Descending Into A Novel-Chapter 47:Coffee Club Meeting

Raymond had been planning on spending the weekend locked inside the training hall again.

And he would’ve gotten his way if Ellen hadn’t somehow managed to find out about the first Coffee Club meeting being today.

After a small amount of protesting, she had simply told him "You need to get some sun." and their argument ended there.

He found it ironic how a training freak like her was saying that but she then threatened to use her authority over him so he quickly shut up.

All of that led to Raymond’s current situation.

After dressing up in some casual clothes—some jeans and a white t-shirt. Raymond quickly headed out to the cafe where he first met Willow.

Turns out her father owned the cafe. So all Coffee Club activities were held there.

It also solved the question of ’What kind of boss would ask a student to work on a weekday morning?’

If she wanted to skip class she would just ask her father to put her in for work that day, then she would get a free day off!

Truly those born with a silver spoon were all gaming the system, Raymond wondered whether the academy knew and if they did know—did they care?

Seeing the closed sign on the front door made his mouth turn dry. Closing the entire cafe just so your daughter can hold club activities?

A quiet disbelief took shape in him, running a business in the academy commercial district costs a lot of money you know! If you close it every time there’s a club meeting then how are you gonna earn enough to keep it up and running!

Although Raymond doubted whether they were even doing it for the money.

A small bell rang as Raymond entered, the tinkling sounds announcing his entry to everyone there.

The interior was clean, pale wood furniture gave it a comfortable vibe similar to a library. Several shelves installed on the walls contained several art pieces for decoration. A counter ran along near the entrance with a glass display case showcasing several pastries and cakes.

With large windows that let in lots of the natural morning light. Raymond didn’t realize it the last time he was here but this place had a really calming atmosphere.

Most were already locked into conversation with others, quietly reading or sipping on a cup of coffee. Looking up at the newcomer out of curiosity.

One of them, mistaking Raymond for a customer called out to him. "Didn’t you read the sign? Place is closed for today. Please come back next time."

"I’m here for the coffee club? This is it no?"

He set down his book, excitedly coming up to him. "Wow! We actually have a new member this year! Willow wasn’t lying after all!"

"We have two new members this year idiot, did you forget about her younger sister?"

"There’s another person who joined the Coffee Club?"

Raymond had assumed he would be the only first year to have joined but he supposed he shouldn’t have been too surprised.

"Yea it’s Willow’s younger sister, here take a seat first. My name’s Liam, what kind of coffee do you like? A mocha? Or mayb—Sean don’t run while holding boiling hot coffee at the same time!"

The small black haired fellow—whom Raymond assumed was Sean—sheepishly slowed down his pace. Muttering a quick sorry as he passed by them.

"Anything’s fine, just make it sweet. Like really sweet."

"Hey you’re drinking coffee! Coffee should be enjoyed for what it is. Not hidden behind lots of sugar!"

Raymond turned around, spotting a young girl angrily glaring at him. Clearly displeased with his choice of drink.

Liam rolled his eyes at her antics. "Just let the guy drink what he wants to drink!" Before quietly apologizing to Raymond.

"Sorry about that, Clara’s like that to everyone who doesn’t like their coffee black and filled with rage, hatred and despair"

"I heard that!"

Well, so far each member of the Coffee Club definitely seemed to be quite close with each other?

Liam handed a cup over to him. The clear plastic letting Raymond view a drink that seemed more whipped cream and milk, with only the barest hint of coffee.

He winked at him, "Don’t worry, it’s all free of charge for today. Want a pastry as well? I would try the chocolate cake, its my favorite thing here."

"Sure, you work here as well?"

"Nah, coffee making is my hobby. I’m a home barista if you will. Here, your chocolate cake."

Before Raymond could take a bite of the delectable looking chocolate cake. He was interrupted by the sound of the bells ringing slightly.

Turning slightly, he found Willow entering. Dragging behind her someone that Raymond recognized well.

"Lily?!"

Her head snapped towards him, her eyes widening in surprise.

"Raymond?!"

***

"So you two are already acquainted. That’s good to know!"

Willow excitedly chattered on, ignoring the fact that Raymond and Lily were both looking at the floor.

"So how did you two meet?"

"uhhh..."

How exactly was Raymond supposed to answer a question like that!

’Actually during the entrance exam, I may have threatened her to give up her wand otherwise I would eliminate her!’

’Like hell I would say that!’

Lily quickly intervened. Saving Raymond from the question.

"We met during the club showcase! I asked him to join the modeling club and he accepted!"

He didn’t know why Lily had covered for him but he felt eternally grateful for that. Mentally thanking her on his knees.

"You’re also in the modeling club Raymond? I guess someone like you would be well suited actually. I’ll go make us some coffee first! You two can talk to each other a little bit more."

With Willow gone, that left only Raymond and Lily awkwardly sitting face-to-face with each other. Raymond’s chocolate cake and drink having been finished when he was desperately trying to look anywhere except at her.

"Is it uh...is it true you already formed your core?"

"Yeah. I formed it last week."

She looked up at him, her expression puzzled.

’I only asked because I heard rumors, but you actually did form your core?!’

Raymond himself also felt puzzled, ’Why do you look so surprised at that?’

"You’re a mage right?"

"...yes?"

Well, obviously she was a mage. Raymond felt like palming himself, except she was still in front of him. She was using a wand after all, a wand that he then stole from her and used to win the battle royale.

"What magic discipline do you practice?"

"I’m practicing green magic. I’m hoping my mana type will be something floral or plant related."

Someone named Lily, was practicing plant magic. Her older sister was named Willow, did she also practice plant magic?

"What about you? Since you’ve formed your core, what mana type is it?"

"They don’t know yet. I’ve formed a unique mana type and they haven’t been able to tell what it is."

"Wow! knowing you Raymond. It would probably be something really cool. It’s a shame that your ice magic is wasted though."

Instructor Sienna still forced Raymond to come to the training hall nearly everyday after class in order to test out magic. It had gotten to the point that they had actually run out of the simpler spells and were forcing Raymond to cast increasingly more complicated spells.

He was already planning on dropping a hint soon but he still needed to wait a bit longer. That way it would seem more natural. It took Killian nearly a year before he finally realized his emotions-attuned mana. A month or two would be fast in comparison.

"Emily has been really excited ever since you joined. She says she already found some potential employers for you and someone else that pays really well. She’s been dying waiting for the first meeting next weekend."

It took him a while to remember who Emily was.

"I’m looking forward to the first modeling club meeting then."

Willow soon returned, bringing with her two small plates each with several pastries stacked on top. Causing Raymond’s eyes to light up, something she noticed quick.

Curious, she asked. "Are you a fan of sweet things Raymond?"

"I don’t know if I could live without it."

Lily quietly noted that down, ’He really likes sweet things..’

After they finished their pastries, Raymond and Lily were then dragged around by Willow in order for them to introduce themselves to every other member of the club.

"This is Raymond Vance, and this is my younger sister, Lily. Raymond, Lily, this is Sean Bovil."

He awkwardly extended an arm to Raymond and Lily, shaking both of their hands. "Just call me Sean, I’m only a year older then you two."

Sean looked as if he hadn’t slept in days, with eyebags the size of coins under his eyes. Despite being older then them, he was nearly a head shorter then Raymond. Causing Raymond to have to look down on him.

"Nice to meet you Sean."

The two of them went around, meeting each member of the small club. There were only thirteen members they had to introduce themselves to—the club had a total of sixteen with Raymond and Lily plus they already knew Willow.

Luckily most of the members were relatively laidback—with the exception of Clara who glared at Raymond slightly. All of them were easy to get along with.

It was like a club made up exclusively of Thomas’s. With so many people like that around, conversation flowed as easily as water in a river. Anyone who suffered speaking problems would be miraculously cured of it in this club.

By the end of it all, Raymond found his phone with 15 new contacts, plus a group chat with all the members of the club.

He suddenly felt a bit grateful for deciding to come today of his own free will. He got a few steps closer to fulfilling his make more friends goal on his list, and he got to relax and enjoy some coffee and pastries. A win-win.

He came of his own free will of course.

Hmm, Ellen? Who’s that?