Sword, Magic and Academic Society-Chapter 280Vol. 1 - - Promotion and Clan (4)

After Shell saw Allen off, the latter being completely pissed off after Shell turned tables on him.

"......He sure has got thick skin......"

Shell's smirking expression switched on a serious note, and muttered.

"......It does appear so. He had narrated everything so easily, like a storyteller, when it shouldn't be strange for such an incident to leave scars on a young heart. The hope might have been there with his abilities, but it doesn't change the environment had been closed and dim. It would've left many in panic. I doubted if I even heard him right at first......"

"Hmm? Why? You believe there's something else about his story?"

Satowa gestured in denial against Shell's query.

"He should be telling the truth. His statement matches with the post-incident investigation. But this wasn't it, his words carried the weight of someone who had truly gone through such a specific situation. It's just like your adventurous tales, President. One just finds it enthralled as they listen to him."

'Kukuku,' Shell let out a faint chuckle.

"I know, right? I also had asked out of complete curiosity, and there wasn't much wavering in his voice. At the very least, he was telling the truth. I say the same for his cringing lines, too. Hahaha!"

Shell laughed with a mean grin on his face, eliciting Satowa to rebuke.

"I-It just explain how worked up he might be in that environment. You just can't expect an exactly normal response after going through after all. ...To be honest, I had been astonished by his preparedness for the request. I only requested him to be our escort. Nevertheless, he took the trouble to buy ores by himself, despite his busy schedule as Royal Academy's student, and even brought in special pickaxe.

He had already impressed me with just that much, but as you heard, it appears he even supplemented himself with knowledge about mines in the Royal Library. It may appear as a miraculous survival, but I dare say it was his preparation that made all the coincidence come together."

"...Well... I just dislike all those fluff up actions, and would rather train myself to face any situation. B-but, of course, not everyone needs to go copy me. I mean, the diverse number of explorers means you're bound to see their unique implementations. And that guy, he's pretty great in acting at the scene, too."

Satowa smiled as if he had found it funny.

"......Now that you put it into words, you two have such polar opposite ways of dealing with situations. And yet, you're like cut from the same cloth."

"You think? ...I think it was just one year ago you're sharply calling out for 'enjoy the exploration to fully.' He truly is carrying out your will down to the exact word."

Shell off-handedly remarked, and got up from his seat.

"Where are you leaving for now, President?"

"Hmm? How can you not know? I have heard such a nice story, of course, the words must be spread in the tavern!"

Shell was about to leave the room but Satowa stopped him in a hurry.

"You're at it again. Didn't you hear him? He doesn't want any attention. I presume he is seeking a normal experience for some time. There was also a thing with Benze, and the new clan he brought up, though it left later shaking in anger. He even said he's going to give him a good beating. We're seeing a convergence of potential youngsters, and the clan seems to be pretty interesting."

Satowa mentioned the report Benze had submitted to the association, of how they're going to kickstart a new clan.

A Clan was like a company started by an independent, full-fledged explorer. This was unlike mutual aid society, where the latter was formed by low-ranking adventurers, and with the general purpose of supporting fellow low-rank explorers. Since a clan was more of an independent organisation, they'd required no such thing as formal approval from association, or clear up any condition.

In general, clans were often formed by the D-rank or above explorers. Their objective varies case-by-case basis, but some of the common goals were undertaking high-level requests with their bulked up ground, or in other occasions, to lend adequate party members for requests that would require their presence.

At present, the popularity of 'Explorer Ren' was at an all-time high. Of course, Benze and his fellow explorers had been a major reason behind it, but the incident with Rose, and then Dragreid were like adding wings to already soaring fame.

The fame begets admiration, or even some rivalry, naturally. And, as such, the Royal Capital had been seeing the influx of record explorers, either in hope to make connection with Mad Hound, or taste their mantle in a fight as a proof of their strength, regardless if they win or not.

As a fact, Benze himself had been feeling awkward for starting a clan without any prior talk, but he pushed through, believing this to be a necessity.

"Hmph, and who asked him to play such flamboyant? He's just facing the consequence of his actions. ......Well, now that he's A-rank, many more people are going to be livid with jealousy. Just the last time, when he was promoted to B-rank, there had been a flood of complaints.

On the brighter side, it seems like he'd done playing secret identity with all the situation, and maybe if I spread my words around that I had deemed him worthy, it would dampen the follow up chaos to somewhat degree. And, you know, words spread around quickly in a place with drinks and all. I, for my life, can't bother cramming all that explanation in their thickskulls."

Satowa's eyebrow shot up, seemingly not expecting the reason.

"You're protecting him... So, that's what you've been doing, huh. I can't say I wasn't finding it odd at how you've been assertive about him. You had thought it through, President, didn't you?"

Shell nodded, listening to Satowa's query while picking on his ear.

"C'mon, obviously that's the reason. I even riled up earlier to see his growth. I mean, I believe him, but an explanation coming from the mouth of the person-in-question would be bland for others to believe immediately."

Satowa nodded repeatedly at the reasoning.

"It's like I am seeing a parent's concern. Anyway, I am quite surprised to see you paying so much attention to just one explorer. You have your reason with «Apple», I understand it, but... I know it sounds obvious, however just to hear from your perspective, President. You, too, believe him to be that caliber, don't you?"

This time, Shell just tilted his neck in confusion.

"I am not trying to play favourites at all. I honestly have no idea what goes around that head of his, but he's just that amusing to look at when you leave him to his accord. ...Alright, I am going out for a drink this time, for real, while I still have my punchline ready. Wait... what was the punchline though..? ...Oh well, I just will ad-lib my way!"

"......Please, just because you find it amusing, don't embellish the achievements more than necessary, President."

"It's not embellishment, just supplement details! You get it!"

Being reminded by Satowa, Shell retorted, and this time, for sure, he left the room.

◆◆◆

My next destination was a shop named Vogue Berth, located downtown in the eastern part of the royal capital.

I had inquired around the downtown, and learned that the members of clan «Mad Hound» would gather there. This was how I was now treading the path toward that shop.

The Vogue Berth was quite a mainstream game parlour like place, popular among the outlaws, well, the young explorers, It was extravagantly large, bland without a single bit of decoration. The drinks were cheap, and there were quite a few billiards like table games that one could play for free.

I had been there once due to some business, and this was more or less a hangout place for young explorers who lacked the money, but had ample energy and spare time. They used this place mostly for killing time, sometimes talking about their current status-quo or their future ambition.

I didn't particularly hate this place, since it had the touch of youth after all. It's just, anytime I come here, it's mostly to teach some numbskulls the way of the world after they'd made a pass at Apple Familia. It left me with no pleasant memories for that reason.

The last time I had visited this place, it was to confront idiots of something Commonwealth Major, an explorer's training institute. Apparently, they're extorting the peepsqueaks from Apple. When I confronted their leader, he stuck to cliche—"Hah? I don't know a shit about it. I am from the institute, and the gall you've to come at me without proof. Believe or not, try laying a finger on me and see how you get booted out of your explorer rank. Hush, and come back when you have evidence."

"Oh, yeah? Then bring down my rank right now," at the end, I had beat him down along with his followers. Then, I learned they're goaded by their seniors from the Institute because they didn't like my promotion to B-rank. Oh well, not my circus, not my problem. Besides, I had already been looking to drop my rank, so I even dropped by them to ask "I didn't get demoted. C'mon, do something about it" everyday.

Since neither of what they claimed was coming to fruition, I eventually barged into their office, and directly requested their seniors to drop my rank. Alas, I don't know why, but after that visit, the representative of the Commonwealth then visited Apple and profusely apologised to Boss. Afterward, I was lectured by Boss that I went overboard and declared my rank wouldn't be dropping. What a misfortune.

Anyway, back to the point at hand, I was looking for Benze and his chimps to smash down the so-called «Mad Hound» clan they kick started without my permission. After playing into Uncle Shell's provocation, and losing, I needed somewhere to vent out my frustration, and I decided on them.

I wasn't particularly angry at them. I hadn't been one to proclaim the title of Mad Hound, and as long as it's a clan unrelated to me, it doesn't matter what they would like to do. But, I heard from Satowa they'd listed me as the president of the clan.

Well, maybe, and I mean just teensy bit, the responsibility might also lie in me since I had stepped up the fatty during the Rose Familia incident, telling him to 'follow your moral compass.' Basically, I had thrown the aftermath for him to handle. Albeit, nominating me for President was a breach of authority.

Rubbing my swollen cheek, and covering the side of my stomach to ease the pain—all courtesy of that old man—I broke into a seemingly noisy alleyway. That fatty’s roundness had not diminished much, so he was just the right punching targe—ahem, I mean, a fitting person to convey my complaints.

......However, I was dumbfounded.

I had just broken into the narrow alleyway, which was where the store was, and witnessed some ruffian looking youngsters squatting around, their coarse giggles echoing. There were even some punching at each other while laughing. They appeared to be good-for-nothing troublemakers.

For a moment, I had to really ponder if I had walked into the scene of a shipwrecked pirate ship. Like, seriously, was that the moral compass of the fatty?

I think I did once tell the fatty to stop being a lone wolf, and maybe try making some friends, but surely, he could've chosen better characters......

Catching sight of me, a group of two youngsters pointed their fingers at me while giggling to themselves. With a sigh, I stepped inside the alleyway, and my path was immediately blocked by them.

I wasn't even surprised at the development.

"Woah there, kiddo. You shouldn't be hanging around a place like this. This place is wrought with hot blooded explorers, and recently, many of them are even getting annoying. Listen to us, and turn around from this place."

Hmm? They didn't look the part but... they're surprisingly kind. I had been thinking of using my intimidating tone, too. What a letdown.

"What I do is my business. Now, get off the way."

In the end, I didn't say much, and forced my way through the space between them. It didn't appear I would be able to make them understand with simple words, and decided not to bother at all.

"Hold on......"

Then, one of the duo grabbed me by my shoulder.

—Really, do I need to waste my time on this?

"......What, do you have something for me?"

I inquired, throwing a glance behind, however the man instead held out a salve to me.

"Your flank... it must be in pain, right? Use it."

...Hold on. Why was it giving me deja vu. Suddenly, a certain fatty flashed back in my mind.

Just as I was seized with bewilderment at the unexpected turn of situation, the man gave me a smile, apparently misunderstanding my silence, and pushed the salve to me.

"Relax, you don't have to pay for it. You have read «Big Brother's Ballad», right? It's our duty to help those in need, or be kind to weak!"

"............I haven't read any of it."

Salve-kun flashed a toothy grin and raised a thumbs up, though his dirty teeth were barely a sight. I pushed back the salve on him.

◆◆◆

When I made it inside the store, it was packed to the brim. I caught the glimpse of Benze and other familiar faces at the back, but there had been just many, if not even more, unfamiliar faces. Really, where did that much crowd come from?

"You can do it, Benzeee! Beat those westerns down!"

I peeped at their situation from the entrance. Benze, for some odd reason, was locked into an eating contest. He was stuffing a meter long, dried french bread, loaded with what seemed to be, again, dried out salami sausage, into his mouth. The bread, and the sausage, both appeared so dry just a glance would make your mouth parched.

And then, once he had finished eating it, Benze suddenly threw a left hook at the profile of his opponent.

"*Cough*!"

The rival contestant somehow withstand the fist with mana guard, and remained steadfast on munching the bread, the contours of his eyes now moistened with his tears. After a glance at him, Benze jumped on another piece of bread.

What... even was I looking at?

Meanwhile, when the rival contestant had finished his bread, he threw a right punch on the face of Benze, showing no reservation.

"Rgggg...! *Snort*!"

Blood dripped out of Benze's nose, but he just snorted it out, and somehow held his ground.

A moment later, Benze had finished the bread, and threw another left hook at the face of his opponent. This time, the rival contestant was down for good. He was KO'd.

"Hmph! I am never losing in the Eat-Quick or Mad-Hound-Face-Punch competition!"

Benze remarked loudly, flexing his arms, while the people around raised their voice in cheers. Just then, Benze and our eyes met.

I was about to pretend to be a stranger, but Benze shouted at the top of his lungs, spreading that chubby face into a broad smile.

"Yohoooo, Ren-kun!! Long time no seee!!"