Chapter 22

Xiaoming stood at the classroom door, took a deep breath, and firmly gripped the secret letter from his mother.

He walked at the front, followed by 48 people who spread out in a pyramid shape behind him. Everyone's faces seemed unusually stern. This situation felt like something from a giant tower. I never thought I would experience it myself. With so many people, it felt like our quality was worse.

Since everyone followed seriously and closely, out of a bit of curiosity, he stopped. Everyone stopped without any disorder. This is great!

The well-organized footsteps echoing in the hallway were incredibly comfortable. Fortunately, the hallway was wide, so other students could pass by walking on the side. Even if we walked in the middle, we wouldn't block the way.

However, the faces of the students passing by seemed unusually frightened. They avoided making eye contact.

As they walked down the hallway, two people were talking in the middle. They didn't seem to notice the group approaching.

"Move aside, it's Kururi's way," someone from the back called out. In response, the two people moved to the side.

Their mouths quietly moved, saying, "Sorry."

"No, no, it's my fault!" This is bad! The quality is too low!

What should I do!? Are these people going to take over the school!?

"Hey, can I have a moment?" He stopped and turned around.

Wow!! Only after turning around did he realize the oppressive presence of the 48 people behind him. If I, the leader, am scared, the students would definitely make way for such a group.

"Everyone, you're a bit too serious. I want to make it clear that harming other students is absolutely not allowed."

"Understood."

Oh, they seem to be quite obedient. Since it's the beginning of the club, their loyalty is strong. If I reveal my flaws and disappoint them, will I get stabbed? But for now, I don't think I'll get stabbed from behind.

It didn't feel like a long walk, but it seemed like we walked a lot. Finally, we reached the staff room. He opened the door and entered, and of course, everyone followed.

This group even the teachers couldn't stop, smoothly infiltrating the enemy's territory.

"Mr. Wu, sir."

The one who called out was Mr. Wu, his homeroom teacher. Since he is the homeroom teacher, he is the right person to consult, and besides, he is the only one I know.

"I've formed a club. I would like to request funding for club activities."

"You've already formed it? And with such a large number of people. Is this the highest number at the time of formation?"

"The club leader is busy. Mr. Wu, please don't talk unnecessarily and hurry with the procedures."

Heart urged, though he isn't actually busy!

"Then, please fill out the names of the club members on this form. The activity funds will be available today. Since it's a considerable amount, don't use it for anything bad, Kururi."

A considerable amount!? His ears perked up.

"Can we get it today? That's so fast?"

"Yes, our school values student autonomy, so there is a large budget for club activities."

"Can we also rent places?"

"Of course, we usually lend rooms on the west side of the school building, but you can also occupy the sports field, assembly hall, etc., as long as you coordinate the time with other clubs."

What a great school. I couldn't help but be impressed.

"By the way, we haven't decided what to do yet."

"That's fine. Just gathering people is a significant force. We want you to learn how to lead people in the future."

"I see. But isn't it risky to give a large sum of money to an organization that doesn't know what it will do? Especially since we are still in our sensitive teenage years."

"That's the point, Kururi. You are about to gain great power and responsibility. You should understand what comes next, right?"

...Right.

The world isn't that sweet. Even at 15, I understand that much!

"Mr. Wu, if I have any questions in the future, can I consult you?"

"Of course, anytime. I have high hopes for you."

"Okay, let's go, everyone."

At his signal, everyone left the staff room. Now, how should we use the strength of this group?

"Club leader, should we return to the courtyard and decide the direction of the club? If we need a club room, we should also apply for it."

He nodded at Heart's suggestion and returned to the courtyard.

"Everyone, I will talk about the direction of this club. First, I want you to listen to what I have to say."

Everyone nodded.

After confirming, he started speaking.

"Although we haven't decided what to do yet, I want to set a goal. We aim to be kind-hearted lions!"

Everyone tilted their heads.

"In other words, those in this club must always excel in both academics and physical activities. Attend classes diligently and don't neglect your revision! Strive to dominate Class A."

Some people showed serious faces, and others smiled, liking the goal.

"But that's not enough. We will be leaders in the future. The required abilities will be high. It depends on individual effort, but the most important thing is whether you can see things from the perspective of the weak. That is the true quality of a leader! And that is the kind-hearted lion!"

"Ooh!" Everyone expressed their agreement.

The first speech seemed to be a success. Despite the grand inauguration, seeing the faces of the gathered members made him feel it wasn't so bad.

"Alright, let's discuss the direction of the club. If you have any ideas, raise your hand."

...

No one raised their hand.

Despite their enthusiasm, they are quite passive!

"Um, this is a bit different from the direction of the club."

The one who raised his hand was a man with glasses and silky hair.

"You must be Thomas, who scored high in the academic test."

"Yes, I'm honored that you remember me."

There were a few from Class A, but it was surprising to have high achievers in the club. This club might have quite a few talented people.

"About the club's base, do you plan to rent a club room?"

"Yes, that's the plan."

Currently, we haven't decided what to do. A place is needed for discussions. Having a base will be good even after we decide what to do.

"The club room will be on the west side of the school building, but it can only accommodate up to 60 people. Considering the future growth of the club, it will be too small. So, should we build our own castle?"

Castle!?

Building a castle in the school!?

Are they planning to take over the school?

"That might be a bit too much. Besides, the land and construction costs will be enormous."

"That's not a problem. There is a large empty space in the northwest corner of the school, surrounded by walls, north of the first-year dormitory. We have already obtained permission from the teachers. As for the construction costs, my family is in the construction business, so we can secure materials and personnel at a low cost. I think it will be enough with half the club funds."

"...I see."

Thomas, he seems to be not only academically excellent but also very intelligent. His dreams are big. Compared to him, I feel small, only thinking about living day by day.

"Alright! Let's build our castle!! We'll decide the direction of the club afterward. Thomas, I'll leave it to you."

"Yes, let's build our own castle!" Thomas was excited.

"Let's make the castle an independent territory within the school!" Heart also spoke excitedly.

Independent territory, her ambitions are big too. By the way, that's embassy level! Heart!

"We can borrow shovels and measuring tools from the school. Can we also borrow some people to gather the necessary items?"

"Of course, do as you please, Thomas."

Thomas gathered a few people efficiently and rushed to the school building. We moved to the site where the castle would be built.

As Thomas said, it was a vast empty lot. There would still be room even after building a castle.

After a while, Thomas and his group arrived. They had shovels, measuring tools, and other items.

Thomas started explaining the next steps.

"I'll leave the technical work to the craftsmen from my family. I've already arranged for them to arrive in 2-3 days. Until then, we'll use the club members to do what we can. Once the craftsmen arrive, the members will mainly help with transporting materials. If there are capable members, we can also entrust them with specialized tasks. Is that okay?"

"Amazing, Thomas. No objections, do as you please. So, what's the first step?"

"First, we'll do the survey. We have a rough idea, so it won't take long. After that, we'll start the foundation work."

"I'm honored to have such capable members. Give me a shovel."

"Please, club leader, sit and rest."

"The ideal leader works the hardest and gets the least reward. That's my ideal."

"Club leader!" Thomas was a bit moved.

Yeah, I said something good. Besides, I hate being bored.

"Thomas, give me instructions!"

"Yes!"

We are building a three-story castle, so we need to start with the foundation. The first step is to dig holes. This is the perfect job for me, who has dug wells and hot springs before!

"Amazing, club leader. You dig a lot of soil in one go!" A member whose name I don't know praised him.

"Yeah, I'm used to digging."

"Really, club leader is amazing. There's no waste in the movement from inserting the shovel into the soil to digging it up!" Another female member praised him.

"Yeah, it's all about experience."

"Club leader digs faster than anyone else. I need to work harder!" Another unknown member praised him.

"Yeah, I'm confident in my speed."

"Club leader can use a slightly bent shovel without any problem, that's amazing!"

Enough already!!

Don't praise me so much for just digging soil!!

Kururi has many other good qualities!! Look at those too!!

"Kururi Heran, I've brought the funds."

Mr. Wu's voice interrupted the work. The bag on his back looked unusually heavy.

"Is the funding in that large bag?"

"Yes, here it is. The detailed list of the contents is also inside. Check the amount with that. Goodbye."

The bag placed there felt unusually heavy. Kururi peeked inside the bag.

!?

The bag was filled with an incredible amount of gold coins. It was too many to count by hand.

Bad, my left hand is shaking. Should I steal a few?

He glanced back.

Everyone was working diligently under Thomas's instructions. Only he knew the contents of the bag.

Should I do it!?

...No!! I don't want to get stabbed from behind.

It wouldn't be right to the diligent members.

He quietly squeezed the bag with his trembling left hand.

"Everyone, the funds have arrived. The path to building our castle is clear."

"Yes," "Great," "Let's work hard."

Seeing everyone's happy faces, he was glad he didn't steal.

"Thomas, give me the toughest job."

"That's not possible, club leader."

"It's fine. Punish me, the weak and flawed me!!"

"Punish!?"

"Come on, give me instructions."

"Okay, if you insist."

He received the tools from Thomas and looked at the members working. They were working for him, for the club.

Great power comes with great responsibility. I need to grow too.