Forbidden Society

"Hey! What are you guys up to? Shirone is off-limits! Shirone belongs to me!"

As the group of friends stared at him in shock, one of them, who knew the situation, spoke up.

"Are you kidding? You're just trying to drag him into that weird society of yours, aren't you? Shirone, you must never join that place. It's fine if you don't join our research society, but at least pick another one. In all my years at this school, I've never heard of Neid actually completing an academic evaluation."

The Supernatural Psychic Science Society had a long-standing history, but its official activities were rare.

"Wait, Neid, you have a research society? Which one?"

Neid quickly rolled his eyes and, relying on his usual knack for persuasion, smoothly evaded the crisis.

"Hah! Of course, I do. Did you really think the most popular guy in school wouldn't have one? Anyway, Shirone is coming with me."

As Neid grabbed Shirone and pulled him away, the student trying to recruit him shouted loudly.

"Hey, Shirone! You really need to think this through! Don't go there! And Neid, stop interfering with Shirone's studies! Let him join a proper society."

Neid burst into laughter. "Hahaha! Say what you want, but it's already too late. We've crossed the forbidden line!"

"Wait! What do you mean—?"

Before Shirone could finish, the door slammed shut. The remaining students in the lecture hall stared blankly at each other.

"...Did he just say what I think he said?"

"This is bad. That bastard Neid really plans on dragging Shirone into it. He can't get caught up in that mess."

"I think he's already been caught up. But seriously, why did they leave? Class is about to start."

Out in the hallway, Shirone yanked his arm free from Neid's grip.

"Hey! What do you mean, 'crossed the forbidden line'?"

Neid grinned. "Hah! I'm not wrong, am I? You're the only person who has seen the true nature of the Supernatural Psychic Science Society."

"The true nature of the society? There wasn't much to see."

Neid glanced around before pushing Shirone to sit down.

"Just sit down for a second."

"Fine, fine. Stop nagging."

Leaning in closer, Neid lowered his voice. "You're the only one who's actually been inside. That means you can't say a word to anyone."

"No one's even asking me about it."

"Regardless! The society barely has any members, and the higher-ups are already talking about shutting us down. We need to keep things quiet, so don't even mention the word 'supernatural.'"

"Got it. I wasn't planning on it anyway."

Shirone considered the society a sinking ship, yet in the shadows, those who recognized its value were constantly scheming to seize it. At the same time, the school's faculty was desperate to dismantle it.

"But, Shirone… Are you really planning on joining that other research society?"

"I was considering it. Why? You think I shouldn't?"

"Of course not! Even if evaluations aren't the most competitive, you still shouldn't just join any random society. Besides, you're aiming to be the top student in the school. Every single point matters. Instead of wasting time in some useless group, you'd be better off working alone or joining a reputable society."

In the elite senior class, where some students achieved perfect scores in specific subjects, even a one-point difference in evaluations could drastically alter rankings.

'Hmm… But doing the evaluation alone would take way too much time.'

After mulling it over, Shirone spoke up. "What if I joined the Supernatural Psychic Science Society?"

"Shirone, you?"

"Yeah. From what I hear, it doesn't have any outside activities, and you and Iruki need to complete evaluations too, right? Instead of dragging down a normal society, it might be better to do it with you guys."

Neid burst into laughter. "Hah! You got a point there."

But deep down, he knew this was precisely why Shirone shouldn't join.

The Alpheas Magic Academy had been around for 45 years. Most students passed their graduation exams and moved on, but behind the scenes, an entirely different world existed—one where strange and unconventional individuals operated in secrecy.

The Supernatural Psychic Science Society was one of those hidden places.

"Well, I was half-joking, but what do you think? You, me, and Iruki working on the evaluation together?"

"Are you sure? I'd love to have you, but let me be clear—this is no ordinary society. I can't explain everything, but it's not what you think."

The reactions of their classmates back in the lecture hall had already shown Shirone that there was something secretive about the society. But choosing a research society purely for academic points didn't sit well with him either.

"Honestly… it's not just about the evaluation."

"Huh? What do you mean?"

"Something's been off with me lately. I was actually going to ask you guys about it. If there's anyone who could explain it, it'd be the Supernatural Psychic Science Society."

At that moment, Neid and Iruki's eyes gleamed with curiosity.

Neid was excited as an explorer of the unknown, and Iruki, as a skeptic, was eager to scrutinize the mystery.

"Oh? Then you've come to the right place. Let's talk about it later at the society."

"By the way, where's Iruki? I haven't seen him."

"He's skipping today. Says he's not ready to go back to boring classes after rediscovering his passion. He's probably napping in the research society."

Shirone chuckled. "That sounds just like him."

After their duel, Iruki had sworn to pursue his dreams, but his extreme nature wasn't something that changed easily.

"Anyway, let's talk later. Class is about to start."

Realizing the hallway was now empty, Shirone rushed into the classroom just as the lecture began.