Unexpectedly Becoming the Student Council President

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"Head Principal…."

My voice was drowned out by the pouring rain. Kim Dalbi, a formidable powerhouse, stood against a daunting backdrop of deadly secrets—secrets that could kill with just a whisper.

Even within the Federal Council's jurisdiction, one had to be wary of eavesdropping.

There was no concrete evidence, but all the clues pointed to one person.

An elderly woman of the old human race, at the pinnacle of Neo Seoul's power structure in Academy City.

The Head Principal.

The ultimate authority managing Neo Seoul, dedicated to the city's development and safety.

She served as the equivalent of a 'Mayor,' the highest-ranking official in a place without kings or presidents.

Then again.

In the land of no tigers, the fox is king.

She could be considered similar to a king or president.

But that wasn't the important issue.

In front of her, I'm nothing more than a passing mosquito.'

As I pieced together my thoughts, everything began to become clearer.

I looked at Lee Ha-min, the bomber, who was unconscious and restrained.

Before I attacked him, he had already been beaten, likely by Dalbi's hobgoblin.

'His target was me.'

How could I not know that Ha-min had targeted me with his bomb?

'Was Dalbi trying to stop him?'

That made sense.

'Sigh….'

I sighed, running my rain-soaked hair back. My chest felt tight.

The real issue was Dalbi's constant interference on my behalf. If she were just a simple enemy, things would be much less complicated.

─ 'Let's just run away together….'

Suddenly, I recalled Dalbi suggesting we run away.

Running away from a place where escape was impossible.

What was she thinking with that expression? I couldn't guess.

Enough.

I collected my emotions and continued my thoughts.

'Anyway, Dalbi had figured out Ha-min's objective in advance.'

Using my game knowledge.

Ha-min must have received an assassination contract, and Dalbi wasn't superhuman enough to monitor his every move.

Therefore, 'Dalbi might have known the contractor. And if that contractor was the Head Principal….'

It was strange that a bomber would dare to attack within the Federal Council's jurisdiction unless he had someone powerful to rely on.

Adding Dalbi's actions to the mix, the idea that the contractor was the Head Principal gained strength.

I didn't know why Dalbi allowed the bomber to interfere.

If Dalbi had been entirely controlled, she wouldn't have left the letter or approached me.

This incident might have been unforeseen by the Head Principal.

This hypothesis led to another question.

The motive.

Why did the Head Principal target me?

Given that she used the bomber, an easily discardable pawn, to easily back out if things went wrong, it seemed she didn't consider me a high threat.

So, if she had a reason to target me, it likely wasn't related to the 'secret' Dalbi mentioned.

One thing came to mind.

'If the Head Principal was Anomia's top supporter?'

This would explain why the supporter was a powerful figure and why the Head Principal targeted me.

The main reason Anomia was annihilated was essentially because of me.

'…It's still just a suspicion.'

I decided to hold off on certainty.

After a brief five seconds of thought.

I walked briskly towards Lee Ha-min, the bomber.

'First, I need to search his belongings.'

This was the Federal Council's jurisdiction.

Ahsung High had no investigative authority here.

Ha-min would be handed over to the Federal Council immediately, and if the Head Principal got involved, he would be silenced for sure.

So if I wanted to find anything, now was the only chance.

I quickly searched Ha-min's pockets.

'…Nothing.'

Not even a common smartphone, just auxiliary devices likely used in the bombing.

Then.

Splash.

The sound of water being stepped on.

I felt the presence of two people behind me.

"Disciplinary Committee Leader of Ahsung High?" a woman's voice called out.

I turned to see a girl in a nun's habit with combat gear and a boy dressed similarly."

'Spartoi?'

I instantly recognized their combat attire—they were agents from the Federal Council's Spartoi.

I stood up to face them.

"It's an honor to meet you. We are Spartoi, under the Federal Council."

The nun-girl bowed politely and greeted me kindly.

The other Spartoi followed suit.

They were supposed to be Black Ops operatives, but they made no effort to hide their identity.

"We responded to a report and were dispatched… looks like we're late."

It wasn't strange for them to appear, given this was Federal Council territory.

Spartoi are Neo Seoul's elite combat agents.

Even the weakest rank among the 5th Tiers, with many in the 6th Tier.

They operate covertly, but if they surfaced, Academy City's rankings would need reshuffling.

At that moment, Baek-seo gracefully descended to the ground. She stood before the two students, showing her doubt.

"…You know Kim Dalbi has escaped, right? How about controlling the perimeter?"

"Yes, we went right in! And reinforcements are on their way. Ah, they've already arrived."

Security robots and Federal Bureau students were approaching the alley.

They arrived quickly, likely having pinpointed the location due to the fight between Baek-seo and Dalbi.

"Disciplinary Committee Leader Ahn Woo-jin. Thank you for stopping the villains and protecting the citizens. I can't imagine what would have happened without your heroic efforts! Just thinking about it is terrifying!"

The nun-girl exaggeratedly clasped her hands to her chest, expressing admiration.

"Your actions were truly worthy of being called heroic. I'm sure the Lord is pleased!"

"Indeed."

"According to regulations, the Federal Council will grant you platinum mileage. Yes, you've done a great service and deserve a fitting reward!"

"..."

"…Are you injured anywhere?"

Seeing my indifferent reaction, the nun-girl tilted her head and asked another question.

I shook my head.

"That's a relief. You've worked hard. Leave the man to us. We'll just need a statement about the incident for the investigation."

"Yes… I understand."

The nun-girl's politeness felt superficial.

I remembered her from the game; her distinctive attire made her particularly memorable.

'This woman was a loyal dog of the Head Principal, wasn't she? She wouldn't reveal her identity so easily.'

I felt the one who sent them was in a hurry.

I quickly understood the reason.

'Did they send them to secure the bomber's custody quickly?'

Handing over the bomber Lee Ha-min was inevitable.

There was nothing I could do against the Federal Council agents exercising legitimate authority.

Even if I secured testimony from Ha-min that the Head Principal targeted me, it wouldn't be enough to bring down the highest authority. It might even hasten my downfall.

'Anyway, I've obtained important information.'

Knowing I had to be wary of the Head Principal was significant.

Fighting her legitimately was impossible.

Since she underestimated me by sending a bomber, causing trouble would be a mistake.

It was better to obediently hand over Ha-min.

"Take care."

There was no need for further conversation.

I briefly exchanged polite farewells with the smiling nun-girl and moved towards Baek-seo.

"Baek-seo, are you hurt?"

Baek-seo shook her head.

"What about you, Leader?"

"I'm fine."

I answered while examining the drones that Baek-seo's lightning had brought down.

They were all destroyed by the gravitational acceleration.

'Federal Council drones….'

Judging by the markings, they were indeed Federal Council drones.

It made sense for them to be here.

'Are these the 'listening ears'?'

If Dalbi had been wary of listening ears, it wasn't limited to the Federal Council.

It was right to assume that the Federal Council's drones were included in the listening ears.

Only the Head Principal could have the authority to do this secretly.

Of course, the Head Principal wasn't a god. She couldn't hear every conversation in Academy City.

Presumably, AI performed the listening ear's role, detecting any mention of the Head Principal's secrets.

'It's troubling that it's not an absurd story.'

Security drones are designed to detect even faint sound waves to quickly identify criminal situations.

The Head Principal could abuse that capability.

'It's maddening….'

My head throbbed.

Why hadn't I, with my game knowledge, paid attention to the Head Principal?

The first reason was that I considered her a minor extra.

The second and biggest reason was.

'The Head Principal is supposed to commit suicide by the end of this year.'

Unlike Anomia, which was annihilated, or Lee Se-Ah, who met a mysterious death.

The Head Principal was fated to commit suicide due to depression this year.

There was no doubt about it.

It was hard to believe she was plotting something behind Dalbi's back.

...

The situation was resolved.

Kim Dalbi had completely disappeared, as expected.

In the game, once Dalbi teleported with flames, she couldn't be tracked.

Baek-seo and I finished our statements and left the New Yongsan Street.

Since the incident happened in the Federal Council's jurisdiction, they would naturally handle the investigation. Lee Ha-min's custody was also transferred to them.

Although my date with Baek-seo ended poorly, I didn't have the mental space to feel regret. My mind was too cluttered.

"..."

"..."

As we walked the night streets, a new question arose.

"Baek-seo."

"Yes."

"Isn't your home in the opposite direction?"

Why was she still sticking by my side?

Baek-seo tilted her head with wide eyes, as if questioning why I was asking the obvious.

"You said I could come to your house anytime, didn't you?"

"Well, yes. But it's late."

"I'll sleep over tonight."

...?

"It might be dangerous."

…Isn't this overprotectiveness a bit much?

I understood, though.

She must have been worried about me after my fight with Kim Dalbi.

"No need to worry. I can take care of myself…."

"I'm also hungry."

Baek-seo interrupted, looking at me.

She smiled and asked.

"Will you make me ramen?"

"Ramen?"

Baek-seo nodded.

Maybe she wanted to lighten the mood.

Her determination was evident.

"..."

I noticed that Baek-seo's hands occasionally trembled slightly since the fight with Dalbi.

She seemed to hide it naturally, but I, who paid close attention to her, couldn't miss it.

Since she wanted to come over, I wanted to help if I could.

Most importantly, I couldn't refuse her request for ramen.

"Sure, let's eat."

Baek-seo's expression brightened significantly.

To read until the final chapter. p atreon.com/casca02