The Useless Prince Is A Gangster
Chapter 160. All participants

Chapter 160: 160. All participants

The pastry shop in town felt warm and cozy, filled with the sweet smell of fresh pastries and brewing tea. Sunlight streamed through lacy curtains, making pretty patterns on the shiny wooden table where Rin and Velmera sat.

Rin, glowing in a soft lavender dress, held a warm teacup, its smooth surface gentle against her fingers. Velmera, across from her, looked stunning in a shiny gold dress, her blonde hair catching the light as she ate a buttery croissant, her eyes sparkling. This afternoon was their break—a fun girls’ day to relax from the Academy.

Velmera put her croissant down, brushing crumbs off her hands, her voice playful but surprised. "He just flat-out turned you down? That’s cold, senior!"

Rin sighed, her pink eyes following the slow swirls of steam from her tea. "I knew he might say no, but that idiot didn’t even soften the blow."

Velmera leaned forward, her tone light as she took another bite. "Oh, come on, Senior. Brother in law buried in work—section leader duties, training with Professor Gidon, prepping the tournament team. He’s probably running on fumes."

"I get that he’s swamped, but he’s been avoiding me for three days straight. What if... he doesn’t even like me?"

"Avoiding you? What makes you think that?"

Rin’s fingers tightened on her teacup, her voice shy, almost weak. "Remember when he said he’s looking for someone special? He told you that, right?"

"Yeah, when I teased him about having a crush," Velmira said, her tone thoughtful. "But that doesn’t mean—"

"That’s probably why," Rin interrupted, her gaze dropping to the table, her voice barely audible. "Maybe I’m just... not her."

Velmera’s face changed, she reached across, gently squeezing Rin’s hand. "Senior, stop that. You’re jumping to conclusions."

Rin’s eyes looked up, hope mixing with doubt. "You think so?"

"Think about it. Why would a guy throw himself in front of a gold-class beast like Berend to protect you? He didn’t hesitate, he shielded you."

Rin’s cheeks turned light pink. "Maybe he was just... being a leader," she mumbled, her voice unsure.

Velmera rolled her eyes, her laugh bright and strong. "A leader doesn’t risk his neck like that for just anyone. He cares about you, more than you’re giving him credit for."

Rin’s pout stayed, her fingers tracing the teacup’s edge as she fought her doubts. "But how do I know for sure?"

Velmera leaned back, her grin turning sneaky. "Ask him again. Catch him when he’s not drowning in work. Maybe even today."

Rin’s eyes widened, her voice rising with hope and panic. "Today? He’s got a council meeting today! I don’t even know when it’ll end."

Velmera’s teacup clinked on its saucer, her eyes lighting up with realization. "Oh, right! Lucian’s in that meeting too."

"Yeah. I hope it’s not... trouble."

The student council chamber was a grand, circular hall. Ten figures sat around the table, Leonhardt Caulem, the bronze section leader.

Beside him was Huldrich Vandr, the iron section leader, his bulky frame and stern expression. Eslinde Veyr, the silver section leader, sat poised, her silver brooch glinting, her cool gaze scanning the room.

Darius Rathur, the gold section leader, leaned back with a confident smirk. Prince Cassain, an election contender, sat with a polished smile, while Princess Thalia, another contender, radiated regal calm.

Lucian Caulem and Erin Dranemount, the special slot students. At the head of the table were President Volkhardt Rathur, and Secretary Liora, her hair neatly pinned, a stack of papers before her.

Liora rose. "Thank you all for joining us today." She gestured toward Lucian. "A warm welcome to Lucian Caulem, attending his first council meeting."

Polite applause rippled around the table, echoing off the stone walls. Lucian stood, gray eyes meeting each gaze with easy confidence. "My thanks for the welcome," he said, his voice smooth and assured, before resuming his seat with a nod.

Liora’s tone shifted. "Our agenda today is to submit the participant lists for the election tournament. As you’re aware, the exchange students withdrew after the forest incident, leaving their special slots to our top-ranked students: Lucian Caulem and Erin Dranemount."

Volkhardt leaned forward, his voice deep and resolute. "Let’s hear your chosen fighters. Darius, begin."

Darius stood, his gold brooch flashing as he unfurled a parchment, his voice rich with confidence, laced with a taunting edge.

"The gold section presents Aulis Markkul, Class 1B; Astrid Vaneburg, Class 2A; Berend Laros, Class 3B." He paused, his eyes locking onto Leonhardt with a smirk.

"Elara Valcourt, Class 2A." A subtle ripple stirred the room—Lucian’s jaw tightened, Erin’s violet eyes flickered with amusement, while Leonhardt’s remained silent, a faint, unreadable smirk curving his lips.

Darius’s smirk widened as he concluded, "And myself, Darius Rathur, as section leader." He handed the applications to Liora and sat, his gaze lingering on Leo, daring a reaction.

Huldrich rose next, his voice a gravelly rumble, blunt and unadorned. "Iron section: Torvald Grell, Class 1C; Hilda Brant, Class 2B; Sven Jorvik, Class 3A; Vanessa Graciani 2A and me, Huldrich Vandr." He passed his parchment to Liora, and sat heavily, his stern gaze fixed forward.

Eslinde followed, her movements graceful, voice cool and measured, each word deliberate. "Silver section: Lyra Fenwyck, Class 1A; Corren Thalor, Class 2C; Maya Velith, Class 3B; Axel Alemán 1B and myself, Eslinde Veyr." Her applications slid into Liora’s hands as she sat, her icy gaze sweeping the table.

All eyes turned to Leo. He rose with quiet confidence, crimson eyes steady as he held his parchment. "Bronze section: Rin Valarune, Class 2A; Mori Strauss, Class 2A; Joel Kaplan, Class 3B; Annalena Kress, Class 1A; and myself, Leonhardt Caulem." His voice was calm. He passed his applications to Liora, meeting Darius’s smirk with a cool, unyielding stare before sitting.

A surprise stirred—bronze students rarely made waves in the tournament, yet Leonhardt’s list, especially Rin’s name, carried weight after her duel with Berend.

Cassain’s eyes narrowed, his smile tightening, while Thalia’s serene expression flickered with curiosity.

Liora sorted the applications with swift precision, her auburn hair gleaming under the mana-crystals. She looked up, her voice clear and final. "The preliminary rounds begin in three months. You won’t face section mates in the first round. Opponent lists will be revealed in one month."

Volkhardt stood. "This year’s election tournament isn’t just for Academy glory—it will shape the kingdom’s future. Fight with purpose, and let no obstacle derail this contest." His gaze lingered on each leader and contender, a silent warning against foul play. "Good luck, and may the tournament proceed without incident."