Chapter 466: The Student Council Hunt (I)

Two weeks passed.

During those fourteen days, Gray spent most of his time cultivating, refining his newly acquired Emperor Realm strength, and familiarizing himself with the changes brought about by his awakening connection to the Law of Seduction.

He also managed to visit Elira’s residence, where he received precisely what he had hoped for: a generous collection of cultivation resources, access to several private facilities, and an invitation to return whenever he pleased.

Naturally, he had accepted all three.

Scarlett was not particularly pleased when she learned about it, especially after Elira sent her a letter describing how wonderfully she and Gray had spent their afternoon together.

The letter included several unnecessary details about their dinner, their visit to the royal library, and the fact that Gray had praised Elira’s hospitality.

Scarlett had burned it.

Gray had laughed for nearly five minutes when he heard about that.

Aside from these minor pleasures, his life had been rather peaceful.

His cultivation had stabilized at the Early Emperor Realm, his rapier had adapted to its new Peak Monarch grade, and he had begun to understand the first few principles behind communicating with the Law of Seduction.

He still had a great deal to learn, but the progress was encouraging.

Unfortunately, peace at the Demon Academy was never meant to last.

It was the morning of the fifteenth day when Gray discovered the problem.

BOOOOOOM!

A deafening bell rang across the entire academy.

Gray had been sitting in the dining hall with Scarlett, lazily cutting a piece of roasted demon beast meat when the sound shook the windows.

Several students immediately dropped their utensils, while others cursed loudly as the vibrations rattled the cups on their tables.

Gray paused with his fork halfway to his mouth.

"...Is the academy under attack?"

Scarlett, who had been drinking her tea, barely reacted.

"No."

"An invasion, then?"

"No."

"An emergency?"

She put her cup down and looked at him.

"Gray, have you ever considered listening before opening your mouth?"

"I was attempting to establish the situation. You should appreciate my concern for your safety."

"My safety?" Scarlett repeated, her expression turning incredulous. "You were more concerned about your food than the moment the bell rang."

"Food is important. An empty stomach makes it difficult to think clearly."

"You’re impossible."

Gray grinned and took another bite.

Before Scarlett could reply, a second sound echoed through the hall. This time, it was not a bell, but a vast projection of crimson runes that appeared above the central courtyard.

The runes gathered into a massive circle, spreading outward until they were visible from almost every building within the academy.

Then a woman’s voice rang through the grounds.

"ALL STUDENTS, ATTENTION!"

The voice carried a strange force, reaching every corner of the academy without the slightest hint of strain.

"By order of the Student Council, the annual Hunting Week shall begin today. All students are required to observe the rules of this event, regardless of year, class, bloodline, or status."

The moment those words were spoken, the dining hall fell into an unusual silence.

Gray slowly lowered his fork and turned to Scarlett.

Scarlett looked back at him.

"...You know what this is, don’t you?" she asked.

"Of course." Gray leaned into his chair, a faint smile spreading across his face.

He had read about the event in the library.

The Hunting Week had served as an opportunity to introduce several senior students and establish the Student Council’s influence over the academy.

The announcement continued.

"Throughout the next seven days, members of the Student Council are authorized to challenge any enrolled student within the academy grounds. A challenge shall be considered valid once a council member declares their intent to fight and the chosen student acknowledges the challenge."

Several students began muttering to themselves.

The woman’s voice continued without pause.

"If the challenged student loses, they shall immediately become a provisional member of the Student Council and follow the orders of their assigned superior. Refusal to comply will result in disciplinary action. Students who defeat a council member will be exempt from recruitment by that member for the remainder of the event."

Gray raised an eyebrow.

’There it is...’

The rule responsible for the chaos about to unfold.

"Furthermore," the woman’s voice continued, "students are free to avoid encounters with council members, provided they do not interfere with the event, obstruct an official challenge, or enter restricted areas. The Student Council reserves the right to select its targets without regard to year, previous academic performance, or noble standing."

A pause followed, and just after, the voice took on a slightly more amused tone.

"All provisional recruits will receive their first assignment immediately after recruitment. Students who believe themselves strong enough to refuse membership are welcome to demonstrate their abilities. We look forward to seeing the results."

The projection vanished.

For a brief moment, the entire academy seemed to hold its breath before the dining hall almost erupted.

"SEVEN DAYS?!"

"Are they insane? I barely survived my first month here!"

"Why are they allowed to force people into the Student Council?!"

"Last year, they dragged an entire group of second-years into their ranks! One of them was still recovering from his injuries when they made him start working!"

"You idiot! Keep your voice down! Do you want someone to hear you?"

Students hurriedly gathered their belongings, and several immediately began discussing places where they could hide until the event ended.

Others sat frozen in their seats, staring at the empty space where the announcement had appeared.

One demon with a pair of curled horns stood up so abruptly that his chair fell backward.

"I’m leaving the academy for a week. Nobody is going to find me if I stay outside the city!"

His friend grabbed his arm.

"Are you stupid? The gates will be crawling with council members! They’ll catch you before you even reach the road!"

"Then I’ll stay in my room!"

"They’ll search the dormitories!"

"THEN I’LL SLEEP IN THE DAMN SEWERS!"

Gray watched the commotion with undisguised amusement.

He had to admit, the academy’s traditions were entertaining.

Scarlett, however, did not share his enthusiasm.

She rested her chin against one hand and looked at him with an expression suggesting she was already tired of whatever he intended to do.

"Don’t even think about it."

Gray turned toward her.

"Think about what?"

"Whatever stupid idea is currently forming inside your head."

"Princess, I’m hurt. You’re assuming the worst of me without giving me a chance to explain myself."

"Because I’ve spent the last two weeks watching you turn every opportunity into a way to gain something. You accepted resources from Elira, and yesterday you spent an hour asking one of the academy librarians about access to the restricted collections."

"That last one was a perfectly reasonable inquiry."

"The librarian reported you to the administration."

"He seemed like a very helpful man."

"Gray."

"Pfft..."

He laughed softly.

Scarlett leaned closer, lowering her voice so the other students would not hear her.

"The Student Council isn’t like the other students you’ve dealt with. Its members aren’t selected merely because they belong to powerful families. Every one of them has survived years of competition, and the higher-ranking members are monsters in their own right. Some are already Great Rulers, while the strongest are far beyond what an ordinary student should ever have to face."

Gray rested his chin against his palm.

"And?"

"And you shouldn’t underestimate them simply just because you’ve reached the Emperor Realm and can battle through ranks."

"Oh, I wouldn’t dream of it."

Scarlett narrowed her eyes.

"You’re smiling again."

"I find your concern touching."

"I’m warning you because I don’t want you dragged into some pointless fight and forced to work for a group of overbearing lunatics."

"That sounds suspiciously like concern for my well-being."

"It is concern for my family’s reputation! Do you know how embarrassing it would be if someone under our protection lost a fight and became a servant to the Student Council for the next year?"

Gray blinked.

"Wait. The recruitment lasts for an entire year?"

"The provisional period lasts until the council decides whether to make the membership permanent. In most cases, the unlucky students spend the rest of the academic year doing their work."

Gray slowly put down his fork.

His expression had become thoughtful.

Scarlett immediately recognized the change.

"...No."

"I haven’t said anything."

"You don’t need to. I can see it in your eyes."

Gray glanced toward the doors of the dining hall, where several students were already rushing outside.

He had no intention of becoming an errand boy for the Student Council.

Nor did he particularly care about joining an organization whose members thought defeating someone gave them the right to control their future.

However, there was another side to the matter.

The Student Council occupied one of the most influential positions in the academy.

Its members enjoyed special privileges, access to restricted facilities, and information that ordinary students struggled to obtain.

They also possessed a level of freedom that suited Gray’s plans far better than sitting through endless first-year lectures.

If he joined under the right circumstances, it would save him considerable effort.

Just then, a sudden commotion erupted outside the dining hall.

A group of students was rushing through the main courtyard, their faces pale as they pushed past one another.

Behind them walked three figures dressed in the black uniforms of the Student Council, each wearing a silver badge shaped like a crossed pair of horns.

The students slowed as they approached the entrance.

The tallest of the three, a young demon with dark blue hair and a single black horn extending from his forehead, looked across the courtyard with a bored expression.

"That one."

He pointed toward a fleeing student.

The unfortunate freshman froze.

"W-Wait! Senior, I’m only an Intermediate Emperor! Surely you don’t need someone like me!"

The council member sighed as though the boy had asked him to solve an annoying puzzle.

"Your cultivation rank is irrelevant. I challenged you, and you acknowledged me when you answered. Prepare yourself."

"But I was asking a question!"

"You answered me. That counts."

The freshman’s face turned white.

"THAT’S NOT HOW A CHALLENGE WORKS!"

The council member moved.

BAMM!

A single strike sent the freshman tumbling across the courtyard. He struck the ground, rolled several times, and finally stopped against a stone bench.

Before he managed to stand, a silver ring of mana appeared around his wrist.

[Provisional Student Council Membership Confirmed.]

[Assigned Supervisor: Third Seat, Student Council.]

[First Assignment: Report to the western administration building.]

The young demon looked at the notification hovering above his wrist and screamed.

"NOOOOO! I HAVEN’T EVEN FINISHED MY FIRST-YEAR EXAMS!"

The council member brushed the dust from his sleeve.

"Welcome to the Student Council. Your first assignment starts in ten minutes."

He turned and walked away, leaving the freshman on the ground, staring at the sky with the empty eyes of someone whose future had just been stolen.

Gray watched the entire exchange and whistled...

"No."

Scarlett glared at him.

"Welp..."