"Hey! I'm talking to you, didn't you hear?"

"You speak, I'm listening."

Under the starry night sky of Eofer, there's a small tavern.

A pretty young girl is sitting across the round table.

Her slender legs are wrapped in pure white stockings with butterfly knots, and without her armor, she should be the most beautiful one among female adventurers.

Her name is Sia, an adventurer of Moon Bloom Adventure Group.

It would be great if I could join her team.

This should be the thought that everyone who has ever seen her would have.

Lyle used to think so too.

However, after joining her adventurer team as a【Scholar】, Lyle never had this thought again.

Sia slammed the glass on the table: "Are you really listening to me?! I said, the Crystal Tear Adventure group has reached the 45th floor today!"

"She is..."

Lyle thought for a moment: "If we can't go down temporarily, we can try to train harder on the 44th floor."

"But we have similar level and equipment."

The young girl's cheeks reveal an irritable expression: "People say I'm not as good as them! Just a few days ago, they were also stuck on the 44th floor!"

Lyle shook his head: "Having the same level doesn't mean the whole team has the same combat power."

Sia crossed her arms, and laughed coldly with her toes on the ground: "Their new Scholar is a top student from the Academy. Did you know that he originally wanted to join our Moon Bloom Adventure Group!"

Lyle smiled.

She didn't say the rest.

But it was already very clear.

The other members of the Moon Bloom Adventure Group probably thought the same, didn't they?

Adventurer Sia with royal blood, the Priest from the Goddess Cathedral, and the Caster from the magical forest.

As a grassroots Scholar, I am indeed out of their league, am I not?

It seems that every time they return from the dungeon due to various reasons, this noble-born adventurer would put the blame on his shoulders.

Instability within the team is indeed fatal.

But isn't it because they don't listen to the commands?

"Your talents as a Scholar are not up to standard, so put in more effort!"

_effort...Lyle fell into memories.

In order to lead them to deeper depths.

After coming back from the dungeon, Lyle spent all night in the library.

Apart from searching for the route, he had to record the locations of various treasures, herbs, and crystals, as well as how to kill monsters most easily and appropriately.

At this time, they were usually soaking in hot springs or attending banquets.

As for talent...without a noble background, does that mean my talent is not up to standard?

"And our adventure group is all women, do you know how much pressure I've been under! You can't control yourself!"

Speaking of this, Lyle felt even more disgusted.

He actually had no such thoughts at all.

It's just that as a traverser, he simply wanted to see what the depths of this dungeon looked like.

But Sia always guarded herself against him like a thief.

Even if it was out of camaraderie to bring her some breakfast.

He would immediately get a reply like, "Do you want to climb up high?" "Don't come into my room!" "You should just focus on your Scholar responsibilities!"

Ah… That must be a cage…

Lyle felt a little suffocated.

Facing her domineering gaze, he tried to ask: "Have you ever considered that maybe other members of the team, or even you, have some problems?"

"Huh?! Lyle, it's my kindness that I've given you one opportunity after another!"

Lyle didn't quite understand.Why does she always feel like she's bestowing a favor upon herself every time she speaks like this?

"Do you know? I can kick you out at any time and replace you with a better Scholar!"

Lyle showed his usual calm smile: "That's true."

Well, there's no hope.

Speaking of which, Sia has always been this kind of person.

Proud of her background, proud of her strength as an adventurer, and unwilling to accept defeat.

"Show me your real skills in the dungeon tomorrow!"

Sia viciously stepped on his foot with her white silk-clad foot: "Otherwise, I'll really kick you out!"

Lyle smiled: "Sia, actually I don't really like you. I think it's better to make this clear."

"What did you say?"

Sia gradually widened her eyes, with a hint of confusion in her pupils.

"I mean, I quit."

Lyle nodded: "You'll meet a better Scholar. I'm indeed not good enough for your adventure team."

As his words fell, time seemed to stagnate.

Sia's face turned pale, as if she couldn't believe what Lyle had just said. It took her a while to digest it, and finally, she slammed her hand down on the table in anger.

"Say that again!"

"I've thought about it for a long time, Moon Bloom's reputation is so great."

Lyle buttoned up his shirt and then stood up with a relaxed look on his face: "I, a grassroots, really can't afford to climb up to you guys, and you won't listen to a civilian's command."

"Please tell them, or if you don't, it doesn't matter. Anyway, I won't be coming back to the team from now on."

"You don't have to give me today's income either, just consider it as payment for the meal."

Originally, he thought he would feel a sense of loss, anger, or hysteria when he finally spoke out.

But once he did, there was only a little regret, and nothing else.

When the adventure team was first formed, the atmosphere was much better than it is now.

Until the reputation grew bigger and bigger.

It slowly changed.

People do change, don't they?

"Lyle! Stay where you are!"

As Lyle pushed open the glass door, Sia called out to him from behind.

He thought that after so many years of friendship, a word of retention would be worth it.

But instead, Sia just coldly said: "Have you really thought it through? Once you leave my adventure team, no one else will want you!"

Lyle turned his head: "Why?"

Sia said word by word: "Because others will think that you were kicked out by Moon Bloom!"

Yes, many people say that Moon Bloom should have a better Scholar.

In that case, they would be able to join the ranks of Eofer's legendary adventuring team.

Lyle said: "You can explain it for me."

Sia stared at him intently, and after a moment, she slowly but firmly shook her head.

This made Lyle completely disappointed in her.

Tightening his clothes, he left the restaurant.

He left swiftly, feeling very refreshed.

What would be the expression on Sia's face behind him?

Furious? Or grinding her teeth? Haha...

He stopped and looked up at the beautiful and stunning night sky of Eofer.

Lyle suddenly felt a sense of relief.

This is freedom.