Support Department Vice Commander

"I didn't expect them to be so generous to talk about me. It just means they are making me popular, right? Let's not be bothered by them. We need to hurry to find the Support Department. I want to see what kind of people they are."

They arrived in front of an average size building with green and blue paint. The two read the name above the entrance.

[Support Department]

It was written on a bronze nameplate.

"This must be it," Cross muttered while staring above.

Anyway, he could not sense any presence inside. It looked like there was no one there.

"Heh. It's not my fault. In the first place, I didn't come here to become a student of the academy. But it seemed there was an error on the faculty's side. Well, since everything happened like this, it can't be helped, I have to continue being one of the students. Also, being a student looks more fun. In the meeting with the headmaster yesterday, she compensated me by letting me decide which department I wanted to enter. Also, look at this!" Cross suddenly raised a golden card.

"A golden coupon. Hehe. With this, my food in the academy is all free!" Cross grinned.

"I know. Anyway, this department looks more comfortable among all departments out there."

"Wha—? Really?" Cross was stunned by Adam's words.

As the two of them were chatting in front of the Support Department Building, someone came from behind.

"Who are you? What's your business here?"

When Cross looked behind him, he saw a female in an overall coat of green and light blue color. Looking at her features, she must be a senior student in this academy.

She was slender and as tall as him. Her brown hair under her green cap was tied at the back with a pink ribbon. Her pair of almond eyes with garnet pupils were curiously looking at him.

Cross also noticed the logo of the Support Department attached to her overall coat on her left chest. A logo of a shield with a cross design. On top of the logo, there was a horizontal gold bar.

She might be a high-rank officer of this department, Cross thought. Cross slightly bowed to introduce himself.

"Hello, my name is Cross Milliams, a freshman. I came here because I've got a recommendation to enter this department." Cross showed an ID card along with a recommendation letter.

"Oh, a newbie?" She leaned forward to see the ID card and recommendation letter. She looked at him again. This time her gaze was more serious. It was as if she was appraising him.

Cross noticed a frown from her. He also noticed she was carrying a box in her arms.

"….."

He remained silent and waited her.

After about 3 to 5 seconds of staring at him, her indifferent mouth suddenly turned into a mischievous smile.

"Hehe. You've been verified, now take this!" She said that then casually passed the box to him and took his ID card and recommendation letter.

"..."

Cross gawked when he received the box.

"Cross Milliams, welcome to the Support Department, newbie!" She extended her hand towards him.

"Uh, t-thank you…"

Is that all?

Still confused, he carried the box in one arm and grabbed her extended hand using his now free hand.

"My name is Sheha Schmid, the Vice-Commander of the Support Department," Sheha introduced herself

"S-Schmid?!"

"Oh, you seem to hear it. Well, it can't be helped. As you may already guess…. That's right, I am the daughter of HI Goji Schmid. Heh, just kidding. Uncle Goji is my uncle. My father's brother."

"….."

"I see. I did not expect it. Uhm, Please take care of me from now on, Vice-Commander Sheha Schmid…" casually said Cross.

Sheha showed a mischievous grin again. "Just address me with Pretty Sheha or Cute Sheha, hehe," she caressed her face as she said those self-flattering words.

"..…"

Cross looked hesitant.

When he tried to say those flattering words to Naomi and Rebecca, the two firmly refused it. So instead of complying with the Vice-Commander's request, Cross decided to change the topic.

"By the way, Vice-Commander, what am I going to do with this box?"

Sheha frowned. Then, she replied in a disinterested tone. "Oh, right. A merchant from the empire of the southeast continent will come to visit the academy…"

Cross slightly narrowed his eyes. "Empire of the southeast continent… The Euro Empire…?"

"Yes."

"Uh, Vice-Commander Beautiful, what's the reason for their visit?" Hearing that Cross changed the way he called her, she suddenly looked cheerful, her face blushing slightly. "Fufu," she giggled, not because she was attracted to him but because she finally found someone who called her that.

"??"

Cross tilted his head while question marks floated above his head.

"A-hem!" She cleared her throat to hide her excitement. "They will visit here to promote their newly developed items. They did it every year."

"Products you say. I see. So the academy is their main target for their advertisement?"

"That's right."

"I see."

She tapped his shoulder. "So, as a new member, your first assignment is to deliver this box to the Mech Engineering Department. They needed it for the mock battle later."

"Mock battle?"

"That's right. To advertise their items, they needed to test them through mock battles."

"So the items you mentioned are mechs?"

"Not just that."

"Oh… Ah~ but aren't the academy's variant mechs will be in danger once we lose?"

"That's right, that's why we need to give our all in this duel because if we win it's also a good way to promote our variants, you see?"

"I see. That's so true. In that case, this mock battle is very important to the academy."

"That's right, that's why you need to deliver that ASAP."

"Okay, Vice-Commander Beautiful. I'll do my best to deliver this! You can put your trust in me!"

"Hehe. That's the spirit." Sheha looked very approving of Cross. This newbie seems not bad although she could not sense mana at him. 'Anyway, I'll make sure he won't leave the Support Department later even if he wants to,' she thought inwardly. "Okay, see you later. Be sure to come back after you have finished your task, okay?"

"Okay!" He was about to leave but stopped briefly when he remembered something. "Uh, am I not going to introduce myself to the other members first?"

"….."

Cross noticed Sheha suspiciously fell silent.

"U-Uhm, everyone is busy right now because of the merchant's visit. I'll introduce you later. Don't worry, I will tell them about you."

"I see. Okay, I will deliver this now…"

"Yes. Be careful."

When Cross finally disappeared after turning a corner, Sheha departed a sigh before she looked at the brand-new sky with her hand clasped and fingers crossed, as though she was praying. She didn't even realize that she forgot to return Cross' ID card.

"Finally, a new member," Sheha mumbled as she was thanking heaven.