Volume 7 Chapter 49 No News Is A Sign Of Good Health
Randy's suggestion to throw a party to celebrate the student council election victory was quickly shot down. As usual, the trio—Randy, Liz, and Ellie—woke up to a peaceful morning and headed off toward the academy.
Suppressing a yawn, Randy blinked sleepily.
"Your tie's crooked," Liz said, reaching up to fix it without missing a beat.
Ellie gave his back a light tap. "Stand up straight."
As the trio departed like they always did, Harrison and Rita, who had come to see them off, exchanged skeptical glances.
"...Are they seriously going to manage as student council leaders?"
"I mean, did they really win?"
Their doubts weren't unreasonable. After all, this was Randy—the same as always.
Even last night, nothing had really changed. Though Randy had suggested a celebration, once it was rejected, the group had passed the evening chatting like usual. After the others went to bed, Randy dove back into his usual late-night work: tinkering with prototype devices. He hadn't gone to sleep until Rita gently nudged him to stop.
And so, with the same sleepy face as always, Randy left for the academy that morning.
Harrison and Rita couldn't help but feel uneasy. Was it truly okay for the student council president to be this relaxed?
"Well... there's the young lady and Lady Eleonora too."
"True. They'll probably be part of the student council as well."
If Liz and Ellie were involved, things would probably be fine. Hoping as much, the two adults shared a sigh, then turned to head back inside.
* * *
Between classes, the longer break period was like salvation to students like Randy. After enduring two straight hours of mental exertion from the morning, his brain was crying out for sugar. In other words—snack time. An absolute necessity.
"Wait—are you actually saying the treasurer and secretary are gonna be picked from the general student body?"
The calm atmosphere shattered as Catherine stormed into the room. The classroom door slammed open, and she barked out her demand. Randy, mid-bite on a piece of bread, gave her a small nod.
"...Yeah."
Just as Catherine said, posters bearing that exact announcement had been posted around campus. Randy had printed them himself the previous day while testing the new photoglyph plate. Though full-color prints were still out of reach, black-and-white text worked just fine.
Those posters had gone up that morning with the branch school principal's approval.
Because of that, several nearby students were now subtly eavesdropping on Catherine and Randy's conversation. Apparently, the announcement had made waves.
"Seriously? Even the treasurer and secretary? They're still part of the council!"
Catherine strode further in. Randy instinctively pulled his stash of snacks closer, shielding them with his arms.
"...What are you doing?"
Catherine glared. Randy gave a sheepish smile. "No, nothing?"
Sighing at his usual nonsense, Catherine sat at the far end of the bench beside him.
"What about Liz and Ellie?"
"Hm?" Randy tilted his head. Catherine answered with another quiet sigh.
'She's talking with Cecilia.' Her expression said it all—It's about the council.
"They seemed convinced, though?"
Catherine puffed her cheeks. "It looked that way, but..."
"You never really know what they're thinking. Maybe they don't want to work in the student council with you."
"Then they can just apply."
Randy's answer made Catherine frown. "You're okay with that?"
"Good or bad doesn't matter. The posters say the treasurer and secretary will be decided by interview. It never said anything about excluding Liz and Ellie."
What Randy really wanted was simple—he'd like to work alongside Liz and Ellie. But if he voiced that out loud, they would definitely agree.
And that, Randy felt, would be wrong.
Liz's main source of danger at school had been dealt with—mostly. There was no longer any need for her or Ellie to tie themselves to him. They had every right to enjoy school on their own terms.
Like right now, happily chatting with a friend, Cecilia, away from him.
"Besides, Liz has lacrosse club. Ellie seems curious too. I plan to have them focus on after-school practices. There'll be days they just want to read a book quietly or grab tea at a café."
Catherine gave a slow nod. "Yeah... I get that." Her tone softened. She remembered that feeling well.
Back when she was busy pursuing her own goals—whether love or power—there had been moments she needed space. Time alone on the rooftop, or lost in a book in some quiet library corner.
"But if they do want to join, I'd welcome them."
Randy gave a shrug. Catherine tilted her head. "Welcome, huh?"
"I doubt they will, though."
She had no rebuttal. When Liz and Ellie had visited earlier to discuss the interviews, both had seemed... oddly detached.
But Catherine knew why now. They had already heard Randy's thoughts—and agreed with him.
Liz had been relieved; she wasn't sure she could juggle council duties and lacrosse. Ellie had been intrigued by club life. Both were quietly daydreaming of their own after-school paths.
Just as Randy expected, it was unlikely they'd show up to the interview.
"Well... maybe that's not such a bad thing," Catherine said with a tiny sigh.
That was when Liz and Ellie returned—Cecilia in tow.
"Lady Catherine, are we clear now?" Liz asked, tilting her head.
"I guess so," Catherine replied with a long exhale.
She didn't doubt their smiles anymore. Hearing Randy's real feelings had helped her understand—those girls were genuinely happy.
"I won't argue anymore."
Liz and Ellie exchanged a glance, then beamed at Catherine. Ellie clapped her hands. "Oh! That reminds me."
"Lady Catherine, would you like to join the lacrosse club?"
"That's a good idea. You were good at sports, weren't you?" Cecilia added.
"Huh?" Catherine blinked. Lacrosse? A team sport?
Even if her reputation was improving, it wasn't clear if she could really blend in.
"What's the problem?" Ellie grinned. "You can make friends by throwing punches."
She let out a laugh. "Just like us, remember?"
Indeed—Ellie was right. Catherine and Liz had clashed many times before becoming close. It wasn't fists, but their honesty that built that bond.
Maybe the same could happen with others.
"Oh, and Ellie's joining too," Liz said.
"That's great." Randy smiled. He remembered Ellie showing interest when Liz first joined.
"I guess I'll have to skip student council to watch practice," he joked.
"You can't do that," Liz said, puffing her cheeks.
"That's right," Ellie added, shaking her head.
"The student council's important too."
"It's fine. Just leave it to the vice president."
At Randy's words, Catherine and Cecilia blinked. Come to think of it, there hadn't been anything on the posters about a vice president.
"Wait a second—"
"Who's the vice president?"
Randy looked puzzled. "Didn't I say? It's Juli. He's probably free anyway."
Behind him, a shadow muttered, "I'm not free..." Julius's voice.
"In any case," Randy continued with a grin, "just leave it to us. Everyone should do what they enjoy. That's the best kind of school life."
Catherine gave a thoughtful nod. "I'll think about it."
Just then, the bell rang.
"Well then, see you two."
"See you at lunch!"
As Catherine and Cecilia waved goodbye and left, Randy watched them go with a small smile.
He pictured the girls running around the field, chasing after the ball. Cedric and Lucian would probably be thrilled to see Liz like that.
"Maybe we should schedule a parent visit...?"
Still smiling, Randy had no idea how he and Julius were perceived by the other students.
And there was something else Randy had yet to learn.
Far from the academy, in the Dukedom of Highland, within the territory of Viscount Victor—in the town of Verinea...
"All those who caused last night's trouble have been captured and sent back to the Autonomous Region by river," a guard reported.
Abel accepted the report in his office, nodding. "Good work."
"But lately, there's been a rise in shady types around town."
"Yeah. The lord mentioned that too. Too many strangers coming through."
Abel's expression darkened. "More than usual, definitely."
"It's lucky they surrendered quietly, but if this keeps up, we won't be able to manage."
The guard scratched his cheek awkwardly. Even the events of just one day had stretched them thin, dashing north and south across the wide town. Any more, and they'd be overwhelmed.
"I'll report this to the lord. I'll also send a few men from the Knight Brigade."
"Is that... okay?"
The guard was new to Victor and hadn't seen Knights patrol the town before. Usually, that was the guards' role. The Knights were a separate force, focused on emergencies and battlefield training.
"Don't worry," Abel said with a laugh. "This is a rural area. Our Knights have played guard duty plenty of times."
Even so, he added, "We'll still need more people."
He began scribbling a letter, muttering to himself.
"I'll bring this up with the lord as well."
After finishing, Abel sealed the letter and sent it flying skyward.
What Randy didn't yet know—was that Gustav's dark influence was creeping closer to Victor.
No one had noticed. Not yet. There was a faint sense of unease in the air, but the true threat remained hidden.
On one side, the newly formed student council led by Randy.
On the other, Gustav's growing web of rogues.
Both were just beginning to move.
No one could yet say how their paths would cross—or what would happen when they did.
Even Alan and the others were still unaware that Randy had become student council president.
Notes:
• Verinea - A new town located in the Dukedom. It is under development, and Randy is concerned with its progress.
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