Chapter 10 : A fun entrance ceremony

The entrance ceremony is no different in this world than it is in the other.

They gather everyone, honor the new students a bit, boast about the academy’s history and greatness… In short, it was boring.

It was so dull that the most interesting part was when the student council president came out to give a speech. Not because it was genuinely fun, but because you naturally pay attention when someone you know appears. It was that kind of feeling.

“Greetings. I am Alkine, the current student council president. I hope you don’t think of the role of president as too burdensome. After all, I’m a student just like you.”

But… speaking like that is bound to make it sound difficult, President Alkine.

Maybe because I know it’s just an act, I kept feeling second-hand embarrassment. Isn’t there a blue pill around? Please, make me forget this truth.

Of course, aside from the act, her speech was as classic as it gets. She even had a knack for captivating the audience.

Just as it seemed like she was about to wrap up…

“…And Seria. Rudion. I would like both of you to come forward.”

Excuse me? What is this sudden call without any prior notice, President?

You said you’d talk to us after the ceremony. Why are you calling us up in the middle of it?

I glanced at Seria beside me, and she looked just as bewildered, as if she hadn’t heard anything about this either.

Confused but unable to ignore the president’s words, I pretended to be calm and stepped forward.

In front of everyone watching from the auditorium. As I walked forward, feeling their gazes, Alkine carefully apologized.

“Sorry for calling you up so abruptly. But this is quite a rare occasion, so I thought it would be something you could boast about to everyone.”

Well, you’re not wrong. But didn’t this just pass by in the original?

Then again, in the original, it was just Seria alone, so it makes sense. Given her status, it would have been too blatant to make a show of it.

But now that someone like me is involved, it seems worth showing off. Should I take that as a compliment?

“Hmm. I believe these two are people everyone here knows of.”

Whether she was aware of my thoughts or not, Alkine continued her speech without a care.

Actually, it wasn’t a speech anymore. It was an announcement.

“Starting today, these two will officially become members of the student council.”

The auditorium instantly buzzed.

It was a big deal for freshmen to join the student council, let alone two of them, so it was only natural for people to be surprised.

But half of them reacted as if they expected it. Seria was already famous, and I had caused a bit of a stir yesterday…

“It seems I was a bit hasty. Technically, they have the qualifications to join. It’s not yet finalized, and their own decision is important… If either of you wishes to decline, you’re free to step down.”

Most people knew the risks of joining the student council. So, there were bound to be those who were hesitant.

It seemed she was granting us the choice, taking that into account.

But… would anyone actually step down after such a speech? She called us up here precisely with this in mind.

Of course, considering everything, I had no reason not to join, so I was going to accept anyway. Still, the situation she created annoyed me a bit, so I decided not to go along so easily.

So, I stepped down, then went back up.

Watching Alkine’s expression change in real-time made me think she was quite expressive.

“…What are you doing?”

Her question came with genuine curiosity, as if she hadn’t expected anyone to step down and then climb back up again.

“I was just considering whether to join or not.”

“…Why not just stand there and think instead of making a scene in front of everyone?”

“Hmm… maybe I wanted to give the president a hard time for creating a situation where I couldn’t refuse?”

“Are you insane?”

“Probably.”

Alkine sighed in exasperation at my unyielding responses but didn’t say much more.

Perhaps because of the setting, she decided to let it go.

Just as I thought it was time to go back, the microphone she was holding subtly shifted in our direction.

“Would you mind saying a few words?”

Oh… I asked for a blue pill, but instead, she turned my indirect embarrassment into direct embarrassment. Is this what they call’repayment in kind’?

“To save time, only one of you needs to speak. Perhaps it would be better if Seria did it?”

Seeing no one volunteering, Alkine directly suggested it to Seria.

Um… Seria isn’t really good with things like this.

Well, actually, she’s good at it but would probably just hate doing it. She’s not one to refuse, so she’ll end up doing it, though.

“Ah. Well, um…”

But what’s going on? She’s not saying she’ll do it; instead, she’s looking at me, isn’t she?

No matter how I looked at it, this was clearly a silent signal for me to take over. She’s not the type to shove things onto others, so this is unexpected.

It’s not like I particularly enjoy stepping up in situations like this, but since Her Highness herself is asking, I have no choice, right? Besides, building up small favors like this could come in handy later.

“I’ll do it. However, if this was a speech representing the academy, it would be better for Seria to give it. But since this is just a student council thing… The council has a bit of a reputation for being focused on power, doesn’t it? And, as you all saw in yesterday’s practical test…”

“I saw the two of you exchanging glances, so just get to the point without all the lengthy explanations.”

“It seems like Seria’s feeling shy, so I’ll take her place.”

“Very well, proceed.”

Honestly, I could’ve just agreed to do it, but I ended up giving unnecessary excuses and saying more than I needed to.

But remember this, Seria! You owe me one now, so keep it in mind.

“Wait a moment. Who said I was shy? I just thought Rudion would be more suitable for this speech…”

“Yes, let’s leave it at that.”

“Don’t just brush it off as if you’re doing me a favor…”

Glare!

Hey, why is she glaring at me when Alkine’s the one who put me in this situation? You’re going to remember this debt, right?

Her eyes looked like she was ready to kill someone, but I knew it was just a defense mechanism… a way to act tough.

Of course, with her appearance, acting tough usually worked well. That’s why she maintained her image as the cool beauty in the original story.

But I, who could see through her true nature, was immune to her charm.

“What’s this? Doesn’t the atmosphere seem tense?”

“Is it a lovers’ quarrel?”

“Are you crazy?! Do you know who those people are?”

“Just kidding. Of course, I know. But from a distance, it sort of looks that way.”

Maybe because our conversation dragged on a bit too long, but the freshman crowd in the auditorium was starting to lose focus and murmur among themselves.

Deciding it was time to stop delaying, I grabbed the microphone and stepped forward.

To capture everyone’s attention, I cleared my throat as if testing the mic. Once it was quiet, I began to speak.

“Hello, everyone. I’m Rudion, and I’m honored to be starting this journey with all of you. I recognize all of you from yesterday, so it’s nice to see familiar faces. You all remember me, right?”

This wasn’t meant to tease anyone. In situations like this, finding even the smallest connection can help engage the audience.

Come to think of it, I didn’t really need to make things interesting—I could’ve just said a few words and been done with it. Maybe I got a little too excited about suddenly being put in the spotlight.

Please don’t look down on me, you two. No matter how much I may tease rookies, it still stings when two beautiful women look at me like that.

“Ahem. First of all, I’m incredibly honored to be admitted to Lubetia Academy, and I never imagined I’d join the student council right off the bat. The council’s reputation is so well-known that there’s no need for me to elaborate.”

After setting the tone and saying whatever came to mind, I wrapped it up when I ran out of things to say.

“I’ll keep it brief so as not to bore you… I’ll do my best to uphold the honor of the student council. Thank you.”

Clap, clap, clap!

“You’re better at this than I expected.”

“This is all about confidence.”

“Maybe you should wipe the sweat off your hand before saying that.”

“Ah.”

Got me. Honestly, I was so nervous that I barely remember what I said.

But judging from the reaction, it seems I didn’t say anything too strange.

“Well, good job handling this unexpected situation.”

Alkine handed me something as she spoke.

It was a badge symbolizing membership in the student council.

“I was going to give this to you after the ceremony, but… I realized that after the ceremony, everyone would move to their assigned classes. It would be odd to call just you two aside, so take it now.”

“Thank you.”

“And, Rudion, after today’s schedule, please come to the student council room.”

“What?”

“Everyone, please give a big round of applause to our new student council members!”

Waaah!

Clap, clap, clap!

It felt like it was time to head back down, so I had no choice but to step down without further objections.

Seria chuckled beside me—how do I deal with this irritating little laugh of hers?

“Ah… um… moving on… um…”

Just then, the person hosting the ceremony from the back stuttered, unable to continue speaking for the first time today. I turned around, wondering what was going on, and saw them staring intently in this direction.

Oh, no, not at me—but at Seria beside me.

Just as I started wondering why, the host seemed to make a decision and, with a clearer tone, spoke up.

“Student Seria Lubetia. Please come forward.”

The newly descended Seria was asked to go back up again…

Oh, right. There was a time they called Seria up to praise the Empire.

Even at an academy that aims for equality, it seems they can’t avoid honoring the princess.

If she goes up now, they’ll likely shower her with praise for the Empire and ask her for her thoughts on entering the academy.

All that effort I put into sparing her has now lost its meaning. Then again, I guess it’s better than her going up twice alone.

Sorry, but if you look at me this time, I can’t go up for you. Accept your fate.

With Seria going back up right after the applause had ended, an awkward atmosphere hung in the air.

I couldn’t help but laugh.

“Pfft. Hmph. Haha.”

In the midst of everyone being so silent and proper, my laughter echoed across the auditorium.

But listen—Alkine, the mastermind behind all this, is over there laughing too, even if she’s trying to keep it quiet!

Seria muttered under her breath, “Please stop laughing…” but I kept going. You laughed too, so we’re even.

With Seria’s slightly reddened ears, the lively entrance ceremony came to an end.

At the academy, students are divided into classes based on ability.

Lower, intermediate, and upper classes.

Since I won every match during the entrance exams against all new students, I was naturally assigned to the upper class, and after the ceremony, I moved to the upper class.

・But… how did this happen?

“Nice to meet you all! I’m Reina Trier, and I’ll be in charge of the upper class. No need for introductions, right?”

Wait a minute—you’re originally in charge of the lower class. Who’s going to nurture the main character in the beginning now?