With that discussion over, they headed to the bulletin boards to see what specific options were available. When Katie saw the recruitment posters listing each research seminar’s strengths, she groaned.
“So many choices… Even if I narrow it down to just magical creatures, there’s still so much to consider.”
“Not only the seminar’s theme, but the faculty adviser, and the older students you’ll be sharing a space with. Katie, why don’t you simply follow Ms. Miligan’s lead?” Chela asked.
“I’ve certainly considered it. But she’s graduating this year… I’m taking over her research on demis on a personal basis anyway. I’d like to join somewhere that’ll let me put that experience to good use.”
“Hrm…a single glance at this makes my eyes spin,” Nanao grumbled.
“Hiiiibiiiiyaaaa!” came an anguished voice behind her.
Everyone spun around to find their broom instructor grinning from ear to ear and managing to make that menacing.
“Oh, well met, Sir Dustin!” said Nanao.
“Yes, yes, that’s me, all right! Hate to barge in on your peaceful comradery, but first, I must ask—if you’re inspecting this board, you must be looking for a seminar, yes?”
“That is the general idea,” Nanao replied, nodding.
Dustin clapped a hand to his face, his smile fading. He turned to look up at the rafters. “Why have you not come to me?! I’ve been waiting for you since the year began!”
“O-oh?”
“How many times did I tell you? ‘In your fourth year, come check out the aerial battle seminar I run!’ This makes no sense! Tell me you didn’t forget? Do you even know how rare it is I actively recruit?!”
His voice shook. Reaching the obvious conclusion, Oliver and Chela each leaned in, whispering in Nanao’s ears.
“…Go with him, Nanao. It’s your choice whether to join, but you shouldn’t spurn a teacher’s invite.”
“Yes, see the look on his face? He’s beyond anger—those are tears in his eyes.”
“Mm. Point taken!”
Finally recognizing the urgency of the matter, Nanao sprang into action, bobbing her head as Dustin escorted her away.
Pete snorted, watching her go. “Guess she’s a lock on that one.”
“I imagine she’ll get a few serenades from the sword arts seminars, too… It’s only a matter of time,” Oliver said with a nod.
But as they watched their friend go, someone else came up from behind.
“Pardon me. Do you have a moment—especially you, Ms. Aalto?”
All turned around to find a sixth-year male wearing glasses. Oliver alone recognized him—not from school, but from the labyrinth. This was a comrade.
Faced with an unknown upperclassman, Katie, Chela, and Pete braced themselves. This was no overreaction, but a necessity of Kimberly life. The sixth-year smiled and put his hands up.
“No need for that,” he said. “I am recruiting her, but today is no more than an introduction. That said, there are not many tír seminars, even at Kimberly.”
“!”
That word got Katie’s attention. And her reaction encouraged him.
“I believe your interest and aptitudes would best be served with us. I’ll brief the other members—feel free to stop by anytime you like. I’m sure you’ll gain something from it.”
With that short speech, he handed her a pamphlet and withdrew far easier than anyone anticipated.
Eyes on the paper in her hands, Katie said, “This was on my short list. Studying the gnosticized versions as an extension of demi biology and culture.”
“And they came to you first? So you do have an interest in tírs, Katie?” Chela asked.
“…Yeah. Since that migration—but also, the more I study demis, the more I know I can’t avoid the subject. Both with Gnostics and tírs, the magical world is sorely lacking in attempts to understand. It’s not like I don’t get the logic behind Instructor Demitrio’s arguments against that, but…”
Katie had clearly been wrestling with that contradiction. Oliver peered at the pamphlet over her shoulder.
“I’m interested in that myself,” he said after a brief hesitation. “Wanna scope it out together, Katie?”
“Huh? Oliver? Er, I mean, I’d appreciate the company…”
She had clearly not been anticipating this offer, and it rattled her. Pete and Chela exchanged glances—and that said everything.
“Nanao’s already gone,” Pete told the group. “Let’s split up. I wanna check out a few candidates myself.”
Katie looked surprised, but this was the right choice. No point in visiting a seminar far from your own field. Only those with a chance of joining had a right to visit—and that meant Pete would have to strike out on his own.
“Good idea,” Chela said, backing him up. “I’ll accompany Pete on his rounds.”
“Yeah? Fine, but don’t grumble if it bores you.”
He hadn’t expected that. Nonetheless, he shrugged and let her follow him.
Once Pete and Chela were gone, Oliver glanced at Katie.
“Shall we, Katie? He just extended the invitation, but I’m sure he won’t mind an immediate visit.”
“Um—sure…!”
She nodded and set off. Oliver joining her was nice and comforting—and also embarrassing. She was wrestling with the choice of seminars enough as it was without having a second source of consternation tagging along.