Chapter 50 History and Art Society
Chapter 50 History and Art Society
On Saturday, I walked alone through the forests of the Arcadia Hunter Academy, heading to the meeting point sent by the History and Art Guild (society).
Since it's the weekend, not many people are still on campus. Most students have lost their motivation to continue studying after the initial excitement wore off.
Looking at the leaves, the forest was gradually showing signs of winter approaching.
rustle--
Hearing footsteps behind me, I turned my head slightly and saw a familiar figure.
Sylvie.
However, since she didn't approach me, I didn't intend to either, and simply continued walking towards the meeting point. After about three minutes, I finally arrived at my destination.
This was a clearing surrounded by trees, quiet and natural. The clearing was spacious enough to accommodate a group of people, with simple seating arranged around it using logs and stones. The ground was covered with fallen leaves, making a soft rustling sound as I walked over them.
Sunlight filters through the gaps in the leaves, casting dappled shadows on the ground.
The atmosphere here was peaceful and serene, a stark contrast to the hustle and bustle of the college campus. I paused briefly to appreciate the tranquility before me.
But just then, an excited voice reached my ears.
"Ah, you've come!"
Turning my head towards the sound, I saw a head of long, silky purple hair and a pair of excited blue eyes coming towards me. Her bright and energetic smile was impossible to ignore, and her tone was full of enthusiasm.
“Senior Maya.” I nodded to her in greeting, expressing my respect.
She approached with light steps, radiating an eager excitement. "You're the first one here!" she said with a small smile. "Guess what? I brought snacks! You have to try them!" Her enthusiasm was irresistible.
Before I could answer, she handed me a bag of snacks, her eyes shining with anticipation. "Here you go, don't be shy! You'll definitely like them, have one!"
"I don't want to eat it." My answer was the same as last time. This time, the smell emanating from the snacks made me feel a little uncomfortable.
But she completely ignored my refusal, her excitement undiminished. "Oh, don't do that! Just try one, it won't cause any problems."
"I said I didn't want to eat."
"Don't do that, just try it."
"Do not."
"Listen to what your senior says, I guarantee you'll like it."
Seeing her enthusiasm, I sighed and took the bag of snacks. "I'll try one then."
Maya smiled victoriously. "I knew you'd give in, you melancholy little prince! It's delicious, isn't it!"
Just as I reluctantly took a bite of my snack, Maya's attention was suddenly drawn to another figure. It was someone trying to hide her presence, but both Maya and I sensed her presence because her concealment skills weren't very good.
Maya turned her gaze to the newcomer, a warm smile spreading across her face. "Sylvie! You're here too!" her voice was cheerful. Sylvie, who had just arrived, waved gently.
Good morning, Senior Maya.
I saw Sylvie hiding behind a tree, looking a little nervous.
"You've come at the perfect time! Here, have some snacks!" Maya's enthusiasm hadn't waned at all, as she handed a bag of snacks to Sylvie. Sylvie hesitated for a moment, looking at Maya's expression with a hint of fear, but ultimately gave in.
"Then... I'll take one." I don't know why she had that expression, but it was probably because Maya's enthusiasm was too overwhelming.
Seeing them like this, I walked to a small tree, leaned against it, and took out a book from my bracelet to start reading.
I don't want to interact with others much, especially Maya; her enthusiasm makes me very uncomfortable.
The moment I leaned against the tree and opened the book, the rustling of the forest and the distant birdsong brought me a sense of tranquility. I longed to immerse myself in the world of the book, to find a moment of peace through words and knowledge.
However, my tranquility was completely shattered by Mayana's overly active presence. She seemed to appear out of nowhere, and her enthusiasm could be felt even before she spoke.
"Junior!" Maya's voice was cheerful and energetic. I reluctantly looked up from my book, glancing at her with a hint of annoyance.
"What?" I replied coldly. I didn't want to have a boring conversation, much less face Maya's unbearable enthusiasm.
I glanced back and saw Sylvie looking at me with her eyes half-closed, but she seemed relieved.
Maya sat down next to me, her bright blue eyes sparkling with curiosity. "What book are you reading?" she asked, leaning closer, clearly not minding invading my personal space.
"It's just a book," I replied simply, hoping she would know when to leave.
But she moved even closer, completely disregarding personal distance. "Don't be like that, junior, give me a more interesting answer!"
Watching her behavior, my patience gradually wore thin. This woman always disregarded my personal space, making me feel uncomfortable.
Just as I was about to tell her to leave, she suddenly stood up.
"Ah, Emilia is here." She left immediately, leaving me alone.
"Finally saved," I thought. Now, I'm seriously considering my decision to join this club. But seeing the blonde girl's gaze fixed on me in the distance, I remembered why I came here, and then turned my attention back to my book.
As the forest clearing remained quiet, members of the History and Art Society began to arrive, each adding a touch of life to the gathering, and the tranquil atmosphere was gradually broken up by the students' laughter and chatter.
One by one, unfamiliar faces joined the group, most of them freshmen like myself, their faces beaming with curiosity and excitement. Gradually, older students also appeared. Their familiarity and enthusiasm made the atmosphere even more lively.
Just then, my gaze fell upon a figure that was of utmost importance to me.
A young man, his handsome face intertwined with a gentle smile that was always on his lips. His presence exuded a sense of ease and approachability, a trait that undoubtedly made him a natural leader.
His brown hair shimmered in the sunlight, and a hint of cunning shone in his green eyes. He possessed an air of effortless confidence, as if he were in complete control of everything. He moved with ease among the group, exuding a reassuring charm.
But beneath his relaxed exterior, I know he has a much deeper side that is unknown to most.
hum-
Without warning, a powerful emotion overwhelmed me, a feeling that was hard to bear. A surge of intense anger and hatred flooded into my heart.
"what is this?"
The air seemed to grow heavy, filled with an evil aura that enveloped the young man.
Looking at that person, I noticed that he was vaguely shrouded in a black aura, as if he were different from others.
"What exactly happened?"
Boom!
My heart started pounding, and I lost my balance. Something was affecting me.
This unsettling emotion raged within me, and I couldn't ignore its intense feeling. It was like a storm roaring inside me, driven by a strange yet undeniable anger and hatred.
"calm."
I tried to steady my breathing, my mind racing, trying to figure out the source of this overwhelming emotion.
Observing this young man who seemed to be at the center of this chaos, I began to connect the dots. The aura surrounding him wasn't my imagination; it was real, tangible. That aura was undoubtedly dark, an embodiment of some kind of evil.
"Because he is a demon contractor."
I learned about his identity from the game, and he was the first reason I joined this club.
"Mason Kent".
This is his name. He is someone who made a pact with the devil when he first entered the academy, because his family had long served the evil organization within the association.
"But where does this feeling come from?" I asked myself, and the answer soon became clear.
"It's because of my passive skill."
[The Blade of Vengeance]
"That must be the reason."
This passive skill gives me greater power against demons and allows me to sense hidden energy.
“That makes sense now,” I whispered, closing my eyes.
"What makes sense?"
Just then, a voice I least wanted to hear rang in my ears.
"..."
"Junior? Why are you sweating? Are you hot?" Maya's energetic figure appeared in front of me, her blue eyes staring at me as if she could see right through me.
Maya's question brought me back to reality, and I realized my discomfort had been far too obvious. Trying to regain my composure, I gently shook my head. "It's nothing."
Maya seemed completely unconcerned about my response; her enthusiasm remained undiminished. She took a cold snack out of her bag and handed it to me. "Here, this might cool you down."
I really didn't want to eat her snacks, but I had to accept them in order to get her to leave quickly. Right now, I have to control my emotions.
I nodded and took the snack, still feeling uneasy but grateful for her kindness. It was just an ordinary ice cream, seemingly taken out by Maya using one of her spatial artifacts.
"How much snacks did she bring?" I wondered as I took a bite. Instantly, a bitter and sour taste spread in my mouth, making me shudder.
"It tastes awful." I wanted to spit it out, but I held back; it would have been too rude.
"Thank you." Even under these circumstances, I managed to say those words.
Senior Maya replied with a smile, "It's okay, junior! You have to always be in good shape!"
Before I could say anything more, the club members began to gather more actively, and the atmosphere changed accordingly; clearly, the event was about to begin. As the crowd gradually assembled, Maya's role as the club president became obvious; she efficiently drew everyone's attention.
“Alright everyone! Let’s begin. First, I’d like to welcome all the new members. We’re so glad you’ve joined us.” Maya’s voice was warm and inviting as she addressed the newcomers, including me.
Maya continued speaking with great enthusiasm, beginning to explain the society's mission and goals. The Society of History and Art aims to explore and analyze the world before the "Nexus Fusion," an event that introduced magic and power, completely transforming our world.
The relics of the past, whether historical events or artistic expressions, hold the key to understanding the roots of our present reality. This is precisely the philosophy that the community wants to convey to the world.
“Our focus is on uncovering the historical, artistic, and cultural dimensions that shaped the pre-hub convergence world. We believe that delving into these aspects will not only expand our knowledge but also enrich our perspective on the world we live in today.”
However, as Maya spoke eloquently, my gaze lingered on the young man. He was silently observing Sylvie, clearly trying to find a way to approach her.
"First you, then your family. I will not let those dogs who betrayed themselves to the devil get away with it."
hum-
I clenched my fist and made a vow to myself.
"I will erase everyone connected to the devil. You will be my starting point."
Looking at the friendly, two-faced man, I took a deep breath. Now was not the time to act.
OBS