To get from the classroom building to the club building, one had to cross the schoolyard. As one of the most prestigious private academies around, the school's campus was, of course, top-notch—lawns, fountains, sculptures, and all kinds of refined landscaping. In the distance, vast athletic fields stretched across the grounds.
Down the path leading to the club building—
"What are those people even doing?"
"Are they… sleeping?"
"Huh? No way. What a weird club."
Lin Zhi exchanged glances with Kirito and Saiki Kusuo, each seeing the same curiosity flicker in the other's eyes.
Before long, they spotted a peculiar flag.
"The Far East Magical Napping Society," Lin Zhi read aloud from the banner, his brow twitching. "What the hell…?"
"Over there—look. Huh? Are those people… actually sleeping?" Kirito pointed toward two figures sprawled on the grass beside the flag, the corner of his mouth twitching.
Following his finger, Lin Zhi frowned deeply.
Oh great… that guy again.
No wonder the name was so ridiculous, so over-the-top.
"Yeah, let's just keep moving," Lin Zhi said quickly, feeling a prickle of unease. "Before she notices us."
The other two had no objections.
Keeping his head straight, Lin Zhi walked briskly past the flag that read Far East Magical Napping Society, glancing sidelong at the lawn.
Wait—wasn't there supposed to be two people?
He stopped mid-step. Only one upperclassman lay there, cuddling a soft pillow, fast asleep.
Where was Rikka Takanashi?
"Servant, have you answered the call from the depths of my soul?"
A dramatic voice sounded behind him.
"Gah!" Lin Zhi and Kirito spun around, startled. Saiki Kusuo, however, looked unfazed—he'd been watching the whole thing unfold with his psychic vision.
Being a powerful esper did have its downsides.
"What the hell are you doing?" Lin Zhi demanded, his face darkening.
Rikka let out a theatrical chuckle and, from who-knows-where, pulled out a small parasol. With a pop, she opened it before her. Wearing her eyepatch and her serious "dark sorceress" expression, she said solemnly,
"Servant who has answered my summons—form a pact with me, and together we shall face the enemies from beyond…"
She raised her head, meeting Lin Zhi's eyes, her tone dead serious. "We need you."
Swish!
Rikka extended a hand, producing a sheet of paper with a flourish.
As ridiculous as her act was, Lin Zhi had to admit—she sold it pretty convincingly.
"Club application form…" he read the words aloud, then sighed, glancing back at her. "So all that dramatics… was just to get me to join your club?"
"No! I mean—if all of you joined, that'd be even better!" Rikka said hopefully.
Lin Zhi turned to look at Kirito and Saiki. Both wore identical expressions of refusal. The words not in a million years were practically written across their faces.
As expected.
He sighed inwardly. Just looking at that ridiculous club name, you could tell it wasn't normal.
The flag flapped in the breeze beside them—Far East Magical Napping Society.
"Far East… Magical… Napping…" he muttered. "What kind of club is that?"
Hold on…
"Don't tell me you guys combined two failing clubs that couldn't recruit enough members?" Lin Zhi asked suspiciously.
"W-what? O-of course not, hahaha—uh…"
Rikka tried to play it off, but her forced laughter broke into awkward silence. Then, all of a sudden, she lunged forward and clung to Lin Zhi's leg.
"Hero from a distant land! You must help us! If we don't get more members, our Magical Society will be destroyed!"
"Hey—cut it out! Everyone's staring!" Lin Zhi hissed, trying to pry her off. "And quit calling me that stupid name!"
"That's not a nickname! It's your magical title!"
"What kind of magical title is Hero from a Distant Land? You think I don't know nonsense when I hear it?"
Just as he managed to loosen her grip, Rikka suddenly froze. Her eyes gleamed like she'd just made some grand discovery.
"Ah-ha! I knew it! Servant—you do remember! You still retain fragments of your magical memory, don't you?!"
Lin Zhi: "…"
Hopeless. Absolutely hopeless.
He rubbed his temples. "Just… go find some actual members, okay? I don't have time for this."
"No! If our Magical Society doesn't have enough people, we won't be able to fend off the Judgment Officers!"
Judgment Officers? What kind of nonsense term was that now?
Headache incoming.
Then—an idea struck. Lin Zhi's eyes brightened as he spotted a familiar figure walking past.
"Shouko!" he called.
Shouko Nishimiya blinked in surprise, walking over hesitantly.
"You haven't joined any clubs yet, right?" Lin Zhi asked.
She shook her head, glancing warily at the bright-eyed Rikka beside him. The intensity of Rikka's gaze made her instinctively step back.
They lived in the same apartment building, so she was used to running into her—but that look in Rikka's eyes right now was… predatory.
"Saintly Warrior, will you join my Magical Society?" Rikka declared.
Saintly… Warrior? Shouko blinked, utterly lost. She glanced at where Lin Zhi had been standing for help—
Only to find the spot empty.
Gone.
As Shouko stood frozen in confusion, Rikka scratched her cheek and laughed awkwardly.
"Well, since you didn't say no… I'll take that as a yes!"
Then she turned.
"Also, Hero from the Distant—huh? Wait, where'd he—"
Rikka stopped mid-sentence, staring blankly at the empty space.
"He ran away?!"
----------
T/N:
Joining is completely free. Come check it out!
You'll also get 5 extra chapters just for being a free member!
Access 35 chapters in advance on my Patreon:
[email protected]//animetraveler