episode_0070

1.

“What is it, what is it, what is it, what is it…”

I was dumbfounded by this incomprehensible situation.

It was Thursday morning when I heard the prophecy.

But the date I heard this news, which I thought was known only to me, from someone else was two days after Thursday.

It was Saturday dessert time with the three people I usually see.

‘Guys, do you know that?’

‘what?’

‘There might be a Demon King at the Academy!’

‘Phew!’

‘Kwaaah!’

‘Sorry, Ignis!’

If you heard someone reveal a secret they’ve never told anyone, most people would react like this.

I was confused as to where it had leaked out and what mistake I had made.

I really thought that maybe a ghost had heard it and was spreading the rumor.

But I wanted to keep this secret… and this prophecy… somehow, so I taught them not to spread false rumors.

By the time Friday rolled around, the situation was already beyond repair.

If you look around.

“There’s a demon king at the academy?”

“Hey. Where did you hear that weird stuff again?”

He knows it too.

The topic of conversation among the children gathered in groups of three or five was.

“There’s a warrior among us?”

“Which kid said that?”

“Oh… Me?”

“I guess so?”

It’s a story about the identity of a warrior who has never been mentioned before.

The Demon King never mentioned the story of the hero, even if someone had overheard or leaked the prophecy.

It’s ridiculous.

“What…? The Demon King is in the Ministry of Magic? That can’t be true”

“No, listen carefully. The story that you broke into the Academy’s library to find the forbidden books is the most credible, right?”

“Ah, is that story from last year foreshadowed here!?”

There is a story going around that even I, who only know the existence of the Demon King, don’t know about.

And then, when I find myself perking up my ears in interest, I feel a terrible sense of emptiness.

I find this story so funny, who wouldn’t want to tell it?

Even though I understand the children’s feelings, the situation remains bleak.

‘It’s already so fast… and it’s even more of a mess…’

The reason I was careful with my words was none other than because of the repercussions.

The existence of the Demon King should never be taken lightly.

It has nothing to do with our generation and is therefore considered mere gossip, but everything related to the Demon King is a serious matter directly controlled by the Empire.

Moreover, especially in my situation, the appearance of the Demon King feels like a one-year time limit, so it is even more so.

I was also scared of the responsibility I would have to bear if I confided in someone with a secret.

What if I misinterpreted the World Tree’s prophecy?

I don’t even want to imagine that someone will be harmed because of this.

“Haaa…”

“Why are you sighing so hard, Chairman?”

Kariel said with a smile that was closer to feeling than soft.

“There’s only the two of us, so talk comfortably. I know you’re teasing me.”

“So what’s going on?”

“Have you heard that rumor? It’s said that the Demon King lives in the Academy. It’s popular among the kids.”

“I’ve heard of it. It’s just a rumor.”

I thought about telling Kariel how I feel even now.

We need to separate what is trustworthy from what can be trusted.

“I’m going to bring that up at the student council meeting. It’s not normal.”

“What the… Yeah. I can’t say anything since the student council president is doing it. But it’s best not to expect too much.”

“Huh? Why?”

“This is hmm… Ah, hello, senior.”

The student council department head and vice-president came in, so I had to leave Cariel’s awkward reaction behind.

…

After talking about the progress of projects being carried out by the student council and miscellaneous matters such as club activities,

“The student council meeting will now begin. Please feel free to express your suggestions or any issues that need to be discussed.”

A student council meeting that is virtually a free meeting.

It is a useful time to discuss issues that you want to suggest or solve.

“”……””

The student council didn’t have much to say since they had already gone through a similar process.

Since the intention itself was to secure free time for simple complaints or suggestions, there are times when it passes without saying anything.

But I have something to say now.

“Recently, there has been a rumor going around among students that ‘there is a Demon King in the Academy.’ I would like to discuss this because I think it is too heavy a topic to just ignore and it could cause problems with future studies or academic schedules.”

He seriously brought up the topic of the meeting and started the conversation.

It’s a problem that’s bound to come up during a meeting like this, and it’s not just a simple story about the Demon King, and we need to figure out a solution.

This means that it is a perfect meeting topic compared to the lukewarm student council meetings of the past.

“Hmm…”

“That’s the correct answer?”

“…Why?”

But the reaction was… lukewarm.

The first person to answer my question was a green-haired senior wearing glasses.

It was the head of the learning department, senior Je-gon.

This is the third time I have been appointed as the head of the learning department. I am a trustworthy senior and a strong supporter who helps me with my awkward student council life.

“Srenya is a first year student, so she doesn’t know about these rumors.”

“Ah~ I see! ”

“Sure… We were like that at first too.”

And I received various responses from seniors around me.

However, what was certain was that most people took my meeting topic lightly and reacted unfavorably.

I was wondering why that was, and at the right time, one of my seniors told me the reason.

He said this while taking out the thick student council meeting materials.

“What the heck. Do you know what this is?”

“Minutes… right?”

“The minutes, especially the ones that only deal with rumors, are a few years’ worth. Things like the rumors you mentioned.”

“Yes???”

The minutes were originally thick.

There are many things that come up in school life and there are many documents that are needed.

But I can’t believe that so many documents were written on just one topic.

“I heard about 5 of these over the past two years? They say that one of these spreads every semester.”

“After all, it’s an academy. There’s nothing fun about it, and the training is hard, so it’s natural for all sorts of nonsense to float around.”

“The academy is the real problem…”

I can hear my seniors lamenting.

For an average student, this would be a story they could just chew on and spit out.

“The student council should be more sensitive to rumors like this than anyone else. Because we cannot ignore the power of words.”

And it seemed that Senior Jegon took these rumors as seriously as I did, if not more seriously than I did.

But even if it’s something serious, is it because it happens so often?

“We are trying to figure it out as accurately as possible. But what is the problem…”

Senior Jegon, whose expression was clearly tired, continued speaking.

“Understanding is the most we can do.”

“What is the solution?”

“We’ve tried our best too. We’ve experienced how bad it can be to just talk. But it didn’t work.”

“No matter what…!”

“Even if we present solutions, most of them are ineffective. Instead, the student council becomes a media control agency that steals the public’s interest.”

The biggest problem with rumors.

It could be just a talking point or it could be a defining event that leads to someone being stabbed in the neck.

If you ignore it as a topic of conversation, it could put someone at risk.

If someone thinks something is dangerous and takes active action.

“The student council is no longer a gathering for students, but rather a gathering only for the academy.”

And when we come up with a proactive solution.

“It’s already been said. Trends come and go. The topic quickly changes to something else. The previous rumors disappear without leaving a trace.”

There is no answer.

The student council’s opinion was that the problem could not be solved.

“And most rumors end up being proven false or they lose interest and are simply forgotten. The answer is to just let them die out naturally.”

“If you ask the teacher for help…!”

“The teacher is slower than the student council. And he doesn’t know much about the students. When the teacher makes a move, the situation is over. And he doesn’t have the leisure to get involved in the kids’ rumors.”

But this rumor is not just a rumor.

…I no longer had the courage to say that.

Even if the rumor is true, I alone am responsible for revealing its source.

Because it is certain that the majority of students will become more boisterous and write more provocative stories.

Rather, it’s like poking a hornet’s nest.

“Huh… Then shall we end the student council meeting here?”

Senior Zenon looked at me, who was at a loss, and concluded the meeting as if he was used to it.

Instead, he looked at me with a trembling look.

Of course, from the perspective of a senior and student member, it would seem like I was overreacting to rumors.

You might be thinking, why do you do that?

“That’s right. Originally, I should have cross-checked a bit more and investigated the rumors in detail… But at this point, I guess there’s no need to confirm. Right?”

“I guess so.”

“Then, add some content to the minutes. Let’s wrap that up and then we can disband. Mr. Chairman?”

“Ah, yes yes.”

I finally came to my senses and attended the closing ceremony.

“This concludes all student council activities. Thank you all for your hard work.”

“Thank you for your hard work, kids.”

“Ugh… I’m tired… I have to go back to the dorm and study again…”

“Excuse me, Cariel? Do you have time? Do you want to have dinner together tonight?”

“When on earth do you study?”

“I’m better than you.”

The end of a noisy student council meeting.

Srenya could only watch as the minutes of the meeting dealing with the existence of the Academy’s Demon King were slipped between thick, dusty folders.

Srenya suddenly became afraid because it seemed like she was ignoring the problem rather than finding an answer to it.

2.

A warm sunset illuminates the student council room.

It’s already early summer and the days are getting longer, which means it’s been quite a while since I’ve stayed in the student council room.

“Sniff…”

it’s tough.

It seems like I’m the only one struggling.

The academy, in a state of upheaval where I know the prophecy will come true, approaches me in a dizzying way.

‘Huh? Aren’t you going, Chairman?’

‘There’s more to do, so go first, Cariel.’

‘…Well then. Take care.’

I stayed in the student council room and thought about it for a while.

“Am I… selfish?”

I approached it with the intention of working for all students and fulfilling my responsibilities.

The thought that I might be held responsible for the prophecy made me incredibly scared.

It’s a matter that could affect everyone’s lives, and I feel breathless every time I hear predictions from other people.

It gives me the creeps to think that he is just trying to ignore me for his own safety.

“What makes you different from those old men? ”

I thought he would become a true leader.

I thought I would sacrifice and work hard for others… but when I face an insurmountable wall, I no longer feel like moving forward.

Because the burden on my shoulders is too heavy to overcome that wall.

My eyes feel sore.

Ah, I can’t show myself so weak…

As the chosen one who can hear the prophecy, I have to do my best and every second counts…

-dripping

Just as I was about to lower my head without realizing it, I heard a knock on the door.

Thanks to that, I was able to raise my head and hold back the tears that were about to fall.

Because I don’t want to become a student body president who shows such an ugly side.

“…You can come in.”

I somehow managed to pull myself together and welcome the guests.

“Oh, there you are. It’s just like Cariel said.”

“Huh…? What’s going on?”

One of the members of the warrior club.

I heard that the friends who go out to eat on Saturdays are in the same club.

“I have something to say about the Demon King.”

…that damn Demon King, Demon King.

I’m tired of it now.

“I think I can solve this problem.”

“…Really!?”

But if that was the solution you were hoping for, it wouldn’t be so boring.