Volume 7 Chapter 6 Friends Are Something You Realize You Become (Second Time)
Leaving the vice-principal's office behind, Randy shuffled down the hallway. Walking through the quiet corridor, the distant laughter seemed even farther than usual.
"Student council president, huh..."
Muttering to himself, Randy couldn't grasp the reality. The reserved answer he'd given was a mystery even to him.
Randy understood why Lucius nominated him for student council president, but when asked if he could imagine himself in that role, the answer was clearly "No."
Understanding the reason but lacking the feeling, he didn't think he could do it.
Grumbling to himself as he walked, Randy suddenly realized he had reached the corridor leading to the courtyard.
The area around the vice-principal's office was deserted, but stepping into the corridor revealed a bustling courtyard filled with students enjoying their break.
It was a peaceful, familiar scene that remained unchanged even after the academy's name was altered.
(No way. Nobody's gonna support this dystopian bill, right?)
Despite Lucius's warnings, the academy students weren't fools. They should be able to instantly judge the impact that clause would have on their lives.
Or so he thought...
As Randy stepped into the courtyard, he was engulfed by a sense of unease. There was a slight hitch in the familiar scene.
At first, it was nothing──a tiny hitch──but with each step, it grew larger.
(I want to think that old man was just messing with me...)
Yet, the more he advanced through the courtyard, the clearer it became why Lucius had been cautious. Trying to reassure himself that it was just a temporary thing, Randy's mind had already grasped the truth.
The reason Lucius had said, "It's pretty much decided as it is."
(President...)
Before he could complain about the hassle, Randy was unsure if he could even handle it. For now, he should consult with someone, he thought, hurrying to the usual terrace where Liz and Ellie were waiting.
He silently crossed the wide courtyard, finally spotting Liz waving enthusiastically. Beside her, Ellie with a straw in her mouth, Cecilia and Luke, all wore expressions that said, "Finally."
Randy, having finally reached everyone, sat down in the empty seat, saying, "Sorry, did I keep you waiting?"
The usual terrace seats. Originally for 4, now with an extra chair, making it 5.
With only Ellie added, Cecilia and Luke remained constant. And in the next seats, Catherine and Leon, and Julius, Livia, and Wayne, who looked like he'd been dragged into it.
Annabelle and Cory weren't there, but it was the usual crew. Watched by this familiar group, Randy sat down, and Liz opened her mouth, looking concerned.
"You were late. What did the headmaster say?"
To Liz, tilting her head, Randy said, "Ah, that," and began to tell the story he'd heard in the headmaster's office, mixing in laughter.
But...
"You'll laugh, right? They're creating a snitching system called the 'Whatever Clause'!"
"Your inability to remember names is hilarious."
Only Luke, Wayne, the muscle-brained trio, and Leon laughed. The remaining group──Liz, Ellie, Cecilia, Catherine, and Julius, a smart quintet──stared at Randy with serious faces.
"No, no. It's supposed to be funny, right? This Whatever Clause..."
Randy tried to laugh again, but Liz and the others' expressions didn't change.
"Could it be... that Whatever Clause? Not remembering the name..."
Julius sighed softly, looking at Randy and then turning his gaze to Liz.
"Miss Elizabeth──"
"Randy is usually like this when it comes to himself."
Liz, sighing, looked at Randy again with a worried expression, saying, "Randy..."
"You don't have to worry about us."
Hearing those words, Randy muttered, "Tch..." and scratched his head with a wry smile.
"Well, um... you know. It's a pinch."
Livia tilted her head, asking Randy, "Why?" as he shrugged.
"Yeah, when I asked the vice-principal, I completely forgot about it..."
Randy, who started off like that, continues with the story about the academy's current special situation.
The monarchy was abolished, and it became part of the Empire. There's some local autonomy, but the fact that it's no longer a nation is significant. After all, for many of the Central Nobility, the king used to guarantee their noble status, but now that king is gone.
Of course, many of them still work as officials, not in the royal castle but in the government office. But there are some who lost their jobs, had their noble titles stripped, and are now treated as commoners.
"That's a pretty clear example, huh?"
As Julius mutters, just like he said, by stripping a few noble titles, the government has established a custom of guaranteeing the Central Nobility's status.
"The royal castle... or rather, the government office is in a real mess right now."
Catherine, who is still technically a member of the Central Nobility, says it with conviction. Apparently, everyone is desperate to get into the good graces of Governor Gustav, the head of the autonomous region. If they lose their noble status, they become commoners in an instant. Plus, they don't have land like the territorial nobles, and they aren't running businesses either.
They just shifted the master they serve in order to protect their lives and families. It's a kind of survival tactic for them.
On the other hand, many of the territorial nobles, like Cecilia, still have the same amount of power as before.
The number of territorial nobles was already small, and they still hold privileges that are equal to or even greater than before. For the Central Nobility, who could fall from grace at any moment, it's incredibly enviable. And many of the children of these nobles make up a significant portion of this academy.
"This is basically bait for them. If you side with the Prime Minister or the governor behind him, your status will be firmly guaranteed... that's the clear background here."
Randy, snorting in dissatisfaction, continues further.
"And I guess they also want to deepen the divide between the former Central Nobility and the territorial nobles."
It's a move that clearly aims to weaken and destroy the kingdom. By dangling bait in front of the children and stirring up conflict within the academy, they aim to take away the kingdom's ability to unite completely.
"Dragging a kid into this... what a shitty move, a real traitor's trick."
Julius fixed Randy with a probing look, "So?" he asked, clearly unimpressed.
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