Chapter 162: Clown Union Club 9
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 162: Clown Union Club 9
I would take charge of Frederick, Clara, and Sepia.
Lucas would handle Kuran, Ren, and Gashurin.
It might look like I just split the group in half without a second thought, but there was a very specific reason for this arrangement.
“To get Kuran and Ren to join the Clown Union Club, we have to get Frederick to join first.”
This was back when Lucas and I first started strategizing on a bench. I was the one who spoke first.
“I knew the three of them were close, but is it really that deep?” Lucas looked at me with an expression that said Kuran and Ren weren't the type of guys to choose a club just because a friend was joining.
“You know how Kuran and Ren drag Frederick to the Hand-to-Hand Combat Club every time there’s a club recruitment period just to make him exercise, right?”
“Of course I know. You can’t miss it if you see the look on Frederick’s face after those sessions.”
“Kuran and Ren are already obsessed with ‘fixing’ Frederick. And those two know very well that if they aren’t around, Frederick won’t exercise at all.”
“Hmm...” Lucas crossed his arms, lost in thought.
Should I explain it in more detail?
“To put it simply, think of it like a veteran player training a newbie. The newbie suddenly says they’re quitting the game before they’ve even enjoyed any of the content.”
Upon hearing my words, Lucas closed his eyes and sank into even deeper thought. Wait, was that not the right metaphor?
“I think I get the gist of what you’re saying. But how are you going to get Frederick to join? Just because he doesn’t join the Hand-to-Hand Combat Club doesn’t mean he’ll join ours.”
Oh, he understands that much? Then maybe he’ll understand this too.
“To get Frederick to join, we have to get Kuran and Ren to join our club!”
“What kind of bullsh— ahem!”
Looking at me as if he’d just been asked whether the chicken or the egg came first, Lucas listened as I explained the strategy I had in mind.
To get Ren and Kuran to join, we had to get Frederick to join. And to get Frederick to join, we had to get Ren and Kuran to join.
Lucas had looked at me strangely when I first said it, but after hearing the full plan, he looked at me like I was a complete madman. Even I can get my feelings hurt by a look like that.
“Wait a second. My head hurts... Hmm. That could actually work? Really?”
“It’s a good method, isn’t it?”
“It’s more ‘novel’ than ‘good.’ If you’re asking if it’s possible, well, technically, yes. But aren’t you being a bit too optimistic?”
“It’s fine. You just have to trust me, Lucas.”
It was a plan that would crumble if even a single variable went wrong, but I was confident.
“The most important part of this operation is that the two of us communicate perfectly. I’ll be putting all my faith in you, Lucas.”
“Wait, a second ago you told me to trust you. Now you’re saying you’re trusting me?” Lucas let out a hollow laugh.
“I trust you, and you trust me. Doesn’t that make us invincible?”
“Good grief, you certainly have a way with words. Fine, let’s give it a shot. If it fails, we can just join other clubs.”
With that, we decided how to lure Frederick, Kuran, and Ren, and we settled on a plan for the other three as well. Lucas said he wasn't very close with Clara and Sepia and didn't feel confident about persuading them, so I took those two. Also, I learned during our conversation that Lucas and Gashurin occasionally spar after class. For that reason, Gashurin was assigned to Lucas.
“Then let’s start the operation at lunch.”
“Got it. This might actually be fun for once. Contact me after you’ve made your move, and I’ll start on my end.”
“Yes. I’ll see you later then.”
* * *
There are things that never get boring no matter how often they happen—things that are always thrilling and enjoyable.
Finding money on the ground.
Getting two drinks from a vending machine when you only paid for one.
The light turning green the moment you reach the crosswalk.
Finding money in your pocket that you don’t even remember putting there.
Looking in the mirror.
And finally, having lunch with Johanna.
The Academy food was good, but honestly, if I was eating with Johanna, I was confident I could enjoy even the most tasteless meal.
“Noona, you look like you’re in a bad mood for some reason. Is it just my imagination?”
“...It’s your imagination.”
“If I recall correctly, your expression started souring right after I told you Lucas joined the club.”
“Oppa.”
“Yes?”
“Just eat.”
“Yes, ma’am!”
As much as I wanted to stay and chat with Johanna to make up for yesterday, I suppressed my tears for the sake of the mission and parted ways with her right after finishing my meal.
Just like yesterday, I walked through the Academy campus, scanning the surroundings with the eyes of a hyena. But unlike yesterday, when I was fine with anyone, today I had a definite target.
“Found him.”
Short stature, hunched shoulders, eyes darting around. Frederick’s entire body was screaming, ‘I’m socially awkward.’
“The ultimate genius who blasphemes even the gods, Mr. Frederick!”
“Hieek!”
“The benefactor of all sorcerers, the Father of Sorcery, Mr. Frederick! Why are you running away?”
“Ugh...”
Naturally, shouting things like that drew attention, and Frederick began to flee toward an area with fewer people. Of course, even if Frederick ran at full speed, I could have caught him instantly, but I intentionally maintained a certain distance while following him.
“I’m joking, I’m joking. I’m sorry. I didn’t think you’d be this startled.”
I spoke with a troubled voice, but behind the mask, the corners of my mouth were curled up. With this, I had naturally ended up alone with Frederick in a secluded spot.
“Wasn’t it such a shame when you faced Professor Elicia today? I felt like you could have caught her if you had just a little more time.”
“Yeah.”
“But do you only use incantations, Frederick? I don’t think I’ve ever seen you perform a ritual.”
“In-incantations have fewer variables and are easier to use immediately...”
“Hmm, I suppose Professor Elicia wouldn't give you time for a ritual.”
I intentionally avoided bringing up the club immediately, instead engaging in casual conversation to lower Frederick’s guard as much as possible. Then, I naturally shifted the topic toward clubs.
“By the way, have you decided on a club yet, Frederick?”
“N-not yet.”
Frederick glanced at me as he answered. Proof that he was still wary of me.
“If you’re not joining the Sorcery Club, wouldn’t it be good for you to join the same club as Kuran and Ren?”
Frederick seemed a bit surprised when I suggested he follow Ren or Kuran instead of joining the Clown Union Club.
“Ugh, but the exercises at the Ha-hand-to-Hand Combat Club are so hard... S-still, maybe it’s better to just join the Hand-to-Hand Combat Club...”
Oops! We can’t have that.
He hated it so much yesterday, but it seems he hates being separated from Kuran and Ren even more than the grueling exercise. First, without rushing, I took a moment to pretend to think.
“Hmm...”
After waiting a beat, I spoke.
“That’s strange. I heard that Kuran and Ren have no intention of joining the Hand-to-Hand Combat Club?”
“R-really?”
“Yes, of course it’s true. What did they say again? Ah! They definitely said there’s nothing left for them to learn there!”
It was a lie. But it would soon become the truth.
Frederick studied my reaction before speaking cautiously.
“T-then, do you know wh-which club those two are going to?”
“I’m not quite sure about that part.”
After that, I intentionally didn't bring up clubs again until we parted ways. From that conversation, I realized Frederick wanted to be with Kuran and Ren even more than I had anticipated. To think he was actually considering joining the Hand-to-Hand Combat Club.
Once I confirmed Frederick was far enough away that he was out of sight, I pulled the communication device from my pocket and contacted Lucas.
“The bait has been cast.”
* * *
[The bait has been cast.]
“Then it’s my turn to cast, I suppose?”
[Don’t be nervous, just follow the script.]
“Got it. I’ll just test the waters for today.”
After finishing the call with Loki, Lucas headed toward the training ground equipped with various exercise machines. Perhaps because it was just after lunch, there weren't many people at the training ground. However, the people Lucas was looking for were there, sweating as they worked out.
Special Class members. Kuran and Ren.
“Lucas! Are you here to work out too?”
“I just stopped by because I was bored.”
“Hahaha! Good timing! Come over here and join us!”
And so, Lucas began to exercise with Kuran and Ren, naturally leading into a conversation.
“Have you guys decided on a club?”
“We’re going to join the combat club we visited during the experience period!”
Kuran answered Lucas’s question immediately, and Ren nodded. Their response was filled with a firm resolve never to join the Clown Union Club.
‘First of all, those guys will be on guard if you approach them, Lucas.’
Lucas spoke to himself naturally, loud enough for Kuran and Ren to hear.
“Then I guess you’ll be separated from Frederick...”
Naturally, Kuran and Ren didn't miss those words. They asked Lucas if that was true, and Lucas told them he’d heard Frederick say he wanted to exercise but wouldn't join the combat club because of his severe shyness.
Of course, the part about wanting to exercise was a lie.
“That can’t be! Frederick’s shyness will get better if he keeps working out like this!”
“Even the gods would cheer if they saw Frederick working out!”
“He’s very shy even around us, and we’ve known him for a while. Besides, most of the people in the combat club are active types like you guys, right? Wouldn’t it be very hard for Frederick?”
“It certainly wouldn't be easy for Frederick.”
“Fine! I’ll handle it!”
Wait, this wasn't supposed to happen. Kuran ‘handling it’ wasn't a line in the script Loki had written.
“How are you going to handle it?”
“I’ll gather Frederick and all the club members, and then I’ll tell the club members to be considerate because Frederick is shy!”
“If you do that, Frederick might not even show up at the Academy anymore.”
“That would be a disaster. Frederick still needs more exercise.”
When they heard Frederick wouldn't be joining the combat club, Kuran and Ren stopped their workout and began to talk seriously. Even without Lucas saying anything more, their opinions began to shift toward not going to the Hand-to-Hand Combat Club.
Watching for the right moment to interject, Lucas spoke up.
“But knowing Frederick’s personality, wouldn’t he feel burdened if you guys suddenly didn't go to the club you wanted to join because of him?”
“Knowing Frederick, he probably would!”
“That is a valid point.”
Kuran and Ren, clutching their heads in thought, turned to Lucas.
“Do you have a better idea?”
‘Today, you must absolutely not ask them to join the Clown Union Club. You have to naturally lure them into coming to our club on their own.’
Lucas, who had been about to recruit them right then and there, remembered Loki’s words and proceeded according to the script.
“Don’t overthink it. Just keep it simple.”
“Hmm.”
As Kuran and Ren began to think, Lucas didn't give them time and spoke up.
“Oh! How about this? If you tell him you’ve already learned everything there is to learn at the Hand-to-Hand Combat Club, Frederick won’t suspect a thing.”