Proofreader: Me

Lisana is a character I’m not familiar with. The most I’ve interacted with her, was…

‘Oh, I haven’t at all.’

While her story was the most cemented and concrete, getting along with her required not only time but countless resources that could be used elsewhere. As such, I never bothered getting too involved with her character, even if she was meta-breaking in ability.

A noble-looking student scoffed, “You filth. Get out of our sight.”

“…” Lisana remained motionless as the noble aligned students passed by.

I wanted to help her while she was being picked on, yet clearly, I missed it.

‘Better late than never.’

I seized the moment and reached out, “Lisana, are you okay?”

“…”

She looked toward me, without a hinge of any emotion.

“You know, I find it weird that you just take that treatment.” I shrugged, “I mean you’re far more powerful than them.”

“Waste.” She let out a small murmur.

“Huh?”

“It’s a waste of time.”

“Aren’t you wasting time by letting them bully you?”

“…”

I was talking to Serina all over again. Trying to beat around the bushes was useless with these people.

“Ah whatever, I’ll be upfront.” I held up my hand in front of her, “I want to create a temporary party, you in?”

“Honest.” Muttering, she gazed at me. Whether or not it was a good or bad thing, she eyed me over.

“So?”

I received a gentle, but firm handshake. She most likely only accepted because we were in the same class. But Internally, a yipee still managed its way out of my heart.

Lisanna looking at me, mouthed the words, "What quest?”

“There’s this joint B-ranked one, Reclamation of Hui, and you need two party members minimum to attend.”

She nodded with minimal energy.

I think I’m starting to understand her character a bit more. The way everyone hyped her up was confusing, but now that you experience it in person… it’s kind of endearing?

I shook my head, dragging her out of this depressing corridor. Back in the bustling quest hub, I hawked in on the specific job we needed. In the bottom left corner of the board, lay a suspicious-looking request.

“This?” Lisana pointes at ir.

“Yup, I need something from here, and I also need another person to join our party.”

“Our…”

She remained still, only looking at the suspicious job.

I mean it is, but, it isn’t. Anyway, seeing as this renowned quest was within the Alexander Kingdom, it was deemed as an important clear if you wanted to get close to Luna.

In my case, I needed to connect with Uriel asap.

[Please Help!]

As the Marquis of Campbell, I must protect my people and this nearby village. We have no combat forces, please help us.

A small piece of our territory is under attack by bandits, a village by the name of Campbell.

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There will be rewards for those who arrive as soon as possible.

Under the handwritten request, were the rest of the details.

Judged to be B-ranked.

At least three Parties are required.

If you have any questions please inquire at reception.

From a normal point of view this quest was visibly normal, but when from the lens of an experienced person like Lisana — this was incomparably improbable. The fact that a Marquis is struggling to clear bandits was not a plausible event.

“Excuse me, I’d like to register for this B-Ranked joint quest.”

“Just the two of you?” The receptionist glared at us.

“Please look at this,” In my hand was the Z-ranked brooch.

It was kind of a hidden feature, but if you were in the Golden Nest, the brooches had a slight difference in them. The magic imbued in them was made to be the same wavelength as the Hero’s.

Considering that the Enigmatic Chance could replicate it perfectly, it was also magnificent.

“Oh, my apologies. I greet this year’s generation of prodigies.”

Their attitude spun a momentous one-eighty.

“…”

To my left, Lisana raised her eyebrow.

“Privilege,” I whispered.

The receptionist stamped the quest paper, stashing it in a box labelled ‘Progressing.’

“Please head this way.”

We were led to the designated transporter device, which once again, was not medieval.

“Luckily, you two barely made it. They were just about to leave.”

They bowed, leaving us two in this sci-fi fantasy abomination.

“You been in these before?” I made some small talk.

“No.”

“Right...” I ended it there, unsure of what else to say.

…

I had one more trick up my sleeve. Julia left me some exotic flavours of candy when I was recovering.

I rummaged through my pockets grabbing her attention, “You want these?”

Her eyebrows perked up, so probably a positive response.

“There’s Snake flavour, Sweet and Salty, Dragon, Griffon, and more.”

“I see.”

Her voice remained monotone, but her eyes were glued to my hands.

“Just take one, I don’t mind.”

She nodded, looking at my hands intently. Lisana seemed to have forgotten her sense of distance as she leaned in, intently gazing over each ball of flavoured sugar. I had mixed feelings about acting as an adult using treats to lure children into agreement.

“This.” Her hand drifted toward the debatably weirdest flavour, Sweet and Salty.

Unfortunately, the moment was disturbed as the machine started to glow in a vibrant hue.

Mana waves were blasted at us, leaving me in disarray. I felt like I just span in circles for minutes.

“Eugh," I resisted the urge to vomit.

Lisana observed my condition, “Are you okay?”

“Th- there’s F- first time for everything… blegh.”

Lisana held my arm, lightly placing a pill of sorts in my hand. In my nausea, I could only send her a confused expression.

“Reliever," She mumbled.

I popped it in my mouth, gulping it down. My aching head chilled over with only a refreshing aftertaste of mint left.

“Woah! This is some great stuff!” I shook her by the shoulders. “Where can I get it?”

“…”

It looked like her soul was leaking out of her mouth.

“Uhm, are you okay?”

“Please… Personal space.”

“Sorry, my sense of distance has kind of been messed up.”

I refuse for this to be completely my fault, too many times has mine been disrespected. Also didn’t she just shove her face into my hands?

“It’s okay.”

After I recovered, we finally exited the magic machine. A luscious green environment akin to the Philios Forest surrounded us. Although the difference now, was that a village was ahead.

“Oh, would you look at that?” A joyful senior hopped around us two, “Luke, and a new face!”

“Krulia, you’re frightening them.”

“But, Arrrrrkkkk…” She tilted her head down, whining.

“Ark?” I mumbled, trying to recall the name.

“Wait, you’re that kid!”

“Ah, yeah, what?”

He shoved his scarred face in front of me, “Remember, from within the monsters?”

That was only a few days ago, but it seemed like such a long time already.

“What a way to meet again, isn’t it senior?”

“Yes, we were waiting on one more party, but looks like you two took that spot up.” He smirked, “Why don’t we act as a joint-party?”

“Yes, with me too!” Krulia butted in again.

Ark responded by shoving her away, “Can you get out!”

The dynamic between the two was certainly striking.

I glanced toward Lisana, who blankly stared at us from a few feet away.

“…”

“Are you okay with it?”

She nodded.

“Well, seniors, looks like we’ll be working together for today.”

“Great, we’ve already established a plan with the other group. So we’ll finally be able to start.” Ark grabbed something from his pocket, “I’ll relay your arrival to the others.”

In his hand was a rectangular stone. It resembled a crude version of Earth’s block cell phones back in the day.

“While he talks it out with the others, what do you say we talk for a bit?” Krulia nudged her way next to me.

She was woefully shoving her charming appearance onto me. If anything, her scarlet hair tied in with the red-tinted uniform only she had. The only lacking part of her charm was undoubtedly… the chest.

“Ouch.”

“Hey! Where are you looking?” She snapped me back to reality lightly smacking my head. “No dirty thoughts allowed.”

“I would never.”

“Hmph- As if I would believe the words of a perverted junior.” She jokingly stuck her tongue out.

“So, what did you want?” I eyed her suspiciously.

Krulia placed her finger on her cheek, “Have you enjoyed the greenery at the academy?”

“I mean, sure-“

An unnerving feeling emanated from her gaze, quickly disappearing at a glance.

With a frown, I asked, “What do you actually mean?”

“Whaaat!? What else could I have meant?” Krulia hopped around me, keeping up her happy face.

I felt a tug at my back. "Hmm?"

Lisana gestured to meet her eye level, “She’s weird.”

I agreed internally.

Clap! The sound came from Ark who stood at attention.

“We’ve agreed to meet at the bandit’s camp, and we’re expected to arrive pretty soon.” He stood there, pointing to the forest.

Once again Lisana tugged at me. “Be careful,” She mouthed.

“Yeah, I know.”

This quest, at the surface, was easier than the rank of B suggested. That is if nothing went wrong.