"There are several things that I need you to do today, Liam. I've already sent you the schedule on your phone so just check and make sure it's all in order. Just make sure to send Mia and Olivia to the Academy. The rest you can take your time with."
As Dean incessantly grumbled about the girls' schedule, I sat quietly, occasionally nodding my head at his words.
My mind was preoccupied with more pressing matters.
'Just where did I go wrong?'
Was the joke bad?
'...It didn't seem too bad to me though.'
Or maybe it was because of my delivery? Could that have been the problem?
Perhaps, it was also just that Sarah wasn't much of a jokes person. Hmm, but how would it explain the other's reaction?
Tough crowd I guess.
"I need to improve my delivery."
"Uh...? Liam, are you not paying attention?"
Oh, shit.
"Khh, pfttt... Vice Director, go easy on him."
Joana walked over, her hand over her mouth as she tried her best to suppress her laughter.
"Kahk... What makes you think the delivery was the problem? I still can't believe you somehow managed to get Sarah to stop eating her sweets."
"Now that you mention it, she really did..."
Dean's expression shifted as if a sudden realization had dawned upon him, and he cast a surprised, albeit impressed, glance in my direction.
No, that's...
"I'm sure it wasn't because of the joke..."
With her hand over Dean's shoulder, Joana's body trembled.
"Pfft, yeah sure. The way she looked at you reminded me of how she looks at veggies. We should have you deliver jokes more often... Huek..."
"..."
I don't even know what to say...
In a way, you could say I brought this to myself. Perhaps because I had spent the last decade training by myself, my social skills were horrible. What may have been a funny joke to me, could've been a horrible one for others.
Still...
I glared at Dean.
If not for him suggesting something like this...
"Don't look at me like that. When I suggested you tell jokes, I didn't think you'd choose something like, well that...?"
Like that...?
What did that even mean?
"Anyways, I already sent you the schedule. I've got several things to handle right now so I have to go. I leave the girls in your hand."
Checking his watch, Dean rubbed the lower part of his eyes before rushing out of the apartment.
"Well then..."
Because Sarah had already gone back to her room, it was just Joana and I left. Thinking for a moment, I was just about to say something, when I heard her soft voice coming from the main hall.
"Don't worry Manager."
Joana giggled, her sweet voice sounding like gentle morning bells. Reaching for the door of her room, she added,
"...I thought your joke was really funny."
***
Cradle.
The Academy resided at the core of a small-sized independent island, roughly a hundred kilometers distant from Sun Island.
Being the most prestigious institution on Earth, it garnered millions of applicants annually but admitted only a select few, ensuring it was the destination of choice for Guilds seeking the best talent.
There, the cadets underwent an intensive educational system designed to prepare them adequately for Dungeon Diving. To graduate, a cadet had to complete a minimum of five years of study at the Academy and receive the approval of the Academy board.
"Girls, wake up. We're here."
Stretching my body, I hopped out of the van and opened the doors. At the same time, I made sure to pay the driver.
'I should really start to learn how to drive.'
"Hmm, we're here already...?"
"Quickly get out, don't block my way."
"Hey, chill, don't push me!"
Hopping off the van, Mia and Olivia started bickering with one another. Since I was pretty much already used to this scene, I just ignored the two of them.
"Ugh, fuck. I don't want to go to class."
"Why? I think classes are fun."
Mia rushed beside Olivia, her bag dangling from her hand.
"...At least, it's better than staying at home and doing nothing."
"I'd rather do that."
Olivia rubbed her eyes.
"...All the teachers do is talk and talk and talk. I want to fight. Move my body, not learn some stupid theorem or proof. Besides a waste of time, what would you even call that?"
"Pftt, you only say that because your grades are so low."
"You speak as though yours are any higher."
"Still higher~"
'Memorizing theorems and proofs, huh?'
Following the two of them from behind and hearing their bickers, I thought back at Olivia's words and helplessly looked ahead.
The lush green pathway, the massive cubic structure gleaming with pristine edges, the bustling pedestrians traversing the area, and the cadets scattered throughout, engaged in lively discussions while sharing their phones which displayed several clips of the renowned Star Chasers.
The scene ahead felt familiar, yet unfamiliar at the same time.
'How long has it been since I've been here?'
Thinking back, it had almost been a decade since I'd last been here. Back then, I too was one of the many cadets that were roaming the streets.
I was about the same age as Olivia and Mia, 17/18.
Due to the immense stress I experienced during those days, I never recalled my time at the Academy with fondness. However, nearly a decade later, I couldn't help but be overwhelmed by nostalgia when gazing at the familiar, yet unfamiliar scenery.
"Manager."
"Yes?"
I looked at Mia who had stopped in front of me. She cocked her head a little as her brows furrowed slightly.
"Are you tired? You seem rather tired. I've been calling your name for the past minute."
"Is that so?"
I rubbed the bottom part of my eyes. To be honest, my eyelids felt rather heavy, but it wasn't like I was on the verge of passing out.
"...I'm not exactly tired, I was just thinking about the past."
"The past?"
Mia blinked and looked behind her. Slowly, her face lit up with realization. Even Olivia showed some interest as she moved closer a bit.
"Wait, wait, wait! Are you telling me you used to be a cadet here? Wouldn't that make you our senior?"
"You can put it that way."
Not that I managed to achieve much.
"Whaa! No wonder you were so good at directing us back then!"
Mia's eyes sparkled with excitement as she looked at me.
"It was the first time ever that I experienced such a feeling! Like, feeling that everything would go smoothly and all. Like, you were so good!"
Mia's hands flailed in an exaggerated manner as she struggled to articulate her words.
"No wonder you were so much different than our previous managers. It's because you were our senior! You must've been quite highly ranked in the managerial program."
"About th—"
"Mia, Olivia."
A sweet voice called out from the distance. When I turned my head, I saw a group of girls headed our way. All of them exuded a pleasant atmosphere, their bright smiles and attractive appearances contributing to the amicable ambiance.
Following them from behind was a man who was about a couple of years older than me. Probably their manager.
Friends of theirs?
But looking closely, Mia's previous excitement seemed to fade while Olivia frowned.
Not friends?
"Hello."
The four girls bowed their heads in a polite manner the moment they saw me.
"We're Clever Roses from Pandenium Guild."
I greeted them back.
"Hello."
'Pandenium Guild?'
That was a Guild I was somewhat familiar with. Last I recall, they were about the same size as Emblem of the Sun.
"Please take care of us."
After the greetings, the girls turned their attention towards Mia and Olivia. Their friendly smiles felt refreshing. Yeah, maybe it's just me. I'm probably being overly sensitive.
"Are the two of you going to class? How about we go together?"
"Hmm, I don't know."
Mia looked at Olivia who yawned.
"I'm good."
She casually replied before taking her backpack from my hand.
"That's a pity."
One of the girls said. She had pretty long black hair, and red eyes. Judging from her demeanor, she seemed to be the leader of the group.
Turning her focus away from Olivia, she shifted it back towards Mia.
"You?"
"Ehmm."
Mia's eyes trembled as she looked around her. Sensing that something wasn't exactly right, I patted her on the shoulder.
"Sorry girls, I need her for a few more minutes. Maybe, next time?"
"Ah, that's a pity."
"Sorry."
Mia lowered her head slightly as she apologized.
"That's alright. We'll meet in class anyway."
The girl nodded in understanding. She didn't push it any further and addressed me in a polite tone. Now, really. No matter how I looked at it, they seemed to be really nice and polite girls. Why were Olivia and Mia reacting the way that they were?
"Oh, right."
Just as the girls were about to leave, the black-haired girl stopped as if recalling something.
"How did the dive go? Was everything alright?"
"The Dive?"
Blinking, Mia's face tilted before suddenly shining with excitement.
"Yes! Yes! It went well! We managed to defeat it without a problem. It was so good."
"That's nice to hear."
Seeing Mia bobble up in excitement, the girl smiled. Still unable to contain her excitement, Mia continued, grasping my hand and waving it around.
"Yeah, and did you know, it was all thanks to our manager? We would've been in serious trouble if not for him, eh hehe."
Mia laughed foolishly. For some reason, I could see her nose growing by the second as she raised her head up a little.
As if that wasn't enough, she continued. I wanted to stop her, but as if her mouth was a machine gun, words kept spewing out of it.
"You girls might not know this, but actually, our manager here is actually our senior!"
"Our senior?"
There.
Her words attracted everyone's attention towards me.
"Mhm! I was a bit surprised by his skills during the first day, but now that I know he's our senior, I can understand why."
For a brief moment, I thought I saw the smiles on the girls stiffen, though it was so brief that I couldn't be certain if I had witnessed it accurately. Nonetheless, that fleeting glimpse was sufficient to put me on guard.
[Elypsis] had already taught me that appearances could be deceiving in this industry.
"That's very impressive."
But the smiles the girls directed my way appeared to shine even brighter than before, especially when the girl in front met my gaze.
At the same time, I felt a burning gaze directed my way. When I raised my head, I saw their manager staring at me intently.
"What year did you apply? You don't seem to be very familiar."
His voice was rather husky, and while his tone was polite, his gaze was anything but. With his hand extended, he introduced himself.
"George Sen, Manager of Clever Roses. Final Rank 37th, Managerial Major."
Staring at his hand, I lightly sighed before grasping his hand back.
Haaa, this academy and its stupid custom.
"Liam Marken, Manager of Blue Daisy. Unranked, Combat Major."