“Is there a particular reason you don’t want to join the Punitive Squad?”

Joining the Punitive Squad comes with various benefits and authority. They have the right to arrest and investigate students, and they can also draw forces from the Disciplinary Committee or the Operations Department under certain conditions.

However, unlike the Disciplinary Committee which is involved in all incidents within the academy, the Punitive Squad only deals with criminal cases, thereby limiting their scope of action.

‘The number of available forces would also decrease…’

Of course, if thinking about the future, the Punitive Squad would be the right choice. It’s a highly prestigious group formed only by the elite within this academy, boasting a reputation comparable to Seoul National University.

‘But I’ve never considered my life after graduation…’

My sole purpose is to ensure that this academy has a happy ending. I don’t care about my grades or credentials outside of that.

To achieve that, I need to be prepared for the various incidents that will occur. For this, I need to remain with the Disciplinary Committee. Given that I have recently been appointed as the Acting Commander and achieved notable success.

Moving to the Punitive Squad right now would not be a wise choice.

Just as I was firming my decision to stay with the Disciplinary Committee, the Head of the Legal Department spoke.

“A student who entered with the lowest grades in the entire school… but in only three months has grown into a leader capable of taking down cultists. Such remarkable talent, how could I not be interested?”

Hmm… is that so? I did work hard, but to say that I’m at a leadership level… it feels a bit exaggerated.

And,

“It's not because I’m exceptional… it’s because I worked hard."

"So?"

"Yes, along with basic physical strength training through fitness…"

After reciting my daily training routine, I politely declined.

"Therefore, I believe I am just an ordinary person who tries hard, not someone fit for the Punitive Squad. Please reconsider your proposal."

"Hmm… I see…"

Although the Head of the Legal Department's expression didn't change, I could tell from her tone and the slight twitch in her left eye that she was quite taken aback.

For the record… I didn't notice this through some obsessive observation; it was just one of the settings mentioned on a game strategy site.

"I can't force someone who doesn't want to join… haha… But I never expected you to refuse a spot on the Punitive Squad. The Head of the Disciplinary Committee must be pleased."

"The Head of the Disciplinary Committee is a good person."

"…I see. Well, it’s not quite the same, but could you recommend someone instead?"

"Recommend… someone?"

"Yes, we haven't found anyone suitable from the first-year students for the Punitive Squad yet."

…The Punitive Squad hasn’t been formed yet?

"Hmm…”

Come to think of it, in the original plot, the Punitive Squad first appeared when they welcomed a commander who visited from the parent division…

So is the Punitive Squad formed a bit later? There wasn't any particular mention of the reason…

Well, given that students haven’t had the chance to stand out yet…

The Punitive Squad would probably start serious scouting after significant events like the mid-term capability assessment.

Then, the members of the Punitive Squad I know might not have been selected yet.

‘In that case…Should I lay some groundwork with the potential Punitive Squad members?’

I happen to know some custom items that can aid in their early growth. Distributing those could help me steer the situation in my favor when I eventually get involved with the Punitive Squad.

I mulled over some names of candidates worth recommending, but eventually swallowed them back down.

"I'm not sure, honestly."

'...'

Astasia, the Head of the Legal Department.

Within her deep and sticky emotions, consciousness sinks and dredges up unpleasant feelings.

Then, alone in the Legal Department office, she mutters to herself.

"...How impertinent."

'Vigilance, denial, rejection, deceit.'

These were the feelings Gardner, the first-year student she tried to recruit, had shown her — emotions she rarely encountered. Even the Head of the Disciplinary Committee wouldn't readily reject or deceive her...

‘A mere first-year student, who hasn't even earned a proper title yet, dared to…’

He was definitely hiding something when he asked if there were any other worthy candidates at the end. She doubted whether it's information more valuable than what she has, but... the fact that he could even think of attempting it...

'Gardner.'

A strong scent of the irregular emanated from that kid, similar to the vibe the Student Council President gave off...

"Hehe..."

Under normal circumstances, she would have pressed more persistently to find out what he was hiding.

'Gardner, I know too little about that kid.'

She'd realized her web wasn't tight enough to entangle him just yet.

‘He's a big fish that needs to be caught after I've spun a much finer web.’

“Ha.”

What does he know, what does he want... Without any prior information, she just waltzed in and made a recruitment offer, only to be rejected... And now the word is out that she couldn't replenish the Punitive Squad members...

She'd been too careless lately, probably because of all the stress related to the Punitive Squad.

That kid must know this, so the Disciplinary Committee will probably try to secure him first.

‘It's my mistake, I should have been more careful...’

She was too focused on mocking the Disciplinary Committee Head.

For now, she should monitor the activities of the Disciplinary Committee and recruit some notable candidates to secure promising individuals.

Although it wouldn't be a problem to just take the members they've selected, either.

‘The Disciplinary Committee Head... she was on the verge of breaking...’

She thought she could tease her a bit more, but as soon as Gardner's name came up, she clenched her fist.

It seems she was already under some stress regarding personnel distribution.

‘I should stop teasing the Disciplinary Committee Head for now.

Nothing's going right...’

The Legal Department Head took out her communication device and contacted someone.

[…Head?]

“Elki, how have you been?”

[…I've been busy.]

“Seems like you've been doing well.”

‘Most likely lounging around.’

“I have a new mission for you. Track the activities of the Disciplinary Committee and the actions of the member ‘Gardner.’”

[…If it's within the school, I wouldn't need to leave my room, would I?]

"..."

As she ended the call, the Legal Department Head made up her mind.

This time around, she will not accept such slackers. She will fill the ranks only with true elites.

[ Weekend Patrol Application Form ]

[ Name: Gardner. Affiliation: 1st Year, Rose Hall (Disciplinary Committee) ]

“No way!”

Just as I was about to submit my application to go out for a short while over the weekend after class.

A senior member of the Punitive Squad blocked my path.

A woman with long black hair that dragged on the floor.

She was short, petite, and had a gloomy atmosphere about her. Her name was Elki.

She was pretty much the only non-combat member of the Punitive Squad.

Her main duties were support, intelligence gathering, and sabotage, so she usually never left her room...

Why is she suddenly here?

Why is she stopping me from applying for the weekend patrol?

“...Senior? I don't understand why you're blocking me... Did I do something wrong?”

“Wr-wrong?? You! Look at that plan of yours! People can't do that!!!”

“Huh?”

‘Why is she talking about my plan?’

I glanced at the application form in my hand.

The plan was to explore the contaminated areas for an average of 14 hours over the weekend, Saturday and Sunday.

It wasn't just wandering around for no reason; I would be busy checking the surveillance equipment set up by the Operations Department.

There were places I had to stop by in between... I would be extremely busy.

Apart from that, something about the Punitive Squad or… Furthermore, there shouldn’t be any harm to the Student Council, right?

“Is there any problem with my plan? I drafted it within my capability.”

“Ugh... That...”

‘If he goes to the contaminated area, I'll have to follow him...’

Elki, an operator of the Punitive Squad from the Legal Department, thought.

She was currently ordered by the Head of the Legal Department to monitor the Disciplinary Committee and Gardner.

Monitoring the Disciplinary Committee within the school grounds was easy with the small surveillance cameras and drones, but the issue changes if 'Gardner' goes outside the school.

The area outside the school is managed by the Operations Department and the Intelligence Department, so Elki from the Legal Department cannot just send drones arbitrarily...

If she sends drones, she’ll get harshly scolded for surveillance, so someone has to follow in person. Currently, the only available member in the Punitive Squad is Elki.

In other words, if Gardner submits the application and goes outside during the weekend, Elki will also have to follow him.

‘That is!!! Absolutely!!! Unacceptable!!!’

“No! During the weekend!!! Stay locked up in your room!!!”

“...Senior, are you doing this because I refused the Head's recommendation?”

“...Recommendation?”

“Oh, never mind.”

I quietly thought about why she was obstructing my work.

Hmm... The reason a Punitive Squad operator like Elki would block my way...

Elki, a shut-in... A couch potato... A lazy person… She smells... Has she not washed her hair...

'All she does is sabotage.'

While I was getting lost in unnecessary thoughts, Elki raised both her arms to completely block my way and said,

"Anyway! Over my dead body will you go!"

As Elki-senpai threw a tantrum and fiercely resisted, the head of the Disciplinary Committee appeared.

"What do you think you're doing to our member?"

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