Chapter 47

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Episode 10 - First Year Representative [4]

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Back in the classroom of Class B-1.

I returned together with Rinna; on the way, we talked about Verónica, and I was able to learn why she ended up in first place.

Rinna had said that Verónica killed all of the Class 4 Demonic Beasts by herself and half of the Class 3 ones.

All while saving all the cadets.

Which was a great achievement, considering there were extra points for saving other cadets.

’If she did that, it barely surpasses the equivalent of killing a Class 6 demonic Beast.’

But I didn’t kill a Class 6 demonic Beast; I only held it back with someone else’s help.

And above all, because my points were split with Clementine.

Mine were 80% and hers were 20% of the contributions.

’But there were bonus points, since in the end the Demonic Beast evolved into Class 7.’

Even so, it was not equivalent to killing a Class 6 Demonic Beast alone.

’And she literally killed almost all of the Demonic Beasts.’

I understood how she did it, since her sword art specializes in a single move where she kills hundreds in a second.

’I should have assumed from the beginning that she would end up in first place.’

She was an anomaly in the Hunting Festival.

In any case, what was done was done, and that was simply how things were, and it’s not like I cared about the position of first-year representative.

’It would be great to become the student council president because of its benefits and resources, but also because of the access to certain places.’

While I was thinking, the classroom door opened, and Professor Ashly walked in with some papers in hand.

She walked to the center of the podium and said what everyone had been waiting to hear.

"The first-year representative will now be announced."

The cadets fell silent, and all eyes turned toward a girl seated at the front.

Then Professor Ashly finally said,

"This year’s first-year representative is... Rank 11, Veronica, who achieved first place in this Hunting Festival."

The commoners applauded happily; meanwhile, the nobles watched in silence.

I didn’t know what they thought about a commoner becoming the first-year representative.

But, regardless, they could only swallow their pride.

"Does the first-year representative, Veronica, have anything to say?"

Veronica calmly rose from her seat, stood beside Professor Ashly, and said while looking forward,

"I feel joyful and happy to be the first-year representative, so from this moment onward, I swear that Class B-1 will become the most outstanding class in the entire history of Holy Academy."

The commoners applauded loudly.

Meanwhile, some nobles clicked their tongues, saying nothing but nonsense.

Things like how she should not be so arrogant or act so full of herself just because she was the first-year representative.

Amid the many complaints, Professor Ashly then commented.

"What desire or goal does the first-year representative have to achieve throughout this year or within the next three years?"

Veronica nodded; then her expression turned serious and...

"..."

She stared fixedly at my bandages; a strange premonition washed over me.

Then she opened her mouth, and her words came out as naturally as breathing.

"My goal within these three years is to stand above Rank 1."

Everyone’s eyes turned toward me and then toward Veronica.

But she wasn’t finished yet, so she stated the wish she wanted to fulfill.

"And the wish I want to fulfill is... to be acknowledged by Rank 1."

"..."

An explosion of murmurs echoed throughout the classroom while my thoughts fell into confusion.

’What the hell, why is she targeting me?’

I’m not even the strongest; I may be Rank 1, but Lumina surpasses me in strength.

But maybe she doesn’t know that; even so, her words left me bewildered.

I couldn’t understand why she wanted to surpass me and be acknowledged by me.

Then I remembered the day I defeated her.

Veronica had an expression of shock, but at the same time admiration, and that left me bewildered.

’Could it really be because of that?’

Or perhaps Veronica already knew Adel before I took over his body.

I wasn’t sure what the reason was.

"She has rank 1. Adel, a few words about it."

Professor Ashly said.

Then I straightened up and responded in a cold voice.

"Try it if you can, but I don’t acknowledge anyone based solely on strength."

At my words, the classroom once again fell into murmurs.

Then, Veronica smiled and said:

"Then I will firmly stand by my words."

With that, she returned to her seat. Then, Professor Ashly clapped several times.

The classroom fell silent once again, and Professor Ashly said:

"Alright, I have an announcement to make."

Finally, the cadets focused on Professor Ashly’s words.

This was the second announcement she had made, and everyone knew it had to be something important.

So, they waited for her words.

"In a few months, at the end of the first semester, the cadets from Elvenheims Academy will come as part of an academic exchange."

The cadets erupted into murmurs for the third time.

Their reaction was more than natural, and there was a reason for it.

Elvenheims Academy was located on the Floating Continent.

Each continent had a great academy, such as the Holy Academy.

And the race that rules the Floating Continent is not human; at first glance they look human, but their eyes and ears are different.

’In simple terms, they are a combination of vampires and elves.’

Furthermore, the Floating Continent is where the Tree of Dream and Desire is located.

’I suppose this is still the same as in the game.’

I let out a slight sigh. Then, Professor Ashly continued:

"You’re wondering why I’m telling you this only in the third week of classes."

Some cadets had only just realized this, while others nodded.

She continued:

"It’s simple. During this exchange, a competition between both academies will take place. That’s why I’m telling you now to prepare yourselves, train, and become much stronger in order to win this competition."

The name of this race is the same as the name of their academy.

The Elvenheims, who are born from the Tree of Dream and Desire, possess strength far superior to that of most talents in the Holy Academy.

Because of this, Professor Ashly revealed what is coming at the end of the semester.

’The end of the semester will be in part two of Chapter two.’

Part one will take place in one month, and part two in three months.

The entire first year has four Chapters in total.

And besides that, most of the most important events in the Academy take place during them.

In the second and third years, there will be fewer Chapters related to the Academy.

In any case, some cadets asked Professor Ashly.

"Professor, is it true that all Elvenheims can freely use the Mana Channels?"

Professor Ashly answered the cadet’s question.

"No, only the top three students of each year, the year representative, and the president and vice president of the student council can enter up to three times per year while they are in the Academy."

Another cadet asked in confusion.

"And why is that? If everyone could enter the Mana Channels, wouldn’t the Academy become the strongest of all?"

The more curious cadets also waited for Professor Ashly’s answer.

Because, although the Elvenheims could enter the Mana Channels without issue, especially since the Tree of Dream and Desire was located at the center of their continent.

It would be strange if they could not enter the Mana Channels.

"Well, that’s simple, and the reason is that not all Elvenheims can absorb mana from Mana Channels; the Tree of Dream and Desire was the one that created their race, and only the tree can select the best individuals."

Ironically, the Elvenheims were a race born from the Tree of Dream and Desire, yet they are also the only race incapable of freely absorbing mana from their Mana Channels.

Meanwhile, the other races can do so as many times as they want.

It’s just that the more times you enter a Mana Channel, the less time you can remain inside, dropping from one minute to forty-five seconds.

Decreasing by fifteen-second intervals.

"Professor, is it true that Elvenheims only have red eyes and that their main attribute is blood?"

Professor Ashly nodded.

"Yes, most of them awaken the Blood attribute, and all of them have red eyes, with the exception of the chosen ones."

"The chosen ones?"

Asked a cadet unfamiliar with the subject.

"Yes, just as I said, the chosen ones would be like the imperial family for us humans; they are the only ones who do not have red eyes."

For the Elvenheims, the color of their eyes signifies purity.

The chosen Elvenheims are the most respected and beloved by their race, so it is natural for all races to know this.

Then, someone finally asked the last question.

"Professor, will there be a rank reevaluation during this exchange?"

At the cadet’s question, all the cadets’ emotions shifted to curiosity.

Professor Ashly confirmed the cadet’s words.

"That’s right. In this competition, all of your ranks will be reevaluated and revealed for the second semester."

With those words, Professor Ashly’s announcement came to an end.

Meanwhile, I noticed Verónica looking at me with a smile.

When I noticed this, I thought,

’I should ask about her intentions.’

It would be better to be direct rather than observe her from afar, and I might also discover more about her by being straightforward.

So, I decided to speak with her after class.