CHAPTER 16

At Dellitein, there exists a system called clubs to facilitate student interaction and competition.

For a quick understanding, here are three examples of such clubs:

Combat Magic Club.Fire Attribute Magic Club.Festival Magic Club.

Clubs are formed when students with the same goals and motivations gather. If they can find a faculty advisor and receive official approval, they are recognized as an official club and can even receive activity support funds.

"Oh, there are more interesting ones than I expected."

In front of the school's main building, a bulletin board was covered with club posters. While stroking his chin and scanning the posters, a few intriguing clubs caught his eye.

▶ Adventure Magic Club:

Connected with the Southern District of the Adventurers' Guild (Alliance), allowing students to cooperate with actual adventurers on missions after completing basic training.Opportunities to receive advice from seniors who have become professional adventurers!Why spend your life stuck in a magic tower when you can live freely and adventurously?

An adventurer, huh?

It looked fun at first glance. No wonder it was one of the most popular clubs, with fierce competition every year due to the overwhelming number of applicants.

"Haven't you heard anything from Duke Ludwig? The heirs of magic houses must join this club."

Of course, there wasn't much time to quietly browse the clubs, thanks to Krista Warden, who was clinging to his side like a shadow.

"That's not a problem."

"How come?"

"My father doesn't care what club I join."

"That's impossible."

As he casually responded and turned his attention back to the posters, Gertrude Fenton, standing beside Krista, spoke up.

"The Magic Volleyball Club is a Royal Club. For the honor of your noble house, you must join. It's practically an obligation."

"An obligation?"

"When Kaivan Ludwig and Madelia Page were part of the Magic Volleyball Club, it was known as Dellitein's Golden Age. They were super aces and won multiple championships."

Typically, only one club exists per field of interest, but the Magic Volleyball Club, known as a Royal Club, was an exception.

Magic volleyball, played with enchanted balls, was an elite sport reserved for those with overwhelming magical talent.

To set up (Set-up), spike (Spike), or receive (Receive) the ball, players had to not only dive and move like traditional volleyball but also perform magical calculations in their heads on the spot.

Traditionally, there were four magic volleyball clubs: one belonging to the great noble magic houses, one for the Eight Major Schools, and two for the mid-tier and minor factions.

"An obligation, huh…"

Being born a noble wasn't always a good thing. It seemed like every decision came shackled with duties.

"This Magic Sculpture Club looks more interesting, though. And this one—Local Development Magic Club? Huh, what's this?"

At that moment, a memory resurfaced—one from a cold desert night, while standing watch with a book in hand. Lista had sat beside him and spoken softly.

"When the world becomes peaceful, people will be able to do what they truly want, even if just a little. Right now, most are just struggling to survive…"

Back then, magic had been entirely focused on combat, leaving little room for academic diversity.

Ever since he was a child, the Black Church had cast an ominous shadow over the world, setting the stage for war.

That night, as he idly flipped pages, Lista had suddenly rested her hand on his head and said:

"One day, when you grow up, I hope the world is filled with many different ways of life. And I hope you protect them, Lin."

Protect? Protect what? The world had spun just fine for the 300 years he'd been gone…

Brushing his fingertips over the crown of his head, where Lista's warmth once lingered, he let out a bitter chuckle.

Shaking off the memory, he turned away from the bulletin board—only to hear an exasperated voice from behind.

"…You did hear what I said, right? Young Master? Where are you going?"

"I'm checking out the Local Development Magic Club."

As he waved a hand and walked away, Gertrude let out a breath of disbelief.

"Does he not realize that Magic Volleyball is an essential social skill for high-ranking magicians?"

Was he avoiding it because he lacked confidence?

Magic volleyball did demand overwhelming talent, but for an heir of a noble magic house to avoid it entirely was… unthinkable.

"The Ludwig family's century-long rivalry with the Page family might end with Lane's generation."

As that realization dawned, a satisfied smirk spread across Gertrude's lips.

"The Page heir vanished after a certain incident. And now Ludwig is collapsing… It's time for Krista Warden to usher in a new era."

But just as she turned to admire her proud mistress—

"…?!"

Krista Warden was gone.

Where had she disappeared to? Had she followed Lane?!

"I'm just curious about the Local Development Magic Club."

"Sure."

"I definitely didn't follow you here, got it?"

"Yeah, yeah."

It was the fifth time she'd said that. Lane sighed.

The Local Development Magic Club was located on the third floor of the West Wing's Yongryung Hall. Krista mentioned it wasn't exactly prime real estate.

As he reached the half-open door, he was about to knock when—

"I won't give up this club! How can you expect me to accept such an absurd condition?!"

A thin male voice rang out—frustrated, yet tinged with fear.

In contrast, the voice that responded was calm, almost arrogant.

"In Dellitein, the strong rule. You of all people should know that, senior."

That voice…?

Krista furrowed her brows, wary. Lane glanced at her questioningly.

"Don't you know? It's Logan, the top disciple of the Chaihark School."

"The Chaihark School, huh…"

"They specialize in Wing-type magic users."

"I know that."

In magic, there were three main schools of thought:

Remedier (Readers) – Southern magic style focused on magic circles, runes, and calculations.Wing (Emitters) – A mix of martial arts and magic, strengthening the body through magic circles drawn on the skin.Vargante (Fingers) – Northern magic style using hand signs to simplify spellcasting at the cost of power.

But all three schools aspired to reach the Jorgen stage—where spells were cast entirely through mental calculation.

Yet, Jorgen was reserved for a select few, the true geniuses.

And so, most southern magicians settled for Remedier, while northern magicians stuck with Vargante.

Now, Logan was here to seize a club.

"Dellitein's rules are clear: if you want a club, take it by force."

"…So everything is settled by magic?"

Krista smirked. "Efficient, isn't it?"

He couldn't deny that logic.

But as Lane turned to leave, a desperate voice called out—

"You aristocrats may never understand, but magic isn't just about research and warfare!"

"Oh? Then what is it?"

"Magic could revolutionize farming, construction, and disaster relief! We could end poverty! That's what this club stands for!"

And at that moment—Lane froze.

"…Tch."

Scratching his head, he sighed deeply.

Three hundred years.

And still, that damn Lista wouldn't shut up in his head.