Chapter 86

"Alright, you all have about two months of summer vacation starting tomorrow.

Normally, the theory is to maintain discipline during the break so that you don't become too lax...

It's been a little over four months since you entered the academy.

Compared to the first orientation, everyone here has a much more disciplined and fine appearance.

Foh foh foh!

There's nothing to worry about.

The second semester will have many opportunities to apply the skills you've developed in the first semester, such as the field school.

I can't wait to see how everyone will spend their vacation and what kind of faces they'll return to this classroom with.

Just be careful with your health.

That's all."

The last homeroom of the first semester ended, and we entered the summer vacation.

By the way, if we line up the top 20 students based on their first-semester grades, the overall ranking looks like this:

All students are from Class A.

Lio Zeitsinger (Lio)

Daniel Saldo (Dan)

Fayrun von Dragoon (Fay)

Bester von Stockroad (Bester)

Jewel Levarance (Jewel)

Charm Harlonbay (Charm)

Kate Salkampa (Kate)

Stella Achilles (Stella)

Allen Lovene

Rudolph Austin (Doll)

Margaret Stear (Maggie)

Aldore Engreaver (Aldo)

Cocniar Canardia (Coco)

Regina Sanheart (Reggie)

Pisces Lavancourt (Pis)

Elena Iskandar (Elena)

Pari Avenir (Pari)

Sofia Blanche (Sofia)

Berd Univance (Berd)

Lara von Riancourt (Lara)

I dropped from 7th place at the time of enrollment to 9th place.

In the Knight Course, I remain in 4th place.

I listen to classes seriously, but I have no intention of studying for exams, so my academic performance will likely continue to decline.

By the way, in the subject I'm interested in, Magic Theory, I'm at the top because I study it intensely.

Apparently, no one in the Knight Course has ever been like that...

But that's not really important.

Summer vacation... what a heart-stirring sound.

Godorphen said something about everyone being serious about training and studying, but of course, I plan to have a blast.

Until now, the academy has been there, so I couldn't make long-term plans that required multiple nights.

I intend to go on solo trips during this time.

I've already set my destinations.

I have mandatory duties with the Knights, so I can't be away from the capital for too long, but I'll make it a fulfilling summer vacation!

And for that, the important thing is—

"Allen?

I'm going to make you spill the beans today.

No matter how many times I've asked, you've always dodged with something like 'my plans are as unpredictable as the wind,' and then you've flatly refused all our invitations. But I can see right through your transparent lie that you have no plans, with that childlike, excited look on your face, right?"

—getting rid of these guys.

I want to travel around the kingdom as an individual, even if I encounter accidents.

If I travel with these obnoxiously rich guys, I'll be treated specially wherever I go, with attendants and security surrounding us, and there will be no chance of any accidents.

It would be fine to travel aimlessly with Al or Coco, who still have a sense of the common people, but if anyone leaks my destination, I'm sure I'll be followed by troublesome people.

"You have that look on your face, like you're planning to escape from this place..."

Jewel hit the nail on the head about my thoughts. Is she a mind reader...?

Fay took a step closer to me.

I kept my distance.

This is bad...

If I get my wrist caught by this gorilla woman, I won't be able to escape, as proven by my past bitter experiences.

"Is Allen here?"

At that moment, a voice called out to me from the hallway, with perfect timing.

And that familiar voice...

"Senior Rio!"

At the entrance to the classroom, Senior Rio, whom I respect, was calling for me.

◆

"Sorry to interrupt your conversation with your friends.

Are you discussing your summer vacation plans?

Actually, I have a request for Allen...

Considering how busy you are, I assume your summer vacation plans are already full, right?"

"Senior, you have a request for me?

Of course, I'm in! My summer vacation is wide open, with nothing planned!"

I could feel a glare from behind, but I ignored it.

"Ahaha.

It's more of a job as an explorer, so you can decide after hearing the details."

Senior then explained the job.

From the capital, it takes about 12 hours by magic train and magic car to reach a certain waterfall deep in the forest.

On the wall of that waterfall, a new species of magic moss, discovered by Senior, grows in clusters.

This magic moss, derived from magic elements, dramatically increases the absorption efficiency of medicines made from magic creatures, magic plants, and magic stones, making it an excellent material for high-level medicines. However, its growth rate and whether it grows in other places are unknown. Therefore, he has been checking its growth status twice a year and harvesting a small amount to supply to his family's business.

However, his family's business, the Penglai Chamber of Commerce, has been struggling to obtain materials for high-end medicines for their VIP customers. The main reason is the sharp decrease in the import of materials from the western superpower, Justeria, with no end in sight.

Therefore, he decided to harvest the magic moss, which has not yet been released to the market, in a way that does not harm the ecosystem and supply it to his family's business.

However, the journey is particularly dangerous this season, with a large number of powerful magic creatures.

He cannot ensure his safety alone, and even if he successfully hunts them, he cannot carry the materials back alone.

Hiring unknown guards and porters could lead to the leakage of information about the magic moss's location and over-harvesting.

"That's why I thought of asking Allen, who can keep secrets and is skilled.

There are other reliable people, but...

Allen has been invited multiple times to help with the harvesting, but has been too busy to accept. The travel expenses and necessary costs will be covered, and the reward is 60,000 reals.

In addition, the distribution of other materials, such as magic plants and magic creature materials obtained during the journey, will be split 50-50. What do you think?

If you accept, I'll send a designated request through the guild."

There's nothing to it.

It sounds like a very interesting job, and the reward is good.

There's no particular reason why it has to be me, but the fact that he's making an effort to invite me shows his consideration as a capable man.

"Of course, I'm in!

Thank you for asking me!"

I immediately accepted.

"Finally, it feels like a real summer vacation.

Actually, the Duke of the Dragoon family has been nagging me to take you to their villa, but I'll deal with it at this camp.

Oh, I'll prepare Allen's sleeping bag.

It's a special one for two people, with a soundproof magic device, so no one can see inside when the entrance is closed."

"Hmm.

A large number of powerful magic creatures, that sounds intriguing.

I'll join you.

I'll prepare about ten reliable porters from my family.

We'll see who can hunt more and earn more."

Fay and Lio said this with their eyes open, as if they were talking in their sleep.

"Senior, we're discussing business as explorers.

This isn't a job for amateurs like you to join for fun!

Right, Senior?"

"Well, as long as they can defend themselves, I don't mind—"

"Absolutely not!

We'll contract through the guild with licensed professionals. That's the pride of professional explorers!"

"Hehehe.

Sorry, Fay.

Allen's sleeping bag will be prepared by me, a D-rank explorer.

I don't have a soundproof device like Fay's, so strange sounds might leak out."

Jewel told Fay this with a triumphant look.

"…When did you register as an explorer?

I don't think it's a good idea to cut corners."

"Oh, 'cutting corners' sounds so negative.

I registered as an explorer out of pure interest in exploration.

Nice to meet you, Allen."

"When are we leaving?

I'll register as an explorer within three hours.

That should be fine, right?"

Are these guys really that busy?

I slumped my shoulders.

"That's a problem, you idiots.

Registering in name only doesn't change the fact that you're amateurs.

This isn't a game."

At that, Coco timidly raised her hand.

"Can I come along?

I can defend myself, and I want to test a certain magic device."

"Hey!

I was planning to go home, but I'll join you.

How long do you expect it to take?"

"Ah, Coco and Aldo have some experience with exploration, so I don't mind...

But, Allen, what do you think?"

I glanced at Senior.

"If Allen is okay with it, of course, it's fine.

We expect a 2-night trip there, 2-night trip back, and 1-night reserve, so a maximum of 5 nights and 6 days.

But what about the reward?

It would be a bit over budget to pay the same to three people."

"The conditions you mentioned are fine. I'll split my share equally among the three of us."

"Hmm... that would be a disadvantage to Allen and the others.

How about this?

I'll pay the fixed reward of 60,000 reals as agreed, and you can distribute it as you like.

The profit from other materials, except for the magic moss, will be split equally among the four of us.

The more skilled people we have, the safer the journey will be, and the more materials we can bring back."

We agreed to these terms.

"Then, what about the meeting time and place?"

When Senior said this, I quickly stopped him.

"From here on, we should discuss this as professionals, only with those involved!

Look at their greedy faces!

They're planning to get the information about the magic moss and sell it!"

"Well, I don't think A-class students from the royal academy would—"

"Being prepared for any eventuality is what professional explorers do!

Come on, Senior, let's go!

You guys, don't even think about following us and exposing Senior's secret harvesting site!

Have a good summer vacation, everyone!"

I pushed Senior's back and successfully escaped the classroom.

Hehehe.

If I put it this way, even these guys won't follow us.