Chapter 220: The New Club is Open but Empty?

Outside, club recruitment is being conducted in a lively manner.

However, we were in the clubroom of the Southern Development Research Society.

Since there was no other place to relax, anyway.

Leaned against the entrance of the clubroom was a sign written in unmotivated handwriting that read, “Southern Development Research Society. Seeking New Students.”

Saying that the facade of having at least done club recruitment was important, my sister-in-law, Francois, had left it there.

My sister-in-law wasn’t expecting any applicants to come.

We are doing recruitment just in case, but it feels like a store that is open for business but has absolutely no customers.

“Saying something like ‘let’s make friends’ during the entrance ceremony greeting, only to seemingly be unable to make friends myself—it’s embarrassing.”

“It cannot be helped. Sister Elizabeth also said that the only ones she could truly call friends were Edward-san and Francois-san.”

“Brother Eddie said he made quite a few friends, though.”

“Back then, the Fairchild family was still a Margrave and not a Duke, Will. If it were now, I think even Edward-san would have had a hard time making friends.”

I wonder if that’s true.

Laughing while saying silly things with friends, going out to play together.

When I thought of academy life, that was what I had imagined, but…

Just as I thought the lunch break would end with nothing happening like this, there was a knock on the clubroom door.

Who could it be? Could they have the wrong room?

Thinking that, I opened the door.

“Am I correct in assuming this is the clubroom for the Southern Development Research Society?”

It wasn’t someone who had the wrong room.

“Yes, that’s right.”

“Oh, Elva-san, welcome.”

“It has been a while, Your Highness Flora.”

“An acquaintance of yours, Flora?”

“Yes, since Elva-san is from a Ducal family.”

“Nice to meet you, William-san. My name is Elva Sheffield.”

The one who entered was the daughter of the Northern Ducal family, young Lord Luke‘s younger sister.

If she’s a Duke’s daughter, it’s natural for her to be acquainted with Princess Flora.

“Are you interested in the Southern Development Research Society, Elva-san?”

“Yes, Scarlet-san. I wish to join.”

And it seems she is also acquainted with Letty.

“I’m happy that you wish to join. I thought it would just be the three of us. However, I think you need Francois-san’s permission to join.”

“Ah, I’ve already met with the Vice President. She said, ‘It’s OK if William-kun, Flora-san, and little Letty approve of it.'”

“I-is that so.”

“If it’s Elva-san, it’s perfectly fine for her to join.”

“I think so too.”

“If you two say so, I have no objections. However, this club isn’t just for research; it involves actual development of the dangerous undeveloped lands. Is that okay with you?”

“Yes, I am aware there is danger. I am not good at magic, but I will do my best. My brother also encouraged me.”

I see, young Lord Luke is also aware of it.

“If that’s the case, we welcome you, Elva-san.”

“Thank you very much.”

By the way, Elva seems to have an aptitude for Water Magic, typical of the Northern Ducal family, but she apparently struggles to improve.

Since her older brother, young Lord Luke, is a highly skilled mage, she must have had a hard time being compared to him.

Although Elva worked hard at her studies and ranked highly in the written exam, it seems her evaluation in the practical exam wasn’t very high.

You could say it’s typical of Class A, which has many people who excel specifically in a single area.

In the undeveloped lands, subjugating monsters is important, but non-combat elements like road construction and town building are also important.

So it’s not a problem at all if she’s bad at magic.

“Flora and I originally can’t use attribute magic anyway, and developing the undeveloped lands isn’t just about fighting monsters. I’m thinking of preparing agricultural land in the Black Soil Zone that we will develop from now on.”

“If it’s agriculture, I have been studying it.”

The Northern Ducal family’s territory frequently suffers from cold weather damage, and the land is also poor.

That’s why they have been researching agriculture for generations, and I heard from young Lord Luke that they independently devised the three-field crop rotation system.

“Elva-san’s knowledge of agriculture will surely be useful.”

“Welcome. We look forward to working with you.”

Elva shook hands with the two of them.

With this, I somehow gained one new acquaintance.

I hope we can become friends eventually.

Just as I was thinking that, there was another knock on the door.