I Became the Leader of Academy City

14 – Rule 8. The Head of Discipline maintains dignity even at a social event. (3)

“The recreation will be scored! Earn one point for every game won! The school with the highest score at the end will be the victor! So, Aseong High vs. Mahyeon High, let’s see who will win! Let’s all enjoy together!”

As the announcer yelled, special effects spread across the stage.

The disciplinary committee burst into applause.

Aseong High Vs Mahyeon High.

It was a blatant expression.

Most students, save for a few naïve ones, immediately figured out the hidden meaning of the recreation organized by Aseong High.

“Looks like they want a fight.”

“Those brats from Aseong High are cheeky.”

This was more than a simple game – it was becoming a contest between the discipline committees from each school, a challenge of pride.

It was what both parties wanted.

“This should be fun.”

“It’s good they see it that way.”

Mahyeon High’s disciplinary chief, Lee Jeho, pushed up his glasses.

Aseong High’s disciplinary chief, An Woojin, shrugged.

“I hope they didn’t rig the games?”

“Would we ever stoop to such low measures? This is a matter of pride. If you’re uncomfortable, you’re free to change the game.”

“Fine. Let’s face off once.”

For some reason, revealing their sincerity made the initial awkwardness vanish.

Thus, began the clash between Aseong High and Maheong High.

“Let’s start with something simple… a quiz!”

From the first to the fourth game, the rivalry amongst the student council members unfolded.

Anyone could participate in the quiz, target hitting, and power-match games, among others.

Thanks to that, the atmosphere was lively.

Aseong High: 1

Maheong High: 3

Maheong High took the lead in points, and from the fifth turn onwards, the real contest began.

“From the fifth game onwards, it is a representative match! The most capable representative from each team comes forward to compete!”

The announcer shouted with a beaming face.

“From both school’s student council, we need ‘the one with the best memory’ to come forward!”

At the announcer’s call, Jeho showed interest.

“A memory contest, is it? Good. Go, Secretary!”

Jeho sent his secretary forward.

“Park Minhyuk, you’re up!”

“Huh!?”

Aseong High’s Secretary, Park Minhyuk, trembled at Woojin’s declaration.

“M-, me…?”

“You’re the best at memorization.”

“But, in front of everyone, should I…? Chairperson, this is too much…!”

“Step up. The honor of our student council rests on your shoulders.”

“Uh…”

Groaning, Minhyuk muttered, “If it’s the chairperson’s orders, then I have no choice…” and reluctantly headed for the stage.

The secretaries of both the Maheong High and Aseong High Student Council stood on stage.

‘Oh…’

Minhyuk felt a crushing weight on his shoulders and his legs began to shake.

“Both student councils have sent their secretaries! This is truly an interesting lineup! Shall we proceed with the fifth game? This game is… the ‘card flip’ game!”

The members of the student council brought in a table. The table was reflected on the screen at the back of the stage.

Over a hundred cards were scattered about in disarray, all facedown.

“This game is about finding the most pairs by flipping the cards! The one who flips the most cards wins! There are two full decks of Uno cards spread across the table! It’s going to require a tremendous amount of memory and concentration. Are the two of you ready?”

“Yes.”

“Ye-es….”

“Then let’s decide the order… Yes, the secretary from Mahyeon High School will start! Get ready, and begin!”

After several exchanges to get a feel for the cards…

Initially trembling with fear, Minhyuk gradually began to concentrate on the game.

“This card and this card… and…”

Minhyuk confidently flipped the cards with timid hand gestures, and the members of the Ahseong High student council exclaimed in admiration.

On the other hand, the expressions on the Mahyeon High council members’ faces grew increasingly tense.

With a whoosh, the cards were all flipped, and the match had swiftly concluded.

“Incredible! An overwhelming victory for Ahseong High School’s student council secretary, Park Minhyuk! Ahseong High scores! They’re catching up at a terrifying pace!”

“Ugh.”

Je-ho scowled and clenched his fist tightly.

Meanwhile, Woojin concealed his rising smile with a fist under his chin.

“Vice-president, it’s time to seal the deal.”

“Huh?”

Je-ho had no intention of letting the Ahseong High council gain the upper hand.

“Considering the game could be rigged in Ahseong High’s favor, it’s time we intervene.”

After whispering to his vice-president, Je-ho looked over at Woojin.

“Hey, Chairman Ahn Woojin. We’re allowed to decide the game, right?”

Je-ho asked, looking at Woojin.

“Yes.”

“Then…”

Je-ho whispered instructions to his vice president, Shin Gayeon.

“Understood.”

Vice-president Gayeon climbed onto the stage and whispered something to the host. The student council members looked puzzled.

As the host glanced at Woojin, he nodded. The host then handed the microphone and cue cards to Gayeon.

“From now on, I will take over as the host, and for the next game, Mahyeon High School will make the decisions.”

The student council members of Ma-Hyun High School all cheered in unison.

Although this was a ‘recreation’ paraded as a ‘student council showdown’, the ones who had really set the stage were from Ah-Sung High.

The recreation might have been designed to favor Ah-Sung High as it progressed.

Therefore, for the doubtful council members of Ma-Hyun High, the announcement that their vice-president would choose the game was nothing but welcome news.

The original purpose of recreation was fading away now, leaving behind only the meaning of a showdown that decided who had the upper hand.

There was no reason for anyone to care, even if the host changed.

Feeling regretful due to the fact that the original host could no longer preside, they stepped down from the stage.

Only the student council vice-president Shin Ga-Yeon of Ma-Hyun High remained on stage.

“The remaining games are two in total. Both will be decided by Ma-Hyun High. Then the next game is… Calculation showdown. Please send out the representative who is best at mental math.”

Mental calculation showdown.

It was easy to pose problems on the spot, and the fairness was superb.

The firm determination of Ma-Hyun High not to tolerate even a shred of bias or any game that would favor Ah-Sung High was conveyed to all council members.

“Mental calculation showdown, nice. We trust you, accountant!”

Jeho sent out their accountant.

“Pak Min-Hyuk, come back. Go, Yoo Do-Ha!”

“Huh.”

Woo-Jin also sent out their accountant.

Accountant Yoo Do-Ha from Ah-Sung High’s council, after snorting in contempt, climbed up to the stage.

Thus, the accountants from both schools stood side by side on the stage.

“Accountant Gu Jin-Du!”

“Gu Jin-Du! Gu Jin-Du!”

“Our Ma-Hyun High’s genius!”

“Master of mental calculation!”

The student council of Ma-Hyun High School broke into cheers.

Gu Jin-Du, the accountant of Ma-Hyun High.

He was a mathematical genius sweeping mathematics competitions from a young age. He was the master of mental calculations, with his outstanding logical thinking skills.

That is why Ma-Hyun High chose mental calculation showdown with full faith in Jin-Du.

“I will proceed by creating and announcing the questions.”

Ga-Yeon approached an Ah-Sung High student council member sitting at a computer next to the stage, then started creating computation problems together.

Meanwhile, Jin-Du looked at Do-Ha.

“You… I knew you were here, but I never imagined we’d meet like this.”

Jindoo recognized Yudoha.

“Ever since we were young, I have always wanted to defeat you.”

On that one occasion when Yudoha participated in the mathematics competition.

She overtook Jindoo and seized the first place.

It was the sudden emergence of a supernova.

To Jindoo, who had thought he was unrivaled in mathematics among his peers, it was a shock to the system.

Determined to beat Doha, Jindoo poured all his effort into studying.

But there was never another competition where Doha would compete again.

Thus, Jindoo had been chasing the illusion of Doha.

Harboring the desire to best her.

Then, last year.

Jindoo happened upon the news that Doha had become the treasurer of the student council.

Why would such a genius become a club treasurer?

Had she given up on the path of mathematics?

With these questions, Jindoo decided to try becoming the treasurer of the Maehyun High student council himself.

He wanted to understand why the genius Yudoha had chosen that path.

“Are you the treasurer of the Ahseong High student council?”

Maehyun High’s treasurer, Gu Jindoo, spoke to Doha.

Since Jindoo was a stranger to Doha.

That is why he had initiated the conversation.

“So what?”

“Poor thing…”

“What do you mean?”

In the conversation only audible between the two,

Doha’s eyes narrowed.

“For an executive to serve under a leader who’s significantly less capable than even an assistant manager from Obekseo. A pitiful individual who falls for the provocation of a mere YouTuber. If it were me, I’d feel too disheartened to stick around~. Only someone truly deserving ought to sit in the leader’s chair.”

Jindoo laughed scornfully on purpose.

“In that respect, our Maehyun High’s Chief Lee Je-ho is the best. A genius, ranking high in the fifth tier, and unparalleled in combat. A true prodigy worthy of my respect and service. Unlike some deficient student council that settles for a fourth-tier leader.”

Jindoo was a follower of Chief Lee Je-ho.

It’s a position upholding Jeho’s philosophy that brute strength should gain the upper hand over Asung High School.

Especially Jindo, who has been eagerly waiting to duel Yudoha once again.

So, while chipping away at Asung High’s lead, he unabashedly provoked Yudoha.

In other words, he was trying to get the upper hand.

However.

“Ha! What a childish statement.”

“?”

But it didn’t work on Yudoha.

Showing her gleaming white teeth, she chuckled.

“I remember you. Koo Jindo…once hailed as a maths genius, right?”

“And if I were?”

Jindo felt a moment of gratitude towards Yudoha, who remembered him. But it was fleeting.

“That was a laughable statement. No matter how well you performed, you’ve only received pity as failed genius.”

“What?”

“As the grain ripens, it bows its head. Just like a washed-up genius should learn to be humble. Now you’ve become a complete fool.”

Yudoha said arrogantly with a smile, which left Jindo taken aback.

Soon, Jindo furrowed his brows and glared at Yudoha.

“Do you… feel confident? About beating me.”

“Hmph.”

Yudoha replied with a dismissive snort, as if it were a given.

Soon, the emcee Gayeon stepped towards the microphone.

“The question has been fully prepared. Once the question is displayed on the screen, you can press the buzzer and state your answer. The student who first succeeds in mental calculation will earn points.”

Gayeon had started her recording device on her smartphone to check the accuracy of the respondent’s answer.

“Now, here’s your question.”

The white screen on the stage began to fill with numbers.

“What is the product of the following multiplication?”

Beep!

“162,726,355,641,251,339,887,408.”

“…!?”

As soon as the screen displayed the question, the one who pressed the buzzer immediately recited the answer.

At an inconceivable speed, all the members of the disciplinary committee, and Goo Jindo from the finance section, displayed looks of astonishment.

The one who had provided the correct answer was Yoo Doha, the accountant of the Asung High disciplinary committee.

‘I haven’t even finished reading the problem yet…?’

Jindo was confident that even when faced with a lengthy array of digits, he could mentally calculate them within four seconds.

But… Yoo Doha’s mental calculation speed was on a different level.

“The answer to the next question is!?”

Beep!

“63,535,204,842,302,171,750,112,507,137,882.”

“The next question!”

Beep!

“729,217,309,281,496,226,404,840,339,658,521,620,358.”

“The answer to the next multiplication is…?”

Beep!

Beep!

Beep!

As soon as the questions were presented, Doha promptly pressed the buzzer and indifferently rattled off the answers.

While quickly reading the large numbers aloud in a way like ‘seven two nine two one seven’ and so on.

Upon verification with a computer calculator, all the numbers uttered by Doha were indeed correct.

Gayeon, the host, took care to double-check by even playing back the recorded files on the recorder, just in case.

Each time, the surprise only intensified.

In this way, 10 questions came to a swift conclusion.

Mahyeon High’s Goo Jindo: 0 points

Asung High’s Yoo Doha: 10 points

It was a landslide victory for Yoo Doha.

“…The accountant from Asung High’s disciplinary committee, student Yoo Doha wins. With this, the score between Mahyeon High and Asung High is now tied.”

The disciplinary committee of Mahyeon High, which had thought victory was certain, was utterly dumbfounded.

So were Jeho and even the vice-chair Gayeon.

“Wow!”

“Amazing!”

“Senior Doha, you are so cool!”

The student council of Asung High School cheered in unison.

Doha, having claimed victory, arrogantly snorted in triumph.

“How did you…perform such mental arithmetic?”

“This is basic mental arithmetic.”

Jindu couldn’t believe it.

It was unthinkable that anyone in the academy city could match him in mental calculations.

Let alone the person who had once bested him, Yudoha.

An unexpected sense of powerlessness crept in, making Jindu’s body tremble.

Jindu decided to ask one last question.

“…do you remember? Participating in the math championship.”

“What, did you know me? So what?”

“Why did you only participate once and quit?”

“That? Well… “

Doha crinkled his right eye and fiddled with his right earlobe using his pinky finger.

“I quit because it wasn’t fun.”

“……!”

Those words ignited a fierce sense of doubt within Jindu’s heart.

The stage he had sincerely devoted himself to was nothing more than a brief diversion for Doha.

Jindu couldn’t utter a single word.

He simply bowed his head, his body shaking with uncertainty.

Doha, watching Jindu, finally spoke.

“Listen.”

“?”

His voice was heavy.

“An Woo-jin, the president, didn’t become the student council president of our school for nothing.”

Suddenly a figure emerged within Doha’s memory.

Last year, when Yudoha was a freshman.

During a survival test in a forest located on the outskirts of the academy city, a dangerous accident occurred when a band of Marsoos intervened. There had been a breach in test area security.

The students who had not been able to evacuate in time and had been trapped by the Marsoos were all in a state of panic.

At that time, An Woo-jin hid them in a temporary shelter nearby, locking the door, and proceeded to buy time by battling the Marsoos.

“You cannot pass through here.”

Even as his flesh tore under the fierce clench of the beasts’ jaws, and as he choked on his own blood under their heavy blows, Ahn Woojin screamed and fought back against the attacking fiends.

Senior students serving as exam proctors, along with a few teachers from the academy city, hurried to his aid and together they vanquished the hoard.

Afterward, despite losing much blood, Woojin maintained a composed demeanor, first checking on the safety and wellbeing of the students.

Dohyun simply couldn’t understand Woojin.

How he could wage such a lonely battle, risking his life to protect the students.

So he asked why Woojin fought so fiercely.

Immediately after, Dohyun regretted it.

Even he thought it was an absurd question to ask, especially to his savior.

But Woojin replied nonchalantly, as if it was the most obvious thing in the world.

“Because I’m part of the disciplinary committee.”

Dohyun would never forget Woojin from that day.

A memory that would remain with him until his dying breath.

“If you’re such a noble person, then it just happened. If you’re ignorant, at least keep your mouth shut.”

“……”

“A thickheaded idiot who can’t even do mental arithmetic.”

With those harsh words, Dohyun stormed off the stage.

* * *

“As expected of our accountant!”

Thank you!

While I may not trust his personality or intelligence, I do believe in his mental arithmetic skills.

With that, Asung High and Mahyeon High were now tied.

“Damn…”

Jeho clicked his tongue in annoyance.

It seemed particularly vexing to him, watching the pride of Mahyeon High’s disciplinary committee be so overwhelmingly defeated.

“What shall we have for the final game?”

“…You’ll see.”

With a bitter look, Jeho glared at the stage and responded.

“Now, for the final game. The person whose physical abilities are the most enhanced by their magical power, or in other words, the strongest person, please step forward.”

“I’ll go out.”

Unable to bear it any longer, Jeho decided to step out himself.

There was nowhere left to retreat.

Jeho looked at me.

“Why don’t you come out too, Director Ahn Woojin?”

“What?”

“Isn’t it time we had a proper showdown just between us?”

I see.

He’s suggesting that we, the directors, face off for the final game.

‘…Why should I?’

I hated the idea.

If by any chance I lost, it would be utterly embarrassing.

My subordinates were able to plan a competition under the guise of recreation because they were so competent.

Memory genius Park Minhyuk, mental arithmetic genius Yoo Doha, Jack-of-all-trades Oh Baekseo…

With these guys, it just didn’t seem possible to lose.

But let’s assume that there’s a directors’ showdown.

If I were to lose after the spectacular efforts of the Ahseong High executives?

Not only would my reputation as Disciplinary Director dramatically fall, but my image would also take a significant hit…!

Those who still harbored doubts about my capabilities would sink even deeper into feelings of resentment.

Moreover, the score between Ahseong High and Mahyeon High was tied.

This was the highlight, the last game.

Considering this showdown would conclude the prideful clash between the two disciplinary committees, the weight of responsibility was overwhelming.

Therefore.

‘It would be best to avoid accepting this challenge….’

“Director…!”

“Director, you’re not thinking of backing out, are you? We won, so naturally, it’s your turn now, isn’t it?”

Secretary Minhyuk and Treasurer Doha pressed me.

“Director?”

Not understanding why I was hesitating, even Baekseo looked at me with doubtful eyes.

‘Ah….’

Then, at last, I realized.

‘Come to think of it, it’s always been secretary against secretary, accountant against accountant, hasn’t it?’

The lineup was just that unfortunate.

In this situation, the discipline director on their side is ready to participate in the game and I cannot abstain from it.

‘I just can’t avoid this…!’

Such a shameless deed was something the discipline director of Asung High School could not do.

“Hmm…, I suppose I have to.”

Eventually, I had to pretend to be calm and rise from my seat.

Suddenly, a cold sweat rolled down my cheek.

‘Big trouble….’

If I knew this would happen, I wouldn’t have arranged a recreation like this…

“Director, fight on…!”

“If you lose, we won’t let you off, director.”

After receiving cheers from the secretary and the accountant, I went onto the stage with deputy director Oh Baekseo.

‘The opponent is a genius who has reached the 5th rank, not to mention he is among the strongest of Ma Hyeon High school….’

He would have an advantage over me in any normal game.

It was a real crisis.

My steps were heavy.

I felt as if my legs could give out at any moment.

Even as I forced myself to walk, the cheers of the discipline unit members filled my ears.

“Mr. Director, Deputy Director!”

“Cool…!”

“Please knock down Ma Hyeon High School!”

Keeping my cool exterior, I gave heed to their cheers.

It just hit me that all the discipline unit members except the office workers were gathered here.

I wanted to tightly shut my eyes.

However, barely resisting the urge, I said a heartfelt prayer skyward in my mind.

‘I can’t lose, I can’t lose, I can’t lose…! I need to win…! Please let me win…!’

I begged.

Anyone, any divine being, please hear my prayer. Please….

“Don’t give up. Think of this place as the edge of a cliff. If you plummet, you’re cast out. It’s game over…”

“Chief.”

In the midst of autocueing myself, the voice of Baekseo took my nerves away.

“Yes?”

As if it was nothing, I maintained a calm expression and looked at Baekseo.

“Do you know that you’re the one I serve?”

“Huh?”

Why would he mention that all of a sudden?

“You can win. Let’s beat the other chief. If you win, I’ll give you a reward.”

Baekseo cast a kind smile.

Well…

As the deputy, he always timed perfectly the things he knew I’d like to hear.

As if he were seeing through psychology.

“He couldn’t possibly…”

Could he have noticed?

No… I was poker-faced, so it couldn’t have happened.

Maybe it was just encouragement coming from a vice-chief.

Now, about the reward.

“By the way, may I ask in advance what the reward is?”

“Hmm… How about the stockings I’m wearing?”

“!”

My eyes reflexively began to move towards the legs of Baekseo, who was wearing black stockings.

I quickly regained control of my gaze and diverted them back to their original place.

“Don’t make such jokes. Especially if you’re a disciplinary committee.”

I glared at Baekseo.

“hahahaha, I’m sorry.”

Baekseo, who covered his mouth with a slightly clenched fist, chuckled softly.

I realized once more that I couldn’t let my guard down with him.

‘…It’s a bit better though.’

Maybe because it was a joke with a little spice.

Perhaps it was a kind of shock therapy, but the tension had eased off a little.

Me and Baek Seo climbed up on the stage.

Je Ho stood across from us.

“The chiefs of each department are here to participate.”

The hostess, Ga Yeon, stood by Je Ho as she spoke.

In the meantime, I glared at Ga Yeon, resolute.

‘Go ahead, say whatever you want. If I see even the slightest hint of unfairness, I’ll object immediately…!’

In fact, I fully intended to object if, even in a fair game, I felt disadvantaged, for whatever reason I could come up with.

My brain was working full-blown for this purpose.

“Vice-chief, get on with the next game.”

Je Ho met my gaze without a hitch, adjusting his glasses.

“Yes, the next game is…”

Students from the department lugged in a sturdy-looking table and two chairs, placing them between him and me.

“Arm wrestling. But, magic is permitted.”

Arm wrestling?

There’s chatter among the department members.

A smile crept up on Je Ho’s face.

“This should be fun.”

The nature of the game seemed to be to his liking.

Come to think of it, did he not ask for the ‘strongest person’ to come out?

And the game is arm wrestling…

‘This looks… too fair?’

There seemed to be not even a hint of a chance to object.

Arm wrestling.

A very direct way to test strength, a perfect fit.

As for arm wrestling, it’s something I could somewhat manage.

“In this game, magic use is allowed. Up to body enhancement. Meaning this arm wrestling is not just about physical ability but also magic.”

Meaning, it tests to see which side had the superior power.

“Then, heads of the department, please come to the front of the table.”

* * *

“Hmm.”

This is Lee Je-ho, the guidance director of Mahyeon High School, adjusting his glasses with a smirk on his face.

‘This match….’

But inside, he was breaking out in cold sweats.

‘If I lose, that’s the end…! I absolutely cannot lose!’

Asung High School and Mahyeon High School.

An event watched by both of their guidance departments.

As even the general affairs officer and treasurer had already lost, cracks had formed in Mahyeon High School’s pride.

Moreover, the scores were tied, and this was the final match.

Feeling uneasy, Je-ho decided to step up himself.

‘I ended up blurting out that I would face off in a fit of anger. To the guidance director of Asung High School…! I should have somehow held it in!’

Je-ho clenched his fists in regret.

The decision came on the spur of the moment after considering the lineup so far; he thought the match had to be held between the directors. This caused him to call out to Woo-jin abruptly.

But soon, Je-ho changed his mind.

‘No. Those determined eyes, that expression…. Even if I hadn’t called him out, he would certainly have come out by himself…!’

Anyway, the showdown between directors was bound to happen.

The incredible pressure was weighing Je-ho down.

If he also ends up losing here….

The pride of Mahyeon High School guidance department would be completely shattered, and they would be treated as a club inferior to Asung High School guidance department.

Furthermore, after watching Woo-jin’s video dueling the Sindorim Swordmaster, Je-ho had a high evaluation of him.

The dismissive expression he had used for Woo-jin earlier was only meant to provoke and engage in psychological warfare.

That’s why he hesitated when Baek Seo stepped forward.

‘Damn it, why is this kid so solemn!? He unnecessarily looks formidable…!’

According to Je-ho, from the moment he met Woo-jin, he has not faltered in the slightest.

He was cool and solemn.

Perhaps because of that, an unidentified intimidation radiated from Woo-jin.

Je-ho swallowing in anxiety.

Suddenly, all kinds of imaginations began flying through his head.

‘Did you hear? Our school’s guidance director had a match with Asung High School’s guidance director and lost!’

‘They fought over an arm wrestling match that allows the use of magic.’

“They stole the secretary’s and accountant’s positions. They are stealing whatever they’re good at.”

“So what’s that? Are you saying that our student council is behind Asung High’s in ability or standards?”

“Was our student council really that weak?”

“Pathetic.”

The students’ gossip echoed in their imaginations.

At the sight of Ma-hyun High’s student council’s reputation plummeting, Je-ho let out a silent scream.

“Calm down, Je-ho…! Your honor as the president of Ma-hyun High’s student council is at stake here. Even if you risk your life, you cannot lose here…!”

Je-ho couldn’t help but feel extremely tense.

If he lost focus for even a moment, his legs would shake.

“Bring it on, President An-woo-jin. Let’s properly figure out here who is superior!”

“It’s what I’ve been hoping for.”

Je-ho, looking confident, was grinning with his jaw set. Woo-jin, holding the brim of his hat, bowed his head slightly and gave off a cool aura.

The two men placed their elbows on the table and clenched hands.

And then.

‘Please, let me win…!’

‘Please, don’t let me lose, please…!’

The two men pleaded desperately within themselves.