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Chapter 74
Jaeyllin forced herself to turn her gaze away from Lionel and Rozia, though she couldn’t shake the bitter taste lingering in her mouth.
In the meantime, Nathan led Adrian and Jaeyllin to a sunlit table by the window. After setting down the menu, he opened his mouth.
“So, what about your club booth? Did you just leave it? Is Stefan managing it alone?”
“Up until now, only one person has come by, so we closed early and came to look around the festival.”
“Huh? Only one person so far?”
Nathan looked baffled.
“Yeah.”
“That’s weird. It wasn’t that bad. Honestly, I thought it was impressive.”
“I think we messed up with the location. The greenhouse is too out of the way, so hardly anyone even walks past.”
“True. With that location, no wonder. Then why not try promoting?”
“Stefan said he’d go promote directly, but I don’t even know where he disappeared to. I told him we’d be here, so he’ll probably show up soon. Anyway, if we just leave things as they are, nobody will come.”
“Who goes around promoting booths by foot these days?”
“Then… how else?”
Jaeyllin blinked innocently, her naive eyes making Nathan look exasperated.
“You seriously don’t know? You’ve never used the anonymous community board?”
“Wh-what about it?”
“Don’t tell me you guys haven’t checked it today?”
“What’s the point of going in there?”
“Oh, I haven’t checked it today…”
“It’s a madhouse right now. Everyone’s promoting their booths on there.”
At his words, Adrian and Jaeyllin quickly logged in. The anonymous board was indeed flooded with flashy posts advertising booths.
“W-wow, it’s true. Adrian, everyone seems to be promoting here.”
Jaeyllin looked up at Nathan with admiration, which made him puff up with pride.
“See? Try promoting there. But first, let’s order something.”
Without even glancing at the menu, Adrian kept his eyes glued to the board.
“I’ll have a double espresso.”
“And you, Jaeyllin?”
“M-me too, the same.”
Too focused on the flood of posts, Jaeyllin couldn’t be bothered to pick for herself and just went with Adrian’s choice.
Adrian finally tore his eyes away and looked at her.
“Do you even know what that is?”
Even Nathan frowned and intervened.
“Jaeyllin, maybe not that… why not something else?”
“Wh-why? Can’t I order the same?”
“Have you ever had espresso before?”
“N-no.”
“Then don’t. Just get that chocolate drink you always have. Nathan, bring her that instead.”
With a frown, Adrian ordered on her behalf.
“Got it.”
Nathan left, and the two dove back into the board. Countless clubs were advertising furiously:
[Pharmacy/Magic Elixirs] Highly Recommended Potions that help heal wounds! <<<Location: Student Union entrance>>> Absolutely essential during exam season!!!
[Magic Design/Remony] ♡♡♡Cupid’s Arrow♡♡♡ Wondering if someone’s right for you? Join our random blind-date matchmaking event! We’ll analyze your personality and pair you with your perfect match ♡♡♡ Meet us at the Rose Garden entrance.
[Aesthetics/World Is Beautiful] ☾Pellodian Tarot☽ We’ll tell you your future! Accuracy 99.9%! Health, studies, career, success, wealth—whatever you want to know! (^-^)
[Swordsmanship/Blades of Wind] ★Flashy Sword Dance★ Want to see muscular guys performing a powerful group sword dance? ☞Training Ground No.1☜ Right now!★★
“So, just post it here?”
Adrian uploaded their astronomy club ad. Jaeyllin, eyes glued to the board, quickly spotted it.
“Ah! Adrian, it’s up! Our club ad is posted!”
“No big deal. Why did Stefan bother running around when it’s this easy?”
Adrian crossed his legs smugly. But then Jaeyllin’s eyes widened.
“H-huh?”
“What’s with that face? What’s wrong?”
“Adrian, your post disappeared…”
Adrian refreshed—and was stunned.
[Swordsmanship/Adrian] Astronomy Club Festival Booth / Location: Glass Dome, left of the Pharmacy Building
[Swordsmanship/Blades of Wind] ★Flashy Sword Dance★ Want to see muscular guys performing a powerful group sword dance? ☞Training Ground No.1☜ Right now!★
[Swordsmanship/Blades of Wind] ★Flashy Sword Dance★ … (repeated)
The same sword dance ad was being spammed nonstop, burying his post instantly.
“That bastard—what the hell is he doing, hogging the board by spamming the same thing!”
Adrian reposted, but again it was pushed up and vanished. His short, plain ad was no match for the flashy spam.
“This lunatic! Nobody even wants to see that crap!”
“I-I’m curious though…” Jaeyllin muttered.
“What could you possibly find interesting about that?!” Adrian snapped, posting again and again, but [Blades of Wind]’s speed was unbeatable.
“Damn it! How are we supposed to promote here?!”
Frustrated, Adrian slammed the board shut just as Nathan returned with their drinks.
“Not working out?”
“Our posts get buried instantly. What’s the point?”
“Eh, who knows? Our club never needed to promote anyway—we’re already popular.”
Adrian shut his eyes, took a deep breath, and forced himself not to explode.
“So you told me about some half-baked method that doesn’t even work?”
“Hey, I just shared what I knew. Whether you use it or not—and what happens after—is up to you.”
Unbothered, Nathan felt he’d done his part.
“Whatever. If you’re done, get lost.” Adrian waved him off impatiently.
“Fine, enjoy. If you need something, just say.”
Nathan winked at Jaeyllin before leaving.
“S-so, what do we do now?” Jaeyllin sipped her chocolate drink nervously.
“No idea. Either we spam too, or find another way.”
“…Hmm.”
Adrian sighed and took a sip from his dainty cup. The contrast between his large frame and the tiny cup was unintentionally funny. Jaeyllin couldn’t help but laugh.
“What’s so funny?” Adrian frowned.
Just then, Stefan arrived and caught his words.
“Hey! Why are you picking on Jaeyllin?”
“She laughed at me first.”
“Huh? Jaeyllin, did you?”
“W-wait, no! I wasn’t making fun of you, it just looked funny…”
“What’s funny about my face? Do I look like a joke to you?”
“N-no! It’s just… the cup’s so tiny, and you’re so big. It didn’t match…”
The cup really was tiny, the handle barely enough for Adrian’s fingers.
“True, it does look a bit silly. Honestly, I crack up every time I see him drinking from one of those.”
“Unbelievable. You two laugh at the weirdest things.”
Jaeyllin glanced at the cup again. Adrian suddenly remembered how she’d tried to order the same drink as him earlier, even though she usually preferred sweet or fruity ones.
“Why? Curious? Want to try?”
“M-me? If you don’t mind…”
“Ugh, Jaeyllin, don’t. You won’t like it.” Stefan grimaced.
“Why not?”
The more they tried to stop her, the more curious she became. Jaeyllin reached for the cup Adrian offered.
