After going our separate ways with Ming Hong, I headed for the Recreation Campus, where I assumed most students would be at as it was the weekend.

When I arrived there, I wasn't surprised at all to see the streets flooded with people. Interestingly enough, however, 1st-years took up the majority of the population here. That was probably because there weren't all that many students in the upper years anyway, given how frequently expulsions occurred.

This school was resourceful, the perfectly place to get stronger, fast. Even if the principal of it and I have a personal conflict, I would like to remain here until graduation if possible. But since I was somewhat greedy when it came to things like this, I wanted the best of the best — hence why I was going to ask about the Student Council. The whole matter with the challenge Xiang Peng's father gave me and whatnot was just a side bonus.

Since upperclassmen had different-colored uniforms (blue rather than the usual red given to 1st years like myself), it wasn't too difficult to locate them. I noticed some students not wearing any uniforms at all as well, but they were few. I did, however, recognize many of said few from Class 1-D — my class.

I spotted a gentle-looking senior who was walking with a girl of the same year and thought they would definitely be able to provide me some answers, but then changed my mind. They seemed to be on a date — it wouldn't be very nice if I were to disturb them.

Another group of upperclassmen were hanging out in an arcade, but they seemed like the arrogant, young master type that I didn't want to deal with.

Then, after a few minutes of searching, I finally found a suitable upperclassman, walking alone… but after talking to her, I found out she was just wearing her older sisters uniform for fun.

Dejected and exhausted, I sat down on an empty bench nearby and stared up at the wide blue sky.

"Why do I feel like the hardest part about getting in… is to find out how to get in?

"

"Hm? A 1st year…?

" A girl who passed by suddenly murmured, glancing at me curiously.

"Hey, you seem lost. Are you okay?

"

"Huh? Uh…

" I trailed off. Putting her stunning beauty aside, this girl was exactly who I needed — an upperclassman who wasn't already with other friends. The only thing was… she wore a green uniform — the first one I've seen all morning.

Scratching my hair, I chuckled awkwardly.

"I'm… just curious about something, but can't seem to find any seniors to ask.

"

"Oh, yeah… it's hard to come by someone walking alone in weekends, isn't it?

"

"Apart from you, I guess.

"

The girl giggled.

"Fufu, I can't promise I can answer your question, but if it's anything I know, I'll help you out.

"

"It's no big deal, really… I just wanted to know how I can enter the Student Council.

"

At this, the girl's smile was replaced by a calculating smirk.

"Oh…? The Student Council, you say?

"

I nodded.

"I heard you have to be quite prestigious to do it, but I was wondering if there was any specific requirements or whatnot…

"

"Ah, but you are only a first year. The Student Council can't accept someone like you, who is still new to the school.

"

"Can't… or won't?

" I challenged, sending the girl a meaningful look with eyes that seemed to see through everything.

The two of us stared one another in silence, but she finally gave in and smiled wryly.

"… You're sharp, you know that? Follow me.

"

Saying this, she turned around and began heading out of the Recreation Campus. I quickly stood up and followed. This was an important lead I stumbled across by chance — I wasn't about to let it go now.

I was soon led to a building within the Administrative Campus, which I hadn't been inside before. Ms. Qi, the secretary who gave us the tour of the school, had just told us the name of this campus and that was it — we didn't go in to visit or anything, which wasn't all that unreasonable given that it was off-limits to students anyway.

Or so I had thought.

"Uh… are we supposed to be in here?

" I asked, looking around. There didn't seem to be any university faculty around, but for some reason I was still uneasy to see what would happen if we got caught.

"Don't worry. My council is part of the school's administration, so naturally our headquarters would be stationed in the Administrative Campus.

"

I stopped walking.

"Wait… your council?

"

She laughed softly then turned around to face me, a bright smile on her face.

"Why yes indeed… my name is Qian Hua, and I am the student council president of this university.

"

*****

"You're the student council president?

" I asked, more skeptical than surprised.

"What, don't believe me?

"

"Uh… somehow, I imagined the president to be more… cold and strict?

"

"Hmph!

" Qian Hua snorted, folding her arms.

"Am I not allowed to take a leisure walk on the weekend? Do all student council presidents have to be stacked with work?

"

"Er, no, but-

"

"Yes, they do!

" She suddenly cut me off, cackling in laughter as she clutched her stomach.

"You're lucky I came across you today, junior. I was in fact on my way here to start my day of work anyway, so I just dragged you along because I figured 'why not'. That aside… you're new here, aren't you?

"

"Of course. I'm a first year,

" I replied.

"No, no, I'm not talking about that. I'm talking about… Fragment. If my guess is correct… you're one of the students who entered this university through the annual tournament in the Fortress, right?

"

"I'm sure you already knew that, being the student council president and all…

"

"Actually, no. I have enough to deal with as it is — I don't pay attention to small things like the background of every new student here. My brain would explode.

" Qian Hua rolled her eyes.

"I could tell simply from the way you acted around me — and of course, the question you asked too. That's why I took you here in the first place.

"

"What…?

" I tilted my head, confused.

"You see, there's no student here who doesn't know who I am. I'm not trying to brag, but every family will tell their child before entering this school about me, the student council president. They called me… the Child of Prophecies — a prodigy born every one thousand years.

"

"Yeah, you really sound like you're bragging right now. I don't particularly care though.

"

"Heh. Point is, everyone in this school knows who I am — except for those who arrived here outside of Fragment. That's what led to my conclusion. Oh, and the fact that you asked how to join the student council, despite being only a 1st year. Normally, I would've just laughed and thought of it as a joke. But your eyes told me you were serious, confident. That's why I brought you here.

"

"Huh, I see. Well, I got to observe the student council's headquarters, at least. Very helpful, thank you.

"

Qian Hua laughed at my sarcastic tone.

"Relax, junior brother. This isn't just the student council's headquarters — very soon, it will be your home. Something tells me you are different from the rest. Call it a woman's instinct, I suppose. But I've never quite felt the same way about anyone else, so I can't tell you whether or not it's accurate.

"

"I'm flattered,

" I replied in the same monotone voice as always.

"But what are the requirements to enter?

"

"Well, normally, no 1st year would even have a shot at entering, but I can make an exception for you. The challenge won't be easy, however. Are you ready?

"

She stared into my eyes, determination and confidence in them.

"Sure,

" I replied casually, expression indifferent.

"I expected something like this anyway.

"

"Good, good… alright then. Tell you what — if you can place your class in first by the end of the school year with a gap of at least 300 points with the class in second, I'll accept you into the council. But just keep in mind... you don't have to win everything.

"

"300 points…

"

"When I was in my 1st year at this school, I accomplished that. So if you can do the same, I'll consider you worthy of being by my side. I know it sounds difficult… but for some reason, I believe you can do it. Once again, call it instincts. Best of luck, junior.

"

Saying these, she set off into the building. Naturally, I didn't follow her, and instead turned on my heel and left the Administrative Campus.

300 points… hm. I'll have to first get past the special exam on Monday to calculate how many I have to win in order to create a gap that big… after all, right now, I don't even know how much taking first in one special exam will earn the class.

At least, with this, I forged a connection with the student council president, Qian Hua, and earned myself a surefire way to enter the council. I would much rather have an impossible challenge than a shroud of uncertainty.

But still...