After the temporary school closure ended, Lana Collete visited the student council room as a new student council member and frowned as she looked around the room.
Today, the new and former student council members were supposed to discuss the future handover and the policy for the graduation ceremony.
In that case, it was natural for Monica, the former student council treasurer, to be present. However, Monica was nowhere to be seen in the student council room.
Lana took her seat and spoke to Claudia, who was already seated.
"Hey, Monica hasn't come yet?"
"…Should you know it better?"
"Monica hasn't been attending classes… In fact, I haven't seen her in the dorms for a few days."
Since Monica was a serious and introspective person, she might have been troubled by the recent incident involving the kidnapping of the Second Prince and become unwell.
If that was the case, Lana secretly regretted not checking on Monica's room before coming to school.
While they were discussing this, the new and former student council members gradually arrived and took their seats.
The former student council members are Cyril, Elliot, and Bridget.
The new student council members are Neil, Roberto, Eliane, Glenn, Rana, and Claudia, the self-proclaimed advisor.
"Hasn't the Treasurer Norton arrived yet?"
Cyril, who was in the same class as Monica, asked Lana as he looked around the room.
Lana shook her head from side to side and gave the same explanation she had given to Claudia.
"Monica hasn't been attending classes."
"…Is she unwell? Well, we can't help it. Then, for now, let's start the meeting with those present…"
Just as Cyril was about to begin, there was a knock on the student council room door.
Everyone thought it was Monica, but the people on the other side of the door were not who anyone expected… in fact, there were two of them.
"Mmm, mm, mm, mm, we're coming in."
Lana was momentarily speechless. Not just Lana, but everyone present was unable to hide their surprise and confusion.
One of the visitors was Albert Flau Roberia Ridill, a second-year Junior Divison student and the Third Prince of the Ridill Kingdom.
The other was Hubert Dee, a third-year Senior Division student and a troublemaker who had caused a duel incident at the beginning of the new semester.
While everyone was at a loss for words, Glenn was the first to speak.
"Albert, what's going on? …And you, Red Hair, what's your business here?"
Glenn's words to Albert were those of a close friend, but his tone towards Hubert was slightly prickly.
However, Hubert didn't seem to mind as he laughed and shook his red hair.
"Why am I here, you ask? Well, Monica asked me to come here after school today."
"I was asked the same thing by Monica this morning to come to the student council room."
Hubert and Albert's words only added to the confusion in the room.
Why would Monica, who was not present, have asked Albert and Hubert to come here?
If she couldn't attend the meeting due to illness and wanted them to act as her proxies, she should have said so from the beginning. However, neither of them mentioned any specific purpose from Monica.
In any case, they couldn't leave Albert, a member of the royal family, standing there, so the considerate Neil prepared a chair for him. Hubert, on the other hand, casually took a seat on the guest sofa, putting his feet up.
An indescribable atmosphere filled the student council room.
Without Monica's true intentions being clear, and with the complete outsider Hubert present, they couldn't start the meeting. Moreover, they couldn't fathom Monica's motives. Newest update provıded by noveⅼfire.net
Lana raised her hand slightly.
"Shall I go to the dorms and check on Monica's condition?"
"I appreciate it if you could," said Cyril.
Lana nodded and was about to stand up when there was another knock on the student council room door.
That timid voice undoubtedly belonged to Monica.
The door slowly opened.
There stood Monica in her uniform, looking pale and with disheveled hair.
Monica was clutching a long, rod-like object wrapped in cloth in her hand. It was about a head taller than Monica herself, and the cloth was tightly wound around it.
Behind Monica stood an orange ringlet-haired girl.
Lana recognized the girl. She was Isabelle Norton, a first-year Senior Division student. She was the daughter of Count Kerbeck from the eastern region and was rumored to be bullying Monica.
What was the object Monica was holding?
Why was Isabelle Norton standing behind her?
For what purpose did Monica call Albert and Hubert here?
Amidst these questions, Monica closed the door and locked it.
"Treasurer Norton. What is the meaning of this? Explain the situation," Cyril demanded.
Monica gripped the wrapped object tightly and answered with a trembling voice.
"…I'm sorry for acting on my own."
Monica looked like she was about to cry. Unable to bear watching her, Lana spoke from her seat.
"Hey, Monica. Are you okay? Are you feeling unwell?"
"…No… That's not it."
Monica shook her head vigorously, looking at Lana with a tearful expression.
Why was she making such a face? It seemed as if she was about to confess to a crime.
"There's something, I must tell everyone here, no matter what."
Monica took a deep breath and raised her head. A somber expression hung on her youthful face.
"As you all must know, the fate of the criminal who impersonated Prince Felix Ark Ridill will be decided at the Supreme Council meeting in two weeks."
This was a fact known to everyone present.
Two weeks from now—despite being such a significant incident, the Supreme Council meeting was being held exceptionally early. This was either due to the King's poor health or someone's intention to resolve the matter before the social season began.
In any case, everything would be settled in two weeks.
"But, I want, to help… the one you all know, as the student council president."
Lana was perplexed. She herself was still undecided on whether the captured Felix was an impostor or falsely accused.
However, Monica spoke as if she was convinced that the captured Felix should not be executed.
Lana wasn't the only one perplexed. Everyone seemed uncertain of what to say.
In the midst of this, it was Elliot who spoke up in his usual casual tone.
"That's impossible. You know that, right? The Supreme Council is a meeting of the nation's top officials. No matter how noble we are, we're still just kids. We can't be involved in the council…"
Monica stated firmly and repeated herself slowly.
Then, Monica placed her hand on the wrapped object and bowed her head deeply.
"I truly apologize… for having lied… until now."
Her small hands removed the cloth wrapping.
Beneath the cloth was a beautifully crafted golden staff with intricate metalwork.
In the Ridill Kingdom, a magician's rank is determined by the length of their staff. Only seven people in the entire kingdom are permitted to wield a staff taller than their own height.
"I am Monica Everett, one of the Seven Sages of the Ridill Kingdom, known as the Silent Witch. Please, lend me your strength."