Club Enrollment - 2
"That's the explanation. Now, any questions?"
"None here."
I wasn't listening anyway. Can't you just wrap it up? Angelica's expression suggested she was thinking the same thing. With the imperial princess right here, I could see why this club was on the chopping block.
She nodded with a smile at my response, then fidgeted with her fingers, her face shifting to surprise as if she'd just remembered something.
"Ah! Sorry. I got so carried away with my own story that I forgot introductions. I'm Eirin de Astoria. You probably know, but no need for formalities at the academy—just call me Senior Eirin."
"Ian de Logres."
"Angelica de Olivier."
"Ian... Angelica... Ah! So you're those two?"
Her words made me grimace involuntarily. The imperial family had a track record with this stuff. Another one of those aggravating articles...?
"I knew about Miss Angelica since she's the top student... and I heard about you from my little brother, Ian. You're the one who snapped that idiot out of it, right?"
Not what I expected. Her little brother must be the second prince. Between him and the family head, who knows how much they'd blabbed.
Eirin grinned and continued. "No idea what wind blew through, but the kid suddenly straightened up. I thought he was finally a goner..."
Her gaze toward me sharpened. "He said it was thanks to someone... You're the one who smashed those heretics on the train, and the one who tied with Miss Angelica in that duel, right?"
Meeting those eyes sent a chill down my spine. She approached with her intentions masked, like a serpent ready to swallow me whole. Her otaku vibes had thrown me off—this woman was imperial royalty through and through.
But what was this? Did Eirin have some hidden backstory I didn't know? The imperial family storyline was locked unless the protagonist messed up, since the crown prince had overwhelming support. No court intrigue as I recalled.
"The freshman top student and his rival joining our Ancient Literature Club? This means the club's revival is just around the corner."
She declared it with sparkling eyes. What a letdown. Guess it was just my imagination. Nearly gave me a scare—thought we were genre-shifting from romance fantasy to political thriller.
"Anyway, thanks for coming. You two put out a raging fire. All the other members graduated... I thought we were done for."
Her shining eyes dimmed, a bitter smile crossing her face as she stared at the floor.
"Is the club that precious?"
"Yeah, it is."
Eirin nodded matter-of-factly at Angelica's flat question. I didn't know the fine details of Eirin's life since she was extra-tier in the game, but I remembered she stayed depressed for a while after the club's disbandment, ignoring other clubs. That said how much the Ancient Literature Club meant to her.
"Even if it was just a year, club activities with my seniors were so much fun. I didn't want it to end."
"Then use your imperial authority..."
"That'd kill the romance, wouldn't it? And forcing people in—what's the point of keeping a club like that going?"
She laughed and pressed on. "Now we've got three. Just two more, and we're set. With famous folks like you two, it'll be swarming with applicants in no time, right?"
Doubtful. Eirin was a second-year, so last year, she was the only new recruit. The rest graduating meant it was a dead club of fourth-years before her. Plus, unless it was someone like Isabella, Angelica and I were more loner types than social butterflies—not many connections.
And the members? The first princess, a duke's bastard son, and Charles's attendant? That'd scare people off.
But I liked it here. Niche of the niche, unlikely to attract Iris, perfect for the Carnwenan seal event. No other club ticked all my boxes. Not the answer Eirin wanted, but that was why I was joining.
Still, even with three, we'd only get a grace period. Needed five minimum to keep it going, so two more recruits were essential.
The first princess should have connections, though. "No networks you can tap?"
"W-Well, I didn't pay much attention to class life outside clubs as a freshman... so I don't have close friends."
No wonder she was extra-tier. A voluntary loner? A gathering of national-level outcasts—that was us.
They were honorary outcasts, anyway. After chatting more about Eirin and the club, we left the room. Needed two people, regardless.
Angelica probably only knew Charles, and he'd be chasing Iris. Pass. Ask Donnesia or Isabella? Nah, scratch Isabella—she wouldn't touch a dump like this, and she was probably in several already.
So thinking...
"Let's go hard from the start. That okay?"
I got my ass handed to me. Badly.
# Holy shit, she doesn't hold back. How does she hit that hard?
On a garden bench under the moonlight, I was the one trash-talking my rival mercilessly. My whole body still ached. Dragon Power boosted regeneration like crazy, but pain was pain.
That was dueling Angelica, I guess. Or did she hit harder knowing I had Dragon Power? Our wooden swords shattered again anyway.
Shattered wooden swords meant a scolding from the professor on duty. It ended there for now, but with more breakage ahead, future me was in for it.
"Ian."
A woman appeared before me as I wallowed in self-pity. Radiant silver hair, sapphire-blue eyes. Donnesia.
"Donnesia."
"What are you doing out here?"
"Just lamenting my fate a bit..."
Seems like there's more to ponder about my cursed lot. I stared at the night sky stars. At least my level went up one—small consolation.
"Heard you're joining a club?"
Word traveled fast—who spilled? I nodded.
"Decided yet?"
"Not yet. Don't really see the need."
Perfect. Made things easier. I'd planned to invite her anyway.
"Wanna join mine?"
"Eh, not thinking about clubs right now."
Fair enough. Shame. "Guess that's that."
"But Ian."
Donnesia smiled wistfully, narrowing her eyes at me. Eyes that seemed to pierce lies. Her face smiled, but not her eyes—like at the banquet with Isabella.
Meeting that gaze, I swallowed dryly. "...What."
"Just curious—who else is in the club you joined?"
Asking about members? No clue why the interrogation, but I listed them without thinking. "First, First Princess Eirin de Astoria."
Her eyes twitched at Eirin's name. What? Did I slip?
"Next?"
"Well, next is... Angelica. That's it for now."
Her eyes twitched again, harder. Shadow darkened her face. She was still smiling, but her eyes weren't.
"So, your club has Princess Eirin and Lady Angelica? And you're the only guy?"
"...Y-Yeah, pretty much."
"I see..."
She leaned in close. Angelica had done it once, but this felt alien. Our noses nearly touched; her breath grazed my skin. Why did they all shove their faces so close?
"The name."
"Huh?"
"The club name."
Sudden interest? She asked for it now. Any hook in our chat?
"Ancient Literature Club."
"Ancient Literature Club..."
She mulled it over, then: "Still valid? That offer."
"Huh?"
"Suddenly interested."
Wind change—she wanted in. "No need to force it. Not that fun."
"No, I think it will be. And..."
She pulled back, smiling again. But looking down at me, shadows made her eerie.
"Better to keep what's mine close. Easier to watch, right?"
Shadowed face, unsmiling eyes amplified the vibe. Super yandere. Villainess territory?
"Can't exactly put a leash on it, though?"
Why so venomous? Felt aimed at me, heavy with affection. But this was romance fantasy—family obsession, sure, but heroine fixating on family? Nah, not her target.
Who'd like that face anyway? Magic department connection? Or... Angelica?
At the banquet, now here—always Angelica-linked blowups. No incest endings, but yuri? Possible. Higher odds.
Yeah, Donnesia. If you're into that lesbian vibe, I support you. Fighting!
# The path to the dormitory was quiet. Late hour, everyone unpacked post-classes, holed up inside.
I'd planned to unpack after the club, but Angelica dragged me to the training grounds, saying she'd be late. No time.
At the first-floor bulletin board, the packed room assignments caught my eye. 'Room 307, 3rd Floor' next to my name.
Up to the third floor, down the hall to 307. Door said so. Tried the handle—locked. Supposed to be open, but roommate must've secured it.
Light knock to announce myself. Pulled the academy dorm keycard from my chest pocket. Medieval fantasy, yet keycard? Magic engineering, they said. Total hotel keycard.
Too late to complain. Tapped it; a small magic circle glowed, unlocking the door.
Inside: modest, tidy two-person room. Wooden furniture and floors gave cozy vibes.
And.
"You're my roommate? Nice to meet you."
A guy in the center, hand extended. Black hair, black eyes faintly gray-tinged. Androgynous handsome features screamed "romance fantasy protagonist."
"Dante de Astoria. Call me Dante."
"Ian de Logres."
Dante de Astoria. Third prince of the Astoria Empire, one of Dawn Star Academia's male leads. And his unique trait: DLC protagonist from the heroine-less downfall storyline. The only playable male lead.
Banquet with Kyle, failing club led by First Princess Eirin, dorm roommate Third Prince Dante? Why was I constantly tangled with the imperial family? At this point, didn't I have something with them?