Once the core team formation was finished with Gary as the leader, Steve explained the responsibilities from start to finish. Essentially, their job was to defend and maintain the school's reputation. If another school issued a challenge, declared war, or if the city held a tournament, they had to stand as the school's representatives. Among the military schools in Emerald City, they could seize top positions in the Hunter Guild to ensure easier recruitment and secure special city funding as a high-tier institution.
However, this didn't mean students with no intention of becoming hunters were forced into that life. Instead, they were required to continue their education at one of the only five major universities in all of Emerald City. Dennis listened to this seriously.
"Hmm... that's right, this world really is like the world in the game Eclipse Saga, it's just happening on Earth too... strange indeed... but I can understand it. It means the schools in this city are like personal guilds in the game," Dennis muttered to himself as he thought.
Then, after Steve finished his explanation, Vanessa appeared to stop typing and started reading something on her tablet. Her fingers moved again, typing with her eyebrows furrowed together. She read further, her face growing increasingly tense, before she looked up at Dennis and Daisy.
"According to the guild database, you two are already registered as Rank F hunters in a party called D Squad. There are also six shadow members whose data is inaccessible. And that's not all—your previous scan results are identical to the ones we just took. Have you two ever registered as hunters?" Vanessa asked.
Hearing Vanessa's question, Dennis and Daisy's faces instantly turned pale. They had indeed been registered as a party named D Squad when Dennis was experimenting with his talent manager. Both of them suddenly went silent, their hands squeezing each other's so tightly that their knuckles turned white.
"Could there be a mistake, Ms. Vanessa? According to my records, Dennis only awakened a few days ago, so he clearly hasn't registered yet," Steve said.
"Hmm... let me check on this later at the office. Maybe there's a glitch or an input error. I'll let you know as soon as possible. For now, I'll use their existing registered status and add them to the school's core team until I find the cause of the error," Vanessa said.
"Alright, let's just go with that for now, Ms. Vanessa," Steve replied.
"Thump." Gary, noticing Dennis tensing up next to him, nudged him with an elbow and turned to look at him.
"What's up with you, man?" Gary asked.
"N-nothing... maybe the data is just glitched... you know back when the watermelon incident happened, I was still fat and big," Dennis answered.
"Yeah, I know. Relax, it's definitely a data error or maybe there's just someone who happens to have the same name as you," Gary replied.
"Yeah, exactly," Dennis stammered back.
"Forget about it. After this, how about we go out to eat before heading home? It's getting late, so no need to cook or order food at home. Don't worry, my treat," Gary invited.
"Oh... okay, but is your wife cool with it?" Dennis asked, still stammering.
"Of course I'm okay with it. It means I don't have to cook at home either, right?" Olivia chimed in, smiling as she peeked out from behind Gary. "Jason and Kimberly are in too," she added.
"Yep, exactly right," Kimberly added, leaning her head out from the side to look at Dennis.
Meanwhile, Jason just flashed a wide grin and gave a thumbs-up without saying a word. Then Dennis turned to look at Daisy, who was staring at him with a face full of annoyance, confusion, and fear—she clearly looked like she wanted to go off on him about something. She leaned in close to Dennis's ear.
"You said it was legal? This is dangerous, honey," Daisy said with a pout.
"Well, the fact that it's legal is exactly why it's becoming a problem, isn't it?" Dennis replied.
"Hmm... that's true. So, what do we do now?" Daisy asked.
"Just stay quiet. The important thing is that those six other members can't be accessed. Even if our party gets disbanded, we can just form a new one through official channels later," Dennis answered.
"It's a good thing I didn't bring the guild card and left it in our wardrobe. Honestly, you... next time please don't just 'try things out' like you said," Daisy said, still pouting.
"I know, honey. I'm sorry. I've definitely learned my lesson this time. The important thing now is to just stay quiet and make sure Gary and the others don't find out either," Dennis replied.
"Yeah, I agree," Daisy replied.
"You're coming to eat with us, right?" Dennis asked.
"Of course, you don't even have to ask," Daisy answered, smiling even though she still looked anxious.
Once the registration process was finished and they were just waiting for approval from the guild higher-ups, Vanessa closed her tablet. She stood up and smiled at the six of them.
"Congratulations. You are now officially registered as this school's core team," Vanessa said, reaching her hand out to Gary.
"Thank you, Ms. Vanessa," Gary said, standing up to shake her hand.
"Alright, you guys can head out first. I still have a few things to discuss with Ms. Vanessa," Steve said, standing up.
"Right, sir. Thank you again. We'll take our leave," Gary replied.
Dennis, Daisy, Olivia, Kimberly, and Jason stood up and walked out of the room, followed by the gaze of Steve and Vanessa. Once they were gone, Steve turned to Vanessa.
"It's clear that Dennis is just like that person," Steve said.
"Correct. That person was also registered beforehand right when they first awakened. Please keep a close eye on him, Mr. Steve," Vanessa said.
"Don't worry. I'll keep monitoring him, and under my watch, I guarantee he won't dare to try anything reckless," Steve replied.
"I know. It's lucky he's at this school, right under your supervision, brother," Vanessa said.
"Yeah, it's safe for now. Just please handle that data issue back at headquarters," Steve replied.
"Of course. Not a problem," Vanessa replied.
***
A few moments later, at the school gate, Dennis and Daisy stood beside Gary, Olivia, Jason, and Kimberly. After they passed through the gate, a long black limo was parked right in front of the school. A driver opened the door and immediately greeted Gary. Gary invited everyone inside, then he and Olivia stepped in. Jason and Kimberly followed, while Dennis and Daisy were the last to enter. The interior of the car looked incredibly spacious, with wrap-around seating along the sides and a table in the center piled high with snacks.
"Oh, that's right. I vaguely remember that Gary is filthy rich, both in my previous life and this one... what a cheater," Dennis muttered to himself.
Gary told the driver to take them to a restaurant he usually visited. Dennis glanced at Daisy, who was a bit tense and clearly uncomfortable being inside such a luxury car; he also saw Kimberly and Jason sitting stiff and silent next to her. Olivia seemed to realize that everyone had frozen up.
"Hey, why are you guys so stiff? Just relax, we're teammates after all," Olivia said casually.
"Yeah, that's right. No need to be shy, we're brothers-in-arms now," added Gary, putting his arm around Olivia as they sat across from the others.
"Okay, thanks, man," Jason said, stammering.
"Sorry, I'm just not used to riding in a car this fancy," Kimberly added.
"Haha... true enough. I was awkward too the first time, remember, honey?" Olivia asked, leaning her body toward Gary.
"Well... yeah. She was silent the whole way, didn't even know what to say," Gary answered.
"Thanks for inviting us, man," Jason said.
"Take it easy," Gary replied casually. Then he saw Dennis sitting like a statue with his head down, and Daisy doing the same beside him. Gary nudged Dennis's leg gently, making Dennis look up at him.
"Hey... don't be so stiff. It makes me feel bad when you look like you'd rather be anywhere else," Gary scolded curtly.
"Sorry... man, I'm just not used to it," Dennis replied.
"Just relax. From now on, we all have to get close for the sake of the team... and besides, I want to be friends with all of you, outside of the team," Gary said.
"Go easy on him; this is just his way of making friends. That's why I'm always complaining," Olivia added, backing up Gary's words.
Dennis looked at Gary. Behind the good looks, the arrogant face, and the walls he built, Gary looked like a shy young man who actually just wanted normal friends. But because of his family's wealth, everyone who befriended him clearly approached him for money or other motives, leaving him closed off and social-only with Olivia.
"He... might be just like me... just a different case," Dennis muttered to himself.