Completing a Quest

Celina explained her enthusiasm for adventures and her passion for it. Her first adventure was with her father, and it left a deep impression on her heart. Since her father died, she wanted to rekindle beautiful memories with her father, and going on adventures was her way of doing it.

Hazel heard her story attentively. After all, he disliked doing anything half-assed. He couldn't help but sympathize with her.

"So... After hearing my genuine passion, do you still want to convince me to leave the club?" Celina asked.

"Nah. I personally think your adventure club is one of the most productive clubs in this academy, so I support your passion."

Celina smiled at him. "Thank you, junior. I kind of felt bad for being rude to you earlier."

"It's okay, Senior Celina. I was rude too. Let's just forget about our past conduct and start anew."

"Oh, you call me by my name already?" Celina teased. "I don't recall giving you permission to do that."

"It's my way of respecting people, Senior. As a commoner, I never understand the usage of honorific titles when your parents have given you names. I think calling someone's name is better for respecting them. It's a reminder that you exist in this world."

Celina looked at him with slightly flushed cheeks. "What the heck? That sounds kind of romantic. Are you flirting with me right now?"

Hazel rolled his eyes. "Anyway, I am going to convince the headmaster to allow you to stay in the adventurer club."

Celina tiptoed her feet and patted his head. "Hehe, thank you, Junior. You are really a kind boy."

This was the closest distance he had with a woman, an extremely beautiful woman at that. Hazel couldn't help but be embarrassed. He instinctively glanced at her smooth cleavage before averting his eyes. He was about to back down, but Mircalla whispered to him to stay.

"You coward. If you are a man, bravely receive the patting!" Mircalla exclaimed while floating around.

Hazel coughed and said, "I will help you convince your grandpa, Senior, but you need to come with me. After all, I am doing this for you and him."

Celina pulled her hand and put on a lazy expression. "Eh, but I have fought with grandpa about this many times. If I was around, he wouldn't be convinced."

"Don't worry. This time, it will be different because I am with you. I will make sure to become the best mediator for you two."

"You promise?"

"Of course! If you don't believe in me, at least believe in my desire to change my fate!"

"Hm, alright. I like your straightforward attitude. I shall believe in you this time. Please help me convince my grandpa, Junior. No, Hazel."

Hazel smiled. "Leave this to me. Shall we visit your grandpa now?"

---

Hazel and Celina visited the headmaster's room. Lucas smiled widely from his desk when Hazel brought Reina. The old man probably thought Hazel had successfully convinced her to leave her club, but his expression changed to disappointment when they explained their purpose to visit him.

 "Student Larson, you were supposed to convince her, not to join her rebel," Lucas said as he massaged his forehead. He suddenly looked two times older than before.

[Warning! Lucas's affection toward you has decreased by -5!]

"Wait, headmaster. You said you disapproved of her club because being an adventurer is a dangerous job, right? What if Senior Celina promises you that she won't explore dangerous areas?"

"It's useless, Hazel. I have said this to him, but he still doesn't allow me."

"You heard her," Lucas replied back.

"Be honest. What is your real reason to not allow her, headmaster. Frankly, you sound unreasonable."

Both of them stared at him when he said that. Hazel frowned and wondered what he did wrong. Suddenly, a system message appeared in front of him, answering his worries.

[Lucas's affection has increased by +5 points!]

'Huh, if his affection increased, that meant I didn't say anything wrong, did I?' Hazel pondered, completely oblivious of his rude way of speaking.

Lucas darted his eyes back and forth at him and Celina. Finally, he sighed. "Celina, dear. In my eyes, you are still a baby."

Celina frowned. "What do you mean? I am 19 years old!" she declined. All students in this academy entered the academy when they were 18 years old, so everyone was an adult.

"Don't misunderstand. I said that not because I pamper you. The way you live until now reflects you are not ready to be an adult. Instead of studying, you hang out with your thug friends. Even in the house, all you do is have fun with your friends, playing online games, chatting until dawn, or having sleepovers everyday. You never show me responsibility as an adult."

Hazel secretly agreed with Lucas. Celina had a duty as a student, but she neglected it. It was hard for people to believe in someone's conviction when they didn't show it in their everyday life.

If Lucas approved her, the old man worried she would underestimate the wilderness and use her status to cause troubles.

It was all fair worries. However, even if the old man didn't believe her, Hazel believed. Not because he was swayed by her, but he could see a true passion in her eyes when they talked about adventures. So, Hazel would support her.

"Headmaster. The problem will be resolved if she shows she has changed, right?"

Lucas rubbed his chin and said, "I guess so. I doubt she can change just because I said this. Old habits die hard."

"Hard doesn't mean it can't be changed. I have a proposal. Pay me to become her manager, headmaster. I will become a living alarm that will remind her to do her duty as a student and as an adult. In exchange, please trust her and approve of her for being in the adventurer club."

[Lucas's affection has increased by 3!]

Lucas suddenly laughed. "Student Larson, you are truly amusing. Is this why you are approaching me?"

Hazel put his hand on his chest and confessed, "I admit I want benefits, but if you employ me, I will show you my capabilities. If you don't trust me because of my status, you can trust my desire to change my life for the better."

Lucas nodded. "Student Larson, you are a better adult than my granddaughter, and you are younger than her. Very well, I will pay you $2000 dollars every month. You will also be exempted for paying semester fees, dormitory fees, and activity fees in the academy. Do you accept it?"

Hazel blinked a few times when he heard that. $2000 per month!! That was the amount he could have made within 8 months. With this job, he could make it within a month.

Perhaps because Hazel was quiet, Lucas mistook it as disagreement. "Well, well. Aren't you a greedy one? Fine. I will raise your salary to $3000 per month. Take it or leave it."

"I accept," Hazel said flatly, as if he wasn't impressed. In truth, his mind and heart still couldn't accept the good fortune that just befell upon him.

"Okay. I will pay you upfront. This is my check and my mandate. You can exchange it at the administration office. Next month, you can receive your salary there," Lucas said as he put a piece of paper and a scroll of mandate on the table.

Hazel received it and bowed at him. "Thank you, headmaster. Your patronage means a lot to me," he said sincerely.

Lucas smiled and replied, "Don't disappoint me. I will leave my dear granddaughter in your care."

[Congratulations! You have convinced Grandpa Lucas to let Celina stay in the club. You have completed a quest!]

[Lucas's Worry is completed! Calculating the user's performance!]

[Congratulations! You have obtained 100 special points! Grandpa Lucas's affection has increased by 20! You have received 200 system exp and 200 exp!]

[Congratulations! You have leveled up!]

[Congratulations! Your system has reached level 3!]

[Calculating special rewards!]

[Congratulations! You have opened the system's new evolved function! You have obtained a Family Tree function! Grandpa Lucas's affection is increased to the max! For reaching perfect remarks, the system has awarded you with 200 special points!]

[Celina's affection has increased by 70!]

[Congratulations! You have raised a grandfather's affection to 90 for the first time! Your affection points reward is increased by 200%! You have received 1500 affection points!]

[Congratulations! You have raised a grandfather's affection to the max for the first time! Your affection points reward is increased by 300%! You have received 4000 affection points! You can increase one stat's grade for free! You have leveled up!]

[Name: Hazel Larson

Species: Human

Level: 4

Talent: Grandpa System (Lv. 3)

Strength: 21 (C) || Endurance: 15 (D)

Agility: 11 (E) || Perception: 10 (E)

Intelligent: 5 (F) || Wisdom: 5 (F)]

[Abilities: Axemanship (Lv. 5), Power Slash (Lv. 1), Grandpa System (Lv. 3)]

[GRANDPA SYSTEM

User: Hazel Larson

System Level: 2

Affection Point: 5500

Special Point: 610

Feature:

1. Grandpa Database

2. System Shop

3. Quest

4. Inventory

5. Ability Research Function

6. Family Tree]

Fortunes upon fortunes fell upon him, and Hazel was too happy to have an expression on his face. He looked at his system blankly and muttered, "I—I am rich."