### Chapter 424: People Gone, Embarrassment Galore
The schedule for incoming freshmen is tightly packed.
So many classes and extracurricular activities.
While attending these events is optional, most freshmen decide to check them all out for the experience.
After class, Yuliya and her friends, who originally planned to head straight home, found themselves drawn in by the numerous signs, booths, and stages in the teaching area.
“What’s this… a club?”
Inif nodded casually. “Clubs, formed entirely by students, serve as a place for entertainment and also a chance to train and improve.”
Yuliya had a vague recollection of this concept. Just a tiny one.
After all, back in her university days on Blue Star, she belonged to the “homebody” club.
She knew these things existed but preferred to hunker down and play games instead.
“Riya interested in clubs?”
Inif’s tone was flat, her expression equally frosty.
Clearly, she couldn’t care less about such clubs.
After all, she was an ice cube.
To her, joining a club was just for fun; training and improvement?
“Isn’t it better to just follow the teacher’s plan?”
“I’m okay.”
Yuliya shrugged.
She was the type to enjoy the chaos of a crowd but didn’t want to be part of it.
If your club is having an event with a performance, then sure, I’d love to watch.
But if you want me to participate, or even perform?
Sorry, not happening.
Kaise suddenly chimed in, “But, Lady Riya, I remember the instructor saying that participating in extracurricular activities is one of the assessment criteria for students!”
Inif scoffed at this. “That’s easy. There are tons of extracurricular activities. Just say a word to the instructor, and you can slip through.”
“Is the instructor that easy-going?”
“Yep, as long as your grades are in the top five percent of the year, they’re easy to talk to.”
“…” Kaise rolled her eyes dramatically at Inif. “No wonder you don’t have any friends.”
“What did you just say?!”
“I said it’s only because Lady Riya is beautiful and kind-hearted that she’s willing to help you.”
“Aren’t you also someone Riya met?”
“But I have lots of friends!”
“You!”
“Alright!” Yuliya raised her hand to interrupt. “So many students are watching you, come on, stop arguing! Heidis, keep an eye on Kaise!”
Heidis scooted a bit closer with a nod.
“Lady Riya, I feel like they aren’t looking at me.”
Inif glanced around. “They’re probably looking at you, Riya. Honestly, we were being pretty quiet.”
“…”
Yuliya quickly scanned the surroundings.
It really did seem like…
Some people are just born to stand out. Even if their stature isn’t imposing, they can still be eye-catching when they suddenly shrink a bit.
“Ahem, anyway, we should definitely check out the extracurricular activities. Who knows, there might be something fun! I mean, since the academy has requirements, we should comply.”
She glanced at Inif, hoping she’d provide some insight into the clubs available.
But then again, she probably didn’t know much more than the other freshmen.
Kaise… Forget it, she was just a little kitty.
“Heidis, what do you think about clubs?”
“Me?” Heidis tilted her head, “I might join the swordsmanship club. Are you guys checking out the magic-related ones?”
Kaise looked surprised and asked, “It feels like you know a lot about Saint Felis Academy, Heidis. You seem to have a solid plan.”
Yuliya and Inif turned to look at her, sharing similar feelings.
Heidis smiled and shook her head. “I can’t say I understand it fully; before coming here, my teacher told me some things and helped me plan a bit.”
“Is Heidis’ teacher also from Saint Felis Academy?”
“Yep, that’s right.”
Yuliya nodded. “In that case, let’s head over and take a look. Heidis, remember to keep an eye on Kaise; it might get crowded later, and we don’t want her running off and getting lost.”
“I wouldn’t run away!”
With that, Yuliya led the way, and the four of them headed toward the club activity area.
Just a few steps in, a crowd of people quickly swarmed around them.
“Hey, come check out our magic club! We’re one of the biggest clubs in the academy!”
“Join the drama club; we’d be perfect for you!”
“Ever heard of the horseback riding club? Many folks find walking too slow—riding takes care of that!”
“…”
As the crowd pushed in, people were jostling and shoving.
Before long, only three remained—six eyes wide open, staring at each other.
Inif rested her chin on her hand. “I knew they weren’t looking at me.”
After all, she had some reputation in the academy, though not a good one. So regular folks wouldn’t bother with her.
Heidis stated, “Well, their target seems pretty clear.”
Inif shrugged. “I mean, Lady Riya is an excellence-rated freshman! Even I know that, so it’s no surprise those people have already sniffed out the news. They’ve had their eyes on her for a while.”
Riya’s talents and stunning looks made her a prime recruiting target.
New students might not know much, but they’d certainly pay attention to who’s in which clubs.
“What do we do if Lady Riya gets lost? Heidis, why didn’t you stop her earlier?”
“How could I have held her back in that situation…?”
“What now?”
Heidis glanced at Kaise and then at Inif, finally deciding to take charge herself. “Let’s just look around for now. Riya should be fine; she’ll come looking for us.”
No choice.
The other two didn’t seem reliable.
Inif was all stern-face, and Kaise was just loud.
On the other hand, Yuliya, being pushed along by the crowd, was feeling a bit dazed.
I’ve never seen anything like this!
If they were a bunch of monsters or enemies, I’d have wiped them all out with an AOE by now.
But these are all students— can’t just blast them away.
There were so many people in this area, half were from clubs and the other half were freshmen.
The crowd was still shoving, and various shouts and promotions filled the air— it was too noisy!
Finally, Yuliya spotted an open space that seemed to be a stage set up by a certain club, where only one person was speaking about something.
Whatever, doesn’t matter.
Yuliya suddenly vanished and leaped onto the stage.
Everyone from the various clubs quickly turned their attention to the stage.
Yuliya stood firm, offered an apologetic smile to the confused students beside her, and casually grabbed the microphone: “Hold on! I can’t hear anything with you lot shouting!”
“Everyone, look my way, and zip it! I’m announcing something!”
“I’ll only choose one club or activity, but if I get annoyed, I’m outta here! Not participating in anything!”
