*

　When Makoto opened his eyes, he found himself very close to the castle gates.
　He looked around and patted his chest when he saw that all of them - Yuka, Fene, Liv, Laura, and Fujika - were there.

''Well ... hey.''
What?
"You've already been through so many transitions, don't give me that 'is everyone OK' attitude.

　Yuka said, sounding miffed.

'You say that, though,'
What?
I'm afraid you're going to leave people in the dungeon.
'No way!　What do you think I am?!
You want that to happen, don't you?
Yes, but...

　When Makoto confirmed it, Yuka replied, averting her gaze.

''It's starting again, isn't it?''
Well, it's all good, isn't it?
It's a relief to listen to their communications.
No, we don't have to fight.

　Fene, Liv and Laura are used to it, but Fujica is dawdling.

'I see you. I can see you smiling high and proud, leaving Fujica behind.
'Yeah, well, I've thought about that a lot.
"It's all coming at me now!　And it's not much of a content!
You're the one who tried to kill me, and what do you think you're doing?
Yeah, well, I'm sorry about that.

　Fujika screamed in protest, but was easily shot down by Yuka.

'Okay?　What you did was a noble attempt at murder.
I know that.
Then reflect on your work.
Like how can I make you forgive me?
Do you forgive me?

　Hmph, Yuka snickered.

'You're as vindictive as a snake.'
I'm not a snake!

　When Makoto spoke his thoughts, Yuka howled.
　She has a vision of a mole snake coiling behind it.

''Mostly, even you are... something or other, right?
Well, you're in a lot of trouble.

　Makoto looked up at the heavens.
　Stars twinkled in the sky.

'What if the person who caused it asked for forgiveness?'
I don't forgive you.
How can you blame me for that?
You can put yourself on the shelf all you want.
'Don't put yourself on the shelf and ask for tolerance from others!
"In you...
I'm going to throw rocks at you!

　Yuka interrupted Fujika's words.
　Maybe Fujika was trying to say something like an innocent person should throw a stone.
　It's not like the person who left him behind is asking for leniency - but it's not the same thing.

'You're not allowed to throw rocks, are you?'
If you're referring to the thieves, it was an accident.

　The woman who kicked the bandit to death said something like that.

'No, but,'
It was an accident!　It was a tragic accident that happened while fighting off the brigands who attacked the lord!　I was desperate to help Laura, I was.

　'I didn't have a choice,' said Yuka, turning over and shaking her fist.

'Um, there's a discrepancy with my memory?
That's not even how I remember it.

　Laura raised her hand timidly and Makoto nodded his head.
　At that time, the bandits - I don't know now if that was really the case or not - had been wiped out, and that was after they had saved Laura.

'What?'
Wow, I must be remembering things wrong.

　Laura retracted her previous statement when Yuka glared at her.

'It was an accident, wasn't it, Mako?
Don't make any catcalls, it's disgusting.
I'm not sick!

　I shouted, returning to my usual tone.

Anyway, it was an accident.
Don't worry about killing a brigand or two.
You're not one or two people!
"I don't remember how many people I've killed. Do you even remember how many grains of rice you've eaten?
You can't count the number of grains of rice in a loaf of bread!
You can't do that with bread.
It wasn't your idea!
Well, yeah.
It was an accident.
You're not so bad yourself.

　I'm a little dismayed by Yuka's refusal to admit to the murder.

'Assuming it was an accident, at a hundred percent--'
It was an accident.
'Even if it was an accident, don't you have the right to blame Fujica?
Isn't it enough that I killed a bandit in an accident and Fujika left me in a dungeon?
Really?　The moral--
It's a separate case, legally speaking.

　Yuka interrupted Makoto's words and said.
　It's true that if the case is fought in court, it will be treated as a separate case--''

''Even so, there's a difference between attempted and attempted, right?
That's it, that's it, that's it.

　'Huh,' Yuka laughed and ruffled her hair.

'Shh, I can't believe it and...'
I told you it was an accident!
And it's not right for people to be sorry for killing people!
If I'm crazy, then you're just as guilty as I am!
I didn't kill anyone!
I don't care if you're alive or dead, because you actually left me in the dungeon!
Uggh, geez, I did a terrible thing.

　Fujika grunted and crossed her hands in front of her chest.

'Ha, if there's a next time you're going to do this, you're going to have to make sure it's done right!　It's useless, though, because I've learned the magic of shifting!

　Yuka said with a lot of effort on the waste part.
　I'm afraid I'm going to start laughing, "Huhahahahahaha," she said.

''Ahh, so that's how you learned the transition.
That's impossible.

　Pesh, Yuka slapped Makoto's two arms with the back of her hand.

'Well, it doesn't change the fact that you kicked the bandit to death.
'They are so persistent!　That was an accidental death!
Hey, I think you've changed the cause of death.

　There's a ridiculously wide gulf between accidental death and accidental death.

Anyway, it was an accidental death.
Well that's true. That was an accidental death.
I finally understand...

　Yuka looked at Mako's face as she huffed.

'Hey, what's with that smile?'
I'm not laughing.

　But Mako maintains her smirk.

'Hey, what are you thinking?'
No.
Oh, you're not gonna...

　Yuka clawed at me with both arms and backed away.

'You think you've got the upper hand on me. For the record, I'm not going to let you have your way with me.
That's the reaction I expected.
I'll cut your head off.
'I didn't expect this!　What can I do to get my head cut off?!
'I thought you were going to ask me to be naughty or naughty or naughty because of you!　You'll remember that!　I will not go to bed in tears, I promise!　I'll definitely cut your head off!
'I don't have anything to do with it, I can't remember it!　Besides, don't try to scratch my neck!
It was self-defense!
It's just murder!

　Yuka shouted and Makoto shouted back.

''Don't say anything naughty or inappropriate.
You're forgetting the part where you asked me to do it, right?
Did you tell him?
I told you!　You know that instead of helping me get revenge, you know what I'm talking about.

　Yuka turned over and bit her lip.

'I said, if you're going to let me help you kill, let me do it!
'You remember!　You can pretend you've forgotten and try to fool me, but that's not how wholesalers work!
She's such a b*tc*.

　She's like a woman who can't stop talking about her drinking problem.

"You can't believe how insecure you made me feel about that.
Why were you so worried?
Because you thought you were going to be attacked, of course!
I won't attack you!　Trust me more!
I was so anxious I kept a knife under my pillow.
I'm scared!
I was more scared than you!
I was more scared than I was when they told me how to execute people like the Mexican mafia!
What kind of execution?　Cutting off a limb isn't going to kill a human being!
"Of course you're going to die if you cut off a limb!
I don't give a shit!
Because I can't stop the bleeding!
You're a fool. Of course I'm going to burn the wound to stop the bleeding.
I'm scared.

　Yuka said with a straight face, and a chill crawled up my spine.
　The fact that he's saying it as if he has good intentions, even though his goal is to make her suffer, inspires fear.

'I would have trusted you if you hadn't said those things.
'You're persistent. Are you going to complain to Fujica again?
There they are again.
I'll point it at you as many times as I can, as many times as you're alive!
I'm vulnerable to a very serious threat.

　Yuka said with great amusement and Fujika slumped her shoulders in a daze.

'If you learn from this, you will never disobey me again!
It's like an incredible ordeal.
You just seem to forget what you've done, don't you?
I've decided it's a test.
"Tsk, that's what religious brains do.
I'll do my best to be friends with Yuka.
You still haven't given up on him?

　Yuka was greeted with a look that said she had seen something she didn't understand.

'This is why I don't like religious women.
We could be friends, couldn't we?
That's wishful thinking.
You're a pessimist.
"Anyone who trusts someone unconditionally who betrays them once is an idiot, an idiot.
Yeah, well, yeah.

　It's going to be a long time before Fujika becomes friends with Yuka.

'So, are you really suspicious of me?'
It's more like magic.
'If anything... tch, well, okay. What's so hard to believe when you've made so many transitions in your life?
'There's something to be said for not believing in magic itself, but if that doesn't convince you, consider it like a finger-pointing call.
All right, helmets and safety shoes?
Sounds about right.
You're a worrier.
'You don't want to find out afterwards that when you transitioned, you didn't have one, or that there was one more, do you?
Don't say anything scary.

　Scared, Yuka hugged herself with both arms.

'You're scared after killing all those ghosts?
That's the undead!　Monster!
'Hmm, Yuka's afraid of ghost stories, isn't she?
I'm not afraid of you.
Well this is something I've been hearing from a friend of mine.
Wait, why are you starting a ghost story all of a sudden?
A friend of mine was driving his car and he hit a black kitten.

　Yuka grabbed her wand and backed away, but Mako continued on without a care in the world.

'So I stopped the car and turned around to see my parent cat--'
I told you to stop!
Ugh!

　Yuka swung her staff down and Makoto quickly dodged to the side.

'Don't attack me out of the blue!
Because I told you to stop and you kept on going!

　Yuka barked, her face turning red.

'I knew you were scared, right?'
I'm not afraid of you. I'm going into town. Tomorrow....
Hey, Yuka.
What!

　Yuka glared at Liv.

'You don't need to glare so much, I'm not telling you anything scary.
So what?
Can't I get a day off tomorrow?
I'm surprised Liv needs a break.
I don't mind, but...

　Yuka glanced at me.

'I don't mind either. What, do you have something to do?
Makoto.

　Yuka crossed her hands and formed an X.

'Sorry to bother you, but I was thinking of going to church and Rogers Trading Company.
'You mean you're going to get a skill and get new equipment?'
That's what I thought.

　Liv grinned.

'Why again?'
I've been thinking...
You have to stop focusing on physics.
I'm not that stupid.
Really?
Well I've always been all about physics and I'd like to have physical resistance as well.

　When Fene looked at him doubtfully, Liv awkwardly looked away from him.

''Your race skill is all about physics, and now you're even more physical sass?
No, not this time.
Maybe I should get some new skills and buy some new equipment too.
Maybe I should get a new skill.
....

　Liv stared at Fene, her lips twitched in a sultry way.
　She might be thinking something like, why don't you say anything to Laura?

'Well, I haven't had a confectioner in a while--'
If you tell me you're going to make candy, I'm going to put you down.
Like, anti-violence.
You know what?

　Yuka held her temples as if she were trying to hold back a headache.

'Being off is a time to prepare for the next adventure,' she said. Well, if you're done getting ready and want to make some snacks for a change, you can do whatever you want, but you have other things to do, don't you?
Should I do something else?

　Fujica tilted her head as if she didn't understand.

'Of course it's an exercise in magic!　Have you forgotten how much sarcasm you've been giving me?
''Um, Yuka-san. I'm not being that sarcastic, sir?
''Practice until you can hit the holy light bullets in a hundred shots!

　Laura protested in a weak tone, but Yuka ignored her and shouted.

'And it feels like a tacked-on thing,'
It's a hundred times better than doing nothing.

　'It's important to show off your work,' Mako nodded.

'Come to think of it, we never discussed skills.
I'll know.

　Hmph, Yuka sniffed and ruffled her hair in a good way.

''You don't know anything about race skills, do you?''
Well....

　Yuka grunted.

'You don't know anything about skills, Makoto-sama?'
'I know that each race has its own unique skills, though. No, come to think of it, I don't know much about jobs either.

　Mako scratched her head.
　'I'm not sure what the conditions of acquisition are, and what are seismic and shield shots?

''If you don't mind, may I explain it to you?''
Please.
'Yes, of course!'

　Laura said, her voice bouncing back and forth.

'That's it for Yuka and Fujika too, right?'
I don't mind, but...
Please.
Good luck with that.
Yes, I understand.

　Laura said in a dark, somber tone.

''Well you know what you're doing, right?''
'I'm not Park Nenin, you know. I know what Laura wants.

　He was going to shift from private lessons to beyond that.

'Why don't we just build a harem already?'
That's a hell of a thing to say!
I don't need you to tell me what to do.

　Yuka looked at me like she was looking at a bug.

''You're already with the two of them, and the three of you. d*mn it, what's the matter with you?'
Not that I'm complaining, but...
So why don't you handle it?
I'm not sure why you're asking...

　Mako crossed her arms and snorted.

''Well ... sort of.''
Seriously, it's not a good fire.
Sometimes I don't know where you stand.
I'm always on my side.

　With a huff, Yuka ruffled her hair.

*

Welcome home, sir.

　When Makoto and the others returned to the inn, Shelly called out from the counter.
　The dining room was filled with the aromatic smell of soy sauce.

I'm back. I'm back today--'
It smells like fried chicken.
Yeah, I've been making some of those since then.
Oh, really?

　Yuka took a table near the center.

'I like fried food on occasion.
You got to pay me, okay?
What?

　When Makoto nailed her while taking a seat face-to-face, Yuka's eyes widened in surprise.

'Why do you look so surprised?　You're a bit too brazen to just want to eat a meal.
Don't be such a sucker. I'm just asking for my fair share.

　Yuka said, sounding miffed.

'My fair share?'
Flour, soy sauce, and miso were your reward, weren't they?　I mean, I'm the one who owns it.
There's no way you can fry it on its own.
All right. I'll relinquish ownership of the flour, soy sauce, and miso. Is this good enough for you?
Can't you ever think of paying me the money honestly?
I'll pay you straight up if we fail to negotiate.
I don't call that being honest.

　You're a brazen high school girl, aren't you?

So, what do you think?
I don't mind.
See, Sherry says it's fine.

　Yuka said triumphantly.

'What's the 'see' Shelly, you shouldn't spoil it too much.
I'm not trying to coddle you, sir.

　Shelley laughed, annoyed.

'Well, well, as long as you're convinced, Shelly, it's fine.
He thinks about it more than we do when we answer.

　Fene sat next to Makoto, while Liv took a seat facing him.

'Yuka needs to learn to be a little more reserved and...'
You should learn from your experiences.

　Fujika sits next to her, and Yuka snaps her fingers in a threatening manner.
　It's admirable to stand up to him after being exposed to so much verbal abuse.

''I'll join you for dinner.......of course I'll pay for it.

　Laura pulled up a chair and sat down.
　The so-called birthday seat.

'Sherry?'
You have to wait a little longer.

　Shelly made a troubled and happy expression.
　While looking at her at the side, Yuka muttered to herself.

''.........You're....
What?
It's like the ants in hell.
I'll take you up on that.
It means "irresistible.
That's impossible.

　Yuka tapped Fujika's chest lightly with the back of her hand.

'You mean moderately troublesome and moderately dependable?
You're right.

　Yuka clapped her hands together and pointed at Liv.

'Is it really that much trouble?'
Just the right amount. Just the right amount. It's as much trouble as we can handle, and it's as dependable as we feel we're useful.
I can't be of much use in a fight, though.
That's a work in progress.

　Liv crossed her arms with a miffed look on her face.

''Then I would like to support Mako-sama in terms of knowledge.

　Laura proudly puffed out her chest.

'Where shall I begin?'
Skills and Jobs.
...I see.

　Laura nodded and crossed her arms thoughtfully.

'Now, I'd like to explain my skills to you.
Not jobs?
We thought it would be easier to start with your skills.

　Laura cleared her throat to regain her composure.

'Firstly, there are four strains of what are called skills. The first is the common skills you can acquire in the church.
Common means anyone can get it?
That's right.

　Laura nodded in satisfaction.
　'When I acquired the skills at the church, I had an idea that they were an extension of human abilities, but they were slightly different.

'The second is what we call a tribal skill. For example, the Foxtail tribe rarely manifests a skill called Recognition Inhibition, which makes it easier for them to increase their agility and magic power when they level up.
'Didn't the Bison Horns have skills to increase muscle strength and stamina?
That's right.
'But hey, isn't the fact that certain parameters tend to grow when you level up not a skill, but a race trait?
It's supposed to be a skill.

　Laura gave him a troubled look.

'What do you think, Yuka?'
''It's hard to say because my ability is like an extra soul heel, but it didn't show up on the status of the beastmen walking around town.
I can't decide if it's just invisible or if it doesn't exist.

　Mako scratched her head.

'I should have used Yuka's powers to gather information.
You don't have a clue. There's no way you can collect anything.

　Yuka said with a sigh.

'Laura, how credible are you?'
'I believe it's true because it was written in an old church book...'
I can't even verify it. Speaking of which, do any of the Bison Horns have magic?
There are some of them, but there aren't that many of them. There aren't that many of them, and their magic is less powerful and effective than that of other races.
The qualities of a parent are passed on to their children, right?
Well, you know.
I see.

　Liv grinned and Mako stroked her chin.

'We don't know the answer anyway, so why bother?
Yeah.

　You can make all kinds of hypotheses, but it's true that there's no way to verify them.

"I'd like to know what humans are capable of, and
It's a bit of a mixed bag of human beings, isn't it?
That doesn't make sense.
'You mean you don't have any particular strengths or weaknesses. Well, some people don't have magical powers, so it's unfortunate in that sense.

　Yuka let out a small sigh.

''The third is job skills. Basically, jobs are earned, but there are exceptions. That's Noble.''
Noble?

　Yuka's expression was as if she had bitten down on a bitter worm.

'I will be the bloodline chosen by Apeiron-sama to be the people's guide.
You mean, royalty and aristocracy?

　Yuka blatantly frowns.

''Exactly.''
"...but Laura isn't Noble, is she?
I was only elected to the peerage three generations ago.

　When Yuka asked with narrowed eyes, Laura narrowed her shoulders apologetically.

''You mean, you're an aristocrat as a social institution?''
'Yes, royalty and great nobles are Nobles. On the other hand, if you're born of a great nobleman but without a Noble job, you can't take over the reigns.
It's a nasty world.

　Yuka said disgustedly, but it's a cliché as a way to justify domination.
　Well, I guess it's the versatility that makes it cliché.

'How do you win a job?'
''It varies from person to person, but you can acquire a job by training. That said, a person without magic power can't become a magic job no matter how hard they try, and even if they have magic power, it doesn't necessarily mean they'll grow...

　Laura let out a small sigh.

'Doesn't Laura have magical powers?'
I have one.
Magic 5.
"...Ugh.

　Yuka muttered and Laura grunted.

'So, what's the job skill?'
'It's like a job version of a racial skill. If you're a knight, it's easier to increase your strength and stamina when you level up. My feeling is that the level of fatigue and ease of movement when wearing armor is different before and after getting a job.
'Isn't fatigue and mobility an assumption?'
The status is still in the experimental data.

　Yuka said stinkingly, and Laura grunted.

'Well, there's such a thing as an errand boy,'
That's true.

　After all, there is a real administrator of the world.
　I wouldn't be surprised if they could do that much.

'Then what are the techniques that Liv and Laura are using?
That's another job skill.
Can magic be a skill?
Yes, in the broadest sense of the word.
...I see.

　It seems that warriors and knights can use more than one technique just like Yuka can use multiple magic.

'How do you learn them?'
I learned my trade by heart.
I saw it once and I know it by heart.
.... grrrr...

　Liv gave a manly smile and Laura grunted.

'The fourth is a rare skill. This is a skill that doesn't fall under common, race or job.
....
Why are you so proud of yourself?

　In the meantime, I'll shove it into the chest-baring Yuka.

''Also, there's something else I'm wondering about...''
What is it?
'What happens when a guy with physical resistance gets slash, blow and stab resistance?
We will be adding the benefits of your skills.
Okay.

　Makoto patted his chest.

'Then I don't have a problem with completing the resistance system. What skills are you all planning on getting?'
I'm magic resistant and anti-static.
You're not going to stick to physics, are you?
I've already got slashing, striking, stabbing resistance, strength, stamina, and agility. I don't want to develop your strengths, but rather fill in the blanks for the time being. What about Laura?
'I haven't accumulated as many bonus points as Mr. Liv, so I'm going to get the magic enhancement.
Magic enhancement?

　Yuka said in a quizzical voice.

I'm sure you'll be able to find a way to make it work. And since you are a knight type, you can't use magic even if your magic power is increased, right?
I'm going to compensate for that with magic items that use up magic power to activate. I don't know how useful it will be, but I want a trump card in times of need.
...sounds interesting.

　Mako covered her mouth with her hand and blurted out.
　Lola is loyal to the basics - or worse, she's the unexpected type.

''I guess I'm going to strengthen my magic and status.
Where's your agility? Where's your agility?
I already have it.

　Fene gave Liv a miffed look and replied.

'You won't take anything else?'
It's not easy to do.

　Fene's lips twitched in a sultry manner at Liv's question.

''I was happy when I was able to use foxfire, though.
It's a bit hard to classify, isn't it?
Yeah.

　Fene nodded at Mako's words.
　Can I say that it's a physics-leaning magic job or a support job that can also use magic?
　It's hard to know what skills to acquire.

''You might be able to fossilize it once you get to a higher level, okay?''
Really?
I think...
Maybe.

　Fene hung her head helplessly.
　Perhaps trying to cheer her up, Liv opened her mouth.

''Don't be so sluggish. I thought you'd have a head start at level 20... er...'
Level 24, 24!

　Fene said angrily.

'I want to be of service to my brother.
You're a sucker.

　Yuka grinned as she looked at Makoto.

'And ... as an old-timer on the team, I can't lose!　As the oldest member of the team!
Maybe he doesn't love you very much.
Which one?

　He rushes into Yuka, who easily retracts his previous statement.

'Well, good luck with that.'
What's your high-handedness?　Is there room for a winner?

　Liv grinned and Fene barked her tail up.

'....See?
I'll be a vine in a few years, too!

　Fene shouts to Liv, who is chest-deep in victory.
　But his tail hangs powerlessly in the air while his mouth blustered.
　Perhaps he really does admit defeat.

'I'll be waiting in anticipation,'
'We'll see about that!　I'm sure it's because I'm taller and bong!　Coo!　Boom!　It's going to be in the style of the "Sss"!
Fene.

　Mako turned her face away to avoid looking at Fene's tail.
　The gap between his bluster and his tail was hard.

'If I regret it then--'
Your meal is ready, sir.

　The painful Fene's intensity ended with Shelly's words.

''Kyi, that's enough for today.

　The discarded lines were also painful.