"What are these?" asked Carl confusedly as he and Thomas walked towards the academy area after class. There were many stands scattered across the courtyard. It confused him because it wasn't like this in the morning.
Thomas looked left and right. He looked at it with the same expression.
"It has begun."
"Yeah. Clubs Fair. Which club do you think will have the most members?"
The conversation of two people entered their ears. It answered their confusion. Apparently, those were stands to promote the club.
"I thought it would be a gaming club like last year."
"Yeah, maybe. Lots of gamers."
Their chatter could still be heard until a vast distance separated them from Carl and Thomas.
"That's the answer," Thomas said as those two people turned toward the building.
"I heard it too," Carl commented, then continued his steps towards the cafeteria. For lunch. What else?
Carl and Thomas walked slowly, side by side, past the stands while occasionally stopping to read the poster. Book reading club, writing club, football club, swimming club, gardening club, and more. It was confusing because there were so many options.
"Look, there's a sword club too." Thomas pointed to a stand a few steps ahead of them.
"You want to join?" Carl asked after finding out what he meant. It was indeed a sword club, and it was called a magic sword club.
"At least I won't be the only teacher there."
"Who knows? They might actually need a teacher." Carl shrugged his shoulders.
"Don't say that," said Thomas quickly. "I want to fight, too. Also, there's a sword competition using magic swords."
"Really?"
Thomas nodded enthusiastically. "Look. They pinned the winner."
Carl saw it. There was a picture of a guy holding a gold medal with his companion. Also, there was the inscription below. The Winner. "Then you have to train Dex, too. It takes teamwork."
He let out a heavy sigh. "That's the hardest part."
Carl chuckled. Thomas and Dex were always his entertainment at school. "You may need to change your strategy."
"Like what?"
"Maybe, ask him to bet before class. So, if you win, Dex should listen to you well. Whereas if you lose, you'll follow his way of learning."
Suddenly, Thomas stopped, which caused Carl to stop, too, and turned to him. Then, he put his hand on Carl's shoulder and stared at him, "Carl, my friend, your idea is brilliant. It suits Dex well. Why didn't you say it earlier?"
Carl shrugged his shoulders to let go of his hands. "We've only met for a few days. How do I suppose to know for sure your character?"
"Yeah, you're right. If we were in the same high school."
"We might not be friends," Carl continued.
"Why?"
"I didn't study to be a fighter. That's why I'm an amateur."
Thomas nodded in understanding. Some students might have a similar background. It was not a sin to study it in college. "Then what did you study? Don't say herbs or medicine."
Carl laughed at that. "No. My father didn't want me to be a doctor."
"So?"
"I learned some inventor things."
Again, Thomas stopped. This time, with surprise on his face. "Are you kidding?"
--
"Why are you here? You can study to be an inventor at a prestigious university," said Thomas after putting down his lunch and sitting on a chair. He had heard about Carl high school and inventor. He also knew that his friend came from a prestigious high school which was difficult for him to enter.
"Who will be the inventor?" It was not Carl who answered it, but Dex. He had just arrived with Miku, Flo, Alia, Darren, and Irvin.
Wait. Why were Darren and Irvin with them?
"We passed each other while buying lunch, and I invited him to sit here," Miku explained upon finding their gaze and asking about Darren and Irvin's whereabouts. "It's okay that they're with us, right?"
Carl nodded. "Sure. Please, sit down."
Then they took empty seats there.
"So, who will be the inventor?" Dex repeated his question.
"He." Thomas pointed at Carl with his chin.
They followed his direction with a look of surprise and curiosity.
"He comes from a prestigious high school. It's strange why he entered this school." Thomas added information like pouring gasoline on a fire.
They didn't make a sound but didn't look away either.
"Okay, okay." Finally, Carl gave up. He felt uncomfortable being stared at because he knew their gaze's meaning. Asking for an explanation. "I studied inventor things in high school. There's nothing special about it, right?"
"And about the prestigious high school?" Flo asked doubtfully.
Carl smiled awkwardly at her question. He didn't like to brag or say things that sounded too much. "That's also right."
"Where? And why didn't you continue to be an inventor?"
"Because I asked for it." Miku interrupted quickly. Attention immediately turned to her.
"You, what?"
"I asked him to learn to be a fighter here."
"Why?" It just came out of Alia's lips. Apparently, it was not only her question but everyone.
"There's a reason, but that remains a secret for now."
Everyone immediately showed disappointment, except for Darren and Irvin, who stayed calm. It was like the conversation had no effect on them. Or perhaps they were not interested in responding to it. However, it was a common thing.
"You two sure have a lot of secrets," Thomas complained. "I'm curious about it, though."
Dex nodded in agreement. "It's not good to leave someone in curiosity."
Carl laughed. "Maybe, if you treat me to lunch for a month, I'll rethink that," he joked.
"You want to rob me?" Thomas responded as he shook his head.
"I guess it's worth the secret."
"I better don't know."
They continued their lunch while chatting casually.
"Anyway, what club are you guys planning on joining?" asked Flo, starting a new topic.
"Hmm," Thomas muttered as he swallowed his food and thought about it. "I haven't seen the entire stand, so I still don't know where to join."
"Can companions join separately? I mean, we don't have to take the same club," Carl asked.
Flo shook her head doubtfully. "I don't know." She then turned to Darren, who had been silent for a long time. "You know about that?"
"I think some clubs allow it. You need to ask to be sure."
"Then I want to join football. I loved playing it when I was at Calledar." Dex chimed in.
"Are you sure?" Thomas asked disdainfully. "You won't invite your team to a fight?"
Dex glanced at him intently. "I will kill them all."
Of course, he didn't say it seriously. It was just a response to Thomas' sarcasm.