The leisurely days passed quietly, and as time arrived at the beginning of March, after more than two months of fermentation, various articles and video explanations, as well as some popular science influencers' promotions, the popularity of Edith Academy grew increasingly higher, subtly giving the illusion that it might catch up with Saint Ingo Academy. This made Saint Ingo Academy also begin to take various actions and measures.
Simply emphasizing their status as the first and best, as they had in the past, was becoming less and less effective and viable in the court of public opinion. After all, this rhetoric had grown too old and clichéd, audiences were tired of it. If they claimed to be number one, then they should show their strength, and the results of the recent Winter Festival had already spoken volumes.
To reverse the situation, Saint Ingo began to compensate in other areas, participating in various leagues they hadn't paid much attention to before, aiming to win championships. These competitions were all Grade B events; although Grade C events were held more frequently, Saint Ingo wouldn't participate with great fanfare, as some people thought the level of Grade C events was too low.
"So, you're saying that Saint Ingo has recently started sending outstanding students in various fields to other Star Domains to participate in major competitions?"
Sitting in the office at Edith Academy, Tilan held an orange tabby cat in her arms while talking to several student council members in front of her.
"Yes, President Tilan, ever since the end of the Winter Festival, Saint Ingo has been preparing. Only recently have their efforts started to become apparent," Yalian said as he pushed up his glasses and projected the information from the clipboard into the air for everyone to see.
"For instance, the 'Entwined Fingers Seven Dyes Flower' contest, aimed at young gardeners, is an art competition that displays various gardening skills. Competitors must trim and create garden scenes according to the theme, and the top seven winners will receive the Multicolored Flower Embellished Gloves awarded by the event, a very prestigious prize. It is said that if one wins these gloves, Trimming Dual Sword Academy will waive their assessment and allow direct admission. Additionally, other Transcendent schools related to plants also give preferential treatment to the winners," he explained.
"In this competition, Saint Ingo's Maidi received the Spiral Purple Flower Gloves, making headlines across over a dozen southern Star Domains," Yalian added.
"And just last week, the 'Separated Salt' competition for young Pharmacists concluded. A student from Saint Ingo also secured third place, gaining recognition from many," he continued.
"And it's been said that Saint Ingo is preparing to send competitors to the 'Inverted Star Lake Sword Fighting' event, a contest organized by over twenty southeastern Star Domains. It's also a Grade B event well-known within the competitions," Yalian informed.
At this, noting that the room was hearing this name for the first time, Yalian started to explain.
"Unlike previous combat contests, 'Inverted Star Lake Sword Fighting' is held in a zero-gravity space environment, where contestants can only use swords. Initially, it began as an exhibition event, but due to appealing visuals and popularity, it expanded greatly. Eventually, they even made a rule that, if during the fight the scenery is damaged, contestants face deductions, demanding a great deal from the combat style," he described.
"When is the competition taking place, and is it still possible to register?" Tilan asked curiously.
"The event will be in the Purple Distant Grass Star Domain at the end of May. There's still time to sign up, but the deadline is less than a week away," Yalian responded, looking at Tilan expectantly.
"All right, all right, seeing how eager you all are, it's not that I cannot sign up, but it does seem a bit petty," Tilan said, petting the orange tabby cat in her arms, sharing her thoughts.
"We've already defeated them during the Winter Festival, and now we're eager to participate in the same major events as Saint Ingo; it feels a bit like being unrelentingly petty," she mused inwardly, like an adult teasing a child.
"However, it's rare to find a suitable event, and it would be unacceptable not to participate. I'm also not necessarily skilled in other matching competitions," she reflected.
"What does the Academy's board say about this? Since Saint Ingo is taking action, our side should also make moves," she pondered.
Efnie now stepped forward to explain, smoothing the fringe of her bangs with her hand and then speaking in detail.
"The Academy is indeed organizing participation in various events, ensuring to keep up, and they've recently spoken to the presidents of various clubs to ask if any additional help is needed, like intense training by prestigious masters, some Spiritual Medicine, equipment, etc.," she mentioned.
"The board must be bleeding funds this time, as these resources are not cheap, but they are willing to bear the cost," Kinsenke added, leaning against a nearby cabinet and sharing his thoughts.
"What results can we expect? Although there's been a year of restructuring and the atmosphere within Edith is now quite positive and everyone is working hard, we have to admit Saint Ingo's foundation is truly deep, and catching up with them completely in a short period seems rather challenging," Tilan mused, aware of the specific strength of both schools after a year as student council president.
"Much progress has been made, but to catch up with Saint Ingo might take a few more years of accumulation, whether in terms of faculty or the quality of incoming students," Yalian made a sobering assessment.
"That means we'll still have to rely on President Tilan to lead by example to rescue the Academy. Actually, I have a better idea that could immediately boost Edith Academy's popularity over Saint Ingo," Yalian said, pushing up his glasses and looking down, his mouth curving into a subtle smile.