It was morning, and Rowan and I were getting ready for the day.
I stepped out of the shower and grabbed my towel.
“Rowan, you can use the shower now.”
By the time I was fully dressed, Rowan had just finished.
He peeked his head out from behind the bathroom door.
“Do you want me to wait for you?”
“Nah, go ahead,” he said.
“I’m going to the school café with some other people.”
I nodded.
“Alright. Let’s try to meet up during club sign-ups.”
“Sounds good.”
With that, I grabbed my bag and headed out.
Eventually, I spotted Simon and Imara talking in the hallway.
Imara immediately turned in my direction as if she had sensed me.
“Li!” she called excitedly.
I waved.
“Hey guys. What are you talking about?”
Imara’s smile widened.
“Well, you know how we were only supposed to have one class today because of club selection day?”
I nodded.
“Yeah. What about it?”
Before she could continue, Simon stepped in.
“Pretty princess, you’re taking too long.”
She glared at him.
“I’m getting there.”
Simon raised both hands.
“Go ahead.”
Imara rolled her eyes.
“Anyways, Jasiri told me that all classes are cancelled today.”
I blinked.
“Really?”
“Yep. Apparently the entire school has to gather in the auditorium this morning.”
I raised an eyebrow.
“Why?”
“No idea.”
Just then, a loud grumble interrupted us.
Both Imara and I turned toward Simon.
His face slowly turned pink.
“What?” he asked defensively.
“I’m hungry.”
The two of us burst out laughing.
I threw an arm around both of their shoulders.
“Then let’s go to the cafeteria before Simon decides to eat us.”
Simon grinned.
“Don’t tempt me, little prince.”
As we walked, Simon turned to Imara.
“Do you know what’s on the breakfast menu?”
Imara nodded.
“BLT sandwiches and dime fruit juice.”
“Good enough,” Simon declared.
After collecting our breakfast, we headed toward the auditorium while eating.
At first, the halls weren’t too crowded.
Then we got closer.
And closer.
And closer.
Soon we realized we had made a terrible mistake.
On the first day, there had only been three hundred and ten first-years.
Today?
Every student from first through fifth year was heading toward the auditorium.
Students flooded the hallways like a river.
Simon immediately stopped walking.
“Nope.”
He pointed ahead.
“If we go any further, we’re going to get crushed.”
We were only a short distance away from the auditorium.
Imara and I nodded in agreement.
I leaned against a nearby wall. Get faster updates on novelping.com.
“So what do you think this meeting is about?”
Imara placed her hands on her hips.
“My guess? A speech about clubs.”
Simon nodded.
“I agree, princess. This is probably the first assembly of the year with all students together.”
He sighed dramatically.
“Let’s just hope they keep it short.”
A hand suddenly landed on his shoulder.
“Too bad for you.”
We turned.
“Ogun!”
“And hey, Aleksandr,” Imara added.
I waved.
“Hey guys.”
Aleksandr gave a small smile.
“Hey.”
Simon immediately grinned.
“Aleksandr, are you going to be giving us another famous speech?”
Aleksandr rolled his eyes.
“Luckily for you, no.”
He crossed his arms.
“I’ll be sitting in the audience just like everyone else.”
Ogun chuckled.
“Good thing too. After last year’s speech, Principal Signer is probably never asking him again.”
We all burst out laughing.
Aleksandr sighed.
“We’ll see.”
Soon the auditorium doors opened.
Students flooded inside.
The crowd moved like water flowing through a broken dam.
Somehow, despite the crowd, finding seats wasn’t difficult.
Being surrounded by royals apparently had its advantages.
The seating order ended up being:
Aleksandr.
Me.
Ogun.
Imara.
Simon.
While the others talked, I turned toward Aleksandr.
“So who’s the leader of the Library Society?”
He looked at me directly.
For a second, I noticed how unusual his eyes were.
A deep crimson red.
Then he leaned back in his seat.
“Our leader is a fifth-year mage named Sue.”
“Sue?”
He nodded.
“She’s from Shengeng and ranked fourth in her year.”
My eyes widened.
“A commoner?”
“Yep.”
“That’s amazing.”
A small smile appeared on my face.
“From the way you’re describing her, she sounds incredible.”
Aleksandr nodded.
“She is.”
Then his expression softened slightly.
“There’s going to be a lot happening today.”
He paused.
“When you’re done looking around, come find me.”
I blinked.
“Hm?”
“I can show you the Library Society clubroom.”
Then he immediately looked away.
“I mean… if you want.”
A grin spread across my face.
“I definitely will.”
“Who would pass up a tour from the great Aleksandr Ivanov?”
He let out a quiet chuckle.
A voice suddenly echoed throughout the auditorium.
“Good morning, students.”
The room quickly fell silent.
At the front stood Principal Signer.
“Today, we are blessed to gather once again at Ash-Fall Academy.”
He paused.
“Ash-Fall was founded one hundred years ago. Its name serves as a tribute to the fallen nation of Ashfallen, the land we now call the Central Territories.”
Many students listened attentively.
“Ash-Fall is a symbol of peace, uniting all four nations. Throughout its history, this academy has produced mages, scholars, knights, researchers, and leaders.”
The speech continued.
And continued.
And continued.
Simon leaned toward us.
“Wow.”
“I can’t believe he’s still talking.”
Imara and Ogun immediately started laughing.
Then—
The principal cleared his throat.
We looked up.
He was staring directly at us.
No way.
A small smile appeared on his face.
“Now, I will allow Professor Lia Elt to take over.”
The woman who had given me my badge stepped forward.
“Good morning, students.”
“Today is Club Selection Day.”
A cheer erupted from the audience.
She smiled.
“For generations, clubs have been one of the most important parts of academy life.”
“They help students develop skills, build friendships, and gain valuable experience.”
She paused.
“Students can also earn club points, which may be exchanged for rewards ranging from equipment and books to private tutoring and other academy resources.”
The cheering got even louder.
“So I encourage every first-year student—and anyone not currently in a club—to explore their options.”
She smiled.
“Now go and have fun.”
The auditorium exploded into excitement.
Students immediately began filing toward the exits.
Outside, Simon looked absolutely horrified.
“Guys.”
“What?”
“Do you think the principal heard me?”
Ogun immediately smirked.
“He definitely heard you.”
Aleksandr nodded.
“And you’ll probably be remembered forever.”
Simon’s soul visibly left his body.
The rest of us burst out laughing.
Aleksandr stepped backward.
“Well, I need to go help the Library Society.”
Then he looked toward me.
“See you later, Li Qiang.”
I smiled.
“See you.”
Ogun waved.
“And come check out the Armorer Club!”
With that, both second-years headed off.
Now it was just the three of us.
Imara clapped her hands together.
“Alright.”
“Let’s forget that Simon is doomed and go see what the clubs have to offer.”
“Hey!” Simon protested.
“You laughed too!”
I couldn’t help laughing again as the three of us headed toward the academy grounds.
Club Selection Day had officially begun.