Chapter 178: Clown Union Club 25
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 178: Clown Union Club 25
Even before it was revealed that Loki was the Emperor’s disciple, it was common knowledge among the student body that he was on excellent terms with the Special Class.
Loki was frequently seen laughing and chatting with them during lunch breaks. In their afternoon classes, he spoke with Lucas without the slightest hint of reservation, looking for all the world like lifelong friends.
It wasn't that the Special Class students went around looking down on others or acting superior. In fact, when a few brave souls approached them, the elites usually responded politely rather than ignoring them.
Clara, however, was the sole exception. If a stranger tried to strike up a conversation, she would either ignore them entirely or shut them down with icy brevity.
"Why are you asking me about a problem you don't understand? If you're confused, go ask the professor."
"Eat lunch together? Are we close?"
"You spent the entire class chatting instead of working, and now you want to meet up after school for a group project? I’m telling the professor I’m working alone. You guys figure it out yourselves."
No student had ever witnessed Clara holding a prolonged conversation with anyone.
And yet, there were those who had seen that very same Clara laughing and talking with Loki for ages.
"Hey! Holy crap, do you know what I just saw?"
"Why are you so shocked? Did you finally look in a mirror?"
"No! Stop joking and listen. I was heading to the restroom earlier, and I saw..."
Of course, this was a misunderstanding born from watching from a distance.
It wasn't that Loki and Clara were having a deep conversation. Clara was simply ignoring Loki as he pestered her, and Loki was rambling on by himself, acting as if she were actually responding.
"For real?"
"I’m telling you, it’s true! Why won't you believe me? Clara even played around, pretending to attack him with magic!"
Naturally, this was also a misunderstanding.
Playing around? Hardly. Clara had been genuinely trying to blast Loki into oblivion.
But the students, unaware of the truth and envious of Loki’s rapport with the elites, came to a singular conclusion. If he had been this close to them even before his status as His Majesty’s disciple was known, then the only thing they lacked...
Was time spent together.
If I join his club and spend time with him, I’ll naturally become close to him too, right?
The students who approached Loki to join his club honestly thought it wouldn't be difficult to get in. Usually, the more members a club had, the more funding it received and the more influence the president wielded. There was a reason second and third-year students were unusually kind to freshmen during the club recruitment period.
This was why it took the students a moment to process what was happening.
They never imagined he would dodge the question and bolt when there were so many people practically begging to join!
"What?! Where did he go?!"
"Find him! Lunch is the only time we can actually talk to him. Tomorrow’s the weekend!"
"There he is!"
At one student’s shout, the hopeful applicants whipped their heads toward the cafeteria entrance.
There, Loki was creeping away as stealthily as a thief.
"Gah! I’m sorry, but our club isn't taking any more members! Goodbye!"
Leaving those words trailing in his wake, Loki bolted out of the cafeteria. The mob of students didn't hesitate, sprinting after him in a frantic pack.
"At least take me! I told you, the more members, the better!"
"If you let me in, I’ll do whatever you say!"
"Wait!"
"He’s getting away! Chase him, quick!"
Even though Loki had explicitly said he wasn't accepting anyone, no one simply said, "Oh, really? Well, that’s a shame," and gave up.
Of course, not every student in the cafeteria joined the chase. A few remained behind.
Mainly, other club presidents.
Members of the Student Council.
The Disciplinary Committee.
And others who, for various reasons, had no intention of joining Loki’s club.
The Special Class students, naturally, also stayed put to finish their meal.
"Lu-Lucas, will Lo-Loki be okay?"
"Lord Frederick worries too much," Gashurin remarked. "Save your concern for someone who actually needs it."
"Hahaha! Gashurin is right! Frederick, the thing you should be worrying about isn't Loki—it’s your muscles! On that note, let’s go hit the gym after lunch!"
"Wh-what? How did the conversation turn to that...?"
"Ren, I assume you’re coming too!"
"Of course."
"Wh-what about my opinion...?" Frederick stammered.
"Your opinion doesn't matter—only your gains do! Lucas, you’re coming too!"
"Ahaha. If Frederick’s going, I suppose I’ll join. And like Gashurin said, you don't need to worry about Loki. If anything, you should worry about the people who chased after him."
"That is correct. The handsome, brilliant, and kind Loki will handle himself just fine."
"Right. Handso... Who the hell are you?!"
Startled by the familiar voice that had suddenly chimed in, Lucas jumped from his seat. His gaze instinctively dropped toward the source of the sound.
There, crawling out from under the cafeteria table, was Loki.
Lucas’s outburst drew the attention of everyone left in the room. They all stared in stunned silence as Loki emerged from beneath the furniture. Their eyes screamed a single question: Why are you coming out from there?
"A man’s gotta eat, doesn't he?" Loki said, brushing off his uniform.
* * *
That was a close one.
If I hadn't used an illusion to hide, my precious lunch break would have been ruined. Looking at the fire in their eyes, it didn't seem like they would have backed down just because I said the club was full.
The benefits of a large club? I didn't need any of them.
Activity funds? If I needed money, I had plenty of ways to make it.
Influence? I already had connections like the Disciplinary Committee President and the Student Council President.
Besides, for the sake of those wanting to join, it was better to reject them. Considering the level of the dungeons I planned to tackle with the Special Class during club hours, extra members would be a hindrance, not a help. They’d just end up as casualties.
Of course, there were talented students outside the Special Class. But most of them, like Johanna and Joden, were already club presidents or were being treated like royalty in their current clubs, so they hadn't come to apply.
"President, I’m sorry you couldn't even eat in the cafeteria because of me," Johanna said.
"It’s fine."
Johanna and I were now outside. Even though the crowd had been tricked by my illusion and ran off, anyone who knew my abilities would eventually realize they’d been duped and return to the cafeteria. I couldn't stay there.
I told Johanna it was a shame but we should probably eat separately today, but she insisted on eating with me.
"But where should we go?"
The bench by the fountain I’d seen earlier seemed nice, but if we ate there, a crowd would surely gather within three minutes.
"...I know a good place."
With those words, Johanna led me toward the Academy rooftop.
"The 'good place' is the rooftop?"
"...Have you been here before?" she asked.
"No. Isn't it off-limits? I heard the door is always locked."
Even in the game, if you tried to access the rooftop, a message would appear:
[The door is locked. A key is required.]
And the person who held that key?
The Disciplinary Committee President, Johanna Freya.
Johanna pulled a key from her pocket and approached the door.
Click.
She unlocked the heavy padlock.
Creeeeak—
"I’m sure you’ll like it."
She pushed the door open.
Just as Johanna said, the Academy rooftop was perfect. It was spacious, breezy, empty, and clean. Above all, I loved the view looking down from the railing.
* * *
Getting food was simple. I just pulled a spread of dishes out of my Pocket Dimension.
Johanna and I finished our meal, but we didn't head down immediately. We stayed on the rooftop to talk. There were several reasons for lingering.
First, there was no real rush. Second, staying here allowed me to hide from the persistent scouts still hunting for me. But mostly, I was just too full and lazy to move.
As we chatted, the topic eventually shifted back to the people looking for me.
"...You have class in the afternoon. What are you going to do then?"
Honestly, I thought things would settle down after lunch, but seeing the people still prowling the grounds, they would definitely swarm me the moment I stepped into a classroom. If I was unlucky, they might even cling to me after school ended.
I sat on the rooftop floor, resting my chin on my hand as I pondered.
Hmm... what should I do?
Wait, wouldn't this solve everything?
"...Should I help you?" Johanna offered.
"It’s okay. A great idea just occurred to me."
"So, you’re saying that’s your reason for leaving early?"
"Yes!"
I was caught by Professor Elicia while trying to sneak out of the Academy.