Chapter 14: White Ballet Shoes Club
"Thank you for your appreciation, but I believe I’ve already made myself quite clear."
Janna still chose to refuse the olive branch extended by Soro Flare.
Seeing this, Soro, who had originally approached with goodwill, didn’t dare to press further after being rejected so decisively. He merely gave an awkward smile, then handed an envelope-like object to Janna.
"Since Miss Janna isn’t willing, then forget it… But, would you do me the honor of attending this event?"
Seeing the envelope, Janna instinctively intended to refuse, assuming it was an invitation to a ball.
However, when her eyes landed on the swan-shaped emblem in the center of the envelope, they lit up slightly, and she accepted it.
"This is a formal invitation from the White Ballet Shoes Club. I hope you’ll accept it, Miss Janna."
The White Ballet Shoes Club was a wizard club with nearly thirty years of history.
It had been co-founded by several Level Three apprentices from White Coral Academy, originally aiming to share information, pool resources, and provide mutual assistance.
As one of the founders advanced to become a full-fledged wizard, the previously obscure White Ballet Shoes Club suddenly gained popularity.
With more and more apprentices applying for membership, the entry threshold also rose significantly.
Eventually, the club adopted a member-invitation-only policy, with new members typically being well-connected or highly talented wizard apprentices.
To this day, the club had only just over fifty official members, including not only full wizards but also elite professionals from various sectors of Turin.
"Thank you for the invitation, senior. I’ll accept it."
All the usual networking efforts could hardly compare to a resource trickling down from a top-tier apprentice.
Even though Janna knew this gift of resources wasn’t purely to repay the so-called “life-saving grace” Soro mentioned, the affection in his eyes didn’t escape her notice.
Although she felt a bit uncomfortable about it, that didn’t stop her from continuing to leverage that goodwill to maximize her gains.
"The gathering is tomorrow evening at seven o’clock, at the Feathered String Tavern... Do you need me to come pick you up in advance?"
"No need. I happen to have an Ancient Magic History evening class tomorrow. I’ll head over directly after it ends."
"Alright. If there’s nothing else, I’ll take my leave then. See you tomorrow."
"See you tomorrow, Senior Soro."
As Soro Flare walked away, a few male apprentices who had initially considered approaching Janna found themselves hesitating.
After all, no matter how beautiful the rose, one must choose wisely when picking it.
Otherwise, offending Soro Flare out of lust wasn’t a consequence those novice apprentices could afford to bear.
"What are you still staring for? Hurry up and leave..."
"But... I still have a few things I want to say to Miss Janna."
Watching his clueless companion, the apprentice who had only tagged along for moral support couldn’t help but sigh.
"Just because Miss Janna is easy to talk to doesn’t mean everyone else is... What, you want to end up like Jack? Locked in the washroom?"
Hearing this from his companion, the would-be suitor felt like a bucket of cold water had been dumped over his head, dousing his enthusiasm.
...
Jack Myer, just like himself, was one of Miss Janna’s fervent admirers.
But because he had confessed publicly, he ended up getting dragged into the washroom and beaten up by a few more extreme admirers—one of his front teeth was even knocked out.
Thinking of this, the now-calmed apprentice clenched the envelope in his hand, sighed deeply, and left the classroom quickly with his companions, shoulders drooping.
...
"Saves me the trouble of turning them down."
Watching the two apprentices who had been staring at her all class finally leave, Janna was secretly pleased.
"This is for the best. I’ll finally get some peace for a while... and prevent any more school violence from happening."
A sudden confession followed by a beating was not something Janna had anticipated.
However, when she considered the ages of the apprentices around her, she came to terms with it.
After this spring, Janna would officially turn fifteen.
Even someone who looked much older, like Soro Flare, was barely twenty-one.
Not to mention the others, who, unlike Janna—who had lived twenty-eight more years in her previous life—were easily stirred by hormones at their age.
"I’ve still got a general course on Elvish Language this afternoon. I need to hurry up and eat, then head back to the classroom."
Looking at the ticking mechanical clock on the classroom wall, Janna, who had already been delayed, swiftly left for the apprentice cafeteria.
...
The next day, exactly six o’clock in the afternoon.
"Alright, that’s it for today’s Ancient Magic History. Class dismissed."
"Goodbye, Professor Uta."
As Professor Uta, whose hair and beard were completely white, left the classroom hugging a thick textbook, the room, which had been very quiet, suddenly came to life.
"There’s going to be a pop quiz next week? Professor Uta is way too strict!"
Watching Janna neatly organize her notes, Vivian Rose’s eyes lit up.
"Janna, could you lend me your notes?"
"Sure. One academic credit for a day, and you can’t let anyone else see them."
"Deal!"
Having completed many such transactions before, the two quickly came to an agreement.
As Vivian received the notebook full of key points, her previously gloomy expression due to the upcoming quiz instantly brightened.
"By the way, why are you wearing a white wizard robe today? Have you finally come to your senses and started dressing up?"
Looking at Janna’s short white cape-style wizard robe made of smooth satin with a defined cut, Vivian was a little surprised.
"There’s a gathering later, so I figured I should dress a bit more decently."
"You call this decent?"
Compared to the standard-issue academy robes, Janna’s outfit was certainly an improvement.
But compared to Vivian’s own ice-blue, ornate enchanted apprentice wizard robe, Janna’s attire did not do her beauty justice at all.
"How about I lend you some money... or just give you a wizard robe?"
Janna suddenly stopped organizing her books.
Turning to look at Vivian, who now looked away awkwardly, knowing she had spoken out of turn, her expression was unreadably calm.
"Vivian, I’ve said it before. We’re both wizards—and friends..."
"I know, I know. A wizard must abide by the principle of equivalent exchange, and you don’t want to owe me anything... I was wrong, okay, you noble, virtuous witch."
"Don’t let it happen again."
Phew—
Watching Janna lower her head again to continue tidying her books, Vivian’s tense expression finally relaxed.
"Such an old-fashioned girl..."
"Other apprentices would be overjoyed at the offer of a free enchanted robe..."
"Just like those suck-ups always trying to curry favor with me..."
Muttering in her heart, Vivian’s expression suddenly paused as she looked at Janna.
"Of course, that’s also the most precious part of her character..."