Divine Luck: SSS-Rank Battle Maid Harem

The trio returned to the Academy with a couple of weeks to spare before the start of their third year, thanks to how smooth their journey was. It was great except for the fact that Zach had learned that the smoother his journeys were, the more trouble awaited him at the destination.

But it wasn't just trouble that greeted them at the Academy's gates.

"Rierdan!" The young man who had been in a coma last they saw him was standing there in the middle of the Academy, waiting for them. He looked healthier than last time.

"Hey, guys." He waved and greeted them with a smile. He barely moved his hand before he was tackled by the three of them. Rierdan just sighed like he was used to it. Coming back from a coma really let him know which friends missed him and didn't mind showing it.

"You ready to take revenge on those bastards, Rierdan?" Zach helped Rierdan back on his feet with an outstretched hand.

"..." Rierdan was silent as he took Zach's hand and got up after the group tackle.

"Rierdan?"

"I'm…not joining you guys."

'"What?"' Zach, Nessa, and Violina looked at him in confusion.

Rierdan sighed. He had already had a conversation with the others about it, but it wasn't an easy conversation to have.

"I was in a coma for the majority of the second year. My grades aren't exactly good enough for me to pass. I also don't have my second familiar. And I don't want to fight the Underworld anymore. I can't—I can't do it." Rierdan avoided their eyes and looked at the ground to the side of his feet.

"Rierdan…" They weren't sure what to say. It was fully reasonable. They understood him. That didn't mean they weren't going to miss him, though.

"You'll still be a student at the Academy, right?"

"Of course."

"Perfect. As soon as you feel ready to rejoin the fight, we'll be waiting for you in the Underworld Research and Extermination Club. Until then, we'll just have to make do with eating lunch and studying together. We'll help you ace the second year." Zach nodded as if it were already decided. It wasn't

if

Rierdan would join the club. It was when he would join it.

"..."

"Oh, before that, though, do you remember what happened before…you know?" Zach asked as if he had just remembered something important.

Nessa's and Violina's eyes also widened. They couldn't believe that they had forgotten all the days and nights they spent studying by Rierdan's bedside to protect him from a spy that could potentially seek to get rid of loose ends.

Under the three's expectant gazes, Rierdan was sorry that all he could do was shake his head.

"I didn't see anything. All I can say is that I was ambushed.

"...Do with that information as you wish." Rierdan didn't say it outright, but he was suspicious of a certain someone. The three nodded without saying a word.

"Nothing should happen in the Academy now that you're awake, but if you're worried about your safety…" Violina started but Rierdan gently interrupted her.

"I'm already rooming with Dukiel. So, I guess unless Zach is the spy, I shouldn't have anything to worry about." Rierdan then turned to Zach.

"I heard what happened with Julius. I am sorry."

Zach's eyes widened slightly.

"There's no need for that. I still believe in Julius."

"...Alright."

The group of four and their familiars made their way into the Academy to get something to eat and meet up with Anerias and Dukiel, who were excited to see them and jealous of Zach's luck. Once again, he summoned a beautiful maid as his familiar.

They talked while they ate. They talked about what they had done during the break.n/ô/vel/b//jn dot c//om

Rierdan hadn't done much since he focused on rehab and recovery of both himself and his Runic Moss Butterfly.

Anerias had ended up doing what Zach suggested and went to the Jira Labyrinth, where he found Liam and Rabst still challenging it. He also found out that was where the third and fourth-years had spent the last months of the last year, which explained why they hadn't seen hide nor hair of them when they struggled to deal with the aftermath of Zach's potion.

Anerias had mixed feelings about his break. It had been an objectively good time. He had fun. He grew stronger. He made some friends and connections in a new part of the Empire. He earned some money by picking up treasures from the Labyrinth.

But throughout it all, there was one thing he couldn't do. He couldn't find the hidden piece on the first floor. No matter what he did, he couldn't discover the ratling society and the rat king. He always got sent to the second floor or back out of the Labyrinth before finding anything.

That meant that throughout his entire break, he had Zach's accomplishment hanging over him like a constant reminder that Zach was better.

Of course, when he talked about his break and adventures inside the Jira Labyrinth, he did not mention that part. Zach didn't ask about it to make him bring it up, either. He knew. He could see it on Anerias' face.

Besides, he didn't need to make Anerias bring up such a paltry achievement.

As soon as the three who had gone to the south started talking about their adventure, it was inevitable for his achievement to come to light. He was the first in recorded history to challenged the Syst Labyrinth's twelfth Trial and survive.

He hadn't cleared it. But no one had. It was the same as the number of people who had survived even trying.

Besides, he hadn't cleared it yet. It was only a matter of time. Some day, he would be ready. He didn't know when, where, how, or what would make him ready. But it would happen.

After eating, the newly returned students went to unpack and unravel themselves in their rooms.

"Hey, Nora—!" Zach opened the door to his dorm with a friendly greeting to his cherished childhood maid.

"Oh, so now you remember me?"

Zach would be ready for the twelfth Trial some day.

If he didn't get diced and stashed in a ditch first.