A Dream Inherited from My Father: A Passion for Learning

<Lala>

It was the day of the campaign speeches.

Honestly, I was surprised. On the way from the dormitory to the school, one student after another reached out to shake my hand.

"Good luck!"

Even upperclassmen called out words of encouragement.

"Thank you very much!"

I bowed more deeply than I ever had before.

Wondering what had caused all this, I later found out that an article about me — and about my father — had been published in the school newspaper.

During the interview, they had delved deeply into my father's background. I had simply answered truthfully, without any intention of bringing it up in the election.

And yet, the fact that so many people resonated with the dream and spirit I had inherited from my father left me amazed.

Today, I have to give a speech worthy of that support — one I won’t be ashamed of. I'm sure my father is watching over me from the heavens.

The speeches were organized in order: first the secretary candidates, then the vice president candidates, and finally the president candidates, based on the order they had registered.

Since I was the first to register among the secretary candidates, I would be the very first to speak — essentially setting the tone for everything that followed, like the opening act before a comedy show.

I stepped up onto the stage. Applause echoed all around me. Ugh... I'm so nervous.

I wonder if Forlun is still on her trip to America. I wish she could have seen me like this.

Steeling myself, I began to speak.

"Thank you for the wonderful applause. Honestly, I'm not good at speaking in front of people. But I aspire to become a politician when I grow up. Today, I'd like to talk about why."

Another warm round of applause.

"We are living in a time of great upheaval. Even adults don't always know what is right and what is wrong, and as they fumble their way forward, confusion spreads. For example, those called conservatives, and those called liberals — in the past, it was believed that each ideology could enrich society. But today, both seem to have reached a dead end, and only deepen their mutual antagonism."

I paused and gripped the microphone tightly again. Sweat was beginning to form on my palms from the nerves, but I turned that tension into strength and pressed on.

"I believe the hardships we face will continue for some time. Still, I truly believe the future will open up before us. Now is the time to fail more, to debate more, to dig through the mountains of failure and collect the fragments of success hidden within. Our current struggles and pains will surely lead us to the hints we need for the next great leap forward. Throughout history, times of turmoil have always planted the seeds for new eras. We too will be tossed about by the flow of the times. But in the midst of it all, I want to become one of the foundations that carries the baton into the next era."

My voice may have trembled slightly. I noticed, but knew I couldn't stop now. I had to continue.

"You can’t pass a baton alone. You need teammates to run with you, someone to receive it. That’s why — everyone — please, run with me. Let me help deliver your voices into the future."

For a moment, an image of my father flashed across my mind — the figure of a demon mercenary, the way he had been portrayed in the article. And more than anything, I remembered his deep passion for learning.

"As written in the school newspaper, my father worked as a demon mercenary, earning the tuition so I could attend this school. He eventually fell in battle. He had been researching physics and magic, but died before achieving his goals. I want to create a school where anyone who aspires to study can do so, regardless of race or wealth. I want to see high school graduates with strong ambitions go on to develop social sciences to solve today's contradictions, natural sciences to unlock the mysteries of magic, and the humanities to eliminate all forms of discrimination. That is the future I want to help shape. That is why I am running for Student Council Secretary."

At the end, I straightened my posture and looked directly into the faces of the audience. I could clearly see many eyes looking back at me.

"Please, I humbly ask for your support. Thank you very much for listening!"

I bowed deeply. Had I reached their hearts? Had I avoided being self-centered?

Filled with uncertainty, I heard the first few claps start, then more and more, until the applause became a roaring wave that shook the entire hall.

Amazing. I'm so happy. Dad... the dream you passed on to me — it’s reaching everyone. I wish you could see it.

I wiped away my tears.

Just then, a loud howling noise rang out across the venue, plunging the room into silence.

Suddenly, beatboxing and rap, amplified through the microphone, blasted through the hall.

"I'm Groove! Speech's coming soon, so stay tuned!"

"That's bad behavior! You're losing karma points!"

"Shut up! All you ever talk about is points! Are you puppets controlled by numbers or what?!"

A loud, lively argument could be heard. It must be the opposing candidate.

And they were approaching the stage.

"Outta the way, outta the way! It's Groove-sama’s time to shine!"