Chapter 7: A New Class, New Roles

The election for class monitor was drawing to a close as the last candidate stepped down. Few of the subsequent speakers left any lasting impression on me; they simply gave a brief self-introduction before exiting the stage.

The only one I truly remembered was a young girl named Filing Errol. She, too, claimed to be human.

However, I had already discerned that many races in this world referred to themselves as ‘human,’ despite significant differences in their appearances.

Consequently, numerous distinctions were made within the ‘human’ race. For instance, Filing Errol belonged to the Samay Humans.

The term “Samay” essentially meant “human” within that particular race, and it was transliterated as “Samay” in the Witch Tongue.

What truly made her stand out was her “Arcane Energy Affinity.” Arcane energy was a higher form of energy than elemental energy.

Teacher Qieluo had, in fact, confirmed her assertion.

Yet, that was merely the extent of it.

Higher energy affinities didn’t necessarily signify much, beyond indicating a significant advantage in arcane energy in the future.

After all, we were all witches, capable of controlling magic, which was an even more advanced form of energy than arcane energy.

Thus, no one spoke up. Moreover, elemental energy was equally crucial.

The foundational spellcasting theory we were about to study relied entirely on elemental energy.

I silently committed all these details to memory: the different energy classifications—elemental energy, arcane energy, and magic.

I harbored a considerable interest in them. Furthermore, one of our three core courses was Elemental Spellcasting.

This demanded even greater attention. Perhaps advanced spellcasting theories in the future would delve into arcane energy, making early understanding beneficial.

“Is that everyone? This is your last chance. You can still come up and introduce yourselves. Is anyone else willing?”

Qieluo inquired, observing the sudden quiet in the classroom.

Still, no one stepped forward.

Seeing no further candidates, Qieluo resignedly walked towards the podium.

“Alright then, if no one else is coming up… let’s begin the voting. I’ll send out a poll in the group chat. Each person can cast two votes.” Qieluo busied herself with her phone.

Soon, an anonymous voting link appeared in our group chat.

Clicking it open, I scrolled through the list of candidates. Good heavens, every student’s name was there.

If a speaker hadn’t been particularly memorable on stage, one might not even be able to match their name to a face.

My name, predictably, was listed as “Lian.” This was a bit troublesome.

‘Kereiya and I had introduced ourselves as Yang Yuehan.’

‘I hoped she wouldn’t mind.’

‘Still, it wasn’t a major issue.’

‘If she asked, I would simply say it was my nickname, a name I only used among friends.’

‘After all, she knew nothing of my race or culture, so wouldn’t my word be final? Perhaps it could even solidify our friendship.’

As for whom to choose, I would undoubtedly vote for Air, as I believed most others would too.

However, each person had two votes, and my second vote would go to… Long Shi.

That individual was truly terrifying. And while the voting was anonymous, everyone could see who they had voted for on their own phone.

Should he ever resort to bullying, I would at least have an excuse. After all, I didn’t care who became class monitor; anything that could spare me trouble was acceptable.

Soon, the voting drew to a close.

Air had secured a significant lead over the other candidates, while Long Shi predictably came in second.

These two were, after all, the most memorable individuals in the class.

I cautiously glanced at Long Shi, who sat at the back. His face was so dark it looked as if water might drip from it.

Had Qieluo not been standing at the front, he probably would have challenged Air to a duel on the spot.

“Alright, the voting is about to end. Any uncast votes will be considered abstentions.” Qieluo announced from the podium, then closed the poll.

“Let us congratulate Air on becoming our class monitor. Of course, if the monitor ultimately fails to gain the class’s approval, we can choose to re-elect at each monthly class meeting.” Qieluo said, turning to Air. “Do you have anything to say?”

“I am delighted to be the class monitor for Class 14. I will fulfill all the duties expected of a monitor,” Air stated, her gaze consciously flicking towards Long Shi. “If any classmates encounter trouble, they can come to me for assistance.”

‘In her eyes, he was the very embodiment of trouble.’

“Very well. Next, we need to choose our subject representatives. There are three courses, as you should know by now—the three textbooks you received.” Qieluo continued. “Are there any volunteers?”

“Let me warn you beforehand: being a subject representative is not easy. If the instructor deems you unqualified, they can replace you at any time.”

“For example, I teach the Meditation Techniques course. If I feel my representative isn’t excellent enough, I won’t hesitate to replace them.”

After Qieluo’s warning, many who had initially considered volunteering fell silent.

However, this did not include my deskmate, Kereiya Akareiya.

“Teacher, I would like to volunteer as the representative for the Meditation Techniques course.” Kereiya stood up, her voice brimming with confidence.

“As an elf, living under the protection of the Akareiya World Tree, I commune with life and nature. For meditation related to the mind, I believe I possess an innate advantage, and I am confident I can excel as the representative for the Meditation Techniques course.”

“A very confident declaration. I appreciate students like you.” Qieluo said, visibly pleased, her gaze filled with approval.

‘I wondered if it was just my imagination, but I felt Teacher Qieluo’s gaze briefly flick to me as well.’

“The representative for the Meditation Techniques course has already been chosen. Now, for the remaining two positions, does anyone else wish to volunteer?”

“Or, if anyone believes they are even better suited for the Meditation Techniques representative role, I can offer a fair competition.”

“Teacher, I’d like to try for the Alchemy representative position.” At that moment, another voice spoke up. It was Filing Errol, the same young girl.

“As an arcanist, I’ve come into contact with many extraordinary materials while acquiring arcane energy, and I’ve also delved into the field of mysticism.”

“I also have a strong interest in alchemy, and I am keen to discover if there are any commonalities between the alchemical knowledge I possess and the alchemy taught at the Witch Academy.”

“Excellent!” Qieluo said with a smile. She believed that students brave enough to volunteer, regardless of their innate talent, possessed a spirit worth nurturing. “Anyone else?”

With only one position remaining vacant, the class grew somewhat restless.

After all, it came with a thousand credits per month. If one got along well with the instructor, wouldn’t it be a significant gain?

Sitting below, I sighed inwardly, lamenting the apparent dominance of females over males. Three out of four positions were now filled by girls. “Come on, guys, step up!”

But in the next moment, an unexpected individual rose to their feet.

The moment he stood, the entire class fell silent.

It was Long Shi.

“As a Geo-Dragon Demi-human, I possess an innate affinity for earth and sand elements. It’s perfectly reasonable for me to be the representative for the Spellcasting course, wouldn’t you agree?”

Long Shi’s words were brief but delivered with an air of absolute dominance.

The idea of this muscular brute becoming the Spellcasting representative would likely elicit laughter from other classes, yet at this moment, no one dared to refute him.

He had just failed in the class monitor election. To contradict him now would surely lead to future retaliation, perhaps even a casual bout of campus bullying.

“Indeed, it is quite reasonable.” Qieluo said with a pleasant smile, effectively confirming the final class position.

“So, that concludes the matter of class positions. If you have any questions or disagreements, speak now, otherwise, we’ll have to discuss it at next month’s class meeting.”

“Nothing else? Very well, then. This morning will be self-study. This afternoon, we will officially begin teaching Meditation Techniques.”

With that definitive statement, Qieluo brought the elections to a close.

“Bring your theoretical textbooks and preview them. Don’t be fooled by how thin the introductory meditation book is; meditation is also the most challenging.”

“Oh, and don’t forget, morning classes end at 11 AM. After self-study, remember to go to the dining hall for lunch. If you don’t know where the dining hall is, check the map on your phone.”

Having delivered these instructions, Qieluo promptly departed, leaving the class to genuinely self-study.

[Achievement Unlocked: Just an Ordinary Student]

[Effect: Presence slightly reduced]