It was only two days after they woke up that Ars and Loki returned to Alpha.
　However, it wasn't until three weeks later that they attended school at the academy. What he did during that time was to first demand a lump of mithril that was first collected from the mineral deposit through the efforts of Beric as a reward for his success this time.

　It's a dozen or so kilograms of mithril lump, but that's the amount of additional reward that should be given. Of course, this was due to the small amount of mithril used for the trophy, as reported by Loki.
　It's cheap considering the fact that the target falls under the SS rate as planned. However, the reason why I was hesitant to claim this directly from Balmes was also because how Bellic would publicize this demon was crucial.
　Considering the fact that he hadn't made Ars's existence public until now, it was conceivable that he could take some kind of action.


　As a camouflage for this, they must have brought the unit led by Letty along with them.

　Of course, this expectation was a no-brainer, or perhaps it should be said that it was the first thing he was reminded of when he returned to Alpha Headquarters. Bellic, who was in overall command of the entire unit, had made a false report about this one incident.
　The contents were a detailed progress report on the defeat of the 【Bad Food】. Although there were some falsifications, it was almost exactly as scripted, and the unit led by Ars and Letty destroyed it. They were injured in the aftermath of the suicide bombing, etc.

　The report, which is made up of lies and distortions, is looked at by Ars with a Buddha's face while sniffing. He had a feeling that the Alpha Army's, or rather Beric's intentions were probably included in the report. I can't help but feel that it's quite a drastic thing to describe [Bad Food] as an S-rate. As far as adding the stage of investigation in a blunt annotation, Beric's strength can be seen.

　In any case, it's a fact that Ars has no choice but to keep it under wraps, even if it means hiding his unusual abilities.
　This is the general flow of the series. There is a detailed summary of the engagement with someone who seems to be Kurama on the road.


　I was able to check most of these facts without having to read through them, but there was one thing that Ars had to do upon his return.
　That was the operation to retake Banaris, which Letty had spent several months attacking. As expected, Ars, who was nearing a full recovery even though he was sick, immediately set out.

　It's a good thing that you're not going to be able to find a way to get the best out of them. I'm sure you'll be able to find out what's going on.
　I'm sure you'll be able to find out what's going on.

　I'm sure you'll be able to find a great deal more to say. Originally, the magic power absorbed by the different abilities greatly exceeded the allowable amount, so there was a risk that the different abilities could get out of control if they were not dissipated immediately. However, the amount of magic power flowing through Ars now is far more than before, and it is unnaturally calming and familiar.

　At any rate, he had no idea what happened to his body unless he went out into the outside world and actually exercised his magic.
　And well, because of that, Letty and her troops spent nearly half a year on the recapture operation, and they were able to complete it in about two weeks. However, I must add that the landscape was damaged.

　Various problems, or rather hassle, are required when recapturing an area. Of course, the addition of Ars was greatly hastened by the addition of Ars.
　One of them is the need to thoroughly defend the area that has been wiped out to prevent demons from entering the area. In fact, this is the most difficult of all the practical problems in expanding the country. The effectiveness of the Tower of Babel's protective wall has been weakened by the expansion of its range. Banaris, moreover, hangs in the exclusive territory of Rusarka.
　The Rusalka side has not been able to expand its land to Banaris.

　One could think of this as an attempt to fire up Rusarka. Even if they try to claim the territory, they are currently unable to build a defensive network in Banaris.
　This is probably due to the fact that Alpha has no way to avoid the demons other than the protective walls of Babel to keep up with the speed at which they are expanding.
　Therefore, now that it has been wiped out, Letty's troops are staying and various supplies and equipment are being brought in from Alpha. And the most pressing task is the development of a protective wall that will replace the Tower of Babel. This is very similar to what was tested in the industrial city of Fallen. However, unlike the original pseudo-protective wall, its effectiveness should have been revised upward significantly. Even so, the cost aspect is something that can't be ignored, but we can handle at least one more unit.

　Although it's a meanderer, the continent of Couvent that Ars has regained has already been fortified with a protective wall. It just doesn't have the power to keep away demons. Compared to Banaris, there are no resident magicians because of the large area. Instead, resident traps have been set up countless times like a minefield.
　This, too, will be maintained to some extent when Vanaris is recaptured.


　Banaris, the most advanced of the unclaimed territories, has the potential to become a key location for the next seven nations to retake his territory.
　At some point in the future, complete control of the route from Alpha to Vanaris will become a reality. When that happens, Alpha's line of defense will be much more advanced. The background to this no longer being a dream was still the existence of the current first place.




　And so it was in the middle of November, when the temperature had settled down and it was getting colder, that Ars and Loki went to school at the academy for the first time in a while.
　Regular for the first time in a while?　Life becomes both happy and itchy with the lack of change in the routine.

'You're finally here,'
Long time no see, Loki.
It's been a while.

　It was right before school, around the corner from the research building. Tesfia and Alice come alongside me to talk to me. Both wanted to say they were tired of waiting. They are not particularly waiting for you, but they must have known you were coming back. Maybe they could see the lights in the room from outside.
　They both brought the AWR with them along with their bags.
　Loki returned it with a cliché, and Ars took one look at it and started walking towards the academy.

''But then again, if you miss a month, it's not too good to advance as expected, is it?
I'm sure he'll be fine. I'm sure the chancellor has been briefed, and I'm sure the credits are valid.

　He answers Tesfia, who is unusually worried about Ars as she quickly lines up next to him.
　On the other side of the line, Loki lines up with a satisfied and, if anything, happy look.

'Both Al and Loki are slow, so I was worried about you.

　Alice smiles bitterly as if her heartache has left her somehow, but there's nothing she can do about this one.

''Well, there's a lot going on over here, too.
'Hmm. I see.

　Tesfia's sobbing, which seemed to have some implications, but without further words.

'What's so rare that you don't ask?
Will you tell me if I ask?
No.

　Tesfia's cheeks puffed out with a buzz, but her cheeks immediately sagged, "That's why you don't ask," she said, offering an anticipatory answer.
　Alice also had a similar expression and did not speak a word of pursuit.
　But there is one thing they both have in common. That's because they know that it's not Ars's personal actions, but the orders of the army, or rather Beric. There are some things that cannot be said, and the two men understand that.

　It's not something that can be mentioned to Ars and Loki, so it can't be leaked.
　But even in light of that, there is a hint or a section in their tone of voice that they are aware of.
　For some reason, I couldn't bring myself to pursue it and change the subject.

'Oh well. We're both continuing our training, okay?

　As expected, I could appeal directly to the chancellor if that's the gimmicky response here.

'Naturally,'
Of course.

　Strong words that seemed to be chest-busting were waiting in the wings of his mouth.
　Otherwise, all the training would be for naught. Even if you don't put aside the matter of talent, these two are the ones who are more motivated than anyone else. However, Tesfia and Alice's expressions didn't stop there.

''Hmmm, you'll be surprised.
Hey, Fear.

　At that meaningful statement, Ars said, "No way you two cleared it! I was astonished.
　Honestly, training with a training stick that repels magic power using the outer shell of a sarcheloit. Magic power manipulation can't be learned overnight. That's exactly what you need to have talent for.
　You can say the two of you are excellent when you've managed to get this far in a short period of time. But, if you're able to clear the magical manipulation that is even more difficult, it's a talent that surpasses ordinary people.

''Eh........no, that's not even close~''

　Alice's eyes flicker with disappointment.

'Hey, don't raise the bar!　I can still maintain this for a long time, even if it's a different look.

　I wondered if it was too much to take in, and a wry smile spilled over to Ars, wondering if I expected too much.
　No, it's probably true. No, I don't know how much they have achieved, but looking differently must be an unconventional growth rate.

Well, I'll take a look at that after school.
Yeah, you can count on me. But don't get your hopes up.
Which one is it?
Just the right amount...
'Fear, you're going around. I just want Al's praise.
Hey!

　Tesfia's face flushed a little as she hurriedly tried to cover Alice's mouth.

'If only you'd betrayed my expectations in a good way.

　A dumbfounded sigh comes back to Ars, who replies bluntly, "I'm sorry,
　No one noticed that Loki's keen gaze was pouring over Ars to Tesfia and Alice in the phrase "receive praise".
　It's not an exaggeration to make you realize that this kind of exchange has returned to your daily life, but the unchanging time of going to school is passing.


　The path to school, which leads to the main school building, is mainly the same as the path from the girls' dormitory, so there are more female students than male students in terms of ratio. This is because the boys' dormitory is not far from the main school building but in a different direction because of its location.
　Even so, you can still see a few boys here and there, perhaps because they are in the prime of their adolescence.

　I'm sure you'll be able to find out more about this in the future. It's not something to be bothered about, but due to the nature of my profession, I can't help but subtly sense a different atmosphere than usual.
　This is not to say that no one is in a hurry, even though we are almost late. Ars and others are coming to school with enough time to spare. It's not that there are extremely few students, this is also the same as usual, and you could see them walking back and forth, back and forth, as they are close to each other.

　So what's different is that even though it's early in the morning, the tone of the conversation is somehow more colorful. Expectation and envy, inquisitiveness and suspicion. Although there are various mixed emotions, they are bouncing around despite the fact that it's early in the morning.


　As if amused by Ars and Loki's reaction, Tesfia smiled nastily and opened her mouth, cowering her shoulders as she smiled nastily at them.

'I guess we'll find out soon enough.'
Yeah, it's been a full day.

　And Alice, who happily interrupts the words of approval, breaks her hip from the end of the side row and throws me a look.