Hel opened the door. Standing outside was a freckled girl with ash-blonde hair. She wore the clean, standard Academy uniform, with two loose braids hanging over her shoulders. Her looks were plain—she seemed like a simple country girl who had just arrived from some rural village.
But she had a faint floral scent, and her bright smile gave off a warm, easygoing feeling.
If she appeared like this in the Art Academy, she might have seemed plain. But here, in the notoriously deranged Skoll Academy? She was so normal that it bordered on abnormal.
After all, Hel had seen students running out the gate earlier wearing pajamas and slippers. When it came to messy appearances, the entire Skoll Academy was on the same level. Students like Witt, who actually cared about their appearance, were rare exceptions.
"Excuse me, you are…?" Hel asked politely after opening the door.
The girl showed no restraint and beamed brightly. "Hi! You're a freshman, right? I'm Mortia, second year in the Advanced Academy, currently an officer of the Spark Society. You should know that our Spark Society spans seven academies and even holds influence in the political circles of the Ymir Empire!"
"Spark Society?"
Hel had absolutely no idea what that was supposed to be. Was this some kind of 'link the fire' organization?
Mortia clearly heard this question often. As soon as Hel spoke, she started explaining enthusiastically.
"The Spark Society's mission is to ignite the flame that guides the progress of human civilization. We study various fields to explore what kind of societal system best supports human development."
She reached into a small waist pouch and pulled out a flyer, unfolding it for Hel.
It depicted an arm holding a torch, surrounded by various slogans.
"Judging by your clothes and the style of your carriage, you must be from a small noble house or a merchant family, right?"
"And what makes you think that?"
Hel accepted the flyer and glanced at the slogans:
"Trade brings civilization."
"Free markets create free people."
He couldn't help feeling these slogans looked extremely out of place in a magical world.
"Your fashion sense and the carriage design say it all," Mortia continued.
"You're one of the new aristocracy."
"New aristocracy?"
Mortia blinked, surprised.
In her mind, anyone involved with Ymir's noble circles should know about the opposing factions of new aristocracy and old nobility. Was he simply too young and hadn't been taught? Or… was he not from Ymir at all?
But his attire didn't match anything from the Knight Empire either…
After a moment of thought, she decided to explain:
"The new aristocracy mostly consists of merchants who bought titles, and minor nobles who defected from old families. Their enemy is the old aristocracy—those bloodlines that have lasted a thousand years, entrenched through constant intermarriage.
The Spark Society was founded by students from new aristocratic families. It isn't just about promoting civilization. It gives us a place to stick together.
Old nobles are extremely exclusionary. Before our society existed, many students outside their circle were bullied into dropping out.
So to avoid being bullied, it's best for you to join a society."
"Bullied into dropping out?"
Hel murmured the words, and the corners of her mouth lifted.
How delightful—classic school-bully plotlines. She couldn't help feeling a bit excited.
She wondered who would be the first unfortunate soul to try bullying her.
Mortia, oblivious to Hel's expression, continued:
"Also, let me tell you, our society has influence across the whole Ymir Empire! Do you know about the bloodless revolution in the Trade Nation of Tred nine years ago?
That movement was led by our former president—heir to the Vog Company. He successfully established a constitutional monarchy and put the seventeenth prince, who is sympathetic to the new aristocracy, on the throne!"
"And in the three years after that, the Fashion Nation of Vogue and the Windmill Nation of Windham also reformed successfully.
So, little junior, if you join us, you'll not only avoid being bullied—you'll meet top elites from various nations! Even after graduating, our network will help you find a good future."
Mortia's eyes sparkled like stars.
Is this coercion failing, so she's switching to seduction? Hel stared at the overly enthusiastic upperclassman, internally speechless.
*Seriously… capitalism movement in a world full of superpowered mages? If not for the fact that they haven't abolished the monarchy, Hel would suspect that all surrounding royal families would've united to eradicate them.
Without touching monarchy, what capitalism are you even promoting?
This isn't Hel's previous life—capitalist oligarchs can't gobble up royal authority here. Kings in this world are usually sixth-tier powerhouses, and many have previous monarchs who retired just to cultivate further.*
Royal authority was untouchable. Hel had zero interest in joining. She came here to cause chaos, not get dragged into political movements.
So she politely said:
"Sorry. I don't want to join any society."
"Huh?"
Mortia clearly didn't expect that. She froze for a full second.
Then she quickly tried again:
"But junior, without a society, you'll definitely be bullied by old nobles! And among all societies formed by new nobles, Spark Society is the biggest and strongest! Anyone in our society doesn't need to fear them at all—"
She tried hard to persuade him, but Hel was firm.
The door closed.
Mortia pressed her hands against the door for a long time, whispering stubbornly:
"Junior, it really is good for you…"
She stayed that way for a while before sighing in defeat.
"Ai… another day without recruiting a single member…"