Chapter 198:

The atmosphere within the student council had recently taken a turn for the worse.

Incidents related to the heretics were erupting one after another. When one issue was resolved, another would arise, and when that was dealt with, yet another would surface internally, leaving the council members exhausted.

The student council’s credibility was waning by the day. With no end in sight to the string of accidents, the students’ grievances naturally turned toward the council.

Complaints centered on how the student council, which received a significant amount of funding and support from the foundation, seemed to be doing nothing.

Honestly, it wasn’t an unfounded complaint. The results the council had shown so far were disappointingly inadequate, and the student council president, Chartia, couldn’t deny the students’ opinions.

“Sigh...”

Recently, strange rumors had started circulating within the academy. The rumors suggested that one of the academy’s professors might be involved with the heretics.

Wi forehead and let out a deep sigh.

“Are you all out of your minds?”

“...”

“We set up a disciplinary committee, but you all run off to drink instead. We’re already short-handed because of the budgeting for the ranking match, so it’s ridiculous that the head of the finance department was out drinking too. Do you even have a clue?”

Chartia was furious.

over, dozing off, and some were even sprawled out asleep on their desks.

Chartia let out a sigh, feeling disillusioned with the officers showing the worst behavior in the history of the student council.

“This is precisely why the student council as a whole is getting criticized....”

The officers hung their heads at Chartia’s reproach, glancing at each other awkwardly, as if saying, ‘She’s angry today too.’

Chartia sighed deeply. She didn’t even have the strength left to scold them for this anymore.

These lazy members, unconcerned with such an important issue as the ranking match, didn’t seem like responsible adults at all.

Chartia, her voice filled with irritation, addressed the disciplinary committee members standing before her.

“Honestly, I’m seriously questioning whether you all are even adults.”

“We’re sorry.”

“It’s absurd that you’re all adults, yet you can’t even do your jobs properly. Isn’t that right?”

“We’re sorry.”

“I’m not asking for an apology. You must have thoughtlessly done so, right? Am I wrong?”

“...”

“Ooing to a crowded bar? Sigh.... Just forget it.”

Inwardly, Chartia swallowed down her growing frustration.

Honestly.

Honestly, things were better when *he* was still here.

Chartia massaged her throbbing temples as the image of a man popped into her mind.

“I’ve apprehended the undergarment thief.”

“Hey... what do you think you’re doing, leaving the second son of a count bloodied? Even if he is a thief, you can’t just do that!”

“It’s fine. You’re a duchess. If they have a complaint, they’ll come running. That is, if they manage to keep their heads until then.”

“Are you insane?”

“Isn’t the guy who steals men’s underwear crazier? Anyway, I did as you asked, so you’ll get my penalty reduced, right?”

“...”

“Later.”

Indeed, if that guy were still here, many things would have been different.

He had managed the slackers on the council and dealt with minor crimes. There might have been harsh glares directed at him, but no one could deny his effectiveness when it came to getting things done.

“If anyone has a complaint, take it up with her. Otherwise, sit back and suck your thumb.”

He was crazy, though.

Had Ricardo still been here, Chartia feared she would have relied on him for too much, so she shook off the thought with a heavy heart.

‘Such a shame... I really wanted to keep giving him work.’

Buret.

After all, she was one of the people who had hurt Ricardo.

“Uuugh... Don’t ever come back to the academy!”



“Are you kidding?”

Ruin clenched his fists, thinking,

‘No way. I can’t tell them, even if it kills me.’

‘Iic?’

Swallowing his confession, Ruin lowered his head while Chartia gave the final warning wrapped with encouragement to the officers.

“As you all know, the ranking match is an important event involving both first- and fourth-year students.”

Chartia, in a tone that permitted no objection, continued.

“Don’t slack off and lose. Got it?”

The last student council meeting before the start of the ranking match ended just like that.

*

Left alone in the conference room, Chartia sat in her chair, biting her nails in a sudden wave of nervousness.

“What is this feeling?”

She felt uneasy. The sense that something bad was about to happen wouldn’t leave her mind, making it hard to focus on her work.

ernails.

After ten minutes.

After twenty minutes.

Finally, Chartia noticed a small envelope on the desk.

It was a brown envelope, neatly sealed with wax. Chartia remembered it as the letter Ricardo had left when he came to collect his payment.

“Why didn’t you pay me?”

“Sorry, I got really busy.”

“Do you even know that you and I rely on this money to survive?”

“Uh...?”

“Just kidding.”

“Are you insane?”

“No. By the way, this is a letter I’ve written to express my feelings. I’ve poured all my frustration about not getting paid into it, so please make sure to read it.”

“No thanks. Take it with you.”

“Not a chance.”

She hadn’t had a chance to read it because of how busy things had been, but now seemed like a good time, so Chartia gave a small smile and reached for the letter.

“You know I won’t even get it, so why’d you write a letter?”

It’s not even funny.

It’s probably just some insults.

With a light heart, Chartia began to open Ricardo’s letter. As the contents slowly revealed themselves, Chartia gingerly pulled out the letter.

“His handwriting is atrocious...”

It took two hours just to decipher his scribbles.

[Don’h some weird book. Not my cup of tea, though....]

The moment she finished reading that, Chartia grabbed her coat and bolted toward the arena.

[Just be careful out there.]

[I’m a bit busy today.]

*

The arena echoed with the cheers of the crowd.

Ruin, his head bowed in nerves, clenched his fists as he watched his first opponent.



-This time, Ruin from the Magic Faculty will be facing none other than...!

“Shit.”

-Michail!

Nothing was going right.

End of Chapter.