It was the day after Li had consulted her mother about extracurricular activities.

As soon as she arrived at the Academy, she immediately caught hold of Lady Alberta.

“Actually, I am considering applying to establish a new extracurricular activity. And I would very much like Lady Alberta to join.”

At Li’s words, Lady Alberta’s eyes grew moist.

“I shall participate, no matter the obstacles!”

“Thank you.”

Li bowed her head to her.

“Li-sama, please leave the gathering of members to me. The Saint may be uncertain, but the other girls will surely all participate.”

At lunchtime that day, the talk of Li’s extracurricular activity dominated the conversation.

Lady Alberta finished her meal quickly and had vanished before anyone noticed.

Meanwhile, Li was surrounded by the girls in her class, being peppered with questions from every direction.

“I-It’s not like I mind joining, okay!”

Even the Saint came over to declare her intent.

As a result, every girl in the class, including the Saint, decided to participate.

“Li-sama, what shall we name the extracurricular activity?”

She had been waiting for that question.

In truth, Li had stayed up late thinking it over, turning ideas over and over in her mind.

She stood, looked into the eyes of the young ladies and declared sharply,

“It shall be the Rosenkreuz of the Rose Maiden Cross!”

It was the very moment her middle-school mentality burst forth.

Once the discussion about the extracurricular activity settled down, the afternoon lecture began.

Seeing the young ladies in such a restless mood, the male instructor suspected Li had stirred something up again.

“Li Earlychar Karasebed Quewa, head to the Headmaster’s Office after this.”

At the end of the lecture, the instructor announced it.

Since she had already heard from her mother, Li could easily guess why she had been summoned.

“Is it regarding the Student Council?”

“Probably.”

By now, she no longer felt any discomfort at his laid-back tone.

She made her way to the Headmaster’s Office alongside him.

“Oh, you’ve come.”

As always, the Headmaster sat in his imposing chair.

“Let us deal with the matter at hand first. Li, you will belong to the Student Council starting next term.”

There was no right of refusal when it came to the Headmaster’s request.

So Li accepted obediently.

“As you wish. I also have a request.”

“Hmm.”

The Headmaster stroked his white beard.

“I would like approval to establish a new extracurricular activity.”

“Have you gathered at least ten participants?”

“All fifteen girls in my class have already declared their participation.”

“Then there is no issue. Lord Barman, proceed with the paperwork.”

“Yes, I shall.”

Li found it somewhat anticlimactic.

They had not asked about the club’s activities at all.

Normally, would that not be examined in detail?

“Li, it would be wise to appoint as vice-representative someone who will not be joining the Student Council.”

Just as she had predicted, the names he mentioned were exactly those she had expected.

As for those connected to the Rosenkreuz of the Rose Maiden Cross, it was herself, the Saint and Lady Alberta.

She decided she would consult Lady Alberta about the details later.

“I am grateful for your advice.”

“Mm. As for the matter the other day, I have already settled things with Slan.”

“Yes. I shall confirm it with my father.”

Once the administrative discussion concluded, only the male instructor took his leave.

Li remained behind, enjoying tea with the Headmaster while engaging in an enthusiastic discussion about magic.

Regarding the recent Ice Bullet, the Headmaster’s eagerness was on par with that of a grass puffer.

Among anglers, the grass puffer is infamous as a fish that bites at absolutely anything.

It can be eaten, but because it contains poison, unless one has a proper pufferfish license, it must be released even if caught.

Despite that, it will even bite at a bare hook without bait.

A truly troublesome fish.

Though it is poor manners, some irritated anglers throw them onto breakwaters or wave-dissipating blocks.

There, they often end up dried stiff in the sun.

Li thought of the grass puffer because, to her, the Headmaster’s eager biting was rather welcome.

After all, for all her complaints, discussions about magic were her favorite thing in the world.