That afternoon after classes, Rest headed for the conference room adjacent to the student council room.
An academy attended by numerous sons and daughters of nobility had a large-scale student council with correspondingly extensive authority, and was thus provided with exclusive facilities like conference rooms and parlors that only related personnel could use.
The conference room had long tables arranged in rows, with chairs placed around them.
As first-year students, Rest and the Rosemary sisters took their seats toward the back.
After a short wait, the student council officers and the enforcement committee members filed into the conference room in force.
There were twenty officers alone, and forty from the enforcement committee.
It was a sizable group, but considering members were drawn from the five departments across all three year levels, it didn't seem excessive.
"Hey, everyone's gathered. Good."
Soon, Andrew, the student council president, made his appearance.
At his sides were his close aides, Yusgos Bethras and Rilanda Marker.
"I've called you all here today for one reason. Before long, the biggest event of the first half of the school year will be held... the 'Magic Hunt Festival'."
Standing before the assembled student council members, Andrew began to speak.
The Magic Hunt Festival was, literally, an event where monsters were hunted. It was held annually from late spring to early summer, after the monsters' breeding season concluded.
Participants were students from the Magic Department, Knight Department, and Clergy Department. The Clergy Department primarily participated as medical support. Students from the Civil Service Department and Arts Department could also join if they wished.
Set in the plains and mountains outside the royal capital, the academy's students would form groups and compete to hunt monsters, vying for both numbers and size.
In this world, monsters were humanity's natural enemies. Since hunting them was a duty for nobles tasked with protecting the populace, the academy held events like this.
"Participation is optional, of course... but in a typical year, around two hundred students take part. As you likely know, injuries are common during the Magic Hunt Festival. Two years ago, there were even five deaths. As the student council, we must do everything in our power to ensure the event runs smoothly. The officers will handle operations, while the enforcement committee will act as rescue staff in case of emergencies."
The student council would work behind the scenes alongside the faculty during the Magic Hunt Festival.
The meeting called today was presumably to coordinate these efforts.
"I'll be handing out documents now, so please follow them to receive your assignments and duties. The on-site command will be handled by the third-years, so follow their instructions. Especially for the rescue staff — your work directly concerns the lives of the participants. Take it seriously."
Andrew directed his gaze toward one of the seated students.
The student who received his glance stood up from her chair and spoke.
"I'll be taking command of the rescue staff. I'm Isis Carbelt, third-year in the Magic Department. I'll do everything I can to ensure not a single person dies, so lend me your hand."
The one who greeted them with a composed expression was a tall female student.
A short-haired girl who wore the male uniform — whether out of personal preference or not — her name was Isis Carbelt.
She was a remarkable figure who served as the leader of the student council enforcement, and despite being a student, she had already been informally offered a position as a court magician.
With her sharp features and aura, she was the type more likely to be popular with women than men, and in fact, there was even a fan club for her on campus.
Rest had exchanged greetings when he joined the enforcement committee, and while they weren't close, they had spoken on several occasions.
"For you first-years, this will be your first Magic Hunt Festival, but... please, do not push yourselves beyond your limits. One in every three years — that is the fatality rate among the rescue staff. Think of this not as training, but as real combat. Of course, you're welcome to decline. You will, however, have to leave the enforcement committee."
A faint tension rippled through the conference room.
Even so, not a single student appeared to be faltering.
Every member of the enforcement committee had combat experience with monsters. There was no one among them who would cower and flee at this point.
"Very well. Then let me explain the detailed assignments. Please turn to page five of the documents."
After that, they discussed assignments for the Magic Hunt Festival and emergency response protocols, and the after-school meeting came to a close.
One week later.
As had been arranged, the Magic Hunt Festival was held.