HA 11
Chapter 47 - Clubs
Just like that, the week passed without me doing anything else aside from my training. Since there was nothing that I could do for the time being and my strength was still insufficient, I needed to make sure I had practiced enough.
And today marked the end of the training mixture I had been using all this time. Since its effects would only be optimal for two weeks, at this point, using it more would damage me. Therefore, this was it.
"Huff….Huff…" Inside the training grounds of the academy, I was breathing heavily. I had just finished my physical workout, and since I had worked my body to its limits, everywhere around my body was aching.
'My strength certainly improved. It seems the Vitalium Essence was doing its work.'
With it increasing the limits of my bodily attributes, I could finally improve my strength and my endurance.
'Status.' I thought inside my head, and following that, a panel appeared.
---------------------------------------
▶Attributes:
Variable Attributes:
- Strength: 1.6 --> 1.71
- Dexterity: 2.216 -->2.32
- Agility: 2.12 --> 2.23
- Constitution: 1.524 --> 1.62
- Intuition: 2.3 --> 2.4
- Magical Power: 2.6
- Mana Capacity: 1.8
----------------------------------------
As could be seen from the stats shown there, my attributes increased quite a lot. This was both because of my strict training but also because of the effects of Vitalium Essence.
Aside from increasing one's talent cap, it also increases the smoothness of one's attribute increase. In a way, that meant one could adapt strength faster, and they could integrate themselves better into training if it made sense.
"Hey. Can we talk a bit?"
Just as I was about to leave the training grounds, suddenly, I heard a familiar voice coming from my back. I had already sensed his presence, but I thought his intent was not directed at me.
Turning back, I saw the person who was looking at me with sharp hazel eyes. His wavy blue hair was filled with sweat, showing that he was also training there.
His spear was tucked behind his back. He was looking at me with an expression of seriousness.
It was Ethan, our main character in the game.
Looking at him like that, it was obvious why he would associate himself with me randomly. The reason was the events that had transpired at the close combat lesson.
"I don't think what you have done at that time was the right choice." He spoke, his gaze looking at me with a clear brightness. It made me want to vomit.
This guy here was still living in the bright world he was envisioning.
"You should have respected her choices. Are you happy now that she cried?" Ethan asked me, with his gaze concerned.
He certainly was not in the wrong since what he was saying was certainly a more humanistic approach.
"Couldn't you be a lit-"
But that didn't mean I needed to listen to other people lecturing me.
"Don't talk to me," I answered, cutting his words off. I did not believe that by being respectful and gentle, you could live in this world.
Since it reminded me of certain someone, the same picture flashed before my eyes as I remembered the claws that were piercing her chest.
CLENCH
Feeling the frustration growing in my heart, I knew it was not the time to be like that.
"What?"
"Don't talk to me again." With those words, I left the dumbfounded Ethan, making my way toward my room.
My body was already aching, and I was both tired mentally and physically. Thus, I did not want to deal with a knight in shining armor.
Just like that, I reached my room and immediately went to have a bath filled with the special herbs that I had bought with my money.
For now, the money I had on myself for the investment is enough. Right now, I could leave the academy and look for hunting, but I also needed to increase my training and make the most of the academy, so everything needed to be in balance.
After leaving the bath, I sat on my bed and started reading the book 'Moonstruck Convergence: A Tale of Celestial Mana.'
To be honest, even though the book had a fascinating name, I was not expecting much to find from the book. However, I was gravely mistaken.
The reason was not because the book taught me how to use my mana. Mana was not something that could easily be used and mastered. It was something complex, and it required a good amount of training and practice to master it.
However, the book gave me one invaluable insight into my mana – the ability to discern its colors. As you may already know, the moon had different phases, and much like the moon's phases, my mana resonated with varying shades and hues. It was as if the moon's influence was imprinted upon my very essence.
The book, its pages worn and ancient, described the unique colors of mana associated with each moon phase, unraveling the mysteries that tied my abilities to the celestial rhythms:
Blood Moon:
The Blood Moon, a harbinger of vitality and aggression, stirred within me a fierce bloodlust, a craving for action and conquest that resonated in both its name and the deep red color of its mana.
With each instance, the crimson energy appeared on my dagger; I found my very essence surging with the desire to battle. Strangely, I noticed that the more wounded I became, the more potent the red mana grew. It was as if the moon's call intensified as my own strength waned, granting me a surge of power when I needed it most.
Harvest Moon:
The Harvest Moon's gentle elegance embodied the culmination of effort and abundance, an essence reflected in the subdued gray-colored mana associated with it. Although I hadn't fully explored its potential, I sensed that this mana bestowed upon me swiftness, enhancing my speed with each successive attack.
The true depths of this mana's abilities remained shrouded in mystery, waiting for me to uncover its secrets.
Crescent Moon:
Transition, potential, and the flow of energy were embodied by the Crescent Moon, its vibrant green hue a symbol of its power. Though I had yet to grasp the extent of its effects, I recalled the tendrils I had seen during its activation, tendrils colored in the same verdant shade. It was as though this mana resonated with a profound yet uncharted aspect of my abilities.
Those three were the ones that I had observed while using my mana so far, but there was two more other colored mana shown in the book.
New Moon:
The New Moon, a void of darkness, was aligned with the colors black and purple. Symbolic of mystery and the unknown, it invited me to delve into realms unseen. The power it held remained elusive, and while I never dared draw upon the sun's energy, I could only speculate about the potential locked within the black and purple mana. Its effects were a riddle, one I hoped to unravel in due time.
Solar Eclipse:
This page of the book was the one that didn't contain almost any information at all. Aside from the color of golden and blue, there was nothing else that could be seen. But, at the same time, it felt like something had erased what was written here.
However, the fact that this section was put in this book was enough to show that something about the sun was there.
'My mana is the mana of the moon, and I hadn't felt strong under the sunlight.' I thought to myself.
Since my affinity with the moon's influence meant I would never draw power from the sun, I thought it wouldn't be possible, but something was deep in my head. Despite this limitation, my mind wandered to what might be possible.
'Maybe it is the imitation of the sun's characteristics with the power of the moon?' I asked myself. Certainly, the sun was powerful and shone brightly.
From the moon's perspective, what would the sun look like?
'It must look like a fire.' I thought. Whenever I looked at the sun, I always thought it was related to flames.
"Still. It is too early to jump to conclusions." I mumbled. Since I had yet to understand how to use a specific type of mana, I couldn't confirm anything.
But at the very least, I knew I had an idea about what to do, and that was something.
Just like that, I closed the book and laid on my bed. It was time to rest since tomorrow was going to be the day of club applications.
******
Waking up early in the morning, the first thing I did was start running before breakfast.
And I was not the only one doing that, as I could see some seniors and first-years doing the same thing.
But I simply ignored them and started running while racking my brain.
Today would be the day when the clubs would be accessible to the freshmen. The clubs had a wide range of activities ranging from combat to art section.
And I was pondering about which one I needed to join.
Ethan was going to join the Spear Legacy Club and Adventure Explorers Club for sure.
Julia would also join this club since she was a girl that liked to wander around. And because of Julia, Victor would also join, and then following him, Irina would do the same.
That simply meant four people from the main cast would be there, which would certainly get more and more attention.
'Should I join or not?' I pondered. The reason why I wanted to was pretty simple. In the game, there were demon contractors appearing with each trip this group had taken. It was because the game developers used this club for the sake of describing the open world.
'I will.' However, since there were demon contractors constantly appearing in this club, they would eventually lead me to demons. There were even some that escaped from the hands of the player, which I would certainly not miss.
That was the first club I was going to join.
'The second one should definitely be the one that Sylvie joins.' I thought.
The reason was simple. Since the demons would constantly target the future Saintess thanks to her power, which meant Sylvie was a magnet that constantly attracted their attention.
In fact, in the game, the club that had the most side-story events was the one Sylvie had joined.
'History and Art Guild.' I thought.
The name had a guild in it, but it was nothing serious as they were simply a community that liked to talk about history. However, this guild, for some reason, also traveled quite frequently and wandered around the Valerian Federation, looking at the buildings of the past.
Their main goal was to explore the buildings that were left from the period when mana had nonexistent, basically the pre-mana period.
I didn't know why Sylvie joined that club, but I didn't need to know about that either.
'And the last one should be the Archery Club.' I thought.
As the name suggested, since I was an archer making some other connections would also help me since the instructor of that club, Mr. Ethan, was the one that had invited me.
He said he wanted to see my growth, and I was free to join the club if I wanted, and that offer was pretty good considering I was fairly new with the bow.
These three clubs were the ones that I wanted to join since the others didn't get my attention too much. I did not have time to simply waste on the clubs constantly; therefore, the fewer clubs I joined, the better it would be.
Just like that, I finished my run with those thoughts in my head and returned to my dorm. Today's first class was once again the class of that annoying woman, so I must not be late…..
Chapter 48 - Clubs (2)
As I entered the classroom early in the morning, for the first time in the Academy, I saw students being excited and happy.
Normally their eyes would be dead, and most of them would enter the classroom with coffees in their hands, but today seemed to be an exception.
The usual hushed tones were replaced by animated conversations, and the air was charged with contagious enthusiasm. It seemed the prospect of joining clubs had ignited a spark of curiosity and anticipation among my fellow cadets.
"Did you see the Elemental Mages Society on the list? I'm totally joining that!"
"Elemental magic is cool and all, but I'm thinking of going for the Alchemical Engineering Club. Imagine creating potions and elixirs! To be honest, I think I can nail the money from there."
A group of students huddled near the holographic display that showcased the clubs, their fingers pointing at different icons as they discussed their interests.
"I heard the Swordmaster's Guild is super intense. I wonder if I can handle it."
"Are you kidding? I'm all about the Beast Tamer Guild. Forming bonds with mystical creatures? Count me in!"
The classroom was abuzz with anticipation, the students bonding over shared aspirations and exchanging thoughts on the various club options. Amid the conversations, the holographic clock on the wall marked the approaching time for the morning assembly.
But, first and foremost, the main cast was there sitting on the front seats, talking with each other.
"Which one are you going to join?" Lucas asked, his gaze wandering around Ethan and Carl.
"I will join Martial Arts and Student Council," Carl replied with a serious tone.
"What? Student Council?" Lucas' eyes were wide open, and that made sense. Joining the Student Council was something pretty hard since the seniors were pretty picky about their members.
"Yes. They offered me a position inside the disciplinary committee."
"For some reason, I can easily imagine you inside there," Lucas answered. "Bleagh…Boring."
Turning his gaze to Ethan, he asked. "Ethan, which one are you going to join?"
"…."
"Ethan?"
"…."
"From Elysiuma to Ethan. Are you here?" As Lucas finally raised his voice, Ethan responded with a groan.
"Ah… Sorry, I was thinking about something. What did you say?" however, he seemed lost, slightly.
'He is probably wondering why I behaved like that.'
I thought since Ethan was looking at me from time to time with a look of wonder, trying to understand me.
However, seeing this behavior, Lucas immediately put a grin on his face. "Ho…. It seems our Ethan couldn't sleep well last night. Is it because of a girl?" As he teased Ethan, he poked his arms. "If you want advice, this Grandfather here shall give you one."
"Hey…What are you saying? This is not a Wuxia Novel."
"It is not like that…. Just got something in my head." Taking Lucas' words seriously, Ethan shook his head.
"Tch…Anyway, I asked which clubs were you going to join?" Lucas repeated his question as he signaled the holograms.
I put my ear into their conversation since I wanted to confirm which clubs Ethan would be joining. Since there was no player here, I needed to know.
"Hmm… I was planning to join Spear Legacy Club and Adventure Exploration Club." Ethan answered, confirming my speculations.
"Adventure Exploration? I am joining that too." At that moment, Julia dived into the topic with her usual loud voice and cheerful expression.
And following that, it was Victor and Irina.
With their words, I basically confirmed that they were going to join the same clubs in the game.
'This is good.' I thought. 'The fewer variables are there, the more efficient my hunt is going to be.'
Just like that, I was about to turn my attention to the book I was reading, but suddenly I felt a slight gaze on me.
'Hmm?' As my senses were picky, I turned my head to the side where the gaze came from, and there I could see the two girls looking at me.
Though, don't misunderstand. Rather than looking at me favorably, if gazes could kill, I would be murdered.
'Friends of Sylvie. Bunch of little kids.'
Scoffing at them in my head, I returned my head.
CREAK
At that moment, the door opened, revealing the same serious woman.
Eleanor White entered the classroom. Her presence commanded attention, and the students instinctively straightened their postures.
"Good morning, cadets," her voice resonated, her gaze sweeping across the room. The anticipation in the air seemed to amplify in her presence.
"I see that the prospect of joining clubs has generated quite the buzz among you," she continued, her tone measured. "Today, I will provide you with more information about the clubs available within our academy and the process for joining them."
A holographic display activated at the front of the room, projecting a list of clubs along with brief descriptions and icons representing each one.
"From the Swordmaster's Guild to the Alchemical Engineering Club, the options are varied to cater to your individual interests and strengths. Whether you're drawn to combat, magic, exploration, or the arts, there's a club that aligns with your passions."
Eleanor's gaze settled on the students, her stern expression softening slightly. "Participating in a club is not just about skill development. It's an opportunity to foster camaraderie, exchange knowledge, and grow as individuals. The friendships you form here may accompany you throughout your hunter journey.
Therefore, as the instructors of the academy and the management, we highly recommend you join at least one of the clubs."
She paused, allowing her words to sink in before continuing. "For those interested in joining a club, there will be a Club Fair held today. Each club will showcase its activities, and you'll have the chance to interact with current members and learn more about their goals."
A holographic schedule appeared beside the list of clubs, indicating the timings and locations of the fair.
"During the fair, you'll be able to express your interest and sign up for the clubs you're most passionate about. Keep in mind that club capacities may be limited, so choose wisely."
Eleanor's gaze sharpened, her voice taking on a more authoritative tone. "I expect each of you to approach this opportunity with the same dedication and commitment you display in your studies and training. Your choices regarding clubs are integral to your development as future hunters."
With her message delivered, Eleanor stepped back, her gaze sweeping over the students once more.
"Your academy experience is shaped by the paths you choose to walk, cadets. Now, if you have any questions or concerns, feel free to approach me after this assembly. Today's Classes are canceled because of the Club Activities, but rest assured I will compensate this class in the future."
With those words, Eleanor exited the room, and as per her exit, murmurs of anticipation spread through the students. The classroom, once buzzing with excitement, now held a charged sense of purpose as the cadets contemplated the diverse array of clubs and the myriad paths that lay ahead.
Looking at the students like that, I decided to waste no time here.
Even though the clubs had their own factions inside the academy, the ones I was joining belonged to neither of them. Thus, there was no further consideration needed.
Just like that, I left the classroom with my hands and three forms of application. I also wanted to join first since I didn't want to look like I was stalking others. Since I don't want to attract too much attention now.
Even by saying a bunch of words to Sylvie, I got quite a lot of attention on me, so being careful didn't hurt.
******
As I walked through the bustling halls, I could feel the happy atmosphere. The Academy's atmosphere was charged with enthusiasm, and students hurriedly made their way to the club booths that were being set up around the campus.
Arriving at the first destination on my list, the Adventurer Exploration Club booth, I found a group of energetic students surrounding it. A senior with a friendly smile greeted me, his eyes twinkling with warmth.
From the way he clothed himself and the way he put some ornaments over himself, it was evident that he was someone that liked to show off.
In fact, he was a playboy and the reason why he joined this club and was for the sake of looking for women all around the world.
'What a weird guy.' I thought.
"Hey there! Interested in joining our club?" he asked, his tone inviting. His smile was wide as if he wanted to gather people.
"Yes." I simply nodded.
"Great! We're all about discovering the unknown, venturing into uncharted territories, and under " As he was about to start speaking like some sort of activist, I stopped his words as I gave him my submission paper.
For the whole time, I had been listening to people talking, and it started making me sick.
"Ah…Astron Natusalune…" Looking at my paper, he read my name. "Welcome to our club. It seems you don't like talking too much, so I will keep it short. I am this club's president James Indie. Nice to meet you." Saying that he gave me his hand, which I simply shook. Even though I disliked having contact with others, in the end, I also didn't want to seem too rude.
"Now, after the clubs finalize, a message will come to you via your academy watch, and it will inform you about our orientation. If you have any questions, you can contact me; here is my student ID."
Just like that, with the first application submitted, I moved on to the Archery Club booth.
Here, the atmosphere was a bit different. The students gathered around the booth seemed to be deeply engrossed in their conversations, their gazes shifting to me briefly before returning to their discussions.
In the game, I hadn't taken the route of a marksman, but from the small conversations, I remember them being prideful quite a lot.
I approached the booth and handed over my application form to the senior in charge. However, the reception I received was far from welcoming. The senior's eyes quickly scanned over my form, and a hint of disdain flashed across his face.
"Last-ranked student, huh? Are you sure you want to be here?" he remarked, his tone dripping with condescension.
'Just as expected,' I thought. It was the same response I was expecting.
"Yes," I replied calmly. Despite his tone with an overbearing attitude, I was here since the instructor that approved my decision called me here.
"Heh….It is crazy nowadays that you kids don't know your place…." A silent murmur entered my ears as the man before me clicked his tongue.
SWOOSH
And with fast speed, he threw a punch at me, aimed at my face.
Though, I dodged it simply by tilting my head to the side.
'If I were a second late at reading his movements, I would be injured.'
"Ho? You can dodge it?" He spoke, his gaze containing a slight intrigue. "Well, well, newbie. It's your choice, I suppose. But let me give you a reality check: in this club, we are aiming to be the best archers in the world. So, tell me.
Why should I see someone like you would have any right to join our club."
As his words echoed, the people around us naturally had their attention turned on us.
"You don't need to see anything," I answered, looking at the name of the instructor shown on the badge.
"Ha? What did you say?"
"Instructor Ethan was the one who called me here. I am not here to prove myself to you, neither do I need to."
"Pfft…..Are you saying Instructor Ethan was the one that recommended you here?"
"Yes. You can ask him if you want."
"Ahhahaaahahahha…..Man, that was funny. That instructor Ethan? The one that we all know?" As he turned his attention to the people around, everyone had a mocking smile as well. "There is no way that strict man would recommend anyone."
"Indeed."
"Ahaha…Look at him, trying to play his last cards like that."
As the sounds of scorning came, I paid no mind to them as I looked at the senior before me.
"You can simply ask him later. I am going to leave my application here." With that, I left, heading to the last-place club that I wanted to join.
Chapter 49 - Clubs (3)
With my experience at the Archery Club booth still fresh in my mind, I made my way to the last club on my list: the History and Arts Club.
Unlike the previous clubs, this one didn't seem to draw as much attention. The students around the booth appeared to be engaged in calm conversations, their interests ranging from various forms of art to historical research.
As I approached the booth, I was greeted by a warm and inviting atmosphere that seemed to be filled with passion. The students there seemed genuinely excited about sharing their passion for history and the arts.
"Welcome, Mister Freshmen." At that moment, a cheerful voice echoed inside my ears, making me unconditionally turn to the source. "Do you want some chips?"
There stood a girl who had a bright smile on her face. Her hair was a unique shade of purple, a color that was both striking and elegant. Her eyes were a brilliant shade of blue, exuding a sense of curiosity and kindness. Her presence seemed to radiate a warm and happy aura, immediately putting me at ease.
She had an aura of comfort that made her approachable and friendly. Her entire demeanor seemed to suggest an open-minded and easygoing personality.
Her face was simply said to be beautiful, as well as her body. Combined with her innocent aura, she could probably take the hearts of many men around the academy, which she did.
Since she was a named character in the game.
The small chip crumbs around the corners of her mouth showed that she was eagerly eating chips.
"Hmm? Mister Freshmen? What is the matter?" As she spoke once again while looking at me, I was woken up from my thoughts.
"Nothing. I apologize if I seemed rude." I answered, slightly bowing my head. Looking at someone without answering while they were trying to talk to you was not good behavior.
"You don't need to be so stiff. It is fine….." She said, waving her hands. "But, do you want chips?" she added while passing the chips in her hands to me.
"No." But I refused. Since I didn't like chips too much, they contained too much fat in them.
"Why? Just take it." But, the girl before me persisted as she constantly approached me while shoving the pocket of chips to me.
"No. I don't want to."
"But why? Doesn't everyone love chips?" She looked genuinely surprised as she heard my answer.
"I don't."
"How? Everyone I gave chips to always took them." She took a moment to ponder with her fingers on her mouth. "Ah, right! It is because you haven't tried them yet." And the conclusion she made was this.
'I can't.' I really wanted to slap my forehead, but I held it in. The students around us were watching us with clear smiles on their faces, enjoying the scene.
"No, I tried them. But I don't want to eat."
"Just eat once. Please, just give it a chance." She instantly approached me, her blue eyes looking at me from slightly below. Since she was not that tall, she only came to my chest height.
"Sigh…..Thank you." Deciding that it would be too much if I refused, I grabbed the chips with a sigh.
Dealing with this girl was really hard.
"Nihihihi…." Hearing her chuckle, a small feeling of warmth appeared in my chest.
But, following that, the same memory of that time came, making me remember why I was here. The feelings of anger and hatred returned instantly.
"Hmm?" Seemingly surprised by my shift of expression, she asked. "Ah! Right, I forgot to introduce myself."
Turning back once again, she spoke with a cheerful tone.
"I am Maya Evergreen." Her eyes were shining, clearly expecting a reaction from me.
"Atron Natusalune," I answered, again bowing my head. "Pleased to meet you, Senior Maya. The first rank of the first-sophomore year."
Hearing my words, she clearly had a knowing expression as she nodded her head.
"Nihihihi…That's right….Everyone knows me." She mumbled to herself in a low tone, but I was able to hear it since she was a little too close.
Opening the distance a little bit, I grabbed the application form and handed it to Maya.
"Here, this is my application form. Can you help me with the application?" I didn't want to deal with this shiny girl more since her actions were a bit overly happy, for my own preference. I just wanted to get this over with and leave.
She took the form with a grin, seemingly unfazed by my lack of enthusiasm. "Of course! I'd be happy to help. We're always excited to welcome new members who share our passion."
As she filled out the necessary information, I watched her handwriting, neat and deliberate. It was a stark contrast to my own hurried and utilitarian style of writing.
That was to be expected since I didn't pay any attention to how I wrote.
"There you go," she said, handing the form back to me. "Now you just need to wait for the message about the orientation."
"Thank you," I acknowledged with a nod and was about to leave.
"So, what got you interested in the History and Arts Club?" Maya asked, curiosity evident in her tone.
"It seemed like a different perspective," I replied simply, not offering any more details. Conversations like these were not something I did care about since the reason I was here was widely different from what they were expecting.
"That's great!" Maya exclaimed, her eyes shining with genuine enthusiasm. "We explore various historical eras, engage in art projects, and even organize debates. It's a wonderful way to broaden your horizons and learn new things."
"I see," I replied, my tone remaining flat.
Maya's response was everything I had expected. Her excitement for the club was infectious, but I found it difficult to match her level of enthusiasm.
"If you have any questions about the club or anything else, feel free to ask me," Maya said, her smile unwavering.
"I will," I responded, offering a small nod.
"Well, I hope to see you at the orientation," she said cheerfully.
"Yes," I replied, feeling a mixture of relief and anticipation that our interaction was coming to an end.
'This woman is too uncomfortable to deal with.' With that, I left the club fair and made my way toward my dorm.
In the end, I needed to train, and that was it.
However, while I was leaving, I felt a squinting gaze coming from the sides as someone was glaring daggers at me.
Turning my head, I expected to see Irina there, but differently, it was not her. It was Sylvie.
'It seems she is still mad at my words.' I thought. 'Though, it doesn't matter.'
Just like that, I turned my gaze forwards and made my way to my room. However, that squinting gaze hadn't left me.
******
'What a strange person.'
Maya thought to herself, looking at the departing figure of the young freshmen. It was the first time she saw such a reaction from a person she had encountered.
And that was for a reason.
'Does he really not like chips?'
She thought. All the people that she offered chips accepted that without saying anything, so she thought everyone liked chips.
However, there was one thing Maya was forgetting, or rather, she had even no idea about.
It was the fact that she was one of the most people in this academy. Since she was the first seat of the second-year students as well as the renowned 'Most Beautiful' girl in the academy, she was naturally a goddess in most people's eyes.
That was the case regardless of gender since even the girls couldn't bring themselves to hate her, knowing her good character and helping personality.
But Maya was rather clueless about this, being the airheaded person she was.
'He looked gloomy... Did something happen to him?' She asked herself. That weird person just now looked extremely gloomy, like he was carrying extreme pain.
'Well, I can learn about it later. He said he wanted to join our club.' She thought happily.
At that moment, the voice of her friend came behind her.
"What was with this guy? Why did he need to be this rude?" It was her friend, Amelia, approaching her from behind.
"What do you mean?" Maya asked, not understanding. 'Was he rude?' She asked herself. He even apologized first, and she could see he was sincere.
Well, for her most, it was a common occurrence since the time people looked at her with a daze when they had met for the first time. She didn't think it was because of her beauty, but her friends knew.
"How dare he refuse the offer of my beloved Maya!" Amelia jumped over her, hugging her from behind. "Nobody has the right to refuse such a cutie!"
"Stop it~ It is embarrassing, Amelia."
Maya's words seemed to be lost on Amelia as she continued her playful antics. "Oh, come on, Maya! You're irresistible. Who could say no to you?" She pounced on Maya's cheeks with her index finger.
Maya blushed slightly, pushing Amelia away gently. "Please, Amelia, don't tease me like that."
Amelia laughed heartily, giving Maya a playful nudge. "Don't be so shy, cutie. Anyway, you've got a new member of your History and Arts Club. Lucky guy." She mumbled as she made a grumbling expression. "I will need to be careful…..Men are like wolves." She muttered to herself.
Maya blinked in confusion. "Lucky guy? What do you mean, Amelia?"
Amelia grinned mischievously. "Come on, Maya. You're the star of the academy. It's no wonder he wanted to join your club. I mean, who wouldn't?"
Maya's expression remained one of genuine bewilderment. "I don't understand, Amelia. What does that have to do with anything?"
Amelia's grin only widened. "You're so cute, Maya. Sometimes, I wonder if you're just acting like an airhead."
"Hey, don't call me like that! I am not an airhead!" Maya protested with a pout on her cheeks.
KYU!
"Sigh…..You really don't have an ounce of idea about your destructive power." Amelia mumbled with a sigh, trying to stop the blood pouring from her nose.
Just as they were about to continue talking further, they spotted a person that was coming towards them. It was a girl with Golden Blonde hair and green eyes. It was the first time they had seen this girl, but Amelia's radar immediately picked her up.
'This girl is a beauty.' Her eyes that she had perfected to pick up and choose beautiful girls immediately concluded. Even though the girl had glasses on her eyes, she still looked innocent.
At least until they saw the atmosphere surrounding her.
'Is she mad at something?'
The girl looked annoyed as she walked. Of course, being the perfect girl analyst she is, Amelia immediately picked the reason up.
'She must have had a fight with her boyfriend. Hehehe….The more cuties, the better my harem will get…It will be fun to steal her from the boyfriend, hihihihihi!'
She smirked under her breath as she saw the opportunity. She really wanted to scream to the gods and thank them for giving such an opportunity to her.
Though her senses picked one thing simply wrong, it was the fact that the girl had a boyfriend. But nobody was perfect after all.
Maya, on the other hand, didn't have Amelia's ulterior motives. She simply saw a fellow student and offered the girl a warm and friendly smile. "Hi there! Would you like some chips?" She held out a packet of chips to the girl with her usual cheerfulness.
The golden-haired girl looked at Maya with a slightly squinting gaze as if she was trying to assess something.
Maya tilted her head to the side, wondering why this girl was looking at her like that. "What's the matter?" Though she was also familiar with those gazes as well. "If these chips are not to your liking, I have spicy ones, chilly ones, more crispy ones." She immediately approached the girl, looking at her with sparkling eyes.
"Um... no, thank you," the girl replied, her tone a mix of surprise and bewilderment. She seemed slightly overwhelmed by Maya's cheerfulness as her annoyance and squinting gaze was long gone away.
Amelia tried her best to hide her amusement at the girl's reaction, not quite able to shake off her earlier assumptions. She glanced at Maya, wondering if the usually airheaded girl had sensed anything off about the situation.
Maya, however, simply tilted her head with a friendly smile, undeterred by the girl's response. "Come on, try some…. They are really delicious."
"Umm….I do-"
"Come. They are really good."
"Ple-"
It was the start of Sylvie's nightmare of Chips….
Today she had learned there were 300 different chip types in the world and dreamt about chips chasing her in her sleep….
Chapter 50 - Main Characters
"I am sorry for behaving like that."
In front of the stall, a senior was bowing his head down to a freshman, and it was an unbelievable sight for most passersby.
Since they had never expected the members of the proud, if not egoist Archery Club would behave like that.
"It is fine," I answered, looking at the senior. He probably asked Instructor Ethan about me and then learned that he really invited me here.
"Thank you. I have already registered you as one of our members. Congratulations." He said with a smile, trying to look good to me.
"Is that so? I will be taking my leave then."
But I simply nodded and left. I knew what kind of person he was and what kind of role he was going to play. Thus there was no need for me to look at him with a favorable expression.
I could easily see the distorted expression on his face. He is probably mad at what I have just done. It was a simple and small act, but it was this easy to anger him.
Humans were creatures with fragile egos. Easy to control and shape as you want.
'I will make sure you take the same path in the game…..You will be the route for me to reach that demon and kill it.'
With that thought, I left.
To explain what happened, simply I was on my way back to the room, and I passed by the Archery Club's stall, and there this senior stopped me, and here were we.
In any case, since today's classes were canceled, I could use this time to train. The sense of urgency was also approaching since, with the start of clubs, the events of the story would also start, which meant I needed to be strong enough for those events.
The events did not only contain demons but also contained villains and humans at the same time.
As you must have already noticed, the students inside the academy were no angels. Some of them liked to bully others, some of them wanted to be better but were crushed and etc.
And the Academy's harsh types of approach made it a lot harder and easier for students to fall into the pit of despair, which made them vulnerable to whispers of demons and villains.
For now, things would be quiet as not many fractions inside the academy would occur, which is until the first mid-term exams and the following festival.
In any case, now that I was free, I needed to make the most of my time…..
*******
As I was standing before the boy, I couldn't help but shake my head.
"Your pairings have changed." Eleanor White said with her gaze looking at me. "Student Sylvie requested the change of partners."
It seemed Sylvie herself requested it. I was sure normally, instructors would not comply with such a request, especially Eleanor White, but it seemed she did it probably because she both didn't like me, and she also went a little easy on Sylvie.
"Ethan and Astron. You will train together from now on." And the one I was left with was this righteous protagonist.
The one that I didn't want to involve myself.
'It makes sense that she paired him with me.' I thought. Since Ethan's ranking was also low, it was normal for him to match with me.
"You can begin now. I will be watching, so no slacking off." With her serious tone, she spoke and left both of us looking at each other.
As Eleanor White's departure left Ethan and me facing each other, I couldn't help but feel a sense of apprehension. Ethan was the embodiment of the word protagonist, which I also didn't dislike personally—righteous, idealistic, and always eager to prove a point. He was not a bad guy but rather an innocent cub that would grow to be a hero.
However, him not being a bad person or being a good person did not mean I needed to be happy with this situation. There are things that heroes also lacked.
First and foremost, it is their beliefs. As players, readers, or viewers, we could tolerate how did they follow their beliefs to the end, but from a different perspective, what made their opinions better than others?
Why the opinions of heroes are the ones that should be followed? When such questions are asked, the answer will come on its own.
It is the strength.
If a hero doesn't have the strength to back up their own beliefs, then those beliefs are bound to be forgotten.
If they had the strength, then those beliefs would become the beliefs of those weaker….At least, that will be on the surface.
And now, thanks to Sylvie's intervention, we were thrust into a partnership neither of us seemed thrilled about.
Ethan cleared his throat, his gaze fixing on mine. "You know, Astron, I can see you're not too pleased about this arrangement. But I believe there's some merit in working together."
It seemed he wanted to change his approach. My attitude of last time seemed to remember in his head, which was good.
I exhaled audibly, my patience wearing thin. "I don't see how being paired up with you benefits either of us."
In a way, Ethan was the protagonist; I would benefit from sparring with him for sure. But why did he think so was the question in my mind.
Ethan's tone remained calm, undeterred by my lack of enthusiasm. "We might have different approaches, but that doesn't mean we can't learn from each other."
He started speaking with the same tone, and I once again remembered the game and why I liked playing it.
"Strength isn't just about physical prowess. It's about understanding, adaptability, and using your power responsibly."
It was because his beliefs would change as time went on, and he would graduate from being a bright and righteous brat to a person who had seen countless things in his life.
This was one of the things that made me like the game.
Though right now, he was sure irritating.
I shook my head, the frustration bubbling up within me. "Look, Ethan, I respect your perspective, but don't waste your time on me. Our world doesn't work the way you think it does."
For some reason, I wanted to speak those words and show him my standing, which I would not normally do. It was probably because this nature of his made me irritated.
Though hearing me, Ethan's lips curved into a small smile, one that reflected his unwavering belief in the inherent goodness of people. "Maybe I won't change your mind today, but I won't stop trying. And who knows, maybe we'll find some common ground."
I could see he was excited about this, and that made me more and more irritated.
'Nobody cares about your beliefs…' I wanted to say, but I closed my eyes and calmed the slight annoyance inside me.
'What are you doing, Astron?' I asked myself. 'Why are you wasting your time pointlessly?' With that question, I raised my head and looked at him.
"Let's start. I don't want to discuss philosophy right now."
Ethan's persistence shone through his smile. "Is that so? But I will never give up, you know?"
I dismissed his statement with a simple response. "I don't care about your determination. Let's focus on the task at hand."
"Okay." As he nodded, he also took his stance with a serious expression on his face.
Right now, we both entered our combat mode waiting for each other. We circled each other, the tension between us palpable. Despite my irritation, there was a hint of curiosity about how this would unfold.
I wanted to see where did I stand in terms of close combat and my physical prospects.
SWOOSH
Ethan initiated the exchange with a quick jab aimed at my abdomen. His posture was not of a veteran, but it was enough to say for an amateur.
THUD
I parried with a swift block, and the impact resonated through my arm, and it slightly pained me.
'He is strong. As expected.'
Ethan's strength was apparent even in his unarmed strikes, a testament to his training and status parameters. That was expected since even if he was recently awakened, his talent showed no bounds at all.
But I wasn't about to let that deter me.
SWOOSH
I retaliated with a calculated hook to his ribs, testing his defenses.
THUD
He deflected it with practiced ease, showcasing his ability to read and respond to my movements.
SWOOSH
I followed up with a roundhouse kick, which he ducked under, showing his stance as a spear user's effectiveness, closing the distance between us.
SWISH
Ethan's fist shot forward in a straight punch. I leaned back, narrowly avoiding the blow. His knuckles grazed my chin, a reminder of his talent at combat, even if he was not experienced in unarmed combat.
It was not his basic strength but rather his talent at simply general combat. I could see why he was the protagonist, as he seemingly moved instinctually and made incredibly precise decisions, probably without even knowing how he did do it.
But that also gave me an opportunity to learn and improve myself. By observing how he did those natural moves and picking up his special talent, I could simply improve myself.
I focused on his stance, the subtle shifts in his weight, and the tension in his muscles. It was as if time slowed down, allowing me to perceive the minute details of his movements. My brain worked rapidly, registering every bit of information into my brain.
'I see. So, he uses his body in such a manner to put more strength onto his core, making it a lot easier to recover from his attacks.' I thought.
SWOOSH
As he followed up with a left hook, I sidestepped and countered with a swift elbow strike to his side.
THUD
"Kurgh-!"
His grunt of pain was evidence that my technique was effective. Our sparring intensified, a dance of dodges, blocks, and strikes.
Ethan's determination was evident in his eyes, and despite my initial annoyance, I found myself drawn to this sense of fighting and improving myself.
For some reason, it felt a lot better than practicing with random dummies. It felt like I was improving myself faster with that now.
As we exchanged blows, I could feel his energy and dedication driving him forward. His punches were becoming more controlled, his movements more deliberate.
His natural way of learning was showing itself as he was moving in a more refined way. Of course, just one session of fighting and sparring didn't make him an expert, but he was still improving rapidly.
Ethan's inexperience in unarmed combat was evident, but his willingness to learn was undeniable. He wasn't just throwing punches; he was studying my movements, adapting, and evolving with each exchange.
But I was also doing that.
Simply put, in turn, I was also benefiting from our sparring. My [Perceptive Insight] allowed me to identify flaws in my technique, areas where I could improve. The feedback loop between us was unexpected but effective.
I adapted my strategy, using my agility to my advantage. I weaved around his attacks, exploiting openings in his defenses.
But each time I landed a hit, he countered with renewed vigor. Our clash was a symphony of grunts, impacts, and the rustling of leaves beneath our feet.
And amidst the physical exertion, Ethan spoke.
"You know, I wanted to ask you this for a while, but why are you still ranked last? With your skills, you can rank higher." It seemed he was curious about why I was still ranked last. He must be aware of my nonarmed combat skills now, though it didn't matter.
"None of your business." I cut him off as I threw a quick uppercut to the right side of the navel.
THUD
Though, he blocked his with his elbow, which was something I was expecting him to do. It was his natural reflex to do it, after all.
"Heh….I am really intere-"
THUD
As he was about to speak, suddenly, a fast crochet that I had masked with my uppercut appeared before his eyes and knocked him out from the spar, making him lose his balance and fall to the ground.
SPIT
As he spit the blood in his mouth, he raised his head and looked at me.
"You really are ruthless."
"Shut it."
DING
Just as Ethan was about to stand up, the sound of a bell ringing was heard, and following that was the announcement of the finish.
"STOP!" Eleanor said with her hands raised, making everyone stop in their tracks. Her mana was covering everyone, showing her precise mana control, befitting to her title "Invoker."
"The class is finished. You are dismissed now." With those words, everyone stopped what they were doing.
"You have a cranky personality, but you are still good. I will look forward to our next spars." With those words, Ethan stood up and made his way towar his group….
Chapter 51 - Main Characters (2)
"What a weirdo," Ethan spoke to himself as he left the training grounds, walking towards his group. He had recently awakened, so he didn't know much about the world of Hunters in terms of strength, but as someone that was nurtured by a strong family, he knew how good Astron's unarmed combat skills were.
It is not that he was unbeatable or anything. Rather, Astron himself didn't seem to be overly engulfed in the martial arts either. He looked like he had just trained a little bit.
But the thing that got Ethan's attention was something different. It was his talent.
'He improved rapidly.' He assessed, reviewing the fight.
Ethan was a righteous person who believed in his values, but he was by no means a stupid guy. No, rather, he was quite smart, especially in combat terms.
It was quite hard to put into words the talent of Astron, but if he would say it, he would say it like this.
'It feels like I was fighting with someone like myself.' He wanted to talk with him about combat arts, what he thought about swords, his fighting. Astron seemed like a person that was serious about everything.
However, the thing that made it weird to talk with him was his initial coldness. He didn't have much interaction with him before, but he knew he was ranked last. That was all he knew about him since he hadn't cared much about him at the start.
But, he first noticed him on the training grounds practicing with his daggers, and it seemed like he was decent enough. Like, the art he was training was probably the common dagger art that one could get from everywhere pretty easily. Therefore he didn't think Astron was amazing, but he was certainly good.
Though at that time, he thought he was restraining himself for training purposes since he could see he was moving at a speed that was easily seen. Never once he thought that was his peak speed; after all, to become a student in this academy, that kind of physical aspect would not be enough.
However, apparently it was. Since when they had sparred with each other, he felt like Astron's strength was quite low. He was weak; his endurance was low. Only his speed was decent.
"I must admit, his movements were simply astounding. No matter what I tried, I couldn't seem to gain the upper hand against him." It was this realization that led him to believe that Astron possessed a unique talent - not just in physical training, but in the art of combat itself.
'This is kind of fun….I really want to see how he will do in the future. His beliefs were also interesting.' Ethan thought. Astron's way of behaving resembled a wolf in his eyes. He disliked interacting with others, behaved coldly towards them no matter what their gender where, and mostly he seemed to like being alone.
"Look, Ethan, I respect your perspective, but don't waste your time on me. Our world doesn't work the way you think it does."
Remembering what he said at that time, he thought about his words.
'Our world doesn't work in the way I think it does, huh? You really sound like my brother.' Ethan mused, remembering what his brother would always say about his words. He would say he needed to grow up, but Ethan didn't want it.
It was not that he was unaware of how this world did work. No, rather, he just wanted to believe that he could make the world a better place by becoming a better person. Rather than behaving like a normal hunter that puts their own gains before others, he wanted to become a better person that also valued others more.
He believed that if everyone could put their selfishness aside, the world would be a better place.
"Yo! Where are you going on your own?" Just as he was thinking to himself, suddenly, a hand touched him on his shoulder.
"Lucas."
"Where are you going, man?"
It was his best friend from childhood. Seeing him coming like that, he unconditionally smiled. "I was just coming to you." He answered as they started walking. "Where are the others?" Looking back, it seemed only Lucas was left.
"They left. Julia said she was going to train, and Victor followed her like a dog."
"Hey, you know if he hears about this, you are going to be in trouble, right?"
"It is fine, it is fine. Even Victor couldn't have this many eyes inside the academy. Also, that guy is trying to court that idiot sister of mine. There is no way he can do something to me."
"Well, you are right. He is not even making it secret."
"This is how he does. But that bastard. Does he really think by showing off, he can make that dumbass like him?"
Ethan raised an eyebrow. "Well, maybe?"
"Nah…Really, Ethan? It seems you need a bunch of lessons about girls."
"Yeah, yeah, mister Playboy. So, where are the others?" Ethan asked, smiling at his friend's antics. Lucas was always like that, playing with people and joking around all the time. Though he knew he could entrust his back to him no matter what.
"Others, huh? Irina seemed quite upset, so she probably went to burn some students or something, I don't know. Lilia said she needed to be somewhere, probably a business meeting. Seriously, how is she able to manage her studies, training, and her guild position at the same time? I can't understand." Lucas asked as he wondered about Lilia.
That girl was beautiful and one of those he wanted to woo but at the same time, she was one of those he would never get close to. That girl would probably roast him alive if she knew about his deeds in the academy.
"Well, she is always busy. But whenever I see her notes, I am also left in awe. She is probably one of the tidiest people I know." Ethan answered, remembering Lilia's notes. She was one of those that Ethan respected, even though he knew their values were different.
"Then, where is Carl?"
"Carl? He mentioned something about Student Council Work, so he probably headed there." Lucas answered as they walked further.
However, suddenly Ethan was curious about Astron and how others viewed him.
"Hey, Lucas, did you hear about that new guy, Astron?" Ethan asked, curiosity piqued.
"That guy you are sparring with, right? What about him?" Lucas asked another question.
"I mean, he kind of looks interesting."
"What? Hey, hey, hey. Ethan, bro, don't tell me you swing that way." Lucas widened the distance as he said with a smile, but his words were enough to get the attention that was already on them to Ethan.
"YO? WHAT THE HELL? Where the hell did you get it from?" And since he was not gay, at the very least, Ethan felt the urge to defend himself and tried to clear the misunderstanding.
"I mean, you just came to me, randomly asked about a brooding guy, and said he was interesting. What do you expect me to think?" Hearing Lucas's reasoning Ethan wanted to slap his forehead, but he resisted.
"Just think like a normal person, maybe? I just asked it because that guy seems a bit mysterious." Ethan said. He just wanted to ask his friend's opinion, but Lucas did his own thing and made everything complex again.
All right, all right, my bad. No need to get all defensive," Lucas chuckled, raising his hands in surrender. "But you're right, Astron is a bit of a mystery. There have been a few rumors swirling around about him."
Ethan's interest was piqued even more. "Rumors? Like what?"
Lucas leaned in slightly as if sharing a secret. "Well, you know how stories get blown out of proportion in this place. Some say he's the sole survivor of that attack inside the academy two weeks ago. Remember the noises we heard at that time from the forest? It seems a monster appeared right there."
Ethan's eyes widened. "Wait, what do you mean by the attack inside the academy? And a monster?"
"Yes. The academy was trying to hide it, but it seems a sneaky monster was able to enter the academy. They don't even know what kind of monster it is. Some are even saying it was a demon. Those three that didn't come to the classes, remember? They were the ones that died in the hands of that monster."
Ethan's skepticism was evident. "That sounds a bit far-fetched, doesn't it? I mean, if it were true, it would have been all over the news. After all three academy cadets died, how come nobody knows about it."
Lucas let out a sigh, shaking his head. "Ethan, my friend, you're still thinking about this place as if it's some normal academy. The world doesn't work like that, especially not in the realm of Hunters."
Ethan frowned, clearly puzzled. "What do you mean?"
Lucas leaned against a nearby wall, his expression serious. "Look, you know how the academy operates. They have their reputation to protect, and sometimes that means keeping things hushed up, especially if it's something that could cause panic or fear among the students or the public."
Ethan's skepticism remained. "But a monster attack? That's a bit hard to hide, don't you think?"
Lucas raised an eyebrow. "Is it? Think about it, Ethan. We're in a world where Hunters face creatures that defy imagination, where magic and the supernatural are real. The general public might not know the details of what goes on in this academy. And besides, the Academy Council holds a lot of power.
They can control the flow of information."
Ethan still seemed unconvinced. "I get that, but three cadets dead? That's not something they can just sweep under the rug."
Lucas gave a wry smile. "You'd be surprised. The Academy Council has ways of making things disappear. They could manipulate the story and claim it was an accident or some sort of training mishap. They have resources we can't even fathom."
Ethan folded his arms, deep in thought. "So you're saying Astron might have been involved in that attack?"
Lucas shrugged. "Who knows? But it does add a layer of intrigue, doesn't it? That's why rumors like these gain traction. People are drawn to the mysterious and unexplained. Also, it seems like he changed his weapon from daggers to bow after that weekend as well."
"He changed his weapon?"
"I mean, he didn't entirely change, but he just also registered a bow as his weapon. I think he awakened in the face of danger."
Hearing this, Ethan thought about it for a moment. It was not that common to change one's weapon from dagger to bow, but assuming that he was connected to the attack since he changed weapons right after the said attack….That seemed a bit relied on too many assumptions, probably his inherent liking of Astron also played a role in his judgment, but Ethan didn't believe he could do such a thing.
"Well, I think it is impossible," Ethan said as he remembered the training he did will Astron today. "He is not that strong to pull such a thing off."
"Ho? Why do you think so?"
"You know today I was partnered with him, right? He seemed like he was really weak, probably lowest in terms of raw strength." Ethan explained.
"Are you sure? Maybe he was restraining himself."
"No, it is not possible. He moved in such a way that I can easily say that he was accustomed to that strength like his own body. There is no way he is that experienced."
"Hmm….That makes sense. Irina also said that guy had a hard time dealing with one simple Lesser Silver Wolf. Anyway, why are you interested in him all of a sudden? Don't tell me it was because of Sylvie. Are you mad now he made her cry like that?"
Ethan's cheeks reddened slightly. "No, no, it's not like that. I'm not interested in Sylvie."
Lucas grinned, nudging Ethan with his elbow. "Oh really? Then why are you so defensive?"
Ethan let out a sigh. "Sigh…Don't tease me, Lucas."
Lucas laughed. "Come on, Ethan; you can't hide it from me."
Ethan rolled his eyes. "Fine, you win. Maybe I was a bit upset about it, but it's not like that means I like her. It just felt uncomfortable."
In the end, Ethan was also a guy, no matter what. Though, it was not specifically about Sylvie, and Lucas also knew that. After all, he knew about the one in Ethan's heart.
However, that didn't mean he was not going to tease him. "Yeah, yeah, sure."
Just like that, the two friends kept going with their talk as they kept walking.
Chapter 52 - Main Characters (3)
TAP TAP TAP
I was inside my room, pushing the buttons before me. As for what I was doing, I was looking for things to invest in.
Know that, even though I was planning to invest in that girl and her guild, I fairly underestimated the money I could make from going to dungeons and selling the corpses.
The bracelet saved me a lot more money than I had initially expected. Therefore, there were a lot more funds than I could use on Emilia. She would probably not accept such money from a stranger, and that was pretty normal.
Therefore, I started looking at the companies and the guilds on the Internet and their stock prices. Even though I was not that engulfed in the stock market in the game, knowing the future events, maybe I could find a guild that would later rise or something.
TAP TAP TAP
I kept searching and surveying on the internet.
'There are quite a few that I think get a lot more popular, but I am not sure.'
There were certainly some names that I knew from the game, but it was a little hard to read the stock market prices and convert the information to how they were doing right now.
Some of the guild's stocks may not be as high as I expected them to be, but that didn't necessarily mean those stocks were going to rise in the future. In the end, the stock market doesn't specifically reflect how the guild is doing on their ranking or how their hunter job is going. There are other things that affect it, and this is what differentiates the real world from the game.
Just as I was looking at the guilds, one of the other parts got my attention.
Agency Groups, Mercenaries, and Free Lancer Works.
'Right, there was such a setting.' I thought. In the game, one could not only be a Hunter and join a guild, but they could also become a Mercenary that goes with commissions or Free Lancers that would venture around the guilds and join their operations.
'Now that I think about it, is the Agency Group Ethan is going to find here?' I thought and started surveying under the tab Agency Groups.
Since Ethan was a good kid that wanted to raise his strength, he naturally ventured around the world, and thanks to a talented agency he had found, as a player, we would have quite an easy time finding gates, dungeons, or monsters in the wilderness.
'Though, they also brought quite a lot of troubles to him thanks to their unique past.'
Sitting before the laptop, I stared, pondering about this investment was worth it or not.
'That little kid….He was really useful, his knowledge of computers and his trait being related to them.'
Having a hacker certainly would help, especially for my goal. But at the same time, not every people in this world would follow a person that wishes to murder every bit of demon and erase their existence, which left me in a dilemma.
'Either I am going to make them extremely loyal to me, or I am not going to reveal my purpose.' That was what I had concluded.
'For now, this matter is far in the future. There is no point in thinking about this now.' I thought, but I still took a mental note for the future.
But that didn't mean I couldn't invest in their little agency.
'Let's invest around 20000 Valer. I don't need immediate money for now.'
Since I had also visited the dungeon inside the Black Market, I now had around 70k in my bank account, and the debt of the academy had one whole year to pay, so I didn't need to make it worse.
Though while investing in them, I used a small amount of money to commission a broker from the black market, making myself anonymous, though that kid would certainly trace me back.
'Let's teach you a little bit about the world.'
With that thought, I spent 25k investing in them.
DING
At that moment, a message came from my watch as I looked into its content.
DING DING
Though, following it was another two.
'Must be clubs.'
I thought and opened the panel.
--------------------------
Adventurer and Exploration Club
Thank you for joining our club!
We're excited to have you on board. Don't forget about the orientation trip next Sunday. It'll be a great opportunity to get to know your fellow members and start your journey as an adventurer. See you there!
--------------------------
History and Arts Club
Hello and welcome to the History and Arts Club!
We're thrilled that you've joined us. Our club meetings are always filled with excitement and creativity. Get ready to explore the fascinating world of history and arts together! Looking forward to seeing you at our next meeting. It is refreshing to see freshmen being interested in Art and History, and we are very happy to have you here.
The orientation session will be on Saturday morning, and we will start with a small picnic inside the forest.
If you wish to, you can also bring the food you want, but it is not mandatory. I hope you are having a good week!
--------------------------
Archery Club
Welcome to the Archery Club.
Make sure you're serious about improving your skills if you're here. We don't have time for slackers. Training sessions are mandatory. Be prepared to prove yourself.
Orientation is on Friday Evening.
------------------------
Looking at the messages in front of me, I could certainly feel the differences between the clubs' atmospheres from the tone of the messages alone.
Adventurer Exploration's message was short, but its tone was simply polite and welcoming, while the archery club was arrogant and serious.
It was enough to show that how where this Archery Clubs' egoistic reputation came from. Even their messages were arrogant.
And, as for the History and Arts Club, it was certainly showing the characteristics of that shining senior who is the club president.
'That woman was too bright….I should maintain my distance from her.' I thought as I closed the laptop.
The night was already there, and I needed to sleep soon.
******
"Hey, Sylvie, which Clubs have you joined?"
As three girls were walking towards their room, one of them asked the girl in the middle, who had a rather tired expression on her face, as if she was about to sleep as soon as possible.
"Sylvie?" Since she didn't get an answer, the girl asked once again, looking at her friend.
"…."
"Kuhum. Sylvie!" Seeing this was not going to work, she cleared her throat and raised her voice slightly.
FLINCH
"What? What is it?" Sylvie, who woke up from her dream, looked into her friend.
"Which club did you join?" Her friend repeated the question as she looked into her eyes.
"Hmm? Haven't we talked about this before?" As Sylvie tilted her head to the side, she asked.
"Well, I forgot." Her friend sheepishly said while scratching the back of her head, but Sylvie could see something was different.
The emotions of her friend….They were different. She felt suspicious, but thinking that she was having a bad time for some reason, she decided to ignore it.
After all, the feelings she saw were not that strong; only a small amount of darkness probably stemmed from stress.
"I joined the History and Arts Club only." She answered, but her body momentarily flinched as she considered if her choice was right. 'That senior was too scary.'
Even for her, who was mostly cheerful and happy, that senior was someone overwhelming, like a star that shone through the night and illuminated everything but made those closer to them blind.
"I see." Her friend answered, lowering her gaze, though Sylvie's thoughts were on the senior and her overwhelming attitude, so she didn't hear, neither did she see the expression on her face.
'What a stupid girl.'
Her friend, whose name was Daniella, thought with a small smile creeping upon her face. Though the one inside her was no longer the same girl, she knew.
Without knowing anything about it, Sylvie had already put herself in danger.
"Hey. What are you going to do about him?" Just at that moment, another voice echoed. It was the third girl who was typing something on her watch before.
"What do you mean?" Sylvie asked as she tilted her head to the side.
"I mean about that bastard who made you cry. Should I do something about it?"
Hearing this, Sylvie's body momentarily stiffened as she remembered his words back then once again.
The words she was trying to forget.
"If you're not willing to confront your weaknesses head-on, then perhaps you should reconsider being a part of the academy."
However, the already tired Sylvie didn't want to talk about him right now. She didn't want to feel uncomfortable anymore. She had been studying for the whole day, and her brain was on the verge of exploding.
"Why are you mentioning him now?" Sylvie asked. Her friend knew she didn't want to talk about him, but why was she bringing it up now?
"For some reason, I feel irritated with his attitude." The girl spat out her feelings. "He acts edgy, and it cringes me whenever I see it. Does he think we will think he is cool if he acts like that? Bastards like him who acts cold and edgy to impress girls are the ones that I hate the most."
As Sylvie heard this, she felt like she could relate to it. But at the same time, she knew that was how Astron acted normally. It was basically his character since she knew he had never had any intention of impressing others with his attitude.
That basically stemmed from his indifference, but that was what made him more irritating.
'Couldn't you be a little kinder?' She asked herself.
Though, at that moment, she also remembered what she saw in the club room.
She saw Astron and decided to hide since she didn't want to talk to him. A part of her knew she was escaping, but she decided to hide nonetheless.
However, when he was talking to the senior, she couldn't help but stiffen at his words. He also wanted to join the History and Art Club. She even reconsidered her decision to join the club.
But she also felt a weird feeling when she looked at the senior talking to him. That senior constantly tried to give him potatoes while pressuring him.
And Astron was uncomfortable with it; Sylvie could feel it. But, in the corner of his heart, a small feeling of warmth was there, like he was slightly enjoying it.
'He is enjoying it?'
This made her feel angry. He acted coldly toward her every time when they talked. No, not only her but others as well, Since Sylvie was watching him, she knew. But why was he now enjoying it?
She even forgot his sincere gratitude at that time, thanks to his harsh words at that moment.
'Why are you enjoying it?'
Even Astron himself didn't know he enjoyed the senior's presence, but Sylvie, with her trait, could see it.
And, because she felt angry for some reason, she impulsively acted and went to the seniors in a bad mood.
Though, she wished now that she never did it since she walked to one of the toughest battles where chips could be a weapon.
"SYLVIE!"
At that moment, she heard a shout making her wake up from her thoughts as she looked at her friend in her front.
"What?"
"Why are you daydreaming now?"
"Ah…My bad."
"Hey, it is fine. She is probably tired. And why are you bringing it up now? Don't you know it makes her uncomfortable?"
"I know, but I feel angry whenever I see him for some reason….Sigh….Anyway, should I do something about him?"
"No, leave it be; it is fine."
"Is that so?"
"Yeah."
"Your choice then."
Just like that, the three walked together as they reached their dorms…..