"The report from the academy has arrived. At least three people were killed, the rest only suffered minor injuries. The building has been restored to its original state. It is known that six Wyverns appeared at the academy. According to the written report, they could shake the ground, and the academy's magical shield did not break. It was as if they emerged from the ground."
Koni explained to Anos at his desk about the incident that occurred five days ago. Although they had to depart for the Titan Forest in two days, they still took the time to review the incoming reports.
The academy's territory was also an area that needed to be protected by Macletic. And, as its leader, Anos had to be aware of all incidents that occurred within his jurisdiction.
Anos turned his chair to face Koni, who was waiting for his response.
"Have Marcelo conduct an investigation. We need to know if this is related to black magic or not."
"Understood."
Marcelo was the chairman of one of the regions in Phillium. Phillium was divided into five regions under Anos's leadership. Each chairman was responsible for securing their respective regions. Additionally, Marcelo oversees all the academies.
"How are preparations for tomorrow's raid going?"
Anos asked, referring to the raid his second team would conduct in Titan Forest.
"Everything is ready, sir. A total of 20 members will participate in this raid. However, I have not yet received information on whether Airy will send a representative or not," Koni explained.
The young man, who had just turned 25, hugged his iPad. This year marked his fifth year as Anos's assistant. Despite his high-ranking position, his rank only reached Prime—just above High and unable to be further upgraded.
Thanks to his high dedication, he brought his shortcomings along to reach the level just below Anos.
Whatever your decision, I will follow it.
"Let's just wait. Besides, we don't even know who the people on Airy's side are. Sometimes things like that are very troublesome. They exist but aren't visible. Even their names sound like mere myths."
-o0o-
[Have you decided who will represent the guild in this raid?]
Perrene's voice rang in Ruby's left ear. She had to limit her meetings with Ruby so as not to arouse suspicion.
"Yes. I'll meet him tomorrow."
Ruby walked leisurely through the wide academy corridor. A tall pillar stood right next to her, separating the flower garden from the corridor.
Once class ended, Ruby decided to go to the library. Since there were no other activities, she decided to be alone.
"Ruby."
Feeling her name called, Ruby stopped and turned around. Not far behind her, Liam stood holding paper and a pen.
"What?"
The young man looked awkward to start the conversation. Earlier, he had been the one who insisted on bringing Ruby along.
"Have you joined a club yet?" he asked.
Ah, the club. I completely forgot.
At Arcia Academy, there are various clubs, ranging from ordinary clubs to those filled with influential people. Every first-year student must join at least one club. The purpose is to help students develop their social skills.
"Not yet." Ruby answered briefly.
"Do you want to join the same club as me?"
Ruby raised her eyebrows, confused.
"Why?"
Liam handed her the paper he was holding while explaining.
"We're short one more person. And, coincidentally, you haven't joined a club yet, right? How about the Reading Club? The activities aren't too many. There are four members. It should be five, so we're short one."
The paper Liam handed her was a membership form that needed the members' signatures. Four students were already listed. One of them was Liam. The other two were from the second grade.
After reading it, Ruby looked at Liam.
"Do you have a small library?"
Liam nodded in agreement.
Does she not like it?
"Alright. Then I'll join you."
Ruby took the pen Liam was holding and wrote her name at the bottom of the member list.
There were still many other students, so why me?
Liam took the paper back with a bright smile on his face.
"Thank you. I can introduce you to the other members today, would you like that?"
"...Okay."
-o0o-
The Reading Club room was not far from the second-floor staircase of the Club Building, on the west side of the academy. Each club had its own room. A club had to have at least five members to avoid being forcibly disbanded.
"We're here."
Bang!
Liam, who had already opened the door, quickly closed it again when a chair suddenly flew toward him. As a result, both of them avoided danger.
Ruby looked at the man beside her, waiting for an explanation.
"Sorry. They're always like that," Liam said regretfully.
"Who are they?"
Liam opened the door again, but the argument inside hadn't ended yet. It looked like a fight was about to break out. A man and a woman with the same dark red hair.
"Glen and Jackie. They're twins from class 2-C. The one sitting in the corner is Stefan, from class 2-D."
Meanwhile, Stefan, sitting near the bookshelf, was engrossed in the thick book in front of him. The man with emerald-colored hair seemed accustomed to the situation around him.
"But I studied 50 times more than you! Why are your grades higher than mine?! I won't accept it!" Glen shouted.
The girl with short red hair glared angrily at her twin, who was only five minutes older than her.
"How am I supposed to know! I studied too!" Jackie retorted, unwilling to accept it.
Liam could only smile resignedly.
"Excuse me," he said.
The flames surrounding the twins suddenly died down. At the same time, they turned their heads. It wasn't Liam who made them stop, but Ruby standing beside him.
"Oh my gosh. How cute! Liam, is she your girlfriend?"
Glen jumped closer, gazing at Ruby with sparkling eyes. He wanted to touch her but dared not.
Jackie joined in, wrapping her arm around Liam's shoulder, teasing him.
"You're pretty good, huh. Where did you get such a beautiful girl, hm?"
The commotion subsided, forcing Stefan to turn his head. Only for a moment, as if uninterested, he returned to reading.
"What's your name? Can I hold your hand?" Glen asked cautiously.
She was like looking at a glass that could break at any moment, even with the slightest touch from her.
Ruby smiled back, offering her hand first.
"Ruby, sis. I'm a new member starting today. Nice to meet you."
Glen's smile grew wider. The girl enthusiastically held Ruby's hand.
"Welcome. I'm Glen, a second-year student. Come on in. Would you like some tea?"
There was truly nothing to do.
Ruby accepted it gladly. No matter what, she had to blend in with her surroundings, as the impression of being left behind that others had placed on her only made her stand out more.
The club door closed. The Reading Club was holding an impromptu tea party today to celebrate the arrival of their new member. Stefan joined in, though he couldn't put down his thick book.
"Since you're beautiful, Ruby, you should be smart about choosing the right person to be your boyfriend. Don't pick someone like him."
Glen pointed at Jackie sitting across from him, using him as an example of someone unsuitable to be a boyfriend.
Ruby just nodded.
"Hey! Damn you, Glen!"
"Don't you guys have class today?" Liam interrupted, changing the topic of conversation.
Glen nodded, answering while watching Ruby sitting calmly beside him.
"In a bit. Fifteen minutes. Is your class also taught by Master Perrene? Mine's the first one today."
Even the girl younger than Glen looked relaxed with a snack in front of her.
"Yeah, he's pretty strict. But nice. He helped me during the Wyvern incident back then."
Glen and Jackie immediately turned to him, startling the man with the earring in his left ear.
"Are you injured? Where? How did it happen?" Jackie asked rapidly. He and his worried face leaned toward Liam.
"Wait a moment! How did you get involved? Didn't you evacuate?"
Stefan, who had been indifferent, now joined in the curiosity. He marked his book and waited for Liam's answers to all his friends' questions.
Ruby exchanged glances with Liam, and her response was just a nod.
"At that time..."
The story flowed naturally. No one interrupted or asked questions. When her name was mentioned, Ruby responded with a nod. She didn't say much because everything had already been said by Liam.
"Wow. Crazy. So, we're just crumbs of bread—we'd never stand a chance against the Wyverns; we'd just get eaten by them," Jackie muttered.
"But you're not hurt, are you, Ruby?"
Glen looked at Ruby, full of concern.
Ruby nodded. "I'm only slightly injured."
"Thank goodness."
"From your story, it seems like they were summoned from within the academy. Maybe there's someone in this academy using black magic. Do you know anything about black magic?"