Creak.
The classroom door swung open under Luo Shu's push.
What greeted them was a rather empty, ordinary classroom.
A blackboard, a podium, and ten chairs stacked in the corner—already tidied up by Luo Shu and the others during their previous visit.
Aside from these, the only thing that could barely be considered club property was the cleaning supply cabinet at the back right of the room.
"Since the club's just been established with only three members, and it's already mid-semester, we don't have any activity funds at all."
Eriri walked in, surveying the barren room with the expression of someone witnessing a 'shoddy operation'.
School clubs in Japan do receive activity funds, usually allocated by the student council.
By proportion, sports clubs get the most, followed by seniority-based clubs with connections. Only after those are taken care of do the remaining miscellaneous small clubs get their share.
As for a club like the Astronomy Club, with only three members and not even formed at the start of the semester, they'd have to pay out of pocket for supplies.
If not for the leverage Luo Shu had over her, she'd never join a club that clearly required personal funding.
"We can borrow astronomy books from the library, but things like telescopes and camping tents will have to be prepared ourselves..."
As she spoke, Eriri walked to the centre of the classroom, hands on her hips, and looked around:
"Oh, and I'll be paying for all these things. But in return, neither of you can bring up me being Eri Kashiwagi again. That's called equivalent exchange, got it?"
"I get the gist of it." Luo Shu slipped one hand into his pocket as he entered the classroom. Standing by the window, he gazed outside at the club activities and students heading home on the sports field, narrowing his eyes slightly. "However, Sawamura-kun, you seem to have misunderstood something."
"What?" Eriri blinked in surprise and immediately turned to look at Luo Shu.
Just then, a distinct click echoed through the room—the sound of the classroom door being locked.
Eriri whirled around to see Utaha Kasumigaoka leaning against the door, having just secured the lock.
'Classroom... locked door... high school girls... one boy and two girls?'
A series of alarming labels flashed through Eriri's mind. Her face paled as she hugged herself protectively, stumbling backwards in panic. "W-wait! What are you two planning? This is the third floor—any noise will be heard downstairs! If you try anything funny, I'll scream!"
"Fufu~~" Utaha couldn't help but chuckle at the reaction before glancing up at Luo Shu.
"Alright, stop teasing her. Let's get started on building our exclusive base."
Hearing this, Luo Shu shot an amused look at the bewildered Eriri. "You're far too easy to fluster."
Before Eriri could process his words, he suddenly raised his hand and clapped twice.
Clap! Clap!
The moment the crisp sounds rang out, the usual campus noises from outside abruptly ceased.
The sudden silence made Eriri freeze. She whipped her head toward the open window—only to find not the sports field, but an expanse of pure white, as if the glass had been covered by a white sheet.
"W-what's going on?"
Meanwhile, Utaha turned the lock and pulled the door open, revealing the same blank whiteness beyond. She reached out, attempting to step through, but her hand met resistance as if pressing against an invisible wall.
Witnessing this, Eriri stood dumbfounded.
Utaha, however, took a thoughtful step back and murmured, "So this is the alternate space you mentioned, Luo Shu? The one that costs 1000 energy points? Our Astronomy Club's future headquarters?"
"Correct." Luo Shu clapped once more.
The originally 40-square-metre classroom instantly expanded, its layout transforming into something resembling Utaha's rented apartment—except with an additional bedroom compared to her two-bedroom, two-bath setup.
"Maximum capacity for it is 300 square metres with 3-metre ceilings. Utilities like water, gas, electricity, even fridge and daily snack supplies cost 1 energy per month—including internet access." Luo Shu gestured toward the lights, bedrooms and bathroom before shrugging.
"Of course, the network's IP address remains tied to this physical classroom. Essentially, this space exists in a different dimension overlapping our assigned room."
Utaha Kasumigaoka instantly understood that the "it" Luo Shu mentioned referred to the system. Of course, in Utaha's understanding, it was actually Luo Shu's "God's Servant" – an auxiliary intelligence born to assist him in becoming the master of a divine pantheon and establishing a new mythological system.
However, as she looked around the spacious 300-square-metre area that could be considered a luxury apartment, Utaha ran her hand along the wall and couldn't help but marvel:
"Just 1000 energy can accomplish something like this? In a sense, energy is equivalent to divine power, isn't it?"
"You could say that." Luo Shu nodded in agreement with Utaha's words while adding, "But I believe the true value of energy lies more in personal strength development. After all, having power within yourself is far more meaningful."
After saying this, Luo Shu turned to look at Eriri, who had somehow ended up sitting on the floor, and chuckled:
"It seems our new friend here still doesn't understand the situation."
Hearing this, Utaha glanced at Eriri before approaching her: "Let me explain."
"As you can see, Sawamura-kun, this isn't the original classroom but an alternate space Senior Luo just created."
Eriri instinctively scrambled backwards, her expression panicked as she asked: "Y-you... what are you? Humans or ghosts?"
"A god and his servant, of course."
Utaha joked with a smile before continuing in an enticing tone:
"Do you want eternal youth? An immortal lifespan? Superhuman abilities beyond normal comprehension?"
"If you desire these, then pledge your allegiance – swear loyalty to our master, our god!"
"Your brainwashed demeanour is quite endearing."
Luo Shu commented on Utaha's words before flashing an amused smile at Eriri's dumbfounded expression:
"Before the formal introduction, Sawamura-kun..."
"—Welcome to the real [Astronomy Club]!"