Two more days had passed since Draco had woken from his unconscious state.
Now fully healed and energized, he decided it was time to resume dungeon diving with his familia.
During his extra two days of recuperation, Draco had come to learn that his familia members had not entered the dungeon during his three-day absence, which both pleased and irritated him.
He was happy that they had been concerned for his well-being, but also annoyed that three precious days had been wasted.
During this period, no one had taken charge of matters regarding the dungeon, indicating a problem within the team dynamics.
They had become too reliant on him and his decisions, which was fine for now, but in the future, it could become a significant issue.
"Sigh, one problem at a time," Draco muttered, donning his dungeon attire for the day.
As he did so, a sudden thought crossed his mind.
"Ugh, Rose," he groaned.
No one had gone to the guild during these past few days, meaning that she was unaware of what had happened to them.
He could only imagine what she was currently feeling, perhaps worry for their well-being, anger at their lack of communication or the worst, she thought that they were dead.
Shaking his head to dispel the worst-case scenarios, Draco exited his room and made his way to the dining area, where the rest of his familia would be gathering for breakfast.
"Morning, Draco nii," Dimitra greeted upon noticing him, her hands carrying trays of food to the table.
Draco's eyes narrowed as he noticed the slightly burnt bacon and eggs.
"Morning, Dimitra" he greeted back.
"Who made breakfast today?" he asked curiously.
"Me and Bahamut," Dimitra replied hesitantly, noticing the direction of his gaze.
"Just so you know, I made only the toast, so..." she quickly added, not wanting to receive any criticism.
Draco nodded, silently acknowledging that Bahamut had at least made an effort.
Since Bahamut had insisted on taking charge of the kitchen, she had kept her word and tried to involve herself in the making of every meal.
She was getting somewhat better, though she still struggled with various spices, a foreign concept to her as a goddess who had previously shown no interest in cooking.
"Hmm, where are the others?" Draco inquired, scanning the dining area.
"They should be here in a few minutes," Dimitra replied, before scurrying back to the kitchen to retrieve the rest of the meal.
Just as she left, Bahamut exited the kitchen, heading to the dining table.
"Morning, Draco," Bahamut called out upon seeing him, a mesmerizing smile gracing her features.
Draco greeted her with a simple smile of his own.
Dropping some food on the table, Bahamut took a seat right next to him.
"Are you sure that you're ready to resume dungeon diving?" Bahamut suddenly asked, her brow furrowed with worry.
"Yes, I'm completely healed now," Draco replied confidently, flexing his arm as proof.
Bahamut's face scrunched up, obviously questioning the veracity of Draco's claims.
As a goddess, she could effortlessly distinguish lies, so she could tell that he wasn't lying, but she still wanted to put him to the test as there may be lingering effects that he failed to notice.
"Please don't give me that face, I am telling the truth," Draco said, misinterpreting her expression.
However, Bahamut did not correct him.
"Really now?" Bahamut asked, her silver scaly tail suddenly lashing out at him.
Draco quickly responded, his black scaly tail swiftly defending against her strikes.
'Ugh, how is she so strong? This kinda hurts,' Draco thought as he could feel a stinging sensation on his tail, but he kept a straight face through the whole ordeal.
"Hmm, seems you are alright," Bahamut said after a few moments of the impromptu sparring session.
"What are you two doing?" Vasileios asked in worry, having just entered the dining area only to see his brother and the goddess fighting with their tails.
"Just so you know, we're not really fighting, so take a seat," Draco said, reading into Vasileios' thoughts.
"Oh," Vasileios replied, taking a seat on the opposite side.
Not long after, Clair, Michalis, Nikolaos, and Vasiliki entered the room and took their seats.
Eleni and Dimitra followed shortly, and soon, the entire familia was gathered for breakfast.
"So what are our plans for the week?" Nikolaos asked Draco, while taking a big bite from a large sausage on his plate.
Draco paused for a moment, considering his response.
"Hmm, I'm not sure yet. After I report my level up to Rose, we might be allowed to go deeper into the dungeon so you all can gain excelia faster," he replied.
Everyone perked up as he mentioned leveling up, but a hint of worry crept into their expressions.
The gap between their own growth and Draco's had become increasingly apparent, and the thought of him leaving them behind weighed heavily on their minds.
Even though it was a silly thought and Bahamut had long since explained the reasons behind Draco's rapid progression, the fear of being left behind was ever-present.
There was also the concern that their own limitations might slow Draco down, a thought that they couldn't quite shake.
Draco was aware of all this, for he would likely feel the same way if he were in their position, but this was a problem they would have to solve themselves.
He was aware that nothing he would say, could truly convince them.
"I see, we'll do let us know what the plans are when you make up your mind," Nikolaos finally replied.
'Ugh, there it is again. They should involve themselves a bit more. I should probably begin addressing this now,' Draco thought, taking a sip of cold water from his cup before speaking.
"There is something I need to discuss with all of you," Draco said, his tone suddenly growing serious.
The familia members turned their full attention to him, their curiosity piqued.
"During my recovery, I realized that we've become too dependent on my decisions regarding the dungeon. While it's been working for now, it's not a sustainable strategy in the long run. We need to start taking a more collaborative approach, with everyone contributing their ideas and taking on their fair share of responsibilities," Draco explained, his gaze sweeping across the table.
They all listened intently, their expressions reflecting a mix of understanding and confusion.
They could see the logic in Draco's words, but the prospect of taking on more responsibilities was rather daunting, it was far easier to just follow.
Draco knew this wouldn't be an easy transition, but he also understood that it was necessary for the growth and stability of their familia.
"It is a bit earlier than I originally planned but from today, I will be re-evaluating all of you for the next few months before choosing a vice-captain," he continued, his voice steady.
Draco knew that there would be times when he had to move on his own , so the familia needed another leader during those times.
The air became a bit tense with the sudden announcement.
The familia members glanced at each other, their minds racing with questions and concerns.
Who would be chosen as the vice-captain? What would be expected of them in the evaluation process? How would this change the dynamics of their group?
Bahamut, on the other hand, remained silent, observing the unfolding situation with a keen interest.
Draco could sense their unease, and he knew he needed to address it head-on.
"I understand this may come as a surprise, but this is a necessary step for us to become a stronger and more resilient group. Each of you has unique strengths and perspectives that can greatly benefit our familia. I want to give you all the opportunity to step up and take on more responsibility," Draco explained, his gaze moving from one member to the next.
Nikolaos cleared his throat, his brow furrowed in thought.
"I appreciate your trust in us, Draco nii. But what exactly will this evaluation process entail? And how will you choose the Vice Captain?" he asked.
Draco nodded, anticipating the question. "The evaluation will be a multifaceted process. I'll be observing your performance in the dungeon, your decision-making skills, your ability to work as a team, and your overall commitment to our familia's goals. The Vice Captain will be the one who demonstrates the strongest leadership qualities, rational and strategic thinking, and dedication to our shared missions." he replied.
Clair spoke up, her voice slightly hesitant. "Does this mean we'll be leading the expeditions into the dungeon as well? I'm not sure if I'm ready for that kind of responsibility." she asked.
Draco offered her a reassuring smile.
"Not necessarily. The Vice Captain will be responsible when I am not active or in a situation where we need to split up, but you all will have the opportunity to take on more active roles in the decision-making process. It's about finding the right balance and leveraging each of your strengths." he explained.
Bahamut, who had been silent throughout the discussion, offered her support in his decision.
Draco nodded, grateful for Bahamut's support.
The tension in the room soon began to dissipate as the familia members processed Draco's words.
Slowly, a sense of determination and anticipation began to take hold, especially in Michalis and Vasiliki who were extra eager to take on the role of vice-captain.