Chapter 81: The Student Council President is a Prince
Andrew Aiwood.
The Second Prince of the Aiwood Kingdom and a scholarship student in the Department of Knights, currently in his third year.
Among the royal brothers, he was not a name that often graced the lips of the people.
The one who drew the most attention among the three was, of course, Richard Aiwood, the First Prince and the next king.
He frequently appeared in official capacities and was entrusted with acting on behalf of the king in his absence. Even those who had no ties to the royal family, like Rest, recognized Richard’s face from his speeches at festivals.
Next in line for notoriety was the Third Prince, Rodel Aiwood.
However, this notoriety was of a negative nature, as he was widely known as the Foolish Prince, notorious for causing various problems.
Rodel was regarded as a troublemaker both in the palace and at the academy, and his reputation was so poor that even among commoners, he was whispered about as a worthless individual.
And then, sandwiched between them was the Second Prince, Andrew Aiwood.
This individual had no bad rumors surrounding him, but neither did he hold a prominent position.
He was a rather inconspicuous person, and even among the nobility, many had never met him.
Though he remained in the royal family as a backup for the Crown Prince, it was almost certain that his elder brother, seven years his senior, would ascend to the throne.
It was widely believed that he would either be demoted to a commoner or enter into a political marriage.
(This is Prince Andrew… the Second Prince.)
“I asked Celestine to summon you all. I apologize for the suddenness, Rest, and to you as well, Viola and Primula.”
“…Nice to meet you, I am Rest. Prince Andrew.”
“Good day, Prince Andrew.”
“G-Good day…”
Rest bowed his head, followed by the Rosemary Sisters.
Andrew waved his hand in a relaxed manner at the three, who were bowing in the manner befitting nobility.
“There’s no need to be so formal. Today, I invited you not as royalty, but as the Student Council President.”
Andrew gestured toward the sofa placed in the Student Council Room.
“Please, have a seat. Let’s talk.”
“…………”
Rest and the Rosemary Sisters sat down side by side.
Andrew took a seat on the opposite sofa, with Celestine beside him. The two attendants from earlier stood behind them.
“Here’s your tea.”
“Whoa!”
““Eek!””
Startled by the sudden voice, Rest and the others instinctively exclaimed.
A petite girl with short black hair had appeared beside them, placing cups of black tea on the table in front of the sofa.
She was likely a first-year student, but they hadn’t sensed her presence at all until she spoke.
(No way… I was using Life Search magic…!?)
Thanks to his Infinite Magic Power, Rest was able to constantly use magic to sense the presence around him.
Yet, this small girl had slipped past his detection and stepped right into their midst.
“Ann… refrain from startling the guests.”
“I apologize, Lady Celestine.”
When Celestine admonished her, the black-haired girl bowed her head politely.
It seemed she was acquainted with Celestine, addressing her as “Lady.”
“Celestine, who is this girl…?”
“She is also a member of the Student Council.”
It was not Celestine who answered, but Andrew, who sat next to her.
“Let me introduce everyone in order. Once again, I am Andrew Aiwood, the Student Council President. The two behind me are Yusugos and Riranda, our secretary and treasurer, respectively.”
“I am Yusugos Beturas. I am a third-year in the Department of Knights and serve as the secretary.”
“I am Riranda Maka. I am a second-year in the Department of Knights and handle the treasury.”
The boy and girl standing behind Andrew introduced themselves. It seemed they were also members of the Student Council.
“And then we have Celestine and Ann, who handle general affairs. Both are first-years, but they were recently appointed as Student Council members.”
“…………”
“I’m Ann. I serve as Lady Celestine’s attendant.”
Celestine gave a slight nod, and the girl with short black hair, Ann, introduced herself.
“Though Ann is a commoner, she serves as my attendant. She is in Class B in the Magic Department.”
“…I actually wanted to be in Class A, but unfortunately, I missed the chance.”
Ann’s expression was flat, almost doll-like, yet Rest felt a strange sense of resentment emanating from her.
“Um… did I do something to her?”
“Don’t worry about it; it’s just a case of misplaced resentment.”
“Misplaced resentment!?”
Rest’s face contorted at Ann’s response.
He didn’t believe they had ever met, so what could he have possibly done to earn her ire?
“Stop it, Ann. That’s rude.”
Celestine reprimanded Ann, who continued to glare at Rest.
“I’m sorry, Rest. This girl is at the top of her class in Class B, but she seems to think that if just one more person had been absent, she could have been in the same class as me.”
“I see, that does sound like misplaced resentment…”
If Rest had not been in Class A, Ann would have taken his place.
Excluding Viola and Primula, who were marquis daughters, it seemed Ann harbored some ill feelings toward Rest, who, as a commoner, had made it into Class A.
(Considering she openly admits to her misplaced resentment, she seems to realize that holding a grudge against me is unreasonable… Compared to Rodel, who barged in on the first day, this is far more manageable…)
“…If I had been in Class A, Lady Celestine wouldn’t have had to face that scoundrel’s violence.”
Ann muttered to herself, biting her thumbnail in frustration.
She seemed to be referring to the incident on the first day of school when Rodel had confronted Rest, and Celestine had intervened.
It appeared she felt ashamed for not being able to protect her master during a crisis.
“May I continue with the discussion?”
Andrew clapped his hands, signaling the resumption of the conversation.
“With the members present here, along with the absent vice president, there are currently six members of the Student Council. Those who are part of the ‘Executive Committee’ make up the ‘Student Council.'”
The Executive Committee served as satellite members of the Student Council.
While they did not possess decision-making power like the council members, they held a position to guide students and could intervene in cases of misconduct.
Generally, the use of magic was prohibited within the academy, but Student Council members and the Executive Committee were permitted to use it.
“I have a direct request for you all… specifically for you, Rest. Would you consider joining the Student Council Executive Committee?”
Andrew clasped his hands on the table and made his proposal.
“Me, in the Executive Committee…?”
“Yes, I believe you have the qualifications.”
Andrew shrugged, a sardonic smile on his face as he made the suggestion.
“By joining the Executive Committee, you would have a legitimate reason to suppress students who cause trouble. For instance… my foolish younger brother.”