"...I am truly honored to stand here. From today onward, I will assume the role of student council president and lead everyone through our future campus life..."
A girl with jet-black hair reaching her shoulders stood at the lectern. She wore relatively simple rimless glasses, a flat beret atop her head, and the standard student uniform—white blouse, indigo silk tie, and a skirt and shoulder cape that were predominantly blue with black trim.
Her attire exuded the grace of a lady, neither too showy nor too plain, inspiring a measure of trust in Edith Academy's students toward their new student council president.
At least she looks normal, doesn't she? Not like the former president Amors, who gave off an intimidating presence with his profound thoughts.
In the auditorium, as the entire faculty and student body witnessed, the student council president role was handed over smoothly, the process encountering no issues. Only some upperclassmen felt unfamiliar with the name of this freshman.
It seemed like the first time they heard that name, but considering they would soon graduate, they didn't dwell on it much.
"It's her again. So there was a deeper meaning to her speech at the start of the school year. Was it decided back then?" Quite a few freshmen were familiar with Tilan.
"I thought she was just a figurehead put forth by the Academy. To think she has really taken on the role of student council president. But the question is, can she win people over?" Some students didn't much care about campus affairs; they were just curious whether this seemingly delicate girl could hold her ground in this position.
"I don't think she's quite cut out for it. This is Edith Academy, after all; everyone is either a genius from somewhere or has an extraordinary family background. How could they submit easily?" Some sophomores and juniors shook their heads, not everyone was aware of the achievements from the recent past.
After Tilan finished her speech and stepped down, it was time for the various major clubs within the campus to hold their handover ceremonies, as many club presidents were seniors set to graduate, and their successors would be announced at this time.
First to take the stage was the 'Ticus Botanical Research Club.' Although its numbers were small, the professional level of the club could rival mainstream corporate research teams in the market, and it had garnered several awards.
Mavis, the club president with a charming appearance, took to the stage. After a brief introduction of the club's achievements over the past three years, she spoke about the future prospects and her successor.
"The next club president is my junior and a familiar face to everyone—Yalian · Hanafiru."
After these words, a member familiar to Tilan stepped up to the podium. As a member of the Elf Race, his presence was rare even in Edith Academy, coupled with his noble birth and parents who were renowned botanists, many had heard his name and found this outcome unsurprising.
While Yalian was nominally part of the Twilight Orchestra, he often frequented the 'Ticus Botanical Research Club;' Tilan had seen him conducting experiments there during her visit.
Lively applause erupted, and the students welcomed this change warmly.
Next was the 'Hat and Short Sword' club. This club's members were known for their combat skills and was a well-known club within the Academy; many had heard its name or had watched their matches in the first half of the school year.
The former president, Wulai, took to the stage. With short hair rather than his usual bald look, he seemed quite fresh and unfamiliar.
"Hey, I won't need much of an introduction, haha. Our club 'Hat and Short Sword,' strong, honorable, invincible!"
"So, the person who will take over my position in such an awesome club will definitely be someone powerful."
"Please welcome to the stage the most powerful person in our club, apart from myself—Xiao Yicheng!"
An attractive young man with deep cyan short hair and a distinctly Eastern style of elegance took to the stage. Dressed in the latest uniform collaboratively released by 'Gothic Doll' and the Academy, he carried a sword on his back and went on stage, effortlessly waving it to create a few sword blossoms before beginning his inauguration speech.
"...I am very thankful for President Wulai's care and training over these past two years, and I am also grateful for President Tilan's guidance, which proudly allows me to stand here today..." In his speech, he mentioned the new president's name, surprising many in the audience.
"The new president has even instructed him in swordsmanship? That can't just be a polite comment, can it? After all, that Tilan looks like a literary girl."
"Who knows, but 'Hat and Short Sword' has indeed been eye-catching recently. Among the five who came to Wulai's aid, Xiao Yicheng was the most formidable. Since he said so, others wouldn't readily object; victors are free from skepticism," someone in the audience commented, shaking their head.
After his brief speech, next to take the stage was the 'Death Rose Club,' a club known for its Withering Sequence, yet shrouded in mystery and low profile.
Both the incoming and outgoing presidents wore pitch-black robes and masks, somewhat like social recluses. Their speech was exceptionally brief, but at the end, they mentioned, "...We are very thankful for President Tilan's support and help to our club, which has elevated the members' abilities to a new level."
"It's Tilan again, has she really been doing so much?"
"Next is the new president of 'Hua Fan Opera,' Efnie. Please welcome her to the stage."
"The Flame's Goldfish Princess, so it's her taking over 'Hua Fan Opera.' I was wondering why she represented 'Hua Fan Opera' at the last collaborative clothing release. So that was the reason."
Following the not-so-lengthy speech, a few other smaller clubs took their turns on stage until finally, it was time for the largest club on campus, 'Black Shirt Wanderers,' to hold their handover ceremony."