'Huh, that's a tough one. But it's certainly becoming a kinaesthetic case, that's for sure.

　The head of the Japanese branch of the World Ability Agency, Omine Nissae, sighed heavily when she read the email from Mizuho.
　The reason for her sigh was the content of the email from Mizuho, a rank A newcomer and a promising recruit of the Japan Branch who was currently dispatched by the Agency for Persons with Ability to perform a mission.
　Mizuho has been assigned to guard the small Asian nation of Miremer, where the political situation is unstable.
　However, in recent years, as the military regime has been able to curb the trend of respect for human rights and democracy, the current government and the democracy organization within the military have been vying for control of the country.
　It's a relief that the country has not yet reached civil war, but we don't know what will happen to it in the future.

　There are three individuals who control the trend of the millennium.
　One is General Khaliguta Tess Ho, the head of the current government, and his one arm, Prime Minister Guarán Seth Ján, who has been instrumental in preventing a civil war from breaking out in the country, and the other is Brigadier General Mattoo Ness Hule, the head of a pro-democracy organization.
　The mainstream military faction in power, the Khaliguda faction, does not condone democratization and has not openly suppressed the people's demand for democracy, but it has suppressed the movement for democracy from behind the scenes and has been led by Khaliguda's confidant, Guarin.

　And Brigadier General Mattoo, a moderate and militant Brigadier General Mattoo, who is in the military that runs that millenarian state, is the head of a group that has endorsed this democracy movement and also united the disaffected groups within the military against the current government and aims to achieve national elections.
　While the people are starving, the current military regime imposes heavy taxes on the people and spends a large amount of money to expand the military's equipment and develop new weapons to prepare for an unexpected enemy.
　In addition, there is a parade of embezzlement and embezzlement by the military brass involved in these activities. They live a lavish life, with poor people at their side, and many lower-ranking soldiers wagging their tails in the hope of taking advantage of them. Bribery is also rampant among those who do so to protect their livelihoods.

　At the very top of this reign is Khaliguda.
　It is the inevitability of history that the people have risked their lives to stand up to this long period of power rule and corruption. Even if they were to sit idly by and let it happen, the people would be starving.
　But the people were not the only ones who stood up. Some members of the millennial national army openly criticized the current government and called for democracy.
　Even though it is the same army, most of its lower-ranking soldiers are from the commoners, and many of them have long been critical of the military's management of the national government and corruption. Mattoo denounced those disaffected forces and came to control up to a quarter of the army. He is now the head of one of the most powerful warlords in Millmar.
　At this time of extreme political unrest in Millmar, Mizuho and Marion, members of the Japanese branch of the World Ability Agency, are assigned to protect Mathew, the leader of the democracy.

　The day to determine the fate of the Millenium is fast approaching.
　It was the invitation of Brigadier General Matou to the General Assembly at the United Nations. Naturally, Brigadier Mattow would be there to make the current situation of the Milliemer State public on that floor and to make a speech in order to call for democracy and to get the international community to put pressure on the military government.
　In doing so, Mattoo intended to put pressure on the military regime from within and without to democratize it, while at the same time breaking down the regime's power within the military to expand its democratic forces and pave the way for the first elections since the founding of Millamar after the military regime was overthrown.

　At the same time, there was a series of assassination attempts on Mattoo. Naturally, Mathew's side was alarmed by this. However, there was one thing they hadn't expected.
　It was that the assassin was a gifted person.
　This is why Mathew's side used some connections to ask the World Organization of Gifted Persons for protection. Until the day of the United Nations General Assembly.
　The World Organization of Gifted Persons would never accept this kind of job because it is strictly forbidden for its members to wield their abilities against ordinary people who do not have different abilities.
　However, this time, the agency received a request from a person with abilities outside of the agency, believed to have been hired by the military regime, who was planning to assassinate Brigadier General Mathew.

　As of now, however, the agency was overloaded with requests and was short-staffed. This kind of thing was rare, but once every few years, there would be a time like this.
　At such times, we ask for support from other branches and manage to turn in requests. Geographically, this request was supposed to be undertaken by the Chinese or Indian branches, but both branches asked for support from Japan because they were on the verge of a flat tire due to excessive requests.
　To be honest, we didn't want to accept this request, but we were not as busy as the Chinese and Indian branches, so we were able to help each other in times of trouble. Sometimes the opposite is true, so it's not a good thing for us to have a bad situation between the branches.
　For this reason, the Japan Branch Chief, Nisasae, was not so keen on this request, but the Japan Branch decided to accept it.

　Hisae had been pondering over the selection of people for this request, but the new recruits who had just obtained their ranks in the competency examination had just been assigned to the branch.
　Due to this kind of timing, the documents and data hadn't arrived yet, but as the organizer of the rookie exams, Hisae was also aware of Mizuho and Marion, so she gave the job to these two people.
　In fact, the two of them were excellent ability holders who had obtained a high rank of rank A in the rookie examinations.

　An able-bodied person with a rank as high as Rank A possessed extremely powerful abilities, which was why they rarely dispatched them to a request like this one for such a chore.
　For this request, he had obtained information from the client beforehand about the danger level of the summoned demons and the number of summons, which were believed to be the work of the other ability holder.
　In light of that information, it was certain that the request did not require two super-grade abilities like rank A.

　Honestly, the job description was too warm for a rank A ability holder.
　However, even if Mizuho and Marion were super talented, they were still newcomers. Somewhere along the way, Hisae had a desire to give them some experience.
　She wanted to take good care of these two, who had high potential to take on the future of the Japan Branch or the entire institution.

　With that in mind, it could be said that this request came at a time when they needed to plan the training of such a promising newcomer.
　That said, it can't be helped but be considered a super service to the agency to dispatch these two A-ranked individuals with such a request.

　However, the situation has moved in a different direction from what Nisae had assumed.
　That was the report from Mizuho.
　Reading the report from Mizuho, it seems that the people with the abilities that were supposedly hired by Millimer's military regime are more skilled than they thought. And not only that, according to Mizuho, there is a high possibility that there is more than one enemy talent.
　It wasn't that Mizuho and Marion had failed in their request. The other party is more skilled than you can imagine, so they want you to dispatch an able-bodied person who is excellent at close quarters combat to ensure the request.
　It is true that there are able-bodied people in the world who are freelance skilled people who do not belong to an agency. Also, the agency does not know all of them.

　However, that is not the issue here.
　Even so, the rank A of the World Ability Agency is not an imposing figure. There are only a few rank A ability holders in each branch, and it is said that their hidden power is equivalent to a single division of an advanced country's military. Of course, it's hard to say, depending on the type of ability a person has, but it's that great.
　That's why the countries of the world are also avoiding any hostile situation with this secretive World Organization of Gifted Persons.
　The fact that they have sent two Rank A's to this organization and have asked for its support is an anomaly in itself.

　This abnormality was two major things.
　The first is that there were two of these two rank A ability holders who had come to the decision to ask for support.
　Indeed, Mizuho and Marion were newcomers. There would be enemy maneuvers and misjudgments that they couldn't see with their lack of experience.
But it's not normal for them to foresee that. Honestly, these two should be able to solve this problem by forceful push without regard to strategy or judgment. If you're willing to do it, the two of them can more than compete with a small and backward millennial army in Asia.

　Nissae was only concerned about how the two of them would complete the request when she had teamed up with this Mizuho and Marion and sent them out. There was no way they could fail. That's not what I was worried about in the first place.
　The only category of interest was how they would respond to the abilities hired by the enemy. If that was how the two of them would be able to find out what they had to deal with in the future, I thought it would be safe to say that this request was a great success.
　Hisae imagined that Mizuho's character would leave her direct escort to Marion, while she herself would choose to ride into the enemy's home base of ability and destroy it.
　And he also thought that perhaps it would be easy to succeed and this request would be accomplished quickly.

　And one more thing.
　It was the presence of an enemy ability in front of two rank A ability holders that the agency was proud of, who had no intention of pulling back at all.

''Utterly, by any chance, they've been forced to make a ridiculous request...''

　Nissae finished reading Mizuho's report and put her cheekbones to her desk.

'I knew it worked just as I imagined it would. Mizuho-chan isn't good at protecting, right, personality-wise. So you're asking for support on top of that........ But don't you ever think of a way other than to defeat your opponent, Mizuho-chan? Marion-san seems to be having a hard time too.

　Nisae laughs bitterly.
　This time Mizuho and the others asked for Mathew's escort, and in addition to that, they also set a deadline. That is, until he speaks at the United Nations General Assembly.
　Probably because we have an estimation that it will be the decisive factor in determining the number of people in Millamar. If that happens, Mathew's assassination will be much less significant.
　At that point, he would be replaced by someone with other abilities. After that, of course, you will be sent to the Chinese or Indian branch. Originally, we had sent them as support from Japan with that promise.

''Well, we'll try to solve everything ourselves, wouldn't we, Mizuho-chan?

　Indeed, Mizuho, Marion is a rank A capable person. There would be pride in that. Even as Nisae, she felt like she wanted them to do that much, and she thought she could do it.
　However, this report and request for support.

''Maybe I'm overthinking it, but this opponent certainly seems disgusting. Even though they were two young people, this behavior was not at all unafraid of their rank A opponents, but rather, it was as if it was already factored in. I don't think there is such a free ability.... What kind of people are they?

　To be honest, I think it's an unobtainable opponent for Nisae as well. Even though he was a free ability holder, there should be no one who didn't know about the World Ability Agency.
　And so, that ability and circumspection of not letting two rank A people grab their tails off at all is likely to be an opponent with a lot of real battle experience.
　Although Nisae still didn't think the request would fail, she also began to think that there might be a chance that it might happen.

''It might be a little too much of a service, but...''

　Nissae spilled that and checked the list of abilities currently available for dispatch. However, most of the abilities have already left and there are no available abilities.
　You can't help but look for an able-bodied person with a less urgent request, but when it comes to an able-bodied person who is excellent at close quarters combat, which is what Mizuho wants, there are even fewer options.

''Fuu, it's still a tough call...''

　Just as Hisae exhaled heavily and thought about dismissing Mizuho's request for support, there was a knock on the door of the branch chief's office.

'Come in,'

　As Nisae said this, the door opened and her secretary, Kakitate Shima, came in with a polite bow.

''Excuse me, Oomine-sama,''

'Oh, good job. Shima-chan, you're surprisingly late.

I'm sorry, sir. I just had to make a quick detour back here.

Wow, it's so rare to see Shima-chan stop by.

'Yes, and I've got the data for the list of affiliations of those who got their ranks from last month's rookie exam, which was a bit late. It's something that hasn't been reflected in the institutional data yet.

You came all the way out here to get it?　Thank you.

　Nissae takes the USB memory stick from Shima and goes to put it in her desk drawer.

''Oh, Omine-sama.''

Yeah?　What?

'I'm sorry, could you please check the contents?　Actually, there's something I'm curious about...

'What?　What's going on?

''Yes......... Did you know of a candidate named Du Du Yuto from last month's rookie exam?

'Dudu...?　I don't think there was a girl like that.... Who is it?

'Well..... Now, please take a look at the list.

　Hisae wonders, she plugs the USB stick into her desktop computer and launches the data to check the list.
　There was indeed a photo of Yukiho and Marion and a photo of Yuto Doudou on the list. Surprised, Hisae clicked on the picture of Yuto and pulled up the detailed data of the test results.

''Huh?　Huh?　Are you sure?　But I'm certainly affiliated with the Japanese chapter!

'Yes. I was surprised that I hadn't heard about it, but he is indeed assigned to the Japan office. I hadn't confirmed it either, partly because of the delay in official data.

'This ... I don't recognize this girl. I can't believe I forgot something so important.

'I knew it. Oomine-sama is tired too. I hadn't heard about it from Omine-sama, so I didn't think it was possible, but...

Why is Shima-chan doing this?

　With that being said, Shima explained in detail what had happened today.
　That the highway was crowded, so he had no choice but to use the open road to get to us.
　It was crowded there as well, so we were driving a little differently when we felt a powerful warded wave, so we went to investigate.
　And I told him about the boy I met there.

''Such a thing.... That was a bad thing to do to that Doudou-kun. Next time I get a chance, I'll apologize to him. But........what a coincidence.

'Yes. It was really a coincidence. So he seemed eager to work for the agency. Apparently, life was a bit of a struggle and he happened to be working part-time at that building site. And I've checked it out and it's a D.

Yeah, not very nice for a rookie.

He said that the people around him were so amazing that he wasn't really noticeable at the bottom of the pile.

　

''Eh?　What?　This capability data!

How can I help you?

Look at this!

''Thirty-two points on the written test (just barely an F, considering many factors), body technique A (including the Kenshin's assessment), basic spiritual power D (unmeasurable, but as a result of discussions), perfection of Dharma techniques and abilities D (probably due to good luck, but as a result of discussions), and judgment and intuition A (as a result of long discussions).''

　Shima lined up next to Nisasae, who was sandwiched between them at the desk, and looked at the computer on which the data of the test results were being projected.

''This is ... what a ... skewed, no, unique result.

　Shima's face twitched at the mention of this ability assessment, which she had never seen before.

''This girl stands out like a sore thumb!　How could I forget? Hey, what are the details of this bracketed annotation?

　Hisae read the process of rank certification, which is described in more detail.

''Wha, what?　This.......... In terms of physical skills, you and Al.......are even with the Sword Sage!

　Both Nisae and Shima roll their eyes.

''His spiritual power is very strong, but it's unclear if he's using it!　He was lucky to get rid of Manticola in the ability perfection test!　Normally, I wouldn't have to deal with a high-level hexenbiest like this manticola in a rookie exam!　His instincts aren't at all different from the average person's, but his judgment is the best among all the candidates...!

Oh, Lord Omine, please calm down.

　Shima hushes a surprised and excited Hissae, but Shima herself is also astonished.

''What the........is this girl?''

Surely you've never heard of anything like it?

What was she like, Shima-chan?

"Yes, very much my kind of O'Hon!　As far as I could tell from talking to him, he didn't seem to have any problems with humanity at all.

　Nisashieda stared at Shima with zit eyes.

''What is it?''

Shima-chan ... no, it's fine. But there's no way I could forget a girl like her, even though I'm tired, as expected.

　Nisasae becomes serious and thoughtful.
　Shima thinks so too. A person with such a unique ability would stand out even if he or she didn't want to. It's no wonder that if it's not good, it's the most memorable.

　You forget that........

　A kind of cautiousness about this person with the ability named Du Du Yuhito arose in Nisasae, but she quickly reconsidered.
　The reason was that the test results were listed in the data of the ability agency in this much detail. There was no doubt that he was there, and he would definitely be taking the test.
　Shima uttered a guess as if she had read that idea from Hisae.

'Maybe ... it could be the vampire at the time.

''Hmm........Indeed. Come to think of it, due to the influence of that attacked vampire's ability, Mizuho and Marion-san also said that their memories are quite vague.

''Yes. Oomine-sama is also confronting the vampire alone. We believe that is highly likely.

'I see... that would explain it... ha!

How can I help you?　Do you remember anything?

　Shima tried to ask as if she was expecting it when Nisae suddenly acted as if she remembered something.

''No.........it's nothing........ It's just that right now, there's something uncomfortable........

　It was a strong emotion that was akin to guilt for Nissae, but for a moment.
　Seeing the expression on Nisasae's face, Shima nodded.

''As I thought........''

What?　Shima-chan.

''Oomine-sama's reaction just now was very similar to the reactions of Mizuho-san and Marion-san that I'm hearing about. This makes it clear that it is definitely the influence of the vampire during the test. Besides, that vampire has already disappeared, so its influence will gradually fade away. I don't think you need to be too concerned about it.

'Well ... yes. I will.

Yes, sir.

'By the way, Shima, will you read this to me?'

　Nissae regained her composure and showed her the text message from Mizuho that had been bothering her mind before Shima arrived.

''This is.......troubling. I didn't expect this.''

Isn't that right?　That's why I was scratching my head earlier. Normally I wouldn't have any trouble with manpower, but sometimes it's just one of those times.

''There are so many requests right now that there are no vacancies for people with abilities. But even so, to have a request for support from the place we sent two rank A's to.......

　Nisae plopped down on the desk as if she was tired.

''That's right~. For our part, I won't be embarrassed by sending a rank A on a case like this....... Moreover, he said that he wants an able-bodied person who is good at melee combat if possible.......Ah!

Master Omine?

'There you are!　There's a vacant one, an able-bodied one who is good at close combat!

No way....

'Yes!　That's the girl!　Look.............This perverted bodily skill. Even if my rank is a D, I can still meet Mizuho's demands.

''Ta, indeed........ In terms of proximity ability alone, yes, but........

What?

'It's just to buy time for Mizuho-san's attack, right?　You need to form a linkage that won't get you involved in that situation........ If you haven't practiced coordination, or at least rank C or higher, your Dou Dou Dou Dou-kun is in danger. Master Oofeng, it's true that we're short on manpower, but I'm afraid he's not capable enough.

''.......... Nah, it's okay, Mizuho-chan is also rank A in that area!

I'm new here, but.... And I've never had any experience with coordination before....

'Hahaha!　I'm fine, I'm fine!　That was just perfect! It seems that this Mr. Du Du also wanted a request sooner than later, so it's a perfect way to kill two birds with one stone!　It's a bit foreign to me!

'Du Du, you look like a high school student...'

'It's only a week or so!　Maybe Mizuho could finish this even faster!　Shima-chan can take care of the school thing.

　Shima sighed heavily.
　Nisasae stared in a different direction, deliberately not looking at Shima.
　Shima respected Nisasae, but she always felt that this bad habit of his was a problem for her.

　This nisasae sometimes... or rather frequently, "I've stopped thinking.