Vol. 1 - Ch. 275 - Freshmen Welcome Event (4)

I could see why they would want to privatise the new vehicle type. However, I had no doubt I would have to wait for at least 50 years, long enough for them to incorporate it into their strategy, and also for them to turn obsolete. 

And I hoped to enjoy them now, in my youth, not some half a century later, during my old age. The bike trip was filled with youthful romanticism. Could you truly call yourself a fan of it if you hadn't at least gone out on a long trip once during your academy days? 

I was absolutely serious in my statement. The others must have perceived it, and they all collectively gulped. 

Dan, having heard my explanation from the corner, suddenly jumped down from the 3rd floor's window. Then, he held the banner with the Serene Sea Co. logo high in air, one that I had brought in.

"I am Daniel Serdos! The President of Sail Club! The mana vehicle may be fun, but do not forget to try out Sailing too! You may not know, there's quite nothing like wind brushing against you as you adventurously navigate through the whims of the sea!"

Now, that was Dan I knew. He knew what decision to make, and quickly. 

The Sail Club, and the Serene Sea Co. both had been collaborating with 2nd Legion of Knight Order, and were currently in the midst of constructing bigger ships than the one club had right now.

When lacking in enough ability, mana was consumed at a crazy pace while navigating the ship through wind magic. Without adequate numbers, it was quite impossible to have a fulfilling training. Plus, one would also require to learn about the basic sailing skills, too, so the club definitely needed new blood during freshmen entrance. 

Next, Dan's potato-like face turned into sweet-potato as he made his next remark.

"S-Sylphy! Lend me the power of wind."

The spanker in Dan's hand fluttered, bringing whispers among the freshmen. It lacked enough visual impact to me, so I snapped my finger, pushing to support him. 

Mana Vehicle Club was one of my dream clubs, but I was just as serious about Sail Club. I couldn't be partial, eh? We needed to secure members. 

Suddenly, wind blew at the ground floor, causing the spanker to flutter wildly.

" "Eek—kyaaa!!" "

"Huh? W-wait, I didn't did thi—"

Just as shrill voices were directed at Dan, Dol, too, jumped down from the window. 

"......Leave him apart, newcomers. Viz, you're not going to hog all the good thing, alright!"

...Now this was unexpected. I mean, Dol taking action. Just as that thought crossed me, Jeu followed the suit, and jumped down from the window. 

"The Magic Research Club saw the rise under Al-san's attention, it would be too much of a shame if we let it fade into obscurity. We're here for support!"

......I see. 

Jeu took a stance as if praying, sublime particles of radiance overflowed from her, and covered Dol. 

"Alright, I'm beginning then, Biz! Peek-Soldier-Battle-Person, Everyone-Formation-Row-Before!"

Dol murmured as if chanting an incantation, forming hand seals, and tossed the created landmine in Viz's direction.

"Acha! What the hell are you doing, Dol?! Why are you jumping to a challenge when you already have your room?!"

"Come now, this is called a show-off by seniors!"

Dol broke into a dash, shooting fireballs or water bullets at Viz. Jeu supported him, not just by her magic, but also her action.

She used the tall wand I had brought with myself, sticking it in the floor which was obviously paved with high-grade stones. With a grin tugging on her lips, she unhesitatingly tossed those stones like frisbee at Viz.

"What the—!?"

"Eek!"

Cries broke out from the crowd of freshmen, clearly stunned by the situation.

They had yet to go through training, so they must have been taken aback by our situation. After all, the same action would've gravely injured any ordinary person, or even person. Viz, though, could easily tank with his mana guard if they struck him.

As the ground was laid bare with Jeu stripping away the stone paving, Dol made up bumps from soil on some, while on others he made puddles with water magic in order to stop Viz. However, Viz continued to show his remarkable skill, and managed to slip past all the while riding on his two-wheeler. 

But, soon, he was gradually the limit as more and more landmines were laid around.

"Cra—"

He had been trying to slip past the landmines by performing wheelier, and Jeu sniped that timing and casted support magic on him. Viz couldn't immediately adjust to the rising power, and lost his balance.

He somehow stopped himself from falling by using his legs as support, albeit that sealed the deal. Do promptly exploited that opportunity, and closed the distance between them, touching his shoulder to end the game.

"Tch. I lost, fine."

Viz remarked with pursued lips, and started the engine once again. Dol flashed a wry smile.

"Don’t be like that, Viz. I wouldn't call it our victory either. Despite the handicap that you can’t go out of bound, the two of us still ended up sweating just to stop you. That's something I can't imitate."

He lightly tapped Viz's shoulder.

"Well, this is how we lead our Emission Magic Research Club, together and in harmony. Feel free to drop by once to experience it yourself, alright?"

Jeu cutely tilted her head and appealed. In her backdrop, once beautifully paved ground now marred with aftermath of the destruction. Freshmen swallowed nervously, and immediately offered a round of applause. 

While everyone's attention was glued to Jeu and Dol, Dui jumped from the window of his Class 2-E class.

"You did amazing, Viz. It's just that Allen went overboard. He really did make you run through hell..."

After saying that, he immediately ran a check on the fuselage, seemingly unable to hold back himself.

"Damn you, Allen. The hell he meant by 'let's show freshmen who's the boss.' He had been planning to advertise himself all along. Hey, you newbies! The president of Mana Vehicle Club, Duid Moonlight, is beginning his inspection of the two-wheeler! Come closer to check out if you have any interest in being a mechanic!"

Viz casually tossed the baton of youth to Dui, and raised his voice, immediately garnering attention of freshmen.

"...We shouldn't lag behind them, Char."

"A-alright!"

◆◆◆

"This is Hill Road Club. For the aspirants looking to train, line-up before me. If you would like to be manager, then line-up before Chief Manager Kate!"

"We're the Geography Research Club! Let's learn about the shape of the world together!"

"We're Magic Botanical Club~. Let's plough the field together, and raise beautiful mana potent vegetables~."

"This is the Study Club! If you've ever wondered why people must study, then join us in this journey to discover it."

"Come and check out Ladies' Gathering Club. Let's walk on the path of 'Epitome of Grace' together."

"Viz. Come and face me, the rules are the same as earlier."

"Give me a break, Leo!"

Once the lead was taken by Jue, the rest of senior students jumped down from the window, initiating the 'recruitment battle' as Allen had been hoping for. 

Albeit, with the clock ticking regardless of anyone's wishes, Teacher Rias stopped them, leading to another solicitation battle by seniors students after orientation. 

Each appealed to the speciality of their club in their own way. For instance, Fey's motto was 'To be an Artificer is to have a knack for it,' and she had intended to keep her club reserved solely for the best. 

She simply posted an incomplete mana tool's blueprint on the board, and gave candidates a single question—"How would you complete this?"

Based on the given answer, she judged whether they'd a talent to be Artificier. At the end, only two freshmen stood up to her criteria, whom she invited. 

Thus, the Royal Academy ushered in the new talent, once again, and kickstarted a new school term. 

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