Chapter 101 Prep Time [1]

Words : 962 Updated : Oct 4th, 2025

I decided to use Meta's words. Thinking about what the criteria of the exercise may be was most likely a waste of time. 'But there's also the chance I'm overlooking a clue, but i don't think this is the right time.' "In the end, the criteria will be ultimately revealed before the start of the trip, why hang ourselves over something we might guess wrongly. In such a case like this, lose all expectations, and accept it all." My words were simple. Just grind. Grind, grind and grind until you can't grind no more. In fact, as honest the intentions behind this particular meeting was, it was ultimately a part of a big whole waste of time. Quite frankly, though, i was itching to get into that Dungeon immediately to be honest. "So what you're saying is, we do nothing..." "...Not if you put it that way." Chelsea said and i responded as such. "Haa... As expected. What were we to expect from the words of the lowest ranked cadet in the academy. 'Do nothing ' sounds like the recipe of the failure that brought you this far." "Keep talking, and trust i won't fail in doing something about it." I retorted at Trise while glancing at him from the side. Trise's face turned heated with rage and embarrassment, but all of that quickly melted away. All of a sudden, instead, Trise Asher smirked arrogantly with her legs crossed. "What's that? Are you picking a fight — a duel perha—" "I refuse. Idiot." Before Trise could continue, i interrupted and proceeded to ignore the idiot. Like i would actually fall for such a petty taunt. For a moment, the short haired idiot seemed baffled by my sudden and precise refusal. I looked away from her, leaned against the table and met Deandra's gaze. Silently, i shuddered from a vague sense of oppression and meekly looked away. Right... "...No infighting." Deandra glared daggers at me for a while longer and sighed tiredly. Her beautiful red hair fell over her shoulders, drawing waves, as she leaned backwards. "Understood, i have heard you all. Then let's call an end to this discussion, we'll return to the topic at some other time. The next time we meet as a group like this would be for training. If we're going to be on the same group during the exercise, we will have to get accustomed to working together." Deandra said and Don scoffed from his seat. "For this one, i could compromise, but it's more than obvious 1499 will only weigh us down. Heh, if he apologizes for running his mouths all this time, maybe we might consider bringing you along to dust our shoes." Following that, Trise nodded vehemently. She struck the table and said fiercely. "Yes, i agree. Isn't this make up unfair? Why do we have to end up with the lowest of dead weights. What exactly does he even bring to the table?!" I sat up and slowly rose to my feet. "Unfortunately, not enough brains for you two." I adjusted my loose tie. "What do you want?" Chelsea shook her head in response at my question and hummed. Eventually she said. "I just thought i should tell you, i think you're cool." "What?" Explore hidden tales at empire "Huhu... I mean the way you didn't fuck with those guys back there. Wasn't that kind of crazy?" I looked at Chelsea oddly and scratched the back of my head. "Uh, i guess...?" I said, paused, then added, "Is that what you came to say?" Chelsea responded in her usual manner. She took a step forward, her arms folded behind her and the bright rays of the sun danced across her bright hair. There was a mischievous tilt to the edge of her of her smile, one that i found myself deeply amused by. As Chelsea walked past me, she turned around, now standing before me at the opposite direction from earlier, and said. "I think it was cool — no, you're cool. To not be fazed or intimidated by people clearly stronger and higer ranked than you are. And even now, you're standing here meeting me on equal level. Huhu...of only some of us could be like you, and not give a fuck about whoever..." She said. Chelsea paused before adding in a contemplative state. "Hold on, maybe it's because you're so low ranked you have almost nothing else to lose?" At that moment, i couldn't help but say. "Are you picking a fight?" "Pfftt. No, not actually. I'm sorry." Chelsea laughed in amusement and shook her head sideways. Meanwhile, i still had a light frown on my face. I let my guard down, and got burned. 'This girl...' While i was brooding over the burn, Chelsea let something else slip. "I wish he could be like you — fearless and bold." I wanted to leave. Let's pretend i didn't hear that "Did you say something?" I lied. "Eh? Ah, no. No? Did you?" Chelsea shook her head dismissively. 'Liar. What's with her?' Well... "I see. I'm not sure whether to say thank you or not, Ms. Chelsea. But i hope we can at least work well together as a teammates." I gave Chelsea one last fleeting look before walking past her and taking my leave. Behind me, i could hear, "I hope so too, Number— no, Victor." That was my first encounter with Chelsea Harper—and the start of a long bitter field relationship. [A/N Small 5 chapters mass release; Check. It's meant to be 10, but there was an accident....]

Chapter 101 Prep Time [1]

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