As they turned a corner past the fountain plaza, the vibrant energy of the club area hit them like a wave.
Dozens of stalls had been set up along the grand open corridor, each decorated with vibrant colors, magical ornants, and floating sigils advertising their specialties. Enthusiastic seniors called out to students walking by.
"Join the Elental Combat Society! Learn to wield elents like a war mage!"
"Our Spirit Beast Taming Club is still accepting Tier 3 affinity students!"
"Alchemy Pavilion is offering starter kits to new alchemy apprentices!"
From the more eccentric side, Orion also spotted a tent labeled "The Cult of the Arcane Duck"... He wisely avoided it.
So clubs were more discreet but clearly prestigious—like one under a golden canopy with a sign in calligraphy: Heirloom Profession Guild – Runes, Arrays, Formations.
"Wow..." Orion muttered, eyes wandering across the booths. "This place really is sothing."
Arya grinned beside him. "Most students either join a club or get invited into one. Of course, the top ten students will be headhunted like crazy."
As if on cue, a tall senior with a golden sash approached them. "Excuse —Orion Helstrom, right?"
Orion stopped and turned slightly.
"I represent the Twin Blade Duelist Society," the senior said, bowing with surprising grace. "Our vice captain was impressed by your performance and asked to invite you personally. We offer full access to private dueling grounds, and we can assign you a sparring partner at your level at all tis."
Before Orion could speak, another senior arrived—this one a woman with erald earrings and flowing robes. "Dear Orion Helstrom, our Array Crafters’ Guild would be honored to have you. We believe soone with your affinities would thrive learning Runic Formations with us."
One by one, students began to notice the crowd forming, and more recruiters started to approach.
"Uh oh," Arya chuckled. "Looks like the wolves have found their prey. They even ignore —their princess."
Orion smiled politely at each one and listened to their pitch, but with each club, he felt a growing disinterest.
Most were prestigious, yes. So even offered unique benefits—but none felt like they could match his pace. They all seed structured, bound by rules, or focused too narrowly.
He rubbed his chin and finally said, "Sorry. I’m not planning on joining a club."
The entire group of seniors blinked in confusion.
"Y-You’re not joining... any?" one asked hesitantly.
"No," Orion said with a faint smile. "Either I won’t join any or I’ll just make one."
All the students beca stunned, silently reevaluating their impression of him.
Even Arya blinked in surprise beside him. "You’re going to form a club?"
"Why not?" Orion casually shrugged. "None of these feel like they fit . I’ll just make my own space and do things at my own pace. Anyone who wants to follow can join later."
[Hehe~ Master creating his own faction already! Go go goooo! ＼(≧▽≦)／]
Emilia’s eyes flickered faintly in interest. ’He actually wants to clash with the already established noble factions in the academy on his first day... He really is insane.’
[Or rather, he simply doesn’t care about the nobles. With his talent, even the Royal Family wouldn’t amount to much if he reached his full potential. He might be the one whose talent cos closest to that monstrous being... Dawn.]
’Sir Dawn... I wonder where he really ca from,’ Emilia inwardly wondered.
[No one knows where he ca from. One day, he simply appeared—and beca the Dawn of Humanity. He led mankind through its bloodiest wars, claiming one victory after another against the demons.]
’He doesn’t belong to any Kingdom or Empire, right?’
[Yes. He is the unquestioned King of Humanity—even the Three Emperors must bow before him.]
The two of them continued chatting as Arya smiled warmly at Orion and said, "Then I’ll help. You’ll need three mbers to register a club. Count in."
Orion gently smiled, already expecting her response. "Don’t you have your own faction to join?"
"I was going to join one," she replied, "but this sounds way more fun."
He nodded his head and looked over to Emilia. She didn’t say a word, but after a second of silence, she quietly stepped forward.
"...I’ll join too," she softly said.
Orion raised an eyebrow in surprise. This was probably the first ti he had heard her speak—but it was a good opportunity to hear her voice as well.
He chuckled and nodded his head. "Then I guess the foundation of our club is set."
Arya giggled. "Now cos the fun part—naming it!"
Orion laughed out loud. "That’s too early. We first need to think about what we want to do in this club and see if anyone else is interested."
Arya nodded her head in understanding. Everyone else had left as they needed to inform their faction about the new club erging.
’Heh. My own club, huh? Let’s make it sothing... legendary.’
[But you don’t even have a na for the faction, Master!! (っ °Д °;)っ]
’I will have one... soon,’ he smiled and said before the group continued exploring.
As the trio continued down the path, the clatter of the club zone faded behind them. A soft breeze carried the scent of blooming flowers and scattered leaves drifted toward them.
Several students, having overheard Orion’s declaration of forming his own club, trailed behind from a distance, whispering among themselves. Rumors were already spreading like wildfire.
"That guy... is he really going to make a club with the Princess and the Spear Saint’s daughter?"
"I heard he has four affinities and eight mana channels. Supre capacity too."
"Just yesterday we were worried about noble factions. Now there’s a monster making his own."
"But the question is, will the noble factions allow another faction to exist? The resources are limited, after all."
"That’s not for us to worry about."
Amid this chatter, a sharp voice cut through the air like a blade of wind.
"Hey! You—Orion Helstrom!"
The words echoed across the stone pathway, halting many students in their tracks. The crowd instinctively turned toward the source and saw a lean young man with narrow eyes and silver hair.
His uniform was modified slightly, with wind motifs stitched along his sleeves, and his badge clearly marked him as a Tier 1 Awakener.
He was flanked by two other noble students, both grinning with barely concealed malice.
Arya frowned. ’Who are these people?’
Orion raised an eyebrow, stopping in place as the student walked forward.
"Can I help you?" Orion asked calmly, folding his arms.
The silver-haired student sneered. "I’m Aeron Wynthorne. I represent House Wynthorne—a Viscount Noble House. And I don’t appreciate you walking around acting like you’re the king of the academy."
Orion blinked. "Huh. Didn’t know walking with my friends made king."
Aeron’s sneer deepened. "You think you’re better than us because of a flashy entrance test? You think you can create your own faction without even proving yourself first? Why don’t we test your strength here and now—like real n?"
The challenge stirred another wave of excited whispers.
"A fight?!"
"Already?"
"Oh shit, that’s Aeron Wynthorne! He awakened a few months ago. Wind Affinity, Tier 3. He’s already been recruited into a Noble Society."
Arya imdiately stepped forward. "Are you seriously picking a fight with soone who hasn’t even started classes yet? He hasn’t even ford his affinity rune."
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