"What? The meeting’s canceled!"
The black-haired girl anxiously grabbed the shoulders of the girl who delivered the President’s notice.
"Y-yes… President said so herself…"
The girl answered cautiously.
"Then why didn’t you stop her!"
"H-how could I possibly stop the President…"
The black-haired girl calmed slightly, pondering where the President might have gone instead…
Ah, right…
Suddenly remembering something, she dashed out of the conference room, even casting a wind magic spell on herself.
"Vice President…"
…
At the training ground.
"The two whose names I call, step forward. Take your positions—I’ll signal when to begin. Fight freely; teachers will intervene if needed. Today’s just to check your coordination with your Contract Beasts. No rankings, one match each. Understood?"
"Understood!"
"Since Labi and Lilina have a prior match agreement, they’ll go last. Now, those who hear their names—step forward…"
While watching, Labi shot Lilina a provocative glance. Lilina deliberately ignored her, making Labi stomp her foot in frustration.
"Hmph. Just you wait. You can only act tough for now."
Labi turned toward the two students locked in a stalemate on the field and sneered.
How utterly unskilled. Just two low-grade, low-tier Monster Beasts. Clearly, no one in our class can match my Mandragora Snake.
If I perform well, the academy will surely transfer me to the elite class.
There’s hope—my Mandragora Snake is strong even among low-grade high-tier Monster Beasts. Maybe I’ll even break into the top hundred!
Labi’s confidence swelled as she drifted into daydreams of a bright future… until—
"Whoa, look who’s here!"
"Why’s a senior student at our training ground?"
Who… who’s messing with my plans? I’ll get you later.
"Hehe, you don’t know? That girl’s no ordinary senior. I saw her visiting upper years—everyone called her ‘President’."
"President?"
President?
Labi froze.
Could it be the Student Council President?
While classmates remained clueless, Labi knew the Council’s power well: for any student not under academy protection, expulsion required no academy approval.
If I impress the President… could I join the Student Council?
Far more promising than the elite class…
Stephanie spotted the golden-haired girl and approached. "As Student Council President, what brings you to watch our Commoner Class train? Don’t you usually look down on us?"
No deference in her tone—only thinly veiled hostility.
"Teacher Stephanie," the girl replied calmly, "please don’t project your grudge against my family onto me. The Student Council has every right to assess student talent."
Stephanie let out a disdainful "Tch."
The golden-haired girl’s gaze swept the Commoner Class, finally settling on Wu Yan nestled in Lilina’s arms.
Wu Yan lazily enjoyed Lilina’s gentle stroking. He’d expected dazzling magic displays—but only saw Contract Beasts tangled together. One student chanted endlessly for a fireball smaller than half a decimeter; another canceled it with a tiny water orb.
*Does that even have killing power?*
Soon, a mispronounced spell ended the match.
Wu Yan yawned widely, eyes drooping. *Time for a nap.*
Suddenly, a gaze pinned him. He rolled his eyes up—pale golden eyes stared back.
She was beautiful, sure, but Wu Yan wasn’t into "queen-type" personalities. Worse, her look felt like she was examining a rare specimen.
Memories of Teacher Stephanie’s lab flashed. He shrank back slightly. *Yeah… better keep my distance from this type.*
Stephanie caught the girl’s gaze and smirked. "What? Even the young lady of the esteemed Lesser Family takes interest in a commoner?"
The golden-haired girl withdrew her eyes, met Stephanie’s stare silently, then turned toward the spectator stands.
"Tch." Stephanie praised the winner and called the next pair.
*Noticed that fast? Well, I wasn’t hiding it. Hate the Lesser Family all I want—their influence is real. Lilina gaining their attention could open doors…*
*…If she wins, of course.*
Stephanie watched Lilina’s focused expression on the ongoing match and smiled faintly, warmly.
