The scene was a bit awkward. Joker stared at John Carter in disbelief, deeply provoked by the calm and indifferent expression on this kid’s face. Was this little brat an idiot? How could the Fate Stone choose him?

“Why wouldn’t you want to? Are you stupid!” Simba said anxiously. If John Carter refused, it would mean he had no reason to exist.

“Not wanting means not wanting!” John Carter replied slyly. “So dumb, are you really going to reason with a child?”

Joker was stunned, scratching his head. It seemed to make some sense... but... right, there’s no point in reasoning!

Why bother reasoning with a little brat!

“Very good, you really have a rebellious spirit. We’re a perfect match. Fate is just a fool—let’s joyfully bash it together!” Joker didn’t give John Carter any chance to object, rattling off in one breath and even making the decision for John Carter.

The whole world suddenly quieted down, just like in the old days.

After a while, John Carter looked seriously at Joker. “Can you be my friend?”

“Kid, becoming Simba’s friend will cost you a lot!” Joker nodded vigorously.

“I’m not afraid!” John Carter said firmly.

“Then let’s give it a try!” said Joker. After all, this brat was chosen by the Fate Stone.

“Deal! Pinky swear, a hundred years, no changes allowed!” John Carter reached out his hand, and Joker happily did the same. The handshake felt a bit odd, like rubber...

Playful Joker didn’t notice the smile at the corner of John Carter’s mouth. For a child who had always been sick and faced death at any moment, how much he longed for a playmate—especially one as interesting as Joker. The reason he refused was out of fear, fear that if he agreed, Joker would disappear like the fairy tale characters Aunt Shirley talked about. Nothing was more painful than endless darkness.

The next second, Joker’s expression collapsed, because John Carter actually... actually took the opportunity to pinch his nose!!!

His noble, incredibly handsome, and most important nose!

In the darkness came John Carter’s joyful laughter. This was the happiest moment since he could remember, though it was accompanied by the shrill screams of Joker and Simba flying and darting about...

To be alive—turns out, it’s such a joyful thing.

In the year 526 of the New Era, Tianjing City, one of the top hundred cities of the Free Federation, Tianjing Soul Academy was famous for its rune technology, and every school opening season was always bustling with excitement.

“Hey, classmate, come take a look! The top club of the Warrior Division, the Immortal Bastion Society, is recruiting new members!”

“Don’t miss out as you pass by! Become a future commander, a genius in the making—Arbitration Society is recruiting! Hey, classmate, take a look at this brochure. This is your first step toward glory!”

“One of the top ten clubs in the Rune Division, the Divine Eye Society is recruiting! Only those with talent—idiots, stay away! Come on, come on!”

The entire school plaza was as lively as a marketplace. The freshman enrollment season was undoubtedly a season for snatching up new members. The senior students all wore their most stylish clothes, their hairstyles as elaborate as those in the performing arts department. While recruiting, they also scouted for beautiful junior girls. What could be more motivating than this?

“Hey, classmate, I’m the president of the Oddball Society. The Oddball Society will be one of the top five clubs in the future. Joining us is the wisest decision you’ll make at the academy. We exist only for those who are different. Hey, dear junior, don’t go, let your senior finish!” Mark Brooks tried to make his smile look kind and friendly, but the two cute junior girls still ran away at lightning speed.

“Isn’t the Oddball Society on the club blacklist? How dare they still try to trick people.”

“Yeah, let’s go. That president looks so shady. Dad said to be careful of sweet talk and black-hearted seniors—he meant people just like him!”

Seeing the two girls look at him like he was a thief, Mark Brooks was quite hurt. John Carter, standing nearby, smiled. “You should just give up. Everyone’s handing out freshman handbooks, and they have detailed introductions to all the school clubs.”

“Laugh, go ahead and laugh. You’re the vice president, at least show some responsibility, will you!”

John Carter couldn’t help but smile. There were only two people in the club: one president and one vice president. To be precise, their club had only registered with the student council and hadn’t been approved—a typical blacklisted club.

“Hey, hey, junior, just look at your senior... Junior, don’t go!” Mark Brooks was dressed to the nines today, in a black rose suit, looking ridiculously flashy. But to the pure junior girls, he just seemed a bit shady no matter how you looked at him.

John Carter also handed out flyers to passersby. Since they weren’t an official club, they could only sneak around in a corner to recruit people. A club needed at least five members, and the upperclassmen ignored them completely, so they could only target freshmen. This was Mark Brooks’s dream.

John Carter was a second-year student in the Command Division of Tianjing Soul Academy. Mark Brooks was also a second-year in the Command Division, and the two shared a dorm room. However, Mark Brooks mostly lived off campus, as the dorm conditions were too poor for him. Mark Brooks was a man with a dream—he wanted to create a unique club, where everyone had their own traits, but couldn’t be judged by conventional standards. No focus on talent, no focus on soul power, just personality and uniqueness.

Of course, dreams are full, but reality is skin and bones. Freshmen were their only hope.