Vol. 4 - Ch. 252 - ‘Duke’ Race Category. Is the Young Duchess actually a slow learner?

Today was Sunday, the day after Eden cleared their first intermediate dungeon.Originally, I was supposed to be continuing a fun dungeon exploration, but I had another appointment scheduled for today.

Today was the interview with the person from the ‘Duke’ race category that Celestine had set up.

Thus, leaving behind me and Celestine, I heard the 10 girls had formed their party and were challenging the dungeon. Hmm, Girl's party has a nice ring to it.

Yesterday, we worked hard to continue the boss farming after our first boss fight.

We had fought for around 5 hours against bosses, but the number of rounds was merely 20. Even the grind took a long time in comparison to Beginner dungeons, as expected of the dreadful boss of an Intermediate dungeon.

Well, there's also the fact that King Di is quite a sturdy monster too. After we reach a certain level, I believe we will be able to shorten the time even more.

Around the time it was time to call the day, all members' levels had risen to the point where one boss fight had barely gone above the time limit of 10 minutes.

On that note, everyone has reached level 55. Though I did notice a gradual decrease in level-up speed as we advanced in level.

As we had decided to hold onto the ‹Advanced Job Ascension Ticket› until we reached the maximum level, it was decided that I would be looking after it.

Their reason to leave it in my care was apparently because they feared they wouldn't be able to control their urges that were like demons' whispers and might end up using it. I was even more stunned because the person who said that was Sierra, who had a solemn expression on her face.

That, I suppose, tells you how scarce these tickets are.

This feeling was hard for me to relate to since it was just as natural as the sun rising from the east that I would obviously use the ticket after I raised my level to max.

Speaking of it, the ticket wasn't dropped again in our 20 rounds of boss farming. Rather, not even the gold chests dropped. Sure enough, to get that ticket on our first exploration, it definitely had to be beginner luck.

However, I wasn't disappointed, since I wasn't expecting any tickets to drop in those rounds. We just have to work hard on the next boss farming!

We had apparently arrived at the appointment location just as I was renewing my resolve.

"Please, this way, Zephyr-sama."

"I appreciate your efforts, Celestine."

After so long, I'm also used to being a master being served by his servant. Sorry, that was a lie. I was only pretending to be one.

After all, I was meeting with the son of a ‘Duke’. Huh, or was it the daughter?

Now that I think about it, let alone the gender, I didn't even ask Celestine anything about that person.

Well, whatever. All I had to do was maintain my dignity.

Right now, I'm a freshman and the guild master of the top guild, ‹Eden›.

Preserving my image was of the utmost importance.

The location was a private room in a certain lounge, and this was where I was supposed to take the interview.

The appointed time is 20 minutes later, and while the other party hasn't yet arrived, Celestine seemed to be preparing things.

He had given just the right time, as one would expect from the all-around butler. I should thank him again later.

After waiting for a while, the sound of someone knocking resounded, and it seems that person was finally here.

"Please enter." Sᴇaʀch* Thᴇ NøvᴇlFirᴇ(.)nᴇt website on Gøøglᴇ to access chapters of nøvels early and in the highest quality.

"Excuse me."

My words were met with a soft, sweet, but clear voice. It appeared to be of a girl.

Even with a single wall as a partition between us, it was a pleasant voice that would leave a long-lasting impression on the listener.

Hmm, what I'm looking for in the other party was their aptitude to assume the guidance role. Having a pleasant voice that may leave a long-lasting impression was an important aspect.

I have to give 5 stars on their first impression.

Creak

As the door opened, the first thing that jumped into my vision was pale beautiful lavender hair.

The fluffy, soft and alluring hairs were like a magnet trying to attract you towards them. Furthermore, she had one part of her hair into ringlets cascading her backside. The hairstyle suited her so well as if that hairstyle was made precisely for her.

The next thing that left another profound impression was her slightly slanted but beautiful eyes, of the same colour as her pretty hair. Her face was equally charming, and she was such a breathtaking beauty that had it not been for me becoming used to beautiful girls in the ‹Eden›, the sight of her would have unconsciously made my heart throb fast for sure

Taking a careful look, her hair ornament had a familiar ‹Map Rubber keychain› attached to it. It was the symbol mark of Race category ‹Duke›. Boys usually put them around chest or the belt, while girls mostly put them on their hair ornament.

"Good day to you Sir. I'm Ekaterina. Thank you very much for taking your time today."

"I'm Zephyr, the guild master of the guild ‹Eden›. First, thank you very much for listening to our scout."

We both exchanged our greetings with the partitioned still between us.

How should I say, Ekaterina-san has the bearing of a young lady from a prominent place.

It was kind of nerve-wracking to talk.

Hmm, it seems like it's not just me, even Ekaterina-san seemed to be nervous. I should find a topic to soften the mood first, given the stiffness of air.

"Ah, it's okay to take it easy. It's just a meeting between two students after all."

"So it is? I understood."

"So, there's something I want to ask first from Ekaterina-san, you don't have any problem joining the Eden, do you? If possible, I would also like to hear the reason for that."

I want to make it clear first out of anything. What motivates Ekaterina-san to choose our guild Eden?

Joining a guild that wasn't meant for you would just ruin themselves. It would be in the benefits for each other to not join if the reason is something half-hearted.

"N-No. I am not arrogant enough to say that I would have no problem joining your guild. I, well, I'm not that much of a capable person, the truth was I still couldn't believe that someone has called out to me and this last one week ended up myself worrying over it."

Hnn?

It seems like the girl herself hasn't understood why she was scouted which caused her to be surprised at the sudden invitation......

Ah, but she's the daughter of a ‘Duke’ right? The same outstanding ‘Race’ category? Shouldn't it have been natural to be scouted in fact, but I feel like we're not on the same page at all.

"Zephyr-sama. It might be presumptuous of me, but please keep in mind that she is not a member of any guild yet."

"Ahh"

It was when Celestine advised me that I finally thought of something.

Ekaterina-san must have guessed the same, as her face turned bright red.

The daughter of ‘Duke’ which should have been an excellent category, all guilds should have been scrambling to get their hands on such excellent personnel.

Despite this, and even though it has been 10 days since the academy has started classes formally, the fact that she still hasn't joined any guild means...... No one came to scout her? Ah, that, doesn't that mean......

"Err, Ekaterina-san, can I ask you something?"

"P-Please..."

"In which class is Ekaterina-san?"

"!"

Ekaterina-san looked petrified at my straight ball-like question.

It seems like I had touched upon the topic she didn't wish to talk about. However, this was a very important aspect of the interview. Even if I want to, I can't overlook this.

Ekaterina-san, who had finally begun to move, responded in a slightly trembling voice, as if she had finally accepted her fate.

"一一So, so you didn't know that after all. ...... Yes, as you may have guessed, I'm in Combat Department C-Class-51. The dregs of the Duke family I'm...... "