The academy courtyard looked… different today.
Banners were hung everywhere—bright, ridiculous, overly cheerful colors—flapping in the wind while a crowd of first years formed a giant circle around a makeshift stage. Class 1-A had turned the whole thing into a festival. Class 1-S… stood there like we were attending a funeral.
I don't know why, but everyone kept staring at me.
Again.
Maybe it was the pressure. Maybe it was the fact that Seraphyne somehow created a campaign poster where she was holding dual daggers and smiling like she was about to "reform society through violence." Maybe it was because 1-A printed a thousand flyers of their candidate throwing sparkles in the air.
Either way, the air was thick enough to slice through with a blade.
Seraphyne stood beside me, tapping her foot, arms crossed, serious expression… yet still managing to look slightly unhinged, like she was preparing for a duel rather than an election.
Varein stood silently on my left with his spear, as if he were ready to intercept any incoming votes.
Kazen was allowed to keep his bow because "He looks more normal with it than without it."
Theon was bouncing on his heels, muttering, "I'm already hyped up, man, I swear if someone throws tomatoes I'm fighting."
And the five prodigies were behind us—Liam looking noble, Kai polishing his katana for no reason, Arion yawning, Aelira practicing elegant poses, and Liraeth holding her shield like someone might try to storm the stage.
This didn't look like an election.
It looked like Class 1-S was preparing to invade somewhere.
Instructor Minea stepped onto the stage and raised her clipboard.
"First Years! Today we select your student council. Campaigning ends now. Voting begins after speeches!"
The crowd erupted in excited chatter.
Seraphyne glanced up at me. "Rain, don't look so tense. We're only electing representatives. Not fighting a dragon."
"…I'm not tense."
"You look like you want to run away."
"…I always look like that."
She snorted.
The large crowd split into factions. The girl from 1-A—Eloria Vantresse, marched forward with her whole group behind her, waving banners that said:
Eloria FOR PRESIDENT — PEACE, TEAMWORK, AND NO VIOLENCE.
(UNLIKE CLASS 1-S.)
Kazen read that and muttered, "Bold of them to talk about peace when they're provoking us."
Theon cracked his knuckles. "Rain, let me take care of that—"
"No."
Aelira sighed dramatically. "Politics are already too exhausting."
Seraphyne's campaign banner hung behind us. It featured her standing with dual daggers, smiling sweetly, with the slogan:
VOTE SERAPHYNE. SHE'LL TRY HER BEST. PROBABLY.
Somehow, it was scarier than Class 1-A's message.
Eloria took the stage first, bright and confident, her group cheering.
"My goal is to unite the first years! I want peace, cooperation, and fairness for all—!"
Class 1-A clapped politely.
Class 1-S stared blankly.
Then several candidates took turns—vice president hopefuls, treasurers, secretaries, and people trying to win the "event coordinator" role by shouting "FREE FOOD."
The crowd laughed, cheered, and enjoyed themselves.
Then Instructor Minea called:
"Representative of Class 1-S, Rank #1… Rain."
My body locked.
Seraphyne nudged me, whispering, "You'll be fine. Just say something simple."
Theon grinned. "Yeah, man, just don't threaten anyone."
"I never threaten anyone."
"You do it with your face," Kazen said.
…Traitors.
I stepped onto the stage.
The cheering stopped.
Everything went silent.
I felt all eyes on me—curious… nervous… expectant.
Pressure pressed on my shoulders again. Heavy. Familiar. Annoying.
My throat tightened. My palms felt strangely warm.
I didn't come here to be a leader. I didn't want people depending on me. I didn't want more expectations.
So when I opened my mouth… the words came out cold.
"…Just vote for whoever you want."
Silence.
Complete, stunned, frozen silence.
I blinked.
That's… all I planned to say.
Seraphyne facepalmed. Theon mouthed "bro…"
Aelira looked like she was trying not to laugh.
Kai nodded as if I had delivered ancient wisdom.
Then the crowd reacted.
Not normally.
No.
They panicked.
"W-We should vote for Seraphyne, right?!"
"Did he just glare at us?!"
"No way I'm disappointing the rank #1!"
"His eyes—! I think I saw lightning in them!"
"SERAPHYYYYNEEEE FOR PRESIDENT!!"
It turned into a stampede of students sprinting toward the voting booth while shouting her name.
Seraphyne slowly turned to me with an unreadable expression.
"…Rain."
"…What?"
"You accidentally threatened an entire building of students into supporting me."
"…I didn't mean to."
"I know. That's the problem."
Votes were counted in under ten minutes because everyone was terrified into voting quickly.
Aldred raised his clipboard.
"First-Year Student Council President… Seraphyne Flametide!"
1-S erupted in cheers—mostly Theon and Kazen yelling like maniacs.
Seraphyne blinked, surprised, then smiled. A real smile. Small, warm, and slightly smug.
The Vice President was a 1-A boy, his name was Joshua Mardev
The Secretary was Liraeth mainly because no one dared vote against her mace and shield.
Treasurer was Varein—he didn't campaign, but apparently his silent stare convinced everyone he'd be responsible.
Eloria received enough votes to become Event Coordinator, so her team was happy.
Everyone seemed satisfied.
As the courtyard emptied, Seraphyne nudged me again.
"…Thank you, Rain."
"I didn't do anything."
"You did everything," she said, looking forward, not at me. "Even if you didn't mean to."
I stayed quiet.
Kai sheathed his katana. "Well, that was entertaining."
Theon slapped my back. "Next time, smile or something! People won't think you're declaring war!"
"…I'm not good at that."
Kazen smirked. "We know."
Liam chuckled politely. "Still, it was impressive in its own way."
The class walked off together—bickering, laughing, complaining, arguing about snacks.
And for the first time…
The pressure I always felt didn't crush me.
It just sat quietly beside me.
Manageable.
Almost familiar.
Maybe… acceptable.
And as Seraphyne walked at my side—New President of the First Years—she smiled at the sky and said,
"This year's going to be fun, isn't it?"
I didn't respond out loud.
I didn't disagree though.