Student Council President's Office, Federation Student Council.
Outside the window, pink petals were gently falling, a beautiful sight, but the two people inside had no time to appreciate it.
"What?"
Student Council President Albite looked up in shock from the pile of documents she was reviewing. Among the stacks of paperwork towering like a mountain on her desk, she could see only the round face of a middle-aged dwarf in a crisp uniform and a sharp hat, anxiously awaiting her response.
Even though she had clearly understood what he said, the news was so significant that she asked again.
"Did you say there was an accident involving the train that was supposed to take the graduates from the Kingdom back home?"
The pen slipped from her hand and rolled across the desk.
Just before it fell to the floor, the dwarf, a senior employee from the railway company's headquarters, bowed deeply and quickly recited the prepared statement.
"My apologies. We are deeply sorry for the inconvenience. The issue only affects one specific car, and we are working to repair it as quickly as possible. We assure you that the transport of the graduates will be resolved within three days…"
He began to outline a plan, giving a realistic but tight deadline for the repairs.
Transporting the crucial Ether-powered graduates back to their home countries was a top priority. The dwarf, a veteran with a high-ranking position at headquarters, was well aware of the importance of this task.
He was even more concerned about not upsetting the Academy City.
"Especially now, when new transportation methods are being developed, if this incident causes delays in the new Ether train routes to Academy City, it would be disastrous…"
With that thought, the dwarf cast a glance at the Student Council President of the Federation.
"…"
Although she had only held the position for about two years, Albite was responsible for overseeing the Valkyries and students from many different countries across the Nine Worlds. In many ways, she held a rank comparable to a head of state or a parliamentary leader, and the dwarf did not want to risk offending her.
As a result, the middle-aged dwarf’s back began to bend even more, like a reed in the wind.
Normally, administrative students would have reported this to her, but he had insisted on delivering the news in person.
Seeing this, Albite suddenly realized the situation.
'…There were no casualties. If there had been, Sigrun or Greta from the Gjallarhorn would have informed me. Stay calm… It must just be a mechanical issue.'
After collecting her thoughts, she spoke in as soft a tone as she could manage.
"Oh, it sounded like I was blaming you. My apologies. The railway company must be dealing with a lot of stress due to the mechanical issue. It's just that many of my seniors are from the Kingdom, and I got worried that something serious might have happened. I know that's unlikely."
Her words implied that she would not tolerate any harm coming to the students, and the dwarf nodded in understanding.
"My apologies once again. My tone may have been misleading. The graduates weren't involved in the accident itself. As you said, we found the defect during the inspection before they boarded."
"I see."
As expected, Albite felt a wave of relief.
The last thing she wanted was to prepare for a funeral right after graduation. It was an unthinkable, horrific scenario.
Both as Student Council President and as a junior sending off her seniors, she was now able to speak more calmly.
"As long as no one has been hurt, that's a relief. I won't hold anyone responsible as long as the follow-up is handled with care. Can you tell me more about how the defect occurred? The Federation Student Council will do everything we can to assist."
"Ah, well, about that…"
Relieved by Albite's unexpectedly understanding reaction, the dwarf began to explain the situation.
As he did, he was also assessing the new Student Council President.
'It's fortunate that this new president has a softer demeanor than the previous one. I don't have to worry as much about saying the wrong thing.'
The previous president would shoot daggers with her eyes at the slightest mishap, making everyone around her feel like their heart was about to stop.
But the dwarf's thoughts were unrelated to Albite, who was listening carefully to the details.
"The Ether engine of the train bound for the Kingdom malfunctioned?"
"Yes, due to the recent rapid increase in Ether concentration around the World Tree, the engine of the train, which came from an area with a lower Ether concentration, couldn't adapt and ended up overloading."
"…?"
Albite tilted her head in confusion.
'It sounds like the engine got altitude sickness or something…'
Machines breaking down due to environmental changes was common, but the idea that the engine's origin could affect its adaptability was puzzling.
So she voiced her curiosity.
"Do Ether engines change based on where they were made?"
The dwarf, sensing an opportunity to explain, quickly responded.
"For standard Ether engines used in regular trains and vehicles, it doesn't matter much where they're made. But for the massive engines used in trains for transporting large numbers of graduates and attendees during graduation and entrance ceremonies, the size seems to cause a sort of machine-organism effect. It's a phenomenon that occurs because of the process of mechanical life formation, something unique to engines of this scale. Our engineers from headquarters are there to assist these large engines in adapting and functioning."
"I see… That’s fascinating."
When Ether engines reach a certain size, they start to behave like living organisms and become sensitive to their environment.
To Albite, who grew up in the countryside, this was intriguing information.
'Wow… The idea of Ether-induced machine life. I wonder if Kara knew about this?'
Albite found herself marveling at this unexpected knowledge, though the dwarf still seemed troubled.
"Normally, even large engines can adjust to the environment by the time they travel between Academy City and other places. But due to the recent rapid changes around Academy City, this one couldn’t handle the overload. Under normal circumstances, we would have conducted a detailed inspection over several months, but the timing was unfortunate."
"It's definitely a bad time for that."
Albite looked at the mountainous stacks of paperwork with a bitter smile. The piles seemed to grow by the minute.
'Of all times, why now…'
Graduation and entrance ceremonies marked the period when Academy City and the outside world interacted the most.
While students could leave Academy City outside of the academic calendar, the official period for such movement was only during this time.
Transporting vast amounts of goods and ensuring the safe return of tens of thousands of graduates was nothing short of a military operation.
'And I have a pretty good idea why the Ether concentration is increasing…'
Albite glanced up at the World Tree, its pink petals fluttering in the breeze.
"…"
On the surface, it looked like nothing had changed except for the blooming flowers. But she knew that within the tree, something was constantly working to correct the many distortions in the world, altering the very rules.
"…"
Turning back to the dwarf, Albite knew that what mattered now was the follow-up.
He had already taken responsibility and was clearly an expert in his field, so there was only one thing left for her to say.
"Please proceed with safety as the top priority."
"We will do our best to ensure the safe transport of the graduates."
They exchanged bows, each grateful for the other's understanding.
Albite returned to the Central Prism Academy to rest, using her Ether skill to fly back.
'[The little chick and the goddess decided to live on their own, and Rota and Kara have business at other schools… It’s going to be quiet today.]'
But as soon as she arrived, she was taken aback.
Her familiar seniors were wandering the school grounds—seniors who should have already departed for the outside world.
Albite spoke in a flustered voice.
"Clara-senpai? Hilde-senpai? Why are you at our school…?"
"Ahaha…☆ The train broke down…"
"I know that, but the Federation Student Council has opened accommodations for the waiting graduates. We even made an announcement for everyone to gather."
Clara shrugged and gave a nonchalant excuse.
"Well~ I just didn’t feel like following the recommendation? I had this feeling, you know, of wanting to stay at my alma mater a little longer—☆"
Beside her, Hilde nodded in agreement.
"Yes, I can understand that feeling. Lately, I can't concentrate on anything unless I start my day with the scent of Lara’s bare skin… It’s important to settle old attachments before starting anything new."
"What are you even talking about, honey~☆"
Honestly. What are they even saying?
As Albite looked on in bewilderment, the two seniors began to inch closer to each other. The air around them seemed to warm by at least three degrees, with a gentle mist forming.
"Is it really okay for you to say things like that, Hilde-senpai? You were the former Student Council President…"
Albite muttered in mild exasperation.
With her cheeks puffed out from pressing against Clara's, Hilde mumbled in response.
"I’m no longer a student, just a regular citizen. As long as it's not illegal, I don't have to strictly follow the Academy City's guidelines. I didn’t want to follow the Federation Student Council’s recommendation, and I wanted to visit my lover’s alma mater."
"Exactly—☆"
This was beyond absurd.
"Senpai, you really shouldn’t be saying that to me…"
Albite felt herself growing increasingly weary as she thought about all the effort she had put into arranging accommodations for the displaced graduates.
'I should have just told them to sleep at their respective alma maters…'
But Clara, undeterred by Albite’s fatigue, lightly patted her on the shoulder and spoke with a bright smile.
"You don’t need to call me senpai anymore! Just call me unnie~♪"
"Even if you say that now…"
Despite the sternness of her reply, Clara's face lit up even more.
"Right? It would be strange to suddenly start calling me unnie, huh?☆"
Wasn't she the one who insisted on being called unnie in the first place? What was she trying to say now?
As Clara laughed heartily, she scratched her head in embarrassment.
"That being said… after all that crying and then coming back, it does feel a bit awkward☆ The one thing a graduate shouldn’t do is return so soon—♪"
"Then why did you ignore the recommendation and come back?"
"Ahaha—☆"
Hilde clenched her fists beside her and spoke with conviction.
"It’s fine, Lara. You’re beautiful even when you cry."
"Haha, my honey… I'm not someone who falls for compliments that easily—☆ And saying someone looks beautiful when they cry is a terrible flirting tactic, you know? It's just targeting vulnerable women—☆ Even the ancient texts warn against that! Use better judgment next time!"
"…"
"Aw, she’s sulking."
Eventually, the two seniors Albite was most familiar with stood holding hands, whispering softly to each other. On their hands, rings adorned with jewels matching their hair colors sparkled.
"…"
Albite could have activated her Ether and listened in on their conversation, but she chose not to and averted her gaze.
She saw various other familiar faces.
A delinquent in short shorts, fresh from a shower.
"What are you looking at? First time seeing me?"
"At least put on a shirt, Eir-senpai."
"No."
"…"
A scholar in a red tracksuit, reading a book.
"Wh-What are you looking at? Got a problem?"
"Not really, but do you have to read it in front of the main auditorium? There’s a newly organized study room, you know."
"I-I'll read where I want…"
"…"
An actress wearing sunglasses, passing time by the water fountain.
"Hmm~ You've done well as the Student Council President… Well done, commoner! Oh-hoho!"
"Why…?"
"Oh-hoho! Do you want to know why I’m here?"
"Sigh…"
"…Come on, ask me."
"No, thanks."
"…Sniff."
And a farmer squatting by a wilting flower bed, checking the plants.
"Oh? Albite, you're back~"
"Anna-senpai, too…?"
"Yeah, I guess? Haha."
Looking at all of them, Albite muttered bitterly.
"This stupid school."
Of course…
The Novel will be updated first on this website. Come back and continue reading tomorrow, everyone!