, so I investigated thoroughly.”

“…You should go.”

“Huh?”

“You investigated thoroughly but you don’t even know who Vice President Annette’s boyfriend is?”

“Ah, that? It’s fine. I gave up cleanly after fasting for three days and nights.”

“…”

Students sent looks of condolence.

“W-Well, anyway, then it was natural that Vice President Annette was an amazing person.”

“I know, right? How did she see through the mole like that? I didn’t feel anything suspicious at all.”

“Her eyes are different, As expected of Senior Max’s most adored junior.”

Annette’s reputation also rose automatically.

“What, then the Special Vigilante Activities Department was a club full of amazing people from the start?”

Leon, the Lightning Spear, one of the current academy’s strongest, didn’t even need to be mentioned, so such a conclusion was inevitable.

“Of course. That’s why they accomplished such amazing things, right?”

Just as the students were realizing the greatness of the Special Vigilante Activities Department anew.

The door opened.

“Sorry. You’ve been waiting long, haven’t you? Everyone, come in.”

Annette spoke with a kind smile.

And so, the students entered the clubroom.

It was a fairly spacious clubroom.

It was astounding that only three people had been using such a clubroom until now.

As if they had anticipated a large increase in members from the beginning.

“Well, well, would everyone like to take a seat?”

A clubroom properly equipped with desks and a blackboard.

The students hesitantly sat down.

Annette handed out club application forms to those students one by one.

“There are pens on the desks, so you can use those. Name, date, and signature at the bottom.”

*Scribble, scribble, scribble.*

The students, having already made up their minds, filled out the application forms without complaint.

“Hehe, good.”

Annette let out a pleased laugh.

This Special Vigilante Activities Department was Camian’s own idea.

At first, there were worries.

Only Leon had agreed to join, and above all, there was the worry of whether they could do it properly.

But in the end, Camian proved that his idea was right.

They successively solved dangerous incidents on campus and were proudly recognized by both students and staff.

A job done properly, as if to show off, even without Senior Max.

As his girlfriend, Annette couldn’t help but feel truly proud.

“Ah, then shall we start with introductions? I’m Annette Reinel, a 4th year and the Vice President of the SVAD. Of course, SVAD is short for Special Vigilante Activities Department.”

*Clap, clap, clap!*

Applause flowed out.

It wasn’t just a formal applause.

They were looking at her with the gaze one has when seeing an admirable person directly in front of them.

Next, Leon, who had been standing with his arms crossed on one side, stepped forward.

“I’m Leon Benesse, a 4th year and a founding member of the SVAD. I look forward to working with you.”

*Clap, clap, clap, clap!*

The students welcomed him with applause again.

And the last, of course, was the president, Camian.

Camian stood in front of the blackboard.

He certainly looked bigger than before.

It wasn’t that he was taller.

The aura he exuded had become stronger.

Proof that he had grown even more in the meantime.

His voice was also overflowing with confidence.

“I am Camian Croycher, the president of the SVAD. First, I would like to express my gratitude to the juniors who have decided to join us anew. And…”

A short greeting and a brief explanation about the club.

*Clap, clap, clap, clap, clap!*

The biggest applause erupted.

It might have been the president’s aura.

Camian raised his hand to stop the applause.

“It’s the first day, but there’s something I absolutely want to say.”

Having said that, Camian gestured to Annette.

“Okay.”

Annette nodded and brought something to attach to the blackboard.

“What’s that?”

“A-A map?”

The students reacted as if it were out of the blue.

Just as they reacted, what Annette attached to the blackboard was a map.

A map of the academy.

“This map is our area of activity. I’ll hand out a copy to each of you after this, so please make sure to take one. And it’s a rule of our club to always carry it with you.”

Only then did the students, understanding the meaning of the map, look convinced.

However.

“Um… Do we really need a map so inconveniently? I know the campus geography well by now.”

A male student raised his hand and voiced his opinion.

Several other students nodded in agreement with his opinion.

It was understandable.

Always carrying a map was certainly inconvenient.

Besides, unless they were freshmen, it was true that they were familiar with the campus geography.

But.

Camian’s expression became stern.

“How much do you know? Do you know where the Principal’s office is?”

“W-Well, I’ve never had a reason to go there…”

“Can you tell me the fastest route from here to the Castle of Illusions?”

“I-I didn’t attend the ball…”

“Then, which is closer to the main building, the Tower of Infinity or Annex 2?”

“T-That’s…”

“What exactly do you know?”

“…”

The male student’s face turned red, and his mouth clamped shut like a clam.

He had boasted in front of everyone that he knew the geography well, but he had been humiliated by not being able to answer a single question correctly.

“And you think you can carry out SVAD activities properly with that?”

“…”

The male student hung his head.

Camian’s gaze turned to the other students.

“Everyone, listen carefully. What I’m talking about is basic. It’s natural to think it’s easy because it’s basic. But how was it in reality? You couldn’t answer a single question correctly. If you think something is perfect just because it seems easy, that’s arrogance.”

*Thump, thump!*

Camian forcefully tapped the map attached to the blackboard.

“The reason I’m emphasizing the basic map isn’t just for SVAD activities. Thoughts follow sight. Because human sight is narrow, thinking tends to see only the trees. In such cases, it’s helpful to consciously look from a higher place. Like looking at a map like this. If you can see the forest, your thoughts will naturally open up. And only when your thoughts are open can you deal well with unexpected emergencies. That is precisely the quality an SVAD member must possess.”

“…”

The students became solemn at the admonition filled with deep reflection.

On the other hand.

*Squeeze.*

“U-Umm…”

Annette was pinching her thigh, barely suppressing the laughter that threatened to escape.

Because those showy words were an exact replica of what Senior Max had said a few months ago.

He had been clueless back then, but now he was using them with such a profound expression, so she couldn’t help but laugh.

“So, not only should you always carry the map, but I hope you will familiarize yourselves with the geography and broaden your thinking by looking at the map whenever you have time. Understood?”

“Yes!”

A resounding answer flowed out.

Camian had properly established his authority as president from the very first day of joining.

“I will organize and inform you of your assigned areas soon. For reference, the assignments will be rotated. That way, everyone will become more familiar with the geography of more places.”

“Yes!”

“That’s all then. You can receive your maps and leave for today.”

* * *

“Camian, that was cool.”

Annette smiled brightly.

“…I was so nervous, my back is soaked in sweat.”

Camian finally let out a relaxed breath.

“Can I do well like this?”

unbecoming of the dignified president.

In fact, this was closer to his true self.

Shown only to close acquaintances.

“Hmph, now that the new members we aimed for have joined, we’re halfway there. For the rest, we just need to run like crazy, focusing on one thing, just like now.”

Leon said.

A grateful friend who had joined in establishing the SVAD along with Annette.

Without Annette and Leon, the achievements the SVAD had made so far would have been impossible.

“Yeah, now that we have more members, we can do even better. So we won’t be ashamed in front of Senior.”

Annette clenched her fists.

As if his girlfriend’s fighting spirit had revived his own, Camian’s eyes sparkled, and a smile touched his lips.

“Alright, this time, I have to hear Senior say I did really well. By protecting the academy with our own hands.”

In fact, what Max had asked for was precisely the inside of the Holy City, but Camian was focusing only on academy matters.

That decision also stemmed from the advice Max had given.

The advice to honestly ask for everyone’s help.

The advice that it would become the juniors’ strength.

According to that advice, they neither needed nor had the ability to handle everything themselves.

They honestly requested help from the Church through the Principal, and also asked for help from graduated seniors, including Elaine.

Those helps were playing a decisive role in blocking ominous movements outside the academy.

“Yes, definitely.”

“I’ll do my best.”

The three friends’ resolve echoed in the clubroom.

* * *

*Flip.*

I checked the calendar.

The second semester had already progressed quite a bit.

It meant that the protagonist’s final semester, which I anticipated as the deadline, was also gradually coming to an end.

The good thing was.

‘It seems the juniors are doing well.’

A smile formed on my lips.

The fact that no urgent news had come from the surface yet meant that the juniors were doing a good job with what I had asked.

As a senior who had practically raised them, I felt a sense of pride.

Anyway.

The remaining time was dwindling.

But it was alright.

The preparations were already complete.

Now.

‘Just wait calmly.’

I calmly composed my mind.