CH 326

Classes are over. It was specifically quiet today with all the seats in front empty. I made great progress in my studies.

Additionally, thanks to Misato's introduction, I got the opportunity to recruit a ‹Wiseman› who is enrolled in Class 8.

Maybe, luck is on my side. Hahaha!

——Combat Department Year-1, Class-8 .

Among the freshmen, there exists a "Hidden Elite Class."

I actually only recently learned about it. I never dreamed that my leaking of high-ranking jobs would result in the creation of a hidden class with a cool-sounding name.

It's already June, and most of the students in Class 8 have already joined guilds on their own. Unfortunately, I realized it too late. Then I have no choice but to poach them to recruit them, but this was another hurdle, since Eden is still lacking in power to make them change their mind. After all, we're only E-rank.

That's why, I was about to give up on any hope to recruit them, until today the chance itself greeted me.

I'm really grateful to Misato. And on top of that, it's a ‹Wiseman›... Such an outstanding job! Hurray!

With a slightly good mood, I head towards the lounge. It's there I'm going to meet the aforementioned son of the ‹Count›. By the way, Misato has already gone ahead to meet him. After all, even for introductions or interviews, we need to confirm the person's own will.

"And well, that's the situation, Celestian. I'm counting on you."

"Leave it to me. I've prepared some documents here. Please take a look before the interview."

"Huh? Ah, thank you?"

I wonder what kind of documents they are. I casually start reading, but to my surprise, it contains a detailed profile of the mentioned ‹Wiseman›.

What the hell!

When did he get the time to investigate him, seriously?

It's just today I have decided to meet him, you know? And he should be taking the classes until now, when the heck did he get the time to investigate!?

"Since Her Highness Lana is also in the guild Eden, we have to investigate male students, even if it's a count's son."

Ah, thought so.

I kind of feel it's Lana's father's backhand. Especially that part, 'Male students'.

No, still, when did he get the time......

Cough. There's no guessing about it. And I also think it might be better to not know about this.

Anyway, let's see his profile.

I think they have basically put forward all the personal information about him, but maybe because he's the count's son, the documents didn't go too much into details. Though if anything, this feels more like a grade sheet, with a stamp of 'Pass' on top......

Is there anyone aside from me who passes or fails the candidates? Since when has ‹Eden› such a guild......

"We have arrived, Zephyr-sama."

Just as my mind was occupied with all these thoughts, we arrived at the lounge.

I entered the room Celestine had booked, informed Misato of the location in chat, and soon got a reply from her.

‹Understood. We are also done with preparation from our side, so we will head there now.›

She's really quick on her work, Misato is.

A bit of time has passed since the chat when there was a knock on the door.

"Please, come in."

"Excuse me."

Celestine opened the door, and first Misato entered with her hand raised.

"Come on, Mer-kun, come in too."

"I should have told you to stop with that Mer-kun...... Inhale Excuse me."

With those words, A silver-haired young man entered, following after Misato.

My immediate impression was, he was small.

His height seems to be around Hannah at a glance, though he might also be shorter than her.

"Ah~, right, I have a request for you, Zephyr-kun. Ask anything but about his height. Mer-kun is awfully conscious about his height you see."

"Maybe you should reflect on your own words and actions first, Misato. And let's not make that request right in front of the person, shall we?"

A vein popped on the temple of the boy whose insecurities about his small stature was exposed.

It seems Misato and he are from the same place and have known each other since childhood. They seem quite close.

"It's because it's about Mer-kun! I don't want to see Mer-kun getting hurt!"

"Please reflect on your own words and actions. Otherwise, I might have to remove those annoying rabbit ears and take a look inside your head."

"You guys seem really close."

The exchange between the two made it sounds like it was an usual thing for them.

However, since it seems like we aren't progressing on the main topic anytime soon, I decided to interject.

"Excuse me, I apologize for the impoliteness."

"Relax, no need to apologize. Can we start the interview then?"

"Please go ahead."

I wonder if he's nervous. His voice sounds more gravelly than when he talks to Misato.

I guess Misato's playful introduction earlier might be an attempt to ease the boy's nervousness.

Taking another look at him, he's small.

He looks almost the same age as Marie-senpai. Well, Marie-senpai is actually five years older. Sigh

He's not as young-looking as the 'Shota; from "Viscount", but he's definitely shorter than your average high schooler. It's true that men tend to be conscious of their height. Misato, please refrain from mentioning it.

However, he was handsome. Quite attractive.

I also confirmed he has the symbol of the ‹Count›, the ‹White Plume› pinned on his chest pocket.

His posture is also refined, exuding a noble presence. It's hard to describe, but simply, he gives off an air of being someone important.

Truly befitting of a ‹Wiseman›. He's not just an ordinary person.

I'll keep it a secret that I thought his appearance might become popular among the older girls.

He seems like he would look good in traditional Japanese clothing.

"Let's start with self-introductions. I'm Zephyr, the ‹Brave› from ‹Combat Department Year-1 Class-1›. Nice to meet you."

"I'm Mert, ‹Wiseman› from ‹Combat Department Year-1 Class-8›. It's nice to meet you too."

His figure, as he introduced himself with a straight face, was truly so befitting of a member of the ‹Count› family. He looks resolute.

His name is Mert, huh? That's why Misato calls him Mer-kun. Misato, please refrain from using nicknames with '-kun' for him. It's a matter of dignity for a young man.

"Well then, I'll refer to you as Mert. Do you currently belong to any guild?"

In fact, I already know his name from reading the profile report Celestine passed to me. I thought it would feel a bit creepy if I acted like I already know, so I asked that way.

"Alright. I'm currently under the care of B-rank guild ‹Golden Beast›."

I see, so he has already joined a guild huh. What's more, it's an elite B-rank guild that only accepts students that are under rank 600.

"I see. You will have to leave ‹Golden Beast› to join ‹Eden›, but will you be okay with that?"

"There's no problem. ‹Golden Beast› doesn't have any future. I want to aim for a higher height than that."

Interesting, so he is ready to let go of the status of 'B-rank guild member' so easily.

I wonder what kind of guild it is that he hasn't had any second thought about leaving it.

"So you think ‹Eden› has a future."

"Of course, or so I believe. In my evaluation, it will surpass even S-rank. That's why I want to join ‹Eden›. I guarantee I will be worth it."

Mert's gaze stared straight at me. His eyes were devoid of any falsification, just a resolution.

Just then, Misato, who had been until now, speaks.

"Mert is a good boy, he just happened to be unlucky. It seems like ‹Golden Beast› encountered a wall and are now close to disbanding. But it's alright, Mert has genuine abilities, he will definitely be useful."

"Misato, please be silent. i'm really glad that you got me this chance, but this is the time to show my resolution. You don't need to put in good words anymore"

I see. Just as it was mentioned in the profile, he truly believed in actual abilities. His ideology is closer to that of ‹DUngeon Activity› player seeking efficiency.

However, this further raises my curiosity.

"If you don't mind, can you tell me what exactly has that <golden beast> guild done?"

Being a B-rank guild means it is an elite guild.

Yearned by the whole student body, targeted by a multitude of students, yet only grasped by chosen individuals. The students who survived that cut-throat competition can be said to be the finest of polished jewel.

Normally speaking, it wouldn't be so easy to announce their withdrawal. Even if we're claiming that we will be S-rank in future, we're just a small E-rank guild right now, so it's not enough of a compelling reason to justify their switch. So I believe.

That's why I want to hear where did ‹Golden Beast› fumbled. Mert, hearing my question, said in a flat tone.

"Nothing great. 11 out of the 30 members in the ‹Golden Beast› has 'changed jobs'. Just that."