Rising Against Fate

28th January 3068 (Friday)

Despite the tension in the atmosphere, nothing major happened in the last ten days. This was because the student council dealt with most of the issues swiftly before they could become major.

Since most of the members were busy last week, they had to cancel the weekly meeting. But it was all good since there was nothing major to discuss except the addition of a new advisor.

An advisor was just considered a filler role since all they were meant to do was present their opinion on issues. And it was rare to see big enough issues where the student council would need to collect opinions.

Normally, big issues were just reported to school administration since they would deal with it more efficiently. And with Kenji and Kaito around, there was rarely an issue that they wouldn't be able to handle.

At this point, advisors were only there because someone had to take the role and fill the chairs. Or at least that's what most of the council members believed.

Razak scanned his MM on the door of the meeting room. And when the door opened, he noticed three unfamiliar faces among four familiar ones. It looked like Akane and Asami were not present in the meeting today.

"Good afternoon. And sorry, I am a little late," he said as he entered.

It was a common practice that the one joining the group would greet everyone already there. And it was only fair since almost everyone inside was his senior.

"Please take a seat."

After Kenji said that, Razak pulled the chair near Asa and took his seat.

Normally, one would expect the meeting of the student council to be intense, but today it was just the opposite. Most of the student council members were just relaxing, and those who weren't looked somewhat relieved.

"I think we should start with the introduction"—Kenji looked towards Razak—"This is Razak, he will be joining us as an advisor."

"Welcome to the team," Kaito said.

"It's good to have a fellow first year on the council," Asa followed.

"You may already know the rest of us." Kenji pointed his hand towards one of the three faces unfamiliar to Razak. "This is Reiji. He's a member of the trust and safety team. Normally, all members of trust and safety team join the meeting, but the others are busy today."

Reiji stood up from his chair and brought his hand forward for a handshake. "Nice to meet you."

Reiji looked a little chubby, but the wide smile and the friendly-looking personality made him look like a suitable member for T&S. His purple colored eyes pointed towards the fact that he was from the Shirudo clan.

"Likewise," Razak said as they both sook their hand.

"And these two are Tetsu and Sara. Both are advisors like you."

Following Kenji's introduction, two people sitting next to Reiji stood up.

Tetsu didn't have any distinguishable magical trait. This meant he was either not from any clan, or he was one of the few who didn't show any trait.

After shaking hands with Tetsu, Razak moved to Sara.

Sara was the only one in that room who wore glasses. But that pair of glasses complimented her pink hair fairly well. Pink hair was the trait of the Sakkaku clan, the clan of illusionists.

Even though Sara had brought her hand forward, Razak didn't accept it. Sara smiled in response and turned her illusion off. She then brought her real hand forward.

"I thought you wouldn't notice."

"That was a good trick. But it just so happens that I am a shadow mage, and illusions don't have shadows."

"Interesting."

Kenji smiled when he heard the response. For him, this was amusing because the more he got to know Razak, the more interesting he seemed.

After the introductions were over, everyone sat back on their chairs.

At this point, it looked like Itsuki was taking a nap with his head on the table. As for the rest of the members, they still looked somewhat active.

"Ha-ha! I thought Itsuki wouldn't be able to sleep after hearing the news this morning."

"Just stay quiet Kaito, I am not asleep."

It looked like Kaito was about to say something, but before he could, Kenji interrupted their conversation.

"Anyways"—everyone looked towards Kenji—"there won't be any classes from tomorrow because of the first-year ranking tournament. And as you all already know, the tournament is going to last for almost fifteen days. So, we won't have any student council activities until the classes resume."

Reiji leaned back on his chair. "Finally, some time to relax."

T&S members had been working hard to contain the tension in the atmosphere. Now that the tournament was here, they finally got some time to take a break.

It wasn't just Reiji, everyone in the room looked somewhat relaxed. This was proof that the tournament was taking a lot of toll on the student council members.

"I think we will keep it short and end the meeting here." Kenji looked at Razak. "Normally, the meeting is formal, but today was an exception."

"I figured that was the case."

After that announcement, Itsuki stood up from his chair. "Then I guess I will go home early today."

Following Itsuki, everyone else stood up. Tetsu and Reiji were the first ones to leave the room followed by Itsuki.

When Sara was about to leave, she looked towards Razak. "I guess I will see you around then."

After Sara left, the remaining four of them walked out. It was almost time for the club activities to be over, and a few students could already be seen outside.

The four of them walked together on the hallway, but when they reached in front of the student council room, Kaito and Kenji stopped.

"Razak, Asa, good luck with the ranking tournament," Kenji said.

"Yeah, good luck guys," Kaito added.

"Thank you both," Asa replied with a smile while Razak just responded with a nod.

Both of them then walked inside the student council room while Asa and Razak walked towards the elevator.