episode_0156

The best crew at Eden Academy, Pantera.

Shine Stella, the head and captain of the place, was sitting in the interview room with a very serious expression. I tapped the desk with my hands impatiently.

Knock knock knock, a line of worry appeared on Stella’s sun-kissed face. The fine eyebrows furrow.

It’s because of recruiting crew members.

“True… It’s a pity… .”

Although she had experienced an unfortunate incident not long ago, she was still the captain of a crew. For now, I had to focus on what was in front of me.

What is the crew captain to do? That is, to make the crew stronger. What would be the way? There are ways to improve the skills of crew members, but the most fundamental solution is to recruit new recruits with excellent qualifications in the first place.

That was the reason Stella was struggling.

Arguably, the most talked-about child among the new students was Aru, the ‘first canine student.’ Stella tried to recruit Aru, but she flatly refused.

It is not a simple rejection. Going to another crew was a real problem. By that amount, the power of other teams will increase.

So, Stella decided. We will definitely recruit a saint, a warrior, and a princess. It would be of great help if we could develop them, who are, in name and reality, the strongest forces except for Aru.

‘I didn’t choose Pantera… ‘I’ll make you regret it.’

So I asked them for a meeting, and I was waiting… .

“I’m sorry, senior… .”

“Hmm?”

“Unfortunately, I have already decided on a crew… Still, I think it’s truly an honor just to hear from you!”

What came back was a polite refusal.

“Oh, no… We are Pantera. Are you saying this because you don’t know Pantera? Ranked first in the continental crew competition last year, selected as the best crew by the Imperial Newspaper… … .”

“That’s not why. I also have pierced ears. However, there is a place I decided to go to first.”

Even though I held on to the hem of my skirt, the answer I got was the same. Stella was dumbfounded.

“Where on earth? Are you rejecting our Panthera because who recruited him first?”

“Umm… The crew name is Magic.”

“Magic? What is the crew aiming for? Improve your skills? Practical score? Fame? Achievements? No matter what your goal is, Pantera can provide further support… .”

Even though he gave up his pride and became the captain of a crew, showing a desperate attitude that did not suit the name Cheonwoong.

“Haha, actually, I don’t know. I made it because Mr. Evans asked me if I wanted to form a crew together.”

“… .”

The saint’s answer only made Stella more bewildered.

“Evan… Su?”

“Uh, do you know Mr. Evans? Ah, indeed. You said you two met once before, right? With Aru.”

“No way, out of nowhere, they said they would try to create a crew… Haha.”

“I’m saying this because you know Mr. Evans. Isn’t he such a nice person? Ever since I first came to the Academy, you have always taken care of me when I was clumsy! You are truly a person who helps others! I must follow Mr. Evans’ example… … !”

As if her feelings of affection were not small, the saintess talked for a long time about a student named Evans.

Watching that scene, Stella’s mind gradually became filled with one question.

‘Evans… ?’

After Maria left, Stella fell into deep thoughts. Even more than before.

‘ha… Whatever the reason, we failed to recruit a saint, so now we must bring in a warrior… .’

Squeak-clap.

The door opened, and a blonde girl entered a room with only a desk. Perhaps because the girl who was originally sitting there also had blonde hair, the combination of the two went very well together.

‘… hmm?’

However, the way he walked in was somewhat awkward.

It’s like stumbling or hesitating. Like a wild animal trying to hide its wounds. The warrior sat down on the chair very carefully.

‘dragon… buy? ‘Are you a hero?’

Although it was somewhat suspicious, Stella was so desperate right now that she had no energy to focus on such things. After a few light conversations, Stella got to the point.

“As the captain of the Pantera crew, I hope that you will join our Pantera team.”

Cold sweat began to flow down the warrior’s neck. Stella, whose vision was as broad as her strength, did not miss the drop of water.

‘sweat… ? Did you feel that Pantera’s offer was that burdensome? No matter how high Pantera’s reputation is, it’s probably not as good as the hero… ?’

Stella quickly realized the reason for the sweat drops.

“Sorry, I apologize.”

“… Uh, why?”

“I already have a crew lined up. Tsk… Find another good crew member other than me… .”

After saying those words, the warrior quickly tried to leave the room. Stella caught the warrior’s footsteps.

“Now, wait a minute. Warrior.”

“Why are you doing that?”

“Which… Are you a crew member? Even just the name of that place… .”

“… It’s called the Magic Crew. It’s a new crew that’s just being formed. A student named Evans is the captain.”

“… !”

They say that if you meet once, it’s coincidence, if you meet twice, it’s fate, and if you meet three times, it’s inevitability.

Although we have only met in person twice. The 1st, 2nd, and 3rd candidates who were the top priority recruits all declined the offer, citing the same reason.

This is not something that can be easily overcome.

The Magic Crew and Evans, whose names no one even knew yet, were quickly becoming objects of caution in the mind of the crew captain who was said to be the best on the continent.

*****

Dinner at Eden Academy is delicious. This is an unquestionable truth.

But I’m a little puzzled by that. Delicious food comes from an overflowing budget. But does this academy have that kind of budget?

Even with the goal of equality, tuition is not expensive. Nevertheless, I learned from Frey why they were always able to provide top-quality meals.

“In return for low tuition, students can do various jobs with the knowledge and skills they have acquired at the academy. It solves the request.”

“Ho… There was something like that too.”

“… Did you really not know any of this?”

“You don’t necessarily need to know. My goal is not to be first in the academy.”

“Then what… place… ?”

“That’s a secret. I’ll let you know when I get to know you.”

“Friend, become friends… ? Ugh… .”

Is it because it was a bit too much for me before I came here? Frey crouched down and cried out. My stomach curled up like a bear hibernating in winter.

“You said you were called by Shine Stella, right? What did you hear?”

He said, holding up a bright yellow juice glass. My favorite drink is milk, but orange juice isn’t bad either.

“… It’s no big deal. just… .”

“Just?”

“W, I received a recruitment offer… Of course I refused!”

“Hmm? okay? That’s amazing. Of course I thought you would go to Pantera.”

“… .”

More than expected, it seems like Frey has a sense of belonging to our crew. As a reward, would you like to weaken the punishment tomorrow?

Hmm, now that I think about it, there would have been no need to torture Frey if he had opened his mouth obediently in the first place. Why do you keep refusing to open your mouth?

I’m not the type of person who just kills people because they know my identity. If there was evidence, the story would be different, but if not, who would believe me if someone said to me, ‘That bastard is a demon!’

If they were going to cut off everyone just because they knew, they would have started with Beatrice, Johan, and Aru.

It would be better to find out how he knew, make up for any mistakes he may have made, and embrace him.

Nevertheless, Frey still keeps his mouth shut. Even though I could see the dent in the skin of my stomach. I too have been hit by Stella, so I know the pain it can be.

“It came to me too. Of course, I stayed next to Mr. Evans.”

“I believed it. Still, thank you.”

“Hehe… .”

On the other hand, Maria, who didn’t know what was going on between me and Frey, just smiled without a trace when I patted her head.

Clatter, clatter, clatter-.

Throughout dinner, I chatted with the newly appointed crew members about the new crew. The Hako crew only has four crew members now, but one day they will surprise the academy.

After the meal, Frey left for the training ground. Even though I was not vicious enough to hit his stomach after feeding him, I just let him go.

Aru said Frey was interesting and approached her. Probably about tomorrow, about five or six long claw marks will be carved into Frey’s body.

Maria was called out to the teacher. Since I am not just a student, I guess there are some procedures I have to go through.

Left alone, I tried to secretly follow Maria. If some student hadn’t called me, I would have followed Maria around and had a great time.

“Hey! 1 Grade! Is your name Evans?”

“My name is Neville. Why are you looking for Evans? I’m busy.”

“Your name tag clearly says Evans Grant?”

“Chet, I got caught. What is your business?”

A female senior, probably a second or third year student, approached me and said. I frowned.

“3rd grade student Veronica calls. Come up right now.”