Chapter 76
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 76
Chapter Title: College Tour (1)
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The next day, Wednesday morning in Cleam Hall.
The day of my hospital appointment.
"Today's a special activity."
Chadric, who arrived right on time at 9 a.m. as usual, announced. A collective sigh of relief mixed with anticipation rippled through the hall.
Special activities were basically free time.
"College tours."
College tours.
Cleam Hall buzzed with murmurs. My heart skipped a beat too. Before my regression, this was something I could never have dreamed of.
"I'll start by listing the universities we can tour."
Chadric activated the beam projector. University names scrolled up one by one.
[National Edshila]
[Yeontea] [Gowroa] [Chronos]
[Lumies] [Belladium] [Witos]
[Sistina] [Northpole] [Petra]….
Those were the top-tier ones. People usually grouped them by initials: Edshila, Algo?, Kruvel?, Wishi-Nopeh, and the rest.
The capital's universities went up to Belladium, and Petra Mana University was in the metro area too.
"Pick the one you want."
University.
Campus life.
For current Mana High seniors, the university name on your diploma could change your entire life—the one absolute value that mattered above all else.
The seniors' faces gradually lit up with excitement.
"It's a special activity, but there'll be assignments, of course. They'll vary by university."
The excited expressions deflated instantly.
"I'll take volunteers starting with National Edshila University."
National Edshila Mana University was the continent's pinnacle, the top prestige school where even Endex— one of the elite high schools—could only send 10-20 students a year at best.
Surprisingly, quite a few bold students chose it.
"Gerkken. Soliet. Elise. Kain. Esher. Rae. Kieri. Brown. James. And…"
I raised my hand too.
"Sion as well. That's ten, right?"
The moment Chadric called my name, everyone turned to stare. I plastered on a thick skin.
What are you gonna do about it? I said I'm going.
"Next, Yeontea."
Yeontea was a national university runner-up in prestige. Its rivalry with Gowroa made campus life supposedly more fun than even National Edshila.
Just as many—or more—signed up for it.
"Thirteen. Next up, Gowroa…."
9:30 a.m.
The seniors gathered on Endex's athletic field. Several buses were already parked, chartered for the college tours.
"This one, huh."
I boarded the bus with the [National Edshila] sticker.
Nine others were already seated inside.
Elise's crew was lined up in the very back. Kain and Esher were still keeping their distance from each other. Kieri was up front, head down like she was avoiding my gaze.
I took a seat with an empty spot next to it.
"Everyone aboard?"
Mana Class A homeroom teacher Chadric boarded, checked headcount.
"Ten. We're heading out."
Chadric radioed in, then stepped off the bus.
The bus pulled away immediately. I leaned against the window, planning to catch a quick nap—
Thwack.
Something hit the back of my head. A paper wad.
I turned around. My eyes met Esher's. He mouthed something. What're you looking at—
I chucked a fistful of crumpled paper back at him.
"Look at that guy—"
I ignored Esher's exasperated glare and faced forward again. Another paper wad came flying right away.
I scanned around. Anything like a pebble? Might as well kill him.
Twenty minutes passed like that.
"We've arrived."
The driver announced. I peered out the window. The full view of National Edshila University came into sight.
First impression: majestic. The campus fence was a full mana barrier.
"Everyone off."
We all disembarked. The mana university grounds were paved in blue.
"Hey, Sion. You've really shot up, huh?"
Esher, glaring and chattering nearby. I grinned back.
"Grown a bit. Noticeable?"
My uniform was getting too tight; time for a new one soon.
"What? No way… Huh? Yeah, you have gotten taller—"
"Welcome, Endex students. I'm TA Baison."
Right on cue, a TA approached, waving a small flag at shoulder height.
"Let's head in, to the campus."
He gestured toward the campus entrance. Between the mana barriers stood a massive 'L'-shaped sculpture.
"You know this L, right? That's why they call it El-University sometimes. But actually, it's not from Edshila—it's Lemina's L."
Lemina was 'mana' in the Latynel language.
"Means mana university. Mana universities have separate entrances from general universities. But if you go straight in, you hit the central plaza where they mix."
Was he giving a proper tour, or just talking to himself while walking?
Either way, the TA kept going, and we followed.
"Actually, we call this a city, not a campus. It's just that huge…."
Edshila Mana University spanned over 30 square kilometers—basically a city in itself.
The mana college enrolled only 200 per year, but sharing grounds with the general university meant undergrads, grads, and faculty pushed the population to 100,000.
"Anyway, over half this place is ours—mana college territory. Labs, training grounds, university knight order, stadium, dorms, Demon Mountain, etc."
Baison paused, hand over mouth as he yawned.
"Yaaawn… Honestly, the campus is too big for group tours. Wanna split into pairs yourselves?"
He looked genuinely lazy.
Well, he was just a TA. Probably sent by the professors.
I glanced around instinctively.
"Soliet! Pair with me!"
Rae latched onto Soliet like a surprise attack. Betrayed Elise ended up with theater kid Brown. Esher awkwardly sidled up to Kain, who didn't dodge.
Man, are they dating or what? Glaring at each other, kicking the ground awkwardly.
Anyway, that left…
"……."
"……."
I looked at him. He looked at me.
His eyes were ice-blue. Like frozen seawater.
His hair resembled dawn. The darkest hour before sunrise, yet holding a distinct light.
"Pairs as you're standing now."
Gerkken.
I was paired with him.
"Alright, gather up. Group photo for Endex."
The ten seniors shuffled together.
Click. Baison snapped a pic with his smartphone.
"Today's assignment is simple. Nothing complicated. It's the standard task for all mana high seniors who picked our National University. Perfect timing—club recruitment week."
The TA burned the flag in his hand. It turned into ten cards.
"I'll hand out club cards. Go try some out early. Interviews, tests, whatever—get three approval stamps."
He tossed the cards our way. Each had space for three stamps.
"Clubs won't be too picky with high schoolers, so don't sweat it."
I glanced at Gerkken beside me.
Awkward guy, but for the assignment, maybe a blessing.
Wonder how I can use this ridiculously handsome dude.
"Alright… It's 10 a.m. now, so until 4 p.m. Dean's talk starts at 4 in Senville Hall—central building. Good luck~"
Baison vanished. Snapped his fingers with a pop and gone in an instant.
A paper doll lay abandoned where he'd stood.
"Puppet master, looks like."
Gerkken explained.
I replied.
"I saw that."
Gerkken and I walked the campus in silence. Awkward as hell, but college really had that 'campus life' vibe.
Early semester meant lots of freshmen, vibrant flowers blooming, chattering filling the air, even street performers singing or dancing now and then.
Even in that bustle, Gerkken drew every eye.
Me? Just the doofus next to him.
"Lots here."
We arrived at some park.
Central Park?
Club booths everywhere, all kinds of themes: Latynel, singing, dancing, mana studies, hunting, fishing….
"That one."
Gerkken pointed. [Body Incline], a physical training club.
"You go ahead."
Club recruitment was in full swing anyway.
"What's with that one."
One booth especially mobbed.
No fancy promo, but the line was insane. Club name… [Travel: Shiver].
Lots of club members there. One woman, seven guys.
But weird setup. Woman sitting in the shade, guys hustling applications like slaves serving a queen.
"Seen it before."
Makes sense.
She's legit nobility.
"Wow… She's gorgeous."
A Sudme Mana High senior gawking nearby like us, clueless about her bad rep.
—Here, take an application!
—Our club only recruits once a year~
Snow-white hair blending exquisitely with even paler skin under the sun. The diva from the luxury boutique meltdown.
Cierin Aventahir.
She yawned boredly at the booth, arms crossed.
But then.
—Huh?
Her eyes widened slightly. My body jolted.
She was looking my way.
—Hi~
She even waved, faint smile included.
Why's she acting creepy?
Does she remember me?
Onlookers turned my way too.
"…Ah."
Then it hit me.
My direction, but not me.
Gerkken.
"Almost forgot."
It clicked.
She likes Gerkken. Whether love, ambition, or possession—who knows.
She stood and click-clacked over in her heels.
"Long time no see, Gerkken~"
"…Yeah."
Gerkken was stiff. She seemed to like that too.
"Heard about the tour. Assignment's club approval, right? Our Travel club—how great is it? Come for an interview~?"
Her voice dripped honey. Nothing like whipping waitstaff.
"Here~"
Cierin handed him an application personally.
Gerkken didn't take it. Turned to me instead.
"You."
"…Me?"
Gerkken nodded.
I answered.
"Eh, I'm good."
No way she'd approve me. Not now, anyway.
"Then no thanks."
Gerkken politely refused and turned crisply. Wait, why drag me into it?
As feared, Cierin's ire splashed onto me. She glared, teeth grinding. Once Gerkken left, her shrill voice erupted.
"Hey. Who the hell are you to say no? You and Gerkken buddies?"
She swung first with casual speech? Fine, match it.
That's my style usually.
"…Not really."
Usually.
She's too insane.
"But why's he like that?"
"Ah! Sis~"
A familiar ditzy voice cut in. Normally annoying, but welcome now.
Rae and Soliet.
Rae pointed at me, eyes wide.
"Huh? With Sion?"
"Who's Sion?"
"This guy."
I spun away quick.
Time to bolt.
"Hey! Gimme your number?"
"…Hey! Sis, why you want Sion's number?!"
"Not 'want.' He said he's close to Gerkken."
"What? Who? Him?"
"Spit out the number. Quick!"
Cierin fiddled with her phone, snapping.
I recited quietly.
"…019-2343-4304"
Her long white fingers slithered like snakes.
"No signal!"
"Oh. 2343's wrong. 2342."
Deliberate fake, but she called anyway.
Ring… Ring…
My phone buzzed. Cierin pouted, waved me off.
"Scram. Interview at 3 in Ballanta Hall. With Gerkken… Come together~ I'll approve you~"
Her crazy tone suddenly turned ladylike. Glanced back—Gerkken returning.
"Interview. Signed us up."
Gerkken told me.
I asked.
"What interview."
"Body Incline."
"…."
That physical training club.
"Gerkken~ Ballanta Hall by 3. Rented the whole place for interviews~ Grab buffet too~"
Cierin smiled sweetly. Kinda pitiful, from my view.
She's a total nutcase, borderline villainess, but pre-regression, she helped me big time.
What help? …Secret.
That's when.
"Mr. Gerkken. Over here. I'll guide you."
A burly club member in a [Body Incline] T-shirt approached with a bright smile.