Last Gun Alchemist

Chapter 290: Orientation Week VII

Ezra quietly stood before the entrance of the Royal IQ Chess Club, his calm black eyes studying the building without the slightest change in expression.

The entrance itself reflected the club’s prestige.

Elegant black-and-gold banners hung from polished stone pillars, while academy staff and senior members maintained orderly lines for the students waiting outside. The atmosphere carried a quiet sense of discipline that was very different from the lively chaos surrounding the smaller club booths.

Students patiently waited for their turn to enter.

Some discussed famous chess matches.

Others whispered about the club’s reputation.

Only a select few students had been allowed to bypass the queue earlier, entering the building directly because of their status.

Ezra simply observed.

He wasn’t particularly interested in the game itself.

He was evaluating the club.

Just then...

Someone approached him.

"You’re Ezra Ashenlocke... aren’t you?"

A gentle female voice called from his side.

Ezra turned calmly.

Standing before him was an upperclassman dressed in the elegant black-and-blue uniform worn exclusively by members of the Royal IQ Chess Club.

She carried herself gracefully, and the silver badge pinned to her chest suggested she wasn’t an ordinary member.

She smiled warmly as she pointed at him.

Ezra looked at her for a brief moment.

"I suppose I am."

He answered in his usual flat tone.

The young woman laughed softly.

"You definitely are."

She covered her mouth for a second before smiling again.

"But..."

She tilted her head.

"You sound a little rude."

The playful smile on her face faded just slightly.

Ezra immediately gave a polite bow.

"I’m sorry if I came across that way, Senior."

His voice remained calm.

The apology was sincere.

It simply lacked emotion, just as all of Ezra’s words usually did.

The senior quickly waved both hands.

"No, no."

She laughed again.

"I don’t mind. In fact..."

She stepped a little closer.

"A talent like you almost deserves to act a little proud."

Her smile returned to her eyes.

"And somehow... that expressionless face of yours makes it fit even better."

Lucy quietly stood behind Ezra, her curious eyes moving between her master and the senior.

She had never seen this young woman before.

Nor had she expected a senior student to approach Ezra so naturally.

The senior finally stopped a comfortable distance away.

"Allow me to introduce myself."

She placed one hand lightly over her chest.

"My name is Amy Harry. The eldest daughter of Viscount Harry."

She smiled elegantly.

"My father has maintained a cooperative relationship with The Eclipse for many years. Before you enrolled... He specifically told me that if I ever met you inside the academy... I should treat you well."

Ezra listened quietly, then he nodded once.

"It’s a pleasure to meet you, Senior Amy."

His tone remained as plain as ever.

Lucy secretly blinked.

Master really talks the same way to everyone...

Whether it is a servant...

A noble...

Or even a commoner.

She thought to herself quietly with a helpless smile on her face.

Amy didn’t seem bothered.

Instead, she found it rather amusing.

"So..."

She gently pointed toward the magnificent entrance behind her.

"Would you like to take a look inside the club?"

Her smile widened.

"After everything you’ve accomplished recently... especially your contribution to House Ashenlocke’s newest innovations... I doubt anyone here would object to letting you in."

Several nearby upperclassmen glanced toward Ezra after hearing Amy’s words.

Most of them had already recognized him.

The young inventor who had recently become one of the hottest topics across Britannia.

Ezra quietly looked toward the entrance, then he shook his head.

"I’ll pass."

His answer came without hesitation.

"Chess isn’t really my style."

Amy blinked.

She clearly hadn’t expected such a straightforward refusal.

At the same time...

Ezra’s thoughts quietly drifted elsewhere.

Now that I think about it...

The Book of Memories should contain numerous chess strategies.

Like Openings, Endgames and Famous tactical patterns.

Although when I still lived with the Sterling’s...

I played quite often as a child.

Unlike my previous self...

Most of the memories I inherited came from military life.

If I remember correctly...

I learned more advanced chess by playing against my fellow platoon members during deployment.

Amy sighed dramatically.

"That’s honestly a shame."

She folded her arms.

"A brilliant mind like yours refusing to play chess... feels like a waste."

Ezra simply nodded.

"I suppose."

Although he replied...

His mind was already on something else.

Amy noticed immediately.

She couldn’t help smiling helplessly.

Well...

At least the rumors about him aren’t exaggerated.

He really is difficult to read.

Changing the topic...

She spoke again.

"If chess isn’t your interest... then I assume you’ll be joining one of the craftsmanship clubs. I could recommend you the best one."

Ezra calmly answered.

"You mean like the Lunar Inventors Club."

Amy raised an eyebrow.

"Oh? So, you’ve already done your research."

A faint smirk appeared on her face.

Ezra nodded once.

"I guess if I’m joining any club... it’ll most likely be that one."

"That’s understandable."

Amy rested her weight on one leg.

"The Lunar Inventors Club has always maintained a close relationship with The Eclipse."

Lucy suddenly widened her eyes.

"Really?"

She couldn’t hide her surprise.

Amy smiled before turning toward Lucy.

"Many companies... and even large industries... establish clubs inside prestigious academies. They use this method to discover promising talents early. If a student performs exceptionally well... that company may recruit them long before graduation."

Lucy slowly nodded.

"So that’s how they search for future employees..."

She gently rubbed her chin.

"Academies are far more useful than I imagined."

Her expression became unusually serious.

Amy quietly laughed.

Then...

Her gaze shifted toward Ezra then back toward Lucy.

A playful smile slowly appeared.

"Junior..."

She tilted her head.

"Your maid is rather adorable."

Lucy froze.

"...Eh?"

Amy continued smiling.

"Where did you find someone this cute?"

Lucy’s cheeks immediately turned red.

She hurriedly lowered her head.

"Th-Thank you..."

Her voice became noticeably softer.

Ezra quietly looked at Amy.

"Senior... I should probably get going."

His tone remained respectful.

Amy looked at him for a brief moment, then she nodded.

"You’re right. I’ve already taken enough of your time."

She stepped aside.

Before Ezra left...

She suddenly remembered something.

"Oh."

She lightly raised one finger.

"Before I forget..."

She smiled.

"When you finally choose a club... please consider joining the Royal Blue Faction."

She gave a small wave.

"I think you’d fit in rather well."

Without waiting for an answer...

Amy turned around and walked back toward the members of her club.

Several senior students welcomed her back.

Among them...

One young man quietly glanced toward Ezra.

His expression remained unreadable.

But Ezra didn’t pay attention.

He had already begun walking deeper into the Mix Arena.

Lucy quickly followed.

"Master..."

Lucy hurried a few steps until she was walking slightly ahead of Ezra.

"May I ask something?"

"Yes."

Ezra calmly answered.

His eyes continued moving from one club booth to another as they walked.

He quietly observed the recruitment methods each club used.

The differences were surprisingly obvious.

Some relied on flashy demonstrations.

Others emphasized prestige.

A few simply welcomed every student politely.

Lucy looked around before speaking again.

"Why is joining a club considered so important?"

She paused briefly.

"I also heard a lot about factions during our attendant orientation. What exactly are they?"

Ezra remained silent for a moment before he began explaining.

"Based on the academy guidebook... and from observing the students themselves... I believe clubs play a significant role in Academy Point accumulation."

As they continued walking...

They passed numerous booths where upperclassmen enthusiastically explained club activities to waiting first-years.

Ezra continued speaking without slowing his pace.

"In every academic year... The academy holds inter-club tournaments, which we students from every year participate in. The champion... And the runners-up... Receive Academy Points as one of the awards. They also earn honors that contribute toward both personal and club rankings."

Lucy listened carefully.

While Ezra continued.

"Then... There are achievement points where if a club accomplishes something recognized by the academy board... every member receives points."

He glanced at Lucy.

"One thing to know is that all points aren’t divided... Because every registered member receives the same amount."

Lucy’s eyes widened.

"So that’s why joining a good club matters."

Ezra nodded once.

"Exactly. And as for factions..."

He paused briefly.

"That’s considerably more complicated."

He finally stopped walking.

The two had unknowingly reached a quiet resting area.

Large umbrella trees stretched their branches overhead, shielding several polished wooden benches from the late-morning sunlight.

A cool breeze gently rustled the leaves.

Lucy tilted her head.

"More complicated?"

Before Ezra could answer...

A familiar relaxed voice drifted across the resting area.

"What he means... is that refusing to join a faction can make academy life rather difficult."

Ezra turned calmly.

His eyes landed on the young man lazily leaning against one of the benches.

"It’s you."

The young man smiled.

"Hi."

Lucy immediately pointed at him.

"Oh! You’re the student Master keeps walking with after classes."

Cyrus blinked, then he laughed.

"I didn’t know I had already become that famous."

Ezra slowly narrowed his eyes.

"You’re making it sound as though it’s become a daily routine."

Lucy folded her arms.

"Hasn’t it?"

She looked suspiciously at her master.

"You’ve met him almost every day."

Ezra looked back at her.

"It’s merely a strong coincidence."

Before Lucy could answer...

Cyrus nodded seriously.

"I agree."

He placed one hand on his chest.

"Honestly... It feels more like one of us has been secretly stalking the other."

Ezra calmly replied.

"There is scientific reasoning suggesting that strangers who meet once... are statistically more likely to encounter each other repeatedly afterward."

Cyrus casually waved one hand.

"Our situation is simply another example."

Ezra considered the explanation, then nodded once.

"Hmm. You make a reasonable point."

Cyrus smiled proudly.

"I usually do."

He leaned farther back against the bench.

"Judging from the fact that you’re both still wandering around... I’m guessing neither of you has chosen a club yet."

Ezra folded his arms.

"Correct."

Cyrus sighed dramatically.

"As you can clearly see..."

He pointed at himself.

"I also haven’t made any progress either."

He lazily slumped deeper into the bench.

Lucy quickly waved both hands.

"Sorry...I’m really sorry... I know choosing a club is important... But I still can’t stop thinking about the faction discussion."

Her curiosity had completely taken over.

She couldn’t stop herself from asking.

Cyrus sat up slightly.

"Well... As I said earlier... Factions matter because they prevent students from becoming isolated."

Lucy frowned.

"But... Isn’t that the same purpose clubs serve?"

Cyrus smiled patiently.

"Not exactly."

He began explaining.

"Factions are groups that usually include first-years...Second-years...And third-years. Just like a club, but in this one... Senior members help juniors, they share their past notes. Past examination papers. They even tutor students. And if someone tries to bully a member... the faction protects them."

Lucy nodded slowly.

Cyrus continued.

"You might think clubs provide the same thing. Which they do... and at the same time they don’t. It depends on the club, since not every club is united."

Lucy looked puzzled again.

"But...If everyone receives equal Academy Points... wouldn’t they naturally work together?"

Before Cyrus answered...

Ezra calmly spoke.

"The competition inside clubs doesn’t revolve solely around Academy Points."

Lucy turned toward him.

Ezra continued.

"Performance."

He simply said.

"Like the senior already explained...Most clubs maintain close relationships with powerful companies or industries. As a result...Members constantly compete against one another. They all want to stand out, because they don’t want someone else receiving opportunities they could have earned."

He finished calmly.

Lucy slowly nodded.

"I think I understand a bit now."

She looked around the bustling Mix Arena once more.

The academy suddenly felt far more complicated than it had only a few minutes earlier.