Chapter 11
The Volunteer Club's monumental first step!
…Well, that's what it sounds like on paper, but in reality, we're not doing jack shit.
The ultimate goal of creating this club was to hook up our lonely heroines with Polo, after all. It wasn't meant for any serious do-gooder volunteering.
Sure, we've got eyes on us, and Polo might get suspicious, so we'll do some occasional activities. But they won't be frequent.
We'd come to another building on the academy grounds for club activities.
A whole building just for clubs? The continent's top academy sure doesn't skimp on the budget.
Given how sprawling the academy is, they even have a dedicated building for club activities. Sports clubs like soccer or volleyball can use the training grounds or the attached courts in the gym, but most clubs hold indoor gatherings and exchanges, so they built this place for student convenience.
Still, I didn't expect to get assigned here…
Club room assignments are entirely up to the faculty's discretion. If you're tight with the profs in charge, you snag a prime spot on a lower floor with good foot traffic. Otherwise, you might end up high up in some dusty corner, climbing stairs every meeting—like the Ancient Languages Research Club, whose members supposedly bulked up their calves twofold from all that hiking.
Luckily, we had the empire's pinnacle of power, the princess, on our side. We got assigned to the far end of the first floor, where hardly anyone passes by.
Since our club has some… less than pure motives compared to others, we wanted somewhere out of the way. This room assignment suits us perfectly.
"Since it's our first time, let's start with simple introductions."
The club members gathered in our new room. With me, Polo, the princess, the saintess, and the duke's daughter, our five official members were all present. Whoever picked out the furnishings had stocked the place with flashy, luxurious furniture already.
We gathered around the ornate table in the center—me and Polo on one side, the three heroines on the other. A deliberate seating to prevent any mishaps if one of them tried sitting next to Polo.
"Since it's our first time, let's start with simple introductions."
The classic icebreaker. For me, it's under duress from half-threats from these heroines, and now we're in a contractual relationship aimed at sparking romance. But for Polo, who has zero prior connection with them, this is his direct chance to learn about them.
"I'll go first. I'm Mars Noctus, second son of the Noctus viscountcy. I've been appointed club president. Nice to meet you all."
Clap clap clap!
Polo clapped enthusiastically at my straightforward intro, but the other three barely reacted. Not even a courtesy clap. Those damn women.
"Hi everyone! I'm Polo Helios! Uh… I actually joined because Mars did, but I love helping people, so I'm super excited! I hope we can do lots of volunteering together!"
Clap clap clap clap clap!! Clap clap clap clap clap!! Clap clap clap clap clap!!
The explosive applause was on a whole other level from mine. The heroines' eardrum-shattering welcome left me dazed.
It's fine… Discrimination is something I'm used to… Getting discriminated against based on looks isn't new.
The heroines, thrilled that Polo—the guy they'd only admired from afar—was now breathing the same air, wore flushed expressions brighter than ever.
"…Now, the rest of you, please introduce yourselves."
"Hmph. Very well, I'll go next. Greetings. I am Astraia von Kailum, student council president and second princess of the Kailum imperial family."
"For someone as noble as Your Highness the princess to serve as student council president and join a humble club like this… You must not have much on your plate after all?"
An unexpected uppercut from the saintess during the princess's intro. My heart raced at the first signs of a catfight I'd only heard about.
"The student council is a path any aspiring ruler must tread. Yet even I deserve the right to join one club of my choosing for leisure. Besides, I am capable enough that duties like these barely register. Still, I appreciate your concern."
"Tch."
The saintess clicked her tongue as her sneak attack failed. The duke's daughter beside her—loyal to her own lady—stayed silent but looked plenty displeased. She probably resented the princess for meddling in her love life instead of sticking to student council work.
"Um… But isn't Your Highness the student council president? Can you join a club if you're already in the council?"
"It's fine. The student council is a separate entity from clubs. If anything, as the academy's direct administrative organ, it's distinct from exchange-focused clubs. Multiple club memberships are forbidden, but the council isn't a club, so it's allowed."
Classic princess—well-versed in rules and regs, as expected. Pleased by Polo's question, she answered cheerfully, flashing a triumphant smile at the other two, who now had no ammo left.
Next up, the saintess shot the princess a displeased glance before standing to continue.
"Greetings. By the church's grace, I serve as saintess. From the moment the Goddess bestowed her mission upon me, my name became hers alone, so I cannot share it. Only the Goddess and the lifelong partner I shall share my days with may know it. For now, please just call me Saintess."
She emphasized "for now" while gazing at Polo. The princess and duke's daughter narrowed their eyes, instantly grasping the implication.
Of course, I knew her name—from game reviews online. But if that slipped out now, the church would drag me off for interrogation. Best to play dumb.
"I heard rumors of this club's founding—to care for the weak and hear the woes of the suffering. It filled my heart with joy, aligning perfectly with the Goddess's revelation to aid our needy neighbors. Thus, I applied with great pleasure."
Even to an atheist like me, the saintess's claim of divine selection carried an otherworldly weight.
"Come to think of it, we've met before, Brother Polo."
"Ah! Right, you healed my cat back then—thank you!"
"Hehe… It was nothing. I've checked on it since, and thankfully, it's recovering well without further injury."
"I see~ That's a relief…"
The other two, piecing together the story from the exchange, eyed the saintess—who'd already left a strong impression on Polo—with jealousy. She smirked subtly in satisfaction. My chest swelled with pride.
"Ah, hi! Or… hello. I'm Celine Euse, second daughter of Duke Euse. Um… I got interested in volunteering… so I joined…"
Our duke's daughter's intro was surprisingly curt. With no prior ties to the princess or saintess and nothing standout to boast, her usual haughty demeanor vanished. She awkwardly forced out polite speech, glancing nervously at them—it even tugged at my sympathies.
"Hello! We're in the same class, right?"
"Huh? Oh, yeah!"
"I'm so glad to see you here! I figured someone like you wouldn't care much for volunteering."
"I-Is that so?"
Fair point. Her usual speech and behavior didn't scream "volunteer club" material. If she joined anything, it'd be something influential in high society or magic research—not service work.
"A-Actually, my father always said nobles exist to serve the empire's people! I've done plenty of volunteering at orphanages and welfare centers since I was little!"
"Ooh! Impressive!"
Oh ho. That was news to me. Honestly, her image wasn't the warmest—more like snapping, "Get those filthy hands away!" and acting cold. But raised by upright parents, her values seemed solid.
…So why's she so harsh with me?
"Anyway, that wraps up introductions, more or less. Going forward, we'll help people inside and outside the academy. Whether it's professional facility work or solving students' minor gripes, we'll step up wherever aid is needed."
Sorry, Polo, but don't get your hopes up—we're not diving into real action. Most "activities" will be orphanage visits to nudge the heroines closer to you, or fake requests disguised as love advice to get you more attuned to women's hearts.
"Let's wrap up here for today. Real activities can start next meeting. Next time, we'll discuss what everyone wants to do specifically."
"Sure, Mars. When's the next one?"
"Hmm… Next Friday?"
"Eh? That might not work for me…"
"Ah, right. Everyone's busy then, so let's push it back."
"Yes. How about the week after?"
Busy? What's everyone got going on?
"Um… Why is everyone busy? Some special schedule?"
"Oh? Next week's the first-years' practical training. As student council, I have to assist with oversight and management. The saintess will be on standby for injuries, and you two are participants, so naturally busy."
"Ah."
The academy's practicals, tied to grades and crucial for records. I'd been so fixated on the heroines' love schemes that I'd totally forgotten.
"…Fuck."