40.

"You want me... to join Desir's party? Although I expected that, what will I gain from this? Also is there a time limit for this?" I stared at her. Her proposition, I've already expected it and I want to see what her offer will be.

"No, I don't want you to join them. I want you to help them with your full support until the end of the Promotional Battle, after that you're free to do whatever you want. As for what you'll get..." Professor Bridgette stood up and took a box under her office table and placed it in front of me. She then unlocked the magic lock of the box and inside the box, a sword was resting peacefully.

"This is an artifact that I got from a previous expedition at the shadow world that I joined quite a long time ago. I got it as a reward for clearing the shadow world. The name of the sword is Initio. I don't really know much about swords but this sword can cut through magic itself." Professor Bridgette said looking at me for my reaction only to be disappointed about not seeing any reaction.

Desir, Pram, and Romantica were shocked after hearing what Professor Bridgette is offering.

"If its not enough, I can add this spell recording locket and mana storing bracelet as well. Spell recording locket records a magic that you want ahead of time and you can use it without any cost. It can store up to 10 spells. As for the mana storing blacelet, it allows you to store mana ahead of time and you'll be able to use the stored mana if you ever need spare mana." Professor Bridgette said laying down her offer.

"Professor Bridgette... why?" Desir asked her.

"Why, you ask? I just want to help you, my student, to fulfill your goals. Paying with an artifact is a cheap price to pay." Professor Bridgette said and looked at me for answer.

"Its indeed a tempting offer but I have some questions not for you, but for the party leader, Desir. Since its a favor from the Professor, I'll only accept the sword. Keep the Spell Recording locket and the Mana storage artifact, or if you want to, give them to Desir.

As for you, Desir, since you are the party leader, do you want to accept my help as the party leader? Let me warn you, the Blue Moon Party will target me as well. In case you don't know, I ripped the invitation letter from the Blue Moon Party in front of other students. Professor Pugman will surely retaliate in the upcoming Promotion battle. Sooner or later, they will find out that I'm helping you, your party will be placed in their sights.

Are you also confident in beating Adjest with your own efforts? If I were you, I wouldn't underestimate her growth." I asked Desir as I looked at him straight in the eye. Pram and Romantica were also looking at Desir.

Desir was put in the spot. He didn't know what to say. He never thought that Professor Bridgette would help him by offering her prized artifacts.

"I don't know." Desir said expressing his thoughts.

"Desir..." Romantica looked at Desir, worried. She's worried because she knows what they're going to face if Desir decides to accept my help.

"I've made up my mind. Since we're going to be targeted by the alpha class anyway, we'll enter their sights sooner or later. My party will have to face the Blue Moon Party in the promotional battle anyway. I accept the conditions." Desir said with a determined face. Pram sighed in relief and Romantica didn't know what to say. Professor Bridgette smiled after seeing that it went well.

"Alright then." I picked up Initio from the box and studied the sword in my hand.

"A good sword." I praised the artifact given by Professor Bridgette.

"Now then. Regarding my full support, you can ask me anything and I'll fulfill it. Money, training space, mentors, as long as I can provide it. Just say it." I said which made Desir and his party members go bonkers.

"W-what did you mean by that?" Romantica asked me.

"I meant what I said." I said to them.

"T-then I want a good quality meal. I've been suffering from the food from the Beta Class. I don't think I can handle it anymore." Romantica immediately said her piece.

"Sure. I can grant it. We'll have a meal immediately after this. I haven't eaten lunch yet." I said making Romantica tear up with joy.

I then looked at Desir and Pram.

"I-I don't have any wish at the moment." Pram said a little overwhelmed at what just happened.

Desir sighed and thought of what the party lacks at the moment and what they greatly need.

"I need funds to commission an item from the magic tower. Its for Romantica." Desir said making Romantica return to reality and looked at Desir in surprise.

"Sure. Consider it done." I said and Desir nodded his head.

"Thank you, Professor Bridgette. This helps a lot. I will repay you in the future." Desir said with a determined voice. Professor Bridgette just smiled at her student.

"Alright since we're helping each other out. Let's get to know each other as we eat. I'm starving." I said and Romantica flew out of her mind again, probably imagining food.

I placed Initio in the box and Professor removed the magic lock in the box. I then stood up and they stood up as well.

"We're going first, Professor." I said to Professor Bridgette and they said their goodbyes as well.

*

"Wow..." Romantica drooled at the sight of the luxurious meals in front of her.

"Romantica, you're drool. Keep it in check." Desir pointed out but Romantica can't help herself.

We're at a famous restaurant outside the academy. I booked a room for us and ordered their specialty. Usually, leaving the academy is not allowed unless you have permission, but with my status, they let me and Desir's party go. I'm sure that the guard at the academy would report it to the professors or the Principal himself.

"Please. Help yourself." I said and Romantica immediately started eating with tears of joy.

"So many good food~ Because my allowance is limited... I could only spend it wisely." Romantica lamented the fact that she had to save her money so that she won't go broke.

"About the funds that you asked. Here. There's quite a sum of money there." I gave Desir a blue card. Its like a credit card.

"Thank you. I owe you one." Desir said but I just waved it off.

"I already told you that whatever you need, as long as I can provide it, I'll give it. You're not the type to misuse the money I gave you, right?" I said to Desir.

"Yes. I need to commission a weapon for Romantica and its going to help us take a single ranker spot." Desir said honestly.

"By the way, since when did you meet Professor Bridgette?" Desir asked me, a little curious since he saw that we're on good terms.

"Well, I met her at the Royal Palace. She once taught the daughter of the Emperor." I said which piqued the interest of the trio.

"Really? I didn't really know much about Professor Bridgette's past and she never told me about it either." Desir said and the interest of the two went from me to Desir.

"Why are you doing at the Royal Palace, Sir Aegis?" Romantica asked me.

"Please. Just call me Aegis. No need to mention my title. As for your question, I have some business with the Emperor and I'm there to visit my Fiancée." At my words, Desir immediately spewed the water he's drinking and he started choking.

"What happened Desir?" Pram asked him as he started hammering Desir's back.

"You mean... your fiancée...?" Desir asked me for confirmation.

"Hm? Adjest is my fiancée." I said shocking the three of them for different reasons.

"Eeeeeh?!" The three shouted in unison.

"Why? Is there something wrong? My father and the Emperor are friends and they decided our marriage." I said which surprised them even more.

"Your father-in-law is the Emperor?!" Romantica asked wide-eyed.

"Isn't it obvious?" Desir said as if its common sense.

"Wow. I never knew that you're going to be a member of the Royal Family in the future." Pram said in amazement.

'Adjest? That Adjest, is engaged?! Who would've thought. If my former party members knew about it, it would cause an uproar.' Desir thought still shocked by the sudden reveal.

"But I heard that the Royal Family's family name is Rougepalace and Adjest's family name is Kingscrown." Pram asked me.

"Oh, right. You don't know but she entered the academy under an alias. I would be thankful if you don't spread the word about it. Let her enjoy the life at the Academy. I'm already used to attention so I don't mind hiding my family name. Many people already knew what I look like after all." I said making them understand the situation.

"What about you guys, where are you from?" I asked them.

"I'm from the Prilecha Kingdom." Romantica said.

"I'm just an orphan at the country of Eoletta and Professor Bridgette taught me about magic." Desir said.

"I'm from the slums of the Capital... my mother said that my father..." Pram is having a hard time telling us about himself.

"Its alright. Don't force yourself if its hard." I said which made Pram slightly relieved.

"Well, rather than dwelling on depressing matters, let's dig in before the food gets cold." I said dispelling the awkward atmosphere.

*

After the meal, I asked Desir what kind of plan does he have in mind.

"What do you plan to do next?" I asked the party leader, Desir.

"I planned to return to the academy to clean our base of operations since we're going to use it as a training room as well." Desir said.

"Sure. Let's go back then." I said and we all returned to the Academy. We then head to the office that Desir plans to make into their base of operations.

*

"Ugh. Desir? Are you sure this is the place?" Romantica asked as she looked at the 'office' that Desir said.

"Yeah. It only needs a few cleaning and it will be a good place for our base of operations." Desir said as we entered the place.

"The sooner we start, the faster we'll finish cleaning this room. Aegis, since you're not in our party, you can just wait for us to clean this place." Desir said to me.

"Don't worry about me. I can help in cleaning." I said to Desir and he accepted my help.

Desir has just started moving a box when an army of rats started running out of their houses. Caught off-guard by the sudden influx of the rats, Romantica screamed like the girl she is.

"Pram? Wake up. Pram!" I caught Pram who passed out.

"Oh. He's out cold." I said which made Desir smile wryly.

We carried Pram outside the room and cleaned the room as fast and careful as we can so that we won't disturb another army of rats.