For example, the [Storm Brave] Aerial Party--.
　It's the world's number one brave party.

　The leader of the party, Aerial-san, has green hair that reminds me of a storm with green eyes.
　His well-trained body and straightened back show no signs of decline even though he is over forty years old. It even gives you a sense of sternness, like a tall, thick, stretched-out divine tree.

　And yet the smile he usually wears is gentle and friendly. You can tell that he is strong, but his smile is perfectly balanced without being intimidating.
　Aerial-san, who was pointed at the microphone, stroked her chin as if she was thinking for a while.

''That's right........ I'd like to get revenge on the Demon King's Castle's people, and I'd also like to fight against my rivals who have been fighting in the same industry for many years. In the younger part of the game, I'd also like to play with the Fenix Party. And yes, I'm not ranked yet, but the Wraith Party, too. And that party has him in it, too.'

Is that him?

　Mr. Aerial looked like a child who had come up with a prank, and said.

''It's a Reme player. That's the party he chose to dump me in, and I'd love to fight him.''

　Indeed, I once refused his solicitation.
　The Aerial Party was looking for a new member when the best 【White Mage】 and renowned Panakea-san was leaving.

　Right now, that slot is being filled by [Gale's Brave Man] Yuan-kun. He's a young, earnest, and excellent [Brave Man].

''I'm really looking forward to the announcement of the combination, really.''


　For example, 【The Jet Black Brave】 Ex Party--.
　The second-ranked 【Brave Man】 in the world rankings is a man in his mid-thirties with black hair and dark eyes.
　He has a soft smile that suits him well.

''That is, of course, an aerial party. I'm left above them in the rankings, but I don't think me and my friends are inferior to them.''

　Ex-san's face did not have the same shade as it did during the original dungeon investigation.

''The rest is that, right?　So is our benefactor, [Best Black Mage] Lord.

　[The visionary wizard] Merlin says teasingly.
　The interviewer tilts his head.

'Best...?　A [Black Mage] with such a nickname... [Black Mage]?''

　Mr. Xu smiled kindly.

'I'm pretty sure he's the guy who just popped into my head. We call him that on our own. 'Leme, show us your best choice. We'll go above and beyond. With these guys, I'm not going to be beaten.'


　For example, Nicola's party.

''I have two adventurers that I admire. One of them........Some of you may have noticed from the moves I've been showing lately, but [Magic Sword Hero] Helvall-san. He's cool and I've always admired him for a long time.''

"I see...!　So the "Great Arm of Snow" with "Silver White" on his arm was a move born out of respect for Helvall!　-- "So, what is the other adventurer?

　Nicola looked at her brother, Philip, for a moment. His one returned a nod to his sister's gaze.

''【Black Mage】Reme-san. I learned from that guy how cool it is for someone to keep working hard and not give up on their dreams. I admire the two of them, but I don't want to end up as they are. I want to fight, I think I do.

　The [Silver Ridge Brave] who had both elegance and muddiness, said that with eyes that looked like they were lit by fire.


　For example, the Erie Party.

''Ha, that's a foolish question. The ones who are sitting on top of us and the ones who haven't been made to give in yet. 'But isn't it?　I would venture to say that with an aerial that has not moved from the pinnacle of sameness--Ren, you.

　The only person who calls me that way is Ellie.
　This is the nickname she gave to me who refused to call me by shortening Remegeton to Reme.

　The two [Black Mages] and the [Greatest Heroes] who lead the two [Black Mages] and the two [White Mages] are collaborators who fought together in the raid, and they are also close friends who fought once in that case.

''Re-Ren-dono, is it?　Well--

'There's no point in looking into it, I didn't tell you so you'd understand. But he's coming. He wouldn't just turn away from such an interesting event, would he?

　For example, a fulkus party.

'I'm hungry...'

　Ugh, Fourcas-san's stomach rumbles.

''Well, uh, well, I mean.....in the second stage to follow--''

"Hamburger.

'What's that?　Huh?　Ha, hamburger...!

　It's a magic tool that Fulkas-san earned by clearing the original dungeon.
　A dome cover that served dishes composed of magic power.
　After flattening ten servings of hamburgers, Fulkus-san turned to the camera again.

''I'm going to defeat them all. That's it.''

　After saying that much, she was about to leave the waiting room, but she turned around just in time to be caught in the hastily pointed camera.

''........Verito, Reme. I'll pay you back for that time.''

　Me and Belito defeated Fulkas & Orovaspare in a tag team tournament.
　She hadn't forgotten that, being a warrior.

　Even if we were fellow members of the same Demon King's Castle and disciples who taught her the sword, that had nothing to do with anything before the match.


　For example, the Astraea Party.

''No matter what you are, if you are the enemy, you will only defeat them. That's what a knightly party is. That's why if I had to name them, it would be the Fenix Party and the Wraith Party. The fight against them has led us to change our perception of the profession of adventurers. On top of that, we will win next time. It's not just the brave, it's also the duty of the Knights to win.''

　Even if the four great spirit contractors become the enemies of humanity while maintaining their connection to the spirits, they will be subdued.
　Without that much power, the world's peace cannot be maintained.

　The top of the knight's class, who will not allow themselves to be defeated for the sake of peace, are also looking for a resolution to that battle, which was not won or lost.


　Take the Fenix Party, for example.
　World rank #4. [Flame Brave]. Fellow countrymen and childhood friends. One of the strongest candidates for the human race.

　My best friend.

"We are going to focus on the battle before us, one battle at a time, and win the war together with our friends. That's all we think about.

No particular party you'd like to play against?

'If you mean in the second stage, as you asked, there's nothing special. There's no need to limit anything.'

"...what do you mean?

Even if we don't get the chance to fight this time, as long as we keep going up, we'll see it again and again in the future. You will see it again and again in the future. It's enough to know that much. Either way--

　At that moment, I felt my eyes met with Fenix on the screen.

''There will be no more (...) defeats in our fight.

　It was never long enough to show each party individually.

　Just a little longer for the well-known people. Lots and lots of footage was shown, and most of the parties mentioned the names of high ranking adventurers and strong demons.

　On the whole, only a few people wanted to fight me. I know.
　But it didn't matter.

　It was hot.
　I couldn't help but feel a fever in my chest.

　I'm a 【Black Mage】 who couldn't become a 【Brave Guy】.
　Nevertheless, we met, fought, and - we hope to fight again.

　Glory?　Happy?　Thankful?　I'm probably right about all of them, but this is the closest I can get.

　--That's what I'm hoping for. And next time, I'll win, we'll win.

...Even if you can't make a promise, it's sometimes enough to just 'say what you're thinking at the time'.

　Seeing my expression and realizing something, Blitz-san said as he pushed me back.

''... yes.''

　Ah, yes. You're certainly right, Blitz.
　This isn't a promise or anything, just a statement. It's just a statement that this is how we feel.
　We're not rivals or sworn enemies, or any kind of fixed relationship. We haven't given any answers.

　Even so, I think it's enough.

"Um....!　Mr. Blitz!

　I stood up vigorously and he waved a hand to scare me away at the same time.

'Oh, get on with it. You'd better rush through this kind of thing so you can pull back and writhe in agony later.

　In the middle of his words, I run out of the store.
　The scenery drifts away.
　I run as fast as I can back to my room in the dormitory.
　I open the door and go straight to the living room.

'!　U, Reme-san....!

　Mira-san, who was sitting on a chair and staring at the TV, looks at me as if she were jumping up and down.

"Mila-san...!

What?

　I stare straight into the crimson ball's eyes, a hint of nervousness in them.

''During the last fight, Mira-san said the last thing you said...''

　Bollocks, Mira's face turns bright red.
　Our gazes also swim this way and that, and our eyes don't meet.

　It's a very exciting time when they meet, but it's somewhat sad to be averted.

The best thing to do is to forget about that........

I'm, you know, not very good at that sort of thing. And I'm not a very good at everything.

　He should have had time to think, but the words didn't come out smoothly.

''Reme, Mr.....?''

'I've been thinking about it all over again, like it would be rude not to come up with something like a clearer answer. I mean, I'm still thinking about it, but...

That's okay.

　I'm not sure if she noticed that I was acting strangely or not, but she smiled at me as if she was concerned.

"Even after I entered the Demon King's Castle, there was so much going on that I didn't have much time to think about it... no, I guess that's an excuse.

''.........Hmm. You've been very busy with being sent to different dungeons out of the blue, raids being held, and heading to investigate the original dungeon, Counselor.

Yeah, yeah. But, you know, I don't think it's fair to have Mira say it all the time.

'I'm just saying that on my own.

　At that moment, my thoughts were blown away in front of the lonely smile Mira-san showed me.

''Ha, heart.

Hey...

I don't know if it's the same, but sometimes my heart races when I'm with Mila. I don't know if it's the same thing, but when I'm with Mila, my heart will explode and I'll get so nervous that it'll pop out of my mouth. That's just the way it is.

　I can see that he is so hot that his face is on fire.

''Well did you come back in a hurry to tell me that?''

... "Oh, it's been awkward since then, I mean...

'You think I'm mad at you because Reme didn't say anything?

Even if we didn't go that far, what can I say...

　It didn't bother me when I was running, but now I can feel the lazy sweat running down my face.
　Why is it that I can't speak well in front of Mila-san like this?

"....you are...

　That's it.
　That's odd.

　Mila was sitting on a chair, and I was looking at it from the front.
　I don't know why it's the other way around.

　I was sitting on the chair and Mira was in front of me.

　--I switched positions in an instant!

　And to prevent me from standing up, her knees are on the seat between my legs, and her arms are on my shoulders.

　The distance between us is such that I can even hear the sound of her hair, like gold thread, drifting down.
　The dizzying smell of her that I'll never get used to.

　Her red jewel-like eyes are watery, her beautiful skin is flushed, her glossy lips are open, and sharp vampire fangs peek out of her mouth, which seems to have a white color to it, as she breathes.

　This, I have some kind of deja vu feeling.
　It's similar to the feeling I had when I was first sucked.

　Apparently, right now, Mila-san is being attacked by a tremendous bloodsucking urge.

''You're the one who doesn't know whether you're profound or bold.......no, I guess it's both. He is humble yet confident, modest yet competitive, tries to be kind while knowing the reality, and unknowingly steals people's hearts. Truly, he's a bad person.

　Mila's lips come up to mine and touch - just before she pulls me close to her ear.

'That's why they can't take their eyes off of you.

　It's like being given a form in your mind and then being stroked directly by it.
　A sweet, numbing sensation that was hard to describe.

　She let go of her face and was back to Mira, smiling kindly as usual.

'Reme-san.

Uh-huh.

Thank you for your concern. But I'm not dumbfounded by Mr. Leme, you know?

Yeah.

　She put a hand to her cheek and slanted her gaze downward in shame.

'It's just... well, the fact that I said something poetic and left the battlefield... I couldn't help but feel embarrassed when I remembered it. When I looked at Reme, I couldn't look at her because I couldn't look at her because of that moment in my mind.

Oh, yeah... yeah, that's the way...

　So I'm that guy.
　The guy who misunderstood and suddenly said "I'm nervous about you".

　Instantly, I understand what Mira-san was talking about.
　This is certainly not the case, and I'm too embarrassed to make eye contact.

''But it was nice to see you.

I...　Um, well, I'm going to go take a bath.

　As if to escape, I stand up.

"Hmm. Yes, I can smell the alcohol and a little sweat.

　If they were that close, they'd know what they smelled like. The shame will increase.

'I suppose I should ... well ... wait in the bedroom?'

　As she said that, a teasing color flashed across her face.

''Don't.......tease me.''

　Having said that, I was somewhat happy that she was back to her normal routine.
　It's a weird feeling to be both thrilled and relieved.

　A few days later, the tournament pairings were announced.