'Thanks, Lumi. But now, it's time to find Nyss.'
He aimlessly walked back towards the main building. Oftentimes, he had seen her going towards the cafeteria after classes, so he was hoping to find her there as the café was opposite the training ground on the other side of the academy.
It wasn't long before he reached the cafeteria—a place filled with the chaos of students chatting and going on their way on the stone-paved pathways.
He exhaled a long sigh and began walking around, looking for her here and there. He also spotted the elf from whom he bought the porridge before multiple times.
Deciding to try his luck, he headed towards her shop, "Excuse me, 10 bowls of porridge."
"Ah, it's been a while since you came. I thought you didn't like my porridge." The elven woman turned around and charmingly smiled.
Orion chuckled, "How can that be? It's one of the most delicious porridges I have eaten. Can you please pack 10 bowls of it?"
"Looks like you really liked it, huh. Sure, give me a minute." She said before heading back to prepare the porridge.
He looked around before calmly asking, "Have you seen Nyss Blackwell around? I want to have a chat with her about some work, but can't find her for some reason."
"Oh? You're asking about the Death Flower?" She let out a soft chuckle. "She's usually at the café three shops down from here."
Orion's eyes lit up as he nodded his head, "Thanks for answering, but what's the deal with Death Flower? She isn't that bad."
The elven woman couldn't help but lightly laugh, "Who knows? All I've heard are rumors that misfortune befalls those who get close to her. You can verify its truth and tell me."
Orion's lips twitched, 'Why didn't Arya tell me anything about this?'
[Maybe she thought you already knew, seeing how confidently you approached her.]
'…Is this what Nyss meant when she said [You don't fear sitting beside me?]…I should have a good chat with Arya about this.'
[Hehe, don't let mere rumors deflect you from your goal, Master! We must ask her hand in marriage! (๑˃ᴗ˂)ﻭ]
'…' Orion speechlessly stared at the system prompt floating in front of him. 'The goal was to ask her to join the club, not to ask for her hand in marriage.'
[Potato, photato—it's the same, Master. (つ≧▽≦)つ]
"Here is your order of 10 bowls of porridge. That would be 1000 Common Grade Mana Crystals or 9 High Grade Mana Crystals." She smiled brightly and placed 10 bowls in front of him.
Orion's lips twitched, "It's quite a lucrative business, huh. Are you in need of a helper?"
The elven woman placed a hand on her lips and softly laughed, "Haha, that's a nice joke. But I don't think this job is suited for someone of your stature."
Orion shook his head and took out 9 out of the 100 High Grade Mana Crystals that he had, "Well, I will go and look for her now." Saying that, he placed the mana crystals on the counter and went his way.
After walking down a few shops, as expected, he soon spotted Nyss. She sat at a table at the front of the café, sipping coffee. Everyone around her kept a distance from her as she calmly sat there.
Orion approached quietly and softly asked, "Is this chair empty?"
Nyss raised her eyes to see Orion pointing at the chair in front of her. She shook her head, "No, it's empty."
"Then, do you mind having my company? I have something I want to discuss with you." He asked with a smile while already sitting down.
Nyss looked at him for a second and nodded her head. "What is it?"
Orion looked around and asked in a soft voice, "Have you joined any club yet?"
Nyss's lips slightly curled up into a smile. "No, no one invited me yet."
Orion's lips twitched, 'Are the rumors so strong? Not even the noble clans dared to approach her?'
He shook his head, "Then I'll get straight to the point, Nyss—I'm forming a club. Arya, Emilia, and now Elias have joined. I'm inviting the top-ranking students from my year to form this club, and I wanted you to join us too."
Nyss's eyes flashed with slight surprise, "You made a club, huh. What's its purpose?"
Orion smiled lightly, his voice filled with excitement. "Exploration and growth. Together, we'll explore places filled with secrets and treasures—ancient ruins, mysterious grounds, and dangerous dungeons. Everyone in the club will rapidly increase their strength through real experiences, and not be just paper tigers."
Nyss tilted her head thoughtfully, clearly intrigued. "And you truly think a club of only the academy's top students can work harmoniously?"
Orion met her eyes calmly, sincerity clear in his voice. "Yes. I value every member's opinion equally. Our strength lies precisely in our diversity and cooperation."
Nyss's eyes softened slightly as she looked away, lost briefly in contemplation. Eventually, she met Orion's gaze again, quiet determination filling her usually reserved eyes.
"Alright, Orion. Count me in."
Orion's lips curled up into a smile. "That's good. Now we have five members."
"What's the club name?" Nyss asked with mild curiosity.
He softly laughed, "We will discuss it once I gather the others."
Her lips slightly twitched. "You haven't decided yet?"
Orion stood up while laughing, "Haha, I will decide in the meantime."
Nyss shook her head and continued to calmly sip her coffee, "I will head back home today. I don't know where the others will be. Will look for them tomorrow."
She nodded her head without saying anything.
Orion turned around and left.
Orion leisurely strolled back across the academy grounds, his mind humming with quiet satisfaction after successfully recruiting Nyss into his fledgling club.
Around him, the sunlight gradually shifted to a warm, golden hue, bathing Thunderpeak Royal Academy's buildings and gardens in a soothing glow. Students moved around in small groups, their cheerful conversations and playful banter echoing gently across the paved walkways.
[Master, you're building quite an impressive club! At this rate, it won't be long before everyone is knocking at your door to join! (｡♡‿♡｡)]
'Haha, easy there, Lumi,' Orion replied inwardly with a chuckle, shaking his head in amusement. 'Right now, it's just five members. Though it does feel good to see talented individuals willingly join hands. Especially Nyss—she was easier than I anticipated.'
[Well, Master, she was probably just waiting for someone brave enough to approach her! With her reputation, few would dare ask her directly.]
Orion smiled thoughtfully, pondering the rumors he'd just learned about Nyss. 'Hmm, the "Death Flower," huh? Honestly, I don't sense anything particularly dangerous about her. If anything, she seems genuinely reliable and composed.'
[Exactly! Rumors are often exaggerated. Plus, danger or not, you're fearless! Nothing can stop my amazing Master~! (ﾉ◕ヮ◕)ﾉ*:･ﾟ✧]
Orion shook his head softly, warmth filling his chest as he continued down the path toward the academy's front gate. 'Thanks, Lumi. Your enthusiasm is infectious.'
[Hehe, always at your service!]
Soon, the tall, elegantly crafted gates came into view, their silvery runes faintly glowing in the late-afternoon sun. The obsidian carriage awaited him just beyond, its polished surface gleaming brilliantly.