Vol. 9 - Ch. 442 - Let's start with summer vacation—schedule time!

"It's finally summer vacation, alright. But guys, we have one more thing before we kick off fully—your schedule. We're going to go through everything written in it. Feel free to state your things you want to do, like if you have any particular dungeon in mind, want to gather materials for equipment or anything that comes to your mind."Once the party—ahem, the closing celebration's buzz died to some extent, I handed all the members of ‹Eden› and ‹Arc-Arcadia› the schedule I had sketched for the summer vacation. No, it wasn't a calendar-like thing, more like a to-do list—in simpler words, just the list of our plans.

Everyone would be grouping again on 25th august, and our plan after then was to dive into ‹Sea-Dun› along with everyone on 27th. Well, this was but a general gist which could be edited further depending on the requirement of members.

The first one to open their mouth while staring at the paper was Rika.

"Wow, it sure is quite a big list."

"Well, yeah. I heard from rumours that there's the custom to list like this in the guild for summer vacation, since members at this season are quite prone to catch the summer-typical laidbackness at the gap."

"Hmm, so it's kind of like a self-discipline tactic, huh?"

Rika nodded with the meaning sinking into her.

I mean, we're talking about summer vacation? For an idle person, it would be like the time had stangate for everyone but them. Since they personally don't have much to do, then might as well call them to partake in guild-decided events. Two birds with one stone, no?

Apparently, it was also a double-edged sword. I heard there are some guilds who take too much on their plate that instead fed up the members that open the gap for them to slip into a more 'fun guild,' resulting in the guild's strength falling to each other. But then again, sometimes, it gets so lukewarm that members instead seek for more spartan guild. Truly a paradox of choice, ain't it?

It's great to pull one up on their rival but a vacation-shattering overdrive move wasn't a better idea, same for reverse.

This was what the summer vacation stands for the students; some who want nothing but to laze around, or some who want to meaningfully utilise the time. And it was a trial for the guild that tested their adaptability.

I couldn't take a wrong step either. So rather than fretting about having too much or too low on plate, let's directly ask them. Doesn't this sound better?

The schedule I had put up was quite tight but I made sure to keep it from blowing up in my style. Also the rest were up to their own in case they wanted to act independently. Incidentally, my plan was to enjoy the dungeon buffet each and every day. I can't wait to swim into loads of rare drops!

"It would be great if members due for home visit can tell me when you will return and all. Hannah and I are staying behind by the way."

"A round trip to the village alone is 20 days after all."

It was just what Hannah said. I mean, just the round trip alone took 20 days, you know? Ah, the curse of the modern era. My body shivers each time recalling the last one-way trip coming here. Like, holy crap, I literally had to grapple with the insanity. I don't think I could pull it off ever again. Or else, the next headline would be, 'Brave was killed by idle time!?'

Well, honestly, there's nothing else that connects me to the village that warrants me to travel there anymore.

Hannah, however, had her parents. I did ask her if she really didn't want to visit them, but her reply was—'It takes a load of money for the trip that ya family don't have, be self-sufficient and no need to make a trip to here for the next three years...was what they said.'

To be blunt, it was indeed a blunt reason, no? All expenses from entrance to graduation were borne by the academy, however students would have to pay from their own wallet for things like home visit.

Hannah currently had quite a lot of leeway in finance, but the price of a taxi for 20 days overall was exorbitant. Like exorbitant enough to make her think twice. In the end, she was going to stay in the academy for the next three years without any home visit.

"I will need to return at least once, to report I have acquired ‹Shield Princess› etc. I think I should be back in two weeks."

"Woah, real? Oh, gosh, that would be truly helpful. Honestly, I don't think we would go anywhere in the dungeon without you."

How could we fight a boss without our trustworthy tank! I really was worried that she would be out for long, but it was great to hear it wouldn't be the case.

Somehow, as I spoke, a red glow appeared on her face though. Hmm, did I hype myself too much?

"Karua and I will be staying behind. Onee-san has her share of the guild's task to do which paused her, and there's particularly nothing noteworthy that requires my presence as well, so it's fine."

"Hn, I was told to stay in the academy."

Rika and Karua followed up with their report. Rika for her part didn’t really have to worry about it, but Karua, on other hand, had quite a lot going on...... guess that's what it is huh. It seemed like she fumbled quite a lot there.

"Lulu is not going back! Lulu is going to love the plushies here a lot!"

"In that case, so is my plan as well."

"Are you sure?"

Lulu and Celia were staying behind purely for their own hobby. Really? No family call or etc? Celia's reason especially sounds more impromptu.

"What about you, Rina, Misato and Mert?"

"Our territory is so far away I don't know if I want to. Summer vacation would surely be over by that time I even made it here."

"My level is still low, so I am going to take these holidays and train to my heart's content."

"Tahaha, actually I have the same reason. It'[s really hard to catch up with everyone's growth speed."

Oh, right. I did hear Rina had come from the south's duke family, and it seemed like it was quite deep into the south of this continent as well. I think her home was probably the furthest away from the academy huh."

The ever-so upright Mert's decision was truly as upright as I imagined. So he was aiming to reach max level in this summer vacation huh. And Misato too. It prompted Rina, who heard that, to follow up with 'I will have to do my best as well' reply.

Indeed, I can't forget that. Levelling the members of ‹Arc-Arcadia› was important, but I couldn't forget about the growth of ‹Eden› members. Alright, let's pump up more energy this summer!

Speaking of ‹Arc-Arcadia›, what was our new member's plan, hmm?

"Haha, there's no way I can say I want to go back after hearing such resolute words."

"R-Right! I-I will also work hard and raise my level!"

"Oh, I had the plan to, but I called it off~. You know, getting into the ‹Eden› is like a dream come true, can't go blip when it has just been a few days here."

Following Aegis-senpai, Lacritta and Noel replied in order. I couldn't really ask for any more hardworking members than them, but I don't want them to cut on their personal life. I did ask if they really were fine, to which the three nodded along. Well, then so be it, the more the merrier.

"What about you, Reglam?"

"Apologise, but I think I need to go back. I might as well end in a long trip."

"Alright, but will you at least be back by 25th august?"

"......I honestly don't know, I will strive to reach earlier."

Hmm, Reglam was going out for a long journey huh. I was a bit concerned with the way he put it.

"Don't force yourself, alright?"

"Leave it to me."

Phew, at least he was putting in his catchphrase, so I guess I need not to worry then. It should be fine alright.

Next was ‹Arc-Arcadia› turn.

"We're staying behind!"

"Summer with Zephyr-kun sounds fun!"

"There's no way we can slack off here."

The harmonic trio—Sachi, Emi, Yuuka—replied.

"Kuh, why do I have to go back~"

"Well, all the best, Kairi-kun. I'm sure something good will happen to you."

"Aye, do not let it affect you, Kairi. I will never about forgot about you."

"Stop! That's the word of someone who will definitely gonna play reverse on it for sure!"

Behind the scene, Kairi, Nico and Alulu were fervently holding a conversation. It seems like the only one returning back from ‹Arc-Arcadia› was Kairi huh. Hmm, I think I even saw a cloud of despair hanging over her. Was she fine?

Just as I was writing on the notepad, Lana, who had been having a discussion, raised her fist. Oh, did they finally reach a conclusion? In fact, there had been quite a fierce debate ongoing between them that I could hear for a while. I wonder what happened.

"Ugh, Zephyr~. I don't want to go back."

"Even the words of Zephyr-dono wouldn't be able to change the situation, Lana-sama. It's time to go back."

"It's a pity that I'm stuck with such an insensitive fool. Uh-huh, I wonder when did you become so strict, Ester. And you used to be so—"

"M-May not, Ahem. It's the foremost duty to not mingle our lives together. And as a Princess's guard, a firm stance is often necessary."

"Boo~"

Oh, now that's a rarer than rare situation. A wild Lana with abysmally low excitement level? I couldn't even feel her usual liveliness. Even Ester. I had seen her spoiling Lana quite a bit, she had completely adopted a firm stance regarding home visit. Something important seemed to be going on I presume.

"Good luck, Lana."

"Haa, not another insensitive fool~."

I had just given me encouraging words to her when Lana limpily prostrated herself on the table. I do think she looked quite sorry, but there wasn't anything I could say beside that. Well, keeping to myself, I almost trailed off my words and was about to called her cute, sᴇaʀᴄh thᴇ NƟvelFɪre.ɴet website on Gøøglᴇ to access chapters of nøvels early and in the highest quality.

Overall, her whole entourage, except Celestine, was taking off for the home visit. And it seemed to be long one as well. It's really going to tough with Ester's ‹Carriage›, Lana's healing, Shizu's reconnaissance or Pamela's evasion tank. Was it the sign to focus on low level?

Speaking of, Celestine was my attendant so his schedule was based on mine. If I'm not, then he will not as well. That's quite a serious commitment, no? Shouldn't he be...actually, I really don't know how the guild management would be handled if he wasn't there so I was seriously happy to have him.

In the end, the to-stay or not-to-stay list was ended up looking like that—

Short Term Home Visit - Sierra, Kairi

Long Term Home Visit - Lana, Ester, Shizu, Pamela and Reglam

That pretty much summed them up—surprisingly just a short list. Well, I do appreciate that though. With that as back, I consolidate our schedule once again.

—With that, we had finally stepped into summer vacation truly!