The Student Council President's Strength
The grand library located within the grounds of the Royal Fontbart Academy.
It was so lavishly built that it wouldn't be out of place in the heart of the royal capital, and the inside was just as impressive as the exterior.
“”Whoa…””
Lucina and I, who had never stepped foot inside before, were left speechless by the sheer size of the library.
"Is this your first time here?"
"Y-yes, we haven't had the opportunity until now."
"How unfortunate. You won’t often come across a library as large as this one."
"I’m truly feeling that right now."
With a facility as impressive as this, I couldn’t pass up the opportunity to use it.
In my past life as a student, I had little to do with libraries and never even went near one.
But this world is completely different.
There were countless books on magic that I wanted to take and read right away.
At first, I thought we’d be searching through books about the Select Magic Attribute, but according to President Tricia, there was a more efficient way to go about it.
Following the President, who walked with her back straight, we eventually arrived at something that didn’t seem to belong in a library at all.
"W-what is this...?"
I couldn’t help but gasp.
At the very back of the library, there was a door that led even deeper inside.
But it wasn’t just any door.
It was made of iron and exuded a heavy, imposing presence, and there was no way a couple of students could open it.
Furthermore, the doorknob was wrapped in chains, making it impossible to turn.
It seemed impossible to move forward, but President Tricia didn’t even glance at the door.
It seemed like we needed to somehow get this door opened for some reason.
"Shall we ask the librarian to open it for us?"
"There’s no need for that. Besides, the librarian can’t open it."
With that, President Tricia began cracking her knuckles.
It was a gesture that seemed far from something a noblewoman from one of the Three Noble Houses would do.
"By the way, Lake, do you know my magic attribute?"
"Of course. It’s non-elemental, right?"
Though non-elemental magic may seem like it lacks any distinct features—it’s actually the opposite.
Compared to elements like fire, water, wind, and lightning, it might seem dull, but it has a versatility that reaches all the hard-to-reach places.
"Non-elemental magic has many uses. Among them, the one I particularly like is..."
Immediately, a vast amount of mana began to surge from President Tricia’s body.
"I’ll show you. My power."
She boldly declared and then placed her hand on the heavily guarded iron door.
"Unlocking magic?"
"Probably."
With the vast amount of mana she released, it seemed like she was going to use a spell to unlock the door—but to my surprise, she simply grabbed the doorknob and started trying to force it open.
"Wha—? President Tricia, what are you doing?"
"What do you mean? I’m opening the door."
After releasing that much mana, she was trying to brute-force it open!?
No, this door was far too large and heavy for a single woman to open with just her own strength!
My inner thoughts were ignored as President Tricia continued trying to force the door open.
But then something strange happened.
With a creak, the door slowly began to open.
How was that possible? The only explanation I could think of was—
"Body enhancement magic...?"
The incredible strength coming from those slim, delicate arms must have been due to body enhancement magic.
If she could naturally exert that much force, she'd be a gorilla, not a noblewoman.
But surely she didn’t think like a gorilla, right?
"Just as I thought... there's no problem that can't be solved with power."
I stand corrected.
She’s basically a gorilla, but with the appearance of a beautiful girl and the mannerisms of a lady, yet everything is solved by simply using her brute force.
A one-woman gorilla-esque Student Council President... What an overpowered character!
"The door is open. Let’s go in."
"R-right."
With a nonchalant gesture, as if nothing had happened, President Tricia walked forward, brushing the dirt off her hands.
Somehow, I began to understand why she was the only one in the Student Council.
No ordinary student could keep up with her.
Anyone trying to follow her would fall behind before they even took a step, unable to even cast a shadow over her.
It wasn’t just because of her position as a member of the Three Noble Houses; it was because President Tricia’s abilities were on an entirely different level.
A strange mix of admiration and exasperation stirred inside me, and at the same time, I began to think about how I might establish closer ties with her and the academy.
When I enrolled in this academy, I had planned to form a deep relationship with at least one of the Three Noble Houses.
The power of the three families was evenly matched, and each played a crucial role in the kingdom.
The Heartland family, to which President Tricia belonged, had traditionally held the highest military power.
If I could get close to them, I could potentially monopolize the supply of weapons and armor.
Now that I had gotten this close, I couldn’t let this opportunity slip by.
A skilled merchant always seizes the opportunity when it presents itself.
—But first, I had to focus on helping Connie recover.
Behind the heavy door, an unexpectedly calm space unfolded.
There were potted plants everywhere, and even a terrace had been set up.
I had almost forgotten about President Tricia’s power, but this was still a library, after all.
Normally, this would be a typical sight.
"This is what we call the Forbidden Archive."
"Th-the Forbidden Archive...?"
"This is a special place where general students are not allowed to enter—well, as a member of one of the Three Noble Houses, I have no problem entering, but as long as I give you permission, you won’t be punished for coming in with me."
I had no idea such a place existed within the academy.
"But why the Forbidden Archive?"
"Didn’t I say it before?—We’re here to meet someone."
The person President Tricia was relying on was here, in this Forbidden Archive.
"Who is this person?"
"She’s a witch known among the students as the ‘Witch of the Forbidden Archive.’"
"T-the Witch of the Forbidden Archive...?"
… It looks like another dangerous person is about to make an appearance.
What do you think about this chapter?
