I Absolutely Refuse

Kaito’s party finally made it back to Giora. Their carriage ride was a one-way trip, so their long on-foot journey back to town was a tiring one, especially since Kaito had to carry Iori the whole way. Hopefully, this time, everyone will get more time to relax.

“Wow! This is where you all live,” Iori looked around, enjoying the scenery.

“Yeah, if you want to start using magic, we’ll need to get you registered at the guild hall,” Khrom informed Iori.

“Really! Come on, Kaito! Let’s get to that guild!” Iori said happily, patting Kaito’s shoulder as if he were his mount.

“While we’re there, we might as well update our levels,” Rina suggested. “It has been a while, right?”

“Good idea,” Khrom concluded as the group headed to the Giora Guild.

Having made their way to the guild, the group approached Elise, who was at the front counter like always.

“Oh! You guys are back! How did the mission go?” Elise asked as she greeted them.

The group looked at each other awkwardly, knowing that their personal mission did not go at all how they were expecting.

“Oh, that mission…” Rina was going to explain, but decided otherwise. “Actually, I’ll just go update the guildmaster personally.”

“Sure thing! I’ll let the guildmaster know you’re coming up!” Elise answered professionally, not wanting to pry into things.

As Rina left to talk with the guildmaster, the rest of them continued their business with Elise.

“Everyone here also wants a level update, and Iori here wants to register as an adventurer,” Khrom informed Elise, patting Iori’s shoulder, indicating she’s the one who wants to register.

Elise, adding to her professional aura, responded, “Of course! Though keep in mind personal information, such as adventure’s level updates, is kept private at the guild, so unless permission is given, you’ll all have to get your updates separately.”

“Oh, I’m fine with everyone here. Plus, Kaito here has to carry me since I can’t get around otherwise,” Iori explained, giving everyone permission to accompany her.

“So am I just the official chauffeur now?” Kaito joked, albeit slightly annoyed.

“You wanted her so badly, so you kind of asked for it,” Khrom joked back, causing Iori to blush slightly. “Oh, and you two go on ahead. Evona and I will head in separately as getting Evona to behave may take a while…”

Kaito understood what Khrom was alluding to, remembering how Evona gets riled up by the magic circle. Giving Khrom a nod, he followed Elise to the back room, carrying Iori.

Walking through the guild's halls, Kaito took a second to quietly confirm something with Iori.

Kaito whispered, “Hey, Iori. You were reincarnated into this world, weren’t you?”

Iori’s expression mellowed slightly. “Yeah… How’d you know?”

“You’re name. I could tell it was Japanese,” Kaito responded. “Don’t worry, I’m one as well.”

“Have you told any of the others?” Iori asked.

“No, not yet, but Rina might have an idea,” Kaito replied. “I’m not sure if it’s a good idea to give away that information.”

“I’m sure everyone will understand!” Iori reassured Kaito. “Let’s make sure to tell them eventually!”

Kaito agreed with Iori, but as they made it to the assessment room, their conversation came to a halt. Kaito put Iori down to sit in the magic circle as Elise started with her assessment.

“Iori, you have a high magic stat followed by dexterity. This would make you most suitable for the wizard class,” Elise announced Iori’s results.

“I’LL TAKE IT!” Iori confirmed with enthusiasm. She knew there were more options as she was given the rundown on becoming an adventurer by Elise before they left, but hearing the word ‘wizard’ was enough for Iori to be satisfied.

“Great! Then all that’s left is to create your adventure card,” concluded Elise.

Iori became an adventurer of the wizard class. Naturally, she had to start at level one, but everyone else grew a few levels. Here were the results after everyone’s assessment:

Kaito was level 46.

Rina level 95.

Khrom 70.

And Evona level 44.

“Man, I thought I would’ve grown higher from everything we went through,” Kaito said, disappointed he wasn’t at least over 50.

“Well, thinking back to it, we only completed our fights in the tournament and the Nekana Tree. Everything else, we mainly escaped from,” Khrom analyzed.

“Dang, you’re totally right…” Kaito realized. “Everything has felt like a disaster recently. Hopefully, the guildmaster has some good news for us.”

The five of Kaito, Rina, Khrom, Evona, and Iori were all heading to the guildmaster’s office to conclude what he and Rina discussed regarding the fake personal quest. When everyone got situated in the guildmaster’s office, the conversation began.

“I’m so sorry, everyone!” Guildmaster Gillain clapped his hands together, apologizing for putting the group through their ‘cult meeting’. “I knew that quest was bad news, but I still gave you the green to investigate.”

“Don’t beat yourself up, guildmaster,” Rina encouraged Gillain. “Everyone agreed to it, so it’s not all on you.”

“No, at the end of the day, it’s my responsibility to look after you children.” Gillain stuck to it being his fault and wanted to compensate the group thoroughly. “Is there anything I can do for you guys that can serve as a better apology?”

Khrom and Rina looked at each other and nodded. They seemingly had something planned.

“Guildmaster…” Rina began explaining. “With our new ally, Iori, we need help in the training department. We need to get stronger for our upcoming adventures. So would you be willing to fund Kaito, Evona, and Iori’s tuition for the upcoming Giora School Program?”

“HUUUUUUHHH!?” Kaito yelled out immediately, waking the dozing off Evona. “I’m not going back to school! I absolutely refuse!”

“I knew it…” Rina quietly said to herself.

“Come on, Kaito, at least humor the idea,” Khrom tried to convince Kaito.

“Not. Happening. Also, why aren’t you two going!?” Kaito continued his refusal.

Khrom began an explanation. “Rina and I have decided we’re strong enough right now. Plus, sorry to say, but you and Evona have had many blunders. You still have a lot to learn.”

Kaito couldn’t deny it. Sure, he was improving in combat, but he still messes up a lot. Kaito looked towards Evona for backup, but she was looking towards a corner at nobody, looking extremely guilty.

Khrom noticed Kaito searching for backup and put a dagger in the coffin. “Evona’s one known skill is a Body Enhancement, so she knows she can’t wiggle her way out of this!”

Kaito, whose gaze turned to Khrom as he said this, immediately darted back to Evona, who was nervously trying to turn her head away more, even though she couldn’t turn anymore. Evona not checking her inventory back at the cult’s hideout made so much more sense now.

“Kaito, it’ll be—”

“Iori, don’t help him,” Rina ordered Iori, who tried to help Kaito. Iori immediately backed off.

Kaito looked just about defeated, but he stood strong.

“I’m… not going.”

It wasn’t convincing at all. More of a whine like a child trying to avoid going to school.

“Alright, Kaito,” Khrom said with a devious smile. “I guess you wouldn’t want this then.”

Khrom placed an item on the low table in front of Kaito, between the two. Kaito knew what it was. It was a chunk of the Nekana Tree’s crystalline core… a boss drop. Kaito didn’t know when Khrom got this, but if he had it, he could get the special weapon he wanted.

“I was going to give it to you if you agree to the school, but if not, I’ll just get myself another—”

“NO!!!” Kaito cut off Khrom’s sentence. It was checkmate.

“I’ll… go…” Kaito said hesitantly. The pain could be heard in his voice.

“Great! It’s all yours!” Khrom concluded finalizing the decision.

Kaito grabbed the boss drop and sat back down quietly. His soul was basically leaving his body. Iori began comforting him quietly as the plans were made for Kaito, Evona, and Iori to attend the school.

“Sounds like a plan!” Gillain started to conclude the conversation. “Since I’m friends with the school headmistress, I can get you three in via recommendation!”

“Thanks for all the help, guildmaster!” Khrom thanked Gillian, solidifying the three’s attendance.

Kaito just wanted to avoid the routine lifestyle, but now he’s stuck back into one. To the Giora School they go!