Chapter 128: 128. Professor Draco.
The lion prince had a huge mane and a muscular physique which became even more apparent with the academy uniform he wore.
"It's a pleasure to finally meet you, number one," The lion prince tried to give Orion a handshake, but someone's voice emerged from behind the lion prince.
"For the last time, stop calling everyone you meet by their rank. We all have a name, just like you. Mine is Arthur and not number four," A young man with black hair and hazel-colored eyes poked his head out from behind the lion prince.
Arthur was a muscular, light blue, shark-man with sharp pointy teeth that easily gave away his race.
Just like most merman, he had a humanoid body with gills on both sides of his neck. He also had a saw-shaped nose, which he used for breathing, just like his gills.
"I don't get it, do you not like me calling you number four?" The lion prince asked, tilting his head to the side with a puzzled look on his face.
"Precisely, it's annoying to hear you call everyone you see by their ranks."
The lion prince scratched the top of his head as he thought about what Arthur was saying.
He understood what Arthur was trying to say to him, but he still couldn't figure out why he looked so angry. "Master Vorpal, I do not understand why someone would look so angry at me. Is it really wrong to call everyone by their ranks? Everyone back home wouldn't have minded me doing this, but it seems I'm making a very bad first impression."
"You're doing great Prince Aslan," A little rabbit-like creature popped his head out of Aslan's large mane before sitting on the lion prince's shoulder. He looked like a cute little rabbit wearing a shirt with a small book in his hand. "Do not mind the words of this bottom feeder," Master Vorpal added.
"What? Hey!! Let me tell you something bunny," Arthur growled at the bunny.
"It's Master Vorpal to you."
"Whatever, it still doesn't change the fact that you're a bunny."
"I'm a hare."
Arthur shrugged indifferently with a smirk on his face. "Hmm, you all look the same to me. After all, you're all just a bunch of carrot-loving freaks."
Unlike many other hares in the Beastmen kingdom, Vorpal was a bit different, and there were a lot of other hares in their kingdom who loved to call him a freak because of the way his father fell in love with a rabbit.
To become the respectful figure he was today, he'd had to train a lot and win many battles to gain the respect of everyone in his village.
However, Vorpal would occasionally become livid whenever he recalled how everyone used to call him a freak.
"You, take that back," He glared at Arthur.
"Make me."
Vorpal gritted his teeth and leaped straight at Arthur with his cute tiny feet aiming straight towards Arthur's face.
However, Aslan swiftly grabbed his teacher before the little master did something unacceptable within the academy.
"Forgive him, Master Vorpal, he doesn't understand how sensitive that word is to you. Besides, father wouldn't be pleased to hear you were causing trouble within the academy."
"I suppose you're right, Your Highness. King Simba would be disappointed in me if he were to hear of this."
"Indeed," Aslan nodded his head in agreement.
"Very well, if you need anything, you know where to find me," Vorpal returned back to Aslan's mane to read the book he was holding.
The moment he entered Aslan's huge mane, someone cleared his throat before walking into the room.
It was Professor Draco and he told everyone to have their seats.
He had blonde hair, with the appearance of a man in his early forties, and everyone watched as he stood in front of the class to address them all.
Since he had introduced himself to everyone on the day of the entrance ceremony, Professor Draco didn't need to do this again. "Good morning, everyone; I'm sure we all know why we're here."
"I'll be briefing you all on what you need to know about the clubs that are available for you to register in.
I know each and every one of you is interested in earning as many merit points as possible, and in doing this, all you have to do is focus on registering for the main activity clubs," Draco explained the main difference between a main club and a subsidiary club.
As students, your primary objective should be the Activity Club Tournament coming up in the next few weeks. Not everyone will be selected for the tournament, but everyone will be awarded points depending on the role you play in your club or in the club you support," Draco explained, but he noticed Arthur raising his hand to ask a question.
"What is your question?"
"Does the Activity Club Tournament mean we'll be contesting against students in other dormitories?"
"Yes, as representatives of Stella Hall, you'll be contesting against students from other halls. Any more questions?" Draco asked and Aslan asked his question.
"What do you mean by, everyone will be awarded merit points based on the role we play?"
"As tournament contestants, you'll be rewarded with points based on your progress in the tournament. However, contestants aren't the only ones who will be rewarded with points. Everyone else in the room will be given points as well, based on how you cheer and support those contesting in the tournament."
"Woah, are you serious right now?" Arthur asked as he couldn't contain the smile on his face.
"Yes, I am," Draco replied, his face remaining neutral.
"Will I be rewarded with merit points if I support by cheering for someone in a different club from mine?"
"Yes, you will, as long as the students are in the same hall as you, you'll be rewarded with points based on how much you cheer for them."
"Hehe... Now I can't wait for the tournament to begin. Oh, wait a minute, will I also be rewarded if I choose to support someone from a different hall?"
"No, you won't be rewarded with points but you're more than welcome to support anyone you wish to support."
"As one of your professors in Stella Hall, I am in charge of teaching and training those who are interested in registering for The Air Ball Club and The Hunter's Club. Professor Daisy is in charge of the art club and beast taming club while Professor Sabrina is in charge of the alchemy and potion brewing club."
"Air ball club?" A student asked the question which was on everyone's mind.
"It's derived from a sport played in the Dragon Kingdom. It's really fun and entertaining, and if you have any questions about how it is played, just let me know," Draco explained a couple of other things he wanted them to know, but the moment he was done, one of the students raised his hand to ask a question.
"If we want to earn a lot of merit points, is there a limit to the number of clubs we can register for? Also, can we choose to register for only the main clubs and not the subsidiary clubs?"
"The choice is ultimately yours. Every student is allowed to register for both main and subsidiary clubs, but if you really want to earn a lot of merit points, then you have to register at least three main clubs."
Draco added. "The main activity clubs are the only clubs recognized to have a tournament coming up in the next few weeks. This meant that those who participate in the tournament have a higher chance of increasing their merit points through the tournament."
"What about those that register in subsidiary clubs? How would they earn merit points when there's no tournament for them to take part in."
Although students could earn points by simply supporting those who were participating in the tournament for the main clubs, the points they would receive would be very low compared to those participating in the tournament.
"In the final weeks of the second semester, a club fair or festival will occur within the academy, and this will provide all subsidiary clubs with the chance to showcase what their club is all about. Professors and instructors will be monitoring the students of these clubs very closely to reward them with merit points based on their performances."
"Is there a limit to the number of main and subsidiary clubs any student can register for?"
"Yes, students interested in registering only the main clubs are allowed to register a minimum of three main clubs and a maximum of five main clubs. However, students interested in registering both the main and subsidiary clubs can register a minimum of one main club and a maximum of three main or subsidiary clubs," Professor Draco explained a few other things and everyone listened attentively.
The moment he was done, everyone left the classroom to register for their respective clubs.
Stepping out of the classroom, Arthur asked Aslan and Orion. "So, which clubs are you two going to register for?"