There was a meeting going on in the meeting room of EHHS, between Head of the School—Arthur Gravestone and staffs including The president Alexia Midgard and Vice President Lucas . In the middle, there's a big wooden table with smooth polish. Around the table, there are several wooden chairs with soft seat cushions. One of the chairs was different—it has an orange back and armrests. Arthur was sitting on that chair.
The walls are light-colored with stylish borders. The most eye-catching thing present in that room was a huge aquarium on one wall. It's filled with colorful plants and gives off a calm vibe.
There was also a large painting on another wall and the floor is made of shiny wood. The room is wide and neatly arranged, perfect for serious talks and meeting.
"I have something important to discuss with you all".
A sense of unease spread among the staff as they wondered what could be so important that the Headmaster himself had called a meeting to deliver the news. But Alexia wasn't surprised—she didn't even look curious. Her expression remained unreadable, as if nothing could ever catch her off guard even when she knew nothing about the situation.
"Headmaster, what's the important thing you wanted to tell us?" asked a male staff member probably around 35 years. He wore a neat coat, glasses and a blue watch on his left wrist. His expression were showing concern in them. "It's not something you need to worry about, but I'm going to assign a very important role to someone you may not know well—yet he's more capable than anyone." Said Arthur with a serious expression.
"And who is that? And what exactly is this important role that only he is capable of?" asked Alexia. Her expression remained calm, though deep down she felt a flicker of curiosity.
Arthur glanced at Alexia, then looked ahead. "Now... I'm going to announce the new acting president of the EHHS student council" he said. Upon hearing the words 'new acting-president' the room erupted in confusion. The staff began arguing, questioning the sudden decision.
"Why a new president now?!"
"Alexia has been doing a great job!"
"The school's running perfectly, what's the reason?!"
Alexia Midgard, who had appeared calm just moments ago was now frozen in shock. For a moment she couldn't even form a word. Then, her jaw clenched and she gritted her teeth.
Vice President Lucas—the same man who had invited Alexia to speak and motivate the first-year students on the first day—stood up.
"Why, Headmaster?" he demanded.
"Has Alexia done something you disapprove of?! Or is this another order from your 'higher-ups'... like the Trails?!"
"You don't need to know that" Arthur replied firmly, looking directly at Lucas.
"But, Hea—" Lucas began but Alexia cut him off.
"Lucas, calm down and take your seat. What you're doing currently is unprofessional and childish."
Lucas didn't say another word. He clenched his jaw slightly but returned to his chair.
Then Alexia spoke, her voice composed but firm, "Headmaster, I believe I still have enough authority to ask—who is the new acting president?"
Arthur let out a sigh.
"So now everyone be quiet and let me introduce the new acting president."
The staff stopped muttering and turned their attention to him.
Arthur glanced toward the door.
"You can come in" he said to someone waiting outside.
All eyes turned to the entrance. Moments later, the door opened and a student wearing the EHHS uniform walked inside. But instead of wearing it properly he had draped the blue coat over his shoulders in a casual, almost defiant style.
Most of the staff had never seen him before. Only a few recognized him, some of those who recognised him were—Alexia, Lucas, and the First Year's Class B homeroom teacher, Dr. Smith.
"Him?" Lucas said in shock.
Alexia's eyes widened slightly but her face remained unreadable.
Dr. Smith's jaw dropped.
"Le-Leon?! What are you doing here?" he exclaimed.
Arthur gestured toward the boy.
"This is Leon, a first-year student. He will serve as the new acting president."
Leon raised a hand in a lazy wave, wearing a calm expression.
"Hey everyone" he said casually.
One of the staff members slammed her hand on the table. She appeared to be in her mid-twenties—dressed in a blue coat and pants, paired with a white shirt and a red tie. Her brown eyes burned with frustration, matching her equally sharp brown hair.
"This is foolishness, Headmaster!" she exclaimed.
"He's just a first-year student! He probably can't even manage himself—how is he supposed to manage the whole school?! What is this, is he from some royal family we're suddenly bowing to?!"
Arthur turned to her, his expression serious.
"Miss Reynolds" he said calmly, "may I ask where you got the idea that the EHO or EHHS obeys royal families?"
Miss Reynolds opened her mouth.
"But—" she began.
Arthur raised a hand to stop her.
"Anyway, I never said Alexia is being replaced" he clarified.
"By 'acting president,' I mean Alexia will remain the official president, with all her current authority. But Leon will also hold equal powers, functioning alongside her."
"But why is such a big decision being made without a students voting? And why is he becoming acting president so important?" asked Dr. Smith.
He wore vintage round glasses, a long grey coat and matching pants. His tired eyes worn from years of research and teaching. Wrinkles lined his face.
Arthur gave a firm but unreadable expression.
"That's something I can't share with any of you right now...But what I can say is this—you have no choice but to accept him as the acting president."
He paused for a moment then added with a glance at Lucas,
"So work with him and Lucas—try to treat him on the same level as Alexia."
The hell I will...this brat isn't even close to my foot level.. said Lucas in his mind, he was looking at Leon with an expression of disgust.
All the staff began leaving the meeting room, their expressions saying the same thing—What the hell was that? The only people left behind were Leon, Alexia and Lucas.
Leon looked at Lucas and said casually,
"Try considering me your senior... otherwise..."
He paused...
"I'll kill you."
Alexia's eyes widened—just slightly. She was surprised, not by the threat itself but by the confidence behind it. A mere first-year student speaking like that? Yet her gaze held no hate.
Lucas, on the other hand clenched his fists. His eyes burned with rage.
Far away in a whole different place, a small house stood quietly at the edge of a forest. Its wooden walls were faded. The roof was made of dark curved tiles, some chipped but still strong just like the house itself. Sliding paper doors creaked softly when opened and the scent of tatami mats and aged pine filled the air. Moss-covered stone lanterns sat peacefully in the garden.
Behind the house, there was a small open space—just dirt, grass and a few scattered stones. It wasn't much but it was enough.
That's where Hiroshi trained every day.
Barefoot, holding his wooden sword tightly. he swung again and again. Sweat rolled down his face.
Kami sat under a tree nearby, hugging her knees and silently watching him. Her gaze followed every motion he made like she was trying to understand something invisible—something only Hiroshi could feel.
She was quiet for a long time. Then finally, she said in a low voice,
"I didn't expect Leon to betray us like this."
Her expression was unreadable.
"Don't worry" Hiroshi replied, his tone calm.
"We'll try again next year and when the time comes... we'll beat him down and take our revenge." Said hiroshi with a smile.