216 – ㅅㅅㄲㄲ (4)
The next day, Sunday.
The entrance to Ellinia Academy was crowded from morning.
This is because reporters from media outlets from all over the continent, as well as various guilds and national officials, gathered.
“Wow, look at the people lined up. The kingdom kids are here too. Senior, can we go in and out today, let alone interview the person concerned?”
“I don’t know, man. This is the first time in my 15 years as a reporter that so many people from the industry have gathered in one place.”
“It seems that not only the Empire, but also the Kingdom and Principality officials have come, Officer.”
“Yes. Even within the guild, the warriors weren’t very upset about going to each other. Even the child who was on vacation after a year said he would come. Has Ellinia Academy ever been breached? Anyway, you’re good at it because you got rid of that many kids and brought you, the newbie. It also comes with extra pay.”
“Ahahahahaha… I will try to live up to your expectations.”
“It’s not like I’ve lived long, but I never thought that there would be an armed invasion of Ellinia Academy. Hmm, lots of new faces. A brief briefing please.”
“Yes, manager. Based on our current position, the group of red-haired men in gray suits 10 meters in front of us is the treasury of the kingdom, and the group of young knights in greaves, about 6 meters behind us, are the ‘Owl Knights’, a new knight order of the empire… uh.”
“Hmm? Why do you hang up after talking well? Please continue.”
“···············································································································.
“What…!”
Not only the state officials who were talking, but everyone at the door were focused on one spot.
There were six men and women walking towards the door. It was Haley, the general secretary of the 7th largest guild, ‘Ataraxia’, and her team of warriors.
In particular, about 100 reporters took out notebooks and pens from their arms with their eyes wide open.
“Wow, who said there was nothing to eat at the rumored feast? I see Ataraxia 10 minutes after arriving. Haley came by herself.”
“Isn’t Oliver’s team here with you? I heard you finished a big mission a while ago. Ataraxia, I understand that welfare is thorough, such as allowances and vacations, but…”
“Ttsutsutsu, you short haired bastard. Isn’t that a serious issue? You must have a love for your alma mater. Hayley and Oliver are of course, and the four Aids in Oliver’s team are all from Ellinia Academy, right?”
“Ah, is that so? Then, senior, I’ll go and get an interview soon. Judging by the speed at which people are leaving, it will take at least another hour to get in and out.”
“Why do you pretend even if you don’t ask me? It’s not a waste of time to talk, let’s get going! The others have already moved!”
Dozens of reporters flocked to Haley and Oliver’s team.
The ‘Ataraxia’ guild is a top-tier guild that is showing unprecedentedly rapid growth on the continent.
In general, it is not a large guild with dozens or hundreds of warriors, but a deformed form with only 13 members.
Naturally, all of the warrior teams belonging to ‘Ataraxia’ are making a name for themselves to the extent that they are all ranked in the top 100 on the continent.
The remarks of the members of ‘Ataraxia’ are to the point where even Aedra, not heroes, are covered in articles.
What’s more, what’s in the seat right now is Haley, the commander-in-chief, and Oliver, the 88th ranked hero in the continent.
For reporters, they are the second most attractive figures after Guild Master Hollow.
‘Hayley has always hated being interviewed by various media. He must be won by us!’
The thoughts of the reporters were exactly the same.
“I am very tired from coming a long way from the principality. However, it is not polite to come this far and refuse, so I will accept interviews with only one.”
Haley, who said that, pointed to only one media outlet.
“I will do it here.”
The place she pointed out was ‘Lotus Daily’.
She was a news outlet that recently ran an in-depth article about Theo.
The Lotus Daily reporter smiled broadly.
From noble mtl dot com
He laughed at the jealous stares of the reporters around him and slightly bowed his head to Haley.
“Thanks for the opportunity to interview you, Mr. Haley, Mr. Oliver! You must be tired, so I will ask you a question right away.”
He bombarded Haley and Oliver with a series of questions.
Haley answered all the questions as Oliver opened his mouth wide and yawned as if he wasn’t interested.
Most of the questions were formal, such as what do you think about the Ellinia Academy armed invasion?
“······The last question. As you may not know, our Lotus Daily has recently dealt in-depth with Theo Lin Balderk, a freshman in the Department of Warfare at Ellinia Academy. I know that Hailey is also quite interested.”
“Yes, that’s right.”
“Haley-san, do you think Theo-kun is worthy of challenging for the next position in ‘Ataraxia’?”
“Hmm, that’s it.”
Haley decided to take a moment to think about the unexpectedly sharp and blatant question.
She is well aware that each and every statement she makes becomes a big issue.
So, rather than interviewing multiple media outlets, at most, I interview with only three media outlets. This is because even in media outlets that did not conduct interviews anyway, she spreads and publishes articles from media outlets where she conducted interviews.
It is her own strategy to reduce her mental energy consumption while maintaining her mysterious and formidable image.
‘Hmm, I’m worried. What do you answer? That reporter’s press agency even puts out Theo’s Academy Festival results on the front page.’
Hailey’s troubles didn’t last long.
“Is that all? Ha ha, I don’t feel like a journalist.”
Because Oliver, who had been yawning by her side all this time, interrupted her interview.
“·······.”
Haley’s poker face, which she had maintained so far, was broken.
Like an ogre finding a prey, she bombarded Oliver with questions.
“Oh! Is this what Haley-sama said herself?!”
Haley frowned and glared at Oliver. She seemed to have all sorts of swear words in her eyes.
But once Oliver’s mouth was open, there was no hesitation.
“Of course, reporter man. Ah~ Oh, listen to me. Say it’s been days since the mission ended. After a while, I was going to forget everything in the world and take a break, but this woman called me? I found a jade stone that will replace the records I set in my freshman year? Under. So I fished it.”
Her Oliver looked up at her Hailey, scratching her own brown curls, as if in awe.
“What are you looking at with those eyes, lady? You’re right. Admit it?”
“·······.”
Hailey barely held back her sighs.
‘Haa······. She knew this would happen, but it’s already happening.’
Oliver is 23 years old.
She is the youngest in history to be named within the top 100 of the Continental Hero Ranking, a Shinseong (新星).
When he had just graduated from Ellinia Academy at the top of his class, there was no guild on the continent that did not covet him. There were also some guilds that offered unconventional conditions, such as giving them the position of assistant guild master from the start.
However, ‘Ataraxia’ succeeded in recruiting him with Hailey’s flair and presentation of a vision differentiated from other guilds.
‘Oh, it’s already happened, what can I do? If I try to control it, it strays even more.’
Since it has already happened, I decided to take it calmly.
No matter how nerdy he is and he lives for his own taste, Oliver was a man who fulfilled his duties responsibly.
‘Yes, what can I do? I’m the one who dragged him into ‘Ataraxia’.’
Haley gave Oliver a calm nod.
However, Haley’s patience was soon dashed.
“Anyway, reporters, come see me separately later. Theo, I’ll see with my own two eyes and tell you if he can be compared to me!”
Because of what Oliver shouted.
* * *
Sunday, 6pm.
I, who had been lying on the bed, moved around after dinner.
“Hmm.”
Until yesterday, the fragile body was almost completely restored.
‘······As expected, this world is tempting.’
The ‘special anti-fatigue pill’ that Taylor requested from the head office arrived in the morning. I continued to drink every hour.
My stomach feels a bit nauseous. The feeling that instead of blood, drugs are circulating in the veins.
I might develop a tolerance, but I’m not in a position to argue about that right now.
Anyway, I guess I’ll have to test the new traits.
Beginner and user-level traits have also been experienced, but how strong are expert-level traits?
Thinking so, when I was getting out of bed and stretching.
─Student Theo, this is Natasha. May I come in?
A knock was heard.
······It’s coming sooner than expected.