Last Gun Alchemist

Chapter 289: Orientation Week VI

Ezra lightly stroked his chin while his plain black eyes moved from one club name to another on the enormous information board.

Every club recognized by the Royal Academy was listed there.

Combat based Clubs.

Research based Clubs.

Academic based Clubs.

Sports based Clubs.

Arts.

Engineering.

History.

Even clubs that specialized in the study of rare plants and ancient Alchemy’s had their own place on the board.

Students constantly walked past him, stopping every now and then to discuss which club they intended to join.

Ezra quietly read each name.

If I had a choice...

I wouldn’t join any club at all.

The thought calmly crossed his mind.

Just as he was about to continue reading...

"That’s probably the same choice I would make."

A familiar lazy voice sounded from beside him.

Ezra didn’t even need to turn.

"..."

The young man stood slightly bent forward with both hands resting on his knees as he stared at the board.

It almost looked as though he had somehow overheard Ezra’s thoughts.

A faint smile rested on his face.

"But..."

He slowly straightened himself.

"Our instructor made it pretty clear. Joining a club is important."

Ezra nodded once.

"Yes."

He replied plainly.

"It appears to be compulsory if we want to make proper use of the academy."

"Ahhh..."

Cyrus sighed dramatically.

He stretched his arms before casually looking around.

"Look at everyone else."

His eyes wandered toward the various club stalls scattered throughout the place.

Many first-year students had already gathered around them.

Some asked questions.

Others carefully collected pamphlets while discussing club activities with the senior members.

A few students had already made up their minds quickly.

"They’ve all figured out which club they want."

Cyrus shook his head helplessly.

"It’s not even registration day yet and I haven’t even decided where to begin."

"If you’re looking for sympathy..."

A calm voice interrupted from behind them.

"...you’re talking to the wrong person."

The two boys turned together.

Nate calmly walked toward them with both hands inside his trouser pockets.

His expression remained as composed as ever.

"Hm?"

Cyrus tilted his head.

"What do you mean?"

Nate quietly pointed toward Ezra.

"He’s already made his decision."

His tone carried complete certainty.

"There’s no doubt. He’s joining the Craftsmanship Club."

Cyrus blinked.

Then he nodded in realization.

"Oh... You’re right."

He looked toward Ezra.

"I actually forgot that’s practically your territory."

Ezra calmly shook his head.

"I prefer joining a club with fewer students."

He answered while still looking at the information board.

"I don’t enjoy crowded places. So, I might not join the club."

Nate calmly responded.

"There isn’t a club that meets that standard. Unless...you intend to establish your own."

His eyes remained fixed on Ezra.

"But creating a new club isn’t simple. It requires academy approval... a faculty supervisor...and a minimum number of founding members."

Ezra finally looked at him.

"I’m not planning to create one."

He replied plainly.

"Then..."

Nate continued.

"If you deliberately choose an unpopular club... you won’t gain much from it. The whole point of joining a club is to improve your strengths as well as knowledge. If the club doesn’t match your abilities... you’re simply wasting your time."

Ezra quietly considered those words, since they weren’t wrong.

Although...

He still disliked unnecessary social interaction.

Cyrus looked toward Nate.

"What about you...?"

"Nate Ashenlocke."

Nate introduced himself.

"Oh...What club are you joining?"

Cyrus asked calmly.

Nate answered.

"I’m joining the Geographical Club."

There wasn’t the slightest hesitation in his voice.

"The club that studies Britannia’s geography?"

Cyrus asked.

"Yes"

Nate nodded.

"But not only Britannia."

He calmly corrected him.

"They also study the landscapes... natural resources... climates...and terrain of neighboring nations. Of course... Only countries maintaining peaceful diplomatic relations with Britannia are included. The academy doesn’t permit research regarding hostile nations."

"I see."

Cyrus nodded thoughtfully.

"That’s actually pretty interesting."

"It is."

Nate replied simply.

"What about you?"

He returned the question.

Cyrus scratched the back of his head.

"I honestly have no idea."

He laughed awkwardly.

"I haven’t decided on a club... and I haven’t even chosen which student faction I’ll join."

He let out another long sigh.

"My problems just keep increasing."

Ezra finally looked away from the board.

"Since you enjoy listening to music so much... why not join the Music Club?"

He asked.

"Nah."

Cyrus immediately waved both hands.

"Listening... and performing... are completely different things."

He lightly tapped the music plugs resting around his neck.

"I enjoy hearing music, but I never said I could create it."

His answer made Nate nod slightly.

That explanation actually made sense to him.

Just then...

"Move."

A sharp female voice suddenly sounded behind them.

"You’re blocking the board."

The tone wasn’t loud.

Yet...

It carried enough authority to make several nearby students instinctively step aside.

Ezra...

Nate...

And Cyrus all turned at almost the same time.

Standing behind them...

Was a young girl with emerald-green hair tied neatly into a high ponytail.

Her arms remained folded.

Her posture stood perfectly straight.

A serious expression rested on her beautiful face.

The Galehart crest embroidered on the left side of her academy uniform immediately revealed her identity. Although, Cyrus recognized her at once from his time attending social gatherings and coming of age ceremonies.

But Ezra and Nate naturally reached the same conclusion.

Members of the Royal Family...

Duke Houses...

Count Houses...

And Viscount Houses all carried their family crests on the left side of their uniforms.

Meanwhile...

The Royal Academy emblem remained embroidered more prominently on the right.

Ezra had already finished reading the board.

While Cyrus wasn’t particularly interested anymore.

And Nate hadn’t even needed to read it since he had already chosen his destination.

Without saying anything...

The three boys quietly stepped aside.

The emerald-haired girl walked past them.

As she did...

Her emerald eyes briefly landed on Ezra.

A faint glare flashed across her face.

"...Hmph."

She snorted softly before turning away.

She stopped before the information board and immediately began reading through the list of clubs.

For a few seconds...

Silence remained between the three boys.

Cyrus slowly looked at the girl.

Then...

At Ezra.

Back to the girl.

Then back to Ezra again.

He blinked.

"...Did you offend her?"

He asked awkwardly.

Ezra looked back at him with the same blank expression.

"Do I even know her?"

His calm question genuinely sounded like he was confused.

Cyrus rubbed his chin.

"...Good point."

Nate suddenly clicked his tongue.

"Tsk...Tsk..."

He slowly shook his head while looking at Ezra.

"Player."

Without waiting for a response...

He casually turned around and walked toward the Geographical Club stall.

Ezra slowly narrowed his eyes.

"..."

He quietly watched Nate leave.

Then...

A soft sigh escaped him.

"Ah..."

Without bothering to argue...

He simply turned toward the academy exit.

He wasn’t interested in browsing the club stalls any longer.

Seeing Ezra leave...

Cyrus shrugged.

"I don’t have a club in mind either. So... I guess I’m leaving too."

He casually followed behind Ezra.

The two boys boarded the academy’s miniature railway.

Unlike the walking tour during their second Orientation Day...

The Club District sat extremely far from the First-Year Residential District.

Walking between the two locations every day would easily consume hours and hours of walking.

Which was why the miniature railway was created.

The train quietly glided across its elevated tracks.

Students chatted happily throughout the journey, while some excitedly discussed which clubs they had joined.

Others debated the strongest student factions inside the academy.

Ezra remained silent.

Cyrus quietly listened to music again.

Neither disturbed the other.

Eventually...

The train arrived at the residential station.

Ezra stepped off.

Lucy was already waiting beside the Noble Steam Carriage she had reserved earlier.

The moment she spotted Ezra...

Her face immediately brightened.

"Master."

She smiled warmly before giving a small bow.

Then...

Her curious eyes shifted toward Cyrus, who was calmly walking toward another Noble Steam Carriage parked nearby.

Her smile slowly became teasing.

"I saw him walking with you yesterday..."

She looked back at Ezra.

"...and today as well."

A playful smile spread across her face.

"Don’t tell me... you’ve already made a new friend?"

She lightly covered her mouth as she chuckled.

Ezra slowly narrowed his eyes.

"And... What makes you think that?"

He asked plainly.

Lucy placed one hand on her waist before wagging her index finger in front of him.

"Oh, Master...Master. You really don’t understand."

She laughed.

"I may be a girl... but even I know boys usually become friends much faster than girls do."

She leaned closer.

Her finger almost reached Ezra’s nose.

Before it could...

Ezra calmly leaned back.

Her fingertip stopped just short of touching him.

"Let’s go home."

He ignored the topic completely.

Without another word...

He climbed into the carriage.

Lucy hurried after him.

"Master... You can’t spend all three years here as a loner."

She sat opposite him.

"What about gathering talented people to help you achieve your goals?"

Ezra looked out the carriage window.

"I haven’t forgotten."

He answered calmly.

Lucy tilted her head.

"So... Do you at least know his name?"

A bright smile appeared on her face.

Although Ezra clearly didn’t consider Cyrus a friend...

The fact that they had walked together twice already told Lucy something important.

Her master rarely stayed beside anyone unless he had noticed something worth observing.

Even then...

Ezra never treated people with obvious friendliness or hostility.

He simply spoke to everyone the same way.

Calm.

Plain.

Detached.

Because of that...

It was almost impossible to tell whom Ezra actually liked...

Or disliked.

"...No."

Ezra answered honestly.

Lucy froze.

"...Master!"

She covered her face dramatically.

"You can’t be like this!"

She cried in despair.

The driver quietly started the engine.

Steam hissed from the exhaust.

The carriage slowly rolled away from the station while Lucy continued worrying about her master’s complete lack of progress in making friends.

The next day arrived quickly.

Morning sunlight shone over the Royal Academy, melting the thin layer of frost that had settled on the stone walkways during the night. Students from every residential district gradually made their way toward the academy’s transportation stations, all heading toward the same destination.

The Club District.

Or...

As Ezra had learned during yesterday’s journey on the academy railway...

The Mix Arena.

The name suited the place perfectly.

It wasn’t just simply a district filled with clubs.

It was where students from every year, every background, and every field of study gathered together. It was a place where ideas mixed, talents competed, friendships were formed, and rivalries quietly began.

Inside the academy’s miniature train...

Lucy sat beside Ezra.

Unlike the previous days, she no longer needed to attend her own orientation.

The academy had already finished briefing all attendants of noble students.

They had been taught the proper rules expected of personal attendants within the Royal Academy.

How to conduct themselves in public.

How to address academy staff.

What areas they were permitted to enter.

What areas were restricted.

How to properly serve their masters and mistresses without interfering with academy activities.

Although the rules were numerous...

Lucy had memorized every one of them carefully.

She had no intention of embarrassing either herself or Ezra.

The train quietly glided along its elevated rails.

Outside the windows...

The academy grounds slowly passed by.

Several students chatted excitedly while discussing which clubs they planned to join.

Others were already arguing about which Clubs possessed the strongest reputation within the academy.

Ezra quietly listened without joining any conversation.

A few moments later...

A pleasant mechanical voice echoed throughout the carriage.

"Attention, passengers. We have arrived at the Mix Arena. Please remember to take all personal belongings before leaving the train."

The train gradually slowed.

Steam escaped from beneath the wheels as the brakes gently engaged.

Finally...

The doors slid open.

Ezra stepped out first.

Lucy followed closely behind him.

Several other first-year students also exited the train, and the moment they raised their heads...

Many of them paused.

Yesterday...

The Mix Arena had still been under preparation.

Club booths had only begun taking shape.

Most stalls were unfinished, and only a handful of second and third-year students had been present while arranging banners and supplies.

Today...

The entire district looked completely different.

Colorful banners stretched between the buildings overhead.

Large flags bearing the symbols of different clubs fluttered gently in the morning breeze.

Decorative lights had been hung along the main pathways, while flower arrangements surrounded many of the larger club booths.

Music drifted through the air from somewhere deeper inside the arena.

Laughter...

Cheering...

And countless overlapping voices filled the atmosphere.

Rather than feeling like an ordinary school event...

The entire place resembled a grand festival.

Students from every direction poured into the wide streets.

Senior students stood proudly in front of their club booths, each wearing specially designed uniforms unique to their respective organizations.

Some wore long coats embroidered with intricate academy symbols.

Others dressed in combat uniforms, research robes, sports attire, or elegant formal clothing depending on their club.

Every one of them wore bright, welcoming smiles.

The moment the first-year students entered the main avenue...

The recruitment officially began.

"First-years!"

A cheerful girl hurried forward, extending a beautifully printed flyer.

"Please consider joining the Botanical Research Club!"

"Looking for talented Hand-to-hand combatants!"

A muscular second-year boy shouted confidently from another stall.

"The Combat Strategy Club is recruiting! Our club has the highest success rate in tournament rankings! Come take a look!"

"The Historical Research Society welcomes all new members!"

"Don’t forget the Engineering Club!"

"Chess Club registration starts today!"

Voices overlapped from every direction.

Flyers were handed out one after another.

Some enthusiastic senior students even demonstrated small performances in front of their booths to attract attention.

The atmosphere became increasingly lively.

Ezra quietly walked forward through the crowd.

His calm expression never changed despite the noise surrounding him.

Senior students naturally approached him as well.

"Sir!"

A smiling third-year extended a flyer toward him.

"Our Engineering Club..."

Ezra politely accepted it with a slight nod before continuing without stopping.

Another senior quickly approached.

"What about..."

Before he could finish...

Ezra had already moved past him.

His pace never changed.

Lucy hurried after him.

She carefully avoided bumping into the passing students while keeping close enough not to lose sight of Ezra.

Unlike her master...

Her eyes sparkled with excitement.

This...

Was her first time experiencing life inside an academy.

Every direction she looked revealed something new.

Club members demonstrating inventions.

Students laughing together.

Friendly competitions taking place in front of recruitment booths.

Decorations filled every corner of the district.

"...Wow."

She unconsciously slowed her steps.

Her mouth opened slightly in amazement.

"So, this..."

She quietly turned in a slow circle.

"...is what a school looks like."

The lively atmosphere reflected clearly within her eyes.

She had grown up learning in a place that trained children for pleasing others.

But today...

For the first time...

She truly felt as though she had stepped into a world she had only imagined before.

Her gaze wandered from one colorful booth to another.

"So many clubs..."

She whispered.

"There are even clubs for things I didn’t know people could study."

She laughed softly to herself before quickly catching up to Ezra.

Walking beside him again, she smiled brightly.

"So, Master..."

She tilted her head curiously.

"Which club are you planning to join?"

Ezra remained silent.

His eyes calmly continued scanning the different club buildings as he walked deeper into the Mix Arena.

Lucy already knew what that silence meant.

It wasn’t that he had ignored her.

He was thinking.

She smiled helplessly.

"As expected,You still haven’t decided yet."

Ezra neither confirmed nor denied her words.

He simply continued walking.

The further they entered the Mix Arena...

The more obvious the differences between the clubs became.

The smaller organizations occupied ordinary wooden booths with simple decorations.

Their recruitment areas were modest, yet lively.

However...

The larger and more influential clubs looked completely different.

Their buildings resembled miniature guild headquarters.

Elegant entrances.

Private reception areas.

Large waiting halls.

Some even had club memebers as security personnel maintaining order.

The difference in prestige could easily be seen at a glance.

Among them...

Several clubs stood out more than the rest.

The Chess Clubs.

The Swimming Clubs.

The Academy News Clubs.

The Craftmanship Clubs.

Each possessed enormous recruitment halls built far more elegantly than the surrounding booths.

Their organization was equally impressive.

Unlike the smaller clubs where students freely entered and left...

These prestigious clubs required every applicant to wait patiently in orderly lines before they could even step inside.

Long queues stretched across the pathways.

Many first-year students quietly waited their turn while academy staff guided everyone into proper lines.

Of course...

Not everyone needed to wait.

As Ezra quietly observed...

Several familiar figures approached one of the largest chess club buildings.

Without anyone questioning them...

The staff immediately stepped aside.

Tristin.

Felix.

Gareth.

And one of the Mainline heirs from House Derlis.

The moment they arrived...

The waiting line naturally parted.

Each of them walked directly through the entrance without being stopped.

Not a single student complained.

No one even looked surprised.

To everyone present...

It seemed completely natural.

Above the entrance of the magnificent building...

A large black-and-gold sign proudly displayed the club’s name.

Royal IQ Chess Club.

Its elegant lettering reflected the morning sunlight, making the club appear even more prestigious than the others surrounding it.

Ezra quietly lifted his eyes toward the sign.

Then...

His calm gaze shifted toward the long line of students still patiently waiting outside.

Without saying a word...

He silently began evaluating whether entering that building would truly be worth his time.