Chapter 373 Red  

After the interaction with Samira, there wasn't much I did aside from wandering around. Since, at this point, I made enough scenes and got what I wanted, I decided to end things related to disturbing nobles.

Since over-forcing things would make me look like a clown, and if that happened, I would for sure kill quite a lot of people.

However, that didn't mean I wasted my time.

I was looking for clubs and learning about them. I was going to train, but I disregarded the idea since sparring with other seniors or reading some of their research were also helpful to me.

And most importantly, it was a lot more fun. Since I had become accustomed to training, it became some sort of my comfort zone, and it was something I needed to break down.

Of course, I didn't forget one of the places I wanted to visit the most.

[Red]

The club was affiliated with the magic of fire and represented the Red Magic Tower.

Right now, I was on my way to visit there.

As I made my way toward the [Red] club, the lively atmosphere of the festival surrounded me. Laughter and chatter filled the air, creating a lively backdrop to my thoughts.

Two first-year students passed by, discussing the day's events animatedly. "Did you see that duel earlier? The guy with the green hair was insane!"

"Yeah, Senior Vincent, right? He's pretty famous for his skills."

"That other guy, though. Dirk, was it? He totally turned the tide. It was amazing for a commoner!"

Hearing that, I understood one of the events in the game had already happened. It was a confrontation I had been trying to build up.

Two names that represent each faction in the academy are Dirk Grayson and Vincent Blackwood.

If one is a noble and elitist, the other one is a commoner and revolutionist. They represent those two factions with their special strengths.

But even then, they are nothing more than two different people of different ideologies who work for the same cause on the chessboard.

The ideas they have been pursuing all their lives will only serve as a tool for someone else to gain power.

And sadly, this is how the world works.

While I was thinking like that further along, I noticed a group of seniors was engaged in a heated debate about the best attractions at the festival. "Honestly, the sword duel was fantastic, but I think the elemental magic demonstrations were better!"

And there were these types of people, worrying over daily matters and arguing over these little things.

Of course, this was the way of them filling their lives with entertainment, and I have no right to criticize. I just wanted to point that out.

"Oh, come on! The food stalls were the real winners here. Have you tried those candied fruits?" As I approached the vicinity of the [Red] club, the familiar emblem caught my eye.

It was the same emblem I had seen from a distance at that time on the robe of the woman with orange hair.

I could see students practicing magic in the open courtyard, flames dancing and crackling as they honed their skills.

However, one may think the way students practiced would be brutal and destructive considering the nature of the fire element, but this was far from the truth.

Rather than showing the power of fire magic, they were showing its delicateness.

Rather than approaching the magic as a tool for war, they were approaching it as an art, and this was why I was here.

If I wanted to learn how to fight, I would train myself. Clubs are communities that would differ from the purpose of the academy and explore different things, just like the [Red].

Of course, all the people belonging to this club were people with a good affinity with Fire Element since such a precise and elegant way of performing fire magic was something only high-affinity people could do.

The fiery energy was palpable even from a distance.

As I stepped into the courtyard of the [Red] club, the dancing flames and the ambiance of focused magic users further intrigued me.

The students were creating intricate shapes and patterns with the flames, a blatant and arrogant way to showcase their control over the element.

A senior, recognizing my identity, approached me with a warm smile. "Ah, you must be Callius, the top-ranked student among the first-years and a talented fire mage. We were informed of your visit."

She had a bright smile on her face, and she didn't even show the slightest bit of arrogance. However, even the way she carried herself and the way she spoke easily showed that she was a high-ranking noble.

After all, she was a 6-star mage.

"Is that so?" I asked, slightly surprised.

"Yes, indeed. The Tower Master herself conveyed that we should expect a visit from a gifted fire affinity mage today. It seems you've caught quite a bit of attention with your performances during the festival and mid-terms. Everyone in the club had been talking about you."

I nodded, appreciating the warm welcome. If someone showed me hospitality, I would return it with respect. "You are flattering me. It is an honor to know that the seniors of [Red] are talking about me."

"You are good with your words. Certainly, your etiquette didn't wither over the time."

"I never forget something I have learned."

"Quite a bit of a talk. I guess only someone like you could give such a speech at the entrance exam."

"You know about my speech?"

Of course, I knew my speech was quite grand, and it was meant to trigger a response from others, but I never thought seniors would know about it.

"Thanks to my sister. She is your fan."

Though hearing the word fan, I inwardly cringed a little.

"A fan….It is weird to hear."

"There are quite a lot of them actually." As she said that, she leaned in slowly, her mouth approaching my ears, and whispered. "They are even taking your pictures silently." Hearing that, I nodded inwardly. Lately, I had this feeling that I was being watched even though the only present around me were students of the academy. And whenever I turned to the sides, I couldn't find anyone.

"Whoever they are, they are talented people," I mumbled with a low tone as I looked at the senior before me.

"Doesn't it bother you?"

"I am used to it."

"You are used to it?"

"I am quite good-looking."

"Ah…..Yes, with that face, it is no wonder that you are getting attention everywhere."

"In any case, should we cut the chit-chat? A lot of people are looking at us right now."

"Yes….My bad….By the way, I forgot to introduce myself-"

"You don't need to."

"I don't?"

"Of course. I know who you are, after all."

"Is that so?"

"Indeed….. After all, your fame was already known to the world of magic beforehand, Senior Roxanne."

"Oh….You even knew how I looked. Have you ever seen me before?"

"I haven't, but I can tell whenever I see a strong person. I have good eyes."

"I guess it is a habit we both have."

"Those who lived their lives on the field must always develop this skill."

"Wow…..You are quite different from how I had expected."

"How did you think I would be?"

"Hmm…..Arrogant, egoist, troublemaker, cold, ruthless…."

"You were right, though."

"Indeed, I was right. You are quite arrogant."

"I am ruthless as well if you are my enemy. Isn't this how it works?"

"Hahaha…..Indeed, indeed….It is how it works." With a hearty laugh, she looked at me, her distinct pink eyes boring through me.

"Should we start the tour now?"

"I am honored."

Just like that, she welcomed me to the [Red] club, and I made my first connection with the world's future Archmage of Fire as well as the future Red Tower Master.

Dorothy Hull – Second Rank of the Sophomore year.