Honestly, he didn’t have to tell me twice.
Within two steps, I already had my bag and was heading toward the exit, with Imara walking beside me.
“See?” she said.
“That wasn’t so bad now, was it?”
I looked at her and let out a soft sigh.
“Actually… you’re not wrong.”
“It was better than I thought it would be. Now that it’s over, I feel like I was being a little dramatic.”
A smile spread across her face.
“See? I told you that you’re too hard on yourself.”
She nudged my shoulder.
“In fact, don’t be surprised if you end up doing better than you expect.”
A small smile appeared on my face.
“Well, now I feel motivated.”
I raised a fist.
“I’ll meet your expectations.”
Imara grinned and bumped her fist against mine.
“Looking forward to it.”
As we continued walking, I noticed it was only a little after three-thirty.
The sun was still high in the sky, while a cool breeze drifted across the academy grounds.
The sight of the green fields and flower gardens immediately made me want to relax after combat class.
I suddenly stopped.
“Let’s sit over there while we wait for Simon.”
Imara looked over.
“Great idea. As much as I love moving around, a little break is never a bad thing.”
Together, we found a quiet spot beneath a large flowering tree.
Students passed by in groups or alone.
Some were heading back to their dorms, while others walked with purpose, clearly on their way somewhere.
One thing caught my attention.
Some students had more than one badge pinned to their jackets.
“Hey, Imara.”
“Hm?”
“Why do some people have more than one badge?”
She immediately turned toward me.
“That’s actually what I wanted to talk to you and Simon about.”
She looked around before pointing.
“See that badge shaped like a book? That’s the Research Club.”
She pointed somewhere else.
“The shield one belongs to the Combat Club.”
Then her finger landed on a lion-shaped badge.
“And that one belongs to the Student Council. It’s one of the organizations with the highest authority in the academy.”
Before I could ask another question, footsteps approached.
Looking up, we spotted Simon.
He looked exhausted.
Completely exhausted.
The kind of exhausted that made it look like he had aged thirty years.
Without a word, he dropped onto the grass beside us and let out a long sigh.
Imara raised an eyebrow.
“Why do you look like you’ve been through a war?”
Simon groaned.
“Because I basically have.”
“What happened?” I asked.
“Let’s just say…”
He pointed dramatically toward the sky.
“Never take Artifacts for Beginners.”
I blinked.
“Don’t say that. I have that class tomorrow.”
Imara leaned forward.
“But why?”
Simon stared at us.
“Because apparently beginners explode things.”
Both Imara and I burst out laughing.
“What happened?” she asked.
Simon shook his head.
“You wouldn’t believe it.”
He sat up slightly.
“Now, when the professor says, ‘Use two blue mana stones,’ you’d think people would use two blue mana stones.”
“Reasonable.”
“Exactly.”
Simon pointed dramatically.
“But one genius decided to use a purple mana stone instead.”
I winced.
“Oh no.”
“Oh yes.”
Simon spread his arms wide.
“Boom.”
Imara laughed so hard she nearly fell over.
“Well,” she managed between laughs, “it sounds like your afternoon was more exciting than ours.”
Simon pointed accusingly at her.
“I almost lost my eyebrows.”
“Almost.”
“That’s not the point.”
After a few more laughs, Simon finally looked between us.
“So what were you two talking about?”
Imara sat up straighter.
“Clubs.”
Simon nodded.
“Ah.”
“I was just explaining how they work.”
Then she turned toward me.
“The reason clubs are important is because they earn academy points.”
“What kind of points?”
“The useful kind.”
She counted on her fingers.
“You can exchange them for rare spell books, alchemy materials, private tutoring sessions, combat equipment, access to restricted sections of the library—”
“Wait.”
I immediately sat up.
“Did you say rare spell books?”
Imara stared at me.
“…Yes.”
“Where do I sign up?”
Both she and Simon burst out laughing.
“I knew that would get your attention.”
Simon draped an arm over Imara’s shoulder.
“So, Princess, why bring this up all of a sudden?”
“Because of my brother Jasiri.”
“The one in Student Council?” I asked.
“Yep.”
She nodded.
“He told me that the day after tomorrow, classes will end early.”
“Why?” Simon asked.
“Because it’s Club Selection Day.”
Immediately, my interest doubled.
“The seniors will be accepting applications from first years who want to join their clubs.”
Simon leaned back against the tree.
“Well then.”
He looked between us.
“What clubs are you two joining?”
Imara answered immediately.
“Combat Club.”
Neither of us looked surprised.
“I heard members get better opportunities for future tournaments.”
Simon nodded.
“Of course you’re joining Combat Club.”
“And maybe Student Council.”
“Of course you’re joining Student Council.”
“Hey.”
She pointed at him.
“That wasn’t an answer.”
I laughed.
“Honestly, I think you’d be good at Student Council.”
Imara smiled.
“Thanks, Li.”
Simon nodded.
“I agree.”
Then he looked toward me.
“What about you, little prince?”
I thought about it for a moment.
“The Magic Garden Club sounds nice.”
Imara nodded.
“That fits.”
“And probably the Library Society.”
Simon immediately laughed.
“That also fits.”
I pointed at him.
“You’re one to talk.”
“Fair.”
Imara then reached over and pinched Simon’s cheek.
“What about you, dufus?”
Simon rubbed his cheek dramatically.
“Hmm…”
He thought for a moment.
“Maybe Monster Research Club.”
I nodded.
“That sounds perfect for you.”
“And probably the Trading Club.”
“The Trading Club?” I asked.
Simon shrugged.
“I’ve heard they have access to a lot of information.”
That answer actually made sense.
As the conversation continued, the sun slowly began to sink lower into the sky.
Students continued crossing the academy grounds.
Some laughed with friends.
Others hurried toward club meetings or dormitories.
For the first time, I couldn’t help but think—
Ash-Fall wasn’t just a school.
It was practically its own little world.
Eventually, Imara glanced toward the horizon.
“Well guys, I should probably head back.”
The sun was already beginning to set.
I nodded.
“Yeah. It’s getting late.”
We stood and dusted off our uniforms.
Simon suddenly spoke.
“You two go ahead.”
I blinked.
“You’re not coming?”
“I have something I need to do first.”
I tilted my head.
“Need help?”
For a brief moment, something unreadable crossed Simon’s face.
Then he smiled.
“Nah. I’m good.”
“It’ll be quick.”
Imara nodded.
“Alright then.”
She waved.
“See you tomorrow, dufus.”
“See you tomorrow, Princess.”
I gave him a wave as well.
“Good night, Simon.”
“Night, little prince.”
As Simon headed in a different direction, Imara and I began walking back toward the dormitories.
Tomorrow would be our second day at Ash-Fall Academy.