CH 330

The guild battle between ‹Eden› and ‹Best of the Best, the Great Star› was decided.

When I first conveyed this news to Eden’s members, I received a reply brimming with motivation for the guild battle unexpectedly. Apparently, none of them were against it... no, it would be more accurate to say they were itching to fight them as soon as possible.

When did ‹Best of the Best, the Great Star› incurred their wrath?

Leaving aside that, I do wish ‹Best of the Best, the Great Star› can act more maturely to be honest. Unfortunately, Misato's persuasion failed, though it wasn't like a bad thing.

‹Eden› will have ‹Rank Battle› in the future and rise to S-rank. So it's necessary to experience a guild battle against seniors.

In fact, I'm quite grateful for this chance where all the members can experience the guild battle together. All the members will be someone who has experienced the guild battle at least once.

Not only will it raise rank, it will also become a valuable experience, or so I think. And that's why, guild battle was decided with the approval of both sides. The negotiation for rewards was left to sort out later.

I don't know if it's just my imagination, but I felt a sense of dread from the girls.

‹Duel Battle› was scheduled for the upcoming saturday. That's quite early.

The mode for this guild battle is going to be 'Capture the Castle', '15 person battle' on a mid scale 'Hexagram' field. This battle setting is originally used by D or higher ranked guilds, which means for E-rank guilds, they will be pitting all their members against each other.

I was considering pushing the date for later since I will also need to see if everyone's schedule is free or not since no one expected to be challenged so suddenly, but it seems like none of the ‹Eden› members will have trouble participating at the appointed time. That's a relief.

There are only 4 days till the guild battle.

My plan is to train the new additions in the guild, Misato and Mert, as soon as possible and teach Rina a tactic that utilises ‹Dragon's Miniature Garden›.

Good grief, not a moment to waste huh.

"Err, I'm sorry since it kind of happened due to me."

"No, it's not exactly your fault. I'm sure a guild battle would have happened one way or another, no matter what you said."

The boys are jealous to no end.

Misato's involvement might have escalated this a bit—... no, even if it's quite due to her involvement, both are still separate matters.

To begin with, they were jealous of me from the start, so I am sure a similar scene would have happened for sure.

"Indeed. it's not something Misato should feel bad for. If you still can't settle your feelings, then just show us your best in the guild battle."

My opinion was shared with a silver haired shota, whose height should not be more than Mari-senpai.

It was Mert, a ‹Wiseman› who has recently joined our guild. As a member of ‹Count› household, the way he spoke was imposing, but how should I say, his appearance evoked a fuzzy sensation.

It was like a small boy was trying to act as an adult...... I think I will keep my gaze out of him for a while until I'm used to his presence.

"Ugh. I'm really grateful that you don't think so. So, what's your next step, Zephyr-kun?"

"But of course, it's levelling-up time. I don't know what's the average level of ‹Best of the Best, the Great Star›, but my goal is to have both of you at Lv30."

"What, 30? Do you even think it's possible, Zephyr?"

On Tuesday, after classes were over, I was heading for the beginner gate with Misato and Mert in tow.

Misato asked what my plan was and when I explained,, Mert turned to gaze at me with arched brows.

On this note, after a heated discussion with Mert yesterday which buds a sense of friendship, I am calling him without any honorifics (It’s really incomprehensible).

That being said, Mert's concern would have been obviously correct, in a normal scenario. It's pretty hard to make out enough time for dungeon exploration on weekdays, when classes are held.

It wasn't like it was impossible, but he just couldn't imagine how this goal was going to be achieved in just 4 days. Well, his confusion was just.

They're still a part of the normal world after all, unaware of the ‹Eden› extraordinary side.

Anyway, it's possible as long as there's a carriage and the secret technique. I will show there is always more than meets the eyes.

At present Misato status is ‹Sage Lv23›, and Mert at ‹Wiseman Lv18›.

I had checked their statuses after asking them to show the ‹Training Manual›, and well, they were flawless in the training of their jobs, just what one could expect from sages.

Unfortunately though, it was just on par with ‹Training Manual› for lower ranking jobs.

That was natural, even a sage wouldn't be able to predict a roadmap for Lv100 when there isn't a single precedent in this world who reached it. In short, their ‹Training Manual› falls just a bit short from being flawless. Only the missing piece of knowledge was holding their imagination back.

They might be able to perform well in the guild battle, but they will have trouble in advanced dungeons then. Their vision was set on their Lv75 self at their current basic job, with the advanced job not even in their perception range.

There's no way I can let it happen. They are going to have a hard time meeting the challenge we're going to face from now.

And so, I had a discussion with both of them, mainly Mert, yesterday.

That being said, I haven't passed the information about Lv100 right off the bat for obvious reasons, but I think I should have taught them enough to bring a change in their ideology, and vaguely make them aware of Lv100.

Thanks to that, we have completed a brand new ‹Training Manual - Revised›, a hybrid of mine's ‹Strongest Training Manual› and their ‹Training Manual›.

Mert was sporting a serious face, though his eyes were gleaming like a child. Misato, seeing that, shouted 'Woah, it's another rare face of Mert-sama'. Needless to say, Misato received another 'Kyuu' hold which was amusing.

Now, they just have to raise their level and follow ‹Training Manual - Revised›.

I am going to raise their level as much as possible in these 4 days. This is the only thing these two need to do.

"According to schedule, today's battle will be against ‹Fatty Ghost› and tomorrow will be ‹Battle Wolf› turn. Then we will straight aim for Lv30 on Friday if you guys manage to clear the entry requirement for Beg-high."

"That's absurd. Or so I would like to say, but given it's you, it might be possible."

"We can only pray for better luck for the rest. But it should be doable in my view."

I was mindful about the encounter with other classmates, though even Misato from the same class is still Lv23. There shouldn't be that many classmates who managed to break through the barrier of Beg-high.

If our luck is good, We should be able to focus on boss farming without encountering them. But of course, caution is still necessary. Even I can't escape from the commotion that will follow-up if boss farming was exposed.

You ask why is it alright to teach Misato? Well of course, it's already set in stone that Misato will be one of ‹Eden›.

In fact, I am wondering what their reaction will be at the sight of ‹Official Hidden Tactic - Boss Grind› of ‹Eden›. Fufu, I am looking forward to it.

"We were waiting for you, Zephyr--dono."

"We were waiting-desu!"

"We aren't here for long, so you don't have to mind. Pamela was curious about new members so we are early here."

Ester, Pamela and Sierra were waiting for us at the beginner gate.

I had gone out to meet Mert at his class, Class-8, so these three had headed out first.

Anyway, it's their first meeting so let's go through a self-introduction.

"Let me introduce you to them. They're the new 'addition' to Eden. Misato is from the same class, so you should be familiar with her?"

"I will introduce myself. I'm Misato, who joined the guild yesterday on a temporary basis, and my job is ‹Sage Lv23›. My role is healing."

"I'm Mert. I'm from ‹Combat Department Year-1 Class-8›, and my job is ‹Wiseman Lv18›. My role is fixed rear guard, and basically a magic attacker. I will be under your care."

Once Misato and Mert were done with their introduction, next, it was turn to introduce Ester and others.

"Mert, let me introduce. She is Ester, our guild's strongest physical attacker. She is Pamela, a ninja capable of taking various roles from scout to attacker to tank. And last, this is Sierra, our strongest shield. They're going to support our expedition today."

As Mert was from another class, he was basically unfamiliar with them so I introduced them.

Though I received an exasperated glare from Sierra, as if she wanted to say 'what the heck is with this lacklustre Introduction'...... other than that, there's no problem.

In fact, it has been quite a while since she has given me such glare, so I was mentally happy to receive it. Thank you for the treat, Sierra-sama! (T/N - I guessed it, but he sure is a M huh)

After a round of introduction, we quickly moved to the dungeon under the constraints of time.

In the meanwhile, Sierra passed an advice to Misato and Mert.

"I am sure the upcoming event will asunder your worldview, but it would be in your well being to adjust to the absurdities as soon as possible.."

Though, her words come out as incomprehensible to me.