episode_0029

“…Prodigies. Who are they? Friends?”

Hedy asked me with a curious expression.

“Yeah… they’re friends.”

Slightly embarrassing friends.

After seeing them a few times, it seemed like they were crazy about the girl, but they weren’t that bad.

They say when people gather, there’s always one person who’s not great. It felt like that was the case with our group before Si-an possessed me.

I guess I can’t say my friends are all that bad…? Although they tend to have conversations among themselves as guys…

“How did you meet Si-an?” Lloyd asked as he sat down next to me, placing a plate of food in front of me.

As Lloyd sat down, Bobby and Louis followed suit, sitting beside us one by one.

“Si-an…? So that was his name.”

Oh right.

I hadn’t told Hedy my name.

“Huh? How are you sitting here without even knowing his name?” Lloyd asked, looking puzzled.

To which Hedy responded with a mischievous smile, looking at me.

“It just happened that way.”

I had been called the delinquent leader in the underground labyrinth.

Since no one asked for my name until the end, I didn’t see the need to mention it then.

Then, with a thoughtful expression, Hedy suddenly nudged me with her elbow and asked, “Oh, Prodigy… I mean, Si-an. How did you know my name?”

“Oh.”

Right.

“I… memorized the names of those who seemed skilled with swords during class… and ended up memorizing yours.”

“Mm…”

She mumbled vaguely.

That’s how we became closer over the meal.

Bobby focused on eating quickly, Lloyd led the conversation smoothly, possibly due to his experience with girls, and Louis chimed in from the side. Thanks to them, Hedy and I could comfortably finish our meal.

After dinner, I returned to the dormitory.

And picked up what I had left on the bed.

‘…Magic Stone.’

Without magic infused, its blue light was dimmed slightly.

As soon as I touched it, I infused my magic into it again, making the light stronger.

Now, what should I do with this?

From what I remember, in the story, Hedy used it as a weapon after refining it.

It’s said that it’s used to channel magic inserted into the handle of a sword.

To refine it, I would need to find a skilled blacksmith…

But I currently lack connections in that area.

What should I do?

I stared at the Magic Stone in my hand.

‘….’

Well, there’s no rush now.

It’s not the time for the Demon King to arrive, for demons to go berserk, or for Cain to awaken seeking revenge.

I put the Magic Stone back in the drawer.

I should probably wash up and sleep now.

***

“Before executing a feint, always assess the opponent’s preparatory movements according to the situation…”

It was in the classroom. A male human professor was explaining swordsmanship theory in the middle of the classroom.

I was diligently taking notes.

While I had a general idea of the world’s dynamics, I lacked experiential information like this, so I paid close attention.

Hedy, seated across from me, was absentmindedly staring at me with her chin resting on her hand.

Does she not study at all?

How does she expect to become a future Sword Master like that?

Turning my gaze away from her, I continued focusing on the professor’s lecture.

These are essential pieces of information to survive in this world. I must work hard not to fall behind.

While studying, something unexpected happened.

-Knock, knock.

“Professor! May we come in?!”

A voice was heard from outside the classroom door.

As the male human professor signaled for them to enter, the door creaked open.

The people who entered were fellow students.

The classmates who were attending the lecture all turned their attention to them.

Three students.

One girl, two boys.

Wearing the same school uniform, they appeared slightly more mature than us.

“We’ll briefly interrupt the professor’s class to deliver a message to you all!”

The senior with blue hair, who seemed to be a girl, spoke.

“Do you know that the club application period is coming up soon?! First-year students can join clubs starting from the second semester!”

A club…?

Vaguely, it came to mind.

Even back when I was playing games, there was a club system at the academy.

It was like an event system to interact with heroines.

I remember leaning towards it because I could occasionally obtain rare materials I hadn’t thought of.

However, I soon realized that hunting and leveling up were much more efficient and almost stopped going.

“We are the Alchemy Club! We make various magical tools with alchemy or practical potions to aid in combat!”

The senior girl continued speaking.

“Everyone learns swordsmanship, so we could have chosen a Swordsmanship Club, or each might have their own club in mind. But it’s hard to learn alchemy elsewhere! So if you join our club, we’ll wholeheartedly help you with the basics of alchemy! If you’re interested, come to the Alchemy Club on the 3rd floor club room! That’s all!”

The senior girl spoke briskly, bowed to the professor, then left with two male seniors, opening and exiting through the door.

Seeing them leave, the professor addressed us.

“You all know that club applications are due in 3 days, right? Hurry and apply. It’ll be troublesome if you’re late.”

And the professor continued with the lecture.

Only three days left.

I didn’t know. I had been so focused on lectures and studying that I hadn’t paid attention to these minor things…

What should I do?

I need to focus on my lectures, but the Alchemy Club members from earlier came to mind.

‘Alchemy… huh.’

If I’m going to join a club, there’s no need to join the Swordsmanship Club.

I already learn swordsmanship in class, so joining a club to learn it again would be inefficient.

It wouldn’t offer lessons or information beyond what the professors teach. If I join a club, learning magic or alchemy instead of honing swordsmanship would broaden my scope of learning.

‘Hmm….’

What kind of clubs are there?

I need to attend lectures, but I couldn’t concentrate easily.

.

.

.

“Sian, have you decided on a club?”

After finishing the lecture and walking down the hallway, Hedy asked.

“Not yet. I just found out that we can apply for clubs starting from the second semester.”

“If you haven’t thought of anything specific, want to join the Swordsmanship Club with me?”

“I don’t think I’ll join the Swordsmanship Club.”

“Why? Why not join?”

“I’ve been studying swordsmanship diligently in class, so joining a club focused on it seems… inefficient.”

His expression seemed somewhat crestfallen.

It felt new every time I saw this reaction.

To see a tough guy make such a face.

“I’ll go hang out sometimes. Since I do like swordsmanship.”

“No, it’s fine. We see each other in class every day anyway.”

“…That’s true.”

“If you’re going, I’ll tag along. So, which type of club are you interested in?”

“Well….”

I still didn’t know exactly what clubs were available.

I need to look into it more.

“I’m not sure yet.”

“Boring. Let me know once you decide.”

With that, I parted ways with Hedy and went to the administrative office to pick up a sheet listing the clubs, then returned to the dormitory.

As expected of the Empire’s top academy, there were various types of clubs listed on the paper.

Magic Department.

Swordsmanship Department.

Alchemy Department.

Art Department.

Craft Department.

Pastry Department.

Archery Department.

History Department, and so on.

Unfortunately, there was no Blacksmithing Club.

Perhaps because it’s a profession mainly done by commoners in this world, there were no similar clubs.

The closest thing was the Alchemy Department….

‘It’s a similar production role.’

Different recognition and treatment for a production job.

Since those without magic abilities can’t do alchemy, it’s considered a high-level job.

It might be good to learn, but… would it be related to smelting techniques?

I pondered.

But well, there isn’t a club that particularly interests me.

During lunch break, the clubs were still recruiting members, so I thought about going to take a look.

With that in mind, I spent the remaining time practicing swordsmanship in the training room on the second floor.

After having lunch, I headed towards the third-floor corridor.

The third floor was mostly filled with club rooms rather than classrooms.

“The clubs I saw on the list….”

Perhaps this floor was designated for clubs.

Looking out the window, I could see club members chatting happily with each other.

The pastry club members seemed to be enjoying snacks and tea while conversing.

There was no one in the swordsmanship club’s practice room.

In the archery club, someone was giving a lecture on archery while pulling back the bowstring.

I thought joining a club would definitely give me a sense of belonging.

While walking, I noticed the alchemy club at the far end.

“They are at the very end….”

Six female members and one male member sat around a U-shaped table, discussing something with serious expressions or maybe having a meeting.

I hesitated to enter immediately as it might be disruptive.

About ten minutes passed.

Sensing a change in the atmosphere and hearing laughter, I knocked on the door.

“Huh? Who’s there?”

“A new member! A freshman, right?!”

“Come in.”

As soon as I heard the invitation, I opened the door and entered.

-Creak….

All the members’ eyes turned towards me.

I bowed politely to them.

“Hello. I’m here because I’m interested in joining the club.”

“……”

A sudden silence fell after I finished speaking.

“….?”

What’s going on?

All six of them remained silent, staring at me.

They seemed to be looking at me with blank expressions….

Did I get something on my face?

Just as I stood there feeling uneasy, I made eye contact with a female student who had been watching me.

She had beautiful purple hair tied up in a bun.

The moment our eyes met, she flinched and then exclaimed as if possessed.

“Oh, a god has descended! The god has arrived-!”

She suddenly stood up, rushed over to me, grabbed my arm frantically, and shouted again.

“Oh god! Please grace us by becoming our member! Please! Pleaase!!”

“….?!”

Completely bewildered by the situation, I could only stare back at her and the other members with a perplexed expression.