Chapter 22: The Staple of Every Campus Drama—Clubs!!!

Terra Calendar, February 18, 1589.

It was raining in Three Portland, as it always did. When Xiu woke up early that morning, Jarvis notified him of an unread message sent via the Deer Institute’s alumni network.

Xiu opened the message. It was an invitation from Camille.

[Camille: Xiu, we’re planning to start our own club. I sincerely invite you to join us in building something interesting. Location: Three Portland, The Observatory — {This is NOT a damn Starbucks!}]

For a moment, Xiu felt as though his long-lost youth had returned... well, he was still young, so his youth hadn't exactly drifted away yet.

Youth is truly wonderful! Xiu sighed.

And so, he happily boarded the light rail to the familiar destination.

...

Three Portland, The Observatory
{This is NOT a damn Starbucks!}

*Jingle—*

As Xiu pushed the door open, the bell above the entrance chimed right on cue.

Xiu looked toward the counter. Old Man Philip was leisurely grinding coffee beans. After Xiu entered, the old man glanced up briefly before burying himself back into his work.

"One latte."

Xiu spoke to the old man, then scanned the café. He quickly spotted the tall, three-eyed girl, Ushas, and Camille beside her, who was gesturing animatedly as she spoke.

Xiu’s latte was ready in no time. It is worth noting that it wasn't made by the old man himself; the tools had prepared it, and the cup had simply floated over into his hand.

Xiu walked over to their table. They seemed to be laughing about something.

"Ladies, may I join this pleasant conversation?"

"Ah, Xiu, you... you’re here."

"Camille, why are you suddenly acting all shy?"

"I-I am not! Just drink your chocolate milk," Camille replied, her face blushing.

"So you’re the boy named Xiu. You look even younger than our Camille," Ushas said to Xiu as he sat down opposite them.

"Ladies, I believe the topic today wasn't supposed to be our ages," Xiu said with a smile.

"Indeed. We were just talking about the club," Camille interjected.

"We’ve looked into it. A club at Deer Institute requires five members to be officially established. Students can choose to join existing clubs run by upperclassmen—like the Rollerblading Club, the Literature Club, or the Thaumaturgy Society. But these large clubs have high standards, and it's difficult for freshmen to earn many credits there."

"So, in terms of cost-effectiveness, starting a club as freshmen is the most logical move," Camille said, pushing up her glasses with a serious expression.

As she explained, an aura of intellectual charm radiated from her.

"Ah, Camille is so cute! Come here, let me snuggle you!"

Ushas suddenly threw her arms around a resisting Camille, rubbing her large, round face against Camille’s cheeks with great enthusiasm.

"True."

Xiu nodded in agreement. He had looked into the club system the night before.

The Deer Institute encouraged interaction and cooperation among students. While joining a large, established club had its perks, it was hard for a freshman to secure the necessary credits through them. After checking with Jarvis, Xiu found that most freshmen formed temporary clubs during their first year. Once they survived the year where credit requirements were most critical, they would either leave to join clubs they actually preferred or continue running their own.

"So, ladies, what kind of club do you intend to form, and who are the other two members?" Xiu asked.

At the question, Ushas stopped her antics. She picked up the chocolate milk on the table and sipped it nonchalantly, her gaze drifting away, while Camille offered a sheepish smile.

Right. It seemed they hadn’t thought that far ahead.

"Ahem, Xiu. Ushas and I were just discussing it. I used Cinderella to look through the 'Deer Institute Club Directory.' I found so many interesting ones. The Institute doesn't place many restrictions on clubs—I even saw a 'Strolling Club' in there. How... interesting," Camille said, her eyes gleaming.

"Yeah, I wanted to start a Women’s Comprehensive Free-Fighting Club, but unfortunately, you're a guy, and Camille insists you join," Ushas sighed from the side.

"Ushas!! Even without Xiu, I wouldn't start a fighting club with you!" Camille snapped.

"And what about you?" Xiu asked Camille curiously.

"Camille? She was planning to start a Fairy Tale Writi—"

"Wooo! Let go of me!"

Ushas was about to blurt out the club's theme, but Camille, ignoring the difference in their sizes, reached out and clamped a hand over her mouth.

Once she was sure Ushas wouldn't blurt anything else out, Camille sat back down and said with great poise, "I haven't decided yet. We wanted to hear your thoughts."

"A club, huh..." Xiu rubbed his chin, lost in thought.

A club—it was a sacred and romantic staple of a wonderful campus life! At least, that was how it appeared in certain anime from his memories. So, he shared his thoughts based on those peculiar memories.

"I have many in mind. For instance, there was a group called the SOS Brigade; they were a group formed to seek out interesting phenomena—the president was a very eccentric girl. Then there are clubs that seem literary on the surface but are actually quite good at deduction, always curious about everything. There’s also the 'Service Club,' whose motto is: 'Those who possess, out of compassion, give to those who lack—that is what people call a volunteer. Reaching out a helping hand to those in need is what this club does.'"

"Whoa, are there really clubs that interesting?" Ushas was hooked.

"Uh..." Camille didn't know what to say.

"But we can't form those types of clubs. If you ask me, since our primary goal as freshmen is to earn credits, we should focus on iconic landmarks where it’s easier to secure tasks," Xiu continued.

"You mean the other four residential districts at the Institute..." Camille grasped his meaning immediately.

"What on earth are you talking about?" Ushas looked confused.

"The residents of the Language House, the Cooperative Apartments, the Canyon House, and the Haunted House issue 'Community Quests' to clubs at the Institute. The reward for these tasks is credit," Camille explained to Ushas.

"Exactly. So, the best club for us to form would be one that can engage with these four locations—something like a neighborhood association."