Vol. 8 - Chapter 418 - Upbeat Party and the Next Step

"Welcome, Zephyr-dono. I was just expecting you."

"I was hoping you'd swing by. Feel free to take that seat."

"Ester, Aegis-senpai. Mind if I hope into your chat?"

I spun on my heel next to where our two ‹Princess Knight› were pleasantly chattering with each other.

I have been maintaining an equilibrium over the job to avoid overlapping in the guild. However, It's just that the ‹Knightly› category was a tricky ball to handle since there's nothing but ‹Princess Knight› job available for ‹Knightly› category in the ‹Princess Job› category. The rest of the nobles and royalties at least have a few more variations to offer.

Well, one thing led to another, and the next thing I know, we just have ‹Princess Knight› in each ‹Eden› and ‹Arc-Arcadia›. But hey, at least they're being compensated with more variation when it comes to selecting advanced jobs than other ‹Princess› jobs, so that evens it out. And let's not forget the absolute arsenal of skills they had at their disposal to choose from compared to other jobs.

They're like the paradox of a job; give them a training plan, and they can take any form. Aegis has already fixed her eyes on ‹Dragon Knight Princess›, so her core skills would revolve around riding or charging, unlike Ester's. Oh, and tame as well. She was going to be our knight-at-the-horseback archetype attacker.

I have already passed her ‹Strongest Training Manual›.

"Zephyr-san, ‹Princess Knight› is truly a profound path. I believe not even a hundred of me can make out the path for ‹Dragon Knight Princess› by myself at all."

"Apologies. Aegis-senpai has been like a broken clock's needle, keeping ticking at the same time since a while ago."Thê source of this content n/o/v/(el)bi((n))

"Fufu, Senpai. My dignity as senpai isn't even worth a dime in face, my junior, a splendid ‹Princess Knight›. There's no way."

"What drink did Aegis-senpai just have, Ester?"

"Hmm, nothing at all."

What, no way, right? Her word's aren't messing together at all. I couldn't even pinpoint if she was just feeling under the weather, grateful, or rejoicing. Perhaps it might as well be the hodgepodge of all. And you call that sober?

"I fear this may be an emotional outburst. I heard this is a well-known phenomenon among job transferees."

"I am learning that for the first time."

I mean, yeah, ‹Job Transfer› was taboo like some sort of evil witchcraft till just a while ago, and my effort has started to whitewash that perception. However, while they got hold of the apple of their eyes, a high-ranking job, the path ahead was such a steep one that many were usually crushed under the weight of insecurities.

As if Ester's ‹Princess Knight, job wasn't already one-of-a-kind currently, she was even taking a different path for the advanced job. Well, the difference was obvious, and she was all alone on that path. That solitary feeling, along with the diversity ‹Princess Knight› dishes out, must have been overwhelming.

If I quote Ester's word, one might lay their hand on the ‹Princess Knight› but the great power that comes along often causes a 'frog in the well' situation. The power often wielded the user, and this was also why not many had left behind a great many achievements—and were a mess like Aegis-senpai here.

The unforeseen pressure and an outstanding junior already leaving behind a golden trail to burst caused all the insecurities inside her, when she already had her plate filled with ‹Knight›.

Well, she's taking an uncharted path of ‹Dragon Knight Princess›—something out of a complete fairy tale, not even just some legend—so it's all the 'must do what I can by myself' was getting over her. But, oh-my-deary senpai, what else was ‹Strongest Training Plan› for?

"Speaking of, Aegis-senpai is Lv30, huh? The past few days of trips to level up must not have left her with any time to let everything sink in, and now that uneasiness is seeping out, presumably."

Aww, I'm sorry, Ester-san. But let me be out on you."

"Gladly. My chest is always free for you to lay on, if that's all it takes."

"—gh, i-it's even bigger than me......"

Ester's words had weight—the side-effect of power leveling. On the other hand, Aegis-senpai had completely clung to the same-job-holder-but-more-successful Ester.

Alright, Ester is enough here. I might as well take my joy in the pile of delicious dishes. I got up and left the seat, not noticing that Aegis-senpai had suffered yet another defeat at the hands of a junior.

"I'm relieved to hear that. But it's fine. I will stay out for today,"

" " " Bummer." " "

They suddenly started to have a full-blow girl's talk session of sorts, and I was forgotten for most of it. I guess the harmonic trio was having some sort of eager debate (?) with Sierra, though they were so out of context that I couldn't catch any of it.

"It's tough on you, Zephyr-dono~"

"Hmm? You know what they're talking about?"

"I am a girl, so of course-desu!"

Ehh, so it's like one of the sort of cryptic talks only another girl could decode? They're really mysterious creatures.

At least, my greeting here has been finished. Time to retreat. There's nothing good coming out of a boy who tries to get into the girl's gossip. I continued my table-hopping.

The last destination turned out to be a gathering of support members—‹Tri-Element Dwarf› Alulu, ‹Collector› Nico, and ‹Seeker› Kairi. In addition, ‹Eden› supports its members—Hannah, Celestine, and Shizu—naturally finding their place there.

"Ah, Ya' Zephyr onii-san. Welcome."

"Hey, excuse me."

"Good evening, Brave-kun. Thanks for having me. But my words, this is the first time I am attending such a luxurious feast. My tongue is literally dancing with joy."

"Truly, each and every dish is exquisite. I thank my stars for being a part of this party."

"It's great to see all of you having fun. Ah, try eating mini-steak with this sauce."

While Alulu, Nico, and Kairi each partake in the feast, Hannah, in a jolly mood, recommends the dishes one after another.

"—Rgh, I guess my stomach has hit the limit. And here I was hoping to at least try each dish. You couldn't have betrayed me at any better time, my stomach."

"Let me try on this one then, Hannah-san. —Chomp. Oh my god, it tastes heavenly!"

Kairi's eyes went almost as wide as the dish she was holding when she ate the steak Hannah had recommended to her. Her face was dyed a shade of bliss. Meanwhile, Nico enviously stared at Kairi while rubbing on her stomach.

"Try this or try something that has been going on for a while. I am thoroughly impressed with how Kairi can jam all that into her stomach, and Hannah has been like a mother, making sure to feed as much as she can."

"Indeed, it looks delicious, and it's impressive how she managed to finish that."

I mean, Hannah's cooking was so delicious that it couldn't be described in words. I was very much familiar with the blissful expression on Kairi's face.

"You have been doing a great job as well, Celestine, Shizu. Man, it's really a huge load off the shoulder to not worry about food or seating arrangements. Though, I hope you're just not running around instead of enjoying the party."

"You can believe we're having fun as well. And again, congratulations on the D-rank promotion, Zephyr-sama."

"Thank you, Celestine."

"What about yourself, Zephyr-dono? Have you been eating well? I saw you checking out on other members, but little have you touched all this while."

In an unusual display of worry, Shizu asked. Hannah swiftly turned her attention toward me when she heard that.

"What? What are you doing, Zephyr-kun? Here, I am not letting you go unless you have a fill!"