"We'll begin next week, so until then you need to prepare. Sharpen your skills with our teachers, gather items and equipment, and remember to read all the manuals and guides available for free in the Academy's library." Hector said. "The classes are over now, you can leave."
The stoic man quickly sat down once more, reading some papers, and beginning to check on several written exams. For someone so burly, he did a lot of paperwork.
The classes quickly began to empty themselves as we decided to make our way out of the classroom. My entire party was rather pleased with these news, much like myself.
"Nice! It has been a month since I've gained a level…" Said Erika. She quickly held my and smiled back at me. "Aren't you excited?"
"Yeah, I've been looking forward to this for a while now. Let's make sure to gain tons of levels." I said with a nod.
"Yeah the low-level dungeons don't give any EXP now." Sighed Eric.
"I wish we were given the chance to enter the higher ranked dungeons, but apparently First Year students can only go as far as E++ Rank in Dungeons." Eric Analyzed, sighing.
"Yeah, the last months we've visited the dungeons up to five times…" Elizabeth said. "Yet I don't feel particularly stronger. Maybe it is because we were already very strong when we joined."
"It is quite dreadful. We've barely earned any levels. With my enormous EXP requirements and weaker monsters EXP rates reducing as I level up further, I've only earned 5 levels." I sighed, feeling rather disheartened.
"5 Levels is still decent to be honest…" Said Elfriedden. "I've only earned six myself…"
"Well yeah, it's not so bad, but it isn't something good for all the times we have visited those dungeons. I am looking forward on fighting D Rank Monsters, which give even more EXP and are often stronger. Also even weak demons give wonderful amounts of EXP, but the latest months had been unusually peaceful." I said, thinking about the Cult of Beelzebub.
"You're talking about the Cult of Beelzebub, right?" Elizabeth asked. "Yeah, the priests in here had been investigating, but they can't find any clues. And they had been unusually calm. Are they brewing something else?"
"It would be naïve to think they wouldn't try something now that we're going outside… Yet we can't simply cancel this whole trip." I sighed. "We have to prepare well enough, everyone. Have you drank your Dragon Elixirs?"
Everyone nodded, although some of my friends didn't really liked the feeling of nausea they had when they drank it. I've been supplying them with more, which they drink every two weeks. Drinking too many at the same time would be dangerous for their health otherwise.
"Yeah but I am sick of them." Sighed Chris. "Can't we stop already?"
"No, you're still having a bit more hidden potential, but maybe in two or three more we'll be done." I nodded.
"They're gross but it's the best to grow stronger." Erdrich laughed.
"Yucky?! They're super tasty!" Erika seemed surprised by everyone's disgust against the elixirs.
Maybe because she has dragon powers she finds them tasty, I do also find them rather good. But those that don't always end up finding them gross.
"I-I think they're alright… I've never felt t-this physically stronger b-before drinking them…" Alberta was gaining more and more confident, and was stuttering less now, yet she still did. Our friendship with her had been growing faster than with the pesky Elfriedden.
"It must be the elixir awakening your amazing innate potential, Alberta! I am always thankful you're so strong, you can carry a lot of stuff I usually can't carry well…" Said Eric with a cheerful smile.
"H-Hehehe… I-I am happy I can help you, my m-meat bun." Alberta gave him a kiss in his cheek.
"D-Don't call me like that in front of my friends…" Eric got all embarrassed.
Yeah, they were boyfriends now. It happened around half a month ago. Eric asked me a lot of advice about how to talk to girls about his feelings. I just told him to be bold and have the will. Alberta already liked him, so it wasn't hard.
"Huh, my little meat bun?" Laughed Chris.
"That's quite the name they have given you." Erdrich giggled.
I could feel Chris and Erdrich envious stares. The two had been rather unsuccessful on finding someone special to them. Elfriedden seemed completely indifferent, however. He sometimes talks about a girl from his home, so he's probably already engaged.
Alberta hugged Eric tightly.
"B-But you're my little meat bun~!" She said, her strong arms almost breaking Eric's ribs. Dwarven women were surely very strong. The Dragon Elixir only made her stronger.
"A-Ahahah… Y-You're hugging me a bit too tightly Alberta…" Eric was struggling with his new relationship, it seems.
As we were about to walk out of the Academy, we suddenly heard a very annoying voice that as been a slight headache these last months.
"Hey you all, stop right there!"
A long-haired blonde young man showed behind us. He was Rosen, of course. Who else?
"You seem to be incredibly cheerful about this! But don't you realize you'll have to work with us?!" He said angrily. "I hope you actually get to cooperate more instead of being so self-centered. Now that your grades depend on helping us as well, you can't simply laugh at our lower performance…!"
He was being quite the self-centered one here.
"You're acting really bold right now." I said. "Want me to teach you some manners?"
"Hyyyyeeh! G-Get away from me!" Rose quickly hid behind one of his bootlickers as I got closer while cracking my knuckles. "I am just saying! Don't be so barbaric now, Blake!"
"Sigh… I know." I said. "And don't worry, if you want us to carry your sorry asses, don't worry. We will."
"T-That's not what I MEANT!" Rosen angrily said.
"Hey, what with all this discussion?"
"Is Rosen provoking Blake's Party again?"
"That guy really got a death wish…"
"Look! Fight! Fight!"
The other students suddenly started surrounding us…