The Irregular at Magic High

Chapter 22

There are many special things in the High School Magic Division, but the basic system is no different from normal schools. Here in the First High School, there are club activities. Like normal schools, to become an official club, you need to have a minimum amount of people and have some kind of track record. 

But, since this school has a close relationship with magic, there are some clubs that can only exist in a Magic High School. Within major magical games, schools One through Nine within the Magical Academy often get together and have competitions. The outcomes of these competitions often rank these various schools. Depending on the schools, they may put more emphasis towards these games than most prestigious sports schools. 

If a club were able to perform highly within the "Nine Schools Competition", then the club's budget and its members receive special treatment. Finding and getting talented new students has become the most important task every year since it affects the influence the clubs have on campus, and this task has full support from the school. That's why during this season, the clubs battle ferociously in order to gain as many new students as possible. 

"...And this is why all kinds of trouble appears every year." In the Student Council Room. Thoroughly tasting Miyuki's hand-made bento, Tatsuya listened to Mari's explanation. 

"The solicitations from the clubs are so fierce, it often affects the classes. And it doesn't help that there's only a 1 week time limit for them to get as many new students as they can," Mayumi, who was sitting next to Mari, explained. 

Nestled close to Tatsuya was Miyuki herself, as if she belonged there. Suzune and Azusa were not there. They only came to the room yesterday because Mayumi invited them; usually they had lunch with their classmates.

Mari, like yesterday, had her own home-made lunch. Mayumi was slightly angry because she was the only one eating the dining server's machine made lunch, but her mood seemed to finally recover. She even exclaimed that she would start making her lunch tomorrow. 

"During this time, various clubs are bringing out the tents all at once. It's like a small festival going on here. There are even secret lists that name all the students who scored high grades on the entrance exams, and I'm sure those people will be heavily targeted. Obviously, there are rules in place that penalise the clubs and its members if they break them, but it's not uncommon to see fist fights or even magic shooting about." 

Tatsuya put on a surprised face after listening to Mari's explanation. 

"I thought carrying around CADs is prohibited?" It is possible to still use magic without a CAD, but something like "shooting about" magic definitely requires a CAD for most people. Mari's answer amazed Tatsuya. 

"The school gives them permission so that they can have 'demonstrations'. There is a simple screening in place, but it's more or less a free pass. Because of that, during this time, this place becomes a giant lawless zone full of chaos." 

Well obviously, thought Tatsuya. Why would the school allow such a thing...? 

Usually they would make a screening like this more strict. Before Tatsuya could formulate the question, Mayumi gave the answer. "I believe it's mainly because the school wants the clubs to score highly in the Nine Schools Competition. I'm sure the school wouldn't mind a few rules being broken as long as they raise the chances of recruiting more students." 

The government outlawed mandatory participation in extra-curricular activities over 10 years ago because it neglected students' rights. Because of that, the school cannot do anything openly besides letting the various clubs recruit as they want.