Clubs, Conspiracies, and Crushed Dreams
Right after the festival ended, the lively atmosphere at the academy cooled off. No, it flatlined.
Just two weeks.
But that was more than enough time for every student in the academy to get buried under assignments and classes again.
"Ughhh…."
"Th-the saintess…."
"Th-the saintess beckoned to me from the heavens…!"
"The saintess never left!"
Tsk tsk tsk. They're already goners.
I clicked my tongue and chucked the ball. What? Why am I throwing balls?
-Don't break that one….
-Ah… control your strength….
-We're short one scarecrow, so Eugene, you'll have to help out.
-….
Never mind. Just shut up.
Thwack! Thwack! Crack!
"Ack! Gah! Ugh! Argh! Hey! Difficulty! Argh! The difficulty's! Fucked! Up! Gurk!"
"This is beginner level."
"Bullshit! It's way faster than the other scarecrows!"
Still, tossing balls around was kinda fun in its own way. Like dodgeball practice or something.
Of course, the students dodging them didn't seem to agree.
"You alive?"
"…I won't go down from something like this! Gurk!"
"Whoa! Why'd you yell all sudden like that?"
"…You can't beat up your friends like that."
"Sure thing."
Professor Eroy let out a deep sigh and stopped the scarecrows.
"That's it for today. Use the rest of the time to rest."
"Yesss!"
"Ugh… my eyepatch reeks of sweat."
"That's your smell."
"You think you don't stink?"
"Of course not! My sweat smells sweet."
"You're insane."
The students collapsed in a heap and started chattering away.
Before joining them, I picked up the scattered balls. Why bother? Because I can't just grind my own training solo, so in exchange for helping with class, the prof hooks me up with snacks! I handed over today's chocolate (half a box—profs don't mess around) and Eroy spoke up.
"By the way. Heard the news?"
"…?"
"They're doing a summer festival."
"!!"
I bugged my eyes out.
Summer festival!
That means playtime!
"What a weird year. There were never any festivals like this before…."
Wouldn't it be weirder if there weren't any?
What academy—no, what school doesn't have festivals?
It's not like it's some backwater joint… Huh? What's Kolong again?
Ugh. My head.
Whose memory is this?
"Probably in about two weeks… lasts three days, they say."
"Hell yeah!"
"And they're starting clubs too."
"…?"
Huh?
Why the hell clubs?
Eroy caught my glare and cleared her throat lightly.
"We need to show we're doing mental care, and it's better to unite as a group in crises rather than individuals, so they're shifting to group activities for education."
"Why?!"
"Group classes and stuff might increase too…."
"Why the fuck?!"
Group projects? No way!
That shit's the devil's work….
"I know students hate group projects and all… but no choice. Came from upstairs."
"And upstairs is the principal, right?"
"His Imperial Majesty the Emperor."
"…."
"His Majesty personally sponsors this academy. He handed over ownership of Sky Island to the principal, handles the budget too…."
So just beat the crap outta the emperor?
Ah. No, that's not it.
I nearly lost it for a sec and slapped my cheeks.
Even for a wild card like me, beating the emperor? Hell no!
Pfft, could happen.
It's me we're talking about!
"Anyway, expect group projects from now on. But they'll try to pair you with friends, so don't worry."
"Phew. Dodged a bullet."
"Ah, looks like Ash is calling you, Eugene."
"…."
Bad vibes. I didn't wanna go, but Ash was waving with a big grin, so no choice.
"Hurry up! We gotta train!"
"Chocolate?"
"Ooh, thanks."
Ash bit into the chocolate I offered and flashed a cute eye smile.
"Gives me more energy—wanna crank up the intensity today?"
"…."
Students always hate studying….
* * *
-Club time will be during lunch.
We howled the second we heard.
"Why!!"
"My free time!"
"My skincare time!"
-My lunch time!!
"I dunno… I just wanna study…."
"I'm quitting grades. Fuck it!!"
Nobody was thrilled.
Clubs? Fine, whatever. But during lunch? That's the problem! Stealing our one break!
I was gonna let the principal slide since it was from upstairs, but lunch time? No way upstairs ordered that.
Do it after class or something! I was about to step up, spitting fire—
-Clubs every Wednesday, and on club days, we'll cut one class period.
I love you, Principal!
"Lunch ain't that bad."
"Yeah, could be worse."
"One less class on Wednesdays? Fine."
"Back to grades for me."
-…?!
Eodukshini passed by with a "seen it all" look at our sudden calm.
* * *
Truth was, no real reason to whine about clubs.
We could just do it together!
Might as well make a club with the hero candidates.
Adria, Jenella, Yahan, Mosik, around there? Banana Princess and others… meh, middling.
For now, these four for sure.
Adria's iffy, but she's a friend anyway. Huh? Banana Princess ain't a friend?
Banana's banana.
Gotta add Ash too? Not a hero candidate, but probably a regressor, so no harm.
"Lemme see… If I start a club, who's in?"
"Me!"
"Me too!"
"Even if you said no, I'd drag you."
"…?"
I pulled out the club form.
Lemme see… founding conditions….
[Clubs can only be founded by 2nd year or higher.]
Huh? Uh… could be.
Fine.
Just join the same one!
※S-Class cannot have 2 or more members in the same club.
What the f—
"…Guys?"
"…?"
"…?"
"We each gotta go to different clubs?"
"What?"
"This sh—"
The others checked the paper and cursed too.
My easy-mode dreams!!
As I despaired behind my shattered dreams, a shadow loomed.
"…?"
Banana Princess, candy in mouth, grinned at Adria.
"Applying for clubs?"
"…Sis."
"You barely study anyway, just play. Join a club, learn some etiquette or grace. Heard there's a duke's kid in 3rd year seniors."
"…I do study."
"Sure, sure. Barely passed the written exam this time, right? Gotta study more to avoid failing."
She did? No wonder she never mentioned scores!
Teasing material or not, only I get to roast my friends.
Even if it's her sister, crashing in and picking fights? No dice.
"Hey."
"…?"
"Why you picking on my friend outta nowhere? Wanna die?"
"…Such foul language."
But "die" spooked her; Banana Princess stepped back slyly.
She glanced at my paper and tossed out casually,
"Oh. Don't hang with 2nd years."
"…?"
"This year's 2nd years are the worst batch ever. No high nobles, no standout commoners. Best they've got is boomer vibes?"
Crunch! Her candy snapped.
"Better steer clear. Rumor is most want stable government jobs, so vice principal or politicians probably pulling strings. Might shatter like this candy."
Hers was yellow.
Reminds me of Adria's color—pisses me off for some reason.
And that old guy's stare from behind… fucking creepy. If I was in a bad mood, I'd gouge his eyes out.
"Uh, Banana?"
"…?"
"You're the #1 heir princess, closest thing to a politician here, no?"
"…Shut up."
Banana—no, Princess Banasi's face twisted.
Aigoo, scary!
* * *
"Your Highness."
A shadow fell behind Princess Banasi heading to her dorm.
She glanced back slightly.
Neatly aged face, long white beard, ramrod posture… and above all, eyes still burning with ambition.
Next year, retiring as Sky Academy vice principal, taking a barony and territory… one of her supporting factions.
He asked quietly,
"Why give her advice?"
"…Advice? I just fed her false info."
Still green. The vice principal smirked.
That last bit—watch the 2nd years—was her sly nod to his goal, since she clocked it.
That kid didn't notice.
Not just ignoring her "precious" advice, didn't even spot him hiding.
Priest of the War God, was it?
A name that terrified everyone, but not him.
"Afraid of the War God's priest?"
"…."
"Just a fragment of history that couldn't beat the empire and vanished."
"…You're a commoner, right?"
"Yes. Born commoner 'cause of my idiot parents."
"Then you wouldn't get it."
He wouldn't.
That the War God's priest didn't retreat because he couldn't beat the empire.
And the scars and warnings he left linger to this day.
A mere "commoner" like him never heard, but for Princess Banasi, born and raised in the imperial family, #1 in succession… the presence was on another level.
-Be careful, daughter. If you meet the War God's priest….
Stronger than anyone, greater than anyone.
-Build ties by all means. Never make him an enemy. Even young, a dragon is a dragon. A young dragon calls the adult one. I trust you understand.
Even her father warned and feared him.
"Don't butt in. And don't eavesdrop. Last warning."
"Understood. But remember—he's just a student now, tiger or not."
Banasi inwardly smirked at the vice principal's clueless arrogance.
Not a tiger—a dragon.
Dragons symbolize beginnings, but also ends. The War God was a dragon, or more.
She had zero plans to touch him.
Unless fate bound them… stupidly antagonize?
I ain't ready to die.
For herself, her sister, her family… all to live. She had to become emperor. Uproot the filthy imperial laws even her father couldn't touch.
"Then… I'll take my leave."
The vice principal bowed and withdrew. But his eyes swirled with odd killing intent.
A true loyalist steps forward knowing it'll earn their lord's ire.
Adria. Pushed out of succession now, but if she re-enters… could steal it back.
Crush her here. Ensure she never blooms again.
…You fuckers?
Eugene's eyes blazed—he'd "happened" to overhear.
Plotting against my friend?
Looked like the bastard who picked on her at enrollment start, trying to stir shit.
Wrong target.
Politician, huh?
I'll show you real politics.
True politics stems from power. Lacking political pull? Then lack power itself!