Chapter 25

Chapter 25

Han Yu-jeong immediately zoomed in on the photo to check the two figures.

Seo Hyun-woo and Baek Seo-yeon were each enveloped in golden and silver light, creating a harmonious atmosphere.

Moreover, the crown and wings—hallmarks of Archangel Descent—gave off a sacred and majestic impression.

"Hmm....... They certainly complement each other well. There is a gorgeous, unified feel that contrasts with the surrounding scenery. Was this the Vice Student Council President's ability?"

"That is correct. It is a special-type ability known as Archangel Descent."

"But it is a bit strange. The Student Council President must have copied the ability, yet the colors of the crown and wings are different, are they not?"

"I asked the Student Council President about that myself. But he said he did not know the reason."

"Hmm......."

Han Yu-jeong took her hand completely off the mouse and stared intently at Seo Hyun-woo in the photo.

She already knew as much as there was to know about Seo Hyun-woo's abilities.

Since the position had never changed hands after Seo Hyun-woo became Student Council President, it was only natural that he drew her attention.

Even active-duty Hunters would likely struggle to defeat Seo Hyun-woo.

"If they are selected as promotional models, these two absolutely cannot be separated."

"You are absolutely right. I think so as well."

"At this point, I think it would be fine to change the promotional concept entirely."

"......You may take your time reviewing and then make your decision."

Han Yu-jeong nodded and turned back toward the monitor.

Dozens of photos and names were listed on the candidate roster.

Beyond Miterich students, it also included information on famous celebrities and Hunters.

Preparations had been made across various fronts, just in case.

"I see the name Kang Jin-ha here again."

"Setting aside his rare ability, his appearance is quite fine. In my personal opinion, he would pair well with the Transformation Department Head."

"Hmm....... Is that so?"

Upon hearing that, Han Yu-jeong immediately began examining the photos of Kang Jin-ha and Min Ha-young.

Surprisingly, the two shared quite a few commonalities.

Black hair, red eyes, striking looks, transformation-type Awakened.

Just as Park Do-woon said, placing the two together might make for quite the picture.

"You have quite the eye for composition, Chancellor."

"I appreciate the compliment. I merely selected students I thought would work well."

"Hmm....... It seems we would not need to bring in anyone from outside."

"Have you already chosen the promotional models?"

"I think I need to consider it a bit more. I will give you my answer by tomorrow or the day after."

Han Yu-jeong kept glancing at the monitor, deliberating over and over.

The other photos and names did not catch her eye.

She simply kept comparing the two pairings, trying to determine which was better.

'An angel concept....... It has a certain feel. Kang Jin-ha and Min Ha-young would look pretty good together too. Hmm.......'

***

The conference room, just after the morning meeting ended.

As always, Min Ha-young and Lee Da-jeong had not attended the morning meeting.

After losing the Rank Battle against Baek Seo-yeon, Irev Kanashuel had promptly reclaimed her position as Special Department Head.

However, every time she faced Baek Seo-yeon, that smile and lively personality of hers could not help but falter somewhat.

"You are not going to say you want to see the President up close like last time, are you?"

Baek Seo-yeon spoke slowly, her gaze laced with cold intent.

Irev flinched but answered quickly.

"What? Ah...... No. I think this distance is close enough."

"Seeing as you have reclaimed your department head position, you must be planning to challenge me to another Rank Battle, yes?"

"I...... absolutely have no such intention."

"I will be looking forward to it. You should keep showing me that adorable side of yours, should you not?"

The moment Irev saw Baek Seo-yeon's frigid smile, she felt a shiver run through her entire body.

The department heads watched the scene, picking up on the atmosphere at least somewhat.

Seo Hyun-woo slowly shook his head and was the first to rise from his seat.

"Vice President, didn't you have something to discuss with me?"

"Yes, I remember well."

"Let's go talk about it, then."

"Understood."

Seo Hyun-woo discreetly signaled Irev with his eyes, conveying that she should keep quiet for a while.

Irev widened her eyes yet showed a bright smile.

But since Baek Seo-yeon immediately turned to look at her, she had to quickly turn her head away.

'She still hasn't come to her senses? Hmm....... No, that can't be it.'

Baek Seo-yeon promptly turned her gaze away from Irev and stepped out of the conference room with Seo Hyun-woo.

As soon as Seo Hyun-woo entered the Student Council President's office, he headed straight for the work desk.

An official notice may have come through while the morning meeting was in session, so he wanted to check in advance.

'Huh? Why did it turn out like this? This shouldn't be happening.......'

Seo Hyun-woo could not take his eyes off the monitor, checking it over and over again.

Finding Seo Hyun-woo's behavior odd, Baek Seo-yeon approached the work desk.

"Is there some kind of problem?"

"......A problem, I suppose. I've got to deal with something utterly ridiculous."

"Something utterly ridiculous? Did another cooperation request come in?"

"You're included in this too. You'd better see it and judge for yourself."

"Pardon? I do not understand what you are saying."

Puzzled, Baek Seo-yeon immediately turned her gaze toward the monitor.

For a moment she seemed to be calmly reviewing the contents of the notice, but soon her expression soured.

The contents were unacceptable, and she could not fathom why such a decision had been made so suddenly.

[Miterich Chancellor's Direct Official Notice]

Sender : Chancellor

Recipient : Student Council President, Vice Student Council President

Date : 2021. 5. 24

Subject : Notice Regarding Selection of Miterich Promotional Models

1. We express our gratitude for your service.

2. In accordance with the chairman's directive, the 6th Student Council President and Vice Student Council President have been selected as Miterich's promotional models.

3. The schedule, venue, and detailed information pertaining to promotional model activities are documented in this notice.

4. As this endeavor serves to broadly promote the name and honor of Miterich, we ask that you undertake it with a sense of duty and pride.

※ Details regarding the Miterich promotional models are documented in the following attachment.

"......They sent this as an official notice?"

"Saying that to me won't change anything."

"Does it make any sense to suddenly order us to be promotional models?"

"It doesn't. It doesn't make sense, but the notice has already been issued, hasn't it? On top of that, it says it's the chairman's directive. There's nothing we can do."

Seo Hyun-woo cleared his mind completely and walked toward the coffee pot.

It would be difficult to defy even the Chancellor's orders.

But if it was a directive from the chairman, who held even greater authority, there was simply no choice but to comply.

"This seems a bit excessive. Should they not have at least asked you and me for our opinions?"

"They'll ask now. Something along the lines of, 'We're going to proceed like this, so what do you two think?' Though I'm not sure we actually have a choice."

"Hah....... Even if I accept being a promotional model, I do not understand why we were selected. Do you happen to know anything?"

"Hmm......."

Seo Hyun-woo watched the water boiling in the coffee pot, thinking it over.

According to the original story, the promotional models for Miterich should have been Kang Jin-ha and Min Ha-young—not himself and Baek Seo-yeon.

Since the change had occurred suddenly, something must have influenced it.

"Ah, right. There was that."

"What are you referring to?"

"There's a photo of you and me together, isn't there?"

Upon hearing that, Baek Seo-yeon instinctively recalled the memory from that time.

It was the incident when Seo Hyun-woo had come to her aid after she was caught in an unexpected attack.

Since Seo Hyun-woo had also been using her ability, Archangel Descent, at the time, many students had shown great interest.

"Surely not. That cannot be the reason. You are saying we became promotional models just because of that photo?"

"Objectively speaking, both you and I came out pretty well in it. The chairman and the Chancellor probably looked favorably on that photo."

Baek Seo-yeon tried to say something but gave up.

Pressing Seo Hyun-woo about this would not change anything.

If anything, Seo Hyun-woo had been dragged into this just as unfairly as she had.

"So do you intend to follow what that notice says?"

"Didn't I tell you before? I don't want to get on the Chancellor's or the Administrative Office's bad side. I don't even want to imagine the chairman being displeased."

Of course, separate from that, Seo Hyun-woo could have refused to become a promotional model.

But considering the overall situation, it would not have been a particularly wise choice.
Regardless, he had to graduate from Miterich while maintaining his position as Student Council President.

In a situation like this, going against the chairman's and Chancellor's wishes might result in some form of loss, no matter what.

'It's better to build rapport with Miterich's chairman early. He's a powerful Hunter, and he's connected to the one known as the strongest in history. To be more specific, the chairman is following that person's trail.'

The main narrative of this world revolved around the protagonist Kang Jin-ha and the strongest Hunter in history.

In other words, even if it was not Kang Jin-ha himself, any figure connected to the strongest Hunter in history essentially held significant importance.

That was why maintaining a favorable relationship with Miterich's chairman was necessary.

'This'll have some effect on the relationship chart between Kang Jin-ha and Min Ha-young, but...... it shouldn't be a big deal. They've already recognized each other's presence within the Transformation Department.'

Seo Hyun-woo quickly organized his thoughts and turned his gaze to Baek Seo-yeon.

Since things had turned out this way, he would need to make a good impression on Miterich's chairman.

To that end, he would need to persuade Baek Seo-yeon to agree to serve as a promotional model.

"What you say is not wrong, but I think it is somewhat coercive. There must be plenty of others who could serve as promotional models even if it were not us."

"Since it's about promoting Miterich, they'd want to use students who belong there. They probably considered the symbolic value as well."

"When you say symbolic value....... Are you referring to the fact that we represent the Student Council?"

"That's right. The department heads could be included too, but strictly speaking, they're just officers belonging to the Student Council. But we're different. We oversee all Student Council operations while also being the strongest among Miterich's students."

Hearing that, Baek Seo-yeon wore a subtle expression yet quickly accepted his reasoning.

Seo Hyun-woo's words had a solid basis.

The chairman had contributed greatly to the founding of Miterich, and his attachment to it was exceptional.

That was why he would try to handle anything related to Miterich independently, no matter what.

"And from a long-term perspective, being promotional models might actually work in our favor. How many opportunities do you think a civilian or an Awakened gets to serve as a promotional model?"

"Hardly any, I would assume."

"In other words, there's scarcity value. On top of that, Miterich is regarded as the nation's top training institution. Having served as promotional models for a place like that would carry considerable significance."

"......So you are saying this could raise both your value and mine?"

"To sum it up, yes. In my case, this activity might help me build at least some foundation."

Baek Seo-yeon kept her mouth shut and carefully mulled over what Seo Hyun-woo had said.

If she had to be honest, being a promotional model held no great significance for her.

She had no particular desire to become famous or expand her connections.

But that did not mean she intended to refuse outright.

'If it helps the President, it's not like I can't do it...... Should I just go ahead and do it?'