NOVEL NEXT WORLD “Industry-academia cooperation?”
Professor Carlo reviewed the proposal.
Pastel gulped nervously.
“Is there a problem?”
“I got signatures from everywhere but one place.”
“Yes.”
Carlo set down the proposal, serious eyes locking onto hers.
“Why do you think a student council is necessary?”
Okay, a question within the expected range.
“The role of an organization to gather and reflect student opinions is essential. There needs to be a constant body to ensure rational opinions don’t evaporate.”
“We don’t need such a grand organization for research and training. If you have complaints, talk to your department; if you have suggestions, bring them to your professor.”
Right, as expected.
“That’s not the complete picture. Someone needs to bridge departments and function as lubricant. A single gear can do nothing, but interlocking gears drive the steam engine.”
Carlo looked puzzled.
“What’s a steam engine?”
Uh-oh.
The professor’s eyes clouded as he sought an answer.
“Oh, that’s from the pure engineering department. I guess they don’t get much upper-level investment.”
Yikes, that’s a failure.
That comparison didn’t land well.
As Carlo unfolded the proposal, he picked up a stamp.
Thud.
A red mark stamped down.
“This is your last chance. If there’s no success here, the student council system will be abolished.”
Oh yeah.
Pastel’s eyes sparkled.
“I’ll do my best!”
She left the professor’s office.
She closed the door and leaned against it.
Phew.
“I almost died from nerves! That professor has such a stiff impression.”
“Hey.”
The demon chuckled lightly.
“But you spoke well. Good job.”
Hehe.
“I can hold my own when I need to!”
Surprisingly capable.
Elly walked over from down the hallway.
“Pastel, all the upperclassmen are gathered! We need to hurry!”
“Already? What determination! Got it! Let’s go!”
She grabbed Elly and dashed off.
Upon arriving at the borrowed meeting room, upperclassmen huddled in the corner. In the center of the crowd, a department representative was rolling on the floor, crying out.
“Ugh! Ugh! What did I do wrong? It’s your fault for not being able to win in arm wrestling!”
The excuses only fueled the kicks.
The representative from the magic department watched the scene with elegance, a faint air of superiority about him.
The magician elegantly sipped coffee.
The magic department glanced at the student council that had just entered.
“Hey? Is the student council president too busy to come?”
“Yes, I’m in charge.”
Pastel surveyed the chaotic meeting room. They needed to start the meeting, but the upperclassmen were too preoccupied with trampling each other.
Oh dear, how am I going to sort this out?
Is it okay for a freshman to speak out in this atmosphere?
Ahh!
The magic department took the initiative to speak up.
“Student council is here! Quiet!”
Only then did the upperclassmen notice Pastel. They flinched and hurried back to their seats.
In an instant, the commotion settled, and the atmosphere became suitable for a meeting.
Wow, everyone is being considerate of the freshman.
Pastel bowed her head slightly to the magic department.
“Thank you.”
“No need for that, just start the meeting.”
She walked to the head of the long table and took a seat. All the upperclassmen in a line turned to look at her.
Oh, oh my.
Ahhh…
The imbalance of being both a freshman and the leader pressed down on her shoulders.
What a setup for sheer chaos.
It was the perfect opportunity for backhanded comments about the arrogant freshman. But is it 100% likely I won’t catch wind of it?
Ughhh.
The ruthless death game of campus politics begins.
The sacrificial lamb? The newbie.
Ahhh, that’s me.
Suddenly, a calm voice reached her ears.
“You can do it. Don’t hesitate to act. Believe in yourself.”
Huh, Demon Lord.
Her troubled heart calmed down.
She felt courage she didn’t know existed, spurred on by her mentor’s words.
Okay.
If this is what my mentor desires.
Let’s do this!
Let the chaos reign!
Honestly, I did want chaos…!
She received the meeting materials from Elly, who was preparing the minutes, shaking off her nerves as she spread out the documents.
She focused straight ahead.
Pastel Love Craft.
Let the debut of chaos commence.
The girl opened her mouth.
“I’ll start the meeting about preparations and procedures for the festival promoting industry-academia cooperation.”
The meeting began.
Ahhh, everyone, bring it on.
“Should the festival be understood as an expanded version of existing department demonstration events? Is it scaled up not just department-wide but to the entire school?”
A relaxed voice from an upperclassman?
Uh-oh.
“No, not exactly. The department demonstration events were strategically tailored to attract investments from the rising class, right? Focusing on themes and outcomes that would appeal to them.”
“Is the festival different?”
Her head felt dizzy.
“The festival and demonstration are like the difference between a buffet and a formal dinner.”
As she unfolded the prepared materials.
“You won’t know what you want to eat until you’re actually in front of the food. Preparing food you know they’ll like is definitely effective. But does the financier even know what they want? No, they just invest as they are shown.”
She locked eyes with the upperclassman who asked.
“This time, instead of a formal dinner, we’ll show as much as possible through a buffet. And we’ll distribute it evenly. It’s not about passive investments but inducing active investments.”
Elly quickly took notes.
“A large quantity guarantees high quality. The festival will focus not on qualitative results but on diverse quantities. A colorful variety of ideas.”
The girl at the head of the table looked around the meeting room. She met the gazes of each department representative one by one.
In each gaze met, a certain excitement shimmered.
“Each department should ensure participation is not singular but allows for individual autonomy. Bring forth those ideas that were pursued as hobbies but were overlooked. Decisions and responsibilities are not yours to shoulder; they belong to the investors.”
Quiet murmurs began to ripple through the meeting room.
The magic department glanced around the bustling meeting room. Then they hesitated and finally spoke up.
“Bad money drives out good.”
Though still aloof, their expressions now held complexity.
“Half-baked ideas and unrefined results may indeed turn the financiers off. Good achievements could get buried among the junk and be discarded. How will you handle the resentment?”
“Some will, indeed. But more ideas will shine.”
Her pink eyes surveyed the meeting room.
“I’ll take responsibility.”
Her voice rang out.
“Make it happen.”
The girl commanded.
Slowly, heads bowed in acknowledgment.
Various matters were processed without delay.
After a while, the meeting wrapped up.
The representatives left the meeting room, their complex thoughts tempered by an air of excitement.
Pastel held her head in her hands.
Ugh.
Ughhh.
She struggled to recall what exactly happened during the meeting.
Ahhh.
With this much tension, it wouldn’t be the end of the student council if it were dissolved, right?
Ugh.
She clutched her heart.
Such a valid point.
Someone please deny this.
Pastel twisted her body and trembled.
There’s definitely going to be backhanded comments about this. No doubt about it.
Eh, I heard the freshman pulled a power play?
Whispers.
Ahhh.
So valid it hurts.
I barely recall what I even did during that meeting due to nerves. Please just consider it a rookie’s antics this once.
Ahhh.
Please, not the backhanded comments.
I hope there’s not a whole slew of gossip floating around that I’m oblivious to…!
Hey, freshman friends, help me out!
The unapproachable magic department approached.
With complex expressions, they looked down at Pastel.
“Indeed, Craft, there’s a difference between appearance and substance.”
The magic department turned away.
“How frightening.”
The robes of the sorcerer fluttered as they departed.
Pastel’s eyes widened.
Huh?
Is that really the definition of Craft?
Has my clan ever been spoken of positively? Not at all. No matter how much I think back, there’s no good sentiment to be found.
Is this what it means? Is it that?
Gossip is real.
It’s the kind of gossip that only the involved parties remain unaware of.
Whispers.
Ahhh.
#
Department of Magic Engineering.
The reigning champion of budget, support, and investment.
“The festival’s main event can only be us.”
The department representative proudly guided.
Pastel followed, a serious yet somehow vacant expression on her face.
An underclassman labored under the weight of a one-ton shot put. The representative proudly pointed at it.
The outside of the shot put was engraved with magically etched designs made from gem powder.
“This is the new shot put to demonstrate at the festival! We’ve reduced the amount of gem used by 2% while maintaining the same performance!”
Expressions filled with pride.
The grouped upperclassmen looked equally pleased, albeit with dark circles under their eyes.
Pastel stared at the shot put.
Huh?
Is this really that impressive?
Reducing the quantity of gems, which are akin to gold bars, is certainly a feat, but…
But reducing it by 2% feels a bit… underwhelming?
“Oh, excellent performance.”
Oh, really?
Pastel nodded.
“I certainly saw the department-level participation. It’s wonderful! Now, may I see the individual projects?”
The representative’s subtle reaction suggested surprise. Quickly, though, he exchanged swift glances with his peers, determination to hold onto the festival’s main position sparking in their eyes.
Individual projects were unveiled one by one.
“Not that great. Not great at all. Definitely not great.”
The demon declared without mercy.
Huh, is that so?
Since I’m only here to verify the processes, I suppose the decision will ultimately rest with the financiers.
Pastel thought deeply.
However, I want to support something exceptional from the student council to make the festival a success.
Is there anything…?
In the corner, noise erupted.
“Are you really going to show us?”
“What else would you show to a little freshman? It’s a surefire hit!”
“Ugh, Craft, what’s with that? Just die alone!”
“Ahh!”
An upperclassman was being dragged away. The huge base they were holding lay behind them.
Huh?
Pastel hurried over.
“What’s going on?”
Around her, upperclassmen silently screamed, faces briefly capturing intense embarrassment.
What could it be?
The upperclassman being pulled away shrugged off the hands that held him back with a triumphant air, striding forward. The wheeled base rattled behind him.
Something covered by a cloth loomed high, nearly reaching the ceiling.
“You cannot remain indifferent after seeing this!”
The upperclassman reached for the cloth.
The department representative blushed and shouted, “Th-that’s enough! Stop!”
The upperclassmen rushed to intervene.
“Stop it, all of you!”
The cloth was pulled back.
Unveiled was the massive form of a fantasy reptile.
Whew.
Pastel’s eyes widened.
“This is the worst thing I’ve seen! This is no joke!”
The yellow reptilian eyes gleamed.
Sharp fangs gleamed dangerously.
Its grand wings fluttered.
Pastel’s mouth began to move rapidly.
“D, d, d, d!”
The upperclassman pointed at the super ultra output.
“Look at this!”
The dragon dazzled.
“It’s the strongest creature ever!”
Pastel raised both arms high in jubilation.
“Wow!”
It’s a dragon!
A super super awesome dragon…!
Gasps filled the air.
The upperclassmen looked dazed.
The overly excited creator pulled out a large wand.
“Freshman, take a good look! There’s more!”
The wand was waved.
All the lights in the room went out.
In the darkness, something began to emerge.
The creator shouted like a shriek.
“This is…!”
Green light flickered across the reptilian skin.
In the dark, the huge figure shone alone.
Green sparkled.
“Wow!”
The wand seemed to indicate Pastel.
Pastel inhaled sharply.
Puffing her chest out, she clenched her fists.
Then she shouted with all her might.
“It’s a glow-in-the-dark dragon!”
The super ultra awesome glow-in-the-dark dragon!
The ultimate life form, the glow-in-the-dark dragon!
With both arms raised.
“Wow!”
This is exactly the amazing item I was hoping for!
A dragon! A dragon! A glow-in-the-dark dragon!
I will make the festival a success with this!
The frenzy of Pastel and the creator ignited the air.
Silence enveloped like a cloistered world.
A dazed voice murmured.
“What on earth is happening?”
#
After getting hit on the back of the head by the department representative, the subdued creator finally spoke up.
“But there’s a problem.”
Pastel’s eyes went wide.
A problem with this amazing output?
The wand pointed at the dragon’s reptilian eye.
“It was supposed to shoot lasers from there.”
What?
The dragon is supposed to shoot laser beams from its eyes?
Laser beam~.
The genius creator looked forlorn.
“But due to a flying creature, the materials from the Demon Realm aren’t able to come through. They won’t arrive until after the festival.”
“N-no way.”
That’s absurd.
The creator pressed his hands to his pink hair.
“Don’t be sad, freshman. Our dragon is incredible even as is. Sometimes you must be satisfied with what you have. The dragon is realized in reality.”
“Y-yeah.”
Pastel felt unreasonably emotional.
“Don’t give up! Our dragon isn’t finished yet!”
One arm raised high.
“For the students, there is a student council!”
The premium delivery from the demon realm?
“We’ll handle it through the student council!”
Huh?