TRUE ABILITY Chapter 59

New Student Council

—— “Hey, is he the one…?”

Amidst the various noises, the voice of a male student could be distinctly heard. It was evident that the “one” he mentioned was neither Alice, who was next to me, nor Kraim, next to her. Certainly, it wasn’t the senior members of the student council standing behind us. 

Not trying to be pretentious about it, but he’s probably talking about me.

Glancing around, I could see everyone looking at me with a mixture of surprise and some negative emotions.

Introduction of the new student council members.

Having won the martial arts tournament, I, along with Alice and Kraim, who had decided to join the student council beforehand, was now standing on the platform, overlooking a large number of students.

The location is the largest auditorium within the Ferris Magic Knight Academy. 

The students were all seated according to their grades, looking up at us as if watching a play. Looking back now, I probably did the same when I saw Lloyd-senpai and Selena-san from below during the entrance ceremony.

At that time though, I was going through the entrance ceremony with a sense of obligation, so frankly, the memories are quite vague.

“Kraim Elroad, Alice Roze, and this year’s martial arts tournament champion, Yuno Astario. The three of them have been decided to join the student council,” Lloyd-senpai said, and scattered applause followed immediately.

Listening to that applause, just a little. Just a little, I felt a sense of reality.

I had successfully achieved one of my goals, which was to join the student council. And the fact of that accomplishment is manifested in a particular result. I cast my gaze towards the corner of the platform, which is hidden from the view of the many students.

“Yuno-san…!”

Kami-sama, with small, fluttering white wings (unable to fly), looks at me with sparkling, shining eyes.

…..S-So cute. And incredibly divine.

My cheeks unconsciously loosen. Seeing the joyful expression of Kami-sama, it became clear to me that winning the martial arts tournament did indeed have meaning.

“….That’s a strange face you’re making there.”

Alice looked at me for a moment with a tense expression and muttered quietly.

“…Ahem.”

No good. Certainly, I can’t afford to show a relaxed face on this grand stage. Especially since I was already known for my incompetence. Now, I’ve become, in essence, the representative of the new students. Even if it’s for the sake of raising Kami-sama’s popularity, I need to straighten up.

After a little while, the introduction of the new student council concluded, and we took our seats in line with the current students who were separated by grade. 

Honestly, it ended more quickly than I had imagined. Rather than that, I felt like the gazes of the student council seniors who were also on the platform with me were a bit harsh. …Maybe it’s just my imagination?

…I hope it’s just my imagination.

“We, the student council, have been and will continue to—”

On the stage, Selena-san, the student council president, was giving a speech about the overall summary of the martial arts tournament and the future student council activities, alternating with Lloyd-senpai.

At that moment, I suddenly noticed that Alice, who was beside me, was quietly staring at my face from the corner of her eye.

“…Alice? Is something wrong?”

“……”

When I spoke to her in a small voice, she hesitated for a moment and then, with a slightly reluctant gesture,

“Hey Yuno. What does a contract feel like?”

she threw such a question at me.

“A contract?”

“……” Alice nodded slightly.

I hesitated a bit on how to respond to that vague question, and as if sensing it, Alice, with a serious expression, turned her azure eyes straight towards me, like the clear sky.

“If I make a contract with a god… can I become strong too?”

“….”

“Like you, Yuno.”

Saying that in a whisper, Alice turned her gaze back to Selena on the platform. 

… What’s the correct way to answer this?

Of course, the benefits gained from a contract with a god are significant. The more renowned the god, the more one could confidently assert that. However, Alice should already know that.

“…You know. Yuno… I—”

With her gaze fixed on the stage, Alice, who seemed about to say something, closed her eyes without continuing and eventually shook her head slightly.

“…I have to decide for myself, right?”

“…Alice…?”

“…It’s nothing.”

With that final remark, Alice sealed her lips.

“…..”

―― “If I make a contract with a god… can I become strong too? Like you, Yuno.”

Alice’s words echoed in my head.
Certainly, as I am now, I probably can’t give the right answer to this question.
You can become strong, that’s for sure. But I am likely an exception. There are many mysteries I don’t know about myself, or rather, that I have come to know.

Should I be seeking the answers to those mysteries?

“……”

I take a deep breath on the spot. 

There’s no use in just thinking about everything. Let’s tackle things one step at a time, starting with what’s right in front of me. I’ve just joined the student council after all.

“…….”

…..Wait, what do student councils even do?