Chapter 49
Chapter 49
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Translator: Vine
Chapter: 49
Chapter Title: The 35th Summoners (3)
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“Here you go.”
“Take this, sir.”
“Thank you.”
I handed the copied questionnaire to Chil-seong, who was next to me, and started transcribing again.
After a quick scan, I saw many traits I’d heard of at least once.
Things like affinity with spirits, elemental resistance, or status effect resistance.
There were also quite a few students with traits that boosted a certain stat by 1.5 times, like one of my old roommates whose name I can't even remember now.
Unfortunately, there were no traits that doubled a stat, like Ju Yeon-seong's.
Of course, there were some pretty good traits as well.
Especially the principal’s…
“Huh? The principal’s trait is…”
It seemed Chil-seong had noticed it too.
“What is it?”
“It’s the same as our Guild Master’s.”
[Name: Yoon Hong-chun
Age: 53
Occupation: Principal of Pyeonghwa Middle School
Granted Trait: Generous Patron - Acquires bonus Jewels proportional to the amount of money spent on sponsorships.
Hobbies: Fishing, Hiking
Specialties: Calligraphy, Go]
Just as Chil-seong said, the principal’s trait was identical to Tae-soo’s.
I suspected the principal would become the Golden Lion Guild’s number one recruitment target.
The amount they sponsored wouldn’t be the same, so there would be some difference, but it was possible he had even more Jewels than Tae-soo.
“The other teachers’ abilities are all pretty good, too.”
Excluding the principal, the other teachers’ abilities were all quite excellent.
Especially the well-built male teacher, his name was…
Shin Yu-seong.
[Name: Shin Yu-seong
Age: 29
Occupation: Teacher at Pyeonghwa Middle School (Homeroom 2-2, Physical Education)
Granted Trait: Perfect Balance - The holder of this trait is not granted stats upon leveling up, but instead, all stats increase by one every 3 levels.
Hobbies: Weight training, Reading, Meditation, Pilates, Swimming
Specialties: Certified Sports Instructor, Former member of the Taekwondo National Reserve Team, Master's in Humanities.]
While it had the disadvantage of not being able to invest in desired stats, gaining one point in every stat every three levels was a significant advantage.
At just level 30, that was an extra 20 stats, and at level 300, it would amount to an additional 200 stats.
As long as one’s class wasn't highly sensitive to a specific stat, like a mage, it was often better to raise stats evenly rather than focusing on just one.
The other two teachers weren't bad either.
[Name: Seo Yeon-hwa
Age: 27
Occupation: Teacher at Pyeonghwa Middle School (Mathematics)
Granted Trait: Ice Witch - Water-attribute magic enhanced by 200%, acquires affinity with water-attribute spirits.
Hobbies: None.
Specialties: Mathematics.]
Although there was no photo on the questionnaire, I had a good idea of who this was.
There were only four teachers to begin with, and one of them had pale skin and a perpetually expressionless face.
I wondered if she got this trait because her students called her the Ice Witch.
[Name: Kang Se-yeon
Age: 25
Occupation: Teacher at Pyeonghwa Middle School (Homeroom 2-4, Art)
Granted Trait: Path of the Doll Queen - Upon reaching level 30, the holder of this trait can challenge the quest to change to the hidden class, Doll Queen.
Hobbies: Drawing, Watching YouTube
Specialties: Doll making, Cooking]
This person didn't have anything special for now, but she could change to a hidden class upon reaching level 30.
It was a well-known fact that hidden classes were more powerful than regular ones.
“Hyeon-ung, are you still not done?”
“Ah, here you go.”
Finally finished.
Thanks to Seol-hwa’s quick transcription, we had managed to hand out a copy to almost everyone present.
While everyone was busy examining the questionnaires, the meeting room door opened again, and Tae-soo walked in.
“So you’re all still here.”
“Guild Master! The principal has the same trait as you.”
“Oh, is that so?”
“There are quite a few people with good traits. This round of scouting is going to be very competitive.”
“That’s a relief. Give me a copy. I’ll read it while I eat.”
“Here, sir, take this one.”
I handed my questionnaire to Tae-soo.
Having copied and distributed them, I had already memorized most of the people with good traits.
“Alright. I’ll have another copy made for you later. You need to eat too, my friend. Let’s go together. Everyone, eat before you continue.”
I left the meeting room with Tae-soo.
He mentioned that the Golden Lion Guild members also ate on the first floor, just like the new summoners undergoing training.
Oh, but of course, their areas were separate.
“In your opinion, my friend, are the traits of this batch of summoners any good?”
“There were many summoners with good traits.”
“By any chance, was there anyone with the same…?”
“There was no one like that. More importantly, may I ask what you talked about with the principal?”
He had gone out to talk to the principal right away without even checking the questionnaires.
“It was nothing much. Since he’s the principal, he can be seen as the leader of this batch of summoners, so I listened to the circumstances of their summoning and gave him a heads-up about Elsia’s system to foster a cooperative atmosphere for the training.”
“Did he say how they were dragged here?”
“He said they were at school when a sudden light appeared, and when they opened their eyes, they were in Elsia.”
The third and first years were away on a school trip and a retreat, so the second years and some of the faculty who were at the school at the time were summoned together.
Originally, all 250 or so second years had applied for Kramis, but it seems about half of them couldn't come due to a population limit.
“So there’s a population limit.”
“That was the first I’d heard of it, too.”
When we arrived on the first floor, Golden Lion Guild members wearing aprons were serving food in the center.
As I picked up a plate, spoon, and chopsticks, I noticed that everyone’s expression was a bit sour.
Like they were angry about something?
“Jeong-ho, what’s wrong?”
Tae-soo seemed to have noticed as well.
“Guild Master, just look at that.”
Jeong-ho pointed to a large food waste bin that was more than 60% full.
“Are there many who don’t like the food?”
“That’s after emptying it once.”
Uh… well, I guess the food must not be very good.
As I recalled, the food during my basic training was pretty awful.
It was just hard bread with a lot of barley and a watery, pale soup with barely any ingredients… huh?
But looking at it now, that wasn't the case.
The rich, cream-colored soup wafted a savory aroma and had plenty of large chunks of ingredients.
The bread wasn't freshly baked, but it was white wheat bread, and there was even well-cooked bacon and a salad.
“One of them claimed to be vegan and threw their entire plate away right after getting it, complaining that no one told them there was meat in the soup. And they weren't the only one.”
“You think that’s all? There was a kid who threw everything away because they didn’t want bread, saying it didn’t agree with their wheat intolerance and demanding rice. I’d understand if it was an allergy, but they were just complaining about feeling bloated and gaining weight.”
“A lot of them just threw the food away, saying it didn't taste good. And this was made with the finance director’s recipe.”
Not just Jeong-ho, but all the guild members serving food beside him poured out their complaints.
The food they had prepared was on par with the special meal we got on the last morning of our training. This was absurd.
A meal like this would cost at least 1 silver at an inn.
“…They’re still just kids, I suppose.”
“Even if they’re kids, isn’t this a bit much?”
To prepare food for this many people, they must have been working hard since morning. They had every right to be angry.
I’d heard that kids these days were picky eaters, but this was more serious than I thought.
“From now on, tell them not to take what they won’t eat.”
“They take it saying they’ll eat it, and then they throw it away! It’s not like we can smack them.”
“They haven't been trained yet, so they don't know how precious this kind of food is. It could also be that they have no appetite because of the situation. Try not to get too upset.”
When you thought about it, what he said made sense.
They were still young students, suddenly torn away from their parents and families to live in Elsia. It would be strange if they did have an appetite.
I got my food and found a seat where the other guild members were eating.
A quick glance around showed that most of the students were just picking at their food before going to throw more than half of it away.
“My friend, is the food not to your liking either?”
Though he had comforted the guild members serving the food, it seemed to be weighing on his mind.
“I haven’t even taken a bite yet.”
As I replied, I took a spoonful of the soup. It was perfectly seasoned, and the ingredients were large and well-cooked, giving it a great texture.
It was savory, likely from a generous amount of milk, and the consistency was just right.
“It’s delicious.”
Dipping the bread in it, while not as incredibly soft as the bread in Kabisa, was leagues better than the barley bread I had during my basic training.
“Right? If there’s one thing I’m particular about, it’s not skimping on food…”
“It’s probably because kids these days grew up in abundance. They’ll adapt soon enough.”
“Aren’t you one of the ‘kids these days’ too, my friend?”
“Come on, look how old I am. Back in my day, they even inspected our lunch trays for leftovers.”
“So you’re from the school lunch generation. I used to pack my own lunch.”
Tae-soo finished his meal quickly and went back upstairs, while I remained on the first floor.
I was curious to see how the Golden Lion Guild conducted their basic training, and it was also entertaining to watch the new summoners.
Of course, feeling a bit useless doing nothing, I helped the guild members in charge of serving food with the cleanup.
“Thank you, Hyeon-ung.”
It was Je-yeon, who was in charge of the meals.
“Don’t mention it. The food was delicious today.”
“Right? I and the other guild members all thought it was fine, so it was a bit disheartening to see so much food wasted.”
“It’s probably because the kids don’t know the value of food yet.”
If Seol-hwa had heard about this, starting from dinner tonight, they might be getting nothing but barley bread and grass…
“Would you like a cup of tea?”
“I’d love one.”
As I sipped the herbal tea Je-yeon made for me, I scanned the new summoners, but since they weren't wearing name tags yet, I couldn't tell who was who.
Fortunately, it wasn't long before Team Leader Yoon and Mi-jeong came down with name tags and started handing them out and giving instructions.
The boys were assigned to the third floor and the girls to the second, just like in our time.
“You can use the room number on your name tag. For now, the male students will head to their rooms, and later, when other guild members come to guide you, please gather in the training hall.”
As soon as Mi-jeong finished her explanation, several students raised their hands.
“Yes, you there?”
“Um, can’t we change our room assignments? They’re all strangers. I want to share a room with Yumi and Jihye.”
…?
“I want to be in the same room as San-ho too…”
“I want to be in the same room as our teacher.”
“Can’t we get a single room? I can’t sleep if there are other people around.”
Once one person asked, other students started standing up and speaking their minds.
It turned into a madhouse, leaving not only Mi-jeong but all the other Golden Lion members nearby looking flustered.
They had all conducted this training several times, but they had likely never encountered such requests.
“Everyone, quiet!”
Mi-jeong’s high-pitched shout silenced the room in an instant.
“There will be no changes to room assignments. You will only be together for three days, so please be considerate and patient with any minor discomforts. The official training hasn't started yet, but you are not here on vacation.”
Mi-jeong’s stern tone kept the students from speaking up, but I could see the dissatisfaction on some of their faces.
“Training will begin at 1 PM, so rest for a bit and be ready to come out when called. And just in case, I’m warning you now: causing disturbances or trouble will result in penalties, so be careful.”
Although she gave a warning, I was worried about what was to come.
My job as an escort was done, so I just had to show my face for 12 hours a day and act as a figurehead, but the Golden Lion members had to actually conduct the training.
Jeong-ho, who was drinking tea next to me, frowned and shook his head.
“I can already tell this batch is going to be a handful to train…”
“It seems so.”
They might improve as the training progresses, but… I had my doubts.
It looked like everyone was in for a tough time.
****
I opened my eyes to an unfamiliar ceiling.
Geum-yong and Nyx were nowhere to be… ah, right, I was in the training facility.
It was getting dark outside.
After lunch, I had watched the training for a bit, but since it was the same content as before, I just went up to the fifth floor.
I had intended to take a short nap, but it seemed I had slept soundly.
Still, thanks to the good rest, I felt great.
Come to think of it, I had woken up earlier than usual this morning to go on the escort mission.
After a quick wash and shampoo, I came out to see Tae-soo coming up the stairs.
“My friend, I heard you were sleeping. Did you rest well?”
“Haha, I only meant to nap for a bit, but when I woke up, it was already this late…”
“You need to rest when you can.”
“Are you conducting the training yourself, sir?”
“No. The other executives are handling the training. I was just on my way back from a Guild Alliance meeting.”
He said he had delivered the questionnaires with the new summoners’ information and briefed them on various matters, including the contract we had discussed earlier.
“You’re busy.”
“Normally, I would have sent Chil-seong. But since we decided to have them sign contracts this time, I thought there would be less resistance if I, the Guild Master, went to explain it myself.”
“Was there a lot of resistance?”
“No. I just followed your advice, and there wasn’t much pushback.”
He followed my advice?
“I created an atmosphere where they had no choice but to agree by saying that since we’re all adults and modern people, showing that level of consideration was the least we could do.”
“Ah… that’s a relief. So, will you be conducting interviews after dinner now?”
Tae-soo nodded.
“I’ve selected a few with the executives. By any chance, is there anyone you’d like to recruit, my friend?”
“Uh… well…”
I didn't have a guild and wasn't set on recruiting anyone, but there was one summoner with a trait that had piqued my interest.
“Your hesitation tells me there is. Who is it?”