NOVPUBThe bell rang promptly at three in the afternoon, resonating within the campus.
The Old Literature Building of the Magic Engineering College, an ancient little edifice under the afternoon sun, looked solemn and authoritative. The ivy climbing up the walls was like a chronicle marking the passing of time, documenting the changes over the years.
The third floor, student council room.
A breeze blew in through the window, carrying with it a refreshing scent. Inside the room, there was a faint scent of tea. On the side table sat freshly brewed flower tea. The leaves floated languidly in the cup, dancing on the water’s surface.
Three student council members sat on the sofa in the relaxation area, engaged in idle chatter, utterly at ease.
When the three of them returned to the student council room after their rest, the president and vice president were nowhere to be found.
Apparently, the two of them were busy with work and hadn’t returned yet.
They did not have to wait for long.
"Here we are."
The door to the student council room slowly opened, revealing the brown, ancient wood of the outer corridor.
Accompanied by the president’s grave tone, he walked in front, adorned in the neat Alchemy College uniform. His well-pressed collar accentuated his spirited demeanor.
"President, we’re back!"
Immediately, the trio on the sofa turned their gaze toward the entrance, greeting the president.
The president responded with a warm and confident smile. The vice president was still following him, dressed in an elegant long dress, her steps light. Her brows and eyes revealed a sense of quiet companionship.
Monaster went to his desk, put the documents in his hands on the table, and then made his way to the sofa in the rest area, sitting across from the three of them.
The three of them sat up a bit straighter.
Generally speaking, if the president came over to them on the sofa, it was usually because he had something for them to do.
Considering he had opted to engage immediately in conversation with them upon their reunion, it seemed a lot of work had built up.
"President, feel free to assign us any work. We are well-rested," Lanci expressed to the president. His tone was full of responsibility.
He, the Living Bodhisattva, hadn’t done any good deeds in mediating disputes for four days now.
The work was piling up. He was hosting the Academic Visiting Team from the Arolan Royal Academy, and it coincided with the busiest period of the entire semester.
In the student council, there were only the President, Vice President, and Secretary left. Without three competent staff members, the workload on the president had surged.
"Many things happened in the school during the five days you were away."
President Monasite took a moment, deciding to explain things one by one. He looked at Lanci.
"First of all, Lanci. Your father, Mr. Noe Wilford, came to school last weekend and suddenly fell ill with a minor cardiovascular disease. He’s now recuperating in the attached hospital of the Alchemy College."
"My dad came?"
Lanci asked surprised,
"How could that be... my dad doesn’t have a history of cardiovascular disease."
And then he seemed puzzled.
"...Lanci, go and see your father later."
Hyperion uttered softly from the side.
Lanci was initially about to say something, but looking at the affectionate envy and sadness in Hyperion’s eyes, he held his words and simply nodded.
Monasite didn’t rush to speak, only waiting for Lanci and Hyperion to finish their exchange before proceeding:
"The other matter is, the head of the Arolan Royal Academy Academic Visiting Team, who is also a disciple of Knight Juliana of the Arolan Kingdom, Adams, has requested a friendly match with the strongest student of the Sage Academy."
While speaking, President Monaster gave Vice President Asina a helpless glance,
"Originally, Dean Loren’s recommended candidate was Asina, who is currently the strongest among the third-year students at the Sage Academy. However, Asina has recently been busy with student council affairs and has gracefully refused to participate." 𝒏𝒐𝒗𝒑𝒖𝙗.𝒄𝒐𝒎
Although Asina rarely competed seriously, her full strength remained a mystery. But her prowess was never doubted among the faculty and students of the Sage Academy.
"So, Dean Loren planned to let other students face Adams. In any case, Dean Loren doesn’t take winning or losing too seriously."
"But then we ran into another problem."
"I don’t know what the students were thinking, but they all expressed their unwillingness to face Adams, instead recommending you."
In the end, Monasite could only look at Lanci.
In such a situation where he was specifically named, they could only ask Lanci to do it.
"Hmm?"
Lanci didn’t expect his senior peers to think so highly of him.
How could he, a first-year student, represent the Sage Academy to face off?
"..."
Meanwhile, Hyperion, Frey, and Asina silently exchanged glances on the side.
They all understood.
Although Dean Loren didn’t mind losing,
The students of the Sage Academy were somewhat unhappy with Adam’s disrespect towards the Academy.
So they decided to play dirty and dig a massive hole for Adams.
"At first, Adams thought we were making a fool of him by sending a first-year freshman to compete. But after he heard that you were the culprit who defeated the Goddess of Destruction, the wind changed direction. Even though Dean Loren strongly opposed your participation, Adams insisted on having you as his opponent."
Monasite explianed,
"But whether to accept the challenge or not is up to you. After all, this is merely an exchange of kind."
"…"
Lanci didn’t seem very willing to accept the challenge.
He was always a pacifist, preferring to solve conflicts rather than engage in them.
He didn’t understand why people always liked to engage in meaningless fights? There were no changes regardless of whether he won or lost.
"Why is Knight Juliana’s relationship with Dean Loren so bad?"
Frey asked out of curiosity.
Monasite was silent for a long time.
"I heard it from others, and you mustn’t spread it around. It all began with Dean Loren’s ex-fiancé…"
Then.
Monasite gave them a general recount of Loren and Juliana’s acquaintance, conflict, and misunderstanding that gradually deepened.
"Dean Loren has always been clear about his relations with the opposite sex, only making exceptions for Miss Juliana. However, his aristocratic background made his marriage arrangements complicated. Loren isn’t the type to harm others for his benefit, and his indecisive character led to one thing after another, promoting the misunderstanding between Juliana and him."
Monasite sighed.
"I thought they truly had a bad relationship, but it turns out it was mutual affection!"
However.
After the story ended.
Lanci understood everything in an instant, clapping his hands and stamping his feet.
"I must help Principal Loren realize this marriage. I will accept this challenge. Let Adams choose the time and content of the challenge. Regardless of whether it’s a literary or martial challenge, I will do my best for Dean Loren."
Lanci said with a clear gaze.
His attitude had already undergone an abrupt change.
"!!"
Hyperion quickly turned her head to look at Lanci.
Seeing Lanci’s passionate and determined character, she felt like trouble was on the horizon.
Having Lanci play the matchmaker, Loren was bound to suffer a bit!
