Born to Rise : Becoming Vice President

Chapter 8: The Battle for Reputation at the Elite School

That morning at Daehan International School, the atmosphere felt colder than usual. Not because of autumn—but because of the burning gossip surrounding Gevran Yi Jido, the son of Korindro Group's owner, now caught in a national scandal.

"Does he think he can stay clean here just because he's rich?" whispered one student in the hallway.

"His family's corrupt. Plus, he's not even fully Korean," another added with a sneer.

Gevran heard every word, but walked on as usual—backpack slung over his shoulders, earphones in, head held high. He knew this wasn't the first time he'd been the subject of mockery. But this time was different—this wasn't just about him. It was about his family, their honor, and his dream of defending those who had been bullied like he once was.

---

In the student council room, tensions were rising. Student council president Min Hyuk, the son of a senator, led an emergency meeting.

"I believe the school's reputation is at stake. We can't let someone like Gevran be the 'face' of Daehan in the eyes of the media," he said coldly.

Several elite students nodded in agreement. But Han Jimin, seated at the end of the table, wasn't staying silent.

"So you want to judge someone without evidence? Aren't we supposed to be learning ethics and justice at this elite school?"

Min Hyuk glared. "Jimin, you're too naive."

"I'm just more fair than you," Jimin shot back sharply.

---

During lunch, an incident turned the tension into an explosion. A student "accidentally" knocked Gevran's lunch tray to the floor.

"Oops. Sorry. My hand gets weak around people who reek of scandal," the student said with a smug smile.

The cafeteria fell silent. But Gevran didn't retaliate. He simply picked up the tray and napkins, quietly cleaning up the mess.

Before leaving, however, he turned to the student and said clearly, "You're free to look down on me. But one day, I'll stand above all of this. And when that day comes, I won't forget who tried to crush me."

Just one sentence—but it left several students frozen in place.

---

Outside the school, the media began realizing Gevran's silence was a strategy. Social media support grew instead. Some of Daehan's most prominent alumni began to speak up, including a well-known young figure: Hwang Da-kyung, a Daehan graduate now serving in Parliament.

> "I know who Gevran is. And I believe the new generation of Korea needs a leader like him."

---

At home, Jido reviewed the latest public opinion polls. Though initially hit hard by the scandal, Korindro's image was slowly recovering thanks to its transparency campaign—and Gevran's mature response.

"My son is starting to build his own stage," he murmured with a proud smile.

---

At the end of the day, Gevran wrote in his personal journal:

> Today, I wasn't physically hit. But my pride was put to the test. I know this is just the beginning. But I will keep standing. Because once, I fell—and no one cared. Now, I have a voice. And that voice... will change this country.

---

The next morning, posters began appearing around the Daehan campus.

At first glance, they looked like normal school event announcements. But the title printed boldly at the top read:

> "WHO DESERVES TO REPRESENT OUR SCHOOL?"

– An anonymous student poll, sponsored by "The Truth Circle" –

Beneath the title were five student names—Gevran Yi Jido included. A QR code led to a "confidential" voting site.

Han Jimin ripped one off the wall.

"They're trying to shame you through a popularity contest," she said angrily, handing it to Gevran.

Gevran read it calmly. "Let them."

Jimin blinked. "Let them?!"

He folded the paper and tucked it into his bag. "Because they've already lost."

---

Later that day, the entire school gathered in the auditorium for the semi-annual Student Speaker Showcase, where select students delivered speeches on social issues. Traditionally, it was a calm event, but this time the atmosphere was electric. Everyone knew who would speak—and what was at stake.

Min Hyuk took the stage first. His speech was smooth, politically correct, and filled with empty praise for school values. Polite applause followed.

Then, it was Gevran's turn.

He stepped onto the stage slowly, adjusted the mic, and scanned the audience filled with sharp eyes and skeptical faces.

"I used to think silence was safety," he began, voice clear. "Until I realized silence lets bullies grow. And now, I refuse to be silent."

He walked across the stage with quiet intensity.

"I'm not here to pretend I'm perfect. My family is under scrutiny. I've been accused, mocked, whispered about. But if you want to measure me, do it by how I stand after I'm pushed down."

Gasps and murmurs rippled through the hall.

"I've been bullied. I've been beaten. But I'm still here. And if you want a school that's only proud of people when they're spotless—then you're building a mask, not a community."

He paused.

"I'm not asking for votes. I'm asking for vision. Let's be the generation that stops hiding behind family names and school prestige—and starts building a world where integrity matters more than image."

The silence after his final sentence wasn't empty. It was thick—with emotion, realization, and reluctant respect.

And then… applause erupted. Not polite. Real. Earned.

---

That evening, the anonymous poll page went offline. The creator's IP was traced and revealed by the school's IT security: it was Min Hyuk's campaign team.

He was suspended from student council duties for a month.

And Gevran?

He was offered a seat as the official student representative for an upcoming national youth leadership conference.

---

At home, Gevran received a message from an unknown number again.

> [Im Seri]

"Your speech today… was everything I needed to hear. Thank you. Let's meet soon."

He smiled.

Outside his window, the leaves of autumn drifted down quietly.

But within, a fire had just begun to rise.

---

For support:

https://sociabuzz.com/maulywwwww/tribe

Thank you ♡