The mont this was said, all the guild’s newcors and alt-accounts erupted, pinging the vice-leader, @Sandstorm, to complain.
In the end, Sandstorm muted everyone for five minutes, then took the opportunity to reiterate the guild rules.
[Sandstorm]Reiterating the guild rules: No instigating trouble in the guild. Violators will be kicked. Autumn and Barron, this is your one warning.
Because Zeke Quincy and the other three founding mbers were preparing for their college entrance exams, all guild affairs had been handed over to Sandstorm.
He was a first-year high school student and had a decent amount of ti to play the ga. To keep the guild atmosphere from getting too tense, he suggested an offline etup to cheer on the guild leader and the three founders for their college entrance exams.
New and old mbers alike responded enthusiastically.
[Mr. Newman]The leader and the three founders are all from Kingsford. What about the rest of you?
[Lorraine]I’m from Kingsford, too.
[Sandstorm]I’m in Rhovan, but I can fly over.
[Barron]I live near Kingsford, so I can just take a car over.
[Autumn]Sa, Kingsford.
...
[Mr. Newman]Alright, I’ll call the leader and set a ti.
Mr. Newman and Zeke Quincy were on good terms and had exchanged phone numbers. Usually, when no one could reach the leader or the three founders, it was Mr. Newman who called Zeke Quincy.
***
8:00 PM.
Zeke Quincy was reading in the study when he suddenly received a call from Mr. Newman.
"Leader, we want to hold a party to cheer you on for the college entrance exams, and we’d like to et up in Kingsford..."
Zeke Quincy didn’t agree right away. He glanced at Aurora Sinclair, who was beside him, and asked directly, "They want to have a etup. Are you going?"
"What etup?" Jean Quincy was the first to reply. She loved parties.
"It’s for the ga guild."
The mont Jean Quincy heard that, she lost all interest. "Not going—"
Zeke Quincy shot her a glare before looking back at Aurora Sinclair. "Are you going?"
"When?"
"After the college entrance exams, probably."
Aurora Sinclair thought for a mont, then shook her head. "I don’t have ti."
Zeke Quincy sighed with regret and told Mr. Newman, "Forget about anything before the exams. I’m free anyti after they’re over. You guys can pick the date!"
After getting a definite answer, Mr. Newman happily sent a voice ssage to the small etup group chat: "The leader said he can make it after the exams and told us to set the ti."
[Autumn: Really? Should we book a large room at the New World Departnt Store KTV?]
[Barron: KTV is so tacky. Let’s go to a board ga cafe. We can play and chat, and if we see any pretty girls, we can invite them to a round of Mafia.]
[Autumn: Who needs other girls? Lorraine is more than enough for everyone!]
[Barron: What do you an? Is Lorraine a total bombshell?]
[Autumn: Duh! Lorraine is our school’s campus belle.]
[Barron: For real? Post a pic!!!]
Soon, the group chat’s discussion derailed from the etup ti to demanding pictures of the beautiful Lorraine.
Just then, Mr. Newman rembered the two female voices he heard during the call with the leader. He was instantly reminded of Master Rory and Madam Whitlock from a few days ago.
Looking to stir up so gossip, he started dishing the dirt in the group chat.
[Mr. Newman: Everyone, quiet down! Guess what I heard when I was on the phone just now?]
[Barron: What? What?]
[Mr. Newman: The leader was in a room with two girls, and he even asked them if they wanted to co.]
[Barron: Holy crap, no way! Could it be Master Rory and Madam Whitlock?]
[Mr. Newman: The leader already acknowledged that Master Rory is a relative. But for Madam Whitlock to still be there this late... their relationship must be...]
[Autumn: Maybe they’re just classmates studying together?]
[Mr. Newman: What kind of classmates study together in the sa room this late? Their relationship can’t be ordinary!]
[Barron: Madam Whitlock has to be the leader’s girlfriend. Last ti we were running a dungeon, the leader kicked Lorraine from the party without even hesitating right after Madam Whitlock said sothing...]
Lorraine Morrison’s expression darkened again as she read the discussion in the group chat.
***
「The next day.」
The few guild mbers who had participated in the group chat discussion beca even more enthusiastic toward Madam Whitlock, the character being piloted by Beta Morgan.
Beta Morgan felt a bad premonition rising in his heart.
To avoid trouble, he stopped advertising for materials in the guild chat and started shouting in the world channel instead.
Suddenly, he received a private ssage from Lorraine:
[Lorraine]Madam Whitlock, don’t you have to take the college entrance exams?
[Madam Whitlock]No, I’ve already taken them.
[Lorraine]You have? You’re not a student?
[Madam Whitlock]Nope. I’ve been out in the working world for a while.
[Lorraine]Huh? Then how old are you?
Beta Morgan thought for a mont and replied: 28.
[Lorraine]...
[Lorraine]Our guild leader is only 18.
[Madam Whitlock]Yeah, I know.
[Lorraine]That’s a 10-year age gap.
[Madam Whitlock]...Age shouldn’t be a problem, right?
Beta Morgan scratched his head. ’This girl Lorraine is a bit strange,’ he thought. ’What does age have to do with playing a ga?’
On the other end, however, Lorraine Morrison found Madam Whitlock to be utterly shaless, and she was so angry she almost slamd her mouse down.
’A 10-year age gap, and she still has the nerve to go after soone so young?’
’She should take a look at how thick the makeup on her own face is!’
Lorraine Morrison didn’t reply. Instead, during a later group chat, she revealed Madam Whitlock’s age and even threw a screenshot of their conversation into the chat.
[Barron: No way! Mr. Whitlock is a whole 12 years older than ?]
[Mr. Newman: I thought I was the oldest one in the group, but it turns out Madam Whitlock is even older than . The leader’s got so heavy tastes! (smirk)]
[Sandstorm: I don’t think they’re a couple. The age gap is too big. Maybe she’s a private tutor or sothing?]
[Mr. Newman: I don’t think so. On the phone that day, the leader’s voice was super patient, not at all like how short-tempered he is during raids and dungeons. My gut tells their relationship is definitely not ordinary.]
[Barron: I bet Mr. Whitlock is the cool, domineering queen type. Suddenly I’m kind of looking forward to seeing what this Queen White looks like. Hehehe...]
[Autumn: Hah... An old woman is worth looking at? You could probably make dumplings with all the makeup on her face. Kids should just focus on their studies and not think about such nonsense.]
Alvin Morgan, who was conducting an experint in an underground laboratory, let out a sneeze.
The person next to him was so startled they imdiately stood up, ready to call a doctor.
Alvin Morgan replied faintly, "It’s nothing. Continue—"
***
These past few days, Beta Morgan couldn’t shake the feeling that sothing was off. Many people in the guild were striking up conversations with him, asking about this and that, and so even asked if he had a thing for younger people.
’Duh! Of course he liked young, beautiful girls. It was a sha he was too average-looking for them to notice him. Aurora was the best; she always comforted him.’
Thinking of this, Beta Morgan glanced at the date.
The college entrance exams were tomorrow. He needed to prepare.
Every year during the college entrance exams, The Martial Affairs Bureau would dispatch experts to stand guard near the examination sites to prevent any danger to the students and teachers.
And as a special consultant for The Martial Affairs Bureau, he was enjoying a special privilege this ti: he could patrol the area around Aurora Sinclair’s examination site.
Just before shutting down his computer, he suddenly saw a ssage pop up in the guild channel.
[Lorraine]Trying to power-level to Level 8 Pharmacist. Long-term buyer of Fallen Leaf Grass and Seven Star Grass, 8 gold per stack.
[Toro]Huh? Lorraine, if you’re trying to get to Level 8, why are you buying Level 3 materials? Crafting one low-level potion only gives 1 proficiency point. Leveling up will be so slow!
[Lorraine]It’s fine. I haven’t crafted any new potions for my alts in a while. I need to level up anyway, so just think of it as giving everyone a little bonus.
[Autumn]Lorraine is so kind-hearted. She’s buying materials in the guild for 3 gold above market price.
[Bunny Loves Harvesting]Lorraine, I just finished harvesting 50 stacks of Seven Star Grass.
[Savory Porridge]Lorraine, I’ve stockpiled 200 stacks of Fallen Leaf Grass. I was originally going to give them to Madam Whitlock, but if you need them urgently, I’ll sell them to you first.
[Warren The Big Bear]Why beat around the bush? I’ll sell to whoever offers the highest price. That’s just how straightforward I am.
[Snail]Mr. Barron is aweso! Sa here, I’ll sell to the highest bidder. Lorraine, cash on delivery.
[Lorraine](chuckle) Alright, I’m over by the warehouse. Co trade!
...
Beta Morgan saw this, and his hand, which was about to close the ga, froze.
’Damn it! They’re trying to steal my business!’
’As Master Rory’s most astute and capable subordinate, I absolutely cannot let anyone stand in the way of her becoming a max-level Pharmacist!’
He imdiately spamd a small ad for materials in the guild channel.
[Madam Whitlock]Power-leveling to Level 4 Pharmacist. Buying Fallen Leaf Grass and Seven Stars, 10 gold per stack. Mid and High Rank materials, 15 gold per stack. Long-term offer, ssage now!
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