RUSTLE
"Hey, freshman, take a look at our club."
"Please test our food."
"Hey, don't steal my place."
The academy grounds were alive with vibrant activity, a testament to the ongoing festival designed to showcase the various clubs and organizations to the incoming freshmen.
Banners fluttered in the breeze, music filled the air, and stalls were adorned with enticing displays—all in an effort to entice the newcomers to join and contribute.
However, beneath the surface of the festivities lay a more complicated reality. The senior students, with aspirations of recruiting new members to their clubs, found themselves caught in a web of rivalries and personal conflicts.
Among them was a group of commoner seniors, students who lacked the prestigious backgrounds that often opened doors within the academy's social circles.
As the commoner seniors diligently set up their booth for the festival, a shadowy presence loomed nearby.
A group of privileged seniors, known for their contemptuous attitudes towards those of lesser status, exchanged smirks and whispers. Their leader, a tall and disdainful figure named Ethan, had devised a plan to undermine the efforts of the commoners.
Anisa, a determined senior with a genuine passion for her club, could feel the tension in the air. Her club, focused on exploring the symbiosis between magical arts and herbalism, was her pride and joy. She and her fellow commoner seniors had poured their hearts into preparing for the festival, hoping to attract like-minded freshmen who shared their enthusiasm.
"Anisa, are you sure about this?" asked Liam, one of the commoner seniors, his brows furrowed with concern. "I've seen those privileged brats eyeing us with disdain."
Anisa replied with a serious tone, nodding her head. "I know. For some reason, things are getting worse and worse in the academy." It was the second day of the academy festivities, and just like many others, most of the students tried to attract the attention of freshmen.
Because they lacked the connections, they needed to show themselves and attract attention, but it was proving to be harder and harder.
Throughout the day, Anisa and her companions engaged in animated conversations with curious freshmen, explaining the club's mission and showcasing their achievements. The commoner seniors wore smiles that masked their worries, hoping that their dedication and genuine passion would shine through and resonate with the incoming students.
But as the sun dipped below the horizon, the festival took a darker turn. Anisa's heart sank as she noticed that several of their displays had been tampered with, herbs misplaced, and vials of potions spilled. It was clear that their booth had been sabotaged, a malicious attempt to undermine their efforts.
The disregard for commoner people's rights was by no means a new thing. When they first came to the academy, they were subjected to more severe contempt. At those times, things were not as simple as this.
It was thanks to the appearance of the new student council president, Princess Jasmine, that they were able to walk more freely.
She was the one who instilled the acceptance of merit into the academy, but they knew in the end, things as traditions were hard to change.
But right now, things are different. Before their eyes, people were blatantly provoking the commoner students. Just like their club, a lot more other clubs were getting such treatment.
"Unbelievable!" exclaimed Maria, another senior, her voice filled with frustration. "Someone deliberately messed with our display."
Undeterred, Anisa and her friends rallied together, working tirelessly to salvage what they could. Their determination only grew stronger as they watched the privileged seniors chuckling amongst themselves, their satisfaction evident in their triumphant expressions.
Yet, in the midst of this adversity, a glimmer of hope emerged. An unexpected ally arrived—a senior from another club who had observed the sabotage and recognized the injustice.
"You think this is funny?" the ally, named Alex, confronted the privileged seniors, his voice firm with indignation. "This festival is about unity and showcasing our passions. Your behavior is a disgrace."
It was their ally, but Alex was not a person they normally knew too much. He actually came from a noble family, but he was in the lower ranks as a mere Baron. And he was one of those that was targeted by higher nobles too, that was why Anisa and others didn't think too much about his action.
Ethan, the leader of the 'privileged' noble seniors, sneered, "Oh, look who's getting all righteous. Commoners like you should stick to the sidelines."
Alex's expression didn't waver as he responded, "If you're so confident in your club's superiority, why not let everyone see through a fair competition?"
The privileged seniors exchanged glances, their arrogance faltering for a moment. "Fine," Ethan spat, "if you commoners want to humiliate yourselves in front of everyone, go ahead."
Alex's eyes narrowed as he met Ethan's gaze, undeterred by the sneer. "Don't underestimate us," he retorted. "We're not here to humiliate ourselves. We're here to prove that dedication and passion can surpass empty arrogance."
The privileged seniors exchanged more uneasy glances, clearly not expecting such resistance. The notion of a fair competition seemed to rattle their confidence.
Anisa, her voice steady, chimed in, "A fair competition is a chance for everyone to showcase their skills without prejudice. Isn't that what this festival is about? If you truly believe in your club's abilities, you shouldn't be afraid of a level playing field."
Ethan's face twisted into a scowl, but his hesitation was evident. He couldn't deny the logic behind the proposal. "Fine," he reluctantly agreed, "let's see how well you commoners can perform."
Alex's lips curved into a small smile, knowing that they had gained a foothold. "Good," he said, his voice carrying a sense of satisfaction. "Let's hold the competition tomorrow, right in the heart of the festival. Freshmen will be there to witness it all."
Anisa and her companions exchanged determined glances. Despite the blatant provocation, they weren't backing down. This festival was about showcasing their talents and their unity as a club. And if a competition was what it took to prove their worth, then they were ready to accept the challenge.
*****
"How was it?"
A voice sliced through the air, prompting the trio to turn their attention to the man who had appeared behind their stalls. His presence exuded an aura of calm, though an undercurrent of restrained anger flowed beneath the surface.
"It went as planned, Sir Vincent." the young man replied, his voice steady as he met the man's gaze. "Those low births immediately jumped into my suggestion."
"I see. Where did you decide to hold the competition?" The handsome man named Vincent asked.
"Just as you ordered, we decided to hold the competition in the middle of the festival tomorrow." the young man explained. "Freshmen and others will gather to witness it."
A glint of approval flashed in Vincent's eyes. "Nobody suspected your decision, right?"
The young man's chest puffed with confidence. "Not a hint, Sir Vincent. We've masked our intentions perfectly."
"Good," Vincent replied with a grin appearing on his serious face. "You did well, Alex."
A flicker of relief passed over Alex's features. "Then-"
Vincent's demeanor shifted slightly, becoming more serious. "As per our agreement, I will put your name into our brotherhood, don't worry. The treatment of your sister will also get better; I will make sure of it."
A note of gratitude tinged Alex's voice. "Thank you, Sir Vincent."
"Very well," Vincent concluded with a dismissive wave. "You're free to go."
As Alex and his companions departed, Vincent remained standing amidst the festivity. His gaze followed them briefly, a mysterious smile playing on his lips. He had set his intricate plan into motion, ensuring that the events to come would forever alter the trajectory of not only the festival but the academy itself.
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