We sat across from each other in the cafeteria like this once before, didn't we?

　We arrived at the cafeteria and sat across the table from each other.
　The cafeteria in the main building has been open for a while after classes.
　There are many students chatting over tea.
　Even though it's a different world, that part of the cafeteria is the same as that of Japanese students.

Do you like it too?

　Ira points to the cup in front of me.
　The contents of the cup are milk with honey.
　She bought me a glass of milk with honey in it.
　And the same thing is in front of Ira-san.

"I've liked it ever since the first time I had it.
Oh, really?

　No one would be listening, but Ira-san hid her voice as if she were talking in private.

''To tell you the truth, I'm a big fan of them too.

　With a sigh, Ira picked up the cup and sipped it, looking truly happy.
　Then she put her hand on her cheek and made a blissful expression.

''Hmmm... The best!　I feel like I'm living for this one!

　With a thud, Ira puts the cup on the table with great vigor.

''.........''

　I was starting to worry about my future as a punk.

Well, Kurohiko-kun.

　What?

Hmm?　I heard that in the East, when you are polite to someone you don't know very well, it's polite to put a 'kun' or 'san' after their name... am I doing something wrong?

　That's ... I don't know.

　As I recall, Clarice-san said it was meant to be friendly.
　Zeke, on the other hand, took it as a way of calling someone distant.
　And Ira-san says it's 'when you're polite to someone you don't know very well'.
　If you recall, Makina-san was called "Kurohiko-kun" once when I first came to this world.

　I don't know how to use it in this world, but apparently the culture of the East has been interpreted slightly differently by different people.
　Well, none of them are wrong.
　It's just the standard of the world I was in originally, though.
　............
　But that's not what I was curious about.

'It was the first time Ira-san had ever called me by my name. I just kind of reacted to it.
'Huh?　Was it?

　That's right.
　It was 'Anta' and 'Forbidden Spell User' until now.

'Also, I'm fine with 'Kurohiko' for me. Well, it's up to Ira-san.
Are you sure it's 'Kurohiko'?　Don't people in the East get uncomfortable when you suddenly call them by their names alone?

　I chuckle.

'Everyone calls you 'Kurohiko','

　You're a girl who cares about the weirdest things.

'Then I'm fine with 'Isla' too.
What?
Yes, so let's get right to it.

　Ira, who claps his hands together, urges me on.
　'Let's see.

"...Ira?
Yes, well done.

　Then Isla - Isla leaned her elbows on the back of the chair and chuckled.

'No?　To tell you the truth, I thought your 'Ira-san' was kind of distant.
Is that so?
Something that is not comfortable to call.
'I think Ira-san is an easygoing person, though. Oh, I mean easy to talk to, you know?

　Our first conversation was a bit of a thing.

"..........
Isla?
You know, I've forgotten.
Oh.

　Hmm.
　

'I'm sorry, can we just take it a little at a time?　I had a weird feeling about it.
'Mmm, well, if you say so, I guess I'll have to do it. It's not nice to force it.

　He seemed somewhat disapproving, but Ira-san agreed.

'But I'll call you 'Kurohiko', okay?
Yeah, go ahead.

　As if to switch at that point, Ira-san clasped her hands together with a plop.

''Then again, let me get to the point.

　She places her arm on the table.

''Actually, Attachi and the others are gathering up our friends for the Holy Ruins attack right now.
'We'?
'Didn't I tell you before that I'm working with my classmates and upperclassmen in house-to-house relations?'

　Ah, those people who were sitting at the circular table in this dining room.
　I saw them the first time I went to the square in front of the Holy Ruins.

''You know, we just reached the ninth level the other day.
'What?　Is it already?

　Considering the fact that last year's graduates reached the nineteenth level of the hierarchy, it seems like an amazing speed.
　However, considering the fact that I'm working with the upperclassmen, it's probably not particularly surprising.
　By the way, I've reached the fifth level of the hierarchy, at least.

I'm sure you'll be able to find it. I'm not sure if I'm fast enough for the unreached students.　Well, it's me, isn't it?
Unachieved students?
Oh, you don't know?　The Holy Ruins--

　According to Ira-san's explanation, the Holy Ruins tends to make it relatively easy to attack the levels that have already been stepped on.
　Specifically, it's easier to find the stairs leading to the lower levels.
　This phenomenon was described by the students as 'the Holy Ruins attracts the chosen ones'.

　And this is the reason why the students of this school tend to stick together in the same grade.
　If even one student who has not yet reached the level of the Holy Ruins is in the attack team, the speed of attack will slow down drastically.
　That is why the senior students will not think of inviting the underclassmen, especially the new students, unless they feel that they want them.
　The only time the upperclassmen would invite an underclassman is if they have family ties to each other, as Ira did, or if they still think they are worthy of joining the attack team.

　I wondered.
　There should be more students who would consider teaming up with an upperclassman with a lot of attack experience, but there were an unusually large number of people in the lion's club who teamed up with other students of the same grade.
　So there was a reason why it was easier to get together in the same grade.

　Well.
　The story begins here.

"An unknown guardian species, huh?
''Yeah ... actually, most of the students on the attack team are stuck on the ninth level right now.
You mean, because of that guardian species?

　Ira nodded his head with a wry face.

'When we were wondering if we should fight that guardian species or not... then another attack team came in and said, 'What's that blah, blah, blah, blah strategy meeting?　I'm not going to play favorites.　The guardian of the guardian species said, "After you," and we went into the room with him. But we had a bad feeling about it, so we used the transporter to return to earth. And then...

　It seems that the students who went into the room with that guardian species had been transported to the room where they had fallen asleep.
　Before Ira-san and the others.
　In other words, the attack team that entered first was killed by the guardian species before Ira-san and the others could return.

''That attack team also included the Lesser Holy Tenth and Twelfth rank.

　The small sanctity rankings are like the school's internal rankings.
　It's hard to say in general because it includes the liberal arts subjects, but well, it can almost be considered a barometer of strength.
　Even if there was a tenth and twelfth place in that Small Sacred Rankings, they didn't stand a chance--that's

A formidable opponent, isn't it?
''Yes. They are demons like giants born from magma, but they aren't listed in the holy ruins' demon book, and even when I asked the senior members of the same attack team, they said they didn't know about them... It's kind of creepy. That's why I was hesitant to challenge it.
'I see the story. So Ira-san and the others are gathering members to defeat that guardian species?
''That's what I mean. However, as you know, if the Holy Ruins become too large, the number of demons appearing will also go up. But since we'll need a certain number of people this time... it's hard to spoon feed them.
Hmm?　Could it be that there are only unknown demons in the guardian species' room?
You're very perceptive. 'Exactly. When I looked into the room, I saw a couple of things that looked like magma-giant children hanging around.

　So, besides the unknown monsters, there are also small fry monsters?

''So do you think you can easily defeat the demons on the fifteenth level with the power of a forbidden curse?
Let's not be so cryptic. Yeah, that's what I'm talking about.

　Hmm.
　I'm not sure what's going on.
　...........

Personally, I'm happy to lend a hand.
'What?　Are you sure?!
But we have to talk to my partner.
Yeah, of course!　Your partner is ... Currier Versteen, right?
'We'll have to talk about it as partners, in a manner of speaking. But I'm looking forward to it.
'Yeah, okay!　Okay, I'll let you know when we have a date and everything!　Oh, thank God!

　Throwing his upper body on the table, Ira breathes as if he's out of tension.

'?
There is no way for us to call out to the upper echelons of the little sage's rank and file because of our family ties.

　With her chin on the table, Aila exhaled exhaustedly with a huff and a puff of air.

''Moreover, ''Leave the forbidden child to me! I had the audacity to do it, but when it came down to it, I felt uneasy... and now that I've thought about it, we're not that close, and I behaved like that in the mock tournament... ...

　Ira gave her a ticklish smile.

'But you're still a good guy, aren't you?

　Ugh.
　............
　I couldn't help but grab my heart at the smile you just gave me.
　I mean, I feel like I'm hiding behind Cecily-san, but this guy is quite cute, after all.

　A small, well-defined face.
　Smooth red hair.
　The big, beaming eyes.
　The bridge of the nose which went through smoothly.
　The crisp eyebrows.
　Earrings in the ears offset the innocence that remains somehow, and I can feel a faint s*xiness in the youthful energy.

　Most of all, she's charming, and when you talk to her, you feel a different kind of security from the others.
　A comfortable ease, I mean.
　............
　Blushing, I wave the topic to cover my embarrassment.

''Ah, Ira-san, you're positive about attacking the Holy Ruins, aren't you?
Hmm?　Well.
I heard that a lot of students don't want to go this year because of the rumors about the example.

　Ira raised his upper body and lowered his gaze and stroked the surface of the cup with his fingertips.

'Because I can't help it,'
..........
And I'm sure Cecily Arkwright wouldn't be put off by that, either.

　Ira turns his questioning gaze to me.

'Do you know about Atta and Cecily's relationship?'
'I just heard the instructor talking about it a little bit during the mock game. Competition between houses?　It's a level of recognition that it's something like that.

　Ira lowers his eyebrows.

'You can't be wrong, can you?'

　And Ira began to intertwine and untangle the tips of his laced fingers.

'Have we talked about this before?　I've often been called a talented horn player, and I get a lot of credit for it, but at heart I'm an ordinary talent.
Is that so?
'Yes. That's why I had to work harder than the other talented people since I was little. But even so, the talented people were getting better and better than me... so I was always on my own, always in a hurry.

　Ira-san's expression as she spoke that, however, seemed to accept her current situation.

But........the people at home wouldn't allow me to give up. That's why Atashi continued to desperately try. Even though I understood somewhere that I would never be able to catch up with the geniuses who make the effort. But that's...that's pretty painful.

　A genius who works hard.
　I guess it's Cecily-san, after all.
　However, seeing that the topic of conversation didn't shift to the incident that happened yesterday, it seemed that Ira didn't know about Cecily's current condition.
　He must have really just returned from the Holy Ruins just a short time ago.

　Ira-san smiles at me with a self-mocking smile.

''You know what?　I've always been a timid kid. People seem to think I've always had a winning personality.

　Ira-san looked up at the ceiling.

'I'm still working pretty hard in my own way, though.

　He is smiling, but he looks somewhat sad.

'I wonder what he's talking about, you know,'

　Ira-san laughs and puts his hands to his head as if to mend his ways.

'Huh?　Why did I turn into a whiner?　Hahaha.......really, why is that?　Is it because you're so easy to talk to?
Mr. Ira.
Hmm?
Even if I go it alone, I'll help you capture that unknown monster. So--

　I gulped down the honeyed milk in one gulp and put my cup on the table.

'We'll definitely beat that demon,'
'What?　Uh-huh.

　Hearing what she just said made me want to help this person.

　Most importantly, she was also the person who treated me sincerely when I hadn't yet revealed myself as a forbidden user.
　At that time, I was happy.
　That's why I want to repay the debt.

　The only thing I can do for Ira-san now is to help her defeat an unknown monster.
　If that's what it takes to clear a path for her, then I'll be happy to help.

　Well.
　I'll get Kurier-san's forgiveness somehow, but the problem is the timing.
　It's not a good idea to go with more than one person, but it's still difficult to do so with just the "demon eaters" that inhibit the magic formula.
　So, the first thing we need to do is procure weapons.

And as for the reward........how much do you think would be good?

　Ira cut him off.

'Reward?'
'Well, it's something that Attachi and the others are leading. And the redemption of the crystals I got while diving has warmed my pocketbook.
''But this story, everyone is stuck on the nine levels, so what's the benefit of cooperating with the other students just because they can get through the nine levels, right?　So then you don't need a reward, do you?
'Oh....'

　Ira-san makes a face that says, "If you ask me,
　I was going to pay it normally........

''Even after defeating it, there's no guarantee that that magma giant won't appear on the ninth level, right?　So, Ira-san and the others don't plan to make a large group. If that's the case, ''I'd really like to participate in the Magma Giant Attack Operation! I'm sure there are many students who say, "You know what? Then wouldn't Ira and the others rather be the 'selectors'?
Hmm, I'm not sure...
Didn't anyone on the attack team notice this?
Maybe we all just came back from a search and people weren't thinking straight.

　Or because he's rich, 'Money first! So you tend to go right to the thought that.

'So, but I'm going to reward Krohico!
Yeah, but...

　And Ira put his hands on the table.

'Hey, if you want, I'm not afraid to give up my once-in-a-lifetime color scheme!　--deh!

　As soon as I lowered my head, with a thud, Ira-san hit his forehead on the table.



　He was in tears.

'What are you doing....I mean, why are you coloring?'

　Ira-san glares at me with tears in her eyes as she rustles her forehead.

You looked at my breasts happily during the mock tournament.
..........

　They said they were well aware of it.

　　　　　　　　　　*

　The drinks were gone, so we left the cafeteria for once.

　In the end, we didn't even accomplish half of our goal on my end.......
　Well, now that I've become a member of the Magma Titan Strategy, I'll have more opportunities to talk to you, so I don't need to ask you about the information on the Holy Ruins in such detail today.
　The Magma Titan is also a piece of information about the Holy Ruins.
　As for Cecily-san........to be honest, though, it was hard to talk about it.
　It's a good thing that you're not the only one who's been struggling with talent.
　It's not something you can talk about at least as of right now.
　But I have to ask you this--

Uh, Miss Isla.
Hmm?　What?
Do you know how to get to the Arkwright family's mansion in King's Landing, do you know...?
I know, but are you at the Arclight house?
Yeah.
Okay. So can you come to class?

　　　　　　　　　　*

Are you sure about this?
I've got a lot of copies of it.

　What a surprise, Ira-san gave me a map of the royal capital.
　She even marked my current location and that of the Arkwright family.

Thank you very much. You're a lifesaver.
''From now on, you're also my friend, so you don't have to worry about it. More importantly........are you sure your reward, just the repair of the Shi Jing Sword, is that enough?
I was rather worried that the offer was too much.
No!　I'm so grateful for this one because it's necessary for the attack!

　Since he insisted on paying me, I offered to repair the sword.
　By the way, I called it the crystal-blade sword, but basically it's called the 'Shi Shouji Sword'.
　...........................
　It's a shame.

''Then, next time, can you bring that Shesho Sword?
I understand.

　We left the main building.
　I looked at the sky and saw that the clouds were hanging heavy.

'Well, I'll call it a day.'
Yeah.
Thank you for agreeing to do this, Kurohiko.
Let's go for it, Magma Titan.
Yeah!

　Thus, after leaving Ira-san, I took the map and headed to the Arkwright family's mansion.