episode_0018

“The largest club in the academy, the Swordsmanship Club, is recruiting members who aspire to the path of the sword!”

“Our Magic Research Department, which has achieved a three-game winning streak in the Academy Tournament, is looking for new members!”

“For those who enjoy quiet activities, come join the Reading Club….”

“Are there any volunteers interested in joining the Cooking Club, where you can experience various culinary delights?”

“The Creative Activities Department is looking for individuals to write, draw, and sing together.”

“Are you willing to cover and handle incidents at the academy? The Newspaper Club prefers individuals with rich imagination rather than those who insist on the truth!”

In addition, there are clubs such as the Equestrian Club, Embroidery Club, Animal Observation Club, Beauty Club, Dessert Club, and Leadership Club, among others.

The senior students who rushed in seemed to number at least 70 to 80.

Shasha, who tightly held my hand,

Seina, who was larger than me and hid behind me.

I felt like I knew why they were scared.

When such a large group of around 80 people approaches so forcefully, it’s definitely intimidating.

Of course, the seniors must have aimed for that.

A method that rushes in all at once, leaving no room for thought and making you join involuntarily.

It was wicked, but also efficient.

Since Deiron had already decided where to go, he naturally looked towards the Swordsmanship Club and approached it, and I looked at Shasha.

I heard that Shasha, like Deiron, already had a predetermined choice.

“…Didn’t Shasha say she was going to the Reading Club? There it is.”

Far away, a girl holding a book she brought from the entrance caught my eye as she muttered the same words, “For those who enjoy quiet activities, come to the Reading Club,” while hugging the book.

With her messy blonde hair, dull gaze, and bundled-up appearance even though it wasn’t that cold.

If she goes there, she could probably join the Reading Club.

“…Uh, I’ll, I’ll be right back.”

Upon my words, Shasha swallowed nervously, gathered her courage, nodded her head, and after looking around at me several times, she hesitantly approached the girl from the Reading Club.

Now, only Seina and I were left.

I still hadn’t made up my mind.

I wanted to establish something like a “Nap Club,” but I knew it wouldn’t work, so I just kept imagining it in my head.

Feeling regretful, I sighed and looked at Seina.

“Ah… Seina, where are you going to go?”

“…M-me?”

“Yes.”

Since it didn’t really matter where she went, I casually asked Seina, intending to follow the villainous Shasha.

“…I-I’m thinking of joining the Magic Research Department……”

The Magic Research Department.

One of the two major clubs in the academy alongside the Swordsmanship Club.

A club that competes fiercely with the Empire-side academy in the annual Academy Tournament.

As successful as it was, it was also the club most supported by the academy itself.

However, being popular and having many applicants meant that the competition would be quite tough.

The acceptance rate must be quite low.

“Do you know how to use magic?”

“…Y-yes, well, I am from the Prasuh family….”

Prasuh…

A family on the front lines facing barbarians and monsters at the border.

Even if she was just a 10-year-old girl, was using magic considered basic training?

Located in the southern part of the kingdom, near the vast magical forest.

Constantly besieged by monsters and barbarians, the Prasuh family was relentlessly tormented, which strengthened them and allowed them to grow powerful.

Having acquired such formidable strength, the Prasuh family provided a solid foundation for Seina to act boldly as a villainess.

If the Prasuh family had not chosen to overlook Seina’s misdeeds and abandon her,

she could have become the most dangerous enemy in the future.

Anyway.

“…Then, shall we go together?”

“…Huh? Lia, do you know how to use magic too?”

“Of course, don’t you think so?”

What does she take me for?

Magic was a sophisticated branch of study.

Look at me, I can’t even write or read properly, and now we’re talking about magic.

The only thing I know how to do is make stir-fried pork with steak meat.

Pure incompetence.

If you were to personify that word into a human, it would probably be me.

“…Then, you won’t be able to get in…?”

“…Oh, really?”

Well, it’s the Magic Research Department, so if you can’t use magic, it makes sense that you can’t get in, so I sighed.

“Will there be a club that will accept someone as incompetent as me?”

“…Don’t be so hard on yourself…”

Seina comforted me in shock when I casually belittled myself.

Hmm, being comforted by a cute girl didn’t feel too bad.

“Thank you for the comfort. Well then, I’ll be off. I have somewhere to go for a bit.”

“…Yes, I’ll be going.”

Not “going,” but “be off.”

It made me happy that Seina seemed to consider me a friend, at least for now, I was confident she wouldn’t treat me poorly.

Of course, that wasn’t her usual personality.

So, within two years, there must be some catalyst for Seina’s sudden change in character.

I should look for and eliminate that trigger, but since nothing is apparent right now, I’ll put it on hold for the time being.

I opened the door in front of the classroom with my short legs and stepped outside.

Professor Moshan, smoking a cigarette and staring into space, shifted his gaze to me as I came out of the classroom, furrowing his brow.

How rude.

To furrow your brow at a cute student like me.

If I were a typical 10-year-old, I would have cried out of fear.

“Weren’t we pretending not to know each other?”

“…There are always exceptions.”

I don’t like being around Professor Pedro like this unless necessary.

But I disliked being squeezed in there even more.

“You know, can I start a club?”

While all my friends are smoothly joining clubs, I feel left out, so instead of trying to fit in, I thought about starting my own club, which caught Professor Moshan’s interest.

“Suddenly?”

“Yes, well.”

“If you submit the proper paperwork, there shouldn’t be a problem.”

“Well, I guess so.”

My noble friends are satisfied, but my abilities are too lacking to seek help from three other clubs.

As I sighed and kicked the air in disappointment, Professor Moshan asked a question.

“What kind of club are you planning to create?”

“A Napping Club?”

“A club for napping?”

“Yes.”

“Do you think that will work?”

“Probably, right?”

He seemed intrigued for no reason, furrowing his brow as he asked if it would work, to which I shrugged.

After all, club activities are supported by government funds.

If anyone could just create strange clubs, that would become a significant issue.

“So, which club should I join?”

“Are you asking me that?”

“…Yes, well, please advise me on student matters.”

“What do you know how to do?”

Oh, he’s clearly not fond of me, but I appreciated that he was willing to provide guidance despite that.

Even if someone is rough, they can’t simply ignore a 10-year-old seeking help.

“I don’t know anything!”

“…Don’t speak so confidently.”

Well, that’s how it is.

At least if I can read and write properly, I can figure out what I can do by trying different things.

Demanding that I talk about what I can do when I can’t even walk properly is like asking a baby who can’t walk to run around.

Crying.

I looked up at Professor Moshan confidently, unable to find any falsehood in my gaze.

He looked surprised and asked, “Really?” to which I replied, “Really!”

“After all, I’m not good at reading and writing from the start.”

Shasha has been helping me every night, and thanks to that, I’ve improved a lot compared to before, but there are still many shortcomings.

With a hand on his waist and chest puffed out, Professor Mosan, despite speaking enthusiastically, lowered his head deeply with a heavy sigh.

“…That’s why even nobles or those from noble backgrounds have to take the exams…”

“If that’s the complaint, you can take it up with the royal family now.”

If you’re dissatisfied, you can go straight to the king.

This has been a rule since the founding of the academy.

The founder of the academy was the former king known as the Sun King.

Shrugging his shoulders, Professor Mosan stared at me intently, repeatedly making a groaning sound before finally suggesting something as if chewing and spitting it out.

“…There is a club that suits you.”

“…There is?”

To be honest, the reason I came to Professor Mosan for this consultation was simply because I wanted some advice.

All my friends have joined their respective clubs.

I’m feeling mischievous and bored because I don’t have anywhere specific to join.

But even someone like me has a club to join?

I tilted my head with an innocent expression,

And in response to my expression, Mosan solemnly announced the name of the club I could join.

“…Concentration Management Department.”

“…What’s that?”

“Fortunately, the former king also had some thoughts about it, so he decided what to do if students below standard were admitted.”

Oh.

It feels like I’m being scolded, but is it just a misunderstanding?

“Join the Concentration Management Department.”

“…You should tell me what kind of place it is.”

“It’s a place where students below standard are taught intensively.”

So, in real terms, it’s like a remedial class.

I quickly understood and nodded my head.

“Um, are there many students besides me in the Concentration Management Department?”

“No, if you join the Concentration Management Department this time, you will be the first student since the establishment of the academy. Of course, it’s not mandatory, but if you really can’t read or write, I recommend joining the Concentration Management Department to build basic knowledge.”

“I’ll do it.”

It may sound pretty bad, but it’s the club I need.

There were more reasons to join than not to join.

Moreover, the sole student of the club that has existed since the founding of the academy.

…Pretty cool, right?

Hmm.

Moreover, if I am the only member, the president, and the club itself, I can do whatever I want, right?

“Great.”

“Sounds good!”

…Although Professor Mosan and I seemed to be on parallel lines in our thoughts,

It felt good after all.

I chuckled.