The next day, Sunday.
From early morning, the entrance to Elinia Academy was bustling with activity.
Journalists from across the continent, along with various guild and national representatives, had gathered.
"Wow, look at the line of people. Even the kingdom folks are here. Senior, do you think we can even enter today, let alone secure an interview with any officials?"
"I don't know, kid. It's my first time seeing this many people from the industry gathered in one place in my 15 years as a journalist."
"It looks like representatives from the empire, the kingdom, and even the duchies are here."
"Yeah. Even within the guild, there was a huge fuss among the heroes about who would go. Some even took their first vacation in a year to come. Has Elinia Academy ever been breached? Anyway, I brought you along despite all those other kids, so do well. There's extra pay involved."
"Ahahaha... I'll do my best to meet your expectations."
"I haven't been around that long, but I never thought there would be a situation of armed intrusion at Elinia Academy. Hmm, there are many new faces. Could I get a brief briefing?"
"Yes, chief. Currently, 10 meters ahead of our position, the group of men with red hair and grey suits are from the kingdom's treasury department, and about 6 meters behind us, the young knights in light armor are from the empire's newly formed 'Owl Knights'... Oh!"
"Hmm? Why stop mid-sentence? Please continue."
"......'Ataraxia' from the duchy has arrived."
"What...!"
Not just the national official who was speaking, but everyone at the entrance turned their attention to one spot.
There, a group of six men and women were approaching the entrance.
They were the Chief Administrator Hailey and a hero team of 'Ataraxia', the 7th ranked guild of the entire continent.
The hundred or so journalists, without exception, widened their eyes and hastily pulled out notebooks and pens.
"Wow, within 10 minutes of arriving, we see 'Ataraxia'. And Hailey herself came."
"Isn't that Oliver's team with her? I heard they recently completed a big mission. I know Ataraxia has thorough benefits and vacations and such..."
"Tsk, tsk, tsk, you short-sighted fool. That just means it's a serious matter. There would be school pride involved too. Not just Hailey and Oliver, but all four aides of Oliver's team are also from Elinia Academy."
"Ah, is that so. Then senior, I'll quickly go and get an interview. It seems like it'll take at least another hour to enter, considering the crowd."
"No time to waste talking, get going! The others have already started moving!"
Dozens of journalists swarmed towards Hailey and Oliver's team.
*****TURN 6*****
The 'Ataraxia' guild is a top-tier guild on the continent, known for its unprecedented rapid growth.
Unlike large guilds with dozens or hundreds of heroes, 'Ataraxia' is unique with only 13 members.
Naturally, each hero team in 'Ataraxia' boasts immense fame, ranking within the top 100 on the continent.
Even remarks from non-hero members, such as aides in 'Ataraxia', are newsworthy.
Especially now, with Hailey, the Chief Administrator, and Oliver, ranked 88th among heroes on the continent, their presence is particularly captivating to journalists.
"Hailey has always disliked interviews with various media outlets. We must secure this interview opportunity!"
The journalists' thoughts aligned precisely.
"Tired from the long journey from the duchy, but refusing an interview here would be impolite, so I'll agree to one interview,"
Hailey said, choosing only one.
"I'll go with this one."
She pointed to 'Lotus Daily', a media outlet that had recently published in-depth articles about Theo Lyn Waldeurk, a first-year student at Elinia Academy.
The 'Lotus Daily' reporter beamed, gracefully acknowledging the jealous glances of surrounding journalists and slightly bowing to Hailey.
"Thank you for granting us this interview opportunity, Hailey, Oliver! I know you must be tired, so I'll get straight to the questions."
He bombarded Hailey and Oliver with various questions.
Oliver, seemingly uninterested, continuously yawned, leaving Hailey to answer all the questions.
Most inquiries were formal, focusing on their thoughts about the recent forceful intrusion at Elinia Academy.
"......Then, the final question. You might not be aware, but our 'Lotus Daily' has been covering Theo Lyn Waldeurk, a first-year student at Elinia Academy's Hero Department. I understand, Hailey, that you have been quite interested in him."
"Yes, that's right."
"Do you think Theo could challenge for the next position in 'Ataraxia'?"
"Hmm, well..."
Caught off guard by the sharp and direct question, Hailey decided to take a moment to think.
She was well aware that each of her statements could become a major issue.
Thus, instead of interviewing with numerous media outlets, she limited herself to at most three, knowing that other outlets would republish the articles from the interviews she conducted.
This strategy allowed her to maintain a mysterious and formidable image while minimizing mental effort.
'What should I answer? This reporter's outlet has been putting Theo's Academy Festival achievements on their front page.'
Hailey's deliberation did not last long.
"Is that all? Ah, come on, Mr. Reporter, you lack imagination."
These words came from Oliver, who had been yawning by Hailey's side and now decided to join the interview.
"......"
Hailey's poker face finally crumbled at Oliver's intrusion.
The reporter, sensing an opportunity like an ogre spotting its prey, bombarded Oliver with questions.
"Wow! Is this something Hailey actually said?!"
Hailey furrowed her brows and glared at Oliver, her eyes seemingly filled with curses.
But Oliver, once started, was unstoppable.
"Of course, Mr. Reporter. Ah, listen to this. I was just about to enjoy some well-deserved rest after finishing a mission, when this lady here contacts me. She claimed she found a gem in a first-year student who could potentially surpass my records. Ha. So I humored her."
Oliver, looking triumphant, scratched his brown curly hair and gazed at Hailey.
"Why are you looking at me like that? What I said is true, isn't it? Admit it."
"......"
Hailey barely suppressed a sigh.
'Ah... I knew this would happen, but so soon?'
Oliver was 23 years old, a rising star who became the youngest ever to rank within the top 100 heroes of the continent.
When he graduated top of his class from Elinia Academy, there wasn't a guild on the continent that didn't covet him.
Some offered him positions as high as vice-guildmaster.
However, 'Ataraxia' successfully recruited him through Hailey's eloquent persuasion and a vision that set them apart from other guilds.
'Well, what's done is done. Trying to control him only makes things worse.'
Having resigned herself to the situation, Hailey calmly accepted it.
No matter how whimsical or self-absorbed Oliver could be, he was a man who always fulfilled his duties.
'Yeah, what can I do? I was the one who brought him to 'Ataraxia'.'
Hailey nodded calmly to Oliver.
But her patience was soon shattered.
"Anyway, Mr. Reporters, come see me later. I'll personally check if this Theo guy can be compared to me and let you know!"
Oliver's proclamation was the last straw.
Sunday, 6 PM.
Still lying in bed, I moved around after finishing dinner.
"Hmm."
My body, which felt like it was breaking until yesterday, was almost fully recovered.
'......Indeed, this world revolves around items.'
The stamina recovery medicine that Taylor had requested from the headquarters arrived in the morning.
I had been drinking it at one-hour intervals.
My insides feel somewhat queasy.
It's as if, instead of blood, drugs are coursing through my veins.
I might develop a resistance, but now's not the time to worry about that.
Anyway, I should test out the new traits.
Even the beginner and user-level traits had a significant impact, so I wonder how strong the expert-level traits will be.
As I was thinking this, getting up from the bed and stretching,
─Student Theo, this is Natasha. May I come in?
I heard a knock on the door.
......It seems that what I was expecting has arrived sooner than I thought.
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