After Shynerai defeated Vetmier, securing Stephen's role with them, the class went to aid the wounded Daumier, helping him to Dr. Arturion's Ward, much to his dismay.

  Stephen received piercing glares as the group moved through the corridor, though Shynerai only gleamed a worn smile before he spoke.

  "You aren't going anywhere, we're always going to be here for each other..."

  "...Astrapordt, that entire stunt was reckless, but–"

  Stephen raised his hand to rest it on him, but was met with a bloodthirsty glare that stayed his approach until his classmates had left.

  "Huh, I didn't think Vauntuss would go through with it." A cheerful voice appeared.

  "Who's there?" Stephen questioned the approaching figure.

  "Hey there, were you looking for me?" The strangers' voice was accompanied by a poke to his cheek.

  "Oh...Princess Charlotte, do you need something from me?"

  "Ooo, usually when people meet me, they bend over backwards to appease my every whim." Shooting him a sly expression

  "Well, I wouldn't exactly call myself a fan of royalty."

  "A child of the Markholdz family, the disgrace you carry is quite well known. Though I see now that there was some truth to the rumors. How easily one of your blood tends to betray those closest to him in service of your own gain."

  Her words hung heavy with accusation while her tone carried naught but indifference.

  "I'm surprised, truly. A Princess of the Falsetti Kingdom would know about my 'lowly family', though I guess you might find it amusing. All you types certainly do." He shared a smirk with the petite monarch.

  "This may surprise you, but I have a strong curiosity for the oddest of things."

  Before she could continue, Vauntuss had entered the conversation to alert Charlotte of their next class, to which the two departed with simple goodbyes, leaving a confused Stephen glaring at the two as she shared a menacing grin in the distance

  '...Hmph, nobility seems to grow stranger with each generation. At least she's cute.' He thought to himself as he made his way back to class.

  Following the events of the battle, the class went on for a few days with visible tension hanging over Stephen from most of them, though Shynerai and their Class Captain didn't pay them any mind.

  The tension was eventually eased, as Torren suggested they go to the cafeteria for lunch, he and Shynerai stepped out, while the girls followed.

  Before they closed the door, Torren quickly invited Ketsuiko, urging him to bring Stephen. Naturally, everyone was dismayed, but Torren jokingly remarked that Sergei would stomp out any trouble Stephen might start.

  A little unsure, but now more welcoming, Vaceris and Tersia allowed it, having the whole class seated for lunch, though the time was loud and vibrant, the class came together, and really, no one was against that.

  "Hey, Erai, can we talk for a moment? I want to ask you something."

  "Torren? Well, we have a few minutes before our next class."

  The pair left the group while their class continued their meal in a rowdy fashion that was slowly becoming the norm of Class 1F.

  "Just make sure you aren't late for class again." Tersia took a moment to remind the pair as they walked off before returning to calm both Stephen and Vaceris, who, at the moment she looked away, managed to end up at each other's thought. Much to Sergei dismay with visible growing frustration.

  "I need your help. I'm planning on handling a Quest and thought you could help me out?"

  This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.

  "A Quest? What for?"

  Torren began ruffling his hair while trying to find the words to explain, but ultimately settled on a simple response, that it was important, regarding his help as being much appreciated.

  Erai was more curious about his desire to undergo a Quest than the nature of the journey itself; however, seeing his friend's willingness, he conceded to help him if he really believed he could.

  But even after saying yes to helping him, Erai noticed that Torren had not eased up, remaining as tense as though he was uncertain of whether he would help.

  Instead of giving in to his deepening curiosity, he opted to calm Torren by suggesting they visit the Questing Committee after class. A suggestion that brought some noticeable ease as he accepted.

  "Great. We should head to class now, everyone is probably there already."

  With the rest of the day coming to a close, Reiss ended his lesson with him dismissing his class for the weekend and asking that they arrive on time the following week.

  Erai was packing up and helping Ketsuiko and Sergei with cleaning before heading out to meet Torren, who was waiting by the nearby vending machine, finding him with the same look of unease.

  Before meeting Torren, he made a stop back at his room to retrieve something. Afterwards, he rushed back to the school, where he would find himself in quite an unusual state for him.

  "Relax, Torren. We've got this. Offering him a drink before they made off for the Questing Committee, Erai pushed him along to hasten his speed in the hopes of not missing them.

  Knocking on the door before they were asked to enter. Erai could be seen dragging Torren in by his headband, leading him to cuss out his friend…before standing at attention when he noticed the presence of the Student Generals, all of whom found the pair's odd entrance to be quite curious.

  "Hey…Erai, what are you doing here? And who's that with you?" Lotarim tried his best to banish the awkward air that hung heavily in the room.

  "Hi, Lotarim. This is my classmate, Torren Sujing."

  "N-Nice to meet you?"

  "It's a pleasure, I am the Vice President of the Questing Committee, Mithras Lotarim. Over there is Meira Euryale, Luciana Lumiere and last but not least, our Committee President, Kiara Aurelia. Now, what's this about?"

  "Oh hey, Meira, check it out, Erai is here." Luciana exited the storeroom to find the trio as they entered the room.

  "We wanted to take on a Quest, and were wondering if you have any avail–" Erai began his request before once again being flung out through the door the moment Meira made a sudden appearance.

  "Idiot. Fall asleep for days on end after taking on another Quest, and the moment you wake up, you say nothing. And who are you?"

  "Ehh. The name's Torren."

  "Are you friends with that idiot, ugg. Does he know how much of a headache you can be?" The two of them sighed at the thought of how much Erai had put them through.

  'Why is it that every girl I meet carries a mean left hook?'

  "You know, the more time you spend with Jaret, the more I worry that he's going to rub off on you." Kiara's concern managed to hold Meira's wrath at bay.

  "Sorry about that, you two. You'll come to find that a lot of the ladies in this school are fairly 'strong-willed'…ha ha…'" Lotarim chuckled as he helped Erai up. Asking Meira to hold off on destroying the door, especially after the Student Council room's door was turned into splinters.

  "Meira…I didn't get to see you after I woke up, but Dr. Arturion told me what you did. I wanted to thank you. I doubt we could've won against Alistair or saved all those people if it wasn't for you."

  "But I know that's not enough to say sorry for all the trouble I've caused for each of you in the past, so I hope you can accept this." Presenting the treats Torren had purchased the night before as his apology.

  "W…what, I mean I didn't do anything. We only managed to make it out of that fight because you were there. Even Konnor helped out…so really…you don't need to thank me." She said as a look of relief came over her.

  "I'll make sure I do next time. Right now we're planning on going on another Quest, do you guys have anything that we could take on?"

  "Now-now. Meira. She's usually slow to get used to others, but I know she was worried. She doesn't have a great history with your people, but I can tell you've grown on her." Luciana's smile followed her words.

  "Why did you have to go and say all of that? Hmm, you there. Make sure he doesn't do anything stupid, alright, he has a habit of wandering off on his own. Be sure to keep an eye on him. Here, it's a fairly recent request, but it should be at your level." Meira sent Erai a description of an available Quest to his Notebook.

  "Rest assured, I was the one who dragged him here to help." Torren added.

  "Oh really? Did you get your ranking from the Student Council yet? "

  "Umm, yeah. Rank C."

  "Very well, seems like you should be fine, that's if you're taking the job." Erai moved to Torren, showing him the page and waiting to hear his thoughts.

  Though Torren gave no time to doubt, assuring him that he was ready to go. With the pair in agreement, they decided to leave for their Quest early the following morning.

  Just before they left, Erai turned to the Student Generals, wondering if he would need an invigilator for this Quest.

  "That was only for your first Quest, which you completed. You can undertake jobs on your own now, provided you have the aptitude. And since an experienced student is participating in this Quest alongside you, Sujing, you won't be assigned one either." Lotarim assured the pair.

  "Alright then, we'll head out. Thanks for all the help. " The two of them said their goodbyes as they rushed home in preparation.

  "And remember, do your best to be careful." Lotarim sent the pair off, with the expressions worn byLuciana and Meira holding as firm reminders of caution on their journey.