Unexpectedly Becoming the Student Council President

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I inserted the platinum-grade access card into the slot.

[The platinum-grade equipment you ordered is ready for pickup. Please reply 'Yes' if you wish to receive it.]

The AI on the Deus Atelier screen spoke in a friendly tone.

"Yes."

[Very well, I will guide you to the location. Please allow approximately 5 minutes for equipment retrieval.]

Oh Baek-seo and I moved to the room the AI guided us to and waited. After 5 minutes, a large case arrived in front of me on a rail.

Shhh!

The case opened with a hiss of heat.

[A three-section staff of lightning attribute, crafted with the highest quality, named 'Iron Dragon Staff' by our Deus Atelier.]

Inside the case was a three-section staff, perfectly straightened and secured with friction locks.

The exterior was exquisitely covered with the scales of a black 'Ironclad Dragon'.

Grooves lined the precisely arranged magic circuits, resembling electronic circuitry.

The thickness was slightly thicker than my previous staff, and the length was a bit longer.

Inside the staff, 'Lightningwing' petals would be lined up. Lightningwing was a mystical flower that only bloomed in the heart of the Thunder God Beast's territory, where lightning poured like rain. The petals fluttered like waves, greatly amplifying the power of lightning magic.

Most of the mileage was spent on the petals because of their high value.

Anyway.

'Iron Dragon Staff…?'

I pondered, stroking my chin.

The name is pretty cool.

Iron and Dragon.

Wasn't it a name that combined only cool elements?

Considering the exterior that clearly showed the Ironclad Dragon scales, it seemed like an appropriate name.

'Originally, I was going to name it 'Excellent Conversation Starter'.'

I had thought of that name because I didn't want to give the equipment a cheesy name.

'I stand corrected….'

Hearing the name 'Iron Dragon Staff' from the AI made my blood boil with excitement.

'The name 'Excellent Conversation Starter' is cheesy, but it also lacks romance.'

It was a shameful thing that I, as a man, couldn't tolerate.

Originally, cheesiness and romance were separated by a thin line.

Now that I had acquired my own personal weapon, it was only fitting to give it a cool name.

[If you don't like the name, we can change it….]

"I like it. Iron Dragon Staff. It's good."

[I'm glad you like it.]

Let's see.

I grabbed the Iron Dragon Staff.

'Ah, this cool and heavy feeling….'

A strange sensation flowed from my palm throughout my entire body. It was as if the Iron Dragon Staff was judging whether I was worthy of being its owner.

Well, that was too romantic of an expression….

It was just 'magic resistance' kicking in.

The lower the magic compatibility with the equipment, the more severe the magic resistance.

As a result, it became difficult to operate magic through the equipment, and even caused pain. To use it, I would have to act pathetic.

However, my magical compatibility was top-notch.

The sensation the Iron Dragon Staff conveyed resonated within me like a soundboard, only aiding my magic circulation.

'Thickness, length, durability, weight, grip. All satisfactory.'

As my magic flowed through the Iron Dragon Staff's circuits and circulated throughout my body, I could sense how powerful a weapon this three-section staff was.

The AI said so.

That I would be able to use this three-section staff like an extension of my own body.

I think I knew why.

Because it fit perfectly in my hand, even though I hadn't used it yet.

[Would you like to test the equipment?]

"Yes, please."

[Activating the training dummy range. Please select the desired level of the dummy. Levels range from 1 to 10 and….]

"The sturdiest one, please."

[Level 10 selected.]

Creak!

One of the walls went up, revealing a giant training dummy. Like in games, that dummy boasted a level of hardness that wouldn't budge from normal attacks. Even if I fired a shotgun or a cannon, it would only leave a scratch.

Woooosh!

As the hologram image activated, the training dummy took on the form of a monster. It roared.

The hardness of the dummy according to its level was the same in all training grounds. This is because there cannot be any difference in the sandbags used to test newly forged equipment.

And Level 10 was a level that only those who were at least in the upper ranks of the 5th Tier and equipped with platinum-grade equipment could attempt.

'Good.'

A level I wouldn't have even looked at normally.

But the moment I held the Iron Dragon Staff, I was convinced that Level 10 was worth a try.

"I'll be right back after hitting it once."

"Sure. Fighting."

Baek-seo smiled casually.

I approached the training dummy.

I activated the magic circuits. The magic gathered in my lower abdomen spread evenly throughout my body. I poured that magic into the Iron Dragon Staff.

Bzzt! With the sound of electricity flowing, blue-green magic circulated within the Iron Dragon Staff's circuits.

'Let's go.'

Whoosh!

Kicking off the ground, I swung the Iron Dragon Staff towards the training dummy with all my might.

Thud!!!Crackle!!!

An explosive roar.

Along with the heavy impact, multiple shockwaves of electricity engulfed the training dummy.

The amplified magic, thanks to the Iron Dragon Staff, was released powerfully. Ferocious lightning danced in the air, and a strong gust of wind momentarily sucked in the air.

Crash! The monster screamed and was driven straight into the wall. This was because the ankle of the training dummy, which was fixed to the ground, had been blown off.

Zzzt. The hologram flickered with static. Then, the form of the training dummy, hidden by the monster skin, was revealed. It was bent in half from a single blow.

"Wow…."

I heard Baek-seo's exclamation of admiration behind me. It was the first time I had heard such a genuine exclamation from her.

I was just as surprised.

'That was crazy….'

How much was my magic amplified with that blow?

I couldn't tell.

'…As expected, gear makes all the difference.'

Realizing the immutable truth once again, I looked down at the black three-section staff, named the Iron Dragon Staff.

Made of Ironclad Dragon scales, it continuously emitted blue-green electricity along its straight magic circuits. As if leaving an afterglow.

'This is sick.'

The corners of my lips curled up.

My heart began to flutter involuntarily.

"Thank you. I'll put it to good use."

[You're welcome. Have a good day.]

I wanted to get it enhanced right away, but I couldn't because I didn't have any platinum mileage left.

The Federal Council had sent an official letter stating that they would compensate me with platinum mileage for the New Yongsan Street incident. However, according to the rules, it would be given after the final exams, so it was still a long way off. For now, I had to be satisfied with the unenhanced Iron Dragon Staff.

Click.

I channeled a small amount of magic into the groove of the handle and pressed the end of the Iron Dragon Staff, causing the staff to retract inwards. Then, I inserted the now-shortened staff into the holster on my belt.

"Baek-seo, let's go."

Baek-seo smiled faintly and tilted her head at me.

"Chief, you seem excited."

"Hmm? No way…? I'm the same as always."

We left the Deus Atelier.

"Do you like it? The power was no joke,huh?"

"It's beyond my expectations."

With the Iron Dragon Staff, I might even be able to land a proper blow against Kim Dalbi.

The reason I thought of Dalbi for comparison was that my attacks didn't seem to work on her last time.

It might have been a different story if I had launched a series of attacks, but my consecutive attacks wouldn't work on Dalbi, who even blocked Baek-seo's.

Of course, I had no intention of harming Dalbi. However, if a situation arose where I had to subdue her, I would have to wield this three-section staff.

"It fits my hand perfectly. I like the weight and how sturdy it feels."

Come to think of it….

I need to practice controlling my strength with this.

Because if I swing this at an average rule violator, it wouldn't just end with a fracture.

"That's good."

Baek-seo smiled faintly.

"It would hurt if it hit me too."

"Hurt…. Right…."

It was an answer that made me realize the difference in our skills, which I sometimes wanted to forget.

I don't think I can beat Baek-seo even with the Iron Dragon Staff.

But there was no need to be discouraged.

I had finally gotten my hands on the dedicated weapon I had been longing for. This might even allow me to develop various techniques. I was only going to get stronger from here on out.

Well, that could wait.

'The timing is good. I'll have to deal with the Six Sinners soon anyway.'

In the game, the Six Sinners caused incidents all over Academy City and made headlines.

The game was designed in a way that the players would constantly come across news about the Six Sinners, making them think, 'It would be fun to fight them'.

The academies were some of the stages where the Six Sinners wreaked havoc. Although the Six Sinners didn't appear at Seoin High, where our protagonist Lee Tae-sung attended, other academies were different.

'One of them will attack Ahsung High soon.'

I didn't know why.

In the game, there was news that one of the Six Sinners had invaded Ahsung High.

I couldn't figure out the exact details of the incident. Maybe it was because Ahsung High was far from the main stage of the game? I wasn't sure.

Even if I could figure out the details, I might not have known because I was a casual player.

Anyway, I had to be prepared.

However.

'I don't know how Ahsung High's security is breached….'

It was a question without a clear answer.

Since one of the Six Sinners appeared in the game, Ahsung High's security would be breached. But I couldn't help but have doubts based on my experience at Ahsung High.

This was because, as a major academy, Ahsung High's system was well-designed to thoroughly prepare for external intrusions.

Moreover, security was strengthened last year because of the incident where magical beasts broke in during the exams. Even I felt reassured.

'…Let's put that question aside for now.'

Because there was no way I could find a clear answer at the moment.

I should eat now.

"I'm hungry, want to grab something to eat?"

"Leader."

"What?"

"I have somewhere to be today. I'll head there first."

"?"

Baek-seo said with a faint smile.

Usually, Baek-seo was specific with her words. The fact that she wasn't mentioning it meant that she didn't want to talk about it. That's why I didn't bother asking, 'Where?'

'Is it something personal?'

Last time, I realized that Baek-seo had a personal life she didn't want me to know about.

Even if it weren't something like that, I didn't feel like prying. I was just disappointed that our date in New Yongsan Street was canceled.

I guess our date would have to wait until I came back to enhance the Iron Dragon Staff.

"Alright. I'll go on ahead then."

"Okay. I'll make dinner later, so wash your hands and wait."

"?"

Is she my mom?

***

The navy blue sky was chasing away the sunset. It was the time when night approached.

Listening to the chirping crickets, Oh Baek-seo climbed a hill and arrived at a small playground. It was a secluded playground with nothing but a slide, a seesaw, and a swing set.

There was a girl there.

Squeak, squeak. The sound of the swing. She was sitting quietly on the swing, her toes touching the sand.

Flowing pink hair. Hanyang Federal Academy uniform without a name tag.

"You're here. It's been two weeks, right?"

Kim Dalbi, one of Academy City's terrorists, greeted without making eye contact.

Baek-seo stopped and looked at Dalbi with an indifferent expression. However, Baek-seo's left hand rested on the sword at her waist.

"Hello."

Baek-seo greeted back with a faint smile.

"What a face I've been wanting to see."

"I'll take that as a compliment."

Dalbi reacted playfully.

"…"

Baek-seo narrowed her eyes.

"It's convenient to have a high Tier, isn't it? There's something called presence that only those in the 6th Tier can feel."

"You're telling me. You were blatantly revealing your presence."

Baek-seo shrugged.

"Why did you call me? Unless it's something important, I'm going to draw my sword."

"Something important?"

"Then I'll draw it a little later."

"You're still drawing it either way."

Baek-seo hadn't called the Disciplinary Committee on purpose. Dalbi seemed like she wanted to talk.

Baek-seo also wanted to talk to Dalbi before apprehending her. There was something she needed to ask and information she wanted to extract. In the current atmosphere, it seemed possible.

"Well…, I'm not planning on fighting today. I have something to tell you."

Dalbi said firmly, looking at Baek-seo.

"Just give me three minutes. I have something to tell you about your Disciplinary Committee Leader…."

In the blink of an eye, Baek-seo plopped down on the swing next to Dalbi.

It was so fast, it was like she had used Flash Steps.

"Go ahead."

"Wow…, you're more straightforward than I thought."

Dalbi chuckled in admiration.

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