A week had passed since Monica revealed her father's name to Felix.
Felix's attitude toward Monica remained unchanged, frighteningly so. That's why Monica tried her best to act as normal as possible, so as not to let her feelings show… or so she thought.
"Did His Highness say something to you?"
Monica, who was organizing documents with Cyril in the archive room, accidentally dropped the bundle of papers she was holding. Although they didn't scatter since they were bound with a string and had a thick cardboard cover, the cover struck her instep, causing a dull pain.
Giving Monica an exasperated look, Cyril watched as she awkwardly laughed and picked up the dropped papers.
"No… he didn't… say anything. It's… the usual."
Cyril stared at Monica with sharp eyes, but then took the bundle from her hands and put it on a high shelf that Monica couldn't reach.
"I heard from General Affair Maywood that you turned down the offer to be on the new student council."
Monica shuddered. It seemed Cyril thought her suspicious behavior was caused by that.
A few days ago, Neil, who had officially been chosen as the next student council president, had asked her, "Won't you be the treasurer again next year?"
Essentially, student council members are appointed upon the president's recommendation. Considering that Monica and Neil would soon be the only remaining members after the others graduated, it was natural for her to be asked to continue. Neil would likely find it easier to work with an experienced member.
However, Monica had turned down the offer.
Her bodyguard duties for Felix would end upon his graduation, and Monica would have to return to her life as the Silent Witch of the Seven Sages. Her life as Monica Norton had only a month and a half left.
As Monica hung her head, Cyril said while organizing the shelves:
"You don't want to continue as a council member?"
Squatting down to put old documents in a box, Monica pondered.
What would her answer be if she were an ordinary student and not an undercover Seven Sage?
If I stayed on the student council next year, I could interact with all sorts of people through events, and Lana and Glenn would be there too during events…
The scene playing out in her mind seemed to sparkle brilliantly.
But it only sparkled because it was an unattainable dream for Monica.
Seeing Monica's distant gaze, Cyril seemed to think of something and paused his work to look at her.
"I believe one should always evaluate things fairly and impartially."
"And based on that… I evaluate that you've done well." Fınd the newest release on novel~fire~net
Monica blinked in surprise, and Cyril cleared his throat awkwardly, his words speeding up slightly.
"Your administrative skills… especially with numbers, you're faster and more accurate than anyone. Ever since you became the treasurer, the review of past records has progressed better than expected. That's an accomplishment. Your negotiation skills might need some improvement, but the fact that you remain impartial and unswayed by self-interest regardless of who you're dealing with is commendable."
Cyril looked straight into Monica's eyes with his blue ones.
"More than anything, I sense a willingness to make an effort in areas involving interpersonal relations, which you struggle with. During the school festival and the student assembly, for instance. You're still immature and have many shortcomings, but I appreciate your efforts."
Flustered by the unexpected praise, Monica's face quickly turned red.
She had been complimented many times in the past for her skills as a mage, like her non-incantation magic and the spells she developed.
However, she rarely received praise for her own efforts or attitude toward tackling challenges.
She didn't know it could make her heart race .
Lips quivering, Monica instinctively covered her flushed cheeks with both hands.
… Lord Cyril praised me.
Being praised by someone usually so harsh with criticism felt incredibly gratifying.
Especially since he had been her mentor of sorts this past year.
"In other words, I believe you are well-suited to be a student council member next year. So I'll ask you again."
Cyril straightened his posture to face Monica directly.
"Are you sure you don't want to stay on the student council next year?"
Hands still covering her cheeks, Monica thought about how fortunate Monica Norton was.
Even without the prestigious title of a Seven Sage, she could still be acknowledged and needed by others.
…Have a helping hand extended to her.
It was a happiness Monica had given up on long ago.
Even if Monica Norton's existence was a fabrication, Monica vowed secretly to never forget the joy she felt as Norton.
For all those memories and that joy were precious treasures to Monica.
"…I'm afraid it's an opportunity I must decline."
Seeing Monica smile wryly with furrowed brows, Cyril seemed to realize there was no point in persuading her further.
"I see," he muttered, resuming his work. "Tomorrow there's a meet-and-greet with the new student council member candidates. Let's finish organizing these documents by today."
"Yes. Um, what kind of people are the new candidates?"
Cyril looked a bit surprised at Monica's question.
"You haven't heard? At this point, the candidates are Robert Vinkell, Glenn Dudley, Miss Eliane Hyatt… and your friend Miss Lana Colette is also a candidate."
The names Cyril listed were all Monica's friends and acquaintances.
Cyril seemed surprised by Monica's reaction as well.
"…I thought you weren't enthusiastic about next year's student council because you dislike Robert Vinkell, but…"
"No, I had no idea about any of this."
Now that she thought about it, Lana had been grinning rather meaningfully lately… This must have been the reason.
While Lana's family doesn't hold a high noble rank, she aims to start her own trading company one day, so she's quite skilled with calculations.
Eliane is the most well-known young lady among the first-years, and Glenn became hugely popular after the school festival.
Though an eccentric bunch, Neil should be able to manage them well.
But the most surprising candidate was Robert.
Images of Robert Vinkell energetically rolling up his sleeves to show off his toned arms, even in early spring, came to Monica's mind.
——"If I become a student council member like Miss Monica, I can play chess in the student council room."
He would definitely say something like that. Definitely.
As Monica's cheeks tensed with the thought, Cyril made a sour face and said,
"The vice president plays a crucial role in supporting the president. As such, academic excellence is required. Which makes Robert Vinkell's candidacy… quite unexpected, despite being the top student among the first-year transfers."
Judging by his strained tone, Cyril likely had reservations too.
Monica gave an awkward smile and asked the disgruntled Cyril,
"Speaking of which, won't Lady Claudia be a student council member?"
"…Do you think she would be?"
"…No, I suppose not."
Undoubtedly, the highest-achieving second-year in the senior curriculum was Cyril's sister, Claudia Ashley.
However, while Claudia was the top student, she was also known for her problematic personality.
Still, with her fiance Neil becoming president, Monica had thought Claudia might be considered… but it seemed Neil had excluded her from the start.
Apparently, Neil had confided to those around him.
——If my fiancée is on the council, I might unconsciously play favorites with her.
When Claudia heard this, she was reportedly in a very good mood, saying, "That's right, Neil does play favorites with me."
"…That does sound like Lady Claudia."
As the two exchanged smiles, the archive room door opened, and Felix peeked in.
"Ah, there you two are. Is the work going well?"
"Yes, we'll finish it by today."
While Monica awkwardly looked away, Cyril responded to Felix as usual in a crisp manner.
Felix gave a warm smile, glancing between Cyril and Monica.
"I have some errands to run, so I'll be leaving first today. Tomorrow's a day off, but there's a meet-and-greet with the new and old student council members in the morning, so don't forget to come to the student council room."
After Cyril and Monica responded, Felix said, "Well then, see you later," and turned to leave.
As the archive room door closed, Monica thought she might have briefly made eye contact with Felix.
Back in his dorm room, Felix took off his uniform jacket and tossed it aside, then pulled out an outdoor jacket and a black wig from his wardrobe.
The lizard-shaped Will, crawling out of Felix's pocket, asked in a perplexed tone,
"…Aren't you done with your night revelry?"
"There's just something I need to confirm. Don't worry, I'll be right back once I've checked."
A week ago, Monica had mentioned a name——Benedict Rayne.
It was unfamiliar, yet Felix felt like he'd seen it somewhere before. Until he finally remembered where he had come across that name.