Like?　But the other Tesfia had a somewhat different reaction. A look of longing, a bubbled expression and a very inconsistent one.
　It's not just a matter of time before you'll be able to get your hands on a new one. The only thing I didn't expect was that I had heard from my friends around me that I would basically never have the opportunity to meet them.

　There should be no disrespect. On the spur of the moment, I asked Loki to mediate the introduction.
　I was about to open my mouth to say that I should introduce myself first, when Tesfia made her move.

''Lady Letty, the girls are........''
'How do you do, Lady Kultunka, I'm Tesfia Fevers.
I know who you are. You're Mrs. Froese's daughter.

　With an impressed face, Tesfia shook her head vertically.
　Alice followed suit.

''I'm Alice Tirake.
Nice to meet you both. My name is Letty Kultunka. You can call me Letty, feel free to call me Letty.
No, I'm not that discreet, sir.

　Alice looked at the aristocratic figure of Tesfia in admiration - the towel had been dropped in excitement, and she was naked.

'I don't mind the naked company, though.

　The moderately toned body gave Alice the impression of some nobleman. A wizard would have no small amount of scars on his or her body. In fact, even Alice's body, which has not been out in the outside world, was covered in bruises from daily training. It's a good thing that you're in the process of healing, but it makes you feel like you're exposing your immaturity.
　That could be said of Tesfia, the only one who surprised me was Loki. His skin, which reminded me of a crystal-clear white peach, has old scars in places.

　It's not hard to imagine how hard he must have lived in this harsh world. It's probably fortunate that you can't see it on your clothes. I've bathed with him before, but at that time, perhaps because of the steam, there shouldn't have been anything so obvious.
　But now that I'm here, I have to admit that was a naive idea. It couldn't be that way, because it wasn't possible. It wasn't hard to imagine just how tough the mission in the outside world was, just from the number of casualties per year. The extraordinary way of life running deeply across Loki's shoulders and back was painful despite the fact that he was healing.
　Tesfia was also blindsided, but never mentioned it.
　Loki approaches Alice to minister to her.

''Letty-sama is an Alpha single mage.
Hey...

　She had a feeling that this was going to happen, but Alice couldn't help but ramble and freeze at the unexpectedly large man. Because of watching Ars, she had forgotten about it, but the greatness of the Single Mage is so well known in the city.
　However, even the Single Mage's identity is basically kept secret, so it was not surprising that Alice didn't know about it, as it was rare for her to show her face on the public stage in Alpha. Nevertheless, it would be necessary for an aspiring magician to know that much.

　Even if Letty doesn't appear on the stage in a big way, it is to the people.

　In that sense, Lusarka's Jean is a celebrity both at home and abroad, and not a few of them, like Ars, would know him inside the military if only by name. Even if I say it's secret, it doesn't mean that there are regulations in place. There is a possibility of leaks from within the military. Then, the reason why we don't basically advertise it in Alpha is because we don't want people to look for the person called Ars.
　However, I usually know his name.

'I've been watching your two matches. He's pretty good at it.
"Oh, thank you.

　He raised his voice, but as this was outdoors, Tesfia shuddered.

'Don't stand there, I'm going in. If you catch a cold, it will be my fault.

　Now, if you'll excuse me. And slightly awkwardly soak my feet.

'--!　Whoa!　Tesfia immediately pulls her foot back, "That's disgusting," she said.
　Both Loki and Alice soak in the hot water, though with a slight frown on their faces.
　It's a strange hot water, and contrary to what it looks like, it feels tingly. It's not like acupressure, there's an uncomfortable feeling that bounces off the surface of the skin, and although it may be rather painful and pleasant, it's not as good as you'd like to get into.

This is quite effective. Iberis is pretty good at it too.
How long will Lady Letty stay?

　Loki's question sounds disconcerting, but when you're single, you're busy with assignments. Since this is more along the lines of a vacation, you may not be able to stay on forever.

"I'm going to stay until the tournament is over. I'll be there to protect you as well.
...I see.

　Whose Loki?　I have seen your retainers at face-to-face meetings without asking.
　When I had an audience with Cicernia Il Ahrzeit, she was Loki and had an absolute beauty that took my breath away. Any woman would be in awe at the sight of that person. It's a figure that reminds me of the everlasting darkness of jet blackness that seems to suck you in. It's not jet black with malicious intent, but a lustrous black that contains an enveloping light.
　This is the reason why it is different from Ars. She will be able to wear the highest quality hilt, any sharp blade. Loki was dimly aware of what that meant. If the finest handle was her, then who was the finest blade........
　He poured hot water on his face to convert his somber face.
　The tingling rebound was a bit painful on his thin-skinned face, but that was about right for now.

(And yet...)

　Loki looks over at the hot tub, though he knows it's not worth it.
　From the farthest end, Loki, Letty, and a little distance apart, they are soaking in a semi-circle around Tesfia and Alice, in that order. They're soaked ... and they're floating.
　Is it petan, bong, petan, bong in that order? Unfortunately, the criterion for judging is whether there is an island to cling to, as the word implies, so the second one is in a sense a compatriot. It would be very difficult to stay if you admit that.

　There was no way Letty next to her could not notice such a gaze from Loki.

''Could it be that Al-kun is here too?''
Yes, I went in with him, so he didn't come to the open air... he was there.

　Loki activates his detection magic as if it were a conditioned reflex to confirm it.

'Isn't that a peep?'

What? Loki, submerged halfway down his face in the hot water, looks back at Letty resolutely with his eyes down.

'I'm just perceiving... no?'
I think it's a good idea. You can look in on them as much as you want, Lynne. She does have some weaknesses, though.

'Guhehe,' he said, letting out a fatherly smile to reach the other side.

'Are you there, Al-kun?'
..........
He's a bit of a jerk.

　He blurted out and stood up vigorously. As it was, I walked towards the partition with the men's room. While receiving the gazes of the three scowling men with a cool face.
　It's a dignified back with a towel over his shoulder. Well, it also means that shame is rare.

Do you have a favorite type, Al-kun?
It's a bit sudden.

　I can see from his voice that he is upset. It's funny just to imagine such a figure. However, there was no one other than Letty to open her mouth. A strange air - one that could be described as silence or deafening - begins to drift in.

'You've been asked that question before, haven't you?

　Ho~, Letty snorted.
　The women behind her made an unbecoming sound as if they were swallowing something. It's a good thing that the image of a single mage looking for a woman, even without the favoritism, is a helpful one. I'm not sure.

'Any woman who can use it will do.'
What's that, huh? There's no love lost.
Maybe not.

　Letty shook her face from side to side in dismay at the self-mockery in her voice.
　She was able to take the meaning of the words correctly. No, it's the answer you'll get if you've been on a mission in the outside world for a long time. That's why Loki also gave a little bit of a bitter smile, "I knew it". It's not a simple resignation like Tesfia and Alice's.

　The fact that it can be used is taken by Loki as "not dying". I don't know if that equals strength, though.
　At least I don't think the complex has anything to do with it. I even feel like a weight has been lifted off my shoulders.
　I let out a breath of relief and go straight into the hot water, deeply immersed in it. And it was almost like a habit.

I'm sure you'll be able to use it. We can use it.

　The normalcy that had settled in at his words surprised me and rekindled my calmness. I gulped down a gulp of hot water.
　Even with the joking tone of voice, the destructive power is outstanding.
　Tesfia and Alice, who couldn't even smile bitterly anymore, also waited for an answer. There's an unnaturalness to it, just wandering their gaze to the hollow as if it was theatrical.
　It is impossible to say that you can't use a magician who bears a single number.

''.........''
Hello? Are you listening to me?　I'm a free agent, Doc.

　Her legs flexed slightly, and Letty clung to her as she nimbly leapt to the partition and crossed her arms. She contorted her chest against the top of the thick partition and peered at the men's side of the room.

''----!
"--!　Lady Letty.
Well, he got away, didn't he?

　Letty, who looked into the men's room, saw that no one was there and turned around and flicked her finger.

''Letty-sama, as expected, if you're caught peeking in, it won't be fashionable.

　I don't really expect to be caught, but Tesfia's point is a convincing and valid one.

'That's true too,'

　He gives her a childish smile, such as, "I think Loki knew that no one else was around. She wouldn't have made it up. I just couldn't decide how far it was a joke.

'But then again, I'm not greedy. I can't understand it, though.''
What does that mean...

　Alice simply follows Letty's gaze as she returns to the bathtub with a question that has no other intention.

'You'll figure it out eventually, but I suggest you figure it out for yourself.

　Glancing at Loki, Letty's gaze turned to Loki as if to ask him to agree, but it didn't seem to demand an answer.
　Loki looked down lightly in appreciation. Perhaps it was because he thought he was asking for himself, but the weather inside continued to change at a dizzying pace for him to honestly express his gratitude.
　I'd appreciate it if you could spare me any more heartache. Did such a thought come through?

''Come to think of it, what was it like when you were a student, Letty-sama?
Is that what you call it, a win?

　An affirmation comes back in response to a counter-question.
　How was Letty?　He opened his mouth as he remembered.

'As I recall, it was only once in three years. Now that I think about it, if it weren't for Jean.
Master Jean?

　Loki quickly told him the name of the single wizard who had been there today, and he compared their figures in his brain, saying that they were both close in age.
　He must have remembered the details. After a moment of returning to the bare minimum, Letty let out a sigh and leaned her back against the wall.

'Back then, that guy was the only one that was exceptional.

　Both Tesfia and Alice knew the man Jean, the man who made the current singles look exceptional. That's how famous he is. He is the third-ranked wizard in Rusalka. He has the most media exposure of any single wizard. His achievements in the mission are also widely touted.

But I only won once in my third year. That was the year we won.

　He made a buoyant sign and looked proud of himself.

'It's not something I'm too proud of, but my battle sense is completely defeated. I've thoroughly trained the only ability I have over Jean~. It's a secret, of course.

　It would be disrespectful if I pried that far into it. It's a mild-mannered Letty, which is a good thing, but I'm not ready to go any further.
　First of all, from the premise, it's impossible to have a naked relationship with a single person. Even if it was a chance encounter, if Loki isn't there, it's a situation where you get down on your knees and leave. It's just that in the end it's all thanks to Ars.

That's why the battle is different. It's not the luck of the hour, but the way you fight changes the outcome of the battle, even if you're a higher-ranked fighter.

　So good luck, the three of them take it.
　From Loki's point of view, it goes without saying that this tournament cannot be defeated if Ars is going to win it. However, since it's not the outside world, the line is drawn between whatever they do, though.

''Well, as long as we don't lose to Lusarka, I hope we don't lose,'' he added with a supplement that was probably filled with personal feelings. If you listen to what I just said, it's just a grudge.

'But Jean-sama is here to watch the tournament, too.

　Loki's good intentions turn to air like an afterthought. The tingling sensation can't be attributed to the hot water.

'He's here? If you don't want to see him, that's fine, but if he does come to show up, it's a chance to clear your name in the snow, isn't it?

　It was impossible to determine if the fearless smile was also serious or a joke. Those present had no choice but to tell him it was a joke. All they knew was that they were dog and monkey, so they hoped they wouldn't run into each other.




'How long are you going to be in there?'

　While complaining about it, Ars was rummaging through the stores that dealt with AWR. However, it only lasted about five minutes and honestly, he was bored with it. The truth of the matter is that it's not very helpful.
　I'm toying with the magic formula, but I'm not as good as an alpha craftsman. I'd rather instruct them, and I was even wondering how I ended up with this kind of formula.
　Just as I was about to go home first, I heard a woman chatting congenially as she passed through the curtain. I was tempted to taunt them, saying that they were ignorant of the feelings of others, but the person in front of me had no choice but to silence them.

'It's getting late, isn't it?'
Too long!
Forget about it, Al, he's not a kid.

　Letty, who was in the lead, turned a motherly dismayed face as she chided her child.
　If you look at it, Ars's hair is wet, and it even wet the collar of his clothes.
　I'll defend myself by saying that this is simply because Ars is crass and has nothing to do with the military.

'It'll dry naturally, or rather, you guys had to wait for people to dry their hair.
It's a natural part of being a woman!　That's part of the bathing experience, you know.

　I can't argue with that.
　He knew that women take a long bath - from experience - but he could not understand or deny the obviousness of it. So he swallows all kinds of resentment.
　He wrote it down as such, stabbing at his throat. A soft white towel covered Ars's vision as if to bleach those notes. A soft scent, like shampoo, smells faintly.
　I'm sure you'll be able to see that the towel is wet from the way it feels against your skin.

"Hey!　Don't wipe it down with the towel you used.
I don't care. It would take a long time to dry naturally.

　She was grabbed with a gasp, her hair wispy and wispy in the gap, glancing back and forth between her narrowed eyes.
　Loki looked at his role covetously, while Tesfia and Alice blushed. It was the result of their shame at the act of wiping with the towel they had used themselves.

It's annoying that it drips on the floor as it is," said Ars, giving up prematurely. It's a good idea to have a good time with a good friend.
　When he finished wiping, he began carefully unraveling his messy hair with the comb that Loki brought with him. It's not dry, but some of the moisture seems to have been wiped away.

'If you're here, why don't you rent it out?
You don't get it, do you? We all take a bath together, so it's okay.

　This was still incomprehensible to Ars, who also didn't understand the quaintness. Everything is no good, as he wonders if it would be wild to ask back what's good for him, and so on.

　'Arus-sama, I'm done,' he said, receiving Loki's satisfied expression and thanking him, though he wasn't quite sure why.

'It really isn't around at all. 'Al-kun,'

　It's a tricky topic, as I can think of several.
　Tesfia and Alice also remembered the messiness of the first time they went to Ars's lab and nodded.

''After all, I want a woman to take care of me, right?
That part...
It's part of my job.

　Loki interrupts Ars and insists that it's non-negotiable.
　Letty is surprised, then smiles. As partners, they are out of range.
　Even Letty's partners don't see each other much outside of their missions. It's not that they're not close, it's just that it's normal. It's a good thing that you're able to get a good idea of what you're getting into, because you're in charge of your squad, so you're more likely to be integrated into the squad as the resident detection mage than as a partner.
　I'm sure you'll be able to find a way to make it work.

'I see, that's pretty chummy.
..........
''Well, you could hire a maid or something around you at worst. If that happens, I won't be able to use the institute's labs?
In that case, Al-kun, you should have just gotten a nobleman's title at the last ordination ceremony.
'Nope. It's not for me, and I'm sure they'd have kicked the whole retirement thing off.

　Although Leti responded with a bitter smile, she knows that being a nobleman means being connected to the country, so it's superfluous to go further. Even though it's a nobleman, originally there are only remnants of it still remaining, and that's what it means to bestow the rank of nobility only on Ars.
　It is not a ball that can be used as a puppet, but it is also a title that plants a fence that will not allow that to happen.

　The group was led by Ars and Letty at the front, with Loki, Tesfia and Alice following silently behind out of nervousness. There was no way they could be undisciplined enough to interrupt the conversation. Tesfia, who walked behind them, could only watch Letty's long, beautiful, well-kept hair sway as she was naturally drawn to it.
　It's a good thing there are no students in the lobby. If they see Letty, they'll come to you.
　Letty went around to the back entrance, which is directly from the first floor, unlike the players who usually go up the stairs. It's like an elevator with a metal plate that rises and falls. The cost is almost zero due to the resident magic generator.
　Letty rode on one of the many lines, and when she pressed one button, the transparent wall tightened.
　This is called a dedicated flotation device to keep anyone from needlessly entering.

　I see them off. It's Tesfia and Alice who started to say.
　The two responded to Letty with a wave of their hands with a clean bow.
　Ars has a vision that they would do so even if it wasn't limited to these two. Her popularity within the military is due to her personality that doesn't wear her rank as a shade. It's not for everyone, but that's basically the nature of her personality.
　You'll be able to find out if you're a good fit.

(We'll see each other again, anyway.)