The Rebirth Of The Hero’S Party’S Archmage [EN]: Chapter 43

43. The Reincarnated Archmage of the Hero Party – Episode 43 (43/280)

“The top student of the 1388th midterms, Rain Ludwig!”

At the bewildering moment his name was called, Rain unconsciously raised his fist. He didn’t know why.

He just felt his heart racing.

– Only the top graduate of [a prestigious magic academy] gets the opportunity to view Lynn’s remains.

‘Did I take one step closer?’

‘Did I move one step further?’

He felt a bit uncomfortable taking this spot from the fresh-faced 300-year-old juniors… but he couldn’t help it.

“When I first heard it from Cat, I was skeptical, but I never thought you’d actually become the top student.”

Madelia Page approached and attached a decoration cord made of dragon bone stone, which reflected a brilliant light, to his school uniform cloak.

“It’s a symbol of the top student. You better do your best if you don’t want to lose it.”

The students, who had been dumbfounded and questioning their ears, finally began to speak up.

“Wow, is this for real?”

“That disaster genius is the top student?”

“He beat all the promising students from the Eight Great Factions!” [Powerful noble families with a long history of magical prowess]

Following that, the second, third, and fourth-ranked students were announced. Krista Warden, who everyone had expected to be the top student, was second, Nora Redon was third, and Kayden was fourth.

“Hmph♪”

Nora looked at Rain with more interest than expected, her eyes shining, while Kayden simply stared ahead silently.

“…….”

On the other hand, Krista stared blankly at Rain’s profile, then shook her head and bit her lip.

‘I’ll accept this defeat. I already admitted I lost in the labyrinth test.’

The first time she’d lost the top spot… the aftertaste wasn’t just bitter, it was spicy. The taste of blood filling her mouth was unbearably bitter.

‘The gap isn’t that big yet. We both got S grades, so the difference isn’t significant.’

There are plenty of opportunities to turn things around. So, so… there’s no need to cry. She would only shed tears of joy after becoming number one. She promised herself that.

‘That’s right. No need to cry, Krista.’

Professor Caroline smiled encouragingly, watching her student, Krista, amidst the pouring applause.

‘Effort never betrays expectations. Someday, it will become the power to twist the flow.’

Therefore, unwavering effort in the face of adversity is a true asset.

‘Adversity breeds training, and training breeds perseverance. That perseverance will be an invaluable asset in achieving your dreams.’

Therefore, adversity is not a downhill path in life, but the best turning point, Krista. Don’t be discouraged. You are excellent.

‘Excellence is not something you are born with, but something you become. You have the potential to become more excellent than any other student.’

So don’t cry.

It’s not time to cry yet.

* * *

The student council contacted him during lunchtime that day. A female student with cool, short blonde hair and playful eyes came to the classroom.

The inscription on the student council ring was ‘Dragon with Spread Wings’. She was a second-year.

And like Rain, she fastened her school uniform cloak with a dragon bone stone decoration cord. That meant she was the top student of the current second year.

“It’s been a while since we’ve met like this. Wow, good job, good job! Our Rain is the top student. The guy who used to stare blankly at the sky like an idiot, wahahahat.”

She then enthusiastically patted Rain’s back as if they were very close. It wasn’t particularly surprising. That’s just the kind of person she was.

They were acquaintances, if you could call it that.

They had met once at the Seiga Assembly [a gathering of mages]. That was before he regained Lynn’s memories.

“And hello to Krista too!”

While Krista, who had missed out on the student council’s priority support, waved her hand bitterly, the other students blinked and exchanged glances.

“S, Sandra Keppel……!”

“The young lady of the Western Magic Family……!”

“They say she’s a monster who has never lost the top spot since her first year……!”

Sandra, as if used to such whispers, paid them no attention and grabbed Rain’s hand, leading him into the hallway.

Her reputation in the school was amazing.

Indeed, the magic power within her was also remarkable. ‘Is this the person Professor Kyle was talking about?’

“Come on, let’s go. Everyone’s waiting for you. There’s a mountain of work to do.”

“Are you the student council president, senior?”

“Me? Me? I’m only a second-year? I can’t even be the vice president yet. I’m just the secretary.”

Sandra waved her hand lightly.

Hmm, is it not this person?

If it were, I would have been slightly disappointed. Sandra was also at a great level, but Professor Kyle had praised them so highly, so I was expecting several times more than this.

“Then, that student council president, what family or faction are they from?”

Then Sandra, who was walking ahead, laughed as if it was interesting. She seemed amused that he didn’t know anything about the famous student council president.

“They have no family or faction.”

“?”

“It seems they just learned on the streets somehow. But you know, I can’t see any way to catch up to that person.”

“???”

“Don’t you know? They’re famous with the nickname ‘Absolute Monarch of the Streets’.”

Monarch…….

Even if it’s just a nickname, for a title that can only be attached to the children of electors [high-ranking nobles], is a non-noble holding it?

‘It’s amazing that the nobles didn’t object. Is their skill that outstanding?’

The student council room was located on the fourth floor of the Dragon Wheel Hall, a famous spot overlooking most of the academic buildings.

For reference, the clubs that can use the Dragon Wheel Hall, which is the main building, as their club room are all those with deep roots, and the number is less than five.

The student council’s club room was larger than any club Rain had ever explored, the desks, chairs, and lights were elegantly curved, and the magic power of each member was outstanding.

“Okay, this is Rain Ludwig, the top student of this year’s first year. He’ll be the new face of the student council. Professor Kyle says he’s a candidate for the next student council president.”

The current student council consists of four members in total. Generally, only the top and second-ranked students can join, so it’s only natural.

“That’s Felix Drake over there. The vice president.”

A boy with a small build and a gentle impression bowed lightly. The seal engraved on his ring was ‘Roaring Dragon’, a third-year student he was meeting for the first time.

Third year…….

That alone meant he was a genius who had perfectly completed the academic structure of , where half of the students drop out every year, for two years.

“And this is Triwis. She was in charge of general affairs until now, but now she’s the treasurer.”

A second-year female student sitting in the corner, processing a mountain of documents, nodded expressionlessly.

“Is that all work?”

“That much usually piles up at the beginning of the semester. Now that Rain is in charge of general affairs, you’ll have to do it, right? Until the new executive comes.”

What?

An emotion that could be called horror appeared in Rain’s eyes.

“What are the student council’s activity hours?”

“We gather every day after class. If there’s nothing, we just have a simple meeting and it’s over, but if there is, we have to do everything until it’s done.”

“Well, it seems my capacity is too lacking to join such an excellent group.”

I’m going to try to give up quickly.

This kind of hard labor group doesn’t suit me at all. At that moment, someone sitting by the window where the sunlight was pouring in spun around in their chair.

“Rain Ludwig, you said?”

The moment he saw that person for the first time… Rain’s eyes widened with two kinds of shock.

First of all, it was because of their appearance.

Their fair skin and well-balanced features were not just handsome, but more beautiful than many beauties.

Rain’s appearance was also that of a considerable pretty boy, but this person was completely out of the norm, so to speak?

“And that’s Valensidice, the student council president you asked about earlier!”

And the other shock was… the faint remnants of black magic remaining in that person’s eyes.

No, you can’t call them remnants.

It was just a gut feeling.

That eerie something he had felt while dealing with countless black magicians in Lynn’s era was wriggling in that person’s cold, inorganic eyes.

‘And this guy…….’

Even when viewed from Lynn’s perspective, not Rain’s, he was one of the top masters. Even though he didn’t express hostility, he possessed a sharply honed magic power that felt like needles pricking his back.

“Just take him back. Unlike what I heard, he’s below expectations. I’d rather have Krista Warden, who Felix brought last time.”

“What are you saying, President?! The whole school is in an uproar right now because he beat five promising students from the Eight Great Factions to become the top student.”

Sandra smiled as if to mediate. Perhaps because of the difference in status, she didn’t use honorifics.

“What I don’t like is not his talent, but his attitude.”

Valensidice pointed at him with long, fair fingers that were so deeply calloused that they looked unsightly.

‘Is he a guy who uses a sword?’

No, the location of the calluses is different from those caused by a sword. What kind of weapon does he use?

“Did you think you’d be worshipped when you joined the student council? Like when you were in your mansion?”

“Not really.”

“Then why did your attitude change as soon as we said you’d be doing general affairs? Answer me honestly.”

‘So, what do I do with this guy?’

Who would believe me if I shouted, ‘This guy is a black magician!’? He’s been trusted by the school for two years, while I’ve only just been recognized, so that solution is rejected.

For now, I lightly shrugged my shoulders.

“To be honest, it’s because it’s annoying. I don’t know why I have to take on such a task.”

“You absolutely don’t want to volunteer for your fellow students? Your mindset is all wrong.”

“I’ve heard that a lot before.”

A lot from a long time ago.

From the Lynn era, that is.

When he came out so confidently, a strange light flickered in Valensidice’s eyes.

“No, this isn’t just your fault. You were born into the nobility in this country that blindly pursues aristocracy, so you would have such a way of thinking.”

“Aristocracy, what?”

“Those who stand above, you see. They shouldn’t only seek to be served. Those who can embrace and serve the powerless are truly qualified to stand above.”

For a moment, why was it?

In the warm spring breeze that shook the curtains by the window, the smiles of Rista and Friede flashed by.

“Don’t you think so? Those are the ones who deserve to be served in the name of kings or nobles. Not just becoming nobles for the sole reason of having good bloodlines.”

“……!”

“The student council will be a place to learn just such a mindset. You’ll also see that the student council is not an organization that is respected by students solely based on the grades of its members. Whether you take on the job or run away is entirely your choice, so I won’t say any more.”

Beyond the deep wariness, a distant interest arose.

‘What the hell is this guy?’

All the black magicians I’ve met so far were either overly obsessed with the desire for power or had the mindset of a madman.

‘Is he hiding his identity with sophistry, or is he normal but has touched black magic for some reason?’

If it were the old days, I would have immediately antagonized him the moment I knew he was a black magician…….

The rumor that even that innocent little kid Toureina had touched black magic came to mind, so I decided to leave room for consideration.

Rain, who had been meeting Valensidice’s eyes for a while, sighed and scratched the back of his head.

“Seeing you rant so passionately, it seems you desperately want me, unlike what you say. Fine, general affairs? I’ll do it for you.”

It’s not that he’s interested in student council activities. It’s not that he wants to fight black magicians. It’s that he’s interested in this guy Valensidice.

The student council can be said to be a legitimate place to observe and monitor this guy.

If I’m going to be ambushed, I’d rather watch and attack first than be caught off guard.

“But, as the president said, I might not be able to do the job properly because I’m lacking. Would that be okay?”

Valensidice wore a sneer on his lips, as if he found it amusing.

“You don’t have to worry about that. I’ll correct everything one by one.”