In the lounge area of the student council room, a dark wooden coffee table stood quietly, its edges gracefully rounded.
Hot coffee drifted a rich, fragrant aroma from porcelain cups, filling the room and instilling a sense of calm.
Frey sat on the sofa without saying a word, not disputing the president's assessment.
He had no desire to put on a brave front, and he placed great trust in the president's judgment.
"Please tell us, President," Lanqi said earnestly.
Warm-hearted as he was, whenever public school affairs urgently needed resolving, he naturally wouldn't just stand by.
What was more, now that he had joined the Student Management Committee in charge of such matters, his sense of duty and responsibility was exceptionally strong.
"Recently, an old, small building on campus has urgently needed to be demolished. However, a disbanded team is still occupying that hazardous wooden cottage as their clubroom. So I would like to ask you to go persuade them to vacate the premises," President Monaster explained slowly to the two newcomers.
This wooden structure had originally belonged to the team "Soul of the Fighter" as their clubroom.
However, due to the team's poor performance in recent years—relying too heavily on sheer brute force while neglecting balance and teamwork—it had been demoted and disbanded last year.
Currently, the building was being occupied without authorization by an informal remnant of that team.
Originally, both the academy and the student council could have turned a blind eye to these students who harbored sentimental attachments to their old clubroom.
The problem was that in the years leading up to its disbandment, the team's operational state had been abysmal, leaving the clubroom without maintenance for years. Combined with the highly destructive nature of their routine training activities, the building's magical protective barrier was now damaged and in severe disrepair, placing it in gross violation of the *Hutton Kingdom Fire Safety Management Regulations*.
It could even pose a danger to other students passing near the building, which led the academy to decide on its demolition.
The Hutton Royal Capital Fire Department was currently pressing hard on the matter and had already granted the academy a demolition permit.
According to the regulations, the academy was required to complete the demolition within fifteen days; exceeding that deadline would result in fines and a public reprimand.
"The trouble is, the members determined to protect their old clubroom refuse to comply. No matter how many notices and hazard assessment reports we sent over, they met us with complete indifference. And today is the final deadline granted by the fire department. Not only must we negotiate a smooth eviction with them, but we also need to assist the School of Magic Engineering in carrying out the demolition," President Monaster said, shaking his head helplessly.
Monaster naturally understood how those students felt.
Yet fire safety was of paramount importance; he had to prioritize the reputation of the entire academy as well as the safety and quality of life of all students on campus.
At the faculty staff meeting, Monaster—bearing the heavy responsibility of coordinating relations between the school administration and the student body as student council president—had proposed allocating funds to renovate the hazardous building. But the administration rejected the proposal. If a precedent were set for such violations of team management regulations, endless infractions would follow, and students would cite this case to demand compromises from the academy.
Lanqi nodded after hearing this. So it was an eviction case involving holdout tenants and fire safety hazards.
"I understand. Leaving this to me, President, means you've found the right man for the job," Lanqi said solemnly, exuding an air of seasoned professionalism.
Such sheer confidence caused Hyperion to turn and glance at Lanqi beside her.
While it was technically in his wheelhouse...
The very fact that Lanqi held the moral and legal high ground gave her a terrible foreboding.
She was all too familiar with what he was like when he went all out!
"Excellent," the president approved with satisfaction. "In fact, the academy has authorized a three-day leave of absence for members who carry out this task, as well as practical credits equivalent to a quarter of a required course. In addition, if overall work goes smoothly this year, our student council will also have school-funded midterm holiday trips and other activities, which won't fall behind the school's top teams. It may just take hard work from all of us, and if this delays your studies, I personally apologize."
After briefly explaining the basic operating mechanisms of the student council to Lanqi and Hyperion, President Monaster inclined his head solemnly toward the three first-year newcomers.
The student council's grueling tasks entailed ultra-high risks and fairly high rewards; students wouldn't choose to join unless they genuinely loved the campus and possessed real talent.
"What are you saying, President? It is my honor to join this team and serve my fellow students."
The sense of duty practically overflowing from Lanqi's words was just like when he sought to save the Demon Academy from its crisis of closure.
That genuine enthusiasm alone was impossible to doubt as fake.
"..."
For a moment, Hyperion was at a loss for words.
She knew full well that this guy couldn't wait to legally skip class while enjoying the academy's protection, conveniences, and resources.
From now on, he would probably find every excuse to linger in the student council.
There was no such thing as "delaying his studies."
Frey also nodded in agreement.
Having skipped class for an entire week right after the term began, he had been caught red-handed at the Ikerite Crown Casino at three-thirty in the morning by the Dean of the School of Knights and ultimately dumped into the student council.
This was the dean's final ultimatum to him, but it also granted him an option to potentially finish his degree even if he skipped every single class.
Fortunately, he got along quite well with the president, and the council room wasn't bad at all—as long as he didn't have to sit in a classroom.
"Alright. In that case, Frey, sorry to trouble you to lead the way to the School of Knights to clear out the clubroom scheduled for demolition. We'll also be counting on you for the demolition work," President Monaster said, clapping Frey on the shoulder.
"No problem."
With that, Frey rose to his feet, gave a wave, and walked toward the council room's double doors.
Lanqi and Hyperion also hurried to nod to the president before following Frey out.
"Please keep in mind that although the remaining members of 'Soul of the Fighter' are extremely combative and aggressive, they actually place great stock in martial honor. As long as you find a way to communicate with them, you should be able to reach a mediation. On no account should you get into a head-on clash with them and exacerbate campus tensions," President Monaster cautioned, standing with his hands behind his back as he watched the three depart.
"No clashes, rational communication, resolve the fire safety issue—got it, consider it done!" Lanqi muttered to himself, then looked back with a bright smile, waving to the president.
Accompanied by his cheerful reply, the metal lock clicked shut as the doors closed behind them.
The president watched the trio leave the council room.
Beside the sofa in the council room's lounge area.
"Monaster, will they really be alright going there?"
Cradling a tray with one hand, Vice President Asna caressed her cheek, looking deeply worried.
Among the club members occupying that hazardous building was a powerful third-year student with a fiery temper. If Lanqi managed to provoke them, it could trigger a truly catastrophic campus incident.
"Have faith in our newcomers' abilities."
Monaster walked back to his desk with calm, steady strides, opened a folder, and focused on reviewing the mounting stack of reports.
Chapter 96