Together with Emma's help I earned the school entrance fee of 300,000 ria quicker than expected. A pleasant miscalculation.

Thanks to that I had a peaceful awakening the morning after the rainbowhopper catching. There wasn't any need to keep pus.h.i.+ng myself, but let's head to the guild today as well. Lola was full of motivation so I, reluctantly, bundled my determination and decided to take on a quest.

"I did it, I pa.s.sed!"

When I arrived at the guild, Emma, who apparently got there a while ago, ran up to me. Looked like she had safely pa.s.sed the test and become an adventurer, now she was happily skipping through the guild in some very high spirits.

"Was Gamon your examiner?"

"Yeah, that's the one."

"How'd you make him speak?"

"Mhmm, we fought like normal and when I got a hit in he let out his voice."

"That's... pretty amazing."

Gamon's level was above 80, that put him at more than four times Emma's. Well, not like levels are everything though. Was there some kind of special tactic?

When they sway with each movement it might just be inevitable for a man's attention to sway along.

"Also, after we finished he invited me to a weird shop. 'How about working at our place,' or something."

"...Forest of Huge b.o.o.bs, eh."

So he's also working as a scout for huge busts.

Actually, maybe adventuring wasn't his main job in the first place?

"That was the name, but say... why do you know?"

"Ah, well, there was a sort of 'Come when you've got time' invitation."

"...Will you?"

With a firm gaze on me I quickly shook my head - exaggerated movements and everything, too.

Lola warned us with a hopeless expression.

"Please refrain from flirting in front of the reception desk."

"...Sorry."

"And anyway, what's with that? One moment you force me into that one pose and make me say I love you, the next one you're all over another girl."

"Noir!? What was that just now!?"

Not good, the conversation was heading towards a fatal understanding. I was about to explain what happened, but Lola fanned the flames before I was able to.

"Noir and I are currently involved in an important affair, please try not to bother us, okay?".

"...Mughh, I'm starting to feel like someone's offering me a fight."

I'm guessing what Lola was actually referring to was my ranking up, but wasn't that phrasing a tad too provocative? With how intensely the two were staring at each other it felt like sparks would start flying at any moment.

"Phew, ain't you popular, Noir," and similar banter started making its way through the crowd, so I stepped between the two.

"Before getting too carried away, what is today's quest?"

The quest I was given was a monster extermination request in the same gra.s.s plains as a while ago. Lola pouted when I announced that I'd accept the quest as a party with Emma.

By the way, when heading out as a group all party members receive points for the quest, although they're less than when going solo. I suppose the fastest route to a high rank would be by completing difficult quests on your own?

As we were about to depart Lola came up to us in a quick skip.

I do want to go actually.

dissected."

The Serial Killing Receptionist. There was a book like that I'm pretty sure. Well, not like Lola was that kind of bad person.

I realized right away. There was a person whose... Aura was too different.

A supreme beauty in a pure white dress, blonde hair flowing like silk. Her eyes were of a charming blue and her skin white like porcelain, along with an exceptional figure. A glance was enough to think her loved by the G.o.ds.

Within her mature facial features she retained a sweetness typical for a young maiden. There was not a single flaw.

The white dress that was beautiful enough to evoke the image of a bride's gown was a perfect fit for the flawlessly pure girl.

I lowered my head, but before I fully bowed our eyes met. She smiled.

Before me was the smile of an angel. After a moment of being startled I was about to properly lower my head, but she stretched out her hand as if to say there was no need.

"Good day. Noir of House Stalgia and Emma of House Brightness, right?"

Uwah... In that moment, I was tremendously moved. Of course, partly because she knew my name, but more than that because there was actual respect in her

Back when I went to youth rearing school it was a jumble of n.o.bles and commoners. When I occasionally met with n.o.bles there, the majority looked down on me once they found out I was of baronet standing. Then again, those people were condescending towards anyone.

I couldn't restrain my emotions, that was what a true n.o.ble must have been.

of the G.o.ds?"

"I certainly consider it a blessing, it's an honor."

"Since I have matters to attend to for today I will take my leave, but let's look forward to the entrance ceremony. I wish you farewell."

""I wish you farewell.""

Surrounded by retainers and what seemed like escorts she turned her heel and walked away. Her incredible beauty, genuine courteousness and refined elegance made it difficult to imagine she was the same age as us. Looked like she was too captivating even for Emma.

"Wha~, seeing her from up close she's ridiculously pretty. Her skin had this fascinating feeling of translucence."

"She really captures the meaning of perfection, paying her respects even to us."

"Right? But say, I don't even remember the last time I used something like 'I wish you farewell.'"

"I don't use it more than you, either."

While chatting with Emma I followed Maria's back with my eyes. Out of curiosity I allowed myself to a.n.a.lyze her.

Name: Maria Fiana Albert

Race: Human

Occupation: Student

「16th Seal of Death」

Charged thrust is a sword technique that allows one to release a powerful thrust after charging.

And the last one...

"Emma, do you know about the 16th seal of death?"

"Huh? What's that?"

As expected I guess. Let's try using a.n.a.lyze to see what kind of skill it is.

＜Cursed skill. Waves of violent pain attack the body in a set cycle. Together with growing age the pain intensifies, peaking at 16 years. By overcoming the age of 16 years the skill vanishes.＞

W-wait a moment.

I was more than a little shocked.

If there's anything I can do I'd really like to help her.

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Hidden Dungeon hit 1000 reading list entries on Novel Updates, shout outs to you. Next chapter sometime this week. Special thanks for reading.