Chapter 54 – Stormy Election for Student President (3)

Darling was led by the waiter to a table on an entirely different floor from where Adela and I had been seated.

“Leave that basket with the restaurant staff. You can collect it later,” she instructed.

“Yes, I’ll take care of—eek!!!”

Quite the affluent one, isn’t she? It was somewhat fascinating to observe.

Not even a decade ago, she had been cheerfully digging potatoes in a corner of the lord’s castle garden.

Now, as an adult, Darling sat naturally in her chair, legs crossed, comfortable in giving orders to subordinates as if wearing a perfectly tailored outfit. If only that footstool wasn’t beneath her chair, she’d have looked far more impressive. I wonder why she hasn’t grown taller.

“What impertinent thoughts are you having, shopkeeper? Your gaze is offensive.”

“I wasn’t thinking anything at all.”

I casually took a seat opposite her. The waiter presented me with a menu listing the courses, but I waved it away.

Adela was waiting, so I’d just have a brief conversation and then leave.

“So, what were you saying earlier?”

“You mean about my lack of interest in the student council presidency?”

“Yes.”

Despite being a third-year, Darling had shown no interest in the position of student council president. It was surprising, given the potential profits from the student council, especially considering her past interest in the academy’s concessions.

Lifting a teacup gracefully with her gloved hand, Darling answered my question.

“There are several reasons, but primarily, I’m already quite occupied. The student council may be a tempting fruit, but I’d rather not take on more responsibilities.”

“I see.”

“Moreover, the financial gains aren’t that significant when you really consider it. Farencia Academy is ultimately royal property, so how much could one truly embezzle or profit?”

“Like accepting bribes in exchange for offering the store as a contest prize?”

“I have no idea what you’re talking about.”

A natural denial, as expected.

“But one thing’s certain: if the princess gains that authority, such methods will become even harder to employ in the future.”

“That’s reassuring.”

“Personally, I’d prefer if that dimwit, the second daughter of Rochear, took over the position.”

Indeed. If Erzebert were elected, it’s highly unlikely she’d abuse the student council’s power to sell off royal property or engage in unfair profiteering. This would certainly be unfavorable for Darling, who had been manipulating the academy from behind the scenes.

“Have I satisfied your curiosity?”

“I think I have a good grasp now.”

“Then it’s my turn to ask a question.”

Swoosh.

Under the tablecloth, Darling’s delicate foot brushed against my leg.

She seemed to be aiming for seduction, but in reality, her trembling toes barely made contact. Nevertheless, her gaze was fierce, filled with suspicion as she stared at me.

“What’s your relationship with the second daughter of Rochear?”

“Adela?”

“It’s surprising that you, who have consistently used my title and honorifics for seven years, are so familiar with a count’s daughter. You must be exceptionally close.”

“……”

An amuse-bouche was placed before Darling. Ignoring it completely, she waited for my response.

There was no need to reveal my relationship with Adela here and cause unnecessary complications. I glanced down at her waiting on the lower floor.

“We have no…”

I was about to say “no relationship” when I hesitated.

Adela sat with her hands on her knees, not having touched her prepared appetizer. Suddenly, her past that I had glimpsed from the Lit-Vice test papers flashed through my mind.

“Sigh.“

“Shopkeeper!?”

I stood up. Before Darling could jump up and say something, I took her hand and asked:

“How dare you not answer my question…!”

“Shall I address you by name as well, Baroness?”

“Huh?”

Well, why not? It’s not that difficult.

“Darling. Is that acceptable?”

“N-no, I mean…”

Recalling the etiquette of the Bachlan duchy that Nova had taught me, I cupped my hand and slightly bowed to meet her gaze. She stuttered, seemingly caught off guard.

Then—

“Shopkeeper…”

“Yes?”

“When we’re alone… you may call me that.”

She nodded, stretching out my title in an odd pronunciation.

***

“Did I keep you waiting long?”

“Ah, Teacher…!”

As I approached, Adela regained her energy, much like a puppy reunited with its owner. As we began our meal, she chattered away as usual, sharing all sorts of trivial stories she hadn’t been able to tell before.

“…and you know what, Teacher? I almost failed my last subject, but the exam questions were exactly what you taught us!!”

“Of course, I created those questions.”

Small talk. Not bad at all.

As we were finishing our meal, I asked Adela why she wanted to run for student council president. She blushed slightly and answered, “It’s a secret.”

Is she aiming for power?

Considering she no longer had a chance at the position of head of the Rochear family, she might be looking for a new path.

But if she wanted a path, there was a quicker and easier one.

“Adela.”

“Yes?”

“What about your unique magic?”

“Oh…!”

Had she forgotten about it?

Despite the pure mana I had painstakingly extracted and refined for her by drawing out the karma, she still couldn’t use it at all.

Since the only unique magic inherited by blood was from the Rochear line, I wasn’t sure exactly how Adela could awaken it. I had merely tried to create a condition where karma wasn’t present.

Would Terra or Lehel’s insight help her make progress?

As I pondered whether to ask the headmaster soon, Adela placed some grilled eel on my plate as the final dish of our meal.

“Teacher…”

“Yes?”

“You know… my karma has started accumulating again.”

“Already? Did you fight a monster or something?”

That’s odd. It’s still too early for freshmen to go on field training. After returning from the North Sea and studying for midterms, Adela shouldn’t have had any reason to accumulate karma… unless she harbored extreme hatred or malice against someone.

“Hmm, so then…”

Will we need to set another date soon? Adela seemed to share my thought as she scooped up a generous portion of cream spinach with foie gras and placed it on my plate.

I had never seen her share her food before.

“So, Teacher… I know we couldn’t today, but could we go on a date next time? Any time you suggest is fine with me.”

“……”

It was a straightforward and quite flustering statement. I couldn’t easily respond.

There were several reasons, but primarily, the word “date” was entirely foreign to me, both earlier at the front gate and now.

Frankly, I had no idea what it entailed.

Would dipping our feet in a sulfur spring in the Demon Realm or tearing apart gargoyle wings to fan each other count as a date?

I’d never done anything like that with anyone in this world, not even Eris, let alone on Earth.

Of course, Adela would probably agree to go surfing in the monster-infested North Sea if it meant being with me… but I still needed to mentally prepare myself.

“Teacher…?”

“Later. I’ll think about it later.”

For now, I postponed that plan.

“You need to focus on the election, right? I’ll give you some advice, so if you’re going to do it, do it properly.”

“Okay…”

Adela nodded reluctantly, seemingly accepting my reasoning.

***

Today was perhaps the most important day in Erzebert’s life.

Now trailing in the opinion polls, she had only two opportunities to captivate the students’ attention: the candidate speeches where she would present her vision for the academy’s future.

The auditorium was packed with students, to the point where there wasn’t enough room for everyone to sit. The front rows were filled with high-ranking nobles close to the royal family, such as marquises and counts, while the back rows were occupied by lower-ranking nobles.

Even Lehel, who had been rubbing her sleepy eyes after staying up late at the racetrack, stood behind the podium with the rest of the faculty, watching the candidates’ speeches.

Erzebert surveyed the crowd gathered there, steeling her resolve.

If I can win them over here, victory is certain.

Yes, the pre-election opinion poll was more like a popularity contest. But surely they wouldn’t elect their representative based solely on popularity?

Every student here was a noble and a mage. They were intellectuals who could pursue practicality, deduce rationality, and gauge propriety.

Finally, when it was her turn, Erzebert confidently stepped up to the podium.

“I am Erzebert Brunhard, candidate for student council president in this election.”

Clap, clap, clap, clap!!

Clap, clap, clap, clap!!

Welcomed by familiar faces, she began her speech. Drawing upon her lifelong studies in imperial politics and the wisdom of sages, she logically laid out why she was essential for the position of Farencia Academy’s student council president.

She covered the political and diplomatic benefits, the positive cycle of the kingdom’s economy, the development direction of the academy, and the welfare of each student.

Her confident demeanor, clear enunciation, persuasive arguments, and historical evidence supporting her points made Erzebert’s logic flawless.

When she finished, the students erupted into thunderous applause, and some nobles even shed tears.

Even the picky Lehel momentarily took her eyes off the crystal ball that was streaming the Demon Lord tournament.

“Well done, Princess.”

“Your eloquence was superb. It seems the result is already decided.”

“No, it’s not over yet.”

She gently dismissed the flattering nobles who approached her as soon as she stepped down from the podium, then took her seat.

Next, it was Adela’s turn.

Click, click.

Unlike Erzebert, who had woken up two hours earlier than usual to perfect her makeup for today, Adela was dressed as she always was.

In fact, she seemed quite unsteady on her feet, possibly due to nerves.

“A-ah. Should I start now? Umm, so… I wrote this with help… It’s something from an old literature collection…? I think it’s relevant to the future direction of Farencia Academy. Let’s see… The Com… munist Manifesto?”

Barely a few minutes into Adela’s speech—

“People of the world… hear me.”

The previously silent auditorium quickly descended into chaos.

The Holy Grail, just within Erzebert’s grasp, was kicked away by Adela, ladder and all.