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The concerning part was that Nova was the only one among the rookies worth picking for the special unit.

My original plan had accounted for picking two recruits. Although Nova had taken one spot, filling the other was the problem; there was no one better than him, or even at least a level lower in terms of competence. Normally, a team consisted of seven members due to the entry limit of a dungeon. The limit of people who could enter a dungeon could vary depending on the size and difficulty, but the minimum was seven. As someone in a position of leadership, I was driven by the need to fill out all the spots. I briefly brooded over whether I should take one more rookie and fill the seventh spot or try my hand with six people and save on precious experience. It didn’t take me long to figure it out.

Life was a challenge. Although clearing dungeons with six people would be a bit tight, I decided to trust the talents I had chosen. After all, we had August; even if we fought to the death, we wouldn’t die. That priest’s presence certainly made me inclined to manhandle the special unit. Decision cemented, I visited Mayer after the new recruitment ceremony was over. “I have a request to make.”

“I knew it. You never come to me unless it is on business,” he teased.

He could’ve stopped the friendly act since there was no one around to see, yet he still persisted. Perhaps he intended on fooling even me, and the truly scary thing was that I really might be fooled at this rate; the special treatment of a power holder was as sweet as liquor and just as intoxicating. I shook my head, chanting inwardly that I should get a hold of myself. My relationship with the captain was already great as it was: boss and subordinate, collaborators to the greater good. Becoming closer than this would only end up cutting away at my flesh. If I crossed the line, I would only get my hopes up and I knew how pointless that was. There was no need to think very far as to why—being cast aside by Fabian was proof.

Strongly binding my will, I neither confirmed nor denied Mayer’s statement and cut his jesting off. “I’ll be taking Nova into the special unit.”

“Nova?” he frowned. I handed over Nova Ferrum’s transfer application form and personnel evaluation paper that I had already prepared. Of course, I knew the captain would remember Nora even without these documents since the latter was a talent that had joined his elite team during the first playthrough. Nova would certainly grow strong enough on his own, but he would do so much faster with my help. There was more than one reason for Mayer not to refuse my request, yet he sported an odd look that made me wonder if he was dissatisfied.

I cautiously repeated, “Yes, Nova Ferrum. Is there a problem?” He remained silent, so I continued. “Is there a problem I don’t know about? Perhaps you already have a use for him?”

“No, I do not.” His reply was curt but he still didn’t comment on what was making him so displeased. Alarmed, I tried to guess his feelings: he could be disgruntled that I was snagging the next generation’s ace for myself. Nova was the super rookie of the recent batch of recruits; anyone could see his outstanding talent. Taking him into my unit and making him stronger wouldn’t have a very dramatic effect on his strength. Was the captain mistaking my intentions as trying to take it easy? I rushed to give him an excuse. “Sure, Nova is talented and diligent, so he’d bring good results even if left alone. But with a little help, he’ll be able to level up a little faster and—”

I abruptly stopped speaking. Somehow, my talking only served to deepen the crease between Mayer’s brows. After a moment of silence, a sigh slipped from his lips and he said, “Right. Then do as you will.” Despite his words, his face told me to do the opposite. I couldn’t fathom why he was so disapproving of Nova, but before I could ask, he suddenly asked, “You must have been quite close with Nova in the first playthrough, yes?”

“What?”

“Did you and Nova not often stick together back then as well?”