Chapter 9: Investment 9— Master Planner(Part One)

The previous eventful and hectic day was all Elliot thought about throughout the night without getting a wink of sleep. What weighed on him the most was how his proposal to Seria went.

’I guess the plan worked flawlessly, though the odds were very low.’

Elliot had studied Seria’s personality while reading the novel, but when dealing with the real deal, even the best of plans had a very low success rate.

Let’s take it back to the night before the start of classes for the semester, right after the welcome ball.

’Shit! This is bad. This system doesn’t seem to be joking. If I don’t get her to accept my proposal, then I am done for.’

Elliot was in complete panic. Even after he defended her at the ball, the look she gave him made it crystal clear that she didn’t want his help nor did she appreciate it.

’I read this story like a thousand times. Even after meticulously studying Seria’s personality, I still cannot fully understand her.’

He fell onto his bed as a look of despair and agony crept over his face.

’I need a plan.’

"That’s it!" He jumped from the bed with a wide smile.

’The student council is going to be recruiting two members tomorrow. If I remember correctly, they gave Seria the first spot and Liam took the second. Knowing his persona, I bet if I raise my hand too, he’s going to be disgusted, and that sly snake of a prince might suggest we duke it out.’

He had just created the scheme that would serve as his last lifeline. He was a master planner for police raids and stuff in his former life before he came down with his illness, so this sort of thing was right down his alley.

The next day, when he was heading for class and Seria ambushed him on the way, the first thing that came to his mind was, ’Has she decided to ice me?’

Luckily for him, that was not what happened; she just gave him a warning. That alone was enough to make him give up on the plan, but the appearance of her two friends and how they addressed him as "Mr. Knight in Shining Armour-kun" gave him a bit of hope.

’My Ice Queen. How I wish to experience your cold touch.’

When Professor Dermiurge left the class, just as he had expected, the student council made their way into the class.

’I hate every one of you bastards.’

Elliot grimaced, letting out a brief hint of bloodlust. The student council seemed to have a part in Seria’s tragic fate.

They finished their showcase of an introduction and moved to announcing that the student council was recruiting new members.

"Lastly, the student council currently has vacancies for two more incredible students. Under a unanimous decision of all the council members, we have decided to recruit Seria Ale Migalison," Leonard said boldly. "If she accepts, that is. Isn’t that Seria?" His gaze shifted towards her.

’This bastard is as cunning as ever,’ Seria thought. Given the history between Leonard and his younger brother, Alex, this wasn’t a unanimous decision; he just wanted to spite Alex.

"I accept your offer," Seria replied.

’If only you had just rejected their offer.’

Elliot’s gaze drifted towards her from behind.

’Then maybe things would have been different.’

"It would be our honour to have you." Leonard smiled.

"With the addition of Seria, that leaves just one spot. Do we have any candidate or candidates?" Futaba mentioned.

’Here goes everything.’

Elliot raised his hand. "I am interested."

"Oh, interesting!" Leonard clapped his hands in delight. "Are there any other people interested?" he asked.

"I think I would be a better option than some laggard." Liam raised his hand.

’Still a predictable scumbag,’ Elliot scoffed.

"Hahaha. The same laggard that stood up to a prince without wavering while you hid like a coward," Rose stated out of disgust for his irritating attitude.

’I couldn’t agree more.’

Liam stood at the very back of the ball that day. He made sure to keep his distance from Alex, since he supposedly had some dirt on him that would ruin the near-perfect image he had built.

"Now, now, Rose." Leonard broke the tension.

"Why don’t you two have a little spar? Then the winner would take the spot. How does that sound?" His voice carried across the room.

"It’s fine by me," Elliot replied.

’It’s time to brutalize this scumbag.’ Elliot clenched his teeth.

"Take up your swords," Liam announced. Liam and Elliot both picked up their wooden swords.

’Seria made sure to look at me.’ He looked towards the seats, only to see Seria’s face turned away, barely paying any attention.

’Really?!’ He grunted.

"Begin!" Leonard stepped out of the arena.

Liam dove headfirst at Elliot with his sword. Their swords clashed as Elliot quickly reacted to his attack.

’It’s no lie that he is skilled and experienced. I can tell from his sword strikes. But!’

His life was riding on whether he won this fight or not. Though he and Liam were worlds apart in experience, he had a trick or two prepared.

Elliot flipped upwards and lunged downwards, exerting enormous pressure on Liam, enough to crack the floor beneath his feet.

Liam thrust upwards and threw Elliot into the ceiling, but before he could crash, he crouched his legs against the ceiling and thrust downward.

"He’s going to use the same attack again. How predictable," Liam thought.

Elliot streaked towards him from above. Liam attempted to counter him, but Elliot vanished from his line of sight.

"Where did he g—"

’Eat this, you narcissistic bastard.’

A heavy blow came from behind. He could only partially mitigate the damage with his sword as he was flung into a wall.

"You fucking bastard. You are gonna pay for that!" Liam spat blood from his mouth. His mana flared.

"7th-tier spell: Tide Rush."

His body became immersed in water and, in the blink of an eye, he vanished from his position.

’It’s high time you used that.’

As planned, he had forced Liam to use his trump card.

He appeared above Elliot and attacked with a heavy downward stroke that unleashed a gust. The ground beneath them shattered and dust erupted.

"How’s that, laggard!" He turned around, basking in his absolute victory with a wide grin on his face. "Leonard! I have done away with the laggard," he stated boldly.

"I think you should look behind you." 𝑓𝑟ℯ𝘦𝓌𝘦𝘣𝑛𝑜𝓋𝑒𝓁.𝑐ℴ𝓂

Leonard pointed a finger at his back.

Elliot stood firmly with barely any scratches on his body.

’Your prideful and overconfident persona is the major reason I am gonna win!’

Red mana exuded from his body. He clutched his sword tightly.

"7th-tier spell: Rondo Apec."

He moved step by step with his sword, which now appeared to be a flaming dragon. It looked as if he was performing some kind of dance ritual. He flipped above Liam and the flames disappeared.

"Hahahaha. It was nothing but a show after all!" Liam laughed.

Blood sprayed out from the multiple cuts that appeared on his body as he fell to the floor.

"How’s that for a laggard?" Elliot stood over him with a wide grin on his face.

He looked over to where Seria was seated.

’Yes, it worked. Phase two will be underway soon enough.’

She looked quite invested in the fight. From the slightly shocked look on her face, it was obvious his victory took her by surprise.