"Yards!"
Roxas was the first one to react. He blurted out a single word. But that was more the enough to make the others realize the situation.
Yard Student Council.
They were the students' representatives for those who were staying at the Outer Part of the University of Saint Benevolent.
They were called 'Yard' or 'Yards' for short. Whichever the student would prefer.
Aside for academic excellence, a student should meet another criteria in order to qualify in this council. And that was to possess outstanding combat skills.
"My, my, where are my manners?"
The newly arrived female student shook her head. She seemed to have remembered that she had yet to introduce herself.
This would have been the best time to say 'te-hee' or something. If only the situation was not this tense.
Thus the female student simply stated,
"My name is Stella Nanaril. Nice to meet you."
"Thou need no introductions. Thy name is quite renowned."
O voiced out. He looked like he was wary of saying something impertinent to the YSC member.
Fortunately,
"Myyy. A smooth talker~"
The student named Stella smiled. She seemed to have taken that as a compliment. In fact, it looked like she enjoyed the commendation that she thought she received.
This had made the student Healer back away a little. Perhaps he was not used to dealing with women who had a wily attitude.
Stella shrugged when she saw his reaction. It seemed like she was not concerned about the sudden awkwardness that she caused to the student with green tinged hair.
She instead looked towards Soura. She glanced at her meaningfully. She then added,
"But I'm doing so for the benefit of those who did not know."
She then glanced at the male student with jet black hair briefly. That single instance had carried a clear expression. It was of disdain by the way.
This meant that Yoshino Aruven was one of those who did not know who she was.
On his defense, the young male student was cooped up inside the university library. If not there, then he was either on the public libraries of Anira or Keshun.
If not that, then he was busy exploring the dungeon named [Rah Qa] for the nth time.
The point was, he did not bother to stay updated on the events occurring at the Outer University. That was why he was not aware that the members of YSC were now different from two years ago.
But basing on the glance, or rather, the glare he received; this was not a valid excuse. He should have been responsible enough to at least know the current news in his university.
That was the most basic obligation that a proper student should fulfill after all.
Yoshino could only smile wryly on this silent reprimand. He scratched his head. He then promised to himself to take note of this shortcomings.
That was when Soura moved closer towards him. All the while she maintained a vigilant eye towards the female student with twin-tailed hair. She inquired in a lowered voice,
"Hey, who is this person? I mean, what does she want?"
"She is probably a moderator in this event."
Yoshino replied on a lowered voice as well. He was also keeping his eyes on the newly arrived female student.
But his answer seemed to have puzzled the lady further. She tilted her head and furrowed her eyebrows. She asked,
"What's that supposed to mean?"
The young male student smiled wryly. He pondered for a while on how to explain the circumstance better. He then answered,
"It means that we have attracted the attention of the facilitators of this Border Run."
The members of the YSC had some privileges awarded to them. One of these would definitely be the immediate admittance to the Inner University.
If that was not the case, then why would anyone agree to join the student council in the first place?
That was why it was really unusual for a Yards member to be participating in the Border Run.
Not unless she was designated as a helper by the faculty members who organized this event. Meaning, she was currently here on behalf of those who were monitoring the participants.
"That is correct."
Stella confirmed. Turned out she heard their lowered conversation. Quite sharp senses right there. And quite rude too.
Nonetheless she looked unconcerned to whichever inner thoughts the lowly male student was having. She continued,
"Your group is comprised of some… interesting members."
A potential Tier 3 recruit from the Trogan Militia. Albeit her true strength was currently being restricted during the event.
An heir of one of the twelve clans leading the Hyugan Nation. Although her individual strength was yet to be revealed. She was definitely holding a few secrets of her own.
And then a Tier 1 who still dared to take on the challenge. Even though he was currently being carried by the team. Perhaps he was still hiding some kind of trump card.
These were probably the thoughts that were running on the Yard member's mind. If there were any other concerns, the young male student had no further idea.
Stella then reiterated,
"That's why I'm here to offer a special challenge."
"W-what is this offer exactly?"
Ariana asked nervously. She probably could not help but get curious on what the female with twin-tailed hair was proposing.
Stella grinned. She seemed like she was waiting for this question as her cue. She then explained,
"Yards challenges your group to a duel. Win and all of you will immediately pass the event."
"!"
Everyone was surprised upon hearing this. Who would not want to finish this dungeon crawl already?
Yes, they might miss out on the potential resources that they could earn. But they had already gathered a significant sum.
From the beasts they had tackled earlier to the duels that they have won. They now had enough even if it was divided into five. Well for a student's standard that is.
But being greedy here might only cause them trouble instead. Hence they had to set their priorities straight.
And try to remember that the most important thing here was to pass the event.
Thus agreeing to this offer was not that bad at all.
However, Stella was still not done speaking. She then warned,
"Although if your group loses, you will all be disqualified from the Border Run."
"Hah-ha-hah, then there is a misunderstanding here."
Roxas laughed. He raised both of his arms as a sign that he was not mocking the YSC member. He hurriedly explained,
"I don't belong to this team. Or as Lady Stella called: group. Party, gang, alliance. Whichever term used, I'm neither part of it."
How about a coalition?
Yoshino lampooned. But he did not voice it out. This was not the time for jokes anyway. He waited for the reply of the Yards member instead.
Stella smiled in amusement,
"My, is that so? Then sure you can leave right now."
"Thank you for your generosity."
Roxas bowed his head. He was now slowly backing away.
Yoshino tried to stop the self-proclaimed merchant. The guy might be a prick. And it would be better if he ran away.
Since that would render their agreement null and void. This would mean that all his debts to the guy would be negated.
But the young male student could not help but remind the porter. After all, the guy was the one who was carrying all their belongings. Their earnings included!
The young male student called out,
"Don't kid yourself Roxas. They had already locked on to our location. Running away from here won't change your fate."
Stella was able to close in to their location without being noticed. Surely enough, she could just do that again if any of them tried to flee.
Roxas harrumphed. His expression was similar that of someone who was wrongfully accused. He defended,
"I know that. But I have to confirm it anyway."
Yoshino wanted to call out this lie. But bantering here would not help them anyway.
The merchant-porter then added,
"The nonchalant reply means that escape is not an option."
"But can't we just refuse? It was just an offer anyway."
Ariana protested. She looked troubled with what she just heard. O on the other hand was silently glancing their way. Perhaps he also shared the same concern.
"No we can't."
Yoshino was the one who answered. The others looked at him with a puzzled expression. But instead of explaining, he activated his skill.
Scan! Scan! Scan!
He directed the effect towards the three other corridors on each direction of the fountain. He did not include the corridor in front of them.
Stella was blocking that one after all.
The result of the analysis soon resolved. There were other humans emerging from the other three corridors.
Yoshino smiled wryly. He wondered if that person was involved on this again. He reported,
"We're surrounded."
Stella chuckled. This was probably a confirmation that the report was indeed accurate. She then explained,
"When I said that the Yards challenges you, I meant the whole council."
She smiled mischievously. She was definitely enjoying this development. She then added,
"Let's start a real Five versus Five, shall we?"