Chereads / World Academy / Chapter 16 - Chapter 16: Good or Bad?

Chapter 16 - Chapter 16: Good or Bad?

"That would be a total of 1 bronze coin and 25 copper coins," said the cashier after scanning all the art materials that I bought.

The total slightly shocked me. That's equivalent to 42,500 in real-world currency! And I just spent that amount on art materials. I've never even had that much money before I came to this academy. Yet right now, I'm casually spending it on a hobby.

Genevieve is definitely right; having a guardian is such a cheat. If I had to work for my basic necessities just like all the other students do, I don't think I could do what I am doing right now. But because Genevieve was providing for my needs, I had fewer things to worry about.

I handed my Pixui card to the cashier.

There was a hint of surprise in her eyes when she saw the card I was holding. I was a bit puzzled. Isn't this a common card? Even Genevieve has one.

"Thank you for choosing Jane's Arts and Crafts house. Your items will be delivered to your home directly today." For some reason, the cashier's voice sounded more polite.

After getting my card back, I said my thanks and went out of the store. I purchased a few 12x16 canvas and an easel, as well as a lot of oil paint and other painting supplies. I couldn't really carry everything, but thankfully, they offer home delivery.

I didn't realize how late it was until I got out of the store and saw the sun at its peak. That means I've been inside the store for four hours!

It was my first time buying art materials. The only reason I could paint before was because I joined the arts club, and painting materials are provided in our club room. So now that I got to visit an arts store by myself, I ended up getting so immersed that I forgot the time.

Well, it's the weekend anyway, so I can afford to idle around. But now that I've actually accomplished my purpose, I don't know where else to go.

Thinking about it, ever since I got here, I've never really had the chance to go sightseeing. I've been so busy trying to adjust to the academy's environment that the thought of going for a leisurely stroll never crossed my mind.

Since I'm already in the central square, I might as well look around.

The first place I went was a restaurant. It's 12 in the afternoon, and I'm starving, so I just go for the closest one from where I am.

The restaurant's name was "Tabemono." It sounded foreign, so I thought it was a restaurant that served foreign dishes. But when I saw their menu, they actually only served traditional and local dishes.

"Lizelle!"

I looked around when I heard someone call my name. But I was suddenly pushed by a wave of people that suddenly appeared out of nowhere.

"Hey!" I yelled when a guy in front of me suddenly stepped back, and I almost crushed on his back. What's worse is that the people behind are all pushing forward.

What the hell is this?! If I knew it was going to be like this, I wouldn't have come here! This is exactly like our high school canteen during lunchtime.

When I thought I would end up dying of suffocation, someone grabbed my wrist and pulled me away from the mob. The person wrapped me in his embrace as we tried to find the way out amidst the seemingly unending wave of people.

"Seriously, what got inside your head, going in such a place." I quickly lifted my head when I heard a familiar voice.

My mouth went agape.

"We meet again." he said with his usual polite-politician smile.

My blood began to rise to the surface of my face. I quickly pushed myself away from his embrace.

Why, out of all people, does it have to be him?!

"Thank you, Mr. President." I said it quietly, thankful that I managed not to stutter. "And I'm sorry about your suit," I apologized as I saw his crumpled checkered gray suit.

"Don't worry about it." He waved his hand in dismissal. "You shouldn't have gone inside that place. A lot of students go to that place to eat after their work as their food is both delicious and affordable. On weekends like this, it gets even more packed. For a freshman like you, going inside that place is suicide. If I hadn't followed you, you might have gotten seriously injured."

"I'm sorry."

I felt his hand on top of my head.

"Should we go eat somewhere else instead?"

"Huh?"

"Wasn't your plan to go inside that restaurant to eat? Since it's impossible to eat there, let's go somewhere else. Come on."

I was already getting dragged along before I could even protest.

He took me to one of those restaurants with chandeliers hanging from their ceilings and waiters in fancy uniforms catering to your every whim. On top of that, we headed to a private room where we'd be alone.

"I always choose their private room when I come here. I don't like being bothered when I'm having my meal."

I guess being in such a high position also has its cons.

"Then, don't you think my being here is a bother?"

"How are you bothering me when I'm the one who invited you here?"

I just noticed it now, but it seems that Leandro recently had a haircut. His clean-cut hair gave him a refreshing charm and made him even more handsome.

"Mr. President~"

"Please just call me Leandro. Mr. President is too formal," he interjected.

"But you're the president, though. I think I should address you formally," I said.

"Not yet, though. The official voting is still next week."

"But you are the "current" president," I said with emphasis.

"Then, if I lose the election next week, will you call me by my name then?"

"You don't have an opponent, Mr. President."

The person running opposite him backed out last week. The news made quite a ruckus, even among my fellow botanist students, who usually never get involved in the school's drama.

But I could empathize with that person. If this dangerously charismatic guy in front of me is my opponent, I would also probably back down for the sake of my pride. It's better than running a race where you're on the starting line and the opponent is already one step away from the finish line.

"You're right," he said while rubbing his chin as if in deep thought. "Then, does the fact that I just saved you right now give me the merit to make such a demand?"

Seriously, what the hell is freaking wrong with this guy?! I don't really understand why he's so insistent on this matter.

"Is my image in your head the reason why you can't call me by my name?"

"Of course not!" I quickly denied, "I've already erased that so-called image of you in my head, so can you also forget about it?"

"Say my name then." He crossed his arms over his chest, a playful smile carved on his lips.

"I'm already comfortable calling you Mr. President."

"But I'm not."

Screw you! I wanted to scream.

"Well, I won't force you if you don't want to."

I let out a sigh of relief. "Thank you."

"But now I'm curious about my forgotten image in your head."

"..."

He placed his hand on his chin and, as if thinking deeply, said, "Perhaps Genevieve knows something about it. Should I ask her?"

"Leandro!!"

A triumphant grin appeared on his face.

In that precise moment, the door opened. Two waiters carrying our food came in.

"I hope you don't turn into a bad politician." I sighed after the two waiters left.

His smile shifted from sunny and bright to sinister in an instant. I blinked my eyes, making sure that it wasn't just a hallucination. But when I opened my eyes, his smile was back to normal again.

"And what if I do?" There was a hint of playfulness in his voice.

"Then the world would be doomed."

A light chuckle came out of Leandro's throat. "How do you define good and bad, though?" he asked.

"Being good is doing something good, and being bad is doing something bad."

He went into contemplation. Meanwhile, I began to eat.

"So, if doing good automatically makes you good, what if you did something good not for the sake of being good but for the sake of your own selfish desire? Are you still good?"

I couldn't reply.

"And what if you did something bad not for the sake of being bad but for the sake of the greater good? Are you still bad?"

The atmosphere suddenly became heavy. Who knew that one casually spoken sentence would lead to this situation?

"You're right. The line between good and bad is blurry. Despite that, if the option of being good is on the table, I hope that you choose to be good," I said with utmost sincerity.

I've seen a lot of people suffer because of the greediness of people in power. My family was one of those unfortunates. The most powerless members of the society are always the first to suffer when the powerful abuse their power.

Once Leandro comes out of this academy, I'm sure he'll continue on this path. So I'm really hoping that the world outside won't taint him so much. I hope that he'll become one of the powerful minority who choose to put the needs of their people first and not the wants of their pockets.

"My naive little botanist, you're thinking too much. I'm a nice person." His words made the atmosphere lighter again.

"Yeah, that's what that one psychopath said on one documentary I saw before he dismembered his victims," I deadpanned.

He burst out laughing. His laughter was so loud that it echoed inside the small room.

Looking at Leandro laughing, I was relieved. A smile would really suit his face more than that unusual expression he had earlier. That one just makes my skin crawl.