The layout of the meeting room this time had been changed to two rows of tables. One row belonged to the three remaining contenders, and the other to the "examiners." Barnes sat directly across from Angel, speaking eloquently: "Qili, you have the most extensive network in the school and can mobilize the most manpower, and also you’re the strongest of all. We’ve seen this already."
"Alvis, as the president of the Old Vascular Council, you have inherited everything from it. Procedurally, we’re most satisfied with you, and it’s flawless. As for Angel..." Shifting her gaze towards Angel, Barnes smiled and said, "Your personal ability is the one we admire the most. You’re also the most diligent and the most combative student leader. What you’ve done has astonished us."
Angel slowly closed his eyes, then nodded slightly as a response and opened them again.
Taking a deep breath, Barnes continued: "You are all outstanding, but only one of you can become the president of the New Vascular Council. And no matter what selection method we use, there is a certain degree of unfairness to the other two people. So, we’ve been discussing for a long time and finally we’ve made a decision."
All at once, the three remaining contenders widened their eyes slightly, looking at Barnes.
All eyes in the meeting room focused on Barnes.
The most, most important moment is coming!
The meeting room fell silent, only the gentle breeze blowing, and the distant rustle of sacred tree leaves could be heard.
After a pause, Barnes lightly said: "We need you to unite. Yes, unite. Any two parties can unite to win the position of New Vascular Council President. Any two parties. But the president will only be one. Do you understand what I mean?"
The three contenders stared blankly at Barnes, seemingly not reacting yet.
Barnes continued: "Or put it another way. When any one among you is willing to submit to the other, then the other will be elected as the New Vascular Council President. Does that make it a little clearer?"
Angel widened his eyes, nodding slightly.
After hesitating for a while, Qili and Alvis also nodded one after the other. ɴᴇᴡ ɴᴏᴠᴇʟ ᴄʜᴀᴘᴛᴇʀs ᴀʀᴇ ᴘᴜʙʟɪsʜᴇᴅ ᴏɴ novel※fire.net
"This request may sound a bit unreasonable, but in fact, this is our decision." Barnes shrugged helplessly and said, "This task is heavy, really heavy, and we hope to accomplish it all at once. None of you are strong enough for us to believe you can absolutely accomplish it. So, our requirement is actually for an organization that possesses the characteristics of any two of you. For example, combining Angel’s personal ability with Qili’s network. For example, combining Qili’s network with the execution of the Old Vascular Council. Or, for instance, combining Angel’s personal ability with the execution of the Old Vascular Council. Of course, there will still only be one president, who will be the president is what you need to negotiate."
Saying this, Barnes supported herself on the table and slowly stood up: "I will give you enough time to consider. Just give me the answer before five in the afternoon. You can negotiate here or go back and negotiate with your partners, that’s all fine. Good luck!"
Lightly clapping her hands, Barnes turned and left with other members of the Teaching Affairs Bureau.
The door quietly closed, leaving only Angel, Qili, and Alvis in the meeting room. Quietly, in silence without a sound.
The three of them remained motionless, unconsciously holding their breath. Their gazes shifted, deliberately avoiding each other. Meanwhile, each person’s mind was racing.
This is the final deciding moment.
A bird landed on the windowsill, pecked lightly at the potted plant, then turned and flapped its wings and flew away.
The three still remained motionless.
Time ticked away, little by little.
One hour, a whole hour, they sat there in a daze.
After an hour, Alvis slowly stood up, walked step by step to Qili, but looked at Angel. He softly said to Qili, "Let’s unite. I have only two requirements, the president’s subsidy is five thousand, and two thousand must go to me. I’m the vice president. Also, kick all of Gegil’s people out of your team."
Qili seemed to awaken, looking at Alvis with some surprise: "No... no, I can’t do that. He’s a member of my team, I can’t abandon him on the eve before victory. Others won’t agree either."
"But I won’t work with him." Before Qili could respond, Alvis smiled and looked at Angel: "Or, Angel, you can offer more favorable conditions. For example, the other way around, I become president, you’re the vice president. Three thousand in subsidies to me, two thousand to you. How about it?"
Angel slowly looked up, somewhat surprised as he looked at the smiling Alvis.
"Start bargaining, hehehe." The devil muttered quietly: "You should seize this opportunity, maybe you can secure a good alliance deal. Negotiation should be your forte, in this aspect, I have great confidence in you."
Silence, again a long silence.
After a moment, unexpectedly, Angel smiled and said: "Agreed."
In an instant, not only Qili was stunned, even Alvis, and even the devil were all stunned.
For a while, Alvis didn’t even know what to say next.
"Wait!" Qili quickly stood up, shouting: "Why didn’t you ask for my opinion? I can make you the vice president too, I can also give you two thousand allowances! No, I can give you two thousand five hundred, we’ll split it evenly!"
Angel glanced at Qili lightly, softly said: "I think it’s more appropriate to ally with the president."
Saying that, under Qili’s stunned gaze, Angel turned to Alvis: "President, I always thought you were suited to be the president. In fact, I never intended to run for president myself."
Alvis was also dazed, staring blankly at the weary-looking Angel.
Slightly lowering his head, Angel took a deep breath and continued: "Actually, who becomes president isn’t that important, and the allowance isn’t that important either. If we keep stalemating here, tonight our partners will surely have to sleep out again. They’re all good people, they shouldn’t suffer that treatment. Now, I just want to end it quickly."
"But I can also offer you the same conditions!" Qili shouted promptly: "Even, better conditions than his!"
"You can’t." Angel said plainly: "You have too many people under you, I know how much funding the New Vascular Council can get, distributed evenly, each will only get a little. I’m responsible for the people who support me, I must ensure they enjoy the best treatment I can fight for. At the same time, I also hope the chaotic state of the Magic Academy can end soon, so everyone can return to normal school life as early as possible."
Qili was dumbfounded.
Not only Qili, but Alvis was also stupefied.
Looking towards Alvis, Angel continued: "So, president, I don’t want any vice president position, I don’t even want two thousand subsidies. Those things are not what I want. What I hope to get is that you will treat everyone who supports me equally, as if they were members of the original Vascular Council who supported you. I hope they can all become members of the New Vascular Council."
"No... absolutely not a problem."
"Also. I want to maintain the original Vascular Council’s system, this is what Barnes hopes for, and it’s also a kind of protection for those who support me."
"Agree...," Alvis licked his somewhat dry lips, gently responded: "I completely accept your idea. Anything else?"
"These two points must be notarized by Barnes."
"Absolutely no problem, anything else?"
"No more?" Alvis found it a bit difficult to recover.
"Yes, that’s it." Angel slowly stood up, then smiled at Alvis: "If you agree, I’ll go back now and notify my partners about my withdrawal, and also prepare the list to enter the New Vascular Council."
"Absolutely agree!" Alvis stammered: "No problem! I promise all your requests! Barnes can notarize!"
The victory came too suddenly, probably even he himself was a little bit unable to accept it for the moment. Initially, he just wanted to negotiate a good deal, a good price. Who would’ve known... he won it all?
"Okay, you guys chat, I’ll head back first. See you here at five."
After speaking, Angel turned and strode away.
Behind him, Alvis’s face couldn’t hide the excitement, while Qili was utterly baffled.
As he stepped out of the meeting room door, the devil quietly asked: "Are you crazy? With your leverage, you could negotiate a hundred times better condition!"
"Yes, but that’s not what I want." Angel replied lightly.