Start of the Club Recruitment Day

Allen held it in.

He doesn't really want to turn into his Crimson Blood Warrior persona right now, especially in the middle of a throng of students. For an hour straight, he suppressed his anger and annoyance at Zeke's pompous and ear-bleeding blather. Not only did he become an object of insults, but he's also forced to lie the whole time. He'd also been dodging his questions and inquisitive stare like a star player in a dodgeball game.

Putting distance seemed to be tiring for the enervated host for now.

"Hey, Allen. What's this?" Zeke suddenly inquired, pointing at a certain poster on the bulletin board.

"That's... the Performers Circa Club. They're conducting a play," Allen answered, relieved that he finally changed topics.

Seeing how absorbed his companion looked, he invited him to check it out, and consequently, failed to know why he's so engrossed at the poster. Zeke had been turning a blind eye on every club they passed through since they got there. It'll be a good change of pace for both of them.

Little did Allen know that it'd be the worst decision he made that day.

The auditorium was dim the moment they got there, with only the stage lights illuminating the room. The show was currently ongoing. As expected of the students of this academy, the actors and actresses' medieval costumes were exquisite and their backdrop designs and props were intricate and well-crafted. Judging by how packed the front rows were, the club would be getting another good harvest this year.

Zeke decided to stand on the side instead of joining the others on the seats.

"It'll be rude to sit there despite having no interest in the club," he said.

Allen was a bit surprised at this. Despite his big mouth, he's actually considerate of others. He then deciphered his words, curious as to why he suddenly wanted to go there if that was the case. However, he just stayed silent and put his thoughts aside, deciding to turn his attention to the show. There, they saw a man in a black coat holding a gun and a knight with a sword who appeared to be battling a woman who resembled Grimhilde with all the mirrors around her.

A few seconds into the play, Allen already realized the all-too familiar casting.

"So this was Angelica's..." he thought, amused.

All the while, Zeke watched the spectacle in quietude, a memory of one of his mother's late night stories crossing his mind.

They're about the epic adventures of the Four Noble Heroes of Society who defeated an evil queen. The other details were already hazy, but he couldn't forget how hyped and zealous he was when she revealed that he might encounter them someday. Ever since then, he yearned to meet such incredible people.

Months after replacing his brother as the heir, Zeke, who'd grown out of his mother's childish bedtime stories, discovered that mystical entities did indeed reside within the walls of Canaan Private Academy.

His father felt the need to pressure Zeke more, thus disclosing the fact that once he succeeded him, he won't be only managing their business chains, but he'd also be overseeing otherworldly creatures as the second generation. He already felt burdened by the new obligation placed upon him, so the idea of dealing with unearthly beings only became an additional weight. What's more, he found it hard to believe since he'd never been there.

However, upon confirming the existence of these Four Heroes, a flame lit up within him again, giving him the driving force needed to face reality.

Zeke's flashback was cut off by the sound of applause, signifying the end of the show. With that, he instantly marched towards the stage and ascended the platform with a loud thud. Everyone was stupefied at this unannounced encore, including the thunderstruck Student Council President. Standing proud in the midst of the confounded club members, the young heir had completely stolen the spotlight.

"Hey, who's your playwright? I need to know. Now," he brazenly inquired one of the actors on stage.

"W-What?" the student stammered in confusion.

"The playwright. You know, the scriptwriter of this show. I want to meet them."

The crowd, including Carla and Leah, was dumbfounded, then became even more flabbergasted when the esteemed Student Council President appeared from the side and sauntered to the stage, reassuring everyone with his sparkling signature smile. Unbeknownst to them, he's internally boiling with the urge to bury someone alive.

Allen's opinion of him being considerate was nothing but fleeting in the end.

"Mr. Zeke, I believe that this is not the time-"

"If it's the playwright, it's Claes who's probably at the library now."

The blonde Club President suddenly cut in, flummoxing Allen.

With that, Zeke immediately thanked Carla and ran off like a passing storm. Everyone only stared at the two presidents who're left behind on the platform, too baffled to start a clamour at this comical scenario. When she only mouthed 'You're Welcome' to Allen with a straight face, he just slumped and heaved a sigh in defeat. He then made his exit and chased after the boisterous heir, whom he planned to punch like a sandbag in his dream tonight.

Meanwhile, Eli felt shivers run up her spine.

She's currently taking a stroll with Hal at the field, planning to visit the clubs that set up some outdoor displays. While waiting for the second screening of Leah's play, she decided to roam outside for now. It's quite a nice shift in their normal routine of locking themselves up inside the library all afternoon. Fortunately, her big doll eyes strategy yesterday had managed to gain Hal's consent in the end.

"That's weird. I already sneezed a few times earlier too," Eli voiced out.

"Going down with a cold?" Hal chimed in, glancing at her questioningly.

"I don't think so. More like a bad omen."

"Should we stop our date now?"

"Our what now?"

Hal then chortled at her incredulous expression. With that, he found an excuse to start another round of banter, poking fun at her for boldly asking him on a date to which she only gave a deadpan look in reply. Eli knew that reacting more than that would only give him a wrong idea.

Minutes later, they arrived at the academy's greenhouse.

Its size competes with the auditorium while its aesthetic setting rivals the library. The lush greenery and cultivated plants of various kinds, warmed by the sunlight passing through its glass walls and roof, provide a reposeful atmosphere. A plethora of flora displays a festive view with their brilliant hues. Quite a large crowd was also gathered inside.

"Hal, come here!" Eli called cheerfully, waving at her companion from a distance.

He found her small figure squeezed between a swarm of students in front of a stall and wondered when she got there. Pacing towards the booth, he could see that an assortment of handcrafted goods, ranging from beaded accessories to knitted notebooks, was being sported by the Earth Science Club. What the products have in common was that they're all made out of recycled materials.

"Students of this academy sure are exceptionally capable," Hal remarked, scanning around the cubicle.

He then abruptly stopped upon catching sight of something odd – objects that appeared to be incongruous. After poring over the peculiar assemblage of stone figurines, he decided to inquire some of the members about it. Unsure of its real purpose, all they said was that it could just be a newly added exhibition by the school,

"Look at what I bought, Hal," Eli suddenly chimed in, holding out a plain beige journal while beaming at him.

"As a huge fan of Metis's work, I've been meaning to ask for your and the other Champions' signatures. Can you sign on the first page later?" she confessed exuberantly, much to his surprise.

"What's that, Eli~? Do you see us like some kind of celebrities?" he quipped, leaning towards her with an amused look.

"N-No, I'm asking as a friend," she stammered while hiding her flushed face with the notebook.

That is until a very familiar feeling rushed through the ash-haired girl all of the sudden.