Leading the Student Council President On

As the student council president Elisabeth finished her heartfelt speech, she gracefully stepped off the stage. Her long, blonde hair swayed elegantly behind her, catching the light as if she were on a runway. With a charming smile and a subtle, knowing glance from her cyan blue eyes, she disappeared behind the heavy red curtains like a model finishing her walk.

"A truly inspiring speech from our role model, Elisabeth Gremanoit," came a warm, authoritative voice from the stage. An elderly man with short, well-combed white hair stepped forward, his presence both gentle and commanding.

"I am the principal of Kronfeld Academy," he announced with a proud smile, "and I am delighted to welcome so many new faces this year. It brings me great joy to see the halls of this academy filled with such promising young minds. Among them, we have a particularly exceptional student—just 11 years old, yet already qualified to stand among you. I ask that you treat him with the utmost respect. A mind so brilliant at such a young age deserves to feel safe and welcome in this institution."

"The principal of Kronfeld Academy... he's a nice old guy," Sidis thought to himself. "He's always been respectful, though I didn't get the chance to speak with him much in my previous life. He was always busy with formal affairs."

As the principal continued speaking, the ceremony gradually drew to a close. One by one, students began to turn away from the stage and head toward the massive doors of the ceremonial hall. As Sidis walked alongside the crowd, he could feel the eyes of other students on him—curious stares mixed with murmurs trailing in his wake.

"Isn't that the kid the principal was talking about?" one student whispered.

"Yeah, I think so. He's so short," another chuckled under their breath.

Sidis ignored them entirely, walking forward without even glancing back. He was used to this kind of attention. It didn't matter. Today wasn't about being seen—it was about making a silent statement. Unlike his past life, he wouldn't let first impressions define him.

There were no classes scheduled for the day. Instead, all newly enrolled students were instructed to check in at the academy's main office to collect their dormitory keys and settle into their assigned rooms.

"Last time, Elisabeth approached me right after the ceremony," Sidis thought, a slight smile tugging at the corner of his lips. "Let's try going ahead of the crowd this time. I wonder if she'll try to catch up."

He quickened his pace just slightly, making his way down the wide corridor leading to the administrative wing. The polished floor echoed softly beneath his shoes. Then, as he turned a corner, a voice called out behind him.

"Wait—!"

It was a familiar voice, slightly breathless.

"Gotcha," Sidis thought with quiet amusement.

He stopped and turned around calmly, his posture upright, his expression unreadable. Elisabeth stood in front him, panting softly, her cheeks slightly flushed from running. Her long hair clung slightly to her face.

"You must be Sidis… right?" she asked, trying to catch her breath.

Sidis met her gaze with quiet looking up at her with confidence, his tone unwavering.

"Yeah, I'm Sidis. But… why are you so eager to talk to me?"

"Oh, nothing special," Elisabeth replied casually, brushing her hair behind her ear with a graceful motion. "I just thought it'd be nice to get to know you. It must be exciting—getting accepted into such a prestigious academy at just 11. That's seriously impressive."

Sidis narrowed his eyes slightly, looking at her expression. "In my previous life," he thought,"this is where it all began. Her attempts to get close to me. Her manipulation. And stealing ideas from me. Like the bitch she is."

He gave her a polite smile, concealing the thoughts swirling in his mind.

"Yeah, it's nice, I guess," Sidis said casually. "But I'm not really interested in chatting with anyone here—I've got way too much on my plate."

With that, he turned his back on her without hesitation, casually waving his hand behind him as he walked away.

Elisabeth stood there, momentarily stunned, her expression twisting ever so slightly.

"Who does this little wretch think he is? Just ignoring me like that? Just because you're young and smart doesn't mean you're all that," she fumed internally. Her pride as student council president and daughter of a powerful figure flared.

Frustrated, yet maintaining a composed exterior, she quickly strode after him. With firm steps, she reached out and grabbed his shoulder, stopping him in his tracks.

"Please," she said, her voice soft and sweet, her expression innocent. "At least let me talk with you a little bit. I really want to get to know you."

Sidis paused, then glanced back over his shoulder with a faint sigh, as if reluctantly giving in.

"Ugh, if you insist that much…" he muttered. "I'll make some time for you. But first, I need to pick up my dorm key. If you want, you can come along—we can talk a bit while I handle that."

Elisabeth's face lit up, a charming smile spreading across her lips as she walked beside him, clearly pleased that he'd agreed.

But deep inside, Sidis wasn't moved in the slightest.

"Well, I've basically accomplished what I wanted," he thought, amused. "But now I'm curious—just how far can I lead her on before she snaps? Just imagining her finally losing her perfect little composure… yeah, that'd bring a smile to my face.."

With Elisabeth at his side, Sidis continued walking steadily toward the main office, with their footsteps echoing through the corridor.

"So, um… how exactly did you get so smart at such a young age?" Elisabeth asked, glancing sideways at Sidis with a look of genuine curiosity—or at least what appeared to be genuine.

Sidis didn't even turn his head. His expression remained calm, but distant.

"I was forced to study by my parents," he replied bluntly, his tone flat and emotionless.

The short response instantly killed the flow of conversation, casting an awkward silence between them. The atmosphere grew heavier as they continued walking down the corridor, Elisabeth occasionally sneaking glances at him, unsure of what to say next.

Eventually, they arrived at the academy's main office. Sidis stepped forward briskly and approached the desk, his posture composed.

"Hello. I'd like to collect the key to my dorm room," he said politely but with little emotion.

The staff member, a middle-aged woman with glasses and a warm smile, looked up from her paperwork.

"Your name, please?"

"Sidis Eisenwald."

She paused, raising her eyebrows slightly as if connecting the name to something she'd heard earlier.

"Ohh, you're that boy the professors have been talking about," she said with a chuckle. "You look even younger than I expected."

"Yeah," Sidis replied with a light sigh, "I get that a lot."

The woman handed him a small envelope containing the dorm key and a map of the academy's residential wing.

"Dorm Room B-102. It's near the west garden. Welcome to Kronfeld Academy, Sidis."

"Thanks," he said, taking the envelope and turning around.