Chapter 230
Chapter 230
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 230
Chapter Title: Club (2)
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Creating a club isn't all that difficult in itself.
The problem is that instead of just making any old club, I need one that's as inconspicuous as possible.
Ideally, a ghost club that doesn't tangle with anyone else. The kind you set up and then just ignore.
It's a school rule requirement anyway, so as long as it doesn't violate that, it should be fine, right?
"...So, what's the club name?"
From that perspective.
Asking about this first seems like the way to go.
"Exorcism Club!"
"..."
I stare at Eliya with a horrified expression as she says it with a bright, beaming smile.
She was the one who first suggested making a club, and since you need at least two people to form one, I figured including her would work.
But isn't this idea a bit too destructive?
"...Is that really a good idea?"
"No, but Teacher said you wanted a group that no one else would want to join, right?"
"..."
"Isn't it perfect for the goal?"
I have to admit, she's got a point.
Of course, exorcists like Vizla exist as a legitimate profession, but the word "exorcism" generally focuses on "demons."
And demons? The continent freaks out at the mere mention. Any sane student would steer clear of a club with that name.
The issue is.
"Will Elpante even approve it?"
"If they don't, what are they gonna do? I'm a dragon, you know."
"..."
"I'm the only person on the continent who can beat demons to a pulp, and I want to make this club. Who could possibly object?"
Fair enough.
If it were anyone else, they'd reject it as ridiculous, but since it's her asking, it might actually fly.
"So, this is the club building?"
"Yes."
I huff out a breath and look around.
It's an old schoolhouse reeking of abandonment.
A gloomy structure standing all alone in a spot remote enough to remind me of where Yuria used to live.
Up close, I could believe it was haunted.
Eliya picked this out herself as the club building.
"...How'd you even find a place like this?"
We'd agreed on making it a club no one would join, but I didn't expect her to be this thorough.
As I'm thinking that and letting out a hollow chuckle, Eliya nods in satisfaction beside me, humming contentedly.
"Seriously, no one will come here."
"..."
"Just you and me, Teacher. No interruptions. We'll meet here every day after class?"
Chills run down my spine as I watch her giggle with that "ufufu" laugh.
"It's just a club we're making to check the box. Not to that extent—"
"Oh, didn't you know?"
"Know what?"
"Once a club is established, there's a mandatory attendance period. It's a rule to prevent people from signing up and then ghosting."
"..."
"You'll have to follow it too, Teacher, at least for that time?"
In other words.
Once the club is officially recognized, I'll be forced to spend a set amount of time alone with her every day after classes.
"..."
Uh.
Is that right?
It feels like I just stepped on a landmine.
"Come on, come on, don't be like that. Let's go inside, Teacher."
"Hey, wait, don't push—"
As she shoves me into the dilapidated building, the interior is surprisingly cozy.
"...?"
Cozy? Maybe that's not the word.
The problem is how perfectly furnished it is, compared to the exterior.
Even coming from the high-noble quarters in the Tristan Duchy, the furniture here is top-notch, with meticulously applied wallpaper and flooring. Lovey-dovey heart decorations and pink lighting scattered everywhere.
Unlike the crumbling outside, this feels downright bright and cheerful.
It'd suit a newlywed couple on their honeymoon.
And the most eye-catching thing of all.
The bed.
Not just any bed. A large one made of solid, expensive hardwood, with premium silk bedding neatly arranged.
Just the right size for two people.
"Want to lie down, Teacher?"
"...Why?"
"It's a bed. That's what it's for."
No.
I don't want to.
Why would I lie down on a bed in broad daylight?
Especially in front of you with that lecherous look.
"Come on, I worked so hard to prepare this. You won't even try it?"
"..."
"Don't be like that. Come on..."
Eliya approaches me, her face flushed, fingers wiggling enticingly.
"...Hey, hold on. Stop. Let's talk this out."
"Sure. Let's talk. While lying down together."
"That's not what I—!"
Her breathing grows ragged. Her pupils dilate slightly. She looks like she's been waiting for this moment.
My face drains of color as I back away, overwhelmed by the raw.
'Desire' radiating from her.
But luckily, before I can say anything to defuse it, salvation arrives from elsewhere.
"Are you in there—?"
"..."
Eliya freezes at the voice from outside.
A sharp "tch" follows as she clicks her tongue.
"...Weird. I made sure no one could get in..."
"..."
You little...
How meticulously did you plan this?
As I'm sweating bullets thinking that, Eliya reluctantly trudges to the entrance.
She opens the door, and her face sours instantly at the sight of the people across from her.
"...What are you doing here, Liru?"
Eliya snaps, and Liru and Seras cough awkwardly in unison, pretending not to notice.
"...Just passing by."
"...Yeah, me too."
"..."
Eliya's face screams, "You call that passing by?" But Liru crosses her arms defiantly and continues.
"We heard voices while passing by, so we checked it out."
"...Who told you we're making a club?"
Eliya sighs deeply, like they're all too close for this nonsense.
Liru's response matches that vibe.
"No one told us. We just followed you."
"...What?"
"You've been rubbing up on that guy behind my back. You even went to that duchy recently."
Liru grumbles accusingly.
"So we've been watching you two closely. That's all."
"...That's stalking, Liru."
"What's that?"
"..."
Eliya pinches her forehead, at a loss for words at the brazen reply.
Her gaze slowly shifts to Seras beside her.
"...And what about you?"
"I've been collecting data on Senior Dawood for a while now."
"..."
"My intel skills are leagues above this barbarian's. I even know his favorite foods, hobbies, what he does when he's alone—"
"...Yeah, you don't need to share that, Seras."
As Eliya cuts her off, my own face pales further.
You guys.
What about my privacy...?
Do you plan on respecting it at all...?
"...This is going to be the club building from now on. If you don't have authorization, please leave—"
"Oh-? Really-? A club building-?"
"Wow- We're both unaffiliated right now- Mind telling us what club it is-?"
"..."
Eliya's temple throbs as Liru and Seras spout their lines like they're reading from a textbook.
Her expression twists fiercely, screaming "don't interfere."
"...It's the Exorcism Club, you two."
"So?"
"Exactly what it says. Ex-or-cism Club. For banishing demons."
She grits her teeth, eyes gleaming murderously, ready for violence if needed.
Even Liru and Seras, who were standing their ground shamelessly, falter slightly.
But still, they both mumble in unison.
"We know."
"Why would people who know come here! You're all connected to that side anyway!"
"Then we'll play the ones getting exorcised."
"..."
"We'll do anything to join the club...!"
Eliya drags a hand down her face at their relentless words.
She's at the end of her patience.
But before she can snap, I speak up first from where I've been watching.
"...No, there's a more pressing issue we need to address first."
"Huh?"
"Yes?"
Think about it.
Aren't all these people here drinking chicken soup?
"...We don't decide club memberships."
That authority lies with the advising professor, not us.
Especially for a brand-new micro-club with fewer than ten members.
"..."
Right.
They all stare at each other blankly, faces saying exactly that.
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Persy, the dean, yawns tiredly as she reads through the club proposal I hand her. She's our club's advisor.
She scans the paper seriously, then smiles brightly.
"No good."
Seras and Liru both flinch at her words.
"...Why can't we join the club—"
"It's not about you joining. Club creation isn't a light matter. Traditions and procedures are strictly managed."
Persy continues with a sigh.
"It's an activity that gets school funding and affects student records. They won't approve it lightly. You need to prove 'expertise' and 'track record' simultaneously. Established clubs often function as political factions, sometimes directly overseen by the imperial family."
"..."
The women around me, myself included, go slack-jawed.
We didn't expect such tight control.
Eliya, who'd been confident her involvement would guarantee approval, looks the most flustered.
"...But with Teacher and my achievements..."
"If it's about ability, I have nothing to say on 'exorcism.' Even among the faculty, I'm not sure anyone has more demon-fighting prowess than you two. But."
She shoots it down plainly, like it's a simple, fundamental issue.
"It's not me approving it—it's others. For something like this, Professor Walter would need to vouch for its 'research value' for approval."
"..."
"For an Exorcism Club, you'd need to prove you can handle demon-related matters. As I said, expertise and track record are both required."
"...But we already did that during the last night demon incident—"
"No, it has to be something the 'entire group' here accomplished together. For a new activity, that's the bare minimum."
Persy lets out a sigh-like murmur.
"Do you have a way for everyone to participate and put on a performance convincing the Divinity Faculty Dean on 'exorcism' right now?"
"..."
Of course not.
We all fall silent.
The silence stretches all the way out of the dean's office.
"...What do we do? Look for another club?"
I quietly shake my head at Eliya's question.
If possible, making our own club to hole up in quietly is best. Any existing club in the system I remember would only hurt my situation.
However.
Persy's condition means we'd need a groundbreaking 'exorcism' result to convince Walter for approval.
Something beyond standard demon knowledge—a method that would wow him.
And a way to produce an impressive 'result' convincing enough for Professor Walter...
"..."
I silently stare at Liru and Seras.
Without a word.
For a long moment.
"..."
"..."
As the silence drags on.
Liru and Seras sense the ominous vibe and speak up.
"...Why are you looking at us like that?"
"No."
I chuckle softly at Liru's slightly trembling voice.
"You said you'd do anything to join the club, right?"
"..."
"Anything?"
"..."
"You said it yourselves, didn't you?"
Liru and Seras start shaking.
Regret over their words hangs thick in the air.
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