Vol. 9 - Chapter 438 - Result Announcement! But First, Let's Start With A Party!

We won!

Well, we probably showed a bit of an immature side by being just a tiny bit serious at the end, but overall, it was still within the confinement as an examiner. I think.

I mean, it couldn't be helped, truly, you know. They proved them to be formidable opponents. According to what I heard later, they were apparently the frequent audience of our guild battles to learn from it. Hmm, no wonder I felt the tactic to be a familiar one.

But if I have to comment on one thing—horses were really so handy! The might and speed of Aegis-senpai while straddling Dandy-kun was truly an impressive sight.

I so wanted to try a two-man group - horse riders ver.! Ah, right. A horse. There's the world's fastest horse in the top-grade dungeon. What else could be better than that, right? No, wait. But then it would be hard for any potential rival to chase after our footsteps. Oh gosh, what a dilemma you have put me in, oh my goddess! Hmm, would other guilds speed up their pace if I request them to?

"Hey, Zephyr. This isn't the time to space out. Geez, get a grip on yourself."Thê source of this content n/o/v/(el)bi((n))

"Huh? A-Ahh, right."

My mind had just traversed to a world of its own when Sierra suddenly pulled me out of it. The members of ‹Eden› and ‹Arc-Arcadia›, who should have been in the audience seat, had walked down to where we were while I was lost in my mental journey.

Both teams bowed to each other, exchanged 'good job' out there before turning to Ladvena-sensei and Mukai-sensei for the result announcement.

"Kids of ‹Arc-Arcadia›. You have certainly fought a battle fair and square, even gained an upper hand over the superior guild ‹Eden› in this battle. Your strength in truest sense has surpassed that of F-rank, and as such, you're certified to be befitting of E-rank promotion. Congratulations."

Members present erupted in cheers as soon as Ladvena-sensei’s announcement ended.

I mean, they have safely passed the promotion exam. And dungeons and parties go hand in hand in our policy.

Ladvena-sensei watched them cheering with a smile and once everyone had calmed down a bit, she continued.

"Alright, now the representative shall step forward. I have something to confer."

"Y-Yes Ma'am! I, Aegis from ‹Combat Department Year 2 Class 31› shall accept as the representative of ‹Arc-Arcadia›!"

"Fufu, commendable. Take this to ‹Guild Reception› and you will be an E-rank guild then."

"I—we gratefully accept it!"

Nervously, Aegis-senpai received the rolled up document from Ladvena-sensei.

By submitting that at the ‹Guild Reception›, they would receive the proof of E-rank.

"As for ‹Eden›. Well, I think you went a bit hard as examiner, but then again, you did show your prowess by cutting off your opponent's winning streak in a passable way, which is commendable. The way you turn the table without using ‹Tri-Tree› as well was indeed a great display of skills. You should be selected as examiner D-rank when there's a chance I believe."

"Woah! Thank you very much!"

" " " "Thank you very much!" " " "

"Fufu, keep up the great work."

After saying that, Ladvena-sense and Mukai-sensei headed for the arena's building. It should be about time for closing since it's near the night time.

"Haa, the move at the end—leaving the Big Castle HP at the edge, but not completely taking them down—was truly an eye opener. What's the possible way to make a comeback from there, Zephyr-san? I can tell that was truly a huge disadvantage considering PvP were off-limits."

"Hmm, good question. If I were in your shoes, I would have left behind a bit and then come back. Since I already had an advantage over small castles, I would have to just take down ‹Eastern Big Castle› only and it would have been my victory."

"It-it's truly enlightening! So we would have been better by imitating your style and left just a bit of ‹Eastern Big Castle› HP huh. An aggressive approach rather than just defence, an eye for an eye, is it? It was indeed a blind spot."

"Well, I would have dispatched Rika as reinforcement at an earlier timing, have Sierra and Misato centre around the east side as well to curb that from happening though."

"Doesn't that mean we never had the chance then!?"

"Hmm, but you're eight members, remember? Rika might not have been able to stand her ground if you all coordinated your attack. You already shaved off 30% of ‹Eastern Big Castle› after all while we were running around, didn't you? You should have pushed for an attack while Reglam and the team were engaging with Rika."

"A-Ah, you indeed have a point. Ugh, it's just me that lacks foresight."

Aegis-senpai cradled her head. How should I say, it was truly a striking appeared to see the usually matueish Aegis-senpai to show such appearance once ina while. The gap was honestly adorable.

“U, umm, Zephyr-san. If I may not be intruding much, do you mind giving me lectures about the guid battle? I-I think my current self is truly lacking in such aspects.”

She finished her word in slurried manner and looked at me with slightly upturned eyes. Or course, my answer was long decided.

“Sure so. In fact, I already had my plan to teach sub-members about it. I also have arranged just the perfect place as well.”

“...... But that's not what I meant.”

“Did you say something, Senpai?”

“No. It's nothing.”

Mysteriously, the fervour of Aegis-senpai apparently died a bit as she simply drinks on her juice with small sips. What's with the sudden turn of events?

The party was now past its zenith, and everyone looked more collected now. Alright, this seemed fine time to reveal the result of internal promotion.

I moved in front of the shrine that pulled in the attention of <Arc-Arcadia> at once. What was supposed to be the lively room now suddenly open its path to the deafening silence automatically.

I looked around to see everyone's attention was dead set on me. What in the tarnation was this? I think I could feel an incredible presume all over my body. Was this the weight of responsibility I wonder.

Everyone already were looking at me with intense gaze

It sounds like everyone already knows what I was going to talk about, and thus, waiting in trepidation—to know who's going to be the newest addition to <Eden> among others. Their tension was visible on their faces.

The pressure of their expectation was all over me.

Kuh, note yet. This was the moment for me to show the dignity of a guildmaster! Do your best, me!

“Ahem. It seems like everyone already has inkling what I want to talk about.---With no further ado, I shall now announce the names of members joining us!”

I spoke in a louder tone than before to hide the shaking in my voice.