Let’s Join a Club!
Within the academy, there were a total of 11 clubs.
Just joining one would grant various bonuses to different abilities, but naturally, there were conditions.
To enter, one had to meet the specified ability requirements (conditions) of each club, and once entered, changing clubs was not allowed for a year.
In the original game, “Lily Magical Chronicles,” it only covered the protagonist’s first year, making it practically unchangeable.
Among the 11 clubs with diverse characteristics, most players aimed primarily for the student council.
With all stats increasing and, above all, the title of “Student Council Officer” sticking with you wherever you went.
The problem was that the entry conditions for the student council were brutal.
Being in the top 10% academically was the baseline, but my current grades were fortunately at the bottom 10%.
***
Exiting the corridor with Ruby, we found first-year students like us gathered and buzzing.
“What’s going on?”
Students sitting at makeshift tables scattered throughout the corridor, distinguished by the different colors of their ties, seemed to be upperclassmen.
A female student at one table looked at us and spoke.
“Underclassmen, want to join us for a field trip to the gardening club?”
“Huh? We were just…”
Seeing our bewildered expressions, a student from the opposite table joined the conversation.
“Instead of those mundane clubs, how about exploring our equestrian club?”
“What? Mundane clubs? Have you said everything now?”
“If the gardening club isn’t mundane, what is? All they do is water the plants in a tiny pond every day.”
“That equestrian department, the smell of horse dung really sticks to your clothes. What should I do? It probably won’t come off easily.”
“H-Horse dung…!?”
As the two upperclassmen showed signs of starting a war between us, I whispered to Ruby, crossing my arms.
“It seems like it’s going to become troublesome. Let’s escape during this opportunity, miss.”
“···Yeah.”
As we walked down the hallway together, we witnessed the chaotic scene of club presidents from various clubs trying to recruit new students.
Even for someone like me, a commoner, they actively tried to persuade me, so it was expected that they would cling even more to the distinguished noble ladies.
“The people over there, aren’t they Lady Diamond and Lady Amethyst?”
Sure enough, the two of them were also being actively courted by the club presidents.
Feeling burdened by their clinginess, the two of them glanced at us and approached us with a displeased expression.
“Ruby, Amber!”
Amethyst managed to shake off the club presidents and rushed over, with Diamond following behind her.
“It’s nice to see you two.”
I asked them with a confused look about this scene.
“What’s happening? The seniors are fighting over us and it’s getting annoying.”
In response to my question, Diamond kindly smiled and explained.
“Today is the only day of the year when club recruitment is allowed.”
‘Club recruitment?’
Ah, so that’s what it is.
It was undoubtedly a realistic reproduction of the ‘club tutorial’ within the game.
It was a system that provided players who were struggling with choosing from various clubs the opportunity to experience each club in advance.
Of course, just choosing didn’t mean you could immediately join, but if you left a good impression on the club president, you could gain significant bonus points when it came to club selection criteria later on.
Amethyst, who seemed tired from separating incoming club presidents, turned to me and asked.
“That’s right. What club are you thinking of joining, Amber?”
“Are you talking about me? Well, I…”
Ruby, Diamond, Amethyst.
They were all looking at me without exception.
“I want to go where Ruby goes.”
“…”
Amethyst was the first to break the awkward silence that followed.
“Yeah, that’s what I thought… Since Amber is Ruby’s maid.”
Diamond chimed in to support her words.
“That’s right. We asked the obvious question, didn’t we?!”
Feeling bewildered by their reactions, Ruby tightly grabbed my arm and smiled at the two of them with a relaxed expression.
Dia, who had been observing the situation in the hallway, spoke to us.
“Since it’s turned out this way, why don’t we go around and explore various places?”
“Sounds good. I was personally curious too.”
Everyone, including me, agreed with her words, and the four of us decided to wander around the club facilities located within the academy.
As we walked, we would probably come across a club that suited Ruby’s taste.
The first place we visited was the kendo club.
As people gathered with a genuine passion for swordsmanship, the atmosphere was both fierce and restrained, characteristic of the place.
A short-haired woman noticed us and introduced herself.
“Welcome to the Sword Guild. We, commoners and nobles alike, fully respect each other’s skills.”
‘Wow, NPCs seem to be alive and moving.’
I silently admired as she effortlessly delivered her scripted lines.
Unlike the stoic Ruby standing still with a chubby expression, Amethyst sparkled her eyes, exploring every corner of the swordsmanship hall.
‘Right, in the original, Amethyst was also a member of the Sword Guild.’
Being sincerely devoted to swordsmanship, she seemed quite fond of this club.
Diamond also noticed and smiled at her.
“Amethyst, seems like you like the Sword Guild?”
“It’s touching. To have a place where you can spar with numerous skilled practitioners.”
The head of the Sword Guild proudly spoke to Amethyst.
“Seems like quite a skilled individual. How about getting a recommendation letter?”
“A recommendation…?”
“If you do well, you might even aim for my position as the next head.”
At the mention of the next head, Amethyst’s eyes sparkled.
Watching this, I asked Ruby beside me.
“What do you think, Miss? It would be great if all three of you joined the same club.”
Ruby yawned softly and replied promptly.
“Not interested.”
···Well, there’s nothing I can do about it. I guess I’ll go to the Kendo Club alone···.”
Upon hearing my words, Amesist hastily raised his head and spoke.
“Just a moment···! There are still more clubs to explore, aren’t there?”
“Yes? But, Amesist, you wanted to join the Kendo Club···.”
“What are you talking about? Isn’t learning swordsmanship during class enough?”
Strange. In the original, Amesist definitely joined the Kendo Club.
Well, just like Ruby has changed a lot compared to the game, there must have been changes in her as well.
···Really? Then let’s explore some more.”
While leaving the Kendo Club together, Ruby exchanged glances with Amesist and said.
“Something seems off, Amesist. You’re even dismissing the swordsmanship you used to love.”
“Well···. It’s better to carefully consider it, right?”
“Such an obvious lie···.”
A strange tension hung in the air between the two.
Even after exploring several clubs indoors, Ruby’s reactions were mostly lukewarm.
Since Ruby likes the piano, I thought she might be interested in clubs related to music, but she seemed uninterested in doing anything with others aside from playing alone.
We failed to find a club that suited her taste, so we took a break and went outside.
“What’s this, the stables are open?”
Usually, the stables were blocked off to everyone except authorized personnel, but strangely, today they were wide open.
“It looks like the stables are open. Shall we take a look?”
As we approached, marveling at the horses in the distance, the head of the equestrian club, whom we had seen earlier this morning, greeted us.
“After the juniors earlier. Do you want to take a look around?”
“Yes. We want to take a quick look.”
“Sure, you’re welcome anytime.”
Following the director’s guidance, we were able to experience various things.
It was an informative time, feeding apples and carrots to horses, watching them react in surprising ways, and realizing that they were creatures with diverse emotions.
Of course, Ruby didn’t show much interest.
When the horse feed was nearly gone, the director said to us.
“They are valuable guests in the equestrian club. How about trying horseback riding, juniors?”
“Yes? I’ve never ridden before…”
“It’s okay. I’ll be right beside you, guiding. Will all of you give it a try?”
They all seemed to agree, and following the director’s guidance, we headed to the fenced field.
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“Ride two by two. One person can hold onto the front rider’s waist.”
“Aren’t the horses heavy?”
“You two should be fine. It might be even harder if you have to make several round trips. Now, who wants to go first?”
Amethyst quickly got on the horse and reached out her hand to me.
“Let’s ride together, Amber. I’ve ridden horses many times in the palace, so I’m confident with handling them.”
“Then I’ll go with Ameth…”
As I was about to take Amethyst’s hand, Ruby swiftly took her place and got on the horse.
“I’ll ride. Amber.”
“Yes? Are you going, Miss Ruby?”
Amethyst, with his waist held by Ruby, forced a smile and asked her.
“··· Ruby, right? I suppose this is Amber’s seat.”
“Oh, dear. Have I disappointed you as the replacement? That’s unfortunate.”
“···.”
The horse carrying the two of them set off first, leaving me and Diamond standing awkwardly behind.
Diamond gave a charming smile and looked at me.
“It seems like we should ride together. Shall we, Amber?”
“Yes!”
Strangely, in activities like this, it seemed common for Diamond and I to be paired up.
The horse carrying us received an escort from the supervisor and slowly started moving. Sitting at the back, I held onto Diamond’s waist.
As I awkwardly held onto his waist, Diamond spoke to me.
“You don’t have to hold me so tightly. It might be dangerous if you fall.”
“Yes, I’ll be careful···.”
Riding a horse was quite enjoyable, except for the occasional shaking. When I first rode one in a place like Jeju Island, I was too tense to fully enjoy it. However, this time, it was much more comfortable.
Perhaps it was because someone was riding with me.
Quietly walking through the field, watching Diamond’s pretty blonde hair shimmer in the wind as I awkwardly embraced him, I felt a serene enjoyment.
As we were silently savoring the moment, Diamond spoke in his clear and gentle voice.
“While doing this, it feels like all the accumulated fatigue is being swept away.”
“Isn’t it? It’s like absorbing the energy that nature provides.”
“I don’t particularly owe it to nature, but anyway, it feels good.”
Watching Dia shyly smile, I found myself smiling involuntarily.
Turning to me with a playful smile, Dia spoke.
“If only every day could be this peaceful…”
“What are you talking about? Everyone is living peacefully like this. Both Dia and I.”
“Is that so? I guess I said something unnecessary.”
Although I casually brushed it off, there was an inexplicable sense of discomfort in her words.
“The wind feels really nice, Amber.”
“Yeah.”
However, as we enjoyed the pleasant breeze from the field, that feeling quickly faded away.
***
After finishing all the club experiences, we gathered and asked Ruby.
“So, Lady Ruby, did you find any clubs that you liked?”
Everyone’s attention focused on Ruby, and after a long contemplation, she answered.
“No.”
“What?”
Everyone looked at her in confusion.
“Are you saying you won’t participate in any club activities?”
“It’s not that. I just didn’t find any that I liked.”
“Well, then what do you plan to do?”
“Um…”
Upon reflection, there was one club that I hadn’t yet explored.
“Could it be that you’re thinking of joining the student council…?”
A gathering exclusive to the top students, not easily accessible to ordinary students.
Given Ruby’s inclination to always aim for higher places than others, it wasn’t surprising that she had her sights set on the student council.
Ruby unfolded a paper she had brought, which none of us knew when she had obtained, and spoke these words.
“Let’s create something new.”
