Vol. 14 - Ch. 754 - A Promise with Hannah, and Class Exchange

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The warm sunlight fell over me, gradually dissipating the lingering languidness.

I was in my room, changing, when I heard a knock on the door.

She was here. I just knew who it would be from their manner of knocking. I checked my appearance one last time before opening the door.

Hannah stood outside the door, a basket in her hand. The usual scenery.

"Morning, Hannah."

"Good morning, Zephyr-kun~."

We exchanged greetings, or what'd become a custom at this point, as I invited her in. The basket had several ham sandwiches, each stuffed thick for a morning breakfast.

"I will set the dishes then."

"Mhm, thanks as always, Hannah."

It was my usual morning. With breakfast up, I promptly dig in.

I went for a chicken-cutlet sandwich, while Hannah had a tuna sandwich.

It was the day after dungeon week, so for me, that much was easily manageable. Though that couldn't be said for Hannah, so she seemed to have prepared lighter filling for herself. A two portion breakfast everyday was really something.

I had once tried to dissuade her, saying she doesn't have to prepare a different menu for me, but she pushed me back by remarking "That can't do, Zephyr-kun. You're the guildmaster, and you can't appear weak." And that's how she'd been making delicious breakfast everyday.

After the meal, we'd tea to cleanse our palate.

"Is there something you want, Hannah?"

I inquired.

"Why? That came out of nowhere."

"It's nothing, just that you've been putting all that effort into breakfast every morning. I was hoping to do something for you."

"Come on now, you don't have to. I'm simply doing this because I want to."

"I suspected you'd say so. But that's the case for me as well. I, too, was hoping to do something for you."

"For me? Ehehe~. Well, maybe then. How about advanced-grade materials? We've so few of them, and there are so many things I want to try making."

"But that's for the guild at the end... I guess that might be something for you."

I'd prefer she asked me something for herself, but maybe that's what she'd be happy to have for now?

She'd just finished crafting my high-spec equipment while working alongside Aruru and Marie-senpai. You'd expect her to take a break for the time being, but let alone her, all three of them had been impatient to continue on. The success with my equipment had propped up their ambitions.

And right now, they'd not just one or two, but a whole five set recipe for Lana, Sierra, Ester, Cecilia and Rika.

Even beside them, our warehouse was brimming with many item recipes. The allure of the untrodden path had clearly enorm all three of them. Unfortunately, they’re besetted by the lack of advanced-grade materials. This was the only thing we're hard locked out of, since Eden had yet to take their steps into the advanced dungeons.

As a fact, Marie-senpai had asked me the same, saying "We're in dire need of advanced-grade materials, Mister! How about you venture into an advanced dungeon? You should be able to do that with your equipment now."

Phew, I was just that close to set on the path of the quest.

Apparently the market was almost dried of those materials. It struck me strange since guild like «Sun Hunter» would've refill the stock, so I inquired Marie-senpai, and it turned out «Sun Hunter» hadn't have much time for dungeons since they're preparing for guild battle that would begin its course on November after the ban, plus they're also helping out on upcoming academy events.

Sheesh, who was that boorish party to challenge «Sun Hunter»?

If it had been another time, perhaps it wouldn't have mattered. But, due to certain reasons, «Sun Hunter»'s guildmaster wouldn't be participating in the guild battle, and while they did have enough combat experience, that news alone was enough for B-rank guilds to give it a go. This information came from my classmates Myu and Rihana.

Anyway, that was the long and short story behind Hannah's request.

"Alright, I understand. For now, you should use the remaining materials to start with Sierra's set."

"Okay. I will inform Aruru and Marie-senpai."

"Advanced dungeons aren't entirely impossible as long as we get our tank suit up well. Once we've gained footing, it should be enough to secure materials at least."

It certainly wouldn't do well to challenge an advanced dungeon half-assed. They'd their reputation for a reason. However, a properly equipped tank was enough to give an edge on shallow floors.

I nodded to Hannah, telling her I would give that a try.

After that, Hannah and I left the dorm behind us as we made our way to the school buildings. It was Monday after all. Three more days and it would be November soon.

To be honest, I was looking forward for this day. We’d been told before the dungeon week that we’re going to have lessons together with other classes as a means to familiarise with each other.

Before long, we reached the usual crossroad, I bid my goodbye to Hannah, both of us branching to our classes respectively.

At the class, I exchanged greetings with my classmates, and soon the topic came around to our today's lesson.

"Today's class exchange day. I am quite excited."

"Is there a day you're not excited though, Zephyr? Meanwhile, the fellas from Class-2 and Class-3 must be eyeing our class with gazes of hawks, waiting to beat us over for No.1 rank."

"Not that they're going to get that."

My excited remarks popped up responses from «Boxer» Sedan and «Soul Eater» Keel. Hehe, they knew me so well.

Though there was an unusual grim tone in Sedan's words. I guess as a former Class-2 student, he must've seen their determination up close.

Keel didn’t show any reaction, and just pushed up his round glasses, but there was a sharp look in his eyes. He wasn't letting down his guard either.

I'd say we've become quite good acquaintances after our exchanges so far.

"Those two classes certainly had some hard-hitters in the inter-class competition. I, too, was quite looking forward to meet them.”

"You too, Sedan?" "Well, Class-2 has Remy and Ady, my former classmates, in them after all. They've my attention."

"Acquaintance? Heh... ah, wait, you mean the bearkin and archer girl?"

"Now that you say, I guess you did fight them during competition, Zephyr."

"They're strong, and their coordination was remarkable."

"You guessed it. If you want to talk with them, I can introduce them to you."

"That would be great."

"In that case, can you introduce me to someone? To be precise, it's Jay, one of the Class-2 students."

"You mean the Class-10's former leader? His job being «Esper» something?"

"Oh, you have heard of him, Zephyr? I thought you didn't know since Jay was immediately eliminated by Class-8 in the beginning of the final match."

“Well, I did remember class leaders of finalist classes. Anyway, so you want to meet him?”

“Think of it as expanding my connections. He's strong enough to be placed into Class-2 after all.”

“Ah, that's certainly true.”

Thinking about it, wasn't my social circle barely existent? I barely had time to socialize beyond my guild members and classmates.

As soon as the classes were over, I’d immediately rush to the dungeon with our team. And the difference between our strengths in contrast to my classmates left a little reason to interact with other guilds.

Besides, nearly everyone in contact with me were my classmates, so I was a blank page here. I knew nothing about other classes or their talents, something I’d been curious about.

That's why I was excited about today's class collaboration. It was one of the rare opportunities to expand my social circle. Who knows if this leads me to a potential recruit, eh?

Before I knew, the chime rang, signifying the beginning of classes.

“I hope everyone had a fun week. Now then, let's begin with our homeroom. —As everyone knows, Class-1, Class-2, and Class-3 are going to have lessons together today starting 1st period. So swiftly get changed to your equipment and meet us at training field area 3-1-A. Make sure to not be late, alright?”