Chapter 168: President
Chapter 168: President
What was the most important virtue for those who were blessed with the affinity for magic?
For some, it was the mindset to seek out the unknown, pushing the boundaries of what was possible, driven by the desire to innovate and forge a brighter future.
For others, it was the relentless pursuit of the world's mysteries, unraveling the secrets that lay hidden in the fabric of reality itself.
These were noble aspirations, worthy of any magician's time and effort.
Yet, the most crucial virtue for those born with the gift of magic wasn't something grand or lofty.
It was, in fact, a simple notion, one that often went overlooked in the quest for power and knowledge.
A magician was always to maintain their reason.
The importance of this virtue couldn't be overstated, for magic, unlike other forms of power, wasn't a purely calculative force.
It wasn't something that could be harnessed with sheer willpower or brute strength, as aura users might do with their weapons, channeling the essence of their spirit into a tangible, controlled force.
No, magic was a different beast entirely-a construct born from the imagination, unpredictable and often destructive in its rawest form.
Magic had a tendency to be wild and chaotic, shaped by the caster's emotions, thoughts, and inner desires.
Without reason, without a clear mind to guide it, magic could easily spiral out of control, leading to disastrous consequences.
This was why the study of mathematics and formulas became essential in the practice of magic.
These disciplines acted as safeguards, helping to contain and direct the raw energy of mana into structured, purposeful spells.
They were the pillars that supported the very foundation of magical study, allowing magicians to wield their power without succumbing to its darker aspects.
The current belief in the magical world was that powerful mana equaled powerful magic.
This idea was pervasive, leading many to chase after greater reservoirs of mana, believing that it would make them more formidable.
But the truth was far more nuanced. It wasn't just the strength of one's mana that determined the potency of their magic.
The true measure of a magician's power lay in their ability to reason to see clearly the purpose and structure behind their spells, to understand the intricacies of the magic they wielded.
A magician who could maintain their reason, even in the face of overwhelming power, was one who could harness that power to its fullest potential.
They were the ones who could shape reality with precision, bending the world to their will with spells that were both potent and controlled.
Magic was the manifestation of one's imagination, guided by reason and will.
A magician had to be ever-vigilant, calculating the mana required and carefully managing the output to bring forth the desired spell.
It wasn't just about raw power; it was about precision, control, and the clarity of one's intent.
Rose sat alone in her room, her breath steady as she regulated the mana circulating within her.
The seven mana circles in her heart worked in perfect harmony, calculating the flow and purpose of each strand of newly formed mana.
From her heart, it traveled with purpose-to her hands, stomach, feet, eyes, arms, and mind -each strand distributed to the key points of a magician's mana veins.
Gently, she began to levitate a few inches above her bed, a golden light of pure mana wrapping around her like a protective cocoon.
Her eyes slowly opened, revealing a golden radiance that allowed her to perceive the world with newfound clarity, beyond the ordinary black and white.
'My new circle is already stabilizing...'
A small, satisfied smile played on Rose's lips as she gracefully descended from her bed, her feet lightly touching the floor.
The process had been a success, and the stability of her new mana circle was a testament to her disciplined control and understanding of magic.
"Congratulations, Lady Rose," came a cheerful voice from her side.
A maid with short hair quickly approached, placing a dry towel beside Rose before applying a gentle water magic spell to cleanse her body.
The spell was delicate, refreshing, and precise, just what Rose needed after her intense session.
"How long was I out, Meld?" Rose asked, her voice calm but tinged with curiosity. She knew that stabilizing mana usually took several hours, and the duration could extend depending on the complexity and strength of one's mana circles.
"Roughly six days have passed, Lady Rose," Meld replied, her tone respectful yet warm. "Coincidentally, the probation punishment placed upon you was lifted just yesterday."
"I see..." Rose murmured, a slight hint of disappointment in her voice.
She had hoped to awaken sooner, but knowing that it hadn't taken longer was a relief.
The news of her probation ending brought a small spark of happiness as well.
She was finally free to move about, no longer restricted by the academy's rules.
As Rose absorbed this information, the image of a certain young man flashed in her mind, causing her heart to flutter.
The excitement of seeing Riley again filled her, but it was accompanied by a knot of nervousness and fear.
'I made Riley angry...' she thought, the memory of their last encounter replaying in her mind.
The uncertainty of how he would react upon seeing her again weighed heavily on her. Despite her usual confidence, the thou of facing Riley after what had happened made her feel vulnerable, a feeling she wasn't accustomed to.
The way Riley looked at her in the infirmary that day, the sharpness in his voice when he shouted at them without his usual kind and caring tone-it was a first for Rose.
She had never seen him so angry, so disappointed.
The memory of it lingered, gnawing at her thoughts. It was an unfamiliar feeling, one that made her chest tighten with regret.
Rose clenched her hands together, feeling the stabilizing flow of mana within her.
The new power coursing through her veins was almost fully under control now, and it wouldn't be long before she could wield it with the precision and strength she desired. She yearned to teleport to Riley's side, to make amends, but she knew that now wasn't the right time. She needed to be patient, to hone her newfound abilities before she could confront
him.
Even though she wasn't as strong as she had been in Cheshire's Wonderland, Rose could sense that she was on the brink of reaching that level of power once again.
And once she did-once she obtained that power in the real world-then she would deal with
all the girls surrounding Riley.
In her mind, they were obstacles, and with enough strength, obstacles could be removed. "Did anything significant happen while I was out, Meld?" Rose asked, her tone composed but
curious.
"No, my lady. Other than the incident you were involved in, nothing of note has occurred at the academy so far," Meld replied, her voice calm and reassuring. "What about the current state of the election?" Rose asked, her voice tinged with curiosity. Meld tilted her head slightly, considering the question before responding. "Hm... the current flow of things has shifted a bit. Two of the other candidates-fourth-year Hazel Lakefield and third-year Alex Cole-have taken a step back and resigned from their candidacy. But as expected, it hasn't changed much overall. Princess Snow is still in the lead, with you being a close second, my lady."
Rose pondered this information for a moment, nodding thoughtfully.
The withdrawal of two candidates was a positive development for her.
It opened the field for new supporters to back her campaign.
Rose knew that most of the followers from the candidates who stepped down would likely
join Princess Snow's faction, but she was confident that some could be swayed to support her
instead.
"What about the president, Dorothy?" Rose inquired, her thoughts shifting to the current
student council president.
Meld's expression remained neutral as she replied, "From what I've heard, she hasn't been making many moves recently, aside from the surprising announcement of her decision to run
again early in the semester."
Rose's eyes narrowed slightly as she absorbed this news.
Dorothy's lack of activity was curious, especially given her unexpected decision to run for re-
election.
It was unlike her to be so quiet, and Rose couldn't help but wonder what she was planning.
However, for now, her focus remained on her own campaign and the growing support she needed to secure her place at the top.
"Thank you, Meld," Rose said, her tone decisive. "Keep me informed of any further developments. I want to know the moment something changes, please prepare some beautiful dresses for me while I train for a bit"
"Of course, my lady-" Meld smiled understanding the implications of what her master
wanted. 'My lady is as cute as ever....'
...
"It is rare for you to contact me like this, Lord William..." Dorothy's voice was calm, almost cold, as she sat alone in a dimly lit room.
The only light came from the orb in front of her, casting an eerie glow over the dark space.
Before her, a holographic figure materialized-the man she greatly detested. Her father. It was rare for them to speak like this, even rarer for him to be the one to initiate contact. Dorothy's usually impassive face tightened slightly as she regarded the man whose presence brought nothing but disdain.
The holographic image of Lord William, with his piercing golden eyes, stared at her with a mixture of annoyance and something colder. "I heard Rose has gotten into trouble," he said,
his tone laced with impatience.
"Yes..." Dorothy replied, her voice carefully measured.
"And you did nothing about it?" he pressed, his irritation clear.
"With the current state of the matter, there were certain limits to what I could've done to
interfere-" Dorothy began, her explanation cut short.
Smack!
The sound echoed through the room as Lord William slammed his hand against the armrest of
his chair, his frustration boiling over.
He stood up abruptly, his holographic figure towering over Dorothy as he shouted, "You know that damned princess is in the lead, right? With Rose being detained under her influence. Her standing in the school is higher than ever! What have you been doing all this time? Are you
truly planning to hold your end of the deal?"
Dorothy's eyes flickered with a rare spark of emotion-anger, resentment-but she quickly
buried it beneath her usual composed exterior.
Her father's outburst was nothing new; she had grown up under the weight of his
expectations and demands, yet it still grated on her nerves every time.
"My focus has been on maintaining control and ensuring that our position is not jeopardized," Dorothy responded, her voice steady despite the tension. "The situation with Rose is being managed, and the princess's lead is not insurmountable. I have my plans in
motion."
Lord William's eyes narrowed, his lips curling into a sneer. "Plans? You had better hope your plans are enough. If you fail to secure the presidency for Rose and uphold our family's reputation, there will be consequences. Do not forget the promises you made." Dorothy's gaze hardened, but she nodded curtly. "I haven't forgotten. I will ensure that our
goals are met."
The holographic image of Lord William stared at her for a few more moments, as if searching
for any sign of weakness or hesitation. Finally, he turned away, his figure beginning to fade. "See that you do," were his parting words, laced with a cold finality.
As the hologram disappeared and the room plunged back into darkness, Dorothy remained still, her hands clenched tightly in her lap.
The light in Dorothy's eyes dimmed, swallowed by the encroaching darkness that seemed to
close in around her.
Her emotions, though turbulent, were now held in check, a storm brewing beneath a calm
surface.
With a measured breath, she stepped out of the darkened room, passing through the illusionary wall that separated her private sanctum from the rest of the world.
As she emerged, the harsh light of the heavenly hall flooded her senses, banishing the
shadows that had clung to her.
Her golden hair, once a beacon of her noble lineage, shimmered briefly before being concealed by the pale flaxen-colored illusion she carefully maintained.
Her eyes, once burning with intensity, now reflected a muted, almost dull shade that matched
the illusion of her hair.
Susan, her loyal subordinate, was waiting just outside the room.
The young woman, with her ever-cheerful demeanor, was leaning casually against a nearby pillar, a playful smile tugging at the corners of her lips.
"How did it go, boss?" she asked, her tone light and teasing as always. Dorothy glanced at her, the expression on her face unreadable. "Susan... how long have you
been here?"
"Just now, actually," Susan replied with a soft giggle, brushing a lock of hair behind her ear. "Hehe~ So, did the Lord ask anything of us?"
Dorothy's eyes narrowed slightly as she considered the conversation she had just had with her
father.
"Yes..." Dorothy finally responded, her voice carrying a subtle edge. "I think it's time we
finally sink our ship."
.....
"Clara, once the Duo and written exams are over I want you to step down and declare you're
support for Dorothy"
"Are you sure?"
"Yes."
'It's time to finally raise her ship.'