FSE

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I must have missed the recruitment event for the clubs, but I don't feel particularly sorry about it. Not only do I dislike social gatherings with large crowds, but I also don't quite have the courage yet to be caught sobbing uncontrollably, with both tears and snot running down my face.

"Hey," Kotetsu senpai found me, and I felt a gentle tug on my consciousness. "I was wondering where you went," he said cheerfully as he walked up to me. "How's everything going?"

"Much smoother than I expected." Though to be honest, I couldn't predict what would happen at all. Perhaps worrying about getting into another fight with a master was a bit too childish. "I decided to accept the Master Field's invitation."

"Congratulations, and good luck," Kotetsu gave me a sidelong glance and tilted his head slightly. "I hope he's not as eccentric as the rumors say."

"It's not that bad." I was originally going to say, "Isn't that right?" but then I thought, what exactly does it mean to be 'eccentric'? "Although Master Sunflare is quite certain that I will eventually join him…" According to Tadao's warning, I probably shouldn't be telling Kotetsu senpai this. But perhaps my emotions were still in a fragile state, and I just needed to let some of them out.

"What do you think?" Altai Wapiti asked calmly, watching the passersby around us.

I didn't want to delve too deeply into whether there was some overly cautious emotion hidden in Kotetsu senpai's tone. Living like that would be exhausting. Besides, I knew that trust is the first step in building a bridge of communication. If I truly became the most powerful psychic in the Empire, and if there was a chance for me to forge a friendship with Kotetsu senpai, the most powerful psychic in the Federation, that could be the beginning of reconciliation between both sides.

Even though there were still so many things I didn't understand about the world, the exhausting bombardment of the morning had already made one thing clear: reconciliation was something everyone needed—and perhaps urgently so.

"No way," I said with a bitter smile, intending to bury the vision Master Sunflare had painted for me deep in the recesses of my memory, to be forgotten forever—except, surprisingly, I occasionally needed to remind myself how much I hated the cold.

"I know you've had a rough morning and probably don't want to hear this, but…" Kotetsu senpai scratched the back of his head, still looking elsewhere, as if slightly embarrassed.

Seeing him act like this was quite amusing.

"Have you considered it?" He pulled a silver, disc-shaped object from his pocket, resembling a badge with some kind of emblem engraved on it. Then he flipped the small disc over, revealing an inscription.

Though I wasn't very good at Latin, I had deliberately practiced some famous quotes to pretend I was well-read—and I just so happened to recognize this one.

"Exitus acta probat," I read, successfully linking the concept to the symbol on the other side and understanding what it represented. I couldn't help but burst into laughter.

Kotetsu seemed slightly hurt as he pocketed the silver disc again.

"No… that's not…" I quickly clarified, explaining that I wasn't laughing at anyone. The morning's ordeal had left me emotionally exhausted.

Altai Wapiti raised an eyebrow, patiently waiting for me to compose myself.

"I really am worn out and can't think about anything related to taking sides right now. So, I appreciate you saving a spot for me, but let me… think about it, okay?" I said softly, lightly tapping Kotetsu senpai on the arm to express my gratitude and hope that he understood. I'd need a bit more time to recover from the shocking news.

"I understand," he replied, looking over at me. "You can talk to me anytime… about anything." He quickly added, as if worried I might misunderstand. Then Altai Wapiti sighed, rubbing his temple. "Damn it, I knew there'd be a conflict of interest."

I lowered my ears to show that I understood his position and would consider the proposal.

"But…" I suppressed a grin, trying to show more respect. "Your faction's emblem… is a bit…"A bit ridiculous. "…symbolic, isn't it?"

"I don't see a problem!" Kotetsu senpai snorted, crossing his arms in dissatisfaction. "It represents that we carry the burden, that we won't avoid it, and we won't forget the one who was sacrificed." His tone became somewhat distant as he flipped out his pendant and slowly traced its surface with his fingertips.

"Sorry," I cleared my throat softly. "I shouldn't have said that…"

"It really does look awkward, though." Altai Wapiti tucked the small disc back inside his collar and adjusted his clothes. "I guess that's why none of our members want to display the badge."

"Oh," I said, unsure if he was trying to joke. "Is there even a secret society that purposely displays its emblem?" I scanned the sparsely populated hall, pondering this philosophical question.

"Hobby groups do," Kotetsu senpai chuckled. "That reminds me—how's your knowledge of particle physics?"

"Uh…" I scratched my ear. "What's that?"

On the way back to the dorm, Kotetsu senpai explained the totems of the various secret societies, the meanings behind them, and which fanatics I should probably avoid.