In the end, there was no upset.
The people who had been having a heated discussion just a moment ago about who would take first place were all at a loss for words at the clear result before them.
Dudududu—.
Just then, a cheerful rhythm was heard amidst the silence.
As if they had finally come to their senses at the sound, the people who had been silent all cheered at once.
"What did I say? I told you the Azure Dragon Class would win in the end."
"This time, it felt like the Vermilion Bird Class might pull something off... I guess there are no upsets."
"Still, it's amazing. They're only 40 coins behind the Azure Dragon Class."
This time, just like with the other classes, the number of Flying Dragon Coins was specified on the bulletin board.
Azure Dragon Class: 99,990 coins.
Vermilion Bird Class: 99,950 coins.
As Wi Ji-yang had mentioned earlier, from second place onwards, the number of Flying Dragon Coins had increased to an extent that could be called exponential.
That's why everyone here couldn't help but be surprised by that record once, and they were surprised once more by the fact that the Vermilion Bird Class was only 40 coins behind the Azure Dragon Class.
"The Azure Dragon Class is first with 99,990 coins! As far as I know, this is a record that is unparalleled among all past Clear Bright Festivals!"
Until now, the all-time high record was from the Clear Bright Festival about ten years ago.
The record set at that time was 75,060 coins.
Now, a full ten years later, the Azure Dragon Class had once again broken their own all-time record.
"It's amazing. In my estimation, this record will be difficult to break even after ten years! Of course, the Vermilion Bird Class also did very well."
Wi Ji-yang was praising the Azure Dragon Class until his mouth went dry.
Blood is thicker than water, as they say.
No matter how much he tried to remain neutral as the student council, Wi Ji-yang seemed very happy that the Azure Dragon Class had won first place along with setting an all-time record.
Waaaaah—!
As the results were announced, the Azure Dragon Class side had been cheering with their arms wide open.
Not only did they win first place this year, but they were also first among all past Clear Bright Festivals.
For the students of the Azure Dragon Class, it was an honor that could not be exchanged for anything else.
"President! Our class is first!"
"..."
"On top of that, it's an all-time high record!"
Just then, Yu Ji-han shouted at Namgung Cheon.
Of course, he had thought that Namgung Cheon would be enjoying this joy just like them, but contrary to his expectations, Namgung Cheon was not smiling.
"...President?"
Seeing that, the smile that had been on Yu Ji-han's lips also disappeared.
Is he not smiling even in a situation like this because he's a person who doesn't show much expression in the first place?
Yu Ji-han had thought so at first, but he soon realized that was not the case.
'Why... does he look displeased?'
The emotion revealed on Namgung Cheon's face right now was clear displeasure.
Of course, that emotion was also a change that could be called very subtle, but Yu Ji-han could accurately recognize the emotion revealed there.
"..."
Namgung Cheon was silently looking at the bulletin board.
To be precise, the number of Flying Dragon Coins earned by the Azure Dragon Class and the Vermilion Bird Class.
After confirming once more that the gap was only 40 coins, Namgung Cheon muttered to himself in a small voice.
"Forty... just forty..."
At that level, it wouldn't have been a strange difference no matter who had won first place.
Frankly, if they had failed to sell just one or two more bottles of alcohol, wouldn't that ranking have been reversed?
Namgung Cheon was now very displeased with that fact.
"..."
What he pursued was, after all, a perfect victory.
As he had told Ak Simin earlier, an overwhelming victory that one couldn't even dare to look up at.
He had intended to clearly show Namgung Il what that was, but with this result, it could by no means be called a perfect victory.
"President...? Is there something you're not pleased with?"
"...This is also a victory, I suppose."
Even a tainted victory was far better than defeat.
Namgung Cheon looked at the defeated Vermilion Bird Class side, trying to relieve this unpleasant feeling even a little.
"No, it's nothing."
"..."
"Everyone worked hard. As expected, this spring's Flying Dragon Flag belongs to the Azure Dragon Class."
Namgung Cheon soon looked at the students and said quietly.
At that moment, the cheers erupted even louder.
The sound of them alternately calling out the names of the Azure Dragon Class and Namgung Cheon continued for a while.
"...Everyone worked hard."
"..."
"It's a pity we didn't get first place, but as I said before, we did our best."
Ak Simin was also saying so to the students.
A completely opposite atmosphere from the Azure Dragon Class.
Since the expectations had been very high, the disappointment was also very great.
"You guys did nothing wrong."
"..."
"No, before that, we wouldn't have even come this far without you guys."
Grin—.
"Regret is something that comes when you don't do your best."
"..."
"We all did our best. I, Ak Simin, guarantee that."
The people silently looked at the smiling Ak Simin.
The person who was most frustrated here was surely Ak Simin... but since that very person was smiling like that, they couldn't keep a long face forever.
"Now, let's not be disappointed that we got second place, but let's celebrate that we got second place!"
"..."
"As I said before, tonight is a get-together! I'll pay, so eat and drink as much as you want!"
Only then did smiles begin to appear on people's faces.
The dark clouds in the sky of the Vermilion Bird Class, which had seemed like it would be gloomy forever, were slowly clearing, and the person who had led that was the president of the Vermilion Bird Class, Ak Simin.
'...The Vermilion Bird Class really needs this person.'
This time, even Namgung Il had to concede.
That speech just now was a very excellent speech that moved people's hearts.
Namgung Il could see that with that speech just now, Ak Simin had truly become one step closer to being the president of the Vermilion Bird Class.
"Namgung Il, is there a seat at the Yongmun Tavern?"
"...Of course."
"Great. Let's go there!"
"Will it be alright? Our place is very expensive."
"The owner is here, so what's the worry? He'll give us a discount if he has any sense."
Chuckles—.
Namgung Il let out a light laugh at those words.
Normally, he was not the type to fall for such haggling, but well, just this once was fine.
I'll consider it the price for hearing that excellent speech.
Today, Namgung Il also felt like drinking with the people here.
"Now, a representative from the Azure Dragon Class, please come and get the Flying Dragon Flag."
Just then, Wi Ji-yang said to the Azure Dragon Class.
In Wi Ji-yang's hand was the Flying Dragon Flag that the Azure Dragon Class had returned earlier.
Now that the first place had been announced, it was time for the Flying Dragon Flag to return to its new owner.
Of course, this time too, the owner of the Flying Dragon Flag was the same.
With this, the Azure Dragon Class would be the owner of the Spring Flying Dragon Flag for the sixth consecutive year.
Thud— Thud—.
At Wi Ji-yang's call, Namgung Cheon walked forward.
Namgung Il silently watched him.
It was quite a pity that he couldn't teach Namgung Cheon what defeat was this time, but as if to use this disappointment as a stepping stone for the next time, Namgung Il watched Namgung Cheon without blinking an eye.
"..."
Namgung Cheon walked to the center and stopped.
At that moment, the venue became quiet.
As if not to miss the moment the Flying Dragon Flag was handed over to Namgung Cheon, the people held their breath in concentration.
"Congratulations."
"..."
Wi Ji-yang held out the Flying Dragon Flag to Namgung Cheon with a light congratulations.
The Flying Dragon Flag was so close that he could reach it just by extending his hand slightly.
If it had been someone else, they might have excitedly and hastily reached out, but Namgung Cheon was very leisurely extending his hand towards the Flying Dragon Flag.
"Wait!"
It was then.
As someone suddenly shouted, Namgung Cheon's hand, which was heading for the Flying Dragon Flag, flinched.
"Stop."
"..."
"You can't hand over that Flying Dragon Flag to the Azure Dragon Class yet."
The person saying so to the two was Cheon Hong-ryeong.
The person who had organized this year's Clear Bright Festival, the one at the top of the student council.
Cheon Hong-ryeong, with a leisurely smile on her lips, said to Namgung Cheon.
"Sorry, did I interrupt?"
"..."
"But it can't be helped. There's still something that hasn't been announced, so take your hands off the Flying Dragon Flag."
At first glance, it sounded like an apology, but it was a clear command.
The only person who could give such a command to Namgung Cheon.
Even Namgung Cheon, who had spoken unreservedly even to Su Majin, was showing a somewhat cautious attitude towards Cheon Hong-ryeong's words.
"What, are you not going to listen to me?"
"..."
As Cheon Hong-ryeong added, Namgung Cheon finally lowered the hand he had extended forward.
Watching him, Cheon Hong-ryeong calmly walked forward, and immediately, Wi Ji-yang approached in a fluster.
"P-President! What is the meaning of this?"
"I told you. There's still something that hasn't been announced."
"I haven't heard anything."
"Of course. Because I just thought of it too."
At those words, Wi Ji-yang put a hand to his forehead as if he had a headache.
However, since he knew that Cheon Hong-ryeong was originally this kind of person, he immediately opened his mouth calmly.
"What on earth is it? If it's not very important, there's no need to announce it..."
"It's important."
"...?"
"Because the result will be very different with this."
"...What?"
The result... will be different?
Since what that meant in this situation was only one thing, Wi Ji-yang was at a loss for words for a moment.
"From now on, I'll be in charge, so you step aside."
Cheon Hong-ryeong said and snatched the Flying Dragon Flag from Wi Ji-yang's hand.
Flutter—.
Of course, the people couldn't hear what they were talking about over there.
Suddenly, they were talking amongst themselves, and then Cheon Hong-ryeong snatched the Flying Dragon Flag.
It seemed like Cheon Hong-ryeong was about to say the reason, so the people held their breath and listened to Cheon Hong-ryeong's words.
"I am Cheon Hong-ryeong, the student council president."
"..."
"I came out like this because there is a slight correction, so I hope everyone will focus again."
A correction?
While everyone was wondering what that was, Cheon Hong-ryeong spoke without delay.
"I will reverse it."
"..."
"The Azure Dragon Class is second. Therefore, the first place of this year's Clear Bright Festival is the Vermilion Bird Class."
Everyone was astonished by that announcement.
Even in the midst of that, Cheon Hong-ryeong was calmly looking at the Vermilion Bird Class side and speaking.
"One person from the Vermilion Bird Class, a representative, come forward."
"..."
Just then, Ak Simin tapped Namgung Il's back with his hand.
"Namgung Il, you go."
"What? What does that..."
"I don't know what the situation is either. But since they're calling, just go."
"...If that's the case, isn't it right for you to go, senior, not me?"
Cheon Hong-ryeong had said for a representative of the Vermilion Bird Class to come forward.
So, just as Namgung Cheon had come forward earlier, wasn't it right for Ak Simin to go?
Namgung Il had asked with that meaning, but Ak Simin shook his head.
"The person who led the Vermilion Bird Class from the front more than anyone else in this year's Clear Bright Festival was you, not me."
"..."
"I'm not so cunning as to take all the credit of a junior."
Ak Simin said and pushed Namgung Il's back.
In the end, Namgung Il was pushed forward by that, and as everyone's gaze seemed to be focused on him, he had no choice but to walk to where Cheon Hong-ryeong was.
"Here, take it."
"..."
As soon as Namgung Il walked closer, Cheon Hong-ryeong held out the Flying Dragon Flag and said.
However.
To be honest, Namgung Il was just bewildered by this situation.
"But why did the Vermilion Bird Class become first?"
"Why, you don't like it?"
"It's not that I don't like it..."
"I know. Why are you asking."
Cheon Hong-ryeong said and put the Flying Dragon Flag back on the floor.
"Actually, there's something that hasn't been added to that tally yet."
"...?"
"The credit."
"...What?"
"Luhuanju, was it? That was really delicious."
At that moment, as if he had realized something, Namgung Il's eyes widened slightly.
"Could it be... you drank on credit at our tavern?"
"Yeah."
"...I specifically told them not to accept any credit."
"Specially, with the authority of the student council president."
"..."
Namgung Il was so dumbfounded that he couldn't even let out a hollow laugh.
Was there another person who used the authority of the student council president so freely?
Just then, Cheon Hong-ryeong held out the Flying Dragon Flag to Namgung Il again.
"The credit, I've paid it now."
"..."
Namgung Il silently received the Flying Dragon Flag.
Although the reason was somewhat absurd, wasn't this also a thrilling reversal?
He didn't like that it was created by Cheon Hong-ryeong, but Namgung Il decided to enjoy this moment.
Flutter—.
Namgung Il raised the Flying Dragon Flag in his right hand high.
"The final score of the Vermilion Bird Class is 100,000 Flying Dragon Coins! Therefore, the first place is the Vermilion Bird Class!"
Cheon Hong-ryeong announced that fact once more.
The students of the Vermilion Bird Class were still standing blankly with faces that said they didn't know what was what, but after seeing Cheon Hong-ryeong's words and the Flying Dragon Flag held in Namgung Il's hand, they finally grasped the situation properly.
"Waaaaah—!"
A roar erupted.
It was a roar that confirmed the unprecedented record of 100,000 Flying Dragon Coins, and the fact that the owner of this spring's Flying Dragon Flag was the Vermilion Bird Class.
(End of Chapter)