Chapter 22 – Rule 12. The Leader Receives Top Marks (1)

 

 

 

The day the Anomia incident was reported.

 

“Wow…”

 

Lee Se-Ah, naked, let out a gasp of admiration while soaking in the bathtub and watching the TV mounted on the wall.

 

She had already received information about Anomia’s capture before the news broke. Yet, no matter how many times she heard about Anomia’s capture, the news still amazed her.

 

“Unbelievable…”

 

Ahn Woo-jin. This man was truly extraordinary.

 

From the beginning of his term as the Disciplinary Committee Leader, he had utterly destroyed Anomia, a notorious villain group that had been a thorn in the side of several academies, including Hanyang Federal Academy. The word ‘amazing’ was not enough to describe his feat.

 

This event significantly elevated the status of the Ahsung High Disciplinary Committee in Academy City.

 

It wasn’t because of Oh Baek-seo, a 6th Tier girl hailed as a genius. It was due to the remarkable efforts of Ahn Woo-jin, a 4th Tier boy.

 

“I owe him big time.”

 

─ Yes, thanks to him, things will proceed smoothly.

 

The voice of Lee Jung-mi came from the communication device on the table beside Se-Ah.

 

“I really like him. We need to express our gratitude, don’t we?”

 

Anomia had been a significant problem for the Do-hwa Group mafia as well.

 

With the most troublesome obstacle gone thanks to Woo-jin, it was only right to express their gratitude multiple times over.

 

The organization owed Woo-jin twice now. Se-Ah had no intention of ignoring this debt.

 

─ Should we prepare monetary compensation? Or perhaps a rare magic tool? Maybe even an artifact? Thanks to him, it’s only a matter of time before we generate significant profits.

 

“No, giving such things to the Disciplinary Committee Leader would be considered a bribe…. It would cause trouble.”

 

─ It depends on how it’s given, doesn’t it?

 

“Oh, that senior wouldn’t like that. He has a very strong sense of legality.”

 

Se-Ah twisted her long, wet black hair as she spoke.

 

“Then, how about this?”

 

Se-Ah’s slitted eyes curved into a fox-like smile.

 

—

 

Candidates for Platinum Mileage are limited to a maximum of five each semester.

 

Two are awarded after midterms, and three after finals. They are awarded on specific days and can sometimes be fewer or none at all.

 

Regardless, I would receive my Platinum Mileage after midterms.

 

But for now, I had no time to think about mileage.

 

I recalled earlier today, while eating a sandwich Baek-seo had made for me on a bench behind a deserted building. Through an open window, I overheard a conversation between some girls.

 

“This new Disciplinary Committee Leader is something else.”

 

I unconsciously held my breath and listened intently to their conversation.

 

Eavesdropping isn’t good, but since the conversation was about my reputation, I couldn’t help but listen.

 

“I was skeptical about the subway incident, but after hearing he took down Anomia too… I’ve gained a new respect.”

 

“I agree. He’s really skilled.”

 

I nodded. They had good judgment.

 

“Still, it’s a bit disappointing that Baek-seo isn’t the leader.”

 

What?

 

“It would have been the best if Baek-seo was leading the Disciplinary Committee.”

 

“The current leader is fine, right? Sure, Oh Baek-seo is a 6th Tier genius….”

 

“You just don’t know Baek-seo well. I swear, no one at our school can match her. It feels like she lives in a completely different world. Seeing her made me wonder how someone can be so perfect.”

 

“Is she really that amazing?”

 

“She is, you fool. Honestly, the achievements of the current Disciplinary Committee Leader, if Baek-seo were the leader, they would be even greater, not less.”

 

‘These kids…’

 

Even Baek-seo doesn’t know about the game knowledge I possess.

 

Intellectual superiority. That’s the power I have.

 

Although Baek-seo is superior to me in every way, without my game knowledge, Anomia wouldn’t have been captured.

 

…Of course, I couldn’t argue that point. I couldn’t talk about my game knowledge.

 

From their perspective, it’s natural to have such opinions. Oh Baek-seo is indeed extraordinary.

 

“Moreover, Baek-seo has always been number one academically. The current leader isn’t a slouch, but there’s nothing where he surpasses Baek-seo…. I might be biased because I know Baek-seo, but I feel a bit disappointed. I think things would have been even better with her as the leader.”

 

Grades, huh….

 

Midterms were approaching.

 

I had no intention of spending the exam period dazed and overshadowed by Baek-seo again.

 

And now.

 

I was reading a textbook in the Disciplinary Committee’s office.

 

‘Aaaaah…!’

 

Internally, I was fiercely studying.

 

There was a lot to cover: Korean, English, Math, Social Studies… Not to mention practical subjects like Magical Practice and Combat.

 

Due to the overwhelming workload from the Disciplinary Committee, my study time had been severely lacking. If I hadn’t done thorough preparation during the vacation, I couldn’t imagine how it would have been.

 

As the leader of the Disciplinary Committee, ranked number one in combat power among about 400 students, achieving top grades was essential to maintain my dignity.

 

In any situation, I had to set an example.

 

Moreover, this was the only way I could surpass Baek-seo.

 

I needed to excel in at least one thing more than her.

 

Being a leader without any advantage over the vice leader would be humiliating.

 

However, with the other members present in the office, I couldn’t study like a dog devouring its food. I had to maintain my image, so I read the textbook calmly, pretending to be at peace, while internally, a storm raged.

 

“Ha Yesong, enters like the wind!”

 

Ha Yesong abruptly opened the door to the Disciplinary Committee office and walked in.

 

“Welcome.”

 

“Hello.”

 

“Hi.”

 

Without looking up from my textbook, I greeted her. The vice leader, Oh Baek-seo, who was tidying up the pantry, also greeted her.

 

Yoo Doha, the treasurer, was lying on the sofa with a book over her face, showing no reaction as she was deeply asleep.

 

Park Minhyuk, the secretary, sitting opposite Yoo Doha, typed on his laptop while greeting her.

 

“Wow, Leader! Are you studying?”

 

With eyes like a rabbit spotting prey, Yesong approached my desk.

 

“Midterms are coming up. Just skimming through the textbook.”

 

I replied nonchalantly, emphasizing my calm demeanor.

 

“As expected of the second-ranked student!”

 

“……”

 

It hurt. It felt like a dagger to the heart.

 

“Of course, it’s only natural. Our Leader’s intellect is unrivaled.”

 

“Ugh, there’s that praise again….”

 

As Minhyuk interjected, Yesong glared at him.

 

“But Yesong, aren’t you studying?”

 

You were talking about me being relaxed.

 

“No, not yet. I review regularly, so I’m fine!”

 

Yesong answered confidently.

 

“So, what are you doing these days?”

 

“I usually spend this time visiting the restaurants I’ve wanted to try.”

 

Yesong placed her hands together on her chest as she answered.

 

“So, you’re not studying.”

 

In summary, that’s what she was saying.

 

“Leader, playing during exam periods is the most fun!”

 

“Well, that’s true….”

 

That was… a fair point.