I stood dumbfounded, staring into Ronald-san's eyes, which looked red, as if they reflected the faint light of a magic lamp.
　I hadn't even imagined Ronald's words, but I knew I had some idea what he was talking about.
　What I recall is a memory I don't remember experiencing until now.

　The words I suddenly remembered from the fight with Fenrir.
　And a woman with horns that had never been there, yet I couldn't wipe away the feeling of deja vu.

　...... Didn't the experience all imply that something was wrong?

'Well, to be honest, I've known for a long time about the doubts I have about whether or not Laust is human.

　While I was silent, Ronaldo-san continued to say, "I've never seen someone who can handle both chi and magic, prana and mana, since I've never been born with both.

I've never seen a person who can handle both chi and magic, prana and mana, since I've never been born. Except for those beings who are called sub-humans.

　At those words, what came to my mind was the mist of the race of elves that once perished.

''However, in addition to having skills that only humans possess, you were far too weak to be judged as a subhuman. It's unacceptable that you are a subhuman but can only use even elementary magic, even though you are a subhuman. That's why I thought you were just a person who wasn't chosen.

　I think Mr. Ronaldo made that decision because he knew of its existence.
　I realize that.

　Mist is my master's teacher, an opponent that even Ronald-san told me he didn't want to fight.
　I'm not sure if I'm going to be able to get a good idea of what's going on in the world, but I'm sure I'm going to be able to get a good idea of what's going on in the world.

　You're going to be able to find out what you can do with it.

　That's why no one, including myself, thought of the possibility of me being a subhuman.
　They assumed that I was a special, but unfortunate person who had gained a skill that I couldn't use.

　Yes, until the fight with Fenrir.

'Until I saw you overpowering the ogre and being able to move under its attack. ...... Laust, even you are aware of that, aren't you?

　Ronaldo is back to his usual smile and asks questions.
　However, the atmosphere he wears has not changed.
　If I nodded here, I would be affirming Mr. Ronald's thoughts.

　It would be an admission that I am not human.

...... Yes.

　Even though I understood that, I had to nod my head.
　Because no matter how much I deny it now, I had understood that my physical enhancement was so abnormal that it was useless.

　Strictly speaking, I hadn't been aware of it from the beginning.
　Just before the fight with Fenrir, I didn't even think that my physical training was abnormal.
　I only thought that my efforts had finally paid off.
　But after the experience of fighting with Fenrir, I could no longer ignore the reality.

　I can't help but notice that my physical training was that extraordinary.

"Yes. There's no more fooling around. There's no more time to hide things, Raust.

　Ronald-san nodded at me.
　It's as if he's trying to find out what I'm thinking.

'Let me ask you something, Roust. Who are you? And where did you get those enhancements in the first place?

This is ......!

　Quickly, I stammered, trying to say that this physical enhancement is something I found on my own.

　...... I'm not sure if that's really true or not.

　It was then that Mr. Ronaldo pointed to my dagger.

'There's another reason why I thought it was unusual. Where did you get that dagger, Roust?

...... Huh?

　When I heard those words, I couldn't understand the intention of the question.
　I didn't understand his intentions, but Ronaldo told me matter-of-factly.

You don't mean to tell me that the dagger that was easily injured on Fenrir's body is a raggedy dagger, do you?　That's more than a quasi-magic sword.

　I accepted Ronald's words without feeling any discomfort.

　Normally, I would have thought his words were unbelievable, but I accepted them without any hesitation.
　However, I accepted his words without any hesitation at all.
　That's right, the dagger I carry is a quasi-magic sword.

　...... Until now, I've never been aware of any such thing, let alone remember when I got it.

''Huh!''

　It was then that the thoughts that had been only predictable were connected.
　I finally realize clearly that my memory is full of holes.

　I'm not sure what's wrong with my memory, but it is full of holes.

　Even though I understand clearly, I still don't understand what is wrong with my memory.
　I feel uncomfortable about that, but I tell Ronald, "I don't understand.

...... I don't understand.

Don't you get it?

　I struggle to speak to Ronald, who is looking at me suspiciously.

'I know it's strange in places. There are some memories that I should be able to remember, but I can't. But I can't remember the whole memory at all: ......!

　I desperately repeat those words to Mr. Ronald.
　I desperately want to tell him that I'm not lying.

　...... While understanding how suspicious my words are right now.

　Mr. Ronald has already noticed and confronted me with the evidence that I am clearly wrong.
　Saying I don't remember under such circumstances would seem like a painful evasion.

　I feel compelled to say something about it, but I don't know what to say, and I can't say anything else.
　I'm not sure what to say, but I can't say anything else.
　The questioning atmosphere that I was in is gone, so I can't imagine what he's going to say.
　But I'm sure he hasn't stopped questioning me, and I'm growing impatient inside.

　It's a good idea to have a good time with them.

I'm not sure if it's amnesia, ....... Then I'll have to do something about it.

What?

　Unbelieving, I stand there dumbfounded, while Ronaldo-san begins to worry by himself.

"If you don't remember, I can't check ....... It would have been nice if you could have woken up a little bit.

　In that soliloquy, I understand.
　He was really convinced.
　I didn't expect this reaction, and I couldn't help but ask him, "Do you believe me?

"Do you believe me?

Are you lying to me?

'No, no!　...... Just didn't think it was just an excuse?

Oh, I see. How could I think that?

...... Huh?

　I couldn't help but be surprised when he said this without worrying about it.
　He said apologetically, "No, from the way I've been behaving, I don't blame you for thinking that.

I was curious and asked him if he had any questions. I'm a little curious, and that's why I'm asking you about it. I'm sorry.

　Ronald's apology took me by surprise for a moment, and then I immediately shook my head.

"That's not true. I know how much that sounds like an excuse.

　Yes, even I understood that.
　I knew how different I was and that amnesia wasn't something that could be deceived with words.

"...... is annoying. I don't really doubt Raust's words.

　I'm not sure what to make of it," Ronald tells me, as if troubled.
　His face is the same as always, with no sign of hostility toward me.
　But I know I'm too suspicious to let my guard down.

"No, I needed to tell you something first.

　It was then that Mr. Ronaldo began to speak, as if he had remembered something.
　He didn't pay any attention to my nerves as he continued, "It's true that this is an emergency situation and I don't understand what you're talking about.

I know that this is a time of crisis, and that many things about you don't make sense, but that's the extent of your concern. But I'm not going to question you on that level.

...... Why?

'It's simple. You've already proved in your fights that you can trust your own kind. You've already shown how easy it is to believe in this man, Raoust.

　But the way he looked back at me, he wasn't joking.
　He looks back at me and opens his mouth.

He said, "Of course. You're the biggest contributor to the battle," he said. That's more than me and Mist.

　For a moment, Ronald-san's words leave me speechless.
　Indeed, I know that other adventurers regard me as a hero for defeating Fenrir.
　But in reality, I knew how much work Ronaldo-san had done.
　Therefore, I quickly deny it.

'It's not true!　Mr. Ronaldo has more ......

Hey, Roust. You don't mean to tell me I'm wrong?

......

　I'm speechless at those words, not knowing what to say again.
　Ronaldo-san laughs happily at my reaction.

Haha, sorry. I was teasing you too much.

'Please don't ....... I can't decide if you're serious or not when you say that to your mentor, but when you say that to Mr. Ronald, I can't decide if you're serious.

　I can't help but blurt it out, and Ronaldo-san laughs at me more happily.
　I laugh at that, realizing that our conversation was just a joke.
　Perhaps it was his way of telling me that he appreciated me, but I thought it was a bit much.

'But I meant everything I said,'

　Because it was ......, I froze in place at Ronald's next words.
　But he ignored my reaction and continued, "Look, Ronald," he said.

He continued, "Listen, Roust, I don't care what you think. I don't care what you think," he said. You were without doubt the biggest contributor to this battle and, thanks to you, we were able to reduce the damage to this point.

...... It's such a big deal.

No, I'm not overreacting or anything.

　I quickly argue with the story as if it's starting to jump in an unimaginable direction, but Mr. Ronaldo instantly dismisses it.

"You definitely played a big part in this fight," said Ronaldo. ...... If you can blame me for underestimating your abilities, it's me for underestimating them.

'Not really!　...... because even I wasn't sure I could stall Fenrir at that point.

　Ronald nodded at me as I told him that on the spur of the moment.

'...... Ah, yes. It's not a situation where I'm apologizing for something that's too late. But you know what, Roust. I want you to make sure that you properly understand your worth.

Worth it?

　I didn't know what he meant by that, and when I asked him that, Ronald nodded.

He nodded to me, "That's right. It's a good idea to keep this one thing in mind. Lausto and Narsena, this is the key to your future survival in the maze.

　...... And then Mr. Ronaldo told me, as if I hadn't imagined it.