Chapter 45: Club 2
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 45: Club 2
Of course, I hadn't mentioned it yet, but I was planning to start a club.
I intended to reveal it as a surprise once the club selection period officially began.
Everyone’s going to love it, right?
Since it was currently the club trial period, students couldn't officially join or form clubs yet. Besides, setting one up took time. I had to find a clubroom, secure a faculty advisor, and, most importantly, get approval from the Student Council.
Even though the Student Council President, Joden, viewed me as his savior, his permission alone wasn't enough to establish a club.
Naturally, I already had a plan.
"By the way, Loki, are you really not going to tell me what happened back then?" Lucas asked.
By "back then," he meant the time Vermin and I were trapped inside the fog. Since Vermin had emerged trembling like a leaf, it was only natural for Lucas to be curious. Even Yerika had asked about it during our nightly phone call.
"It’s for your own good. Knowing will only hurt you."
My answer remained the same. Since I refused to budge, Lucas didn't press any further.
"Let’s head to the cafeteria together in a bit."
Except for one occasion, I had always gone to lunch with Lucas and the other Special Class students.
"I’m sorry, but I have a prior engagement today, so I don’t think I can join you."
"Really? That’s a shame. Who are you eating with?"
"Senior Johanna."
Johanna had asked me to eat with her during our morning training session. I had no reason to refuse, so I accepted.
"With Lady Freya?"
Lucas looked genuinely shocked. Why? We’d eaten together once before. Just as I was about to ask why he looked so surprised, someone else spoke to me.
"Excuse me, someone is here to see you."
It was Frederick. Following his gaze, I turned my head toward the classroom door. Johanna was standing there, waiting for me.
"Thanks for letting me know. Enjoy your lunch!"
I thanked Frederick and hurried over to Johanna.
"Senior, why did you come all the way here? I could have gone to you, or we could have met halfway."
"My lecture ended early."
"Shall we head to the cafeteria, then?"
"Yes."
Engrossed in my conversation with Johanna, I didn't hear Lucas’s voice trailing behind us.
"Should I mention this too...?"
* * *
"You haven't forgotten what I said before, have you?" Johanna asked abruptly as we walked.
"Pardon?"
I only asked because I was startled, but Johanna seemed to take it as a sign that I had actually forgotten.
".........."
Others might not have noticed the subtle shift in her expression, but I could. She was sulking. I quickly racked my brain. The answer was easier to find than I expected.
"You mean the club experience, right?! That I’d join the Disciplinary Committee for it! Of course I haven't forgotten."
Johanna nodded, her expression softening. "Can you start tomorrow morning?"
"If it’s something you’re asking, Senior, I’m available anytime!"
The corners of Johanna’s mouth twitched upward ever so slightly, as if my words had pleased her.
"Lady Johanna!"
Someone called out to her as we walked down the hallway. Based on the armbands they wore, they were clearly members of the Disciplinary Committee.
"If you're on your way to lunch, why don't you join us?"
"Ah..."
Johanna let out a short sigh and looked at me, almost as if she were seeking my permission. Since no one in the Disciplinary Committee seemed like a bad person, I answered with a simple nod.
The committee members seemed to notice me only then, flinching slightly. It wasn't like I lacked a presence or anything.
"Lady Johanna! Could you wait just a moment? Just one tiny moment?"
They asked for her indulgence and moved a short distance away to whisper among themselves. They must have used sound-blocking magic, as I couldn't hear a word. However, based on their expressions and gestures, it was clear two opposing opinions were clashing.
After a brief moment, they seemed to reach a conclusion. One of them stepped forward as their representative and approached Johanna.
"Lady Johanna, we’ll eat by ourselves today! S-so... please eat with that boy, just the two of you!"
Her eyes were squeezed shut, her fists were clenched, and she was trembling. It was painfully obvious how much she actually wanted to eat with Johanna.
"Well done. That must have been so hard to say!"
"We’re so proud of you!"
The other committee members were even patting her on the back in encouragement. With a final wish for us to enjoy our meal, they hurried away.
I looked at Johanna, completely bewildered.
Blink, blink.
Johanna seemed just as confused by the situation, her eyes blinking in surprise.
"Uh... shall we head to the cafeteria for now?"
* * *
Nothing particularly noteworthy happened while I ate with Johanna.
No one came over to pick a fight like Vermin would have. In fact, some people even went out of their way to avoid me. If there was anything unusual, it was the Disciplinary Committee members who kept staring at us throughout the meal.
They watched me eat with Johanna with teary eyes. One of them was actually crying.
Reflecting on the strange scene in the cafeteria, I soon arrived at Professor Idra’s office.
Knock, knock.
"Come in."
I opened the door and stepped inside.
"So, what brings Student Loki to see me today?" Professor Idra asked, her eyes sparkling with curiosity.
"It’s nothing specific. I just felt like seeing you today, Professor, so I stopped by."
Professor Idra burst into a hearty laugh.
"Hahaha! That’s nice to hear, but is that really all?"
"That’s 99% of the reason. The other 1% is a small favor I’d like to ask."
"I’m not so sure about those percentages, but fine. What is this favor?"
"I was hoping you would agree to be the faculty advisor for a club I’m starting!"
Professor Idra’s eyes widened in surprise. "You’re starting your own club?"
"There aren't any existing clubs that can truly contain me, you see. So, I decided to make one myself!"
"Heh. And what kind of activities will this club of yours do?"
I explained to Professor Idra what the 'Clown Union Club' would be all about. She laughed again, a mischievous smile playing on her lips.
"Hmm~ I wonder. Should I grant this request from my precious student? But I’ve been so busy with my research lately. What should I do?"
Professor Idra was the only person eccentric enough to be the advisor for such a crazy club. She muttered, "Oh, right, there was that," before speaking up.
"If you take first place in my exam this afternoon, I’ll become the advisor for your club."
"What kind of exam is it?"
She gave a playful giggle. "It wouldn't be any fun if I told you beforehand, would it?"
* * *
"Loki, do you know why we were told to gather at the outdoor training ground today?"
"I’m not sure either."
While Loki was talking to Lucas, Professor Idra spoke up.
"Quiet, everyone. Today, we’re going to play a fun little game."
Not a single student believed her. Having sat through her classes, everyone knew exactly what kind of professor Idra was.
"My, such a cold reaction. I even prepared a special prize for today."
The mention of a prize piqued the students' interest.
"The prize is... Ta-da!"
The students gasped as Idra revealed the item.
"Holy crap, is that an elixir?"
What Idra held was indeed an elixir—and a fairly expensive one at that. As the students stared at the elixir, practically drooling, Idra smiled with satisfaction.
"The rules are simple. Once I give the signal, everyone will head into the forest to find blue beads. The student who finds the most beads within the time limit wins the prize."
"Simple, right?" Idra said, scanning the students. "Any questions?"
The students were already warming up, looking ready to bolt into the forest at any second. High-grade elixirs weren't easy to come by.
"If not, then start—"
"I have a question!"
The students, who were about to sprint, skidded to a halt. Someone had raised their hand.
"Student Loki, do you have a question?"
"I’d like to know how much time we have!"
"The time limit is one hour. A signal will be sent out when time is up."
Loki proceeded to pepper Idra with questions. He asked about the size of the beads, how many there were, whether students were allowed to steal beads from each other, and more.
"Aren't you asking too many questions?"
As the questioning dragged on, a few students began to grumble.
"Everyone, think about it. We’re competing against each other anyway, so there’s no need to rush. Isn't it better to ask everything now rather than after we’ve already started?"
Hearing Loki’s reasoning, the students' complaints vanished. He was right; starting a little later wouldn't change much. Soon, other students began raising their hands to ask Idra questions as well.
Lucas didn't ask anything; he just focused on warming up. He had consumed many elixirs in his life, but that didn't mean he didn't want another one. Then, his gaze shifted to Loki, who had stopped asking questions and was just standing there silently.
The other students were still preoccupied, firing questions at Idra.
Wait... didn't he raise his hand right after Professor Idra said 'start'?
Suddenly, goosebumps broke out all over Lucas’s body.
No way... but then again, if it’s Loki, maybe...
"Loki."
Lucas reached out and placed a hand on Loki’s shoulder.
Swoosh.
Lucas’s hand passed right through Loki.
That crazy bastard.
Realizing the situation, Lucas shouted toward Professor Idra.
"Professor! How much time is left!"
The other students looked at Lucas, confused. Since they hadn't even started yet, shouldn't there be a full hour left?
But Idra replied with a grin.
"About 40 minutes left. By the way, when are you all planning to leave?"
* * *
Loki pulled a blue bead from a crevice between some rocks.
"Man, they noticed faster than I expected."
In Loki’s hand, there were already seven blue beads.