Vol. 8 - Chapter 406 - Sub Member’s Training Plan
On the following Wednesday morning, after the welcome party and new member gathering, I noticed Lana's face drooping in dejection as she rested her head on her desk in the classroom.
I approached her while returning the greeting to Ester, who was standing next to her seat, in response to her short bow.
"Good morning. You sure look out of gas today, Lana."
"Good morning, Zephyr. Sigh I really do want to accompany new members to the dungeon."
"Good morning, Zephyr-dono. Lana-sama has a briefing session to attend today after classes regarding homecoming, so she has been like this since morning."
Ah, so it's that huh. Ester's explanation cleared the confusion I had.
Basically, not only was she unable to participate in the training of new members of ‹Arc-Arcadia›—that's going to last for today and tomorrow only—she also had a boring meeting to attend. It's no wonder her usual energetic self was nowhere to be seen.
Oh, right, they did say she would be too busy to participate in guild affairs for these two days. And due to that, her attendant and guards—Ester, Shizu and Pamela—would be absent as well.
Friday was reserved for the D-rank exam while we're going to hunt ‹Battle Wolf (3rd Form)› . There was basically no time for her to join in during activity with ‹Arc-Arcadia›, and right after the weekend, we would enter term-end exams period and the dungeon would be off-limits for these two weeks.
Well, it sure will be quite some time before she could be involved in ‹Arc-Arcadia›. But seeing her usual bubbly self depressed really didn't sit well. I contemplate another plan and put it forward.
"Well, it would obviously be impossible to use the dungeon during the exam period, but we can still use the training ground. Although not everyone can participate due to studying, I will see if I can find a chance to gather them."
"That's it, Zephyr! It sounds perfect to show my cool idea!"
No, don't tell me that's why you were disappointed?
But, at the end of the day, this would be during the exam period, so I wasn't sure her attendant behind would allow her. Seeing me turning my gaze to Ester, Lana, who realized this too, also turned to look at her.
"Ester. Just for a while shouldn't be a problem, right?"
"It indeed is fine for a change in mood."
She easily gave her permission. Eh, are you really sure, Ester?
"How is Lana's study going, Ester?"
"Good, I suppose. I hear from Shizu that Lana-sama's performance is actually not that bad, even the one she's supposedly weak at. I guess , this is expected to be from the Princess."
I don't know if I was seeing things, but Ester's eyes as she said looked clouded. Well, if her attendant says so, then it should be fine.
Alright. So, 'We will be having light training in the training ground during exam period as well,' I sent that message in the guild chat. Oh, and I better have a meeting with Sierra over details as well. Studies were important, but being stuck in it for a long time might not be good so it just sounds perfect for change of mood.
After classes, when I decided on that. Lana, with a reluctant look on her face, was taken away by Ester and Shizu.
I lightly waved to see her off and from there, we, too, left for the dungeon along with sub-members.
Our meeting place was a certain plaza located between the ‹Beginning Dungeon› and ‹Extra Dungeon. All the sub-members were participating in it, while there were a total of eight members from ‹Eden› as support—a total of 18 members, so it was obviously a large group. We moved to the corner to avoid blocking the path, but it feels like we're attracting everyone's attention. Yeah, I don't think this was just my imagination.
"Hey, look."
"It's ‹Eden›. ‹Eden› members are here!"
"Phew, Brave-san looks handsome no matter when."
"Huh, I object. It's, of course, the girls. Girls in ‹Eden› are all strong, beautiful and pretty. A full packet!"
"Hmm, but am I seeing some new faces? First year, it seems."
"Come now, you didn't visit the forum? They are the members of the rumored sub-guild ‹Eden› established yesterday."
"I saw it! Man, it was like someone released fireworks in a forum. It was like pandemonium on earth."
"Huh? What the hell, no way, it happened yesterday!? I didn't even know. Wait, I will check it out now!"
"See ya."
It had turned into a bit of commotion. I shouldn't have chosen the plaza as a gathering place. I had decided on this place since it was closer to dungeons and would save us from running around as well. But it's a bit too noisy here to have any meeting properly. I would just hold them in the guild before leaving from next time. I decided.
Either way, there was no helping for today so I briefed everyone while holding a schedule that has the planned activities.
"Alright, everyone. We're going to clear the dungeon in four teams. Our imminent goal is to have everyone graduate from the beginner dungeon. ‹Arc-Arcadia› level on average is quite low, and the limit is just Beginner-mid dungeon. So, I will first everyone clear the dungeon while members of ‹Eden› will support you in acquiring the 'Conqueror's Proof.'"
I had already mentioned a bit of my plan yesterday, so there was no doubt to clear today. As soon as they achieve that, we would shift to leveling up in ‹Dojo› as our next step.
"Now, let's assign the team. I have based it on the average of everyone's level and their current dungeon floor progress so it should be fine. Team A will have ‹Collector LV11› Nico, ‹Seeker LV13› Kairi, ‹Tri-Element Dwarf› Alulu, while our tank Sierra and healer-cum-attacker I will be joining support. We are going to clear ‹Tropical Forest Dungeon› first, and if time permit, ‹Abandoned Strong Bridge Mine Dungeon›."
"Understood."
The A team was composed of non-combatants members, and the surprising fact was neither of them had cleared even Beg-low dungeons.
Alulu, staying at LV19, also only raised her level by utilizing her production job. She did seem to enter the Beg-low, but that was apparently only for gathering materials. Nico and Kairi have defeated some monsters, though the boss wasn't one of them. Well, at least that's not where their specialist lies.
As such, tank Sierra and I would be carrying them through the dungeon.
"The members of team B will be the Harmonic Trio along with Rika and Karua. Do your best to level up."
"Roger."
"No, prob."
" " "We look forward to learning from you!" " "
I next composed team B.
Harmonic Trio consists of Sachi, Emi and Yuuka, the holder of Magic Equipment series jobs. They were also in the same class as Rika and Class so I think they should be able to get along well. The only thing I was worried about was if they were as sport-minded as energetic they seemed.
The trio had already cleared three of Beg-mid dungeons, but unfortunately were unable to enter Beg-high due to the restriction of Lv25 while their level was short by just one. In their case, they just need to level up so their stop was ‹Training Hall› Rank 3 (LV2030), and if time permits, Rank 4 (LV3040) as well, the highest training hall they could challenge with the Beg-mid marks they hold.
They just were missing a healer for their team, but Emi could use healing magic, so I believe it shouldn't be a problem, especially with Rika's defense.
"‹Songstress Princess LV32› Noel, ‹Racc-Shell LV32› Noel, you're in team C. Mert and Misato will be supporting you."
Noel and Lacritta were at top among other members of ‹Arc-Arcadia› in terms of leveling. Well, they had dived into the dungeon along with ‹Eden› Rina, Mert and Misato during last dungeon week so there's that. Their priority was to level up so their destination was ‹Training Hall› Rank 4.
"The final team, Team D, will have ‹Princess Knight LV10› Aegis-senpai and ‹Scion Star LV22› Reglam while Lulu and Celia act as support. Aegis-senpai's level is much lower so I hope I have your understanding there, Reglam. Once it is done, we will immediately move on to clear the last mark for you."
"All good."
Reglam cooly nodded in response to my request. Great.
Team D was a mix of different aspects. Like, Aegis-senpai already had three marks of Int-mid dungeon so she could challenge ‹Training Hall› anytime. However, Reglam was sort of one mark of Beg-mid dungeon, so he could only enter Rank 3 of the training hall. Rank 4 was out of question.
Aegis’s senpai level low level and Reglam’s lacking one mark made them unfit for other teams—or more like, they could, but the party would hardly be on the same page due to the difference, resulting in holding back others. So Team D's first task was to challenge ‹Training Hall› Rank 2 (LV10~20) and help Aegis-senpai in leveling to 20. Next would be helping Reglam in clearing ‹Fat Ghost› and after that was challenging ‹Training Hall› Rank 3 and Rank 4 afterward.
We just had two days, and it's only after classes, so I hope to achieve as much result as possible. I double-checked with everyone and each of them headed to their respective dungeons.