Vol. 13 - Ch. 738 - Strategy Planning with Tabasa-senpai: Arc-Arcadia’s Next Move

The members soon dispersed, each tackling their respective tasks. Occasionally, our gazes would turn over the shop, affirming everything was going well for Hannah and her friends.

Gearing up themselves, everyone took off from the guild.

Some planned to clear dungeons, while others went out to farm drop materials. Then, there were some whose target was to level themselves up, like members of «Arc-Arcadia».

On the other hand, we, the vanguard team, aimed for our 5th Intermediate-high dungeon—«Twilight Altar Dungeon», with a difficulty of «Rank 10».

We'd just about to depart, but I had to put it on hold when one of the guild members made their approach.

"Zephyr-san, may I take you for a moment?"

"Tabasa-senpai. Of course, do tell what it might be?"

It was the most senior student of our guild, Tabasa-senpai.

She'd long hit the level that she could reach at her current level, and acquired the dungeon marks similarly, so she's now providing guidance to her juniors. Her contribution was truly significant, in particular for her attendance of «Arc-Arcadia» members. A reliable senior thoroughly.

I heard she'd been guiding «White Saber», the previous subordinate guild of her former guild «Temple Saber», so the experience was already there.

She'd lifted most of my worry frankly. If time had permitted, I, too, would've liked to visit dungeons with new members.

Just what might have brought her to me?

"I was thinking it's about time «Arc-Arcadia» also goes for D-rank. So, I hoped to talk about it."

"The promotion exam!"

Right. Now that we, the parent guild, cleared the bar to C-rank, the subordinate guild should be free to attempt the D-rank guild promotion exam. We'd have done it already, but the month long guild battle ban, and the unfulfilled condition to request the exam, put the plan on hold.

One of the conditions to apply for the D-rank promotion exam was "Ten guild members, including guildmaster, must have cleared three Intermediate-mid dungeons".

Since the test was a 10 members battle, the ten members requirement, and all of them having to clear Int-mid dungeon, was quite a bottleneck to many.

There were other conditions too, but they're incomparable to them.

"«Nightmare» Elise, and «Archangel» Finalina, were seniors in their last year, so they're already qualified for it. Of the previous members, Celestine and Nico qualified. We're now short of six members who've cleared the dungeon condition. Right now, Emi, Sachi, Yuuka, Kairi, and «The Immovable Shielder » Tomoyo are the most prominent members to reach the condition."

"That's close indeed."

"Meanwhile, «Closeted Maiden» Katalina, «Alpha» Faumina, «Princess Knight» Rosetta, «Mermaid» Orihime and «Castle Princess» Sharon are working on raising their level together, as well as assisting Orihime in her Conqueror Mark's acquisition."

As a fact, It was just a short while ago I finished guiding our «New Grade» group, who'd finally hit LV40 and unlocked their 3rd-order skill tree. They'd already started their dungeon diving, raising their level, and focusing on reaching new dungeon levels.

I'd say they're doing great. Tabasa-senpai was right. The rank promotion exam was something the sooner we challenge the better. Then we would be able to welcome new members, too!

I couldn't wait for it. Even more so when I received an interview application from a potential candidate Celia introduced me. She knew I was looking for a healer, a male student, so she's been giving me names that fits the criteria.

If I accept this person, there would be no more spots to recruit anyone else for the time being. You know how sad that would be? Imagine finding the perfect candidate but not having the spots to recruit them!!

That would be a problem. We really need to expand the spots quickly!

Of course, there was also an option for us to try for B-rank. The promotion to B-rank would allow us to recruit 10 more members, including the count to a total of 30.

Albeit, as much as I would've loved to do that, there was but one annoying roadblock out there. A certain condition—«Accept a Challenge from D-rank guild once, and triumph over» was becoming a pain in our back.

I wonder if there's any guild that would try to challenge us?

Anyway, since our hands were tied, the fastest means to increase spots was to get «Arc-Arcadia» through the D-rank promotion exam. The best would be to have «Arc-Arcadia» grind in this Dungeon Week, and then immediately apply for a promotion exam as soon as the ban gets lifted at the beginning of next month.

I was quiet thinking about it for a while already. And Tabasat-senpai happened to bring it up. I was expecting her, and that's why, I also had made some preparations.

"From your expression, it appears you have thought of something."

"You guessed it, Senpai. In fact, it's about time for the fourth «Top Grade Mechanical Carriage» to be out of production. I've plans to let Rosetta take it over, and blitz through the dungeons for the team to acquire their int-mid conqueror's marks."

While I explained, Tabasa-senpai's eyes widened slightly, and peered straight at me.

I know what that expression meant. After all, there was a certain fate between her and «Carriage». Well, it was already a thing of the past now, but as they say, the mind may forget, but the heart doesn't so easily.

It was clear the remnant feelings still lingers inside her. But, after a short while, her expression returned to normal, and then nodded, realising where I was going with it.

"Blitzing through dungeons, huh. My words, it's too strong to the level of cheat."

"So, what do you think?"

As the caretaker of «Arc-Arcadia», Senpai opinion matters just as much.

I had this plan brewing ever since we welcomed «Princess Knight» Rosetta, and arranged the necessary materials. To be precise, they're farmed by the Aegis-led party.

She assertively proposed to take the role for that. It was seemingly a token of gratitude from her for the «Javelin Thunder» she uses.

Honestly, I couldn't be any more thankful for their effort. And more so due to their effort, I immediately passed the request to Gant-senpai just the other day. The deadline's tomorrow, though the carriage itself was still a secret from everyone.

I and were originally planning to give everyone a surprise tomorrow. But since it's Tabasa-senpai, it should be alright.

"That sounds like a good idea. Let's go with it."

"Great. The first focus should be on levelling, and they can also collect materials while farming bosses too."

"Truly a foul move, just like a carriage. It's no wonder «Eden» growth is so strikingly fast. Typically, you would've to use «Martial Hall» for that."

They sure say the same thing. I mean, Senpai and Sierra. As I thought so in one corner of my mind, I discussed it with Senpai, and passed the torch to her.

"I see. We only need 10 members to clear conditions, but you've been thinking about the entire guild huh."

"Yeah. I've done a similar promotion test for members once."

It was when «Eden» had just hit D-rank. Since we'd more spots available, I'd selected four members from E-rank «Arc-Arcadia» through the promotion test.

"So you used «Arc-Arcadia»'s E-rank promotion exam as a springboard to select the members for «Eden» huh. I see, it's certainly two birds with one stone. I am presuming you want to enact the same plan again?"

"Yep. I'd like to already select the members from «Arc-Arcadia» that would join us when «Eden» hit B-rank."

Kairi, Sachi, Yuuka, and Emi were unable to make it to the cutoff last time. I was looking forward to how their effort would pan out this time!

But, beside that, the reason I wanted to focus on everyone was to give everyone a fair chance. It would be impossible if we only focused on ten members. Imagine trying to fight for a chance, but the others clearly have an edge in levelling. It would be a losing battle for them from the start. There was no fun in it, and «Eden»'s foremost motto was "Have Fun."

I'd want everyone to be rest assured they've their chances. That's why I'd like to focus on Orihime, Faumina, Katalina, and Rosetta. They're the ones greatly lagging behind others.

Well, since the promotion exam is «10 members battle», only 10 of the 14 members would be able to participate. 4 would inevitably be left behind. Who would be the chosen 10 would be up to their luck and effort. This was going to be the main focus for sure.

I explained my thoughts to Tabasa-senpai, and what I expect to happen before concluding our talks.

After that, I parted with Tabasa-senpai, and headed for our last Intermediate-high dungeon in the list.

The «Twilight Altar Dungeon,» or also commonly called «Altar Dungeon», was also one of the only intermediate dungeons where «Carriage» was unusable.

Today's plan was to reach the 20th floor of it!