Hey there.
'Hello ... that's how you say hello now, isn't it?'

　Kanade made a strange greeting, and Cel was puzzled.

'Oh, Tania and Nina!
You're both late.
... hmmm.

　It wasn't just Cell, it was also Tania and Nina.
　They were using the appropriate steps to replace the chairs.

'What's going on here?'　A break?
'No, no. I mean, guess what happens when the cell is there.
Well...?
I wonder what's in this cat's head?
I think it's empty.
Cat?

　Kanade made a shocked face, like a gauntlet.
　Without regard to that, Tania continued to speak.

'Wasn't the test supposed to be that if you reached the lowest level of the ruins, you'd pass?　So, the examiner's cell is here. So that means this is the finish line.
Really?

　Kanade looked at Cell.
　Cell nodded.

'Yes, it is. Tania's right, this is the goal.'
'Yay!　So we've passed, then?
So don't be so quick to jump to conclusions. You misunderstood, impatient, whirling cat.
What do you mean, "Go around and around"?　Hey, what do you mean!

　I don't know, but I was sure I was dumbfounded.
　Kanade looks sulky.

　As if to comfort Kanade, Nina moved next to her.
　Then, she stretches up and pats Kanade's head with a plop.

''Good boy ... good boy.''
Nina's hands feel so good.
Does it have the same healing effect as Rain?

　Sola was giving serious consideration to the idea.

'It wouldn't help if we were the only ones to reach the goal, would it?
Oh, that's right.

　I still can't see Rain, Luna and Tina.
　If those three weren't together, they wouldn't be considered to have finished.

'Rain, are you with Luna and Tina?
I don't know and at worst, I could be on my own.

　As I was thinking about my companions, I heard an explosion.

'What?!'

　The cell was the first to move.
　He held his bow ready for whatever came up.
　Kanade, Tania, Sola, and Nina also readied their bows.

'Is it a demon?'
''This hall is warded with magical tools, so demons shouldn't be able to get to it, but...''

　Cell says with a grim face.

　If it's an ordinary demon, it can't cross the wards.
　But what if there is a mutant species or something else occurring?
　What if it has more power than it's supposed to?

　It wouldn't be surprising if they were able to get past the warding.
　We have taken every precaution to prevent such accidents from happening, but even so, when they do happen, they happen.

　A bang, bang, bang, the sound of an explosion was getting closer.
　It was echoing from one of the corridors leading to the hall.
　Everyone's eyes focused on it...

"Hahaha, you are not my enemy!
I'll do it!

　Luna and Tina showed up.

　They seemed to be being chased by demons, and I could see a deformed figure behind them.
　Towards them, Tina held a stick in her hand.
　

Home run technique!

　Khan and a mass of magical power flew and kicked a few demons together.

''And then........Dragoon Howling, that is!

　Continuing on, Luna's magic exploded and a thumping explosion sounded.

　Dragoon Howling is a range magic that affects a wide area.
　When used in a small area like the ruins, it naturally damages the walls and ceiling around it.

　Luna's magic kicked the demons away, but at the same time, it damaged the ruins.
　Walls and ceilings cracked and small pieces of debris fell down with a flap.

''Hahaha, a demon of this level, not our enemy!
'Yes!　If you want to do something about us, you're gonna have to give us something stronger!

　It must have been a series of battles.
　They seemed to be on a battle high and they were strangely strong.

　Sora walked up to her sister and........

What are you doing, you stupid little sister?
Whew!

　I bobbed my head vigorously.

'Ooh.........blurry sister is a new power word.......'

　Holding up her battered head, Luna murmured with tears in her eyes.

'What are you thinking, using magic like that in a place like this?　Is Luna an idiot?　Or is the a**h*le Luna?
'I'm just not sure I understand what Sola is saying.
Hey, hey, hey. Calm down. Don't worry about it. We were chased by quite a few demons, so we had no choice...
'I think I heard an explosion on more than one occasion... haha, not at all.
Whatever. It's nice to see you guys.

　Tania said as she summarized the story.
　Kanade, Tania, Sola, Luna, Nina and Tina.
　Now the six of them are all here.

　The rest.....

Now all that's left is Rain.

　Even if the party members were all there, it would be useless without Rain.

　Kanade asks Cell.

'Hey, hey, Cell. Is there a time limit or something?'
'I think I've explained that too - of course I have. If we don't get here within the time limit, we're disqualified.
Meow....

　Kanade looked worried, her tail wagging restlessly.

'I don't think we're at the stage of worrying so much yet. We've got ... well ... two hours to go. With that much time, it's not impossible for us to get here. There's no need to worry about the rest of the party, right?
'Hmmm, that's true...'
'I'm curious about the things that bother me...'

　Kanade and Tania get a melancholy look on their faces.

　They both have common feelings for Rain.
　It's a love affair.
　Because they have such feelings, they worry excessively.

　Will they make it to the finish line?
　Are they hurt?
　Are they stuck?

　Part of me trusts that Rain will be fine.......................but still, I'm worried about what I'm worried about.
　I can't wait to see her.
　With that thought in mind, I pray for Rain's safety.

''I'll be fine..........''

　Nina patted Kanade and Tania on the head.
　Then she smiled.

''Rain would........absolutely, it's fine........''

　In Nina's eyes, there was an absolute trust in Rain.

　Seeing Nina's appearance like that, Kanade and Tania regained their composure.
　Since Nina, who is smaller than they are, is this calm, this is no time to panic.
　It's just a matter of waiting for them to be ready for anything, and not to worry.

"I believe in you, Rain.

　While Kanade and the others are steeling themselves...
　Cell was feeling a bit uneasy.

　The other examiners were waiting all over the ruins as an obstacle in the path of the candidates.
　Kanade and the others seemed to be lucky enough not to run into anyone, but the luck wouldn't last many times.

　Rain's ability to contract with a large number of the strongest species is comparable to...or even exceeds...the A-ranked adventurers.
　The fact that such Rain still hasn't shown up at the finish line means that he may have encountered the examiner and is being held back.

　If that's the case, who is Rain facing?

　Cell thought of his partner's face.
　This time, Axe was also participating as an examiner.
　Until now, he had announced his non-participation, not wanting to work with Arios, but...
　We need a lot of people for the final exam.
　I decided to ask them to join us, no questions asked.

'Maybe....'

　Isn't Rain confronting Axe?
　There was no basis for this, but that's what Cel thought.