Vol4 Chapter 3 Invitation and stuffs

He strode right into Elena’s classroom, and the chatter instantly stopped. A few students glanced toward the door, but Amos ignored them all. His gaze went straight to Elena.

There.

She sat calmly at her desk, right where she was meant to be.

Amos walked straight toward her.

Elena looked up.

“Young Master.”

“I need you.”

Several students nearby exchanged glances.

Amos ignored them.

He stopped beside her desk.

“I have decided to establish a club.”

Elena blinked once.

“A club.”

“Yes.”

“What kind?”

“A tea club.”

Elena stared at him.

Amos stared back.

“I need four other members.”

“I see.”

“And you're the first member.”

“No.”

“You're already in.”

“No.”

“I have decided.”

“That does not make it a decision involving me.”

“It does now.”

Elena's expression remained completely flat.

“I refuse.”

Amos leaned slightly closer.

“You don't have a choice.”

“I do.”

“You don't.”

“I do.”

“I am your favorite person.”

“You are not.”

“Stop lying to yourself.”

Elena sighed.

Several classmates around them were clearly eavesdropping, but Amos didn’t care. He had come for one reason: to recruit Elena. With that goal achieved, everything else could wait. Then, something came back to him.

“Actually.”

Elena looked at him.

“What clubs are you already in?”

A pause.

“You're asking me that now?”

“Yes.”

“You didn't think to ask before deciding to force me into another one?”

“No.”

Elena sighed again.

“Naturally, I've joined a few.”

“How many?”

“Three.”

Amos paused.

“Three?”

“Yes.”

He looked genuinely impressed. Apparently, Elena had been doing things while he was away that he hadn't bothered asking about.

“What are they?”

“The first is a women's society.”

Amos nodded.

“Alright.”

“The second is the Fredias Youth Society.”

Amos immediately stopped nodding.

“…You're in that too?”

“Yes.”

“The princess's society?”

“Yes.”

He remembered Evelyn's invitation.

Then looked at Elena.

Then back at the floor.

Of course.

Of course Elena was already in it.

She had probably been attending royal social gatherings while he was busy pretending that noble society didn't exist.

“And the third?”

“A society for students from the Kyros territories.”

Amos blinked.

“There is one?”

“Yes.”

“What do you do there?”

“Meet other students whose families come from the Kyros territories. We discuss local affairs, culture, connections, and matters concerning our region.”

Amos stared at her.

“That sounds surprisingly organized.”

“It is.”

“And you joined all three?”

“Yes.”

Amos looked at her for several seconds.

Then his expression became strangely proud.

“Look at you.”

Elena tilted her head.

“What?”

“You actually have a social life.”

“No.”

“You just listed three clubs.”

“That doesn't mean I have a social life.”

“You attend a women's society.”

“Yes.”

“A royal society.”

“Yes.”

“And a Kyros territorial society.”

“Yes.”

Amos nodded slowly.

“That's a social life.”

“It isn't.”

“It absolutely is.”

“It is networking.”

“That is just a socially acceptable name for having a social life.”

Elena stared at him.

Amos folded his arms.

“Anyway.”

He pointed at her.

“You're still joining my tea club.”

“No.”

“You're already in three. What's one more?”

“That is not how mathematics works.”

“It is how friendship works.”

“We aren't discussing friendship.”

“Fine.”

Amos thought for a moment.

“Employer privilege.”

“No.”

“Childhood friend privilege.”

“No.”

“Threats?”

“No.”

“Emotional manipulation?”

“No.”

“Guilt?”

“No.”

Elena calmly returned her attention to her notes.

Amos stared at her.

“You're making this difficult.”

“You came here intending to force me.”

“Yes.”

“So I assumed resistance was necessary.”

Amos nodded.

“It makes it more fun for me.”

He glanced around the classroom for the first time, noticing dozens of students still watching. When his eyes met theirs, they quickly looked away. Amos then turned back to Elena.

“Anyway, you're joining.”

“No.”

“I'll count you as confirmed.”

“I did not confirm anything.”

“Excellent.”

He turned and walked toward the door.

Elena watched him leave.

“Young Master.”

Amos stopped.

“Yes?”

“You have not actually convinced me.”

Amos smiled.

“I'll work on that.”

Then he walked out.

The classroom remained silent for several seconds.

One of the girls get to Elena finally whispered,

“Was that really the heir of House Kyros?”

Elena calmly turned a page.

“Yes.”

Amos had already secured one member.

Technically.

Elena had not agreed.

But Amos had decided that her refusal was merely a temporary administrative disagreement.

That left three more people.

And, conveniently, all three us going to be first-year students who is also his classmates.

Amos began with Estelle.

He found her near the academy chapel, speaking quietly with several students.

As soon as she noticed him, her gentle smile appeared.

“Amos.”

“Estelle.”

He approached.

“I have a question.”

“Of course.”

“Do you like tea?”

Estelle blinked.

“…Tea?”

“Yes.”

She thought about it.

“I do.”

“Excellent.”

Amos immediately nodded.

“I'm creating a tea club.”

Estelle's smile widened.

“A tea club?”

“Yes.”

“That sounds lovely.”

Amos paused.

That was much easier than expected.

“You'll join?”

Estelle clasped her hands lightly.

“I think I would.”

“Excellent.”

Three seconds.

He’d been bracing for a fight.

Instead, she’d all but signed herself up.

“Then you're in.”

Estelle smiled.

“I look forward to it.”

Amos nodded.

“One more thing.”

“Yes?”

“You're not allowed to tell anyone about it.”

Estelle blinked.

“I wasn't planning to.”

“Good.”

He walked away.

Estelle watched him go.

Then quietly smiled.

“A tea club…”

“...maybe I should invite Aurelia.”

She seemed genuinely pleased.

Next came the twins.

As usual, Amos spotted Elodie and Edith together. Elodie was chattering away with enthusiasm, while Edith listened attentively, notebook in hand. Amos strolled over to join them.

“Elodie.”

The pink-haired girl looked up.

“Oh?”

“Tea club.”

Elodie immediately narrowed her eyes.

“That sounds suspiciously like you're trying to recruit me.”

“I am.”

“How much does membership cost?”

“Nothing.”

“What do we get?”

“Tea.”

“Free tea?”

“Yes.”

Elodie's expression changed.

Amos noticed immediately.

He had found the weakness.

“And snacks.”

“How often?”

“As often as I can arrange.”

Elodie's eyes sharpened.

“I'm listening.”

Amos nodded.

“I knew you would.”

Edith quietly wrote something in her notebook.

Elodie glanced at her.

Edith turned the notebook around.

He's bribing us.

Amos looked at the message.

“I prefer the term incentive.”

Elodie laughed.

“What's the purpose of the club?”

“Drinking tea.”

“That can't be everything.”

“Why not?”

“Because if we're going to formally register a club, we need a reason.”

Amos paused.

“…Tea is a reason.”

Elodie stared at him.

Then smiled.

“You're serious.”

“Completely.”

She tapped her chin.

“Well, if we're going to do this properly, we could make it a social club.”

Amos nodded.

“That sounds acceptable.”

“Tea gatherings. Discussions. Maybe exchanges between students.”

“Fine.”

“Occasional snacks.”

“Obviously.”

“Perhaps a small membership fee—”

“No.”

Elodie frowned.

“Why?”

“It's a tea club.”

“Everything can make money.”

“No.”

“You're wasting an opportunity.”

“I'm trying to drink tea peacefully.”

Elodie sighed dramatically.

“Fine.”

She looked toward Edith.

“What do you think?”

Edith quietly wrote something.

I would like the tea.

Elodie nodded.

“She's in.”

Amos looked at Edith.

“And you?”

Edith smiled softly and nodded.

“Excellent.”

He counted them mentally.

Estelle.

Elodie.

Edith.

Elena.

Himself.

That's Five.

The minimum requirement was met, and Amos felt a surge of accomplishment. He had managed to establish a club before even turning in the paperwork. There was just one small hitch—he still needed to actually submit it.

***

Amos returned to Professor Selene's office later that afternoon.

He knocked.

“Come in.”

He entered.

Selene looked up.

“You again.”

“I have good news.”

“That usually worries me.”

“I've decided on my clubs.”

Selene raised an eyebrow.

“Plural?”

“Yes.”

She gestured toward the chair.

“Sit.”

Amos sat.

“I want to join the—”

He paused.

He realized he had not actually decided what other clubs he wanted.

He cleared his throat.

“I'm still considering those.”

Selene smiled.

“Of course.”

“But I've decided to establish one.”

“That was fast.”

“A tea club.”

Selene stared at him.

“You were serious?”

“Very.”

“How many members?”

“Five.”

“Already?”

“Yes.”

“Who?”

“Me, Elena, Estelle, Elodie, and Edith.”

Selene slowly nodded.

Those names made sense.

Estelle's gentle personality made her suited to something peaceful. Elodie could turn practically anything into a social or commercial enterprise, while Edith's quiet nature fit a relaxed gathering.

“And That Elena agreed?”

Amos looked away.

“…We had a discussion and I could be very persuasive.”

Selene smiled.

“I see.”

“She'll come around.”

“I'm sure.”

Selene pulled out the necessary forms.

“Then you'll need to fill these out.”

Amos accepted them.

He glanced at the first page: club name, purpose, activities, membership, faculty supervisor. Then his eyes froze.

“Faculty supervisor?”

“Yes.”

“Do I need one?”

“Every registered club does.”

Amos slowly looked at Selene.

Selene smiled.

“No.”

“I didn't say anything.”

“You were thinking it.”

“Please...?”

"Fine."

He began filling out the form.

Club name.

The Tea Party.

Purpose.

He thought for a moment.

Tea.

Selene looked over his shoulder.

“That is not sufficient.”

Amos frowned.

He wrote again.

Social gathering centered around tea.

Selene nodded.

“Better.”

Activities.

Drinking tea.

Selene sighed.

“Amos.”

“Fine.”

He added:

Tea gatherings, conversation, relaxation, and social interaction.

Selene accepted that.

She reviewed the rest.

“Five members. That's enough.”

Amos leaned back.

“Excellent.”

Then he remembered something.

There was still one matter.

He stared at the paperwork.

Then at Selene.

“Professor.”

“Yes?”

“I've decided something else.”

“What?”

“I'll accept the princess's invitation.”

Selene's eyebrow rose.

“The Fredias Youth Society?”

“Yes.”

“You've changed your mind.”

“I have.”

“Why?”

Amos thought about it.

He wasn’t exactly eager to join. Spending time surrounded by noble families didn’t appeal to him, and political networking was from his idea of fun. Most of all, he disliked being invited to things without having any clue as to the reason.

But—

It was the princess.

And refusing her after she'd personally invited him seemed like an easy way to the execution block.

Amos sighed.

“I figured it would be rude to refuse.”

Selene smiled.

“A wise decision.”

“I wouldn't call it wise.”

“What would you call it?”

“Self-preservation.”

Selene laughed.

“Then perhaps your instincts are working.”

Amos nodded solemnly.

“That's what I'm hoping.”

He glanced over his tea club paperwork. At least it was something he could control. A club where the biggest problem was Elodie trying to monetize the snacks—that was something he could handle.

He signed his name.

Amos E. Kyros.

Then pushed the paperwork toward Selene.

“There.”

Selene took it.

“Congratulations.”

Amos blinked.

“On what?”

“You've officially started your first club.”

Amos thought about that.

Then smiled.

“A tea party.”

He nodded.

“Beautiful.”

***

The common room of the Markult unusually peaceful.

Elodie sat comfortably on one end of the sofa, sorting through several documents related to her latest business ventures.

Profit margins, shipping routes, and investment returns.

All the usual things.

Then she noticed something strange.

Across from her, Edith was reading a newspaper.

That alone wasn't strange.

Edith liked reading.

What was strange was her expression.

Elodie slowly lowered the document in her hands, glancing up to see her twin sister smiling. It wasn’t the usual small, polite smile she wore, but a real, genuine one.

Her pink eyes were practically sparkling as she read the newspaper, occasionally turning the page with an almost suspicious amount of enthusiasm.

Elodie's sharp merchant-like eyes narrowed.

"Hmm."

She put her papers aside.

Edith didn’t seem to notice. Or maybe she was just pretending. Elodie leaned a bit to the side, edging closer. Edith quickly moved the newspaper out of her reach. Elodie blinked.

"...What?"

Edith kept on reading as Elodie shifted to the other side, prompting Edith to adjust the newspaper once more.

"Hey."

Nothing.

"Edith."

Edith casually flipped the page, while Elodie fixed her with a curious stare. Her twin was clearly keeping the newspaper out of sight, and that was odd—very odd.

"Are you hiding something from me?"

Edith's eyes remained on the paper.

She raised a single finger, then pointed at Elodie, and finally gestured toward the far side of the room. Elodie frowned.

"You're telling me to go away?"

Edith nodded.

Elodie's mouth dropped open.

"Since when did you become so mean?"

Edith's shoulders shook slightly.

She was laughing.

Elodie narrowed her eyes.

"Oh, now I'm definitely interested."

She quickly leaned over the back of the sofa, trying to glance over Edith’s shoulder. Edith reacted in a flash, lifting the newspaper until it completely hid her face.

"Hey!"

Elodie reached for the edge, but Edith quickly pulled it away."Come on! Just let me see!"

Edith shook her head.

"Why?"

Edith pointed at the newspaper, then at herself, and shook her head once more. Elodie just stared.

"You don't want me to read it?"

A nod.

"Why?"

Edith simply smiled.

That somehow made Elodie even more suspicious.

"Edith."

No response.

"Edith."

Nothing.

"Edith."

The newspaper moved another inch farther away. Elodie sighed dramatically.

"Fine."

She sat back down.

"I'm not trying to steal it."

Edith relaxed slightly. Elodie crossed her arms.

"I just want to see what could possibly be in that newspaper that has you this happy."

Edith glanced at her.

Elodie pointed accusingly at her sister's face.

"Seriously. Look at you."

Edith blinked.

"You've been smiling for five minutes."

Edith's smile grew slightly wider.

"Exactly!"

Elodie leaned forward.

"What could possibly make you this happy?"

She gestured toward the newspaper.

"A new business opportunity?"

Edith shook her head.

"A famous author's new book?"

Another shake.

"Some ridiculous noble scandal?"

Edith paused.

Then gave a small shrug.

Elodie squinted.

"...That one made you hesitate."

Edith quickly returned her attention to the newspaper.

Elodie huffed.

"Fine. Keep your secrets."

She picked up one of her documents again.

"I suppose I'll never know."

After a few seconds, Elodie glanced to the side. Edith was still smiling, and Elodie frowned.

"Actually, wait."

She put the document down again.

"Is it an investment?"

Edith looked at her.

Elodie immediately pointed at herself.

"Because if it is, I understand."

She placed a hand against her chest with complete seriousness.

"I'd be this happy too if one of my investments suddenly went up by five hundred percent."

Edith's eyes curved with amusement.

Elodie nodded firmly.

"Five hundred percent."

She held up five fingers.

"Anything less than that is merely pleasant."

Edith's shoulders shook again.

Elodie leaned closer.

"Is that it?"

Edith shook her head.

"Then what is it?"

Edith glanced down at the newspaper, her expression softening for just a moment. Then she folded it inward with care, concealing most of the page from Elodie. Elodie simply stared.

"You are absolutely terrible at keeping secrets."

Edith smiled.

She then tapped the newspaper twice.

Elodie sighed.

"Fine. I'll stop."

She leaned back.

"Enjoy whatever mysterious thing you've found."

Edith nodded happily.

Elodie picked up her documents again.

...

She couldn't take it.

Her eyes slowly drifted back toward Edith.

"...You're really happy."

Edith looked at her sister.

Then she smiled again.

Elodie couldn't help but smile faintly herself.

"Whatever it is..."

She shook her head.

"...it must be something pretty incredible."

Edith lowered her gaze.

Her fingers gently tightened around the newspaper.

She carefully folded it again.

This time, the page turned just enough for the headline to become visible.

THE EMPIRE'S NEWEST S-RANK ADVENTURER

Beneath the headline was a large portrait. The man she had spent a week few years back.

EOGHAN RISE OF ENTROPHY

She finally finds out his name.

The article beneath the image detailed his recent promotion to S-rank following his accomplishments in the newly discovered ruins, alongside the recognition and recommendation that had come from the Adventurer's Guild.

Edith stared at the image.

Her smile remained.

And she had no intention of letting her sister see what had made her this happy.