Chapter 161
Student Council (2)
"What are you smiling about? Do you think they're going to make us clean their asses too?" Reuel asked, his eyes glistening with a twisted amusement that could only belong to someone who'd enjoy being right about such a horrifying possibility.
"Yeah," IAM replied dryly, barely looking up as he took a slow bite of his sandwich. "And they're going to make us iron their shirts too."
Henry looked at him in disbelief, his expression caught between concern and confusion. His head started shaking in slow motion as if IAM had just said something offensive. His curls bounced with each shake. "There's no way you're actually buying what he's saying… right?"
IAM gave a simple nod with a blank expression.
Henry's lips parted slightly in confusion before he muttered, "I'm actually starting to get scared…" he casted a side-eye toward Reuel like he had just cursed them all.
Yohan, as usual, opted for silence, absorbed entirely in his food. He took big bites, making soft, pleased noises as he chewed, unbothered by the spiraling conversation happening right beside him.
…
After lunch ended, they trudged through the rest of their lessons—each one stretching on with the drawn-out tension of anticipation and trepidationlooming overhead. By the time the final bell rang, IAM and the rest of the group filed out of the classroom with stiff shoulders and half-lidded eyes.
It was time.
The moment had come to find out whether Reuel wild claims were true—whether they would be forced to scrub toilets, or worse, perform personal cleaning services for the most powerful student body in the academy.
Reuel was the first to speak up, eyes fixed on his phone screen. "From the information I got, the student council actually has its own building. It's not too far from the main hall."
IAM adjusted his bag collar and said, "We don't want to be late. In case we offend them."
"Exactly," Henry agreed, nodding as they picked up their pace toward the mini car parking station.
The path to the designated parking spot took them through a more open part of the academy grounds. Students were scattered across stone benches shaded by tall, spindly trees with crimson-red leaves. The stone-paved walkways were lined with waist-high statues—it was obviously more aesthetic than functional.
To their left, a shallow stream cut through the open courtyard, glass-clear water moving lazily over smooth black pebbles.
Rows of sleek mini cars lined the designated lot, each vehicle small and uniform. It didn't matter which one they picked—they were public property and available to any student who needed one.
They chose a six-seater mini car, mostly at random, and slid inside. Reuel took his place behind the wheel, having somehow been officially dubbed their group's personal driver—though no one remembered him actually agreeing to it.
The mini car eased away from the lot, its tires rolling soundlessly over the smooth road.
As they rolled down the main road, low shrubs and trees whipped gently past the window, and glimpses of various academy buildings flashed by. A soft hum filled the cabin, broken only when Henry suddenly spoke.
"When will we find time for me to finally start teaching you how to use a sword?" he asked.
IAM looked at him out of the corner of his eye. "Depends on how time-consuming the tasks actually are," he replied. "We'll make time if we have to."
Henry went quiet, massaging his right hand with his left, fingers working into the rough calluses of his palm. "You're really serious about this, huh…" he muttered, barely above a whisper.
"Of course," IAM replied without missing a beat.
Reuel cut in with a dramatic sigh. "Honestly, I think this is a good thing. We don't have to go to that damn library all the time anymore. It's so boring being there, reading books about history of all things. I have no idea why you're so interested."
IAM's eyes narrowed, unimpressed. "I didn't ask you to come."
There was a pause.
"…I need to focus on the road," Reuel muttered quickly, eyes sticking to the windshield.
"..."
The rest of the ride passed in silence. Soon, the sleek car rolled to a gentle stop in a separate lot. This one was smaller, surrounded by chest-high hedges shaped into neat squares.
They stepped out one by one.
The sun had begun its descent, casting soft orange streaks across the sky. They walked, shoes tapping lightly against the paved path, until a building came into view.
The building that housed the student council stood in front of them.
And they had arrived.