Chapter 57: The Angel Who Creates a Club (10)

Episode 57

“Before I explain my plan… Leffrey, do you know the relationship between the large clubs and the student council?”

“I’m not sure.”

Yumari continued,

“Leffrey, the large clubs and the student council are on the same side. And the club fair revolves around those two factions.”

Leffrey replied,

“I see. The student council is the organization that manages the budget, and the other clubs are the groups that receive that budget… Naturally, they would try to curry favor with the student council.”

Phew- Leffrey heaved a deep sigh and muttered in a low voice,

“Ugh, corruption… We have to overturn it all.”

Leffrey made a serious face.

He even clenched his fist.

A revolutionary angel, Leffrey?

But no matter what Leffrey did, it just looked cute to those girls.

“It’s not that simple. This issue is much more political.”

Soya answered.

“Political?”

“Leffrey, do you know how this Central Academy was established?”

“Yes, powerful individuals who came from the other world, the professors, and the powerful figures of our world joined forces to create…”

Yumari cut in,

“That’s right, that’s our academy.”

“Hey! I’m talking right now!”

Yumari naturally ignored Soya’s protest and continued,

“So, simply put… this academy wasn’t solely created by the professors. As Soya explained, the powerful figures of our world are also founders of this academy.”

The powerful figures of our world.

Hearing those words, the first name that came to Leffrey’s mind was the Seocheon Yu.

“Starting with our family, the superhuman families…”

“Ah, those Igogkaeng(Isekai) families?”

Hongwol interjected playfully.

‘Igogkaeng(Isekai) families…’

Igogkaeng(Isekai). It was short for “high school student who went to another world and caused a mess.” And the Igogkaeng families were a term that mocked families established by high school students who returned to Earth after going to another world. (TL Note: The translation literally directs to that, but uhh yeah, I’ll just use isekai as a replacement.)

And the most famous among them was the Seocheon Yu.

The first head of the Yu family, chosen by an angel to become a hero… was said to have truly shown the other world what an Igogkaeng(Isekaid person) was truly capable of.

‘One of those atrocities was kidnapping Lumari, the Sky Dragon. And Lumari, after being kidnapped, became the concubine of the Yu family head’s son…’

In the end, the angel, fed up with their atrocities, stopped protecting the Yu family head and flew back to Heaven.

‘According to rumors, the Seocheon Yu is still searching for that angel…’

This was one of the reasons why Leffrey was hiding the fact that he was an angel. The Seocheon Yu, following the previous head’s order, were obsessed with the power of angels and heroes…

If Leffrey, who had no power or backing, were to be revealed as an angel…?

‘I’ll be kidnapped without a trace…’

Actually, the other Igogkaeng(Isekai) families were also obsessed with the power of angels and heroes, just like the Seocheon Yu. The power of a hero, something that could only be obtained by being chosen by an angel… was the source of their wealth and power.

‘I need to become strong enough to resist those families. And for that, I need more Angelic Power!’

If Leffrey didn’t want to be kidnapped, he had to become stronger quickly.

As Leffrey was having those thoughts, a calm voice came again.

“Miss Hongwol, I prefer the term superhuman family to Igogkaeng(isekai) family.”

“Ah, yes. Showing off that you’re part of the Seocheon Yu, huh?”

“…”

Yumari continued,

“Superhuman families, the large guilds established by the hunters of our world, and the conglomerates that have existed since the old days. These are the powerful figures of our world. And their method of controlling the Central Academy is…”

Leffrey spoke up,

“The student council and the clubs.”

“That’s right. And that’s why it’s safe to say that they’re all on the same side. They have the same interests.”

Yumari asked with concern,

“Therefore… we have no chance of winning this club fair. The student council has probably already given orders to most of the clubs… and the clubs will faithfully follow those orders.”

“…”

“Hmph, it’s disgusting how things are. Why don’t we just skip this filthy club fair? All we’ll lose is the cathedral anyway. Leffrey, I’ll let you sleep at my place! Come to our dorm!”

The moment Hongwol said those words…

The other three girls’ gazes changed 180 degrees.

Yumari momentarily revealed her dragon eyes, Soya cast a curse with a cold gaze, and Hexi muttered “Let him sleep at your place? How dare you suggest such an unhealthy thing to Angel-nim…” preparing to deduct demerit points.

“What do you think?”

But Leffrey couldn’t accept Hongwol’s offer.

One of Leffrey’s goals in life was ‘safety’. And this cathedral was the safest fortress Leffrey knew.

Besides, Leffrey needed to gather Angelic Power for the future. The cathedral even provided him with plenty of chores for Angelic Power.

Leffrey couldn’t lose the cathedral.

“…I get that we’re in a difficult situation. And I understand that the odds of us failing the club fair are high.”

Leffrey acknowledged reality.

“But I still want to create a volunteer club.”

But Leffrey didn’t give up.

‘…They’ll definitely oppose it, right? This can’t be helped. I didn’t want to use the Angel’s Secret Technique twice in one day, but…’

Leffrey started to charge up his tears.

But Soya, Yumari, Hongwol, and Hexi, after hearing his words…

…contrary to Leffrey’s expectations, nodded or said things like “Ha, it can’t be helped,” agreeing with him.

Yumari opened her mouth again,

“I said earlier, right? I have a plan.”

“Yes, you said you couldn’t tell us the details yet.”

“…That’s right. But all the other members have agreed.”

Soya and Hongwol nodded.

Leffrey tilted his head.

‘What kind of plan is it that she won’t tell me about…?’

Yumari continued,

“If the club fair proceeds according to this plan… we won’t be subject to the student council’s interference anymore.”

‘And I can protect Leffrey.’

Yumari swallowed those words.

The other two girls nodded as well…

“Guys…!”

Leffrey, seeing that, was touched.

‘My children are finally starting to act like heroes… Even though they criticized it as a stupid idea, they’re all agreeing to a volunteer club!’

But this was just Leffrey’s delusion.

There was only one reason why they agreed to Yumari’s reckless plan. They didn’t want Leffrey to sleep in a dormitory with other girls.

If Leffrey was kicked out of the cathedral, he would definitely have to move to another dormitory… Soya was fine, but to hand over Leffrey to a predator like Yumari, Hongwol, or Hexi…

‘That would be the worst…’

Thus, the volunteer club was formed.

Leffrey, a materialistic angel who loved money and power, Yumari, the cold half-dragon of the Seocheon Yu, Hongwol, a natural-born thief and assassin of the Mooncat Tribe, and Hexi, a professor who should be disqualified for lacking humanity.

It was literally the group least suited for volunteer work, but…

“Sniff, guys! Let’s do our best! Fighting, Volunteer Club!”

Leffrey shouted excitedly.

The girls, seeing that, cheered along with sullen expressions.

“Fighting…”

“F-Fighting.”

“Fighting.”

Thus began the first day of the Volunteer Club.

* * *

So what was Yumari’s plan?

It was…

“Isn’t this just… instigating them?”

“…Leffrey.”

To instigate conflict among the clubs participating in the club fair. Of course, Soya…

“This isn’t instigation. This is a righteous operation to destroy the cartel that rules our academy.”

…called it that.

Even though the student council and the clubs maintained a close relationship, that didn’t mean the large clubs got along with each other.

The large clubs, were far from being friendly to each other.

They were practically sworn enemies.

But the damage would be too great if they fought each other. So they just avoided fighting, believing it was more profitable to bully smaller clubs and steal their businesses.

‘Is it okay for an angel to do something like this?’

Therefore…

“So you’re saying… we’ll make the clubs fight each other and prevent them from participating in the club fair?”

“Leffrey, we’re not going to prevent them from participating. We’ll just… bother them a little until they need our volunteer club’s help.”

The volunteer club’s plan was this:

First, make the clubs that already don’t get along fight each other.

Second, make the student council, who comes to mediate the fight, end up fighting with the clubs.

Third, take this opportunity to have the volunteer club step in as reinforcements. And of course, receive a ‘small’ portion of the club fair points as compensation for their service.

Finally, the volunteer club would ascend to the top ranks of the club fair.

‘Mari explained it like this… but it feels like there’s more to it.’

It was an evil plan that only a demon could think of.

No, a holy plan that only an angel could think of.

“But if we get compensated, then it’s not volunteer work, is it?”

Leffrey suddenly pointed out a flaw.

“…There are services where you get paid. Besides, we’re a volunteer club, so helping other clubs is our club activity. Of course, we have to get points.”

Soya made excuses.

“Leffrey, look at the small clubs managed directly by the professors. They’re always struggling with budget shortages and being pushed around by other clubs.”

“That’s true…”

“That’s what power is all about. We have no choice but to do this to survive.”

Soya muttered dejectedly.

Leffrey, seeing that, recalled his own lost past.

Blood flowing through the gap, and his difficult life as an orphan.

The powerful abused the world without restraint, and Leffrey was always on the receiving end.

‘Soya is right… not a single word is wrong.’

The boy clenched his fist.

But why did a part of him wanted to refute Soya’s words?

Then a thought flashed through Leffrey’s mind.

‘Right… I get Angelic Power when I say something angelic in a situation like this.’

Was it truly because of Angelic Power?

Leffrey, after making up his mind, opened his mouth,

“Soya, just like how the greatest mage in the future will appear from a place that isn’t a magic family, nothing in this world is set in stone.”

Leffrey’s expression suddenly turned serious. Soya, seeing that expression, momentarily thought of the word ‘angel’.

“Right?”

“Hmph, trying to act cool.”

Soya quickly pulled down the brim of her hat, worried that Leffrey would notice her flushed face. Fortunately, the large brim of her witch hat easily hid her small face.

Soya whispered in a small voice,

“You’re really going to follow me on this? You really wanted to be with me that much, huh?”

“Yes, Soya. What did you say?”

“Nothing.”

Soya hid her joy and said,

“Today… I’ll show you the true power of a black mage.”

The girl with gray hair declared confidently.

Leffrey, smiling, activated his Angelic Ability, Steps of the Fallen Angel Walking Through the Night.

Thus, the two of them infiltrated the large club’s warehouse, stealthily approaching the place where the items for this club fair were stored.

“No matter how much they boast about being the best, they’re not better than the Connoisseurs’ Club.”

Soya muttered, looking at the mountain of items.

Leffrey was a little surprised hearing those words.

‘What? Just what level is the Connoisseurs’ Club…’

This was the Enchantment Club’s warehouse.

Most of the items stored here were… items that wouldn’t be out of place even at the highest-ranking auction house. Starting with enchant dust, various enchant magic books, and even enchanted items.

“Wow, this is from the Magic Club. These thugs, they just took other clubs’ things using their power.”

Soya shook her head in disbelief.

“Such thugs… need to be punished.”

The girl smiled wickedly.

And her hands glowed black.

‘Glowed black? How can black even glow?’

The boy only now realized, little by little, what kind of being Soya, who always called herself a black mage, truly was.

“Soya-style Black Magic. Mana Disruption.”

Clang- Bang- Thud- Crackle-

The moment Soya cast her magic, all the magic-related items in the Enchantment Club warehouse started to distort.

‘Impossible.’

Leffrey, while attending the Central Superhuman Academy’s magical studies department, the best magic education institution in the world, learned how to distinguish the level of a mage.

‘All the magic in this warehouse… being pushed back by Soya’s magic…?’

The way to distinguish the level of a mage was simple. The magic that survives when two magics collide is the superior magic.

In the world of magic, it was always survival of the fittest, where the superior magic crushes the inferior one.

The more sophisticated magic survives, and the more powerful magic dominates.

‘This warehouse has high-level magic defenses. It’s unbelievable, but… perhaps a grand mage directly cast them. And the magic items stored here are on a much higher level than the magic defenses. So I thought that even destroying one or two items would be difficult for Soya…’

That’s why Leffrey couldn’t believe what Soya was doing. To cast a magic spell superior to all the magic here in a single instance…

‘A realm that an ordinary mage can never reach. A grand mage, no, even for a grand mage… If this is her level, could it be…’

Soya’s prowess was in some aspects were reaching the level of Klein.

A girl who was just a first-year magical studies student.

“Hehehe.”

Soya, like a true black mage, laughed.

“Now, let’s leave some traces of the Connoisseurs’ Club.”

Soya formed hand seals again.

“Soya-style Black Magic. Mana Modification.”

And illusions of automatons, the dragon knights, infamous for being owned by the Connoisseurs’ Club, started appearing here and there. Those dragon knights were ‘pretending’ to destroy the warehouse.

As a result, traces of dragon knight mana were left in this warehouse.

“Wow…”

This was also unbelievable.

“You mimicked the dragon knight mana?”

“Of course. I can mimic any mana I’ve seen once. So, how was it? Was I…”

Soya, who had been smiling arrogantly, suddenly asked in an awkward voice,

“Leffrey…”

“Yes, what is it?”

“Was I… helpful at all today?”