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Failing Mark
The soft green young leaves were gradually growing in depth, and the smell of the mountain mixed with the wind was beginning to change.
The scenery depictable through the window was lushly green, instead of such a depiction, it was nothing more than an uncivilized primeval forest.
The surroundings of Toyoashihara Academy were a land of solitary island that went beyond the countryside.
The bell at the clock tower signaled the conclusion of class.
The sluggishness after the consecutive holidays had worn out, and in the classrooms the topic of club activity could be heard from all over the place.
For the first-year students, this was a new event element that was added after the May consecutive holidays.
Just as there were those who were headhunted by some upperclassmen’s clubs based on ability, luck, or connections, there were also those who formed new clubs with fellow classmates they were close with.
Also, as a special product of this period of time, temporary recruitment stalls were set up in front of the club building.
「There’s this thing called club rank, you see. And newly formed clubs are all granted the lowest rank of F (Free).」
Sitting down on his desk, Seiichi stroked the LCD screen of his student handbook with his fingertips.
「In order to create a club, you need ten or more members. And then, the maximum number of members is twenty. The number increases to twenty-five when you rise to C rank, thirty for B rank, thirty-five for A rank, and forty for S rank.」
「Is there any benefit in increasing the number of your members?」
Mai, her elbow on the desk, tilted her head.
「Hmm, well, you will be provided with budget based on your member counts by the academy.」
The provided Sen, the academy’s local currency, was by no means such a significant sum, for the small time clubs as well as the enjoy group whose earnings from the dungeon were meager, it was one of their source of income.
On the other hand, as they didn’t require as much budget as the earnest martial clubs that strove to rank up, they had the tendency to carefully select their club members even if they had more slots.
「Lastly, club rooms are by no means assigned to all F-ranked clubs, it’s like they are passed from one club to another where those with most member counts are given priority.」
「I guess, it looks like both of it are irrelevant to us, huh~.」
「Let’s take what we are able to take.」
「You’re right~.」
Mai nodded to the words of Shizuka, who was sitting sideways on her chair.
The newly established club, the『Order of the Divine Workman (Adept Orders)』, had a total of nineteen members, seven first-year students and twelve second-year students.
Most of the first-year students’ newly established clubs that flooded in at this time of the year were slithering just barely above the bare minimum member limit.
「It’s only from rank B above that we are properly treated as a club authorized by the academy, after all.」
「What should we to do to raise our rank?」
「It depends on your ranking in the inter-club tournament that is held once every four months. It’s a competition for the slots of four superior S rank, twelve A rank, and forty-eight B rank.」
Even if you left S rank and A rank aside, starting from B rank you would also be provided with a splendid club building instead of a prefabricated one.
In addition, even if you were similarly of B rank, there was a significant difference in the quality of the club rooms that were assigned based on the order of your rank, providing a situation where rivalry was perpetually fanned.
「Then, it looks like A rank is going to be tough, so for the time being, we’ll go with B rank first, right?」
「No, no, no, come on, don’t be so ridiculous. You’re skipping ranks too much, aren’t you? No matter how you look at it, suddenly aiming for B rank is impossible
 right?」
「Do as you see fit.」
「What are you, a feudal lord?」
In fact, he was not a feudal lord, he was just a club president.
Seiichi let out a sigh at the words of Touma, who was limply slumped on the desk.
「Umm, even the as expected Touma-kun is dried up?」
「It’s because he’s hungry, I believe.」
「Mikan-chan-senpai and the others were all glossy, after all. Just how many calories he expended in one night, I wonder
」
「Thanks to that he’s able to take captive Mikan-chan-senpai and the others, after all. Most of the club member slots have been filled, so in order for Touma-kun to increase his harem member further, we have to raise our rank as soon as possible.」
「We’ve already had all necessary personnel in order to conquer the dungeon, so I’m not going to say anything about additional members, though. By the way, the inter-club tournament is in June, you know?」
Putting back his handbook into his pocket, Seiichi crossed his legs.
「Before that, don’t forget that we have midterm tests awaiting us, okay? I think there’s nothing that’ll particularly prove to be a problem, though.」
◇ ◇ ◇
「—So, who in the world are those kids?」
Formerly the meeting room of Asagi-sou, currently the temporary club room of the『Order of the Divine Workman (Adept Orders)』.
When you opened the door you’d find a reception counter and display cabinets, there were already no shadows of the meeting room left.
A small lounge was set up in front of the counter, treated as a free space where as long as one was a boarding student there, they were able to enjoy the special blend of tea made by the『Order of The Divine Workman (Adept Orders)』.
「By any chance, are you referring to Touma-kun and his merry band of friends?」
Rinko, closing her eyes at the aroma rising from the teacups, tilted her head.
Otoha, sitting on the chair on the other side of the small round table, leaked out a sigh.
「Yes. These kids’ party, it’s a bit abnormal, though.」
「Hmmm, the sex therapy in the dungeon? Shizuka-chan said it was indispensable since Touma-kun would overheat and lose his temper otherwise, though. Well, I’m glad that you seem to have also fit in in no time at all, Otoha.」
「You’re wro
 I haven’t fit it or anything! Or rather, do stop treating me as one of you so naturally.」
「You sure not know when to give up
.」
In the newly established『Order of the Divine Workman (Adept Orders)』, mainly Shizuka and Rinko were engaged in practical activities.
Most of the information was shared.
The ones registered as vice president were Shizuka and Mikan, but even during the『Workman Workshop (Adept Workers)』 days, the one who had actually filled the coordinator role was Rinko.
The President being treated as a mascot-like symbol was no different even now.
「We’re talking about those kids right now.」
「Aye aye, sir.」
「Anyway, those kids are absolutely odd, aren’t they? Seiichi-kun used ninjutsu, so I guess he’s probably a second class『Ninja』, Mai-chan too, given that she was able to throw a barrage of magic like that, she should’ve turned into a superior class of『Arts User』 branching. As for Saki-chan
 That girl, somehow she’s stronger than me, though?」
「Ah, yes. That girl is bluntly speaking a gifted person, or perhaps a genius beyond the category of normal human, so I suppose you’d probably be better off not paying it undue attention. Given that she is able to communicate and understand Mikan-chan, I guess that’s how it is, after all.」
Just as there was the saying, like attracts like, Rinko thought it was probably sympathy of a sensitive race that differed from ordinary humans.
Accepting in such a clear manner would make things easier for both sides.
「In short, it’s just a matter of these kids having higher『level』 than us, isn’t it?」
「
 Impossible.」
「In fact, that’s just how it is, after all. You’ll surely come to understand it once you come over to our side for real, Otoha.」
Shizuka and Rinko’s opinions conformed to each other pertaining to where to draw the line on sharing information.
Otoha, who had not clarified her standing position, was ultimately still treated as an『outsider』.
「Well, I suppose there’s no doubt about these kids’ party being battle maniacs. They dive right after the opening of gate of Rashomon and wholly do exploration until the closing of gate, you know. Not to mention that it’s in search and destroy mode.」
「That’s exactly why, that’s odd, isn’t it? They charge and trample down raid enemy-like opponents, you know? Not to mention that it’s in a successive battle mode.」
「These kids have been traveling through the area off the map, after all. If they can’t do that much, they won’t be able to move forward, will they? And thanks to that, they bring us tons of rare materials.」
That in itself was by no means a violation of the rules.
There was a risk of monsters that exceeded the recommended level of the stratum directed by the academy appearance, but you could aim for drops such as materials and magic items from rare and upper category monsters.