Following Friends to the Club (2)
Leonaat. The indomitable guardian spirit beast, a blazing colossal lion. It could be called the motif for the monsters that appeared as trials for mythic heroes, bringing despair to countless souls… Durantes was a fortress imbued with that roar of Leonaat.
Thud—thud—Students in red blazers moved calmly through the corridors. The massive statue of Leonaat at the center of the dorm lobby proved the discipline of the place just by standing there, heavy and unmoving. The lion's mane, shaped like flames, was carved sharp as a blade, and its forward-staring eyes delivered overwhelming pressure to any who beheld them.
But… how could one leash the king of beasts? The children raised in that lion's den knew no moderation in anything. Whether studying or swinging their wands, they threw themselves in like fuel into a fire, burning hot with immersion. Once they marked someone as theirs, they showed ruthless stubbornness, never stepping back even in dangerous melees.
The values here were clear. Unquenchable flames of defiance before enemies. The resolute belief to always charge ahead first and protect comrades. And to oneself, the honor of a hero without a single shame under the sun. Students branded with the lion's heart on their chests never learned to cower cowardly behind others.
To them, endurance wasn't kneeling before pain—it was the pride of keeping the flame alive through storms until the end. Ah, that name which endured the tempests of a declining age without ever hiding… Durantes. The Enduring Ones. Like a lion guarding its pride, wrapping the precious in the strongest blaze—that devotion was their true pride. The essence of their fierce momentum lay not in destruction, but protection.
'……….'
Truly a tale from the days when tigers smoked standing up. All that pride talk felt like a faded old story now.
Today's Durantes had devolved from proving noble values into a haughty dorm where kids from hotshot families just sized up each other's pedigrees. Still, that vibe had started shifting lately. A legend long forgotten was breathing again this year. The guardian spirits of each dorm, dormant for ages, had opened their eyes, and the divine beast Leonaat itself had begun selecting students.
Thanks to that, this year's first-years—chosen not by family name but by the divine beast—were filled with real deals matching its taste, ones worthy of the lion's heart, so to speak. A silver lining, at least. Even the top-years nearing graduation were barely adults by normal standards, their brains still soft. No one put much stock in the divine beast's picks yet, and no real conflicts had brewed.
'No hazing at least, thank goodness.'
Rupert walked the corridor with a peaceful mind. That's when a girl arrowed straight toward him, catching his eye. Somehow, an intimidating aura! A question mark popped up in Rupert's head.
'Jane? What's up? …Ah!'
Only then did Rupert remember Seojun, who'd agreed to join the club with him and Jayden, had dragged Lily and Jane along too.
'That's gotta be it?'
From afar, Jane's eyes burned like a lion spotting prey. Her expression seemed a bit furrowed, like something irked her. Face set like she'd been touched on a sore spot, ready to grill someone.
'Doesn't look thrilled. Did it go south?'
Rupert didn't overthink and wanted to keep walking, but Jane, now close, flashed a grin and greeted him.
"Hey?"
"Haha, Jane… hey?"
Rupert answered with an awkward laugh, and Jane hummed thoughtfully before cutting to the chase.
"Heard from Lily. You, Jayden, and Seojun are all joining the exploration club, right?"
Jane kept smiling, but her voice carried her signature straightforward momentum—once decided, she went all the way.
"Thanks for the invite to me and Lily. I'm joining the exploration club too."
"Oh, cool? That's great."
Rupert nodded at the good news, but Jane's inexplicably firm gaze made him scratch his head sheepishly.
'Why the vibe though? Something wrong?'
Jane eyed his reaction, then shrugged lightly.
"Well, haven't applied yet, and it's not like we're guaranteed spots together. But yeah, looking forward to it."
"Yeah, me too."
Jane turned and headed down the corridor. 'What the hell?' Felt like a storm had just blown through. Rupert stood there, dumbfounded for a bit.
'Huh?'
And so they reached a happy ending. Medetashi medetashi.
"Nice, that worked out."
All the close friends banding together in the same club. Haha ho ho, just picturing it was heartwarming.
Plus, thinking about how I'd bridged the gap and schemed to make this pretty picture happen made me wanna pat my own head. Good job, me!
"Haha… but, is it really okay?"
Rupert's uneasy voice from the side got a casual reply from me.
"Why? Everyone's in, so it's done."
"Nah, Jane didn't look too happy…"
Rupert muttered, still scratching his head.
Hm, really? But I shrugged all chill-like.
"Eh, probably some minor beef."
This guy's got a knack for overthinking. Total worrywart. I shut it down firm—no need for useless fretting—and only then did Rupert's dubious expression ease.
"Probably nothing, right?"
"Told ya."
Anyway, not the point.
"So, applications done? You said you'd handle it."
Rupert nodded, grimacing like the process sucked.
"Yeah. But we still need interviews. Proxy apps are okay 'cause my bro handled it—normally they don't. Club's picky 'cause of all the issues."
"Not bad. Think of it as paying respects to your bro, a friend."
Using family connections for an easy in? This much effort's fine. Can't repay big, but a thanks is manners.
Rupert added like he'd just remembered.
"Oh yeah, he wants to see your face anyway."
"Huh? …Hm. Was just gonna pass thanks lightly, but now it's awkward. Gotta prep something?"
I rubbed my chin, face iffy, but Rupert brushed it off.
"Just a peek, literally. Bro's always like that. Gets curious when I make new friends."
"Huh… okay."
Weird. Dudes usually raise boys free-range like Black Angus. Brother complex? Overprotective bro? Either way, sounds tiring. Only child here, wouldn't know.
"Gotta round everyone up then. Interviews aren't solo, right?"
Rupert nodded.
"Yeah. I'll let you know the date."
"You tell Jayden—I never sync with him."
"We got overlapping classes, I'll hit him then."
"You suffer."
Man, no internet's killing me. Dorms nice, food good, classes less boring than before—but this fatal flaw chews up all the perks.
Some crap about security, agreements, protocols. So much bullshit… This school's size, no Wi-Fi? Insane.
"Haha, school's conservative. Can't help it. But word is, internet might connect soon."
My forehead snapped up from the desk at Rupert's words.
"Internet? For real? Solid intel? When?"
Lightning reflexes from the guy drowning in post-meal slump and boredom moments ago.
Rupert shrugged awkwardly at my desperate stare.
"Dunno details. Just rumors. Heard Headmaster Albrecht ordered it—plus student complaints piling up, so they're considering."
"Hm, yeah?"
Sounds like that "subway opening nearby" hype—talk for ages, forget, then boom, it's there post-grad when you hear alumni news.
Rupert scratched his cheek at my lukewarm vibe, not what he expected.
"You don't look hyped. But headmaster's involved—should be quick?"
"Eh, won't believe till the cable's plugged in myself."
I slumped deep into the chair, deflated.
Whatever—whatever!