Chapter 292: Mortal

Private Hyakkaou Academy was already a crazy place.

After Kirari Momobami announced the dissolution of the student council and initiated a re-election, that madness only intensified.

Students who had begun to give up gambling due to Rinji's efforts resumed their gambling habits, all aiming for the position of student council president, wagering their chips for a shot at the top.

The Anti-Gambling Club, where Rinji belonged, didn't interfere with these gambling activities. Instead, on the second day of the student council election, they publicly stated: "Votes are not cash. The Anti-Gambling Club cannot assist students who lose their votes." This caused a new surge of enthusiasm.

The academy once again descended into chaos.

"Each student holds only one vote. The election proceeds under this seemingly fair setup."

Inside the student council office, everyone else had left.

They needed to gather chips to compete for the presidency and had no time to waste here. Only two remained in the room.

Rinji and Kirari.

The two sat face to face, with a chessboard between them. On several large screens beside them, gambling matches around the school played in rotation.

Moving a chess piece, Kirari smiled. "This election is progressing wonderfully. It gives every student a fair chance. That means they all believe they're close to grasping supreme power."

"Only in times of chaos do heroes rise. But those who hold such naive thoughts will never spot opportunities favorable to themselves. The former aristocrats, meanwhile, fear the chaos."

Rinji used his knight to capture Kirari's bishop.

At that very moment, one of the screens showed Yuriko Nishinotouin sweating profusely as she collapsed on the tatami mat, defeated.

In front of her, Inbami Miyo wore a mocking grin as she took most of Yuriko's votes.

"I thought you'd stop me from dissolving the student council, or maybe seize control of the whole school the moment I did."

"There was no need. Just as you don't care for that kind of power, neither do I. That's not what I seek."

"As I thought—we're the same kind of people."

Kirari gave an elegant chuckle and captured Rinji's rook with her bishop.

"To enjoy the game and its unpredictable outcome—that's far more tempting than worldly power or wealth."

"No. We're not the same kind of people."

Rinji smiled and used his only remaining rook to take down Kirari's queen.

"The only thing we share is our yearning for the unknown. But for ordinary people, much of the world is unknown. It blinds them to the future, and so they dream of it. You're ahead of most, Kirari—you possess more information and resources and have risen above the average."

He paused for a moment and continued. "But to me, the future of many things is already predetermined."

"Then why allow me to proceed with the student council election?"

"Because I believe in the existence of variables I cannot comprehend. Humans are not rational beings but emotional ones. In chaotic situations, they often make choices that seem foolish from a rational standpoint. Yet it's those actions that make the future unknowable." Rinji smiled. "At that point, even I can't predict where things are headed."

Kirari chuckled softly as she used her king to capture Rinji's last rook.

But in doing so, her king was exposed to Rinji's queen.

"You seem to expect a lot from the so-called ordinary people."

"What's wrong with that? I'd actually love to be an ordinary person."

Rinji smiled and ended the game with his queen.

"Much of what ordinary people see is exactly what people like us, who think we can predict the future, can't see." Rinji stood up. "Kirari, at this school, you uphold a law-of-the-jungle principle, dividing students into ranks. But remember—the ones with the power to change the world are often emotional mortals. People like us can only stir the waters."

With that, Rinji opened the office door.

"Or perhaps... we're just ordinary people too. It's just arrogance that makes us think we're different."

---

"Principal, are you sure this information is accurate?"

"Yes. The fuss has died down."

Inside the principal's office at Shuchiin Academy, Sagara Kaname was discussing Rinji's situation with the principal.

Rinji had been at Hyakkaou Academy for almost two weeks, and the principal seemed to have made a new decision.

"Back then, because of a collective complaint from several parents, Rinji was forced to transfer. But now those same parents have suddenly gone quiet. Even their children have vanished… What really happened?"

Sagara glanced to the side.

"Who knows. Maybe they're off somewhere scenic."

She already knew they'd all been sent to Africa and wouldn't be back anytime soon.

And even if they returned, they probably wouldn't dare mess with Rinji again.

"Overall, with that pressure gone, Rinji's situation is easier to handle." The principal smiled. "Mrs. Sagara, you live quite close to Rinji, don't you?"

"Yeah, just next door."

"Then could you let him know—after this week, he's allowed to return."

"That's great news."

Sagara let out a sigh of relief.

"If we let that brat stay at that school for a whole month, who knows what might happen."

"Hahaha, luckily you can keep him in line here."

"I'm not that confident. We'll still need the student council's help," Sagara replied.

"True. I must admit, the student council led by Shirogane is truly exceptional. Making him president was the best outcome."

The principal smiled again, then added as if suddenly remembering something:

"Ms. Sagara, could you also let Shirogane know?"

"Know what?"

"That Rinji can leave Hyakkaou Academy this Friday. Tell him to go pick him up."