The Genius Evolution Store

”Hi! I saw you guys just created a group of five. Are you in need of a vanguard? I’m alone.”

A woman suddenly approached them. She wore a metal breastplate, but it was clear that she didn’t focus on defense. Instead, the rest of her equipment looked light, showing that her mobility was still good despite her defense.

In addition, the woman carried a spear and a big shield that was almost as big as her body on her back.

She had tied her platinum-blond hair back, letting it flow down her back.

However, the most unexpected thing was her strength. Auric squinted his eyes and saw through her strength immediately.

She was actually a rank 4 human. It looked like she was about as strong as Jackson. Why would this person want to approach them? Although Katarina was here, the rest of them were just rank 2. Vera and Ellia might be close to rank 3, but there was still a gap that couldn’t be easily avoided.

”...”

Auric wondered why such a strong person intended to join them. After all, carrying them would be hard. At least, that was what he thought.

”Who are you?” Katarina asked, scanning the woman carefully.

”I am Evangeline. You can call me Eva.”

Auric couldn’t help but speak, trying to test her. ”You are very strong. It’s unexpected for someone like you to join us. Besides, I have never heard of you.”

”Hahaha. That’s understandable.” Evangeline chuckled. ”Hello, Auric Elfe. You can consider me to be your guardian.”

”!!!” Katarina and Ellia frowned.

”My guardian?” Auric frowned.

”That’s right. I came from Hadford University, but I never graduated from there. Instead, I followed my teacher to the battlefield and joined the military. Still, my age is still within the limit for this hunting event.

”Originally, I didn’t intend to join you. Instead, I was just going around and protecting you in secret. However, since the situation is perfect, I might as well join this group.

”I’m sure you can understand my reasons, especially with all the dangerous things happening around you.”

Auric felt suspicious. On the one hand, his situation was quite dangerous. Not long ago, he was kidnapped by the organization.

On the other hand, he couldn’t exactly trust someone who suddenly came to him.

Still, it was understandable. After showing his talent, the country might send an agent to protect him. At the same time, he had also talked to Chief Lucas, saying that he didn’t need any protection.

He would be forced to grow under pressure. Besides, he had Lindwurm.

That was why there shouldn’t have been anyone like Eva.

Lindwurm noticed his hesitation and explained, ”I couldn’t sense any killing intent from her. Then again, I can only sense killing intent. There’s also a chance that her target is to kidnap you. However, despite knowing this, you need to make your decision. Are you going to be paranoid, or are you going to trust her?”

Auric carefully thought about it. Her strength would definitely allow them to kill more beasts. However, Auric would have to watch out for this woman.

Besides, her role seemed to be a vanguard. She focused on defense, so Katarina might not be able to win against her, but Eva might not be able to win against Katarina either.

After all, Katarina’s reputation was quite big, especially with her strength being above her level.

In the end, it looked like he had to rely on Katarina.

So, Auric said, ”Hello. So, the military sent you?”

”That’s correct.”

”I believe I’ve made an agreement before that I don’t need someone to protect me. Does this mean the military is acting on its own? Or does this country just want me to lose trust in it?” Auric narrowed his eyes. He carefully twisted his words to pressure her.

Eva hurriedly waved her hand and explained, ”Please don’t misunderstand. The arrangement is just for this trip. We’ve received information that this event could be quite dangerous. We can’t lose a prospect like you. Besides, I focus on defense. I’m not interfering with anything. I just focus on protection.”

Auric couldn’t exactly find anything suspicious in her response this time. In addition, she mentioned the fact that she came from the military.

Auric thought for a moment before saying, ”Well, that depends on the captain, right?”

”...” Eva turned around. ”I wonder which one of you is the captain?”

Ellia and Katarina looked at each other before reaching a tacit understanding.

”We appreciate you thinking that highly of us, but we can’t make a decision right now. How about we head over there to talk a bit further?” Katarina asked.

”Of course.” Eva didn’t reject it. It was clear that Auric was still suspicious, but they couldn’t find anything suspicious in her answer. So, it was better to have a brief interview.

While walking, Auric couldn’t help but ask, ”Is it really a viable path?”

”What path?”

”Her path. Leaving the university and joining the military.”

”Yes.” Ellia nodded. ”It’s not particularly rare, but most of the time, you will make that decision after your second year. There are many students who don’t have the resources or the talent to keep up with everyone’s progress.

”So, a lot of students drop out. Some will return to their normal lives and earn a living in one way or another. However, some will choose to fight in life-and-death battles. In other words, they will go out and kill a lot of beasts.

”Most of the time, they will end up joining a group or the military. Even my company has that kind of program. They nurture people who might become members of the family, which will help us bolster our numbers.

”Of course, not everyone can be successful. A lot of them fail and end up either disabled or dead. Some are good enough to keep up. If you see people at rank 3 or rank 4 but close to their thirties, those are people in this category.

”However, there are many successful cases. In fact, the Lightning Emperor is one of those cases. He started as a mercenary and made his way up. Once he got to that level, he settled down and created the Lightning Dojo.

”Joining a group or joining the military is also a good thing. After all, they will have much better access to battle techniques or other things. Of course, some people simply opt for the money. Either way, it’s a quite common path.”

Auric looked up. ”Now that I think about it, the number of students in the higher years is much lower.”

”Yes. That’s the situation.”

”But can we trust her?” Auric asked.

”Not completely.” Ellia shook her head. ”For now, I’m thinking about having you stay with me all the time. In other words, during the night watch, we will be together. We’ll sleep in the same tent. Katarina will probably be the one going to stay with her.”

”Not me with Eric? What about Vera?” Auric asked.

”I will talk about it with Vera later.” Ellia nodded. ”Besides, we have a curtain anyway. It can separate the tent nicely. If necessary, we will use your power to create a small hut.”

Auric nodded. ”I understand. I’ll follow your arrangement. Still, should we really do this? Or should we just get another person?”

”That’s what I think as well, but her strength is genuine. If we can use her, she will be extremely useful. As long as we’re careful, it might be fine.”

”Maybe I’m just being paranoid because of the previous incident.” Auric shook his head helplessly.

”You need to keep your guard up, but at the same time, relax when making a decision.” Ellia smiled. ”Besides, what kind of danger is threatening this event?”

”This is an event for students, right?”

”Oh!” Ellia realized it as soon as he gave the clue. ”That organization might do something in this event?”

”Most likely. Teacher Maya told me to be careful.”

”Well, originally, I intended to reject her, but when she revealed that you were her mission, I couldn’t help but rethink my decision. If that were true, it explained why we were wary of her. If she didn’t say anything, she would have been even more suspicious. And with this danger... a lot of things matched.”

”I will send a message to Chief Lucas later. Maybe he can shed some light on this matter.”

”I see.” Ellia crossed her arms. ”In that case, I will adjust the plan. Let me discuss it a bit with Katarina.”

”Yeah.” Auric nodded.

Ellia discussed a few things with Katarina until they reached an agreement. They stopped at a much more secluded spot.

Ellia asked, ”First of all, we need to know about your strengths.”

”As you can see, I fight with my shield and spear. However, I’m quite agile myself. This allows me to move around the battlefield and provide support whenever it’s needed. Still, I’m also quite confident of my offensive abilities. My element is light, but that’s because my avatar is similar to that of a Valkyrie, even though the name is different.”

Katarina, who had been focusing on her smartphone, suddenly showed her smartphone to Ellia.

It contained the basic information that Katarina could get from the university. It showed that Eva truly existed.

She wasn’t too remarkable according to the record, but she might have gained unexpected opportunities that would allow her to reach this level.

”Will you follow our arrangement?”

”Soldiers are meant to follow orders.” Eva nodded.

”Do you bring your own luggage?”

”I originally intended to stay solo, so yeah.” Eva pointed at the backpack she carried.

”Well, I have a space element, so I will carry that luggage for you. Will that be a problem?”

”Nope. There’s not much in it anyway. As long as I can get my tent back and clothes whenever they’re needed, I don’t mind.” Eva agreed without hesitation.

”One last question. If we’re in danger that you can solve, what will you do?”

”Grab Auric away and run, abandoning all of you. He is my mission, not you guys, honestly speaking.”

”...” Auric’s eyebrows twitched. However, Ellia simply nodded. ”All right then. In that case, we will accept you into the team. We’re intending to compete for the top spot, so keep that in mind.”

”I will do my best.” Eva nodded.

”Well, we should introduce ourselves as well.” Ellia extended her hand. ”I am Ellia Stroph Astler. I have a space element, but my role is vanguard.”

Eva shook her hand.

”I am Katarina. I have an earth element, but I fight as an attacker and my position is at the rear.”

”I am Vera Schneider. You can call me Vera. My element is wind, but my role is that of a vanguard. I’m confident with my sword.”

”My name is Eric Dabood. Just be casual with me. I can be in all positions except for support and scout.”

”You may already know me. I’m Auric Elfe. I use multiple elements to increase my firepower.”

”Nice to meet you, everyone.” Eva nodded calmly.

”Very well. Shall we register our team?” Ellia asked.

”I just have one question. Who is the leader of this group?” Eva had already asked this question before, but she had yet to receive an answer.

From the looks of it, everyone had the qualities of a leader. Eric might be silent, but he was observant. Auric was an all-rounder.

Still, Vera, Ellia, and Katarina had experience as leaders.

But Vera hadn’t spoken, so she might intend to let Katarina be in charge. But then there was Ellia. Who between the two would be in charge?

Ellia brought more people, but Katarina was stronger and more experienced.

To avoid any miscommunication, establishing a proper leader was necessary. That was why they needed to pick a leader.

Ellia and Katarina looked at each other. They suddenly smiled as though they already knew who was the perfect fit to be the leader.

Katarina answered, ”It’s obvious. The captain will be Auric.”

”Huh?” Auric was taken aback to the point that his brain froze, unable to give a response. ”Me? The captain? W-Whaaattt?”