Chapter 21: Investment 21—The Student Council’s Arrival

When Renshi was taking Elliot and the rest of the team to meet Vena at the arena, they made a quick stop at an intercom panel.

Intercoms were devices used to talk to people who weren’t close by or near a person. They were created using special spatial manipulation sigils, which were placed on two different intercoms to facilitate communication.

"I am a student council member, and I would like to make a call," Elliot said to the intercom point manager while showing him his ID card.

"Elliot Reingard," the student read his name from the ID card. "Ahhhh, I know you. You are the guy who kicked Liam’s butt and earned a spot in the student council." He beamed with admiration.

"Can you hurry, please? It’s kind of urgent," Elliot cut in. They had very little time on their hands.

"Yes, yes. Of course." The student typed in the student council’s sigil number. "Here you go." He handed Elliot the intercom.

’It amuses me that they have something that looks similar to a walkie-talkie.’ He was amazed that they had technology similar to that on Earth.

He collected it and placed it over his mouth.

"It’s Elliot. I implore you to come to the arena and see for yourselves who was truly behind sending those letters to Flora Gustaz," he stated boldly.

"Eh, wait a minute, what do—"

He ended the transmission before the person on the other side could finish talking. "Here you go." He dropped the intercom on the desk and walked away hurriedly.

"That was quick," the intercom manager mumbled, looking at Elliot walk away.

"Did you reach them?" Edith asked upon seeing that he had left the building.

"Yeah, I did." He grinned. "And they will have no choice but to come," he stated boldly.

Over at the student council’s office, Leonard slammed a fist on the desk he was standing in front of. He had just come off the intercom with Elliot, and he most certainly wasn’t pleased about how Elliot cut the transmission before he was done talking.

"What’s with your face?" Rose asked.

"Aren’t you supposed to be all smiley all day, every day?"

She placed a finger on both sides of her lips and dragged her cheeks upwards to mimic an awkward smile. "Isn’t that the premium facade you forced yourself into?" She dropped her fingers.

"Rose, I’m not in the mood for one of your lectures about morals." The veins on his forehead throbbed.

Futaba dropped her teacup on the table beside her.

"So what’s got you all riled up, Trigger?" She was always fond of referring to Leonard as Trigger ever since they were little due to his chaotic nature.

"Guys, we have to go to the arena.

Apparently, Elliot just told me that we should head there. It’s most likely that the real perpetrator behind sending those letters to Flora and framing Seria is there."

He let out a sigh. "From the way it sounds, it seems they possess concrete proof." He slid a hand backward through his hair to quell the standing strands.

"Ohohohohoho. I had a gut feeling that Seria was too upfront to pull such a trick," Futaba chuckled and continued to sip her tea.

"So what are we waiting for? Let’s get going." Rose stood. As usual, she was ready to fight for justice.

"August, I know you are not sleeping." Her gaze drifted towards August, who was comfortably sleeping on the couch with a book over his face. He acted as if he didn’t hear her. The next instant, she threw a dagger at him.

Before it could hit his legs, he split them apart, and the dagger landed on the couch in between both legs.

"Hey!" He raised his head. "You don’t have to be drastic to get my attention." He grinned.

"Dude, stand the fuck up. Let’s get going," Leonard addressed August’s laziness.

"Dude? Is that what you are calling me now?" He looked at Leonard with a vexed face.

"What’s going on between you two?" Rose asked.

"It’s nothing," Leonard replied quickly.

"Of course it’s nothing," August hissed.

"Seems like something to me." Futaba sipped her tea loudly. "I smell tea, and I’m gonna find out later." She plotted in her mind.

"Okay," Rose said the word with a very straightforward look. "I have to get involved in whatever this is," she thought.

"I’ll head out first, guys," August said with his usual carefree tone to hide his underlying anger. He stood and walked out the door.

"Fu-chan, do you perhaps know anything?"

Rose whispered.

"Beats me." Futaba stood. "But don’t worry, girl. The second I find out, you’ll be the first to know." She whispered into her ear.

"I’m counting on it," Rose whispered back.

They were the only two girls amongst the core members, so they always tended to stick together and share all the gossip between themselves.

"What are those two plotting?" Leonard raised a brow.

"Let’s go, ladies," he said as he walked past them towards the door.

All the core members left the room and headed towards the arena. As usual, at the sight of all of them together, the students gawked, following them like flies and asking completely random questions.

"Oh my goodness, it’s the student council!"

"Futaba-chan!"

Blood gushed out from the noses of some male students as they fell headfirst onto the floor.

"Hcckkkk. It’s Rose. She looks more intimidating today, don’t you think?"

"August-sama! We love you!"

"Prince Leonard-sama, you are the sun that shines upon the academy!"

The hallway was filled with screams. While on their way, they saw someone flying into the sky, and suddenly the clouds turned dark.

"What the hell is that?" A student fell to their knees at the sight of the enormous sphere of electrical energy.

"Leonard, I don’t think we will be able to stop the attack on time," Futaba muttered as they walked faster.

"I sense other mana signatures there, and some are very familiar. I don’t think there’s any need for us to worry or hurry." August placed his hands behind his back.

"Nevertheless, we have to get there now," Leonard replied.

"Sure, you are the boss," August mumbled.

"I also sent Moohawk to keep watch earlier," Futaba stated. Moohawk was her trusty assistant and summon. One of its abilities allowed him to share his vision with her.

"Holy shit!" Another student gasped as they saw the sphere retract and then explode, only for the explosion to be completely nullified.

"I didn’t realise one of the Four Seasons was around," Rose mentioned.

The ground underneath their feet quaked. Some students fell on the floor while others buckled to their feet with their hands overhead.

"Ahhhhhhhhhh! Are we under attack?!"

"Don’t tell me it’s another explosion!"

"Is this for real?!"

Everyone raised their head to see a burst of light that came from the arena. A gust of wind blew across the entire expanse.

The student council increased their movement speed. The students ran after them due to curiosity. They all finally arrived at the arena. Most were shocked at the display of flowers on the ground, while others wondered what had happened that led to the explosion.