Vol. 8 - Ch. 424 - The end of a delightful weekend and the start of exam time!

‹Perfect Beauty-four Phenomenon› was, in all senses, ended on a perfect note.Lana and Sierra both received new ‹Talisman› and ‹Great Shield› as their primary weapons.

Though the ‹Battle Wolf (4th Form)› in itself was a creature of darkness, our further grind continued to receive drops related to exorcism of sorts, like white, light, or holy categories. I guess it was following the principle of 'win means exorcised.' Of course, we did get black, dark, or evil related drops too, but their likelihood was at the lower end.

After Sierra and my turn, Ester, then Pamela, opened their chests in order. Ester got the two pieces of equipment that grant an exceeding performance when cooking; ‹Chef Hat› and ‹White Apron›.

Pamela, too, received the drop of the same archetype, but the twist was related to blacksmithing. Granting an exceeding performance, they were ‹Magic Steel Hammer› and ‹Forge Ahead! Headband›.

The two pieces of equipment were in the same treasure chest. Often, the treasure chest dropped drop 2 or more items as a matter of fact. Though an increased count means their abilities fell a step short in contrast to a single drop, quantity makes up for the quality to some extent here; well, you could say it was a good enough draw. A fine comparison would be the quality of the treasure chest dropped from the rare boss's ‹Gold Chest› to the regular boss's ‹Gold Chest›. How could a drop from ‹Gold Chest› not be a hit, right?

The equipment dropped provides a boost to the production category skills. Their performance on the higher spectrum to grade them is befitting of Int-mid's ‹Gold Chest›.

Speaking of, we didn't have anyone who could use cooking equipment... I guess I would just discuss it with everyone later.

From my perspective, we could sell them to the cooking specialized guild ‹In search of harmony between Food and Buff›. They had done quite a splendid service to us, and I bet they would have been looking for such equipment high and low.

On the other hand, we had Alulu for blacksmith equipment. She was still a fledgling with her level, but if she used high ranked facilities and materials, etc., it would skyrocket her level in no time. I am sure she would be delighted to receive them.

Well, this was the version of our little ‹Perfect Beauty-four Phenomenon›. Kuh, it frustrates me to accept, but it really was perfect. Like, the frustration was on the level of receiving 20 slaps—or perhaps 30? The level of drops was slightly inferior to the ‹Dragon's Miniature Garden› event but still, this was a crushing defeat for us. Alright, we, team A, weren't going to accept the defeat so easily.

"Everyone, we're going to aim for ‹Perfect Beauty-four Phenomenon› as well!"

"Let's do it!" (Lulu)

"Nya!" (Karua)

"If Lulu is on it, then so am I." (Celia)

"Yeah, I'm quite pumped as well." (Rika)

The team A members each replied in a crisp voice. Perhaps set off by team B's stellar performance, team A was brimming with motivation.

In such a mood, we once again challenged the rare boss. By the time it was evening, both team A and team B had challenged the rare boss nine times; unfortunately, we never got to see the ‹Perfect Beauty-four Phenomenon› again.

"A pity." (Zephyr)

"What a pity." (Lulu)

"Hn, cheer up. Let's come again." (Kaura)

"That's right. It's never over until we give up!" ( Celia)

"Never give up!" (Rika)

Lulu and I were thoroughly dejected when Karua said her word of consolation, bringing us back to our feet.

Yes, of course. We can just challenge again! I have decided. I was going to hunt the rare boss till we get the ‹Perfect Beauty-four Phenomenon›! sᴇaʀᴄh thᴇ ɴ0velFɪre.nᴇt website on Gøøglᴇ to access chapters of nøvels early and in the highest quality.

Just as I took my resolution, I think I saw the visage of a shivering black wolf. Ahaha, my loss must have been getting over my hand.

By the time we were finished, it was already late in the evening. We hurriedly used up the count of ‹Flute› and made our return. It had taken so long that my plan to hunt the ‹Golden Topple› went down the gutter. Kuh, it's nothing but one injury after another!

Afterward, we passed the material of ‹Battle Wolf (4th Form)› to Marie-senpai who couldn't help but scream in delight, then made a round to the bomber guild and left the ‹Flute› in the care of Renka-senpai for usual recovery. Then I called it a day.

◇◇◇

Next comes Monday. July 1st.

We were now officially into the exam period. I immediately sensed a tense air looming in the classroom the instant I entered. Truly, it was the good ol' exam vibe one could feel crawling on their skin.

"Hey, Zephyr."

"Hn? If it isn't Saturn."

I had reached my seat when Saturn called out to me. There was a hint of seriousness on his face, and his voice was missing his usual spirit.

"Soon, it'll be test time......"

"Yeah. Tests are just upon us, aren't they?"

I couldn't wait for it to begin, honestly. Just wait, I shalt show, for I am not just the conqueror of the dungeons but of the tests as well!

Something like a test was as trivial as dealing with a group of small fry for me, who was dubbed the walking database of ‹Dungeon Activity›. My mood was as bright as the cloudless, bright day. On the other hand—

"At this rare......I......"

Saturn looked like his mind was rumbling with the sound of rain and thunder, a glum akin to a rainy day occupying his expression. He stuttered before altogether stopping. It seemed like his mind and mouth were caught up in a struggle.

"I-I have a reque—"

"Enough chattering; now to your seat, everyone. It's homeroom time."

And just when he finally started to speak, Philis-sensei and Ladvena-sensei took their entry, signaling the end of the murmur.

Saturn's shoulder dropped as he returned to his seat. What did he want to talk about, I wonder?

"Everyone, from today on, start the exam preparation week. Dungeon will be off-limits for this duration, so take this time to study. As a student, studying is one of your duties. Don't neglect your studies by getting too absorbed in dungeon exploration, okay?"

"I believe you already know, but failing to get passing marks means you'll have supplementary lessons. In that case, your summer vacation will be limited to home visits and supplementary lessons. Of course, if you don't want your dungeon time to be affected anymore, make sure to study plenty."

Philis-sensei reminded everyone in a gentle tone. But, perhaps finding it a bit too lenient, Ladvena-sensei followed with the mention of the penalty. Man, was it such a striking scene to see the faces of boys, starting with Saturn, turning pale?

For information, supplementary lessons also strained the score that would decide the ranking in class shuffling next year.

It was a no-brainer. The sort of elusive month of April was, with each day like a dungeon week event, all bright and sunny; the summer vacation would take just a slip to descend into a depth of despair, gloomy, and dejected.

It was just a one and a half month on paper, nonetheless an important node in student life. It was visible to plain eyes what kind of moat would form by losing that precious month full of dungeons.

I guess this fear should get my classmates back on track and to focus on studying. Probably.

I couldn't have ‹Eden› drop their guard as well.