CHAPTER 35: CONVERSATION WITH THE CHAIRMAN OF STUDENT COUNCIL

The next day, after alchemy class finished, Ard immediately headed to the library because Mirea was usually there. He purposely brought only Eva with him to the library. When they entered, he immediately looked around and found Mirea sitting and reading at a long table with several books piled in front of her. Without hesitation, he walked straight to Mirea with Eva.

"Mirea," Ard greeted.

Mirea looked up, holding the frames of her thick glasses and lowering them. Her face immediately brightened when she saw Ard, then returned to its usual expression when she saw Eva standing next to Ard.

"What is it, Ard?" Mirea asked.

Ard and Eva sat down across from Mirea. Ard then recounted what happened last night when he caught the Durnhill Kingdom’s secret forces who seemed to be monitoring Eva. As Ard spoke, Mirea’s face became serious and thoughtful.

"Hmm... those forces are the ones who escort Nikolai and Julius. I was going to try and ask Nikolai about this later," Mirea said.

"Not yet. First, listen to this story I’m about to tell you, and please keep it confidential," Ard replied.

Ard then told Mirea what Abel had told him, so Mirea and Eva would both understand what was happening at the academy. Of course, Eva, who had been asleep and hadn’t heard the original conversation, was very shocked. Mirea was also shocked because the leader of the dark cult was suspected to be inside a member of the Student Council. After Ard finished his story, Eva leaned her face close to Ard’s ear.

"Why are you telling her about that?" Eva whispered, glancing at Mirea.

"I knew her in the seventh life. She was the one who told me not to show Exgrandal

to anyone. I think we can trust her," Ard replied.

"But she’s different from the one you knew in the seventh life, right?" Eva said.

"Her personality is the same, and her abilities are the same. I don’t think it’s a problem. Trust me," Ard replied.

"Okay, I trust you," Eva replied.

Both of them then turned to look at Mirea, who appeared to be thinking hard with a very serious expression. The atmosphere became quiet as none of the three spoke. After a moment,

"This is... very critical information. I have to analyze this issue seriously," Mirea muttered, serious.

"Exactly. That’s why I asked you not to question Nikolai about the forces from last night," Ard said.

"So you suspect him?" Eva asked.

"He’s one of them, yes. The other is his younger brother, the Pig Prince of Durnhill, Julius. Because, as far as I know, those secret forces only answer to the royal family, in other words, they are the royal family’s special troops," Ard replied.

"Oh, I see. So the cult leader who is in the Student Council member’s body is possibly Nikolai?" Eva asked.

"That’s... not certain. I’ve known Nikolai since we were kids. I don’t think he’d be involved in anything strange, but the problem is, he did bring those secret forces here as his escorts. This is confusing, but if he were the dark cult leader you just mentioned, I don’t think so, because he is never far from me," Mirea muttered.

Ard, Eva, and Mirea began to think. The three fell silent, making the atmosphere quiet again.

"You said there are still two other members who haven’t been introduced to us yet, right?" Ard asked.

"Yes. Cecilia Viera Holdena, the daughter of Countess Holdena from the Orthus Empire, third-year, and serves as the Club Manager. The other is Daniel Ryess from the Fredonia Kingdom, third-year, and serves as the Communication Manager with the academy officials and students," Mirea replied.

"Hmm... Cecilia, huh? I know her. We met a few times at parties, but I’m definitely not close with her," Eva muttered.

"Hmm... you’re right. It’s tough to guess who the cult leader is right now. But what’s clear is that the secret forces from the Durnhill Kingdom are under Nikolai, and if Nikolai isn’t directing them, it must be Julius," Ard said.

"But we can’t confirm it yet. I’ll try to discuss this issue with Claudia. Of all the Student Council members, the only ones I can trust are Nikolai and Claudia, but right now, I can’t possibly tell Nikolai all of this, because he’s also a suspect, even though I’m sure he’s not involved," Mirea replied.

"Alright, in that case, I’ll leave everything to you, Mirea," Ard replied.

"Leave it to me. I’ll let you know about the developments later, and please keep all of this a secret because if there really is a dark cult operating in this academy, we can’t trust anyone, including the instructors," Mirea replied.

"We understand. Thank you, Mirea. Alright, we’ll excuse ourselves now," Ard replied, standing up.

"Yes, we’ll excuse ourselves, Big Sis Mirea. See you later," Eva added, also standing.

"Alright. Don’t hesitate to talk to me again, okay? I’m glad you two opened up to me," Mirea replied, standing and smiling.

Finally, Ard and Eva left Mirea. After confirming that Ard and Eva had left the library, Mirea sat back down and turned to her side.

"Alright, you can show yourself now, Nikolai," Mirea said.

Suddenly, Nikolai appeared beside Mirea, apparently removing an artifact shaped like a mask that allowed him to disappear. He turned to look at the library door, which was tightly shut, then turned to look at Mirea.

"Hmm... so they already know about the cult, huh? That’s actually good. It makes them more careful about protecting themselves," Nikolai said.

"Yes, but there was an unexpected issue, wasn’t there?" Mirea asked.

"Haaah... Ard was right. What happened last night was indeed my brother’s doing. I got a report from three of my troops this morning who said they were asked to bring Princess Eva to the underground room but failed because Ard and Eva were very strong. When I asked, it turned out they got the order from Julius and didn’t dare to refuse," Nikolai replied, resting his head on the table and looking stressed.

"I know. Now, I need you to stay quiet for a while. There’s clearly someone in the Student Council who wants to frame you and make those two suspicious of you. The three of us, along with Claudia, must find out who ordered your brother to use your troops," Mirea said.

"Yes, you’re right. We can’t just sit still and let the cult leader, who is supposedly in the Student Council, act however they want," Nikolai replied.

"What about your brother?" Mirea asked.

"I’ll handle him. Don’t worry," Nikolai replied.

***

Meanwhile, in the hallway, Ard and Eva walked side-by-side toward the academy building exit.

"Ard, don’t tell me you didn’t feel someone present between the three of us just now," Eva said.

"I felt it, and I know who it was," Ard replied.

"Why didn’t you act?" Eva asked.

"I didn’t, because, as Mirea said, he’s not involved. Besides, even if he were the cult leader and attacked us, we don’t have to be afraid, right?" Ard answered.

"Hmm... true. The two of us could easily finish him," Eva replied.

"Yes. Ever since I had those memory dreams from my time on Earth 3,000 years ago and most recently 1,000 years ago, I feel like my power, which was supposed to return to me, has," Ard replied.

"Yep, me too. The Headmaster, Galdorf, told us yesterday, didn’t he, that the number 00 isn’t a number but the symbol for infinity or unlimited," Eva said.

"That’s right. We don’t need to fear the cult or... the Demon God," Ard replied.

Unbeknownst to them, although their faces were serious, they were walking while holding hands, with no one watching them.