Clubs

An entire week has passed since I had taken out a student loan.

During this time, I attended lessons, trained on my own and made sure not to get too close to the protagonists.

Everything was fine except for one small problem: the first major event of the novel was slowly approaching and I barely had any time to prepare for it.

Although I had been swinging my sword like crazy, my mastery hadn't improved much. That's why I needed money, to buy some stuff that would help me prepare for the upcoming event.

Luckily, my investment in Archtung Inc. had paid off immensely!

=== Bank Account ===

Name: Note Enderfrost

Account number: 3726491

Balance: [ $216,675 ]

=================

Leaning on my couch and looking at my phone's screen with my Bank Account details displayed, I felt a grin forming on my face.

Even though I had to pay back the $50,000 student loan, I still had a significant amount of money left over to invest in my preparation for the upcoming event.

Tap... Tap...

With a few clicks on my phone, I transferred $50,000 from my bank account to pay off my student loan in one go.

After that, I entered the online shopping app where awakeners could buy specialized equipment and supplies for their training and battles.

It didn't take me long to find the items I needed and add them to my cart.

=== Shopping Cart ===

1. Moonlit Mint - $25,000

2. Lumiglow Moss - $10,000

3. Emberfern - $50,000

==================

Looking at the amount of money I was about to spend, I hesitated for a moment.

"Fuck it."

However, I soon shook my head and pressed the checkout button without hesitation.

[ The items will be shipped to your registered address within 1-2 business days ]

A string of words appeared on my screen, however, I didn't bother reading it as I noticed the time.

It was almost 8 A.M and lessons were about to start.

"Shit!"

Rising from the couch in a hurry, I grabbed my bag and rushed out the door, hoping to make it to class on time.

I ran through the campus as fast as I could, weaving through students and dodging obstacles in my path. That might've attracted some eyes, however, I didn't care as this was normal and everyone would forget me after a few seconds anyway.

Tap...

Entering the class, I instantly hid my heavy breathing and slipped into my seat, trying not to attract any attention.

Luckily, Lucas was still not here and students were engaged in their own conversations, giving me a moment to catch my breath and compose myself.

Oh yeah, although more than a week has passed since the start of the semester, I still haven't made any friends.

I don't know w... Well, I do know why.

It's because I never really tried. I never started conversations or made an effort to connect with anyone.

'Did I even talk to anyone?'

Scratching my chin, I buried my face in the palm of my hands, closing my eyes for a moment.

It's better this way.

I am a demon and I am now in a human world. One wrong move, one slip-up and I would be killed.

The less I interact with others, the safer I am.

"Attention students!"

Suddenly, Lucas's voice echoed through the classroom and I lifted my head, quickly refocusing on the present moment.

"Today, you are going to join clubs and organizations of your choice."

Standing on the podium in the front of the classroom, Lucas snapped his fingers, making a bunch of flyers appear in the air, each showcasing different clubs and organizations available at the school.

The sheets fluttered down, landing on the desks of students who eagerly picked them up, scanning through the options.

I also grabbed a flyer, pretending to be interested in joining a club.

However, I didn't study it for long as I already knew what club I would choose.

I'm much more interested if the protagonists would choose the same clubs they did in the original work.

'...'

Carefully, I took a peek at the front of the class where five youth were animatedly discussing the different clubs, their excitement evident on their faces.

Although I couldn't hear their conversation, from the fragments I caught, it seemed like they seemed to choose the same clubs as in the original work.

"Good."

Observing them from my seat, I felt a smirk forming on my face and quickly hid it in my palm.

Protagonists follow the story, there are no unknown variables, everything is still predictable and according to plan.

For a second, I allowed myself to drift in my thoughts.

'It's like holding the strings of a doll...'

Crossing my fingers, I looked outside the window, looking out at the campus bustling with students.

It was a calming sight.

***

"Is everything fine?"

Eldric turned toward Luna who was sitting beside him.

His sister, for some reason, seemed lost in her own thoughts, her eyes unfocused as if she were staring into the distance.

While she did share some of her thoughts about what clubs she would try to join, she suddenly fell silent, her expression distant.

"I just had a weird feeling."

Shaking her head lightly, Luna simply shrugged her shoulders and returned her attention to the flyer in front of her.

Adela, who was sitting on the other side of Luna, made eye contact with Eldric, silently questioning him about Luna's strange behavior.

However, Eldric merely shook his head in response, gesturing that he didn't know what was on Luna's mind either.

Although sometimes weird, it's his sister.

And also...

Her gut feeling has never been wrong.

Instinctively, he raised his guard and decided to keep a closer eye on Luna, just in case something unexpected was about to happen.