In the student council lounge, a dark wooden coffee table stood quietly, its edges smooth and softened.
The aroma of freshly brewed coffee wafted up from porcelain cups, filling the room with a soothing fragrance that settled the mind.
Frey sat silently on the sofa, not refuting a word of what the president had said.
He had no intention of showing off, and he trusted the president’s judgment completely.
“Please, go ahead, President.”
Lan Qi asked earnestly.
With his warm-hearted and straightforward nature, he naturally wouldn’t turn a blind eye to urgent public matters in the school.
What’s more, now that he was a member of the Student Management Committee, his sense of duty and responsibility had only grown stronger.
“Recently, there’s an old, small building on campus that needs to be demolished. However, a disbanded student team is still occupying that unsafe wooden clubhouse as their activity room. I’d like the two of you to go persuade them to vacate it.”
President Monast explained the situation slowly to the two new members.That wooden structure had once belonged to the team known as Soul of the Fighters.
But due to years of poor performance—relying too much on brute force while ignoring balance and cooperation—the team had been downgraded and officially dissolved last year.
Now, the building was being informally occupied by some of the leftover members.
Normally, the school and student council might have turned a blind eye out of sympathy for those students’ attachment to the old clubhouse.
But the problem was, because the team’s maintenance in the last few years had been so poor, and their destructive training sessions had damaged it further, the protective magical barrier had long since failed. The structure was in a dangerously dilapidated state, in serious violation of the Hedon Kingdom’s Fire Safety and Hazard Management Act.
Worse, it now posed a safety risk to students passing nearby. The school had therefore decided it must be demolished.
The Royal Capital Fire Department of Hedon Kingdom had already urged the matter repeatedly and officially granted demolition approval.
By regulation, the school had to complete the demolition within 15 days—or face fines and a public notice of criticism.
“But the problem is, those students who want to protect the old room refuse to agree. No matter how many notices or safety assessment reports we sent, they ignored them. Today is already the final deadline given by the Fire Department. We not only have to persuade them to leave but also assist the Engineering Institute in completing the demolition.”
Monast shook his head helplessly.
Of course he understood the students’ feelings.
But fire safety was a matter above all else. He had to think of the school’s reputation, the safety and quality of campus life for all students.
At the faculty meeting, he had even proposed allocating a budget to repair the building, but the school rejected it. If an exception was made once, countless violations would follow, and students would cite this case to demand compromises in the future.
Lan Qi nodded after listening. So this was essentially a case of forced eviction and hazard demolition.
“I understand. President, you’ve found the right person for this job.”
Lan Qi declared confidently, sounding like a professional.
His confidence made Huperion glance sideways at him.
Sure, he sounded like he knew what he was doing.
But precisely because he now stood on the moral and legal high ground, she felt uneasy.
She knew too well what Lan Qi was like when he threw himself into something wholeheartedly!
“Good.”
Monast nodded approvingly.
“The school has approved three days of official leave for those working on this, plus practical credits equal to one-fourth of a compulsory course. Also, if our work this year goes smoothly, the student council will be granted funding for a midterm trip and other activities—our benefits won’t be any worse than the top student teams. Of course, it may be hard work, and if it disrupts your studies, I apologize in advance.”
After briefly explaining the basic workings of the student council, President Monast gave a solemn nod to the three freshmen before him.
Student council work was high-risk but also high-reward. Only those who truly loved the campus and had the talent for it would choose to join.
“President, don’t say that. Being able to join this team and serve the students is my honor.”
The overflowing sense of responsibility in Lan Qi’s words was just like when he vowed to save the demon academy that had once faced closure.
Such passion—no one could doubt it was real.
“...”
Huperion was left speechless for a moment.
She knew full well that this guy was probably just thrilled at the idea of skipping class legally while still enjoying the school’s protection, resources, and perks.
Chances were, he’d find a way to stick to the student council from now on.
“Missing classes”? Yeah, not a concern at all.
Frey, meanwhile, also nodded in agreement.
After all, he hadn’t shown up in class for the entire first week. The Knight Academy dean had literally dragged him out of the Ikerite Crown Casino at 3:30 in the morning and dumped him into the student council.
This was the dean’s last ultimatum to him—while also giving him a way to potentially graduate even if he skipped all his classes.
Fortunately, Frey got along with the president. The council room was comfortable enough. As long as he wasn’t forced to sit in lectures, everything was fine.
“All right, Frey, I’ll trouble you to lead the way to the Knight Academy’s side and handle vacating that room. You’ll also be helping with the demolition.”
Monast patted Frey on the shoulder.
“No problem.”
Frey stood up, waved his hand casually, and walked toward the council room’s doors.
Lan Qi and Huperion quickly nodded to the president and followed after him.
“Take care—those remaining Soul of the Fighters members are extremely aggressive and combative. But they do care about martial virtue. If you can find a way to reason with them, there should be a peaceful resolution. Whatever you do, don’t get into a direct fight and worsen the conflict.”
Monast clasped his hands behind his back, watching the three as they left, offering his last words of advice.
“No fighting, rational dialogue, fix the fire hazard. I got it! We’ll handle it for sure!”
Lan Qi muttered under his breath, then turned back to beam and wave cheerfully at the president.
The sound of the council room’s door opening and closing, its metal lock clicking, echoed in the quiet lounge.
Monast watched the three depart.
By the sofa in the lounge—
“Monast, are you sure it’s really okay to let them handle this?”
Vice President Asina balanced a tray in one hand, her face drawn with worry as she touched her cheek.
Among the group occupying the old clubhouse was a notoriously hot-tempered third-year powerhouse. If Lan Qi provoked him, it could spark a very nasty campus incident.
“There’s no need to worry. I have faith in the new members’ abilities.”
Monast replied calmly, walking back to his desk. He opened a folder and immersed himself once again in the stack of reports awaiting his approval.