Chapter 94: Party Composition
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 94: Party Composition
Yume’s daughter, Sara’s younger sister.
Setsuna was someone completely different from what I had expected.
“I’d be so grateful if you could teach me, Oppa.”
Just look at her, smiling brightly with her hands pressed together.
She’s cute and overflowing with charm—no man could possibly withstand this.
She resembles Yume with those slightly downturned eyes, but the vibe is entirely different. If Yume gives off a gentle, kind impression, Setsuna feels like she’s about to pull a mischievous prank.
Specifically, she has a sensual expression that suggests she’d enjoy playing wicked adult games.
Setsuna herself looks younger than her actual age, and if it weren’t for her eyes and expressions, she’d have a cute, innocent face. Combined with that strange sensuality, she is incredibly captivating.
“I’ve always been worried because I have a weak constitution. I want to exercise a lot with you, Oppa, and get strong.”
Look at her lick her lips slightly when she says the word "exercise."
Behind that innocent face, every movement is laced with seductiveness.
You know those kinds of women.
The ones who don’t have to do or say anything—they just stand there and naturally make a man’s heart flutter.
This is a realm closer to talent.
How did such an enchantress grow up under the gentle Yume?
Get a grip. Yume is watching, too.
Right now, this is essentially a tutoring interview, so it’s not just Setsuna; Yume and Sara are here as well.
It’s called an interview, but it feels less like I’m interviewing her and more like she’s auditioning for me. Teaching magic is hard work, and finding a proper teacher is difficult unless you have the right connections or money.
Sitting around the living room like this, it’s nice to feel a family atmosphere for the first time in a while.
Actually, Yume isn’t even looking at me.
She’s so embarrassed that she’s desperately trying to avoid eye contact. She almost spilled the coffee when she brought it to me earlier.
I’d almost prefer if she had spilled it on my lap, leading to that classic eroge trope where a flustered Yume kneels down and starts wiping my inner thigh.
If Akito were here, that would have happened with a 100% certainty.
I pretend to be as professional as possible—as if I’d never been her figure drawing model—and look over Setsuna’s records.
There are no "status windows" like in a game, but since science has advanced, abilities can be measured to some extent. It’s not perfectly represented in numbers, but I’m grateful for even this much.
Weak body, weak mana… looking at this alone, I should either quit immediately or pull a scam to milk tutoring fees until next year by telling her to aim for a retake. However, surprisingly, her elemental aptitude levels are generally high.
Wait, is this even applied correctly? I’ve been learning everything just fine regardless of element.
Anyway, high aptitude means it’s easier to learn magic of that element or produce more power with it.
Since Yukina has the Ghost Fire trait, her fire aptitude is naturally high, and Chika’s is lightning. You could call it talent, but it’s really just typical game stats.
“It’s so pathetic that I’m embarrassed to show you, Oppa.”
As I look seriously at the record sheet, Setsuna laughs bashfully and leans her body against mine.
She’s really natural with the physical touch.
The way she presses herself against me while we look at the paper together is masterful. Unlike her sister and mother, her chest is small, but that has its own charm.
No, look at the records, not her chest.
Focus on utility using elemental stats, wide versatility using various elemental magics, weak direct attacks due to low mana, lack of mobility, a stationary combat style, long-range sniping? No, the damage is too low. A support character focused on buffs and debuffs.
Recalling countless strategy guides, I find the growth path that fits Setsuna.
I need to focus now, so I should speak seriously.
I place the record sheet on the table and pull back, distancing myself from the still-clinging Setsuna.
Her eyes waver for a moment as if this wasn't the reaction she wanted, but she quickly regains her composure, smiles broadly, and looks at me.
“Your written grades seem good. Is there a reason you want to be a combat mage?”
If she aimed for a White License, which is for research positions, her grades are already quite competitive. Of course, Yggdrasil requires even White License holders to have some level of practical combat ability, but the hurdle would be lower for Setsuna.
Setsuna hesitates for a moment without answering, glances at Sara and Yume, and then speaks.
“It’s been my dream since I was little.”
“A combat mage? It’s not exactly a great job. You have to do the dirty work and the risk is high.”
“But they save people.”
Because of monsters and demons, combat mages are respected in this world. Part of that is because it’s a game setting. If this were reality, it would probably be avoided as one of those "3D" (Dirty, Dangerous, Difficult) jobs.
“And… someone saved me once, too. Even if I’m weak, I want to save others.”
Setsuna answers with the distant, dreamy eyes of a girl with big dreams.
Yume and Sara look at her proudly, and a heartwarming atmosphere fills the living room.
But as a parent, wouldn't you want your child to stay away from danger?
Well—let’s just consider it the basic sentiment of this world. I’ve only been here for half a year, so I can’t help but feel a bit awkward about these things.
“If it’s a combat mage role, does it matter which specialty?”
“I want to be active on the front lines, but… I know my abilities aren’t good enough for that. I don’t mind which role it is.”
If she doesn't mind, that makes it easier.
Is she going to be the first character I "build" other than myself since coming to this world?
I give Yukina a lot of help, but all I really provide is capital and items. To begin with, Yukina is a "completed" character who doesn't need a build change—she’s a cheat character who handles everything with Ghost Fire alone.
Setsuna probably won't have stats as good as the other heroines. She’s likely even lower than Emma, who is considered the weakest heroine.
However, if I, who knows all the strategies, train her properly, she’ll be able to crush kids who only have high levels.
If that doesn't work, I can just deck her out in items.
The goal isn't to be the strongest in the world; it’s just getting into Yggdrasil.
When I agree to tutor her, Setsuna hugs me in delight.
“Thank you! I’ll never forget this favor.”
“Save the thanks for after you pass.”
“Yes! I’ll make sure to pass so I don’t embarrass you, Oppa.”
Man, she’s a smooth talker.
Sara’s expression softens in relief, and Yume… has an ambiguous expression, somewhere between happy and worried.
Does she think I’m going to mess with Setsuna like I did during the modeling?
Ah, that was a mistake. What do you take me for…
Honestly, I can’t make any promises, but I’ll try my best to behave.
“It’s so great that you’re right next door if I have questions after class. I can come over to your place to ask, right?”
“Setsuna… that’s a nuisance.”
“She’s right. He has his own private life. It’s rude to drop by unannounced outside of tutoring hours.”
Yume and Sara scold her, but Setsuna hooks her arm through mine and looks up at me, as if asking me to take her side.
“Is it not allowed?”
“It’s not that it’s not allowed, but basically, the training will be at my house.”
“Eh?”
Setsuna is fine with it, but Yume and Sara both cry out in surprise.
“We have to use magic during training. We can’t do that in a normal house or a residential area.”
“Oh… right…”
“What does that have to do with doing it at your house? It’s the same thing.”
“Before I moved in, I renovated the basement into a training ground. It has Level 3 Reinforced Walls, so it’s safe for the most part.”
“Level 3…?”
Sara looks at me as if I’m absurd.
Level 3 Reinforced Walls are the highest grade available to civilians. Well, everyone secretly installs higher grades behind the scenes, but regardless, putting Level 3 in a house is incredibly expensive.
Installing those walls in the basement cost almost as much as buying the house from the previous owner, so that says it all.
“What’s Level 3?”
When Yume asks, Sara explains excitedly.
She goes on about how they’re hard to get even if you try because production is low, what kind of magic they can block, how they’re used as bunkers, and so on. But the part that really hits home for Yume is the price.
“It’s that expensive?”
“Yeah, it’s meant to withstand monsters. Why on earth did you put something like that in your basement?”
“I told you, it’s a training ground.”
The house isn't that big, so it’s not quite as extreme as Sara makes it sound, but Yume’s dazed face is cute, so I’ll let it slide.
“Then I can just go over every time I have a lesson.”
As Setsuna claps her hands in delight, Yume and Sara look on with uneasy faces.
Should I reassure them a bit?
“It’ll be about half and half. Since a lot of the process involves building basic abilities, we’ll have lessons here when we’re doing training that doesn't involve casting magic externally.”
“I’m fine with going to your house every time, though. It’s close anyway.”
No, you can’t. If you come over, I won’t get to see Yume.
At my proposal—a "kill two birds with one stone" deal that reassures them while getting me what I want—Yume and Sara immediately nod and agree.
When I say I’m heading home, Setsuna tries to hold me back for dinner, but I see Yume’s troubled expression and decline before leaving.
Since my image took a hit once, I need to recover it slowly.
As soon as I get home, I lie down on the living room sofa and think about the tasks ahead of me.
Why do I have to tag along on Akito’s request?
Refuse… how can I refuse? Erin made the request, but the real client is the government. If I refuse, my future is ruined.
And honestly, seeing how Akito handled himself in the Zone, I’m too anxious to just sit still.
It would be fine if this were just a game where I could wander around being "super strong" with high stats.
But seeing Akito, who was pushed to the brink of annihilation just because Chika wasn't there—and knowing there are garbage mechanics like Zones out there—I can’t not get involved.
If Akito dies, the world ends.
I’d rather not have known that setting so I could enjoy myself peacefully.
But if Akito meets an early grave while I’m slacking off, the countdown to the end of the world begins.
“Whew…”
Fine. I’ll do what I can, so just hurry up and save the world.
What I need to worry about now is the party composition for the request.
I can only take people who have earned their Temporary Licenses.
Seniors are excluded. Once they hit their second year, they get their licenses automatically, and Scarlet has a full license that’s on a different level than my temporary one.
I’ll take Yukina. Followers… obviously not. Shizuka… I’d be lucky not to get slapped. Jessica… I haven't even spoken to her. Park Yu-jeong… no way. She’s the type to blow up a city during a mission.
Then does that leave the Comedy Duo and Takeo…?
Was my social circle always this narrow?
Since we can take up to five people for this request, Akito’s team will probably be Shiori, Samurai, Ailee, Emma, and Angelica.
For the record, Chika didn't get her Temporary License because her grades weren't good enough.
In the original game, Chika, Samurai, and Emma can’t get their Temporary Licenses unless Akito pays attention to them.
But this time, since Chika is the only one among the followers who didn't get it, she’s probably going to be hurt.
She’s not going to go "dark" again, is she?
As the party leader, I have the authority to take one person who doesn't have a license… will Akito take Chika?
But knowing that indecisive bastard, if women are involved, who knows.
No, Shiori will look out for Chika.
Then it’ll be Shiori, Chika, Samurai… which of the other three will be left out?
… …
Wait, holy shit—don’t tell me he’s going to leave out Emma? I might have to take Takeo, and if Emma gets added to that, it’ll be a total disaster party.
Would Emma even refuse… no, she knows this is a government request, so she’ll do it even if she hates it.
Worrying about Akito is making my head spin.
Should I look for some extra characters who got their Temporary Licenses in the top 10%?
Was it a mistake to let Akito pick his members first out of consideration for his failure in the Tutorial Zone?
Picking party members and building them was fun when I was playing the game, but why is it such a headache here?
After narrowing down my candidates based on who Akito might choose, I go to Erin the next day to report.
“I will form a team with Shiori, Kurumi, Emma, Ailee, and Angelica,” Akito says.
Are you really abandoning Chika?
I stare blankly at him.
Unaware of my thoughts, Akito is smiling brightly.
“What about you, Yeon-woo?”
“…Uh… Yukina, Masayoshi, Rio, Takeo…”
Even though I hesitate, Erin waits with a gentle smile.
“And I’ll use my authority as the party leader… no, team leader. I’ll be taking Chika Fraser, who doesn't have her qualification yet.”
When I say I’m taking Chika, both Erin and Akito stare at me in surprise.
Don’t look at me like that.
I don’t know if this is right either.