<Sunday morning.>
“That’s enough for now,”
I concluded, casting a glance at the muscles that had been pushed to their limits. A grueling five-hour training session starting at 4 AM had left me thoroughly exhausted.
“Two hours until the meetup,” I murmured, stealing a quick look at my watch.
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[Adventurer and Exploration Club]
Hey there! Just a quick heads-up: Our orientation kicks off at 11 AM at the Academy Entrance Gate. We’re looking forward to seeing all our awesome members there!
Club President 𝐎𝑣𝗅xt.
————————————-
Since today was going to be the day when the orientation of the Traveling Club would be done, I needed to be there on time.
Just as I had been expecting, even the message was the same in the game—a simple informative message which was befitting of the club president’s character.
‘Today, nothing will happen.’
Adventurer and Exploration Club was one of the two clubs that was essential for all players to join, since there were a lot of story events that were related to this.
However, the events would start after the first trip. Normally I was considering not going there and simply joining the normal trips where the demons and other villains made their appearance, but I decided to participate later on.
The reason was to make myself familiar with the seniors and not gather too much attention. Knowing that after I made my appearance, the demons randomly appeared made some people suspicious.
It is not that that is concrete evidence or anything. But the fewer things that I gave people, the better it would be.
Therefore, I participated in today’s trip for that reason.
Today’s first trip would basically be a trip to the Valerian Federations’ second-biggest city.
The inaugural trip was slated for the Valerian Federation’s second-largest city.
‘Nexoria.’
A fitting name for the bustling second heart of the federation, brimming with adventures waiting to unfold.
‘Now that I think about it, there was a museum there ranging from the unknown materials that came to our world or historical weapons that had been used by those that led the world in the past.’
‘I should take some pictures of those things for later. I feel like they are going to be useful in the History and Art Club.’ I thought.
Just like that, I started picking my things up from the training grounds.
RUMBLE
As my stomach rumbled at the same time, I was reminded of the fact that the heavier the workout was, the larger the proportions must have been.
On the way, I dropped by the cafeteria and grabbed a meal with heavy mana density.
Then it was time to dress and get ready for the trip.
*******
As I left my room, I made my way toward the entrance of the Academy, where we would meet.
My gun and weapons were stuffed on my bracelet. Today, nothing was supposed to happen, but that didn’t mean carrying weapons was pointless. No, that was the opposite since the game’s knowledge might not cover everything.
And since I was always carrying my weapon with me, it was not something that made me uncomfortable.
As I reached the place I was supposed to, I could see the main cast was already there.
The man with blue hair and a bright smile, whose hazel eyes were looking at the gates of the academy, seemingly reminiscent of something.
Ethan.
SMACK
Beside him was a girl who smacked him from his back. A girl with white hair and a tomboyish face.
“Dumbass….Why are you dozing off again?”
“Hey! Why are you keep hitting me?”
“Because it is funny. I like when you flinch even from a small touch.”
“You are saying this is a small touch? Are you crazy?”
“A bit?”
“More than a bit.”
“….”
As the two of them were talking, behind Ethan was another boy who had a cold glare on his face.
“You can hit me if you like,” Victor mumbled with a small sound, and it seemed none of them heard it.
‘No, I am sure Julia is just ignoring him.’ Since even I was able to hear it from a distance, there was no way Julia, who also had superhuman senses thanks to her awakening, couldn’t hear it from such a close distance.
“Hey, shut up! It is annoying.” And another voice entered the line. A voice that sounded annoyed and a voice that I disliked to hear.
The girl with fiery red hair and yellow eyes was looking at the two who were responsible for the commotion.
Her irritation was palpable as she grumbled. But given the context, it was justified – hearing the person she had a crush on utter something so embarrassing to another girl.
“Tch. You are no fun.” Julia spoke as she retracted her hand.
“How is it fun to hit others?” Irina replied. Ethan seemed troubled by the two that were grumbling, but he just stood there.
Thankfully for him, help came sooner than he thought.
“Hey there, everyone!” Jim’s cheerful voice echoed through the air, cutting through the banter. He strode towards us with easy confidence, his presence commanding attention.
Ethan straightened up, a sheepish grin replacing his dreamy expression. The white-haired girl playfully stuck her tongue out at him while Victor’s gaze remained impassive as ever. And the fiery-haired girl’s annoyed expression subtly shifted into a coy smile, her irritation momentarily forgotten.
Jim’s average height and friendly demeanor belied the charisma that oozed him. He exuded the aura of a leader effortlessly. Well, it is not that he was leading an army, but rather simply he was good at making things friendly.
It was not on the level of Maya, but he was good nonetheless.
“I see the early birds have all gathered.” Jim’s gaze swept over the assembled group, his eyes twinkling with warmth. “I’m excited to welcome you all to the Adventurer and Exploration Club’s orientation!”
He was a guy with a good temper. He had a good reputation in both academy and the player base since if you improve your relationships with him; he would be a very good wingman for the player.
As he spoke, his enthusiasm was infectious, managing to draw even the most stoic Victor into the ambiance.
“Most of you must have come here learning about our club’s reputation.” Jim’s tone became more serious, but his smile remained. “Well, the name says it all – we’re all about adventures and exploration! And we are here to escape from the serious atmosphere of the academy and leave everything behind, even for a day or two.”
Looking at his words right now, I remembered the events that would unfold in this club. The things that Ethan would witness, etc.
‘Escape from the serious atmosphere of the academy, huh? It doesn’t matter where you are. If you are with the protagonist, then the trouble will always follow you.’
I thought.
He held up a folded piece of paper, clearly a prepared speech that he’d probably practiced countless times before.
“We embark on thrilling journeys, uncover hidden treasures, and discover the uncharted corners of our world.” He unfolded the paper with a flourish as if revealing a hidden treasure of its own. “Our motto is ‘Where the extraordinary becomes a reality.'”
He paused, letting the weight of those words sink in before continuing.
‘Certainly, the journeys will be thrilling. It won’t be a mere word.’ I mused.
But instead of the weight of his words sinking, the reaction he got was not something he was expecting.
“Pffft…..”
“Kuhm-”
Two people at the front were having a very hard time holding their laughs.
“Umm…Juniors, can I ask what is too funny?” Jim inquired his attempt to maintain a cool facade not quite succeeding.
Julia and Irina, who were looking at the Club President trying to act cool, could no longer hold their smiles.
Julia and Irina, struggling to suppress their smiles, exchanged a knowing glance before turning their attention back to Jim.
“Well, Mr. Charismatic Club President,” Julia managed to get out between stifled chuckles, “we were just marveling at your grand speech.”
“Indeed,” Irina chimed in with a playful twinkle in her eye, “who knew our Jim could be so eloquent?”
Jim’s cheeks flushed a shade of red that even I could see from where I stood.
“Uh… I mean… it’s just a speech, you know…” Jim stammered, clearly flustered by the unexpected teasing.
Julia and Irina burst into laughter, the friendly ribbing bringing a light-hearted atmosphere to the group.
They knew Jim from their childhood since he was a senior whose father worked with Julia’s family quite often, and Irina met him thanks to Julia.
As the atmosphere had already lost its cool, Jim raised his head, trying to regain his control as the Club President.
“Anyway, to explain shortly, we are here to get away from the Academy’s suffocating atmosphere. So, training in times of club activities is strictly forbidden.”
As he finished his words, he looked at the members of the club.
“And today’s destination will be Nexoria City. Now, without further ado, let’s kick off this orientation by pairing up for today’s trip!”
He clapped his hands together, the sound sharp and resonant.
“The pairs will be selected through a lucky draw,” Jim explained. “No need to worry – destiny will decide your partner for today!”
With a wink, he signaled to the assistant standing nearby, who held a box filled with slips of paper.
“Okay, folks, let’s find out who your partners are! People on the front, come here and grab a name.”
Hearing his words, the members went there, and I just waited behind. Since the members on the front were going to grab a name, there was no need for me to get one.
“Then, I will go first.” Saying that Julia went and grabbed her name.
And the result was certainly something she was not expecting.
“Julia.”
“Please get another name.” As she read the name Jim gestured. Since he didn’t know which ones would be the ones drawing the lots, he probably put everyone’s name in there.
“Okay.” Saying that Julia grabbed another one, and the name was something she did not want to probably.
“Victor.” After her reading the name of her partner, Julia looked at the boy, who was slightly smiling.
“Okay, our first pair is Victor and Julia,” Jim announced, and the drawing continued.
“Tch.” Saying that Irina pushed her forward, and the name that came out of there was something I did not want this time.
“Astron…..” Reading my name, Irina turned her blazing yellow eyes to me as she glared daggers. Her already soiled mood seemed to get worsened by my name appearing, and it was not that different for me.
‘Tch. This annoying girl is my pair of all people.’ I thought, turning my gaze away and waiting for the drawing of pairs to end.
The drawings in the game were random as this one. You either be paired with a random NPC, or you could be paired with a named character, so there was no fixed route in this part.
And right now, the one Ethan drew was a girl named Shelly, a girl with glasses and a timid expression on her face.
“Now that we have finalized our pairs, now it is time to travel.” With those words, Jim led us out of the academy, and we hopped into a small bus that would take us to the portal connecting Arcadia City and Nexoria City.
The atmosphere on the bus was a mix of excitement and curiosity. People chatted among themselves, sharing their thoughts on the upcoming journey.
I sat near the back, keeping the window to myself. However, I couldn’t help but feel a pair of intense yellow eyes on me.
Irina was seated a few rows ahead, her gaze occasionally flickering back to meet mine, but I simply ignored her.
The bus ride went by quickly, and before I knew it, we arrived at the portal station. The portal itself was an awe-inspiring sight – a swirling vortex of magic and technology that connected two distant cities in an instant. The sensation of passing through the portal was brief but disorienting, like a sudden shift in the fabric of reality.
As we emerged from the portal into the vibrant city of Nexoria, a sense of anticipation hung in the air.
“All right, everyone,” Jim’s voice carried over the excited chatter. “Here’s the plan – you are free.” He said, cutting his own words. “Since today is the orientation day, you are free to wander around the city as you please but note that you need to be here around 7 AM. Is that clear?”
“”””Yes.””””
After Jim’s talk, the group dispersed, pairs forming naturally as members mingled and shared excitement. Irina and I found ourselves standing together, but any camaraderie seemed far from her intentions.
“You know,” Irina’s voice cut through the air, sharp and pointed, “I didn’t sign up for this to babysit some bastard who doesn’t even know what they’re doing.” She said, looking at me. “I am going my own way, don’t follow me.”
With those words, she turned back and started walking.
I didn’t respond and watched her walk away.
‘It is time to visit that museum.’ With that thought, I opened my watch and searched for the museum….
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You can check my discord if you want. You can see the illustrations of characters there.
The link to the discord server is in the description of the book.