Andrew Aiwood.
The Second Prince of the Aiwood Kingdom and a third-year scholarship student in the Knight Department.
He was a man whose name was rarely spoken among the three royal siblings. Of the brothers, the First Prince and heir apparent, Richard Aiwood, naturally commanded the most attention. Richard frequently represented the royal family at official functions and acted as proxy in the King's absence. Even Rest, who had no ties to the palace, recognized Richard's face from his public speeches during festivals.
Next in the spotlight—for all the wrong reasons—was the Third Prince, Rodel Aiwood. He was notorious as the "Idiot Prince," a troublemaker known throughout the palace and the Academy alike. Even among the commoners, rumors of his incompetence and malice were widespread.
Sandwiched between them was the Second Prince, Andrew Aiwood. While he lacked his younger brother's bad reputation, he also lacked a prominent position. He was an unremarkable man, for better or worse, and many nobles had never even met him. Though he remained a "spare" for the crown, his older brother—seven years his senior—was essentially guaranteed the throne. Most assumed Andrew would eventually be stripped of his royal status or married into another house through a political arrangement.
(So this is Prince Andrew... the Second Prince.)
"I asked Celestine to bring you here. My apologies for the sudden summons, Rest-kun—and to you as well, Lady Viola and Lady Primula."
"...It is an honor to meet you, Prince Andrew. I am Rest."
"Good day, Prince Andrew."
"G-good day..."
Rest bowed, and the Rosemary sisters followed his lead. As they performed their noble greetings, Andrew waved them off with a magnanimous hand.
"Please, don't be so stiff. I invited you here as the Student Council President, not as a member of the royalty." Andrew gestured toward the sofa in the Student Council Office. "Sit. Let's talk."
Rest and the Rosemary sisters sat side-by-side. Andrew took the opposing sofa with Celestine beside him. The man and woman from earlier stood behind him like sentries.
"Please, have some tea."
"Whoa!"
"Eek!"
Startled by the sudden voice, Rest and the sisters let out instinctive cries. Without a sound, a petite female student had appeared at their side and was placing teacups on the table. She was a small girl with a short, black bob—likely a first-year—but Rest hadn't sensed her presence until she spoke.
(No way... I had [Life Search] active the whole time!)
Thanks to his infinite mana, Rest kept his detection magic running constantly. Yet this girl had slipped through his net and stepped right into his personal space.
"Ann... refrain from startling the guests."
"My apologies, Lady Celestine."
As Celestine scolded her, the black-haired girl bowed politely. She was clearly an acquaintance of Celestine's, given that she addressed her as "Lady."
"Lady Celestine, who is this girl...?"
"She is also a member of the Student Council."
It was Andrew, not Celestine, who answered.
"Allow me to introduce everyone properly. As you know, I am Andrew Aiwood, the Student Council President. The two behind me are our Secretary and Treasurer, Yusgos and Rilanda."
"Yusgos Betras. Third-year in the Knight Department, Secretary."
"Rilanda Marker. Second-year in the Knight Department, Treasurer."
The pair behind Andrew introduced themselves. They, too, were Council members.
"And handling General Affairs, we have Celestine and Ann. They're both first-years, but I brought them onto the Council just the other day."
"..."
"I am Ann. I serve as Lady Celestine’s attendant."
Celestine gave a slight nod, followed by the expressionless girl with the short black hair.
"Ann is a commoner, but she is my personal attendant. She’s currently in Class B of the Magic Department."
"...I had hoped to enter Class A, but unfortunately, I missed the mark."
Ann’s face was as immobile as a doll’s, yet Rest felt a strangely sharp, resentful gaze boring into him.
"Um... have I done something to offend her?"
"It’s a one-sided grudge, so please don't let it bother you."
"A one-sided grudge!?"
Rest’s face twitched. He was certain they had never met. How could he have earned her ire?
"That’s enough, Ann. You’re being rude." Celestine sighed at Ann, who was still glaring at Rest. "I’m sorry, Rest-san. This girl had the highest marks in Class B... but she seems convinced that if just one person had been absent from the top list, she would have been in the same class as me."
"I see. That certainly is one-sided..."
If Rest hadn't taken a spot in Class A, Ann would likely have been the one to fill it. Since they were both commoners, she clearly viewed him as the obstacle that had separated her from her mistress.
(At least she admits it's irrational. Compared to Rodel, who tried to beat me up on the first day, she's practically a saint...)
"...If I had been in Class A, My Lady wouldn't have been accosted by that filth or threatened with violence," Ann muttered, biting her thumb in frustration.
She was referring to the day Rodel confronted Rest and Celestine intervened. It seemed her shame stemmed from her inability to protect her master during that moment of danger.
"Shall we get back to business?" Andrew asked, clapping his hands together. "Including the Vice President, who is currently away, there are six Council officers. The 'Student Council' as a whole consists of these officers plus the 'Executive Committee'."
The Executive Committee acted as the Council’s satellite members. While they lacked the decision-making authority of the officers, they served as the school's monitors and had the power to apprehend students for misconduct. While magic was strictly forbidden on campus, Council officers and the Executive Committee were granted special permission to use it.
"This brings me to my request for you, Rest-kun. I'll be blunt. Will you join the Student Council Executive Committee?"
Andrew leaned forward, lacing his fingers together over the table.
"Me? In the Executive Committee?"
"Yes. I believe you're more than qualified." Andrew offered a wry, slightly cynical smile. "Join the Committee, and you'll have the authority to suppress problematic students with the full backing of the Academy's rules. For instance... my foolish little brother."