Chapter 558

Erek, the parade ground where Lumene held its official events.

Every student currently at Lumene had gathered there.

Today was the day of the Vice President’s retirement and inauguration ceremony.

“Is the Vice President’s inauguration normally held on such a grand scale?”

Juen, standing at the head of the first-year Magic Department students, looked puzzled.

“Normally, it is held alongside the Student Council President’s inauguration.”

Sasha, standing at the head of the Summoning Department students in the adjacent line, snapped open her fan as she answered.

“In fact, Leo Sunbae-nim appointed Hark Sunbae-nim during his inauguration last year.”

“Ah....”

The current first-years had yet to enroll at the time, so they had not witnessed Leo’s inauguration themselves.

However, stories of the ceremony had been passed down by their department Sunbaes like a legend.

“To tell the upperclassmen to challenge him if they had a problem with him being Student Council President. Ah, he really is so wonderful.”

Sasha let out an excited squeal.

“It was impressive.... When Hark Sunbae refused the Vice President position, he told him to shut up and do as he was told. I could never do that.”

As Juen shook her head, Haviden spoke from the Knights Department’s line.

“Have you heard? Apparently, Leo Sunbae-nim reorganized the second-year Student Council.”

“I heard. They say the members will be announced today.”

“Who do you think was chosen?”

The first-years were deeply curious about the newly reorganized second-year Student Council.

“Vice President Hark Riguard is now entering.”

Just then, the Student Council officer serving as master of ceremonies announced Hark’s arrival from the stage at Erek.

Since Student Council events were run by the students, the professors watched from beneath the stage as the council conducted the ceremony.

Hark took the stage, surveyed the assembled students, and spoke.

“For the past year, I have led Lumene as its Vice President. Thanks to all of you, it has been a meaningful and rewarding experience. I am deeply grateful to everyone who followed me despite my shortcomings. However, all beginnings must eventually come to an end. As someone approaching graduation, it would be inappropriate for me to continue holding the office of Vice President and performing its duties....”

Hark began his retirement speech with solemn dignity.

Unlike his voice, however, the corners of his mouth would not stop twitching.

'His grin is practically splitting his face.'

'I’ve never seen Hark Sunbae look so happy.'

'Is he really that delighted?'

The Lumene students stared blankly at Hark as he continued his speech, barely suppressing their laughter.

“My successor as Vice President will be Elena Zeron. I ask that you all follow her well.”

With those final words, Hark attempted to leave the stage.

The Student Council officer stopped him with a question.

“Do you have any last words for the students?”

Hark paused and thought for a moment before answering.

“Have fun working yourselves to the bone. Pfft... Puhahahaha!”

Apparently, being freed from the office of Vice President was too exhilarating for Hark to contain himself, and he finally burst into laughter.

“Hark Riguard, come down from that stage immediately and plant your head on the ground.”

Hark’s expression instantly stiffened at the icy voice, which seemed capable of sweeping away even the midsummer heat.

“W-Why?! Leo told me to shut up and do as I was told last year too!”

“Ha.... It seems graduating soon has made you fearless.”

Professor Harrid looked up at the stage with a chilling smile.

“Issuing an order as Student Council President and mocking the student body are entirely different matters.”

Hark went deathly pale, descended from the stage, and planted his head against the parade ground.

Whether he was the strongest fifth-year student in the Knights Department or about to graduate, before Professor Harrid, he was nothing more than a helpless lamb.

While everyone watched Hark with cold sweat running down their backs, Elena calmly took the stage.

Holding the edge of her uniform skirt, Elena dipped her knees slightly and smiled gently.

“I am Elena Zeron, and though I still have much to learn, I have been appointed Vice President. I look forward to your support over the coming year, fellow students.”

The first-year boys unconsciously blushed at Elena’s elegant greeting.

The girls also gazed admiringly at Elena, who embodied the image of a perfect honors student.

Since entering Lumene, the first-years had rarely encountered her.

Elena had been busy carrying out missions and saw no reason to show herself before them.

More importantly, she had stopped her outrageous behavior after Leo became Student Council President.

For the first-years, who knew Elena only through rumors, this was their first real impression of her.

They could not help admiring the woman known as the Queen of Lumene.

The other years, however, reacted quite differently.

'What’s wrong with her? Did she eat something strange?'

'Why is she acting like that? I have a bad feeling about this.'

'My stomach is starting to hurt.'

Not only Elena’s fellow fourth-years but even the third- and second-year students watched her with trembling eyes.

“I heard Elena Sunbae was terrifying, but she doesn’t seem that way at all.”

“She seems like a wonderful person.”

“Wow.”

The first-years exclaimed in admiration as they gazed up at Elena.

Elena had been born with bewitching Magic Power that naturally drew people’s attention.

Simply using her Magic Power was enough to charm others.

It was a power that could easily have become a curse, but Elena’s genius allowed her to control it perfectly.

She had once used that power to fuel her reckless antics, but now it manifested as overwhelming charisma.

Elena smiled sweetly at the first-years and gave them an elegant wave.

“The first-years are adorable, as expected. So bright-eyed and innocent.”

“Elena Sunbae-nim!”

“You’re amazing!”

“Kyaa!”

The first-years erupted into enthusiastic cheers.

'Don’t fall for it! She’s a witch!'

The other years looked at them with pity.

“First, as the Student Council President has entrusted me with the council’s operation, I have selected new officers to lead it. Today, I will introduce the new Student Council members to you all. We will begin with the fourth-year Student Council.”

Even the professors looked surprised as Elena diligently introduced the next Student Council members in her capacity as Vice President.

They had already heard that Elena would become Vice President, but they had never expected her to perform the role so responsibly.

After the fourth-year Student Council came the third-year members.

Then it was the second-years’ turn.

“Wow, are all the top students from each department joining the second-year Student Council?”

“That’s an incredibly impressive lineup.”

Not every honors student with excellent grades was interested in Student Council work.

For every department’s top student to join made the second year highly unusual.

“I can understand the others, but Eliza Hergin is certainly unexpected.”

“That delinquent?”

Questioning gazes poured in from the upperclassmen and even the professors.

Eliza’s shoulders began to tremble.

“This is why your everyday conduct matters.”

“Chen Xia! Are you making fun of me?!”

Eliza snapped at Chen Xia.

She would have reacted far more fiercely toward anyone else, but Eliza was particularly vulnerable when dealing with Chen Xia.

Meanwhile, Elena continued calling out the second-year Student Council members.

“Lastly, Acting Student Council President, Carr Thomas.”

At Elena’s announcement, the entire student body began murmuring.

“Acting Student Council President?”

“Carr Thomas?”

He was the undisputed last-place student in the second-year Magic Department.

No, he was the undisputed last-place student in the entire second year.

Carr was famous for somehow pulling out good results whenever he stood on the brink of expulsion and surviving by the skin of his teeth, but that was the extent of it.

Naturally, everyone was shocked to hear that someone like him had been appointed Acting Student Council President.

“Carr Sunbae!”

Juen clasped her hands together and bounced excitedly.

“Was he chosen because he’s close friends with the President?”

“Nepotism? Surely not.”

However, when the other first-years began whispering, Juen scowled.

“Hey! How dare you look down on Carr Sunbae—”

“Do you take Leo Sunbae-nim for someone who would entrust the position of Acting President to another person merely because they were friends?”

Haviden spoke coldly.

“Besides, surviving this long is proof of his ability, isn’t it?”

“Would the second-year Sunbaes stand by and let someone receive such an important position through personal connections?”

“We underestimated him during the entrance examination and paid dearly for it.”

“Professor Harrid even said he was a Sunbae we had much to learn from.”

“Come to think of it, I can’t even guarantee I’ll still be at Lumene next year. When you look at it that way, what he has accomplished is incredible.”

The first-years quickly found themselves convinced.

Meanwhile, Carr climbed onto the stage and sighed deeply.

“I’m honestly not sure I belong up here.”

“What’s with that spineless attitude? You’re Leo Oppa’s proxy now.”

Chelsea frowned.

“Carr-gun does tend to underestimate himself.”

Elena switched off the magical loudspeaker and smiled gently.

“I never entrust important positions to incompetent people. Have more confidence in yourself, Carr-gun.”

“Thank you.”

“You’re welcome. I’ll be counting on you from now on, Slave-gun.”

“You just called me a slave, didn’t you?!”

“No. You misheard me.”

“I heard you clearly! You definitely called me a slave!”

“I said you were mistaken.”

Elena laughed and clapped her hands.

The first-year Student Council members were soon introduced as well.

“Over the coming year, I will work the Student Council to the bone so that we may lead Lumene well. This has been Vice President Elena Zeron.”

'She just said she would work the Student Council to the bone, didn’t she?'

'She intends to exploit us mercilessly.'

The Student Council members smiled mournfully.

After the inauguration ceremony ended, Juen approached Carr.

“Carr Sunbae! Congratulations on becoming Acting Student Council President!”

“I’m not sure this is something worth celebrating.”

Carr smiled sorrowfully.

Just as the students were about to disperse—

“Oh, right.”

Elena, who had been about to leave the stage, climbed back up.

“I nearly forgot an important announcement.”

Bonk—!

Elena lightly struck herself on the head with her fist.

“There is an announcement from the Student Council President.”

Everyone turned toward Leo, who had remained silent throughout the entire inauguration ceremony.

“It concerns Lumeiren. You all know that this year’s Lumeiren will be held at Lumene, correct?”

Everyone nodded.

Lumeiren was an annual event.

As such, preparations had been underway since the beginning of the semester.

“The Student Council President said he wanted to make this year’s Lumeiren a little special.”

“What do you mean by special?”

“Not only Lumene and Seiren, but Azonia and Damienne as well. An inter-academy competition where every Hero Academy gathers to determine the best among them.”

(T/N: ABOUT FREAKING TIME THEY DO IT!!!!)

Everyone’s expression stiffened.

Even the professors’ mouths fell open.

Hark, who had been dragged away by Professor Harrid and forced to plant his head on the ground, sprang upright without realizing it.

“This is the first I’ve heard of this!”

“Hark Sunbae told me never to bring up school operations with you again, so I discussed it with Elena Sunbae instead.”

Leo answered with a smile.

“Hey! Even so, you should have told me about something like this sooner!”

Hark shouted.

They were suddenly planning a competition involving every Hero Academy?

It was absurd.

Everyone looked toward Elena.

“It will be extremely difficult. We must contact the other Hero Academies and draw up the entire plan from scratch.”

Everyone sighed in relief at Elena’s words.

Since Leo had become Student Council President, the authority to oversee school operations belonged to the Vice President.

Even if the President proposed such an idea, the matter would end if the Vice President rejected it.

“However, Lumene’s motto is ‘Surpass your limits!’ We must make the impossible possible, don’t you agree?”

The entire student body went deathly pale at Elena’s following words.

“If we all work like dogs, we should be able to finish preparations in time for Lumeiren. So consider it decided that this year’s Lumeiren will be a four-academy competition.”

Leaving them with that unilateral declaration, Elena descended from the stage.

Screams erupted from every direction.

Leo then climbed onto the stage.

“Starting today, Hark Sunbae will serve as Acting Vice President. Since we need to coordinate the schedule with the other academies, please report to the Student Council immediately.”

Hark collapsed to the ground and muttered with a vacant expression,

“Is this why you made Elena the Vice President...?”

***