Chapter 81: More Than a C-Rank Guide

Lydia just got back to her dorm when her bracelet buzzed.

[Kathy: EMERGENCY! EMERGENCY! You still haven’t turned in your Rift monster materials assignment, Lydia!]

[Hugo: Final exam will begin in two weeks. Text me when you’ll be able to join us for the group practical test.]

[Simon: Medicine and potions assignment due in three days. Don’t be late.]

"Back to college, I guess," Lydia muttered.

After gathering the textbooks and notes she needed, Lydia settled at her desk and began working on her overdue report.

She had barely finished reviewing the assignment instructions when the dorm room door opened.

"Lydia! You’re back!"

Rishe stepped inside with a bright smile. She looked genuinely happy to see her roommate again.

"Oh my goodness! What happened to your shoulder? Are you okay?"

"Accidents happened in the Hunting Competition. Thankfully, it doesn’t hurt as much anymore. No worries, Rishe."

Since Ephraim and Zachary had asked her to keep the assassin incident a secret, Lydia decided not to tell Rishe the whole story.

"I am really sorry to hear that. Wait. Let me get you something. I have some medicines that work wonders on bruises."

After making sure Lydia was feeling better, Rishe brought up their upcoming assignments and explained what she had missed during her absence.

"We will have final exams in two weeks from now. That’s why we have to turn in our assignments before this week ends."

"We can do group work with everyone later. But the practical assignment required each group to work in pairs—Sentinel and Guide. Kathy had already teamed up with Simon, while Hugo had been assigned another partner." Rishe clapped her hands and beamed a smile at Lydia. "That means you and I will be working together for the practical assignment!"

But her smile faltered within seconds as Rishe examined Lydia’s injured shoulder.

"But how about I handle the Rift monsters myself? You should rest and let your shoulder heal first. I can take care of that part!"

"No. I can’t be a freeloader! How about we rest today and head to Verdant Forest tomorrow after class?"

Rishe frowned at Lydia’s suggestion but eventually agreed to wait until the following day.

After having dinner at a nearby restaurant together, they decided to call it a night.

The next morning, Lydia met her classmates to work on their group project.

Since the practical task required them to collect herbs and prepare a medicinal potion, the students had to divide their work.

Simon and Rishe headed to the campus greenhouse to gather the herbs they needed, while Lydia joined Hugo and Kathy for their group project for Miasma Treatment Studies.

Lydia had barely settled into her seat when Hugo turned toward her.

"By the way, congratulations on winning the Hunting Competition, Miss Golden Deer!"

"I saw you in NEXCAST yesterday. You were amazing. I heard you even helped His Highness and Count Ludenberg defeat that Glacial Dragon."

"Thank you!" Lydia replied with a smile.

"Wait, where’s your prize?" Hugo leaned forward, his eyes sparkling with curiosity. "Didn’t the Emperor give you that special reward? I want to see it!"

Lydia chuckled at his enthusiasm. She tapped her bracelet and took out the golden deer insignia she had received from Emperor Regulus.

"Here it is."

Hugo carefully examined the emblem, looking impressed by its fine details.

"Wow! This is gorgeous! And the fact that the Emperor personally gave it to you is the cherry on top."

However, Kathy seemed more interested in something else. She studied Lydia for a moment before speaking.

"By the way, are you really sure you’re a C-Rank Guide? You’re too hot and beautif—I mean, too amazing for that."

Lydia blinked. "What do you mean?"

"To be honest, I highly doubt it." Kathy rested her chin on her hand. "You managed to guide two high-ranking Sentinels during the competition, didn’t you? An S-Rank and an SSS-Rank Sentinels. Two at once! Geez, let that sink in, Lydia. Doesn’t that seem a little unusual for a C-Rank Guide?"

Hugo nodded thoughtfully. "Whoa. Kathy said something smart today. Did I just witness a miracle? But yes, your performance was impressive, Lydia."

Simon, who had just returned from the greenhouse with Rishe, overheard their conversation.

"I agree with Kathy," he said as he placed the basket of medicinal herbs on the table. "Perhaps you should consider having your rank reevaluated someday."

"Reevaluated? Is that even possible?" Lydia repeated.

"Yes. Your current rank might not reflect your actual abilities. Just like Sentinels, us Guides can grow and get stronger as well." Simon fixed his glasses. "It’s important to have our Rank reevaluated from time to time."

To prove his point, Simon tapped his bracelet and opened his identification.

[Name: Simon Enotts]

[Classification: Guide]

[Guide Rank: B-Rank]

"Amazing!! You were C-Rank last year, Simon!"

This calls for a celebration! How amazing! How about we hit St. Anton’s Patisserie after this? You’re paying, of course!" Kathy exclaimed.

In her previous life, she had been an F-Rank Guide who couldn’t even manifest a Spirit Animal.

But things are different now. Her abilities had improved so much that she could hardly recognize herself.

"Your abilities might be much higher than your current C-Rank, Lydia." Rishe nodded at her. "Especially after what happened at Belfort University. You managed to guide His Highness Ephraim when he was about to be a Mindless, didn’t you? You should give yourself more credit."

"I should consider it," she admitted.

"Of course you should!" Kathy replied. "You shouldn’t underestimate yourself."

Hugo grinned. "Who knows? Maybe we’ll be working with an S-Rank Guide someday!"

"Don’t get ahead of yourself," Lydia laughed.

Simon glanced at her injured shoulder. His expression soon turned serious. "Speaking of which, are you sure you should be going to Verdant Forest after this class? Your shoulder hasn’t fully recovered yet."

Rishe immediately looked concerned.

"That’s what I was thinking too. Lydia, you don’t have to push yourself. I can collect the monster materials for our practical assignment."

"She’s right," Kathy added. "You should let Rishe handle the dangerous part. We can help with the other assignments."

"Don’t worry. I’ll be careful. We only need to collect the materials required for the assignment, after all."

"Still, please don’t overdo it," Rishe insisted. "I’ll stay close and help you whenever you need it."

Lydia smiled at her roommate. "All right. I’ll leave that part to you."