#4 Death Clubs & Forced Fun

Isandra POV

I woke up to a glowing, very LOUD red message on my N.O.V.A. screen: REMINDER: House Selection begins in one hour. Uniform required. Elevators now activated for portal transport.

I groaned, rolled over in my obscenely fluffy bed, and blinked blearily at the floating text. “Thanks for the terrifying wake up, Gravemire.”

"You love it here,” Gen teased inside my head. “Admit it.”

I rolled my eyes, crawled out of bed, and threw on my uniform. A black fitted jacket with silver cuffs, high waisted skirt, stockings and combat boots so fresh I felt like I should commit a crime in them. While brushing my hair, I spotted a pulsing envelope icon on my N.O.V.A. pad.

I tapped it. New message from Gravemire Admin Office:

“Please review your extracurricular options before House Sorting. You are required to select one activity by the end of your first week.”

“Of course it’s required,” I groaned. “God forbid we be magically traumatized in peace.”

“Oooo clubs!” Gen chirped. “Pick something cool.”

The screen shimmered, unfolding into a glowing scroll of choices labeled EXTRACURRICULAR PATHWAYS.

Each one had a crest, a description, and the name of the supervising staff member.

Bloodbane – The Official Gravemire Sport

Advisor: Coach Varn “The Butcher” Kell

Summary: A brutal, full contact sport played in a massive enchanted arena. Combines aerial flight, magical dueling, physical combat, and a magically charged blood orb. Think rugby meets Quidditch meets televised death match. There are only two rules:

•Get the orb through the Obsidian Gate and score.

•Don’t die.

Cheer team: The Death Sirens (Tryouts mandatory, uniforms are enchanted and show blood stains as trophies.)

“Okay yeah. This place is definitely insane,” I muttered.

“But also... Bloodbane sounds hot as hell.”

The Grim Quill Society – Magical Book Club

Advisor: Librarian Merix Thorne

Summary: A gathering of literary monsters, magical scholars, cursed poets, and those who want to read (or argue) about forbidden texts, divine scrolls, and old spellbooks no one else is allowed to touch. Weekly meetings in the restricted section of the library.

“Book nerds with secrets? I like their vibe.”

Circle of the Fifth Flame – Spellcraft & Ritual Society

Advisor: Professor Elaeth Nivarra

Summary: Spell theory, ritual construction, sigil mapping, and magical experimentation. NOT for beginners or idiots. One member last year accidentally summoned a screaming void god into the potions lab. Only one student was devoured.

“Okay, definitely not joining that one,” I said. “I already have voices in my head.”

“Rude.” Gen snorted.

Monstra Fidelis – Monster Fight Club

Advisor: Commander Karrin Vorax

Summary: Unofficially official. First rule: don’t talk about it. Second rule: absolutely talk about it. Night duels. Monster form combat. No magic, just raw, feral brawls. Watchers can place bets. Winners gain power, respect, and invitations to secret GraveGalas.

“Okay this one’s screaming my name,” I whispered.

“Also, secret parties? Hell yes.”

The Council Cadre – Student Government

Advisor: Headmistress Calvenne herself

Summary: Gravemire’s elite power seekers, rule makers, event planners, and social manipulators. Want to run assemblies, change policies, and know everything before anyone else does? Welcome to the game.

“Ugh. No thanks. Too many secrets, not enough snacks.”

At the bottom of the list, my screen flashed with a smug little banner: YOU MUST SELECT AT LEAST ONE EXTRACURRICULAR BY END OF WEEK ONE. FAILURE TO DO SO WILL RESULT IN AUTOMATIC ENROLLMENT.

(Hint: You don’t want Gravemire picking for you.)

“Gods forbid we get a break from near death experiences,” I muttered, slamming the tablet down on the desk.

I paced the room once, heart pounding. Everything here was designed to push us. To mold us. To bleed us if it had to.

“It’s not punishment,” Gen said gently. “It’s power. Control it, or someone else will.” I took a shaky breath. “Bloodbane sounds insane. Monstra Fidelis sounds illegal. Spellcraft is dangerous. And student council can choke.”

“You know you’d win every single fight in Monstra Fidelis.”

“Don’t tempt me,” I growled, adjusting my cuffs. “Let me survive house selection first.” I grabbed my N.O.V.A., scrolled down, and bookmarked both Bloodbane and Monstra Fidelis. Just in case.

The portal would activate soon. I smoothed down my jacket, swiped my lip gloss across my mouth (because trauma is temporary but hotness is forever), and grabbed my N.O.V.A. and class packet.

Time to go get soul scanned, judged by an ancient arena, and forced into a house of monsters I’d never met.

“Nothing about this is normal.”

Gen cackled. “Nope. But normal is fucking boring.”