I created my own system

"I don't think so since I was only ordered to investigate" Apollo replied. "the student council is my priority right now. If they're going to be this involved in how the school runs, I need to know who I'm dealing with. And if they're a problem... well, we'll deal with that when we get there."

After a moment of silence, Samael nodded. "Alright. We will assist the first we are close to have relatives at the other years they should be able to help."

Blair grinned. "Count me in. I already proved myself last night I will definitely gather more intel now"

One by one, his classmates agreed; their curiosity and desire to help Apollo drove them to take action.

While his classmates spread out to gather information, Apollo decided to make his own investigation as well just, his friends will take the surface while he goes more beneath.

"Let's see, last night we did get something, but it was more on the strife between students and nothing suspicious; how about yours, Jeremiah? How much did you get?"

[Nothing noteworthy most of them are talking about how to avoid you or keep their mouth shut]

"They had anticipated that we would ask around the party?"

[Well you and your friends weren't being discrete either when you went around and asked about what happened last year]

"If they still don't talk should I ask her"

[Who?]

"Athena perhaps has knowledge of what happened"

[Are you willing to speak to her]

"I guess I could somehow I think I can thank the oath for this"

[What do you mean]

"It's just that I can feel the oath removing any kind of emotions that may affect me in completing this mission. Whenever I think about the time it was given to me all I can think about is how I can use anything to accomplish this mission"

[Should I help you remove it?]

"We heard what Neros said before the imperial family feels the power of the oath. If by any chance I remove it once the emperor sees me he will realize that I am no longer under his power"

[Will the emperor make a move against you if you truly remove the oath]

"Not sure but it is best not to make an enemy as big as the emperor"

[I don't know if you are being cautious or just being influenced by the oath]

Apollo chuckled at those words but then he suddenly remembered how most of the people they saw in the party had no specific idea about what happened.

"They are the recent new enrollees and transferee so I couldn't get much from them"

[It looks like someone is deliberately hindering you]

"Yeah and the worst is I don't even know if that person deliberately hid it or just fooling around to confuse me" Enjoy more content from empire

Then he went on and marked his first target; this person is the one he thinks will help him.

And his marked target now is the student council president herself—Celestine Halstead.

"I don't want to approach the vice president first; he looks too suspicious. For now, I'll walk around his territory first. The student council first and to get in I need her approval'"

Celestine was known for her poise and intellect, always carrying herself with an air of authority. Apollo had only seen her from afar during the festival, but now he needed to get closer.

So, after studying the patterns and schedules of all the members of the council, she now knows when she is alone and when there are a whole lot of people with her. Under those circumstances, he made his move when he knew he wouldn't be interrupted. Using the guise of exploring the school's facilities, he managed to get into the student council room. She was sitting at a desk, poring over documents with an intense focus. Well, if you have a mountain of work, who wouldn't focus?

Apollo pretended to hesitate for a moment before stepping inside.

"Excuse me," he said, his voice cutting through the quiet room.

Celestine looked up, her sharp blue eyes locking onto him. "Yes? Can I help you?"

Apollo approached with a friendly smile. "Sorry to disturb you. I'm Apollo Lionheart, a first-year. I've been hearing a lot about you and the student council. I thought I'd introduce myself."

Celestine raised an eyebrow, clearly unimpressed. "Is that so? Well, Apollo, as you can see, I'm quite busy. Is there something specific you need?"

Apollo's smile didn't waver. "I was hoping to learn more about how the student council works. You've got quite the reputation, and I'd like to understand what makes it so effective."

Celestine leaned back in her chair, studying him carefully. "You're... curious about the student council? That's not something I hear often from first years. Perhaps are interested in joining though it is quite rare for the guarding families to join the student council"

Apollo shrugged. "I simply like to know how things work. Especially when they seem as well-oiled as this. As for joining, I will think about it once I see the working process of this place but like I said before, I am really interested in learning"

Her lips twitched, almost forming a smile; perhaps she knew there was something more but pretended not to notice. "Flattery will get you nowhere, Lionheart. But if you're genuinely interested, I might be willing to answer a few questions. Why don't you start by telling me what you already know?"

Apollo and Celestine spoke for nearly an hour, their conversation shifting from formal to surprisingly casual. Apollo quickly realized that Celestine was not only sharp but also deeply committed to her role. However, he shouldn't let down his guard since there might be more than meets the eye.

"You really care about this school," Apollo remarked at one point.

"Of course I do," Celestine replied. "The student council exists to ensure everything runs smoothly. That includes fostering a sense of unity among the students."

Apollo's expression darkened for a moment. "Unity, huh? Does that include holding events that pit students against each other?"

Celestine's eyes narrowed. "The open arena? That was a... misstep. One of my officers suggested it, and I approved it without considering the consequences. It won't happen again."

Apollo filed that piece of information away, deciding not to press further. Instead, he changed the subject.

"I noticed you don't have much support from the lower years," he said. "Have you thought about building connections with them?"

Celestine tilted her head. "Are you offering to help with that?"

Apollo grinned. "Maybe. I'm good with people, and I've got plenty of friends in the lower years. If you ever need a liaison, I'm your guy."

Celestine chuckled softly. "You're an interesting one, Lionheart. I'll keep that in mind."

Apollo smiled happily. Though he only had friends in his class other than them, he never considered those people from the other classes.

Later that evening, Apollo regrouped with his classmates in their dormitory. They shared what they had learned, most of which confirmed Apollo's suspicions: the student council wielded significant power, often blurring the lines between leadership and control. However, that changed after the imperial prince arrived along with the newly seated president.

"You're onto something," Blair said. "The upper years all respect Celestine, but there's tension brewing under the surface. Not everyone agrees with how the council handles things and there seems to be a faction divided between the vice president and the president. But the ones siding with the vice had been significantly reduced because most of them are related to Edgar. Currently, both sides are gathering forces though it seems the vice is getting the lead in all of this"

Apollo nodded, processing the information. "Good work, everyone. Keep your ears open. This isn't over yet."

As his classmates dispersed wanting to do their assignments, Apollo leaned back in his chair, his mind racing.

"Celestine Halstead and the vice president," he muttered to himself. "You two are not what I expected. But I'm not done with you guys yet."

Then, as he was absorbed in his thoughts, Jeremiah suddenly popped out of nowhere.

[Creator I have noticed something]

"What is it?"

[How come we don't know what the vice president's name is?]

"What?"

[His name none even spoke or mentioned what his name is. All people referred to him as the vice president]

Suddenly, it hit Apollo. Even he never bothers trying to search for his name; if it weren't for Jeremiah's remark, he would never bother knowing what the guy's name is.

"Now that is strange what is normal for me not to be interested in someone's name?"

[If we are talking about your personality yes but considering this is a mission given by the emperor typically you would know everything about this guy since you take your task seriously]

"Right that is true yet now I didn't even bother knowing that guy's name"

[Also the only time you never ask for names is when you already set that you will kill. So since that person will die anyway, you never bother asking for their names, but Creator, you don't plan on killing, right? Your mission is investigating after all]

"Of course why would I kill here"

He said with confidence; however, somehow Jeremiah was skeptical.