I had just come from signing up at the Gardening Club booth.
The student there told us that we were free to visit the indoor garden if we wanted to, and I wasn’t about to let that opportunity slip through my fingers.
Honestly, ever since the tour on the first day of school, I hadn’t stopped thinking about this garden.
So I made my way down the hallway, brushing past students as I went.
Soon, I arrived at the beautiful double doors decorated with sculpted vines and leaves.
I pushed them open.
The moment I stepped inside, countless scents washed over me.
Floral scents.
Fresh grass.
Moss.
Herbs.
I stood there and let it all surround me.
The flowers, the trees, the rays of sunlight filtering through the glass ceiling…
It was peaceful.
Quiet.
My ears twitched, and my eyes began to glow faintly.
It’s been a while since I’ve felt this way.
Maybe it’s because I’m surrounded by plants I’ve never seen before.
As I walked deeper into the garden, some plants seemed to grow slightly taller, some flowers bloomed, and others brightened in color.
“This feels nice,” I said with a sigh.
As I stood there enjoying the atmosphere, a hand suddenly rested on my shoulder.
My eyes snapped open.
Standing behind me was a woman with brown hair streaked with white, tied loosely into a bun.
She gave me a gentle smile.
“Prince Li Qiang. It’s nice to have you here.”
I blinked in confusion.
“Um… thank you. Not to be rude, but who are you?”
She shook her head.
“It’s alright. You wouldn’t have seen me before. I’m usually tucked away in this garden.”
She placed a hand over her chest.
“I am Professor Sylvan Hart, and I am the leader of the Gardening Club.”
The confusion on my face only deepened.
“Teachers can be club leaders too?”
Her smile widened.
“Hmm, yes. Come, let’s walk while I explain how clubs really work at Ash-Fall.”
And so we began walking through the massive garden together.
Professor Hart tapped her chin thoughtfully.
“Now, where should I start?”
She nodded to herself.
“You already know the personal benefits of joining clubs, correct?”
I nodded.
“Well, clubs can be started by either students or teachers. However, to create a club, you need at least five members and approval from a professor.”
“Hmm, that makes sense,” I replied.
“Otherwise we’d end up with a bunch of random clubs.”
Professor Hart laughed softly.
“Exactly. It would also waste school resources.”
A thought suddenly came to mind.
“Professor Hart, if that’s true, then what about the Storytelling Club? Isn’t that a waste of resources?”
A knowing smile appeared on her face.
“No, Li Qiang. In fact, there is one rule professors must follow when approving a club.”
“What’s that?”
“Every club must benefit Ash-Fall in some way.”
I tilted my head.
“So there are no useless clubs?”
She gestured around us.
“Every club works together, even if it doesn’t seem that way.”
She pointed toward a section filled with herbs.
“The Gardening Club provides herbs for alchemy classes, the infirmary, and the pharmacy.”
Then she pointed toward another building outside.
“The Adventure Club gathers mana stones and monster materials for classes and research.”
“The Combat Club helps identify students suitable for tournaments.”
“And the Library Society assists the Research Club in finding rare books and records.”
Wow.
That’s actually really smart.
I looked at her.
“Then what about the Storytelling Club?”
She smiled.
“Even the most exaggerated stories often contain pieces of truth.”
“Oh?”
“They frequently work with the Trading Club. Information is valuable, and old stories sometimes hide forgotten knowledge.”
A thoughtful hum escaped my lips.
Suddenly, Professor Hart glanced toward the far end of the garden.
“Well, Li Qiang, I believe I’m needed elsewhere.”
She gave me a smile.
“Feel free to keep exploring.”
And just like that, she was gone.
So I continued wandering through the garden.
One thing I noticed was how many elves were members of the Gardening Club.
Which made sense.
Some students watered plants.
Others harvested herbs.
Some carefully labeled and packaged ingredients.
Everyone seemed busy.
Eventually, I finished exploring and made my way back outside.
As I walked down the hallway, I spotted Fin exiting a room alongside another student.
“Which clubs are you joining?” the student asked.
“Magic Research Club and Alchemy Club,” Fin replied.
Then they disappeared down the hallway.
Makes sense.
Soon, I arrived back at the meeting spot and found Simon and Imara already waiting.
I walked over.
“Hey guys. Had fun? Anything interesting happen?”
Simon grinned.
“Hey, little prince. Everything was great on my side. I signed up for the Artifact Club and the Trading Club.”
Imara folded her arms.
“And this dufus has spent the last ten minutes making fun of my rivalry.”
“It’s not a rivalry,” Simon replied.
“It absolutely is.”
“It’s one-sided.”
“It is not.”
“Whatever helps you sleep at night.”
She rolled her eyes.
“Ignore him. How was the Gardening Club?”
I couldn’t stop the smile that appeared on my face.
Simon immediately noticed.
“I’m guessing amazing?”
I nodded. This chapter was taken from g.com without permission.
“Even better.”
Both of them chuckled.
Simon stretched.
“So, is that everything?”
I shook my head.
“Nope. I still need to visit the Library Society booth. Aleksandr promised to show me around.”
The two exchanged knowing looks.
“Well then, little prince,” Simon said with a grin.
“Ready to meet your future club?”
I smiled.
“Let’s go.”
Together, we headed toward the Library Society booth.
When we arrived, I immediately spotted Ogun, with Aleksandr who was managing the booth.
Before we could even say anything, Aleksandr looked up, causing Ogun to turn around as well.
“Hey guys!” Ogun said.
“Feels like I haven’t seen you in years.”
Simon raised an eyebrow.
“We literally visited your booth earlier.”
Ogun gave him a look.
“Let me have this moment.”
We all laughed.
Imara looked around.
“Wow, this booth has so many books.”
Simon stared at her.
“It’s a library club, Princess. What exactly were you expecting?”
Imara pointed at him.
“I’m not liking all this sass, Simon.”
We laughed again.
Honestly, no sass would mean no Simon.
I stepped closer to Aleksandr and nudged him lightly.
“You seem busy.”
A small smile appeared on his face.
“If you’re wondering whether you’re still getting that tour, don’t worry.”
He nodded toward another student.
“I’m just waiting for one of the members to return.”
“Good,” I said.
“Otherwise you’d owe me.”
A smirk appeared on his face.
“I’m giving you a free tour. Doesn’t that mean you owe me?”
I laughed.
“Hah. I’ll think about it.”
Soon, I signed my name on the Library Society registration sheet, and conversation continued.
After a few minutes, another club member returned.
“Sorry I took so long, Aleksandr.”
“It’s fine.”
Aleksandr then turned toward the others.
“I’m heading off to show him around.”
He looked at me.
“So let’s go.”
Everyone nodded.
And together, we walked away from the booth.