NOVEL NEXT Chapter 132: Clubs
After dinner, everyone returned to their academy dorms earlier than usual, knowing that classes awaited the next day.
Alicia was clearly disappointed, her so-called plan having gone off the rails and taken an unexpected direction. She sulked about it for a bit, muttering something about needing a better strategy next time. On the other hand, Eveline and Althea seemed to warm up to me. Sure, I'd been harsh, but in their eyes, I'd also been practical and helpful. Their attitudes toward me had definitely shifted for the better.
*****
A week passed since the academy's official start.
During this week, nothing particularly noteworthy happened—at least, not in the grand scheme of things.
In the game, this stretch of time would have been glossed over with time skips between major events. But in reality? Time flowed differently, forcing me to live through every moment. And honestly? It wasn't as dull as I expected.
Instead of falling into monotony, I threw myself into training like a madman. From dawn to dusk, I attended classes, honed my combat skills, and pushed my limits with the academy's state-of-the-art facilities. The sheer number of resources available for free was almost overwhelming, and I wasn't going to let any of it go to waste.
At first, I thought the grind would get boring, but I was wrong. The feeling of growing stronger day by day was intoxicating. Every time I surpassed yesterday's limits, it fueled my desire to keep going. Strength became an addiction—a fire I had no intention of extinguishing.
But physical training wasn't the only thing I worked hard on.
You already know what I'm talking about.
No?
Fine. I'll spell it out.
Yes, I also focused on... that.
[Don't be shy, just say it. Everyone knows. Besides, it's addicting. Who doesn't enjoy—]
"Shut it," I snapped internally, cutting the system off mid-taunt.
Truth be told, the system wasn't entirely wrong. Its constant nudging had definitely... encouraged certain activities, and I'd benefited greatly from it. Let's just say I've been getting stronger in more ways than one, all while thoroughly enjoying myself.
Leaving that matter aside, today marked the start of another significant event.
A week had passed since the academy opened its doors, and now, the long-awaited club recruitment season—commonly referred to as "Activities Week"—was officially underway.
For the first years, it was a chance to explore their options and join a club, not just for entertainment but also as a strategic way to earn class points. For the second and third years, however, it was a full-blown competition. Each club had its representatives out in force, trying to lure recruits with demonstrations, activities, and promises of benefits. The more students they managed to recruit, the more merit points their respective classes earned. If a club hit its recruitment quota, bonus points were awarded.
In short, it was going to be a hectic, high-energy day.
Naturally, I planned to take part in the event and check out the clubs.
Why?
Because clubs were one of the best places to network. They offered the perfect opportunity to meet people I hadn't encountered yet—especially characters who weren't in my class. It was also a potential goldmine for triggering hidden tasks or missions.
[Hah~ There's still pile of missions pending and you are on about new missions.]
'No need to rush,' I thought. 'One step at a time.'
[Here we go again.]
Putting on my blazer, I left my room, ready to start the day.
As I walked down the corridor, a familiar voice rang out, bright and full of energy.
"Arthur!" Alicia called, her cheerful tone cutting through my groggy morning haze. I turned to see her hurrying toward me, her eyes sparkling with excitement as always.
"Good morning!" she greeted with her ever-present radiant smile, practically bouncing on her feet.
"Good morning, Alicia," I replied, unable to keep a small smile from forming. Her positivity was contagious, whether I liked it or not.
"Heading to class?" she asked, seamlessly falling into step beside me.
"Yeah," I said, adjusting my bag. "You too, I assume?"
"Hehe, yep! Let's go together," she said, her grin widening.
Before long, we reached the main hallways, where we ran into Cedric, Kaela, and Luna.
"Morning, Arthur," Cedric greeted, raising a hand for a high-five.
"Morning," I replied, slapping his hand.
"Where have you been, Arthur?" Luna asked, crossing her arms and giving me a mock glare. "I haven't seen you in days! Sure, you signed up for a ton of classes, but that doesn't mean you have to ignore us. Everyone's been wondering where you disappeared to!"
"Haha, I don't have a good excuse for that," I admitted, scratching the back of my neck sheepishly. "Sorry about that, Luna."
Her expression didn't budge. "A sorry's not enough," her eyes seemed to say, and I could practically feel the weight of her silent judgment.
"Fine, you win," I sighed, raising my hands in mock defeat. "Lunch is on me. Happy now?"
"Haha, you promise?" Kaela interjected, her ears perking up with interest.
"Promise," I affirmed, doing my best to sound as convincing as possible. "No take-backs, okay?"
"Deal!" Luna and Kaela said in unison, their faces lighting up like they'd just won the lottery.
*****
As we approached the academy buildings, the bustling crowd of students immediately caught our attention. The hallways were teeming with energy, and the chatter was louder than usual.
"What's going on?" Kaela asked, her ears twitching slightly.
I already knew the reason—it was today's event. But before I could say anything, Cedric stopped a nearby student rushing past us.
"Hey! What's happening? Why is everyone running around during class time?" Cedric asked.
The student paused, looking slightly annoyed at being delayed, but quickly answered. "You guys must be late or something. No classes today! Clubs are officially starting, and first years are supposed to gather at the third building." Without waiting for a response, the student dashed off toward their group.
"Clubs?" Kaela muttered, tilting her head in confusion.
"Let's not waste time," I said, urging them forward.
The five of us made our way to the third building, weaving through the excited crowd. When we arrived, the first years were being grouped by their respective classes.
Standing at the front of each section were the homeroom teachers:
Professor Samantha for the [S Class].
Professor Luke for the [A Class].
Professor Walter for the [B Class].
Professor Katia for the [C Class].
Professor Elena for the [D Class].
I spotted Professor Samantha addressing our group. Her voice was calm but firm, holding the attention of everyone around her.
"We're late," Alicia whispered, concern flickering across her face.
"Just blend in," I said, guiding her into the crowd.
We stealthily pushed through the huddle of my classmates, finally joining Eveline, Althea, and a few others near the back.
"Did we miss anything?" I asked in a low voice.
"Nothing important," Eveline whispered back, her lips curving into a faint smile.
Professor Samantha continued with a firm tone, her gaze scanning the students. "I really request that you all show respect to your seniors. They have worked tirelessly to prepare proper presentations for you. Remember, they've invested their time and resources not just for their benefit but also for yours. The Royal Eden Arena, located just behind this building, is where the clubs are hosted. It's a massive stadium capable of accommodating up to 300,000 people. Don't get lost and stay mindful. You may now proceed."
With that, the students began to disperse, streaming toward the enormous arena.
As we approached, I tilted my head back, taking in the sheer size of the structure. It was colossal, with towering walls that seemed to scrape the sky.
"It's like a football stadium on steroids," I muttered.
Stay connected through empire
The Arcane Academy Arena was a centerpiece of the institution, designed not only for club activities but also for tournaments, competitions, and exams. On its outer walls, four enormous screens were mounted, though they remained blank for now since this wasn't a major event.
"So, which club are you thinking of joining, Nyra?" Alicia asked, turning to the elven princess walking beside her.
"I'm considering the archery club," Nyra replied, her tone calm and confident.
"Well, that's natural, coming from an elf," I commented with a teasing grin.
Nyra's sharp gaze flicked to me. "Are you stereotyping elves, Arthur?"
"Yes," I admitted, unable to resist the smirk tugging at my lips. "But in a good way. Elves are natural archers, as if it's a gift from the gods."
Nyra's expression softened slightly, a small smile playing on her lips. "Flattery won't get you anywhere, but I'll accept it this once."
"What about you, Alicia? Which club are you thinking of joining?" Eveline asked curiously.
"I'm not sure yet," Alicia replied, a thoughtful look on her face. "Probably something related to familiars."
"Wait, you have a familiar, Alicia?" Eveline asked, her surprise mirrored by Althea.
"Oh, yeah!" Alicia nodded enthusiastically. "I got one recently. I didn't opt for the Beast Mastery class before because I didn't have one back then. But now that I do, I'm thinking of joining a club related to familiars."
"That's amazing!" Eveline said, her admiration evident. "What kind of familiar is it?"
"It's a surprise for now," Alicia replied with a sly smile, clearly enjoying the suspense.
Eveline turned to me next, her curious gaze settling on mine. "You have a familiar too, right, Arthur? Are you thinking of joining the same club?"
"Of course," I replied without hesitation.