Episode 7
Even on weekends, Luize didn’t rest. His footsteps echoed through the quiet halls of the academy as he headed straight for the third floor. Without hesitation, he pushed open the door at the end of the hallway.
“Ah, Captain!”
“You’re here?”
The students inside greeted him immediately. They were members of Harrington Bell Academy’s elite study club, better known as White Bell.
“Captain, we’ve prepared the advanced magic theory problems and the martial arts application problems.”
“Good.”
Luize took the packet of problems, flipping through it calmly. White Bell was made up of the academy’s top students regardless of their major, and Luize was its leader.
Because the academy required every student to take at least one class outside their major, scoring well in those “general courses” was critical to keeping up an overall high GPA. That’s why study groups like White Bell had formed in the first place—sharing knowledge across different majors.
“But why are there fewer people than usual? Who’s missing?”
While scanning the problems, Luize suddenly glanced up, his voice sharp. The students exchanged uneasy looks until one finally stepped forward.
“Um… Samuel said he’s quitting.”
“He didn’t even report it to me?”
“He said our schedule was too intense, asked us to slow down. When I told him that wasn’t possible, he… just left.”
“So he just walked out?”
The student nodded silently.
“Tch. This is why I don’t accept quitters in the first place.” Luize muttered under his breath with a sigh.
“What was his major again?”
“General division. …What should we do?”
“Forget it. If he walked out on his own, let him.”
He dropped the workbook on the desk like it wasn’t worth the trouble. One less student didn’t matter—the group would keep running smoothly. In fact, fewer members made it easier to manage.
“But Captain… Samuel was the only general division student we had left.”
“What? No, there was another one—uh, Lance…”
“Oh, right. Lancelot. He got sick and had to take a leave of absence this semester. He told us a few days ago.”
“Unbelievable.”
Every update was just another headache. Luize pressed his fingers to his forehead. He hated wasting energy on things like this, especially during exam season. Honestly, he never wanted to be club leader at all. But as the academy’s top student, no one else could fill the role.
“And of course it had to be a general division student…”
His eyes fell on the political science textbook he’d brought with him—the elective course he’d chosen this semester. He’d picked it out of personal interest, but the professor had a notorious reputation for setting brutal exams. Even for someone like Luize, help from a general division student would make a difference.
“No choice. Put up a notice. Tell them we’re looking for a new member from the general division.”
He shoved his bangs back with a hand, frustration clear. A breeze slipped through the open window, flipping the pages of his textbook until they landed on dense paragraphs about political theory.
“Serena, today’s lunch special is beef stew! We need to line up fast.”
As soon as philosophy class ended, Randy popped up from her desk, eyes sparkling.
“You remember the lunch menu but not the actual lessons? How does your book still look brand new?”
Serena eyed the pristine textbook Randy had just been drooling on as a pillow. Except for the wrinkled cover, it looked untouched.
“Hey, just because you’re suddenly hitting the books doesn’t mean you can look down on me.”
“Fine, but Randy, why don’t you study with me for once—”
“No way. Studying and I just don’t mix.”
Then why even bother enrolling in the general division? Serena clicked her tongue, staring at her friend like she was hopeless. Randy puffed her cheeks for a moment, then tugged at Serena’s sleeve urgently.
“Forget that. Come on, if we don’t hurry the beef stew will sell out!”
“I’m skipping lunch today. Go without me.”
Thunk.
Serena’s flat refusal made Randy drop her wallet like her world had just ended. She didn’t even bother picking it up before pointing an accusing finger.
“Did you even hear me? Beef stew. Today’s. Special.”
“I heard you.”
“And you’re still not eating?”
Instead of answering, Serena pulled out her Introduction to Magic Theory textbook. No, she wasn’t planning to starve herself—she wasn’t that desperate.
But magic theory… that was her biggest obstacle. She barely even knew what “magic” was, so tackling this subject felt impossible.
“I don’t have time. If I don’t review this now, I won’t just miss out on top student, I won’t even get an A average.”
“Oh… you mean electives?”
“Yeah.”
Randy nodded, picking up her dropped wallet. “Well, yeah. Magic’s tough.”
“Then how about joining a study group?” she suggested.
“Study group? Every single one I’ve asked is already full.”
After her meeting with the head of student affairs, Serena had tried visiting every club and study group she could find. Every answer was the same: no room.
“I’m not talking about casual groups. I mean an official academy club.”
“You mean White Bell? Randy, please. That club’s always full. Getting in is harder than getting struck by lightning.”
Serena rolled her eyes and opened her book again. Talking to Randy was just a waste of time when she could be studying. But Randy gave her a strange look.
“You really didn’t see the notice?”
“…What notice?”
“Wow. You’re so buried in your books you’re clueless about what’s happening around here. Being informed matters too, you know. Anyway, White Bell put out a notice—they’re recruiting a new member. From the general division.”
“What?! Are you serious?”
Serena shot to her feet so suddenly that half the class turned to stare. Embarrassed, she coughed and lowered her voice.
“Why would I lie to you?” Randy said, nodding hard.
Serena’s stomach flipped. She’d been so busy with textbooks she hadn’t kept up with campus news. Shoving her magic theory book into her bag, she bolted for the door.
“Yes! I knew you’d change your mind! Come on, let’s go get stew together!”
But Randy’s cheer quickly died when Serena ran straight past her.
“Randy, enjoy your lunch!”
“Serena—!”
Too late. Serena was already sprinting down the stairs, stopping only when she reached the bulletin board.
“Oh my god… it’s real.”
Right in the center was a fancy black-and-gold notice:
[The academy’s official study club, White Bell, is seeking a new member from the General Division.]
A smile spread across her face as she read it. White Bell had an opening—what luck. Just yesterday she’d thought her life was cursed, listening to Diana’s nagging. But maybe fate wasn’t all bad after all.
“If I get into White Bell…”
She’d be one step closer to top student. Grabbing an application form, she squeezed it tight.
“Applications go here.”
A boy sat outside White Bell’s classroom collecting forms.
Serena handed hers over, but he barely glanced at it before shoving it into a fat stack already in his lap. Serena craned her neck—there had to be dozens.
“Um… how many people have applied so far?”
He flipped another page of his workbook, barely looking up. “Uh… I stopped counting after a hundred.”
“A hundred?!”
Serena’s jaw dropped. She’d expected competition, but this was insane—less than a day since the notice, and already over a hundred? Her confidence wavered instantly.
White Bell wasn’t just some club—it was the elite study group, notorious for only taking the top of the top. Usually, they hand-picked the best students in each division. Ordinary kids didn’t even dream of joining.
Only in rare cases did they post public notices like this. And even then, applicants had to survive strict screening: first the paperwork, then an interview.
I probably won’t even make it past the paperwork…
She remembered what she’d written in the GPA box on her form. Her tidy handwriting made that “D+” stand out even more.
No, don’t think like that. You never know.
Technically, the rules said anyone above a D average could apply. It was about “potential,” supposedly. But in reality, every successful member had straight A+ scores.
Still, nothing ventured, nothing gained. Serena thanked the boy and left.
But… I feel like I forgot something important…
She shook her head. No time for doubts. She needed to focus—if she wanted to be top student, she couldn’t waste energy second-guessing.
“Young Master, here’s a tea that’s good for fatigue.”
A servant set down a steaming herbal cup on Luize’s desk.
“Leave it.”
“Yes, sir.”
But Luize didn’t spare it a glance. He was busy flipping through the massive stack of White Bell applications. As club leader, it was his job to sort through and select candidates for interviews.
“Such a pain.”
He skimmed quickly—most were average grades, no outstanding skills. But then he froze, frowning.
“What the…”
He adjusted his glasses, thinking he’d misread. But no, the words were clear.
A familiar name, paired with a GPA that made no sense for White Bell.
[Applicant: Serena Cressia / Average GPA: D+]
