Chapter 17
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 17
Chapter Title: Fusion Major Research Club
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Bang!
While Elric was getting thrashed around in the private training hall by Silua,
The door to the training hall burst open violently, and a burly man strode in.
"There you are, Silua."
The man, Joel Raishion, shot Elric a quick glance with a stern face before glaring at Silua.
"Oh? Joel? You can't just barge into a lady's private space like that. What do you think you're doing?"
"Hmph. Lady, my ass. Are you even a lady? All you know how to do is swing a sword and dart around slyly."
"Hehe, isn't it pathetic that you've never once landed a proper hit on me and you're saying that?"
Crackle... Why did it sound like lightning magic from a thunder mage when both of them were clearly swordsmen? Elric alternated glances between them, gauging the mood.
"Looks like I failed in raising my little brother properly. How dare a younger sibling look after the baby of the family before me, and climb all over me like this. It's lamentable."
"So, is that the point? It's just a one-year difference. Elric should obviously be taught by whoever's better skilled, right? He's the baby of our family."
"Ha! Who said you're better?"
"Obviously me, Joel."
The air between them grew menacing. They were even emanating a heavy pressure that weighed down the surrounding atmosphere. It was hard to tell if it was intimidation or killing intent, but it was directed straight at each other.
"Draw your sword, Silua. Words are unnecessary for swordsmen like us. Prove it with your skill."
"Oh? That's just what I wanted. The winner gets to teach Elric."
'What about my opinion?!'
Ignoring Elric's utterly baffled stare, the two drew their swords. Shing... Joel's hefty bastard sword and Silua's rapier slid out with smooth sounds.
In an instant, they coated their blades with aura,
"Hah!"
"Ha!"
As if it were routine, Joel charged forward, and Silua stepped aside to circle behind him.
Clang, shing, bang!
"Still showing that fly-like movement, huh, Silua!"
"Hehe, that's why I said land a hit on me first before talking like that?"
Despite claiming words were unnecessary, they moved their mouths as flashily as their swords in battle. Their skill at dissing each other rivaled the rappers from Elric's past life.
"Hup!"
"Haa!"
Bang!
Their bodies clashed in midair. The fight between two master swordsmen made the space itself seem to rumble. Yeah, this wasn't sparring—it was just a brawl.
'...Time to escape.'
If he got caught, he'd be done for. Elric quietly stirred his mana, activated stealth, and sneaked out of the training hall.
"Phew..."
Fortunately, Silua and Joel hadn't noticed Elric slipping away. They were too engrossed in their fight.
"Ah, they've caught on already..."
No, had the news reached those two already? Silua had said it outright, and Joel had come looking for him, so he must know.
"...Maybe skip the cafeteria."
The academy grounds had all sorts of shops anyway, so as long as you had money, there was no need to go to the cafeteria. It was made by officially hired chefs, free of charge, and indoors, which was why so many students used it instead of going out.
"Young Lord-!"
Then, that familiar voice called out again from somewhere. Elric quickly schooled his face into a blank expression and turned around.
"...Lady Fabian."
"Young Lord! I've been looking for you. Hehe, where were you headed?"
"...Back to the dorm."
He'd inhaled lunch under Silua's pressure, and the academy's lunch break was generously long considering the students were nobles, so he still had some time left. Elric planned to head straight to the dorm and rest somewhere empty. His original personality might have mingled with various people and built bonds with classmates, but he lacked the energy to act as 'Elric' while also making friends.
"Ah! So you have no other plans! Then, could you spare a moment to chat with me?"
"Sure."
He felt a bit sorry for her, and she had this aura that put people at ease, so it wasn't a big deal. Elric nodded.
"Great! Then shall we sit over there and talk?"
"Alright."
Elric sat on the bench Chloe pointed to. Chloe hopped over and plopped down beside him, then beamed brightly as she spoke.
"You're busy, so I'll get straight to the point! I started a new club this time! It's called the [Fusion Major Research Club]!"
"Fusion Major Research Club?"
"Yes! It's a club where people with different majors learn about and research each other's fields! Not just magic, swordsmanship, spirits, but even those in liberal arts! The academy divides majors and classes by field, but I think understanding each other is important too."
A club, huh. Right, he still needed to join one. Houser Academy required every student to join exactly one club. He wondered what loners without friends were supposed to do, but those were the rules.
"And you're a true genius in magic, Lord Elric. I thought you'd be a huge help to our members!"
"...Our members?"
"Yes? Yeah. Prince Rian Sisly, Young Lord Kasis Sirun and his sister Lady Asuka Sirun, Grand Duke Heir Sirius Hyer, my friend Anna Crea, and me—that's six members so far! With you, it'd be seven!"
Chloe explained at length what amounted to 'just join us.' Elric struggled to keep a grimace off his face.
The three guys who stuck to the heroine, one of their sisters, and the heroine herself—it sounded like the epicenter of every storm just from hearing about it.
'...Right, there was an event like that.'
It had happened shortly after enrollment. Chloe formed a club, joined by a few of her friends and three guys. There were more members too, he recalled a line about a dozen or so scattered in the clubroom.
But the questionable part was,
'Was the original club name [Fusion Major Research Club]?'
It hadn't been that long, had it? He felt like it was something else, but he couldn't remember exactly.
Still, Elric shook his head. It didn't matter. The unfinished novel he barely remembered changing or not—what did a club name matter anyway?
"Ah... Are you, um, not interested...?"
Chloe mistook his head shake for refusal and looked up at him with dewy eyes. Her puppy-like face drooped pitifully like a wet dog, making Elric feel a pang of guilt.
But.
'You're the heroine.'
Going there meant getting dragged into all sorts of incidents without fail. A club full of the heroine and guys? It'd be weirder if nothing happened.
"No—"
As Elric started to refuse, he suddenly stopped.
To repeat: Every Houser Academy student must join one club, no exceptions.
And considering Elric's dismal social circle, refusing Chloe's club left him with...
'Can't start my own—no one to recruit. So join another...'
If word got out that Elric was club-hunting, two people who would grab him by the scruff in an instant flashed in his mind.
Joel Raishion and Silua Raishion.
And they were in different clubs. Joel in the bodybuilding club, Silua in swordsmanship, he thought.
They'd just wrecked the training hall over who trains him—imagine what they'd do over a club he'd have to stick with for at least a year.
That thought sent chills down Elric's spine.
The events at the mansion and just now flashed through his mind like a panorama, and without realizing it, Elric's mouth moved.
"—perfect club. It's exactly what I've been looking for."
"Y-Yes? You like it that much?"
"Ahem, yes. To create a club that suits me so perfectly... Impressive."
"Hehe... So, you're joining?"
"Yes."
Houser Academy mandated one club per student—no multiples allowed. Being in Chloe's club meant safety from Silua and Joel's strong-arming for at least a year, no matter what.
'No faster option in this situation.'
Club promo period started next week after enrollment. Silua and Joel would kidnap him way before then.
"Great! Then please sign your name here."
"Of course."
Elric hurriedly stirred mana to conjure a magic pen and signed Chloe's club form. Chloe, who had been rummaging for a pen to lend him, blinked in surprise and laughed.
"Hehe, you must really like it."
"Mm, yeah."
Being crushed between Silua and Joel like a shrimp in a whale fight, or sticking with original characters? The latter seemed better no matter how he thought. He hadn't realized from the story, but experiencing it firsthand, they were utterly insane.
And.
'Better with people whose personalities I know. Easier to act around too.'
They didn't know Elric well, but he knew them pretty well. He'd read about 45 chapters, after all.
Incidents? They wouldn't kill him or anything. Besides...
'Most of those incidents were caused by 'Elric' anyway.'
So as long as he did nothing, those would vanish. It didn't seem bad at all.
"Okay, once the roster's finalized, I'll let you know! Rest well!"
"You too, Lady."
She clearly wanted to talk more—it showed in her eyes—but Chloe perfectly read Elric's intent to head to the dorm and stepped back considerately. She flashed a bright smile and hopped to her feet.
"See you!"
"You too."
Elric caught her thoughtfulness and bid her farewell in a slightly softer tone. Being around her really did ease his mind. Not just because she was the world's heroine. She had this unique aura that relaxed people. And she was bright, too.
Elric sat a moment until Chloe disappeared, then stood. Now he really wanted to head to the dorm and rest.
"...Young Lord, when did you get so chummy with Lady Fabian?"
Then, a familiar voice stabbed into Elric's ear with sharp intent.