Chapter 171: Clown Union Club 18
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 171: Clown Union Club 18
“Sorry, but I’m going to have to rethink joining.”
“Excuse me? Weren’t you just on the verge of saying you’d join my club? I was looking forward to it so~ much! Are you really going to toy with my pure, innocent heart like this? I’m so sad I might just burst into tears! Sniff, sniff.”
Loki pretended to wipe away tears with the red cloak he always wore. His tone gave the game away, but since he was rubbing the surface of his mask anyway, it was painfully obvious he was joking.
Just as Loki said, Sepia had indeed been about to agree to join. To be honest, her desire to be in the same club as him hadn't changed.
But even so, there were limits.
“No, this is just wrong! What even is that?! Are you kidding me right now? Just tell me you’re pranking me with your Innate Magic again!”
Sepia’s gaze was fixed on the bulletin board where the club’s name was written.
[Club Name: A Clown-led initiative where members Unionize to strategize against Professor Elicia, put Frederick through his paces, and occasionally raid dungeons for artifacts as a Club.]
“Hehehe, you know why, don’t you, Sepia? That the wonderful and magnificent name I originally came up with—the Clown Union Club—was rejected simply because it wasn't ‘clear’ enough?”
Loki had been complaining about it so much yesterday that it was impossible for any student in the Special Class not to know.
Did he really come up with a name like that just because he was mad the Clown Union Club got rejected?
“If it was rejected, you should have just picked a normal name! Something normal! You know? Like the Adventure Club or Exploration Club the others were talking about in the cafeteria yesterday! Names that are simple and clearly show what the club does! Did you really have to pick that?”
Sepia ranted so passionately that Chirpy, perched on her head, and the spirits on her shoulders were startled. They promptly hopped over to Loki for safety.
Loki naturally stroked Chirpy and the spirits while wagging his index finger back and forth. It was as if he were pointing out a fundamental flaw in her logic.
“Judging by your reaction, Sepia, you haven't realized it yet. Did you think I would give up on the name ‘Clown Union Club’ so easily? I am Loki. Look at the bulletin board again. Don't you see that some parts of the name are in a darker font?”
Sepia mustered her courage and looked closely at the horrific club name again. Just as Loki said, a few words within the long-winded sentence were bolded.
If she only read the bolded words...
Clown... Union... Club...
The Clown Union Club.
“Ah...”
She looked at Loki with eyes full of complex emotions. But Loki—whether he truly didn't realize how she felt or was just teasing her—flashed a V-sign and spoke in a bright, cheery voice.
“How is it? My perfect strategy! This way, I can keep the name Clown Union Club while also following the rule that the name must be clear! Surprised? Are you in awe of my creativity? You may worship me if you wish.”
“What part of this is perfect?! How am I supposed to join a club like that? It’s embarrassing!”
“I can’t believe it! I thought you, of all people, would understand me, Sepia...”
Loki crouched down as if in shock and began drawing circles in the dirt with his finger.
No, why is he suddenly acting like this? He’s making me feel guilty.
Sepia found it absurd, yet she also found the sulking Loki both pitiful and strangely cute. But pity was pity, cute was cute, and a ridiculous club name was a ridiculous club name.
“Sigh... Why on earth did you think I’d understand after seeing a name like that?”
Sepia waited for his answer. Is it because he trusts me that much?
“Eh? Well, obviously because I thought you liked unique names too, Sepia. That’s what I heard.”
—Chirp!
The Divine Beast, who had chosen the name Chirpy over Lightning Thunder, chirped in enthusiastic agreement from atop Loki’s head.
“Ha? Unbelievable. Anyway! I’m absolutely not joining until you change the name! I won’t!”
It was a lie. She still desperately wanted to be in the same club as Loki. However, joining immediately after seeing a name like that felt like she’d be making her feelings too obvious.
There are still three days left until the club selection period ends anyway.
Sepia knew. She knew that even if she said no now, the man in front of her wouldn't give up easily.
“I’m sorry, but that’s not up to you, Sepia. If you refuse to join, I’ll have no choice but to take drastic action.”
I knew it. I knew he’d say that.
“Hmph. And what exactly are you going to do?”
“I’m going to stick to your side all day today and annoy you.”
“.....................”
Wait.
“All day today?”
“All day today!”
“You’re going to stay with me the whole time?”
“That’s right! To annoy you, of course. How about it? Are you nervous? Do you feel annoyed already?”
“Actually, I’d like—Hmph! Do it if you can.”
As soon as Sepia finished speaking, Loki moved even closer and began muttering a stream of nonsense. He rambled on about the philosophy, meaning, and convictions behind the name Clown Union Club, but Sepia ignored the useless chatter and stared at his face.
The white mask.
What came to mind was Loki’s face and the mask’s ability—an invaluable artifact that increased proficiency just by wearing it while training. Loki had told her that she was the only one who knew the mask’s secret.
There was no one around, but Sepia asked in a quiet voice just in case.
“You said I’m the only one who knows about that mask’s ability, right? Are you going to keep it a secret from everyone else too?”
Loki seemed puzzled by the sudden question, but he answered regardless.
“Yes! There’s no benefit in letting people know.”
“Even... even the Freya heiress?”
He didn't know why Johanna was being brought up, but Loki replied that he had no intention of telling her. If it hadn't been for the special training to catch Betzdo, he wouldn't have told Sepia either. It wasn't a matter of trust; it was because simply knowing about it could put someone in danger.
“By the way, growing faster just by training with a mask on... I wonder what the principle behind it is?”
Loki looked back at Sepia, who had spoken in a strangely high-pitched tone.
“The principle?”
“What, have you never thought about it?”
“Nope!”
Sepia looked at him as if she couldn't understand his lack of curiosity, but for Loki, it was only natural. To Loki, a possessor, everything in this world was fantasy. A mask that acted like a 2x EXP event was actually on the tamer side of things.
“Sepia, there’s something else I’m curious about.”
“What is it?”
“How much time do we have left before we’re late?”
Startled by Loki’s words, Sepia checked the time.
“Run!”
* * *
‘Ugh! I need to sober up and prepare for class, but where on earth is Student Loki?! I can’t wait any longer. When Student Loki arrives, please tell him to come to my office during lunch.’
Professor Idra had left the Special Class early due to "various issues," but the students continued to wait for Loki. In particular, Lucas, Kuran, Frederick, and Ren—who had already signed the club application forms—waited with desperate, fierce eyes.
“W-why isn’t he h-here yet? Isn’t it u-usually t-time for him to arrive? D-did something happen on the w-way?”
“Frederick, you worry too much!”
“He wouldn't skip the Academy because he predicted our reaction, would he?”
“No, he hasn't gotten everyone in the Special Class to join yet, so he’ll definitely show up today.”
As soon as Lucas finished speaking, a familiar voice echoed from just outside the classroom.
“Sepia! We’re in trouble!”
“Why? Is the professor already here?”
“No, not that! The door! The door I’m supposed to open is broken!”
The Special Class students were ready to interrogate Loki the moment they saw him, but Loki started interrogating them first.
“Everyone! Breaking the door! Do you think the Academy is a joke? Do you know how much effort went into making this door? Apologize to me immediately!”
The students were so dumbfounded they were lost for words.
You’re the one who breaks it the most! And even if we did apologize, why would we apologize to you?
Wait, that’s not the point.
Snapping back to his senses, Lucas demanded an explanation for the club name.
“How is it? Isn’t it perfect? A name that protects the Clown Union Club while also following the Academy rules! It’s definitely not because you guys teased me yesterday at the cafeteria about changing it to an Adventure or Exploration Club, or because Lucas said he’d make his own club! I definitely didn't name it this just to spite you!”
It was 100% because of that.
“Hehehe! Just in case you’re wondering, don't even dream of changing the name! Hahaha, it’s too late. You are already members of the ‘Clown-led initiative where members Unionize to strategize against Professor Elicia...’ what was next? Anyway! You can never change a club name unless it’s a special case! Kekeke!”
“How are we supposed to deal with this if even you can’t remember the name?!”
The students, unable to take it anymore, were about to pounce on Loki when someone already clamped a firm grip on the top of Loki’s head from behind.
“Professor Elicia?”
“What did I say would happen if you broke the door one more time?”
Feeling the pressure on his skull, Loki let out a scream.
“Hieeeeek! This is unfair! I really didn't do it this time!”
Elicia, who had caught Loki lying about breaking things many times before, didn't believe a word of it. She kept her grip on his head and looked at the other students.
Everyone except Sepia knew that the person who broke the door wasn't Loki, but Professor Idra.
“........It wasn't us.”
Since Professor Idra did it, it wasn't a lie.
“Aaaaaaaaargh!”
For a good while before class even started, the screams of a clown echoed through the Special Class.