Avoiding Death in an Otome Game

Chapter 53: Chapter - 53: Invitations

”You are Kai Shen, right?” Heading to the classes in the morning, I was suddenly interrupted by a student whose face I don’t remember at all.

”Yes?” I replied subconsciously, realizing that the student is a senior, probably a second year student.

”Ah it’s really you. Here please take it” The senior student held out a card, which seems to be some kind of invitation card. The card was of your standard paper size with a black cover and a golden design on it.

”this is from Lord Jin, an invitation to join the student council.”

*What?*

I looked at the card in confusion ”what do you mean by an invitation to join the student council?”

”Just as you hear Lord Kai, Lord Jin is offering you a guaranteed place in the student council as long as you support him in the elections. This is a promise from a noble to another noble” The senior replied.

*Oh, so faction war has started?*

’Faction War’ is an event that starts in the game around the same time as the ’incident’ on Elena’s birthday.

As the name suggests, this is a political battle inside the academy between ’the noble faction’ and ’the commoner faction’, and the result is already determined by whose side the heroine chooses in the event.

And in the case of the main route, Jin wins but ends up giving Lucian and Ralf the most important roles besides the president and also he started distancing himself from the faction war.

And this ’invitation’ is something the heroine was supposed to receive after gaining recognition during the test, of course it’s not out of the possibility that she might have or will also receive it.

”I appreciate Lord Jin’s thoughtful gesture and thank him from my behalf but sorry, I can’t accept this invitation.” I replied honestly and carefully about not saying anything offensive.

”But why? You are the heir to the Shen family, a future marquise, it’s only right for you to stand besides a future duke.” The senior added, definitely not satisfied with my reply.

”It’s true that I am an heir of a noble household but that and the student council are different things. Please you just reply to Lord Jin that I will discuss that matter with him later. There’s still quite a time in elections anyway.”

Honestly I have no interest in these faction wars, elections, or even the place in the student council. For me, growing stronger is what matters the most now.

With that I sent him back, and I myself headed to the class with hurried steps, so I wouldn’t get late.

Ian has already left early in the morning to god knows where, he has been recently taking some extra guidance from instructor Ben over using barrier magic.

Arriving in the class right at the time, I saw the familiar faces sitting on their desks. Most of the students are already there including Elena who suddenly stood up and walked up to me.

”Kai, I need to tell you something.”

She suddenly said but before we could talk...

”I hope you don’t mind going to your seats now, save your talks for later.” The teacher has arrived.

”Sorry Miss Curtiz” We apologized, and went back to our seats.

But before taking my seat I noticed Luna holding a card similar to the invitation sent to me this morning and she was not the only one....

During the lunch break, as soon as the teacher left the class, I stood up as I wanted to ask about what Elena wanted to talk about before.

”Kai, look what I got.”

But before I could take a step forward, I heard Ian’s voice and when I looked back to see, I saw the invitation card.

*What the heck!? How many people are you going to promise a place in the council?*

I thought to myself but the next moment I realized the reasoning behind it. Both Luna and Ian are the most well connected people in the first year and both are nobles which means gaining these two in the noble faction is very beneficial to them.

But..... ”Is that from Lord Jin’s noble faction?” I asked Ian.

”Yes, did you also receive one?” Ian asked me back and even Lucian and Ray sitting on the seats ahead, looked back curiously.

”Yes but I rejected it.....By the way Ian, you know Lily is a commoner right?”

I told him as I stood up and went to Elena who seemed to also be waiting for me. I don’t need to look back to know what expression Ian might have from my words.

He and Lily have finally started dating and someone like him should be more than well aware of the effects the faction war can have in personal relationships between a noble and a commoner.

”Let’s head outside first” I told Elena as we will eventually go to the academy canteen to eat anyway.

”So what’s the matter?” After getting out of the classroom I asked Elena about what she wanted to tell me.

”This morning when coming to class, I was stopped by a senior who wanted to give me an invitation card for the student council.” Elena replied.

*Another one?*

”So did you accept?” I asked her worried that she might get involved in the faction war.

Elena shook her head ”No, I didn’t. I first wanted to consult with you before making the decision.”

”Actually I also received a similar invitation letter this morning. But I rejected it because it’s too troublesome, especially considering that the other candidate is representative of the commoner faction.”

I told her about it and my reasoning behind the rejection so it could help make the decision.

”Of course it is your choice whether you want to accept or reject the offer, the only thing I want to tell you is that if you become a member of the council then you will have to give some time to its work.”

That was another reason I rejected the offer. For a normal student, entering the student council of this academy is the most ideal way to secure their future in the political frame of the kingdom.

But my situation is different because I already have an inheritance from a high noble family and second is that after training for so many years, my talent isn’t inferior to any prodigy which means I have the chance to reach the level in the future which is unattainable by normal people.

The sage level.

If someone has the potential of becoming a sage, his reputation and position in any kingdom is as firm as the throne because they are the highest power so even a ruler can’t ignore them.

So I would rather invest my time to refine my potential and increase my strength instead of dealing with the academy politics.

And the same thing can be applied for Elena who also has the same potential and and also high level of motivation towards growing stronger which is essential for growth in magic cultivation.

*Honestly, Jin is wasting his potential by indulging in all kinds of political stuff whether it’s in the academy or in his family.*

I didn’t think much about those things when playing the game because they were not specifically mentioned in the game but living in this world, I have realized that strength is essential.

”.....then I will firmly reject them the next time.” Elena thought over my words for a few seconds and then replied.

But her next words were weird ”If I waste too much time then I will further fall behind you.”

Really? That’s your motivation?

”And what’s bad about that?” I asked casually.

”I just don’t want to fall behind, it leaves a bad taste... and if you are in any trouble then I don’t want to be unable to help.”

Her tone turned serious by the end of her words, maybe it is because of what happened during the test last time. She might be blaming herself for it.

”.....then I would be looking forward to your progress, let’s see who becomes the grand before.” I replied with a light tone in order to make her mood better.

And worked out pretty well.

”Huh?...okay, challenge accepted!” Elena replied with her usual smile.

.....

In a certain room, some second and third year students have gathered.

”So Kai Shen rejected? Well we expected that much.”

A handsome tall boy said lightly as he heard the words from the one they sent to give the invitation letter.

If Kai was here then he would have definitely recognized the tall boy as one of the capture targets of the game and the candidate for the student council elections Jin Curzon.

”Given their relationship, Elena Mizo will also eventually reject the offer.” One of the boys said as he thinks over it.

”Crystal, what do you think?”

Jin asked the girl on his right whom Kai would have recognized as Elena’s cousin and Jin’s fiancee, Crystal Saffron.

”I can talk to her if you want but I can’t guarantee the success. She’s not interested in these matters.”

Crystal replied honestly, knowing the personality and ’priorities’ of her cousin, she didn’t guarantee anything.

”It’s fine as long as they don’t join Ralf’s side. So what about the others?” Jin asked the other members of the faction.

”Ian Cama and Luna Layton have accepted the invitation, while prince Lucian and Ray Griffith haven’t given their answer yet. As for the Hina Blessen..... She rejected it.”

The last words caused a wave of surprise among the students present as they didn’t expect the daughter of a viscount who has one of the poorest territory would reject the chance to enter the circle of upper nobles.

But again there were rumors of her and prince Lucian being in a relationship going around the academy which is probably true.

”Didn’t I tell you that she will not accept it?” The red haired girl sitting in a little distance said.