"Just because. As I said before, it would be a great help; we can put you in another team…but I think you will do well here".
Raph explained. 'They need a leader, and he's perfect for the job. With Alicia's help, he should be able to do well'.
"Don't forget we gain not just points but resources as well". He pushed his arm off his shoulder and turned to the class.
His gaze landed on two more figures, whose hands weren't up.
"Jonny, I may have to bother you with this as well".
The boy tilted his head in confusion but nodded slowly in reply, without having a word to say.
"Then finally….you really don't stand out".
His gaze had landed at the other end of the class. The male student sat next to Ciara but was hardly ever active in the class.
"Ban Xen, I'll have to trouble you as well".
The boy flinched in surprise, his hands shaky as he placed them on the table.
His insides were gnawing at him to protest, but for some reason, he just couldn't. He froze in place, his gaze shaky from the sensation of having his whole class looking at him and his thoughts on high noon.
"I–I don't think…." he whispered, unable to respond.
Raph sighed, well aware of his personality, but he wasn't about to let a talent like him go unnoticed.
His gaze flickered at the screen over the boy's head.
'Level 50 Moon Knight'.
Raph wasn't certain how hidden professions worked, but he had seen a variety of them throughout his journey in life, both in this life and in his past.
There wasn't a general concept behind it, but hidden requirements that were fulfilled without the individual knowing about it. A strong conviction plus experience gives them a personal profession to fit their desires.
So far, he could group the Knight Profession into Elemental, Non-Elemental, Beasts and Celestial Hidden Professions.
One of those Celestial professions was the Sun and Moon Knight.
'I don't deny that the diversity of the profession makes system-users generally unique'.
The same condition went for warriors, who were usually combatants that made use of weapons other than Swords or swordsmanship that wasn't heavily fixated on the Knightly way. That doesn't make a Knight a warrior though. In a general sense, all knights are warriors but not all warriors are knights.
'...a good example would be the barbaric fighting style'.
Mages, too, were given different hidden professions.
With a satisfied nod, he turned away. "If you have something to say to me, then come find me after class…"
Raph said as he wrote down their names under treasure hunting.
'Might as well make him a member of D. E. S'
"Now, let's move to the next Event. Monster Hunting".
This was practically one of the scariest for some and probably exciting for a lot more.
For example, the young man who wrote his name first.
Raph smiled as he turned away from the board, closing the marker while Jane gave him a side glance.
"Alright, who else wants to join in the fun?"
He asked, his tone laced with a bit of excitement.
Luckily, Raph wasn't exempted from participating in the events as punishment, likely because the Student Body had eased his punishment but Elsie was a different case.
She had willingly decided to join the Security Committee and that in itself exempts her from participating.
The hands that were up were more or less expected.
"Javier, Sophie, Chicken, Dina, Rizzo and Darell".
Those were the names he chose to join him in the Monster hunt.
One of them though, he had chosen simply because it was her first time volunteering to join in, and what was more? Her stats were….interesting.
'Was her name Sophie? She's stronger than she gives off….is she hiding her abilities as well?'.
Other than that, there was something else wrong with her status window, something he wouldn't have noticed if he hadn't experienced Neuj Rakarf.
Raph had to admit, he liked how smoothly things had progressed.
He didn't need to wait for the students to give the go-ahead before he went on to the next.
They needed to fill up the whole thing and submit a form with their participants to the Academy Staff Room to get finalized.
So, with that in mind, he continued until he was finally done.
Raph stared at the board one last time, his gaze contemplative as he turned around.
"Not all of us will be participating and some of us will be participating once or twice".
"Or thrice in your case". Jane commented behind him, an exasperated sigh escaping his lips.
They had reached a part where he tried to change Raph's mind on a particular name.
It wasn't even his, but someone else.
His gaze landed on it again, a slight discomfort growing within him as he turned to Raph.
"Not changing it, Jane; you'll just have to convince her to participate…or I do it myself".
Raph turned away from him.
"Any questions or issues with the names?"
Canary raised her hand, standing up next.
"Why do you get to participate but Elsie doesn't?"
'Oh…' Raph thought. He had expected a few people to notice it, but Canary wasn't certainly one of them.
"Elsie chose to be part of the Security Committee".
His reply, short and concise gave her and any other class member who wished to protest a run for their money.
Those who joined the Security Committee usually don't have the time to participate in events. They'll be too busy patrolling and checking out the visitors as well.
Canary sat down but Meadow stood up next.
"The Academy usually lets us bring just two visitors each. Why did they suddenly change their mind this year…and not just prolong it to three weeks but also allow any visitors?"
Raph's head tilted sideways.
He had not really thought much of it at first but he did find it auspicious.
His gaze shifted towards Javier, who didn't seem perturbed by the question. He was practically in his own world.
'....well, we'll find out soon enough'.
Raph sighed. "The Academy should have had a valid reason but we weren't told…..so, let's just watch for now"
Meadow nodded, taking her seat.
The entry of visitors could be a chance for them, but it could also be the only option for their enemies.
This was something they had to tread lightly on.
"Alright. The list has been finalized. Class meeting is dismissed".
He turned towards Alicia and picked up the form she held. "Let's have a good Festival, everyone".
Now, it was time to fill it and be done with it.
2. Canary Yellowstone.
2. Marshall Lorientt.
5. Gregory Rockinson.
MIXED MAGIC AND SWORDS
5. Marshall Lorientt.
These were the people he could gather up within the given time based on abilities and IQ.
There were a few of his classmates he didn't add to the mix, well obviously because they weren't exactly strong enough to make the cut.
'...They'll perform in the class events though'.
It wasn't a must that everyone participated, particularly the skilful ones and these names were the available ones in his class.
He could imagine how difficult it could be for their seniors to decide who would participate when they were all equally strong.
'...that's when IQ comes in'.
With a sigh, he walked out of the room, Alicia walking after him in hurried steps as the class riled back up to their conversations.
Raph walked out of the lecture Theatre, his goal already set from the beginning when he felt a familiar presence.
Stopping by, he turned around to find Meadow and Rana Lana walking up to him.
"....Princess" he muttered as they caught up.
"You seem to be in a rush.." meadow said, her gaze shifting towards Alicia, who stood beside Raph.
Raph sighed, turning towards Alicia and nudging her to go ahead.
She complied, taking the form with her as she walked away.
"....is this about the mission?"
".....partly". She responded after a bit of silence.
She turned towards Rana, her gaze urging the girl to walk away as well.
Rana bowed in response and walked away.
"It was a success if you're wondering. Your brother, Plum Swastorm is alive and well. He resides in the capital".
Meadow smiled wryly. "...I see; then you must have figured out my plan".
"A revolt by challenging the throne"
A brief silence descended between them before Meadow sighed. "Yes…though, now is not the time. I still need to get into an organization my father has been working on"
"an organization?" Raph asked, his tone laced with curiosity.
She shook her head in response. "nothing you need to worry about for now, Raph".
Meadow held the helm of her dress for a moment, her next words slipping out before she could hold herself back.
"Is there something between you and the Werewolf?"
"Her name is Elsie, Princess and yes, there is".
With that, he turned around to walk away.
The wheels had been spun, and the chess board set. The next day would be the start of the 65th Homeric Academy's Festival, one of the most exciting.