Dragging myself across school grounds, I wandered into the backstage of the assembly hall.

“Yo bro, you just arrived in time!” Fen called out to me.

I scratched my head, “You’re here too?”

“The headmasters called all those involved with the dungeon to the backstage too,” He explained casually.

That explained all the familiar faces. Right now Julia was chatting with a cheerful Uriel, and Rodney was surprising conversing with Ash. As expected, Serina stood still facing the direction of the podium out front.

Lights flickered, alerting the students.

“Here, I introduce to you all, the heroes of the Dungeon Expedition’s tragedy.”

Abel stepped down from the podium, letting Runalia take his place.

“These are all first years here proved themselves to be part of the Golden Generation.”

“First, the one who fought off Requiem by himself, Fen Castelle.”

He held an awkward smile unbefitting that of a hero, yet he still stood up to the position.

“Second, the great mage of this budding generation, Serina Rosemary, who supported and protected him.”

No one stood up.

“Sorry, there seemed to have been a miscommunication. Miss Serina will receive her reward in due time.”

Runalia kept her profession face on, despite the twitches in her face saying otherwise.

“Third, the representative of the elves, Ash Walker, who provided and escorted devilised students to safety.”

His taciturn face contrasted to his elegance, creating a work of art as a living being.

“Fourth, both Rodney and Uriel, the ones hailing from the Order of Unity, who served as a bastion for our struggling ones.”

The two stood side by side on stage, walking with a grace blessed by the heavens. A student had sworn a halo was present above Uriel.

“And fifth, Percy, who truly has proved his strategic prowess to be that of a nation’s strength.”

He stood up, glasses in hand, a smug curve on his lips, as if taunting someone.

“These students have all proven themselves to be heroes, of which we all strive to be.”

And, here I was on the sidelines. Why was I called here again? Abel wanted me to show up, but I hadn’t been called up at all.

“Please everyone, let out round of a celebration for our budding talents.”

The hall boomed with cheers and claps, with people recognising their saving grace.

“However.”

…

The room had darkened as she spoke a single word.

“There is one person we’d like to thank, but they decided to go no show. Please, if you find out who they are, do not harass them.”

Runalia pulled out a bracelet from a box provided by the school’s funds.

“Excuse the pitch black room, and do not peer past this barrier.”

As soon as she finished talking, she turned toward me who was on the side stage.

I walked up with a sense of incongruity. “Really, me?” I wanted to ask, but the situation didn’t call for any useless complaints.

The other protagonists and Percy looked expectantly. Although, Rodney feigned obliviousness.

“Luke, Me and Abel are aware of what you did. Think of this as thanks for letting this incident be as peaceful as it was.”

In her hands laid an item.

It was bestowed with carvings of unknown nature, but it didn’t diminish its beauty whatsoever. It was a jade colour, made with a material I couldn’t realise without my Outer Eyes.

“This… is it really okay for me to have it?” I looked up at her eyes.

“Haruto himself recommended it. Although, he said he wished to see results soon enough.”

Ah, so this is a setup.

Dammit.

[King of Wanderer’s Bracelet] (A+)

* This bracelet had been held onto for millennia, hoping to find an owner worthy of its story and prowess. The original is unknown, except for the creator being hailed as a God from ancient texts.

* Provides an increased chance to have fortuitous encounters in the future.

* Provides a sense of direction unmatched by maps.

* Provides a skill [Ki Sense] (F) to the wearer.

* Increases stats in proportion to the quantity and quality of dungeons conquered.

I unconsciously muttered, “All hail Haruto!”

Stolen content warning: this content belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences.

‘I…l don’t think I could be mad at all!’

Its effectiveness far outmatched my current Enigmatic Chance. Its last dot point is what made this item so desirable in the game, its stat increases were negligible at first, but quickly spiralled out of control once the player conquered the hardest of dungeons.

“Yes, now please stand back so we can continue with the announcement.”

As I raced behind the curtains, the lights quickly switched back on.

“This is the end of the award ceremony, but now we introduce to you what differentiates us to the other academies in this world.”

Each student ceased their noise at once, knowing the importance of this.

“Quests, similar to an adventure guild, we send students out on these quests to explore what it really means to be a hero.”

“For this week, first years are exempt for class and are to focus on this only. After which, we will proceed with the normal curriculum.”

“Do your best, and please, come back safe. Your lives as heroes are just as important as everyone else’s.”

A sliver of sincerity had broken past her stone cold facade. These rare moments had captivated not only me, but the countless players who experienced it.

Following this, there was only one right option to do. I had to party with Uriel, even if it meant having to deal with Rodney. The presence of a Bad ending this early would ruin everything.

‘Guess it’s time.’

There was a particularly annoying item to make, but helped all protagonists regardless. Of which, is only obtainable within the first two weeks of questing being released as a feature.

Three items.

A Skele-Staff, Incu-Necklace, and the final Fragment of Hope. Ironically, the lowest ranked item, the necklace, was the most difficult to get. It was also only available starting next week in an emergency quest.

For the first one, I knew exactly who to ask, as the quest for that item was impossible for me. Whereas, for the other two items, I required the participation of one cowardly Saintess. Thus, I needed a party, with Uriel as my pillar of support. The others can be figured out later, although, Erin, Fen, and especially Julia should be relatively easy to convince.

-x-

Shortly after the assembly, I met up with Serina. We stood in the backstage which was completely empty as it was already evening. Many had begun their adventures.

There was one thing I aimed for with this interaction, and that was the help of Serina. Even if she was different, after seeing her smile, I could tell her core personality still remained.

“There’s something I’d like your help with,” I pleaded.

“I’ll do it.”

Her eyes held an unwavering certainty.

“I haven’t asked yet?” I was bewildered.

She simply replied, “I trust you.”

Seeing her recent treatment of me really sent me confusing signals.

“Then, there’s this one quest that’ll be there. It’s ranked to be around B, although it’s really simple-“

“I understand, I’ll retrieve it.”

“No, I mean there’s the-“

“Skele-Staff, I am aware Luke.”

…

Once again I was left speechless. How did she know this? Since she’s from the Rosemary family, I guess it would make sense.

“Thank you very much, I’ll repay this debt as soon as possible.”

Serina shook her head. “No need.”

“Uhuh… I’ll get a move on. Thanks again.”

I witnessed her wave gently as I exited.

Now that the Skele-staff was secured, I needed to find Uriel. Likely, she was with Rodney tagging along the Unity of Order seniors. Somewhere around the questing building, I bet.

I zoomed past a corridor, and met an untimely wall.

A girl with blue hair fell to the ground, with a plop. She was short, shorter than most, but I knew her sword arm was the scariest around.

“Hah, what’s a commoner doing in the presence of nobles?” They looked down at a student.

Normally I would help, but I had a pressing matter to attend to.

If Uriel left, I could only ask tomorrow and even then it might already be set in stone who she would go with.

Unfortunately…

“Well of course,” I reflexively clicked my tongue.

As I made it to the newly accessible building, I witnessed the teleportation of Uriel along with other seniors. Rodney being absent however.

Amongst the bubbling crowd of students I brought it upon myself to ask about what quest they took.

“Excuse me, do you know what the seniors from the Order of Unity undertook?”

“Who are you?”

“Ew, creep.”

“Get away from me.”

“Another one of those fans?”

It seems my average appearance has forsaken me.

I was ignored, being looked down as much a a cockroach. I kept asking others, but was refused. While many also recognised me from the cafeteria, they held looks of both jealousy and contempt.

“Prince Charles! We’ve collected some information regarding the region you took interest in… Campbell was it?”

“Interesting isn’t it, Robert? Indeed, the Marquis of that regions is strangely performing well.”

I didn’t understand the conversation, but luckily, I recognised a familiar face.

“Ah, hey Prince.”

“Luke? It’s strange seeing you alone.”

“Do you know what quest Uriel took with her seniors?”

“Quite upfront, well…”

If I was right, they would’ve taken a multi-team quest and would be held in a temporary space until others had accepted it. It was similar to match making in video games.

“I would ask, but it seems you’re in a bit of a hurry.” He paused to recall, “I believe it was the ‘Reclamation of Campbell.’”

Perfect.

“Thanks, I’ll pay you back later.”

“If you say that, then I’ll have to expect something. You may be already be doing me a favour by heading toward that region.” Or so he added at the end of his sentence.

I simply smirked.

The only issue now was finding a member before another group joined them.

‘Wait, wasn’t she there?’

I let it pass by without worrying, but it seemed now would be the perfect chance. I would ordinarily ask Fen, Erin, or Julia, but they were busy with personal matters. For Julia and Fen, it was quite obvious that their parents were worried.

As for the Demon Lord’s Daughter… I have no idea how her brain works. Even in the game lots of her events were random without any flow to it.