Chapter 29
158. Anonymous Third-Year Production Student
This year's first-years were quite the bumper crop.
In the production division alone, there are 7 【Blacksmiths】, 5 【Apothecaries】, 8 【Tailors】, 2 【Woodworkers】, and 1 【Alchemist】.
There are plenty of others, too. Truly impressive.
159. Anonymous Third-Year Research Student
There were plenty of combat Jobs with high-tier Job holders, too. This year does seem to be a bit above average.
Of the 6,591 new students, 311 acquired a Job in the entrance ceremony's Job assessment.
80 of them were high-tier Jobs.
160. Anonymous Second-Year Swordsman
Thanks for the research.
But how'd you find that out?
161. Anonymous Third-Year Research Student
Trade secret.
If you try to uncover our secrets, you'll be punished.
162. Anonymous Second-Year Swordsman
I won't go anywhere near your secrets.
163. Anonymous Third-Year Support Student
Don't worry. Our independent research came up with roughly the same results.
These figures are reliable.
164. Anonymous Second-Year Swordsman
There are more people doing research than I expected.
I had no idea.
165. Anonymous Third-Year Trap Disarmer
Job numbers are all well and good.
So what percentage of them are cute girls?
166. Anonymous Third-Year Research Student
Even if you knew, it'd be wasted on you.
There's no need for you to know.
167. Anonymous Second-Year Combat Student
Half of the incoming students are definitely girls.
168. Anonymous Third-Year Production Student
Let's get back on topic.
About 5% of this year's first-years have already acquired Jobs.
Normally, it's around 2% to 3%, so that's nearly double.
In other words, you could say this year's first-years are a particularly strong crop.
169. Anonymous Second-Year Production Student
You're being so roundabout, senpai.
What are you getting at?
170. Anonymous Third-Year Production Student
There are a lot of ill-mannered people recruiting this year.
As upperclassmen, you should carry yourselves with dignity and actively help out first-years when they're in trouble.
That 【Hero】 recruitment battle was way over the top.
171. Anonymous Second-Year Swordsman
Ah, yeah. That's true.
When I joined the recruitment, an upperclasswoman elbowed me in the ribs.
172. Anonymous Third-Year Production Student
No.
I mean, that does sound questionable, too, but...
The point is, don't cause trouble for the first-years.
173. Anonymous Third-Year Research Student
The academy also announced that we should show some restraint.
Does everyone check the Academy Information page?
174. Anonymous Second-Year Production Student
It's a hassle, so I don't.
175. Anonymous Second-Year Swordsman
Same here.
176. Anonymous Third-Year Production Student
That's why I'm putting out the call in chats like this.
Please spread the word to other students who have bad manners or haven't seen the announcement.
177. Anonymous Second-Year Production Student
I see.
But going out of your way to do something so troublesome...
Could it be that the guild you're in, senpai...
178. Anonymous Third-Year Production Student
Calm down, junior.
This is the Anyone Chat Bulletin Board.
It's good manners not to try to identify people.
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342. Anonymous Third-Year Combat Student
...There are... five 【Muscle Warriors】!
343. Anonymous Third-Year Support Student
Is that what this is about?
Five promising Job holders like 【Muscle Warrior】 have appeared.
Word is the B-rank guild Musclers has already tried to recruit them.
344. Anonymous Second-Year Swordsman
I've been wondering about this, actually.
Are 【Muscle Warriors】 really that strong?
345. Anonymous Third-Year Support Student
So you've never faced a 【Muscle Warrior】 before.
You'll understand if you see one.
You'll be overwhelmed by their presence, overwhelmed by their muscles...
And in the end, overwhelmed by their combat power, too.
Many people have it burned into their memory and end up traumatized.
346. Anonymous Second-Year Swordsman
Th-that sounds pretty convincing.
Is that from personal experience?
347. Anonymous Third-Year Combat Student
【Muscle Warrior】... I hate you. But... I can't beat you!
348. Anonymous Second-Year Alchemy Student
The idea that muscles mean strength really took hold thanks to 【Muscle Warrior】, didn't it?
349. Anonymous Second-Year Swordsman
I see.
I don't really get it, but they must be amazing and strong.
350. Anonymous Third-Year Research Student
Well, you'll understand exactly what they're like if you actually go up against the Musclers.
351. Anonymous Second-Year Swordsman
That sounds scary.
But my guild's only D-rank, so I'm safe.
352. Anonymous Second-Year Alchemy Student
Don't get complacent. Aim for at least B-rank.
353. Anonymous Second-Year Swordsman
Come to think of it, guild battles have been happening a lot lately.
My guild doesn't seem ready to take part yet, though.
354. Anonymous Third-Year Support Student
The graduating seniors have left, throwing the balance between guilds into disarray.
The shifts in rank have been especially noticeable.
Guilds run mainly by graduating seniors have been losing across the board and dropping in rank.
355. Anonymous Third-Year Research Student
As you'd expect, the academy's top guilds, S-rank and A-rank, haven't budged.
But seven B-rank spots have changed hands.
Nearly a hundred C-rank spots have changed just yesterday, so it'll take time for things to settle down.
Guild battles are always common at this time of year, after the graduating seniors leave.
356. Anonymous Third-Year Support Student
By the way, this is just a rumor, but apparently no one's challenged the Musclers.
357. Anonymous Second-Year Swordsman
They're really feared, huh.
I see.
Could you tell me about any other guilds I should watch out for?
Like C-rank ones, for example.
358. Anonymous Third-Year Trap Disarmer
There's no point in trying to challenge my guild.
359. Anonymous Third-Year Research Student
What rank is your guild?
360. Anonymous Third-Year Trap Disarmer
...D-rank.
361. Anonymous Third-Year Support Student
If you want, I can give you my recommendations.
First, watch out for guilds that have fallen from B-rank.
They've got a strong foundation to begin with.
There are also six guilds said to form an immovable wall at C-rank.
By the way, are you taking part in 〈Castle Capture〉 or 〈Base Capture〉?
362. Anonymous Second-Year Swordsman
It'll probably be 〈Castle Capture〉.
363. Anonymous Third-Year Support Student
Got it.
I'll put together a list for you. Give me a little time.
364. Anonymous Second-Year Swordsman
Thanks, senpai!
I'd really appreciate it!
365. Anonymous Third-Year Trap Disarmer
So it hurts when nobody even acknowledges you...
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701. Anonymous Second-Year Alchemy Student
Breaking news!
I saw that 【Hero】 everyone keeps talking about walking around in some incredible gear!
702. Anonymous Third-Year Pharmacy Student
I saw him, too.
He had a girl with the 【Alchemist】 Job with him, too.
703. Anonymous Third-Year Trap Disarmer
What?!
Is that 【Alchemist】 the little loli girl everyone keeps talking about?!
That 【Hero】 stole my loli!
704. Anonymous Second-Year Alchemy Student
Shut up! Get out of here, you pervert!
That's not what this is about! We're talking about the amazing gear 【Hero】 is wearing!
705. Anonymous Second-Year Swordsman
What kind of gear is it?
706. Anonymous Second-Year Alchemy Student
It's hard to describe, but it looks incredibly hero-like!
707. Anonymous Third-Year Pharmacy Student
It's like a halo is shining around him.
708. Anonymous Second-Year Swordsman
Huh? Sorry, I have no idea what you mean!
709. Anonymous Third-Year Support Student
Where is he? I want to see for myself.
710. Anonymous Second-Year Alchemy Student
East of the 〈Beginner Dungeon〉. I think he's heading to the 〈General Association〉.
711. Anonymous Third-Year Support Student
Got it. I'm heading over now.
712. Anonymous Second-Year Swordsman
As expected of a senpai. You're so reliable!
713. Anonymous Third-Year Research Student
I confirmed it. Armor, sword, and shield with white as the main color.
Probably a high-tier equipment series.
The armor has a sleek look to it.
It really does look like the kind of gear a hero would wear in a story.
714. Anonymous Second-Year Swordsman
W-wow...
715. Anonymous Third-Year Trap Disarmer
After that, no one saw Support again.
716. Anonymous Second-Year Alchemy Student
Ignore the idiot.
Putting together what everyone around here is saying,
the leading theory seems to be that 【Hero】 has a sponsor.
717. Anonymous Third-Year Pharmacy Student
But he really is cool.
His slightly boyish face is part of his charm.
I feel like my self-control is about to crack.
718. Anonymous Second-Year Alchemy Student
W-well, I have to agree with that much.
I'm jealous of that 【Alchemist】 girl.
719. Anonymous Third-Year Research Student
I did a quick investigation, and as for that gear,
I found out that nobody knows anything about it.
It really does seem to have appeared out of nowhere.
Also, he'll be the fastest first-year this term
to clear the 〈Beginner Dungeon〉.
People were making a fuss over the fact that he's a 【Hero】 despite not knowing how strong he was...
But now his abilities are clear, too.
720. Anonymous Second-Year Alchemy Student
D-damn it! Why did I hesitate to invite him back then?!
721. Anonymous Third-Year Pharmacy Student
Same here. If only I had a chance to meet him alone.
722. Anonymous Third-Year Support Student
I've arrived, but it seems I'm too late.
723. Anonymous Second-Year Swordsman
Senpai...!