Chapter 169
Ari amarin
They stepped once again through the grand double doors of the Student Council building.
The receptionist was still seated behind her desk, tapping away at her computer with the same slow, steady rhythm as before. She looked completely and utterly unbothered—like nothing outside those glass doors had ever concerned her, like people being flung across the courtyard was nothing special.
She hadn't looked up once during the entire chaos between Blaze, IAM, and the others. As if scenes like that were just a normal daily occurrence.
But now, as Ari approached, her demeanor completely changed—she finally looked up.
Ari didn't slow her stride. With a flick of her wrist, she gestured toward the doors. "Get a few cleaners to deal with the mess outside. And make sure they treat him with care… okay?"
The receptionist straightened just slightly and nodded quickly. "Yes. I'll get it done right away."
Ari gave her a warm smile. "Good."
Then she turned to face the group, her gaze sweeping across them. Her tone became casual, almost cheerful.
"Now… how about we take a little trip to the second floor?" she asked, already pivoting on her heel. "Would you be willing to accompany me?"
She paused, then added with a wink and a sway of her hips as she strutted toward the elevator, "There's snacks."
The doors slid open before she even looked back.
They found themselves gathered around a long table on the second floor—an area clearly intended to serve as a kind of break space for the Student Council.
It wasn't the typical kind of cafeteria one might expect. The space was relaxed, but refined—more of a student lounge with restaurant flair. There were plush couches scattered near the corners, low tables surrounded by chairs, and even a few shelves of board games and old card decks set up near the walls. The section they were in had the layout of a casual bistro with quiet music playing in the background.
The group sat around a rectangular table, with Ari at the head, her legs elegantly crossed. She had ordered them tea—not food—a signal that this wasn't a meal, just a brief conversation. They wouldn't be staying long.
A few members of the Student Council were scattered around the room, chatting in low voices or sipping from cups. But one glance at Ari—or maybe it was Snow—was enough. None of them paid any attention to IAM and the others. It was as if they weren't even there.
IAM had taken the seat farthest from Ari, positioned at the other end of the table. Yohan sat beside him, then Henry, and then Reuel—the ever-daring one, still trying to act cool despite everything.
On the opposite side of the table, across from the boys, Snow sat beside Ari, her eyes quietly watchful.
IAM thought to himself, he already had his suspicions from Blaze's words earlier… but this confirms it.
The fact that Snow—the Student Council President—didn't even sit at the head of the table made it glaringly obvious that her authority was paper-thin. Symbolic, at best.
But that raised an even bigger question: Why make her president at all, if she couldn't even command the respect of those beneath her?
Blaze had called her a fake. Said she was lucky. That meant she wasn't voted in by her peers. She didn't earn her position the normal way—and given how young she was, maybe she hadn't earned it at all. Maybe someone handed it to her for reasons that had nothing to do with merit.
As IAM sat with those thoughts circling in his head, he noticed Ari glance up—her eyes catching the boys' subtle stares and questioning gazes.
She smiled, casually tucked a strand of hair behind her ear, and said, "You find it strange, don't you? That Snow's the Student Council President… and yet she's treated like this."
Snow stiffened, her expression flashing with alarm. "We're not supposed to talk about this with normal students!"
Ari waved a dismissive hand. "Well, too late. They already suspect something. And it's better to clear the air than let it bubble into something worse, right?" She raised a brow at Snow.
Snow had no reply.
Ari turned her attention back to the boys "I'll keep this short," she said, uncrossing her legs and leaning slightly forward. "Otherwise, I'll get bored… and my throat might get dry."
The boys leaned in, listening—curiosity rising. The questions they hadn't voiced were finally about to be answered.
"The last president of the Student Council personally and strongly recommended Snow here to take over as the next president," Ari began, her voice smooth like velvet. "He said he could see her potential—her leadership qualities and the strength she could one day possess. The problem was… a situation occurred that forced him to graduate earlier than anyone would've liked. And at this point in time, Snow hadn't yet grown into that potential."
Henry frowned slightly. "Then why not just pick someone else?"
Ari's gaze shifted toward him. "Oh, we would've loved to. You see, the usual method of appointing a new president is through a Council vote—each member votes for who they believe is the best candidate. We're even allowed to vote for ourselves. After the votes are tallied, the results are reviewed by the seven vice principals. And if, for any reason, the choice is rejected, we're required to start the entire process over again."
She paused, then added pointedly, "The seven vice principals' decisions are heavily swayed by the recommendation of the previous president."
Henry leaned forward slightly. "So what was the problem? Tell us…"
Ari's expression cooled instantly. "First of all, I don't like that tone. Don't tell me what to do." Her voice sharpened with authority. "Second, as punishment… we will now enjoy five minutes of silence."
"What?! You can't be serious." Henry's eyes widened, genuinely caught off guard.
But Ari didn't even glance at him. She sipped her tea slowly, like he'd already vanished from her awareness.
Henry looked helplessly at Snow, who only shook her head in silent sympathy.
Five minutes later...
Ari finally spoke again, her tone returning to that same cadence that seemed to belong to her. "The problem was that every candidate who was sent forward was rejected. You see, there are a few core requirements they look for when approving a Student Council president."
She raised a finger with each point.
"One—strong leadership qualities. Two—the potential of strength in the future, or the presence of it already. Three—someone who holds only the best interests of those in the academy at heart. And lastly, an utterly unbiased character."
She took another sip of her tea before continuing.
"Many of us met one or two of those requirements… but almost none of us had all of them. That's why Snow was recommended. She was considered the perfect candidate. The issue was simply timing—she wasn't ready. It was too early for her to take the mantle."
Ari's eyes scanned the room briefly before she added, "In a case like that, the previous president's recommendation takes precedence. And so, she was chosen. But more accurately than calling her the President of the Student Council… it would be fairer to say she's the President-in-Training."
"She has some authority, yes. A bit of say in matters. But in truth, she's mostly seen as our equal until she fully realizes her potential. No one here harbors serious resentment toward her. Well—aside from a few who are mildly annoyed or think they should've been chosen instead. But nothing too dramatic."
"Yeah... nothing too crazy… riiiight," Reuel muttered sarcastically.
Ari turned her head sharply and gave him a piercing look, her tone suddenly colder.
"The reason Blaze acts that way is because the last president was someone he deeply respected. He felt disappointed. He thought he should've been chosen. But I believe he wasn't recommended for very obvious reasons: he's reckless. He's violent. He has no leadership qualities. He doesn't really care about anyone... apart from me, obviously." She gave a slight shrug. "So it's not all that surprising."
Silence fell over the table again.
No one offered a reply.
Ari let out a soft sigh and set her cup down. "Anyway, the reason you're all here right now... is because I want each of you to swear not to spread what you've just learned. If you do—" she smiled, a little too sweetly, "—your lives may become... slightly difficult."
Henry narrowed his eyes. "That sounds like a threat."
"A promise," she corrected, casually checking her nails.
Snow looked visibly uncomfortable, her nerves showing as she fidgeted with her hands, eyes fixed on nothing in particular. The room still carried a tension that hadn't fully cleared, no matter how smooth Ari's tone had been.
Ari stood, her attention now back on the boys. "Now that that's over with, you may leave. We'll see you tomorrow."
...
Snow walked with them to the elevator, saying nothing, but offering a small wave as the doors closed.
The elevator ride down was quiet—until they all stepped out and looked at one another.
"I need my bed," Reuel muttered.
Everyone nodded in agreement. No one argued. Without another word, they all began heading off.
As they walked, their low voices picked up again, turning to the topic still hanging in the air—what they'd just learned, who this previous president was, and how it might've changed everything if Blaze had been chosen instead. More than once, someone mumbled a quiet: Thank the seven heroes.
Just as they exited the building, something made IAM slow his steps. A flicker of instinct or maybe just a feeling. He turned and looked back—his eyes rising to the overhang above the entrance.
The structure was held up by sculpted beams, and carved into them in delicate, fading gold script were names. A line of history, etched into the wood—the past Student Council members immortalized in a tribute.
IAM's gaze traced across them slowly, until it reached the more recent entries.
And then he saw it.
Under the list of presidents, in the newest gold etching, there was a name.
Raj.