Vol. 14 - Ch. 758 - Group Battles - New Party, New Strategy

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At Ladvena-sensei's remark, my partner from Class-1 was set to be Myu. 

Myu spotted me immediately amidst the crowd and hurried over, her small frame moving with light rhythmic steps as if skipping, and stopped just right before me.

"Hey, good to see you, Myu."

"Mhm, good to see you."

We'd fought together in previous inter-class competition, so we're quite familiar with each other. We raised our hand and exchanged a high-five.

"Speaking of, what's your level now, Myu? I remember you're already quite high back then. I bet you got more level up, eh?"

"Of course. I am training every day. Well, I borrowed my brother's help for the dungeon, but I am currently LV73."

"Woah, that's close to level cap! Oh wait, you said your brother?"

"Mhm, guildmaster of «Sun Hunter»."

"What?!"

Our exchanges were going well. Thinking about it, this was, like, the first we're talking face-to-face alone. 

So, her brother was the guildmaster of A-rank guild? This was the first time I heard anything about that. «Sun Hunter» was strong enough to step into an advanced dungeon, and they're the suppliers of advanced-grade materials Marie-senpai requested from.

Though recently they'd skipped on that front, and were busy preparing for guild battle after one of the B-rank guild challenged them for «Duel». 

From our class, Myu, and «Frost Lancer» Ryana were a member of them. 

While we chit-chat like this, our other party members made their way toward us.

"Heya, err, can I call you Zephyr-kun? I will be counting on you today."

"It would be nice to get along well."

One carried a bow on her back, Remi, while the other was a «Bearkin» with a big hammer, Ady. 

We'd fought once during the inter-class competition. Though with Class-2 down after that, there wasn't really much chance later.

"It's been a while, you two. And yup, feel free to call me however you like. I will be counting on you for today."

"Myu, Class-1. «Hard Ranger»."

"Hmm? You aren't good with strangers, Myu?"

I couldn't help but notice that with her short introduction. 

"Mhm, not good with first-timers."

Ah, now that she said it, I remember she'd weirdly put herself in distance from us while our class was going through exchange during first shuffle. So she wasn't refraining because we, Eden, felt more like a tight-knit group? I really didn't guess it honestly. 

"You're fine with me?"

"Mhm. It's been half a year after all, that much is fine. Not strangers."

"That gladdened me. But are you sure you're fine with such field classes?"

"Alright. You can be assured about sniping. It doesn't involve facing people directly, so that's easy."

"That sounds cool with wrong priorities."

So she was like those tacticurn sniper? Really, you can never judge by its cover. 

Before long, the last member of the party—a student of class-3 also arrived at last.

"I apologise for the delay. I didn't expect to take that long."

"Well, well, if it ain't Highwood-kun! Nice to meet you! Oh, and I am Zephyr."

"Y-yeah? I am Highwood, and my job is «Cyborg». Good to meet you?"

Ack. I was so interested in the «Cyborg» job that I intentionally acted too familiar in our first meeting.

Highwood appeared slightly taken back, but nodded back at my greeting. 

Thank goodness. This could do. The best way to get through this awkwardness was to bring in another topic of more interest!

"You know, I'd been hoping to talk with you for a while. I am presuming you only have that arm for the machine category?"

"Y-yes, they're tough to come by in drops. I have been thinking of buying the body once I have enough savings."

"Hoho. As a matter of fact, «Eden» has quite a few untouched «Rusted» equipment, are you interested? We have like, head, leg, body, machine gun, and even a machine fist."

"Wha—?"

I brought in the topic I thought would attract his attention. When you talk about cyborgs, you'd imagine a fully mechanised person. A single arm alone wasn't worth the name.

In our farming, «Eden» had acquired quite a few armor parts of «Rusted» series. Technically, we'd have a lot more, like «Cursed» or «Unawakened» series equipment, all un-strengthened, though neither of them were in the interest of Highwood-kun. I was giving them cheap, with only one string—just to become strong.

"C-can you tell me details after class?"

"Of course."

I said, exchanging a firm handshake with him. 

"I am slightly jealous now."

"Well, at least those idiot, dumb, and dolt nuisance aren't here."

"True enough, but it’s sad I can’t smack paper fan onto them. It feels lacking due to that."

"Remi-chan, I think you may be a sadist."

"Huh? I-i am not, not at all."

Ah. I completely sidelined Remi and Ady.

"Well, since our turn isn't anytime soon, shall we discuss our roles and coordination?"

"'Kay. I am fine with Zephyr as leader."

"Mhm, go, Zephyr."

"Thanks, Remi, Myu. Alright, if there's no objection, then I will take the lead."

"Hmm, counting on you."

"Honestly, I am better at executing commands than giving them, so yeah. Oh, and I would like it if you just call me Highwood."

It appeared everyone was in agreement. 

Myu was an introvert, and Highwood seemed to prefer taking orders like a soldier. It was nice that we're all on the same page from the start. 

Once the party leader role was set, I started discussing further roles, and the end result was something like this—Myu and Remi were our ranged experts, while Ady and Highwood were closed-quarter combatants. 

We're all attackers, weren't we?! 

Oh well, since there was no need for taunt skill in pvp battles, the lack of a tank wasn't completely a disadvantage. I guess, this would put me in a healer role then.

Healer, however, was a must after all. Unfortunately, they're far and few between. The only ones here were Lana, Misato, and Eirosel in our three classes combined. 

It wasn't a surprise since the attackers were just strong, and this was the «Combat Department». It was quite common for classes in one digit placement to lack healers and tanks. Instead, you'd have a situation like our party.

I glanced at the other side, and they're completely rejoicing at Misato, a pure healer, presence in their party.

"That's... the balance is really tipped off completely to one end, eh? Lack of a defender for rearguard in particular is worrisome."

"I can be a decoy."

"This seems to be our only option. Myu, can you take care of it?"

"I can't guarantee, but leave it to me."

«Hard Ranger» was a scouting job. This made its user pretty sensitive to incoming ranged attacks from opponents, giving ample time to dodge. So, Remi was the one that worried me more. I could only count on her to do her best.

"Next, Ady is pretty much our leading striker. Highwood would follow her as sub-attacker. Remi, you coordinate with Ady. It would be a problem if opponents target our rearguard, so I am counting on you to take care of them, Myu. I will take a hit-and-run approach, and also act as healer. ...I think this is all."

"Sounds good."

"It's really easy with a sensible boy. The previous Class-1 had really some screw ups."

Remi and Ady nodded promptly at my words. Ady seemed to have whispered something... no, it must be my imagination. 

As we further discussed our outline, we heard Professor Remy calling us out.

"Party Zephyr step forward. It's your turn~."

"Ah, roger. That's our call, everyone, all set?"

" " " "Yeah (Mhm)." " " "

A prompt node. Great. And with that began our party battle.

"Your opponents are Akemy party."

"Been a while, Brave-kun! A pit 'tis though, that we're yet again made enemies."

"Haha, I wonder if this was going to be another defeat."

Our opponent party had Akemy and Kajmal of Class-2, Keel and Lacritta from Class-1, and an unfamiliar student from Class-3. 

"I-I am taking the vanguard. Need assistance!"

"Leave it to me. I shall reap my opponents with a swing of my scythe."

"Um, Keel-kun, d-don't you think it's a bit weird to wear glasses over a mask?"

"Just don't bring that up."

Keel was wearing his «Confusing Glasses» over a skull-shaped mask, «Hades Mask». He was serious, though the combination was so surreal that Lacritta appeared slightly bewildered. 

"Our opponent seems to be made of defenders and ranged attackers. Lacritta is strong, so try not to fall into her illusions, in particular Highwood."

"Don't ask me to shoot the moon."

"The real threat is instant-death unique skill. I will draw Keel!"

Keel's «Soul Eater» was the one that posed a substantial threat to us. We couldn't let down our guard around it. 

Well, instant-death effect were ineffective against me. More like, it's success rate was dependent on level difference. The higher the level, the lower the chance of instant death activating. At ten or more level, the chances were abysmally low, and against me? It was as good as having no effect at all. 

And even without that, I also had «Instant Death Resistance», and «Debuff Resistance». No matter if he'd the bonus from his equipment, i'd enough counters. 

"Then we're leaving him to you, Zephyr-kun."

We shortly finished our discussion, and a moment later, Ladvena-sensei turned her face in our direction, and raised her one hand, announcing.

"Is everyone prepared? If so, I shall give the signal. —Start!"

"Haa! «High Jump»!"

"Forgot you showed that already? I just have a counter for it. «Soul Fire»!"

"UGH!"

"«Recovery»!"

"Tch, that was fast healing?!"

"«Impact Roar»!"

"Po-Pon! The great wall of shield—«Gigantic Wall»!"

The match began. 

Ady started with «High Jump», but Keel intercepted her with his skill «Soul Fire» that also had the effect of inflicting «Confusion». I swiftly healed her. 

Ady gained breathing room with my help, and jumped at Lacritta, the latter defending her with a giant wall. 

Hmm, nice start, Lacritta. It was better she didn't try to escape sine «Impact Roar» marked the fleeing target. 

In the meantime, I jumped at Keel.

"I wonder just how good you're with debuffs, Zephyr-kun! «Soul Curse»!"

"Uh-uh, it would be a pity if you underestimate my advanced-grade equipment that much!"

I charged at Keel, the latter tried to stop me using skill and inflicted me with «Curse».

However, a multitude of my resistance from my skill and armor made it ineffective. I didn't even have to enter a guard stance.

"I-It failed!?"

"I-I will stop him! «Prison Dome»!"

"Nice one, Kajmal! Let's see next then—«Flare Stream»!"

However, «Barrier Master» Kajmal and «Archmage» Akemi jumped in, stopping me.

Heh, a three-vs-one? But just right. It was time to show the true strength of my new equipment.

Inside the barrier Kajmal sealed me, Akemi's «Flare Sream» appeared, striking me directly. 

"D-did we get him?!"

Talk about raising the flag, no?