Chapter 15: Choosing Clubs

  The Academy's outdoor courtyard bustled with activity as students poured into the open space, where banners and colourful displays marked the different club stations. A massive board stood at the front, detailing the long list of available clubs, each accompanied by a short description.

  Throughout the courtyard many students, presumably the representatives, enthusiastically promoted their respective clubs. The air carried a lively energy, filled with overlapping voices, animated discussions, and the occasional demonstration meant to attract prospective members.

  Kaelin scanned the list, already overhearing excited chatter. Some students had clear plans, moving directly to a club’s stand to sign up, while others hesitated, debating their choices. The air was charged with anticipation, and every so often, a burst of laughter or a raised voice punctuated the hum of conversation. From the far side of the courtyard, a student brought out a small, tamed creature to showcase their club's capabilities, earning both impressed murmurs and a scolding from a nearby instructor.

  "Remember," a voice rang out across the area, belonging to an older student in an ornate academy sash, "each student must pick two clubs. Sponsored students, however, will spend one of their allocated club periods training under their mentor. Clubs are an essential part of your growth here at the Academy. Please choose wisely, swaps will only be tolerated at the club representative’s discretion!"

  Kaelin barely listened. She was too focused on her choice. Unlike most, she only got one, so it had to be something fun at the very least.

  She looked over at Zephyr, stood a few feet away, unreadable as ever. His gaze flickered over the board, but he made no move to sign up. He seemed incredibly disinterested in the whole process, though students whispered around him, likely aware of his reputation

  Lena nudged her, snapping her out of her thoughts. "What are you thinking? Combat Club? Dueling? Maybe the Taming Society?"

  Kaelin raised an eyebrow. "What do they even do?"

  "If you're talking about the tamers, they train up students to be able to tame their own pets. I heard the top students even get a chance to tame a monster," Lena explained excitedly. "Could be useful."

  Kaelin hummed in thought. "That does sound like fun, but I want to check some other clubs—”

  A sudden, chilling silence settled around her. She turned her head slightly, locking eyes with Kana. The other girl stood a few feet away, her expression a mix of anger and something darker. Contempt.

  Kana stared, she held her gaze, but didn’t speak. She didn’t have to. The weight of her glare said everything—You don’t deserve to be here.

  Without a word, Kana turned and walked off, disappearing into the crowd.

  Lena exhaled. "That’s not going away anytime soon, just ignore her, it wasn’t your fault."

  “Sure...”

  Kaelin and Lena wandered around the courtyard. Despite going up and down the rows of stalls a few times, only a couple of the clubs really stood out to her.

  At the top of Kaelin’s list was the Taming Society, followed closely by the Combat Tactics Club, which focused on real-world application of magic in battles, and Strategic Analysis, which emphasized predicting an opponent’s moves before they made them.

  If she were going purely for progress, Kaelin would’ve gone for Strategic Analysis, but she had different priorities.

  Going up to the stall hosting the Taming Society, they had just waved away a group of potential members.

  The club representative turned to Kaelin, “Hey there, are you looking to–” He stopped once he realised who it was. “Sorry, we aren’t looking to accept commoners,” He spat the words, as if talking about the most disgusting thing he’d ever known. This guy was a noble, the son of a Marquess from further north.

  “What are you saying, why does that matter!” Kaelin retorted.

  “Clearly you couldn’t hear me,” he continued, “I said we don’t want your filth here.”

  “Shut your mouth, I'd bet it all that your family’s filthier than any commoner in this kingdom.”

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  The boy growled, clearly annoyed by her statement.

  “Even if you weren’t a commoner, I doubt a murderer would reflect nay better on us.”

  Kaelin stepped up to challenge him, but Lena quickly pulled her back.

  “Don’t do that, if you ended up in an unsanctioned fight with a noble of his calibre, you could lose your scholarship. It's not worth it.”

  “That guy had it coming.”

  ***

  Kaelin continued around the area, but not a single club would accept her. Considering what happened in the entrance ceremony, no one wanted any contact with her.

  After having been rejected from the Combat Tactics Club, Lena spoke up.

  “I saw a club near the back who didn’t have any lookers on, maybe they’d let you in.”

  Kaelin sighed. “Why not, no harm in trying.”

  The club Lena had been talking about was the Archaeology Club, it was run by a single girl, and as it turned out, they currently didn’t have any other members.

  “Hey,” Kaelin said, “You looking for members?”

  “Y-Yea, are you here to join!?” The girl stood up excitedly, her hands pressed against the table in front of her.

  “Yea I am, none of the other clubs would let me, you don’t have a problem with me joining?”

  “What! Of course not, I’d love you to! Please just put your name down here, there isn’t any competition, so don’t worry about not getting in.”

  “Great, where are we going to be meeting?”

  “Oh... uhhh... I didn’t think about that. In the past it’s just been me so I'm not really sure, I always stay in my room. Is it okay if you go there? It’s room 225 on the second floor.”

  “Yea sounds great! Is this gonna be A or B block? I’m in the sponsorship program so I'm not sure about which is which.”

  “Don’t worry about that, your mentor will tell you when their sessions are, we representatives are meant to fit it in around that. For most it’s not a problem since they do a session both days, but since we’re lacking members, I can just do your timings.”

  “How am I meant to tell you?”

  “Don’t worry about it, just come by whichever, I'm sure I'll be there, just tell me then okay!”

  Suddenly a sharp whistle sounded through the courtyard, cutting through the noise. A magic instructor’s voice cut through the noise, "First-year Sponsored students, report to your mentors immediately!"

  Kaelin ran over to the part of the courtyard they had entered through. As she arrived, she exchanged a glance with Zephyr. Their mentor was Professor Martin, head of Time at the academy.

  As the other students continued looking around at clubs, Kaelin followed Zephyr down a quieter corridor, where Professor Martin was waiting in his office. The room was lined with shelves of old tomes, and the air smelled of parchment and ink. It was far removed from the lively club fair they had just left behind.

  "Have you both made your choices?" he asked as they entered.

  "Yes, Professor," Kaelin responded, trying to gauge his expression. Zephyr just nodded, staying silent.

  "Good. I expect both of you to push beyond what ordinary students learn here." He paused, his eyes resting on Kaelin for a moment longer than she liked. "We’ll begin your specialized training next time. For now, observe your teachers closely, and pay attention. There is more to learn than what is written in textbooks."

  Kaelin nodded, but something about the way he spoke sent a shiver down her spine.

  “Right, from now on, your sessions with me will be on Tuesday and Thursday after lunch, here in my office. On other days, you are expected to attend your clubs, the representatives will report to their supervisor each week with attendance. These clubs are important, just as much so as your academics.”

  The pair nodded, sitting silently.

  “Right, today we will be–” Professor Martin continued on, but Kaelin found herself tuning out.

  What kinds of specialised training will we do? And why is Zephyr so quiet, it’s so annoying!

  Lunch arrived, and the grand dining hall buzzed with energy. Students sat at long tables, discussing their club selections and debating which ones were the most prestigious or useful. Some still carried remnants of excitement from the club fair, while others were deep in conversation over strategies for their chosen disciplines. Kaelin sat across from Lena, picking at her food as she processed the morning’s events.

  "So, did you see which club Zephyr picked?" Lena asked, leaning in slightly. "Did he say anything in your special session?"

  Kaelin snorted. "I didn’t see shit, he barely even looked at the board. And oh my god! He was sooooo boring, he didn’t say a word in our “special” session." The sarcasm was evident in her voice.

  Lena sighed dramatically. "Kaelin, you have to try harder. didn’t you even try start a conversation with him? I know he’s basically famous but come on! How often do you meet a Tri-affinity mage, and a fit one the same age as us!"

  Kaelin smirked, looking Lena in the eyes. “You’re properly in love, aren’t you.”

  Lena grinned. "Yea, no shit. You’ve gotta introduce me – please! Just try make an excuse for us to meet. I promise he’ll love me."

  Kaelin glanced across the hall, where Zephyr sat alone, seemingly indifferent to the attention he was getting from nearby students. Even among the crowd, there was an air of distance around him, as though he existed in a different space entirely. Some students tried to engage him in conversation, but none lingered long.

  "Strange, isn’t it?" Lena mused, following Kaelin’s gaze. "You’d think someone like that would be surrounded by admirers. Maybe I should be his first."

  "Maybe he just doesn’t care." Kaelin shrugged, pushing her plate aside. "Or maybe he knows that the attention isn’t for him as a person, but for what he is, the power he has, the fame."

  Lena hummed thoughtfully. "Well, you’ll have plenty of time to find out. You’ve got all those special sessions, after all."

  Kaelin didn't respond, but as she sat back, she couldn't shake the feeling that whatever lay ahead would be far more challenging than she had expected.