After leaving the Kingdom of Lucia, the first place I went to was the Guild Association headquarters.
　Since Rick and the three of us are not registered as adventurers, we came to the reception desk to take the introductory test to the guild and, incidentally, to renew my rank. ......

"Ta-da, ta-da!

　Suddenly, I hear Karuna's voice in my head.

'Is this what you call a past recollection? It's amazing, I can even see the images. Tak-kun, we're more connected to you than before.
Is that so?

　I've been thinking about it for a while now, but I was surprised beyond embarrassed that my past recollections were going to be seen with images.

You know, I'll have to look back on my past with Rick and find out why he was the mastermind. It's the same kind of thing where even though it's a pretty long recollection, in reality it's only a few minutes long.
'Oh, yeah, you're right, you're right,'

　Karuna's tension is so high.
　I wonder if it's like watching a movie.

It's not a good idea. It's okay if I say something about it?

　Maybe Karuna would notice things in the past that she wouldn't notice on her own.

'Yeah, nice to meet you.'

　The unprecedented tweak-equipped reminiscence of the past resumed.


'Huh? Does Takumi still have an F rating?

　Nuruhachi was struggling with the guild's receptionist.

''I recently defeated a quest-ranked AAA (Triple-A) Salamander Queen, but it's still an F?''
''Yes, according to the investigation, Takumi-sama has only been carrying a load the entire time, so he has zero achievement points. According to the Chairman, once Takumi-sama failed the test, she will start at minus 100 points, so she will need to work harder to move up to the E rank.

　The bespectacled lady at the reception desk explained in an emotionless voice, nonchalantly.
　I've been eyeing the old bastard in Barbaroi since then.

I've never heard of an F-rank before.
'Yeah, I'm the only one who got an F grade now and then.

　My eyes burned with pathetic honor while answering Karna's tweak.

'If you don't mind, I suggest you take the introductory exam again. If you pass it, you'll start with an E rank, and how about you and your friends?
What happens if it falls?
Of course, you will be disbarred from the guild.

　The bespectacled lady at the reception desk who looks cute and recommends horrible things to do.

'I don't think you should do this, Nuru ......'
That's funny. I loved that.

　You've got it, Nuruhachi.

Nuruhachi. I just failed my test the other day.
Don't be scared, Takumi. You're going to have to keep looking like an idiot. If you fall, I'll deal with you again.
The Chairman said it would never happen again.

　The sister's eyes glow sharply behind her glasses.

"You're the new receptionist, aren't you? You're pretty cocky, identify yourself and I'll remember you.
''This is an honor beyond belief to be remembered by Mr. Nuruhachi, the undisputed number one in the guild rankings. My name is Linden Lindberg. Henceforth, please get to know me.

　The bee and the receptionist and the sparks are flying, but please don't. What's at stake is my guild qualification.

''Then there is another person here today, so I'll ask you all to take the exam at the same time ...... Oh my, Bats-sama over here is a sinner. Unfortunately, he doesn't have the exam qualification itself.
Mmm, queen. You haven't dropped the charges. I'll tell them to make arrangements immediately. This time, let him take the test in spite of the Nuruhach's face.
No. The rules are absolute.

　Nuru Bee and the bespectacled lady at the reception desk, who was once again going at it with Bachi. It was Batts himself who stopped them.

'Fine, fine. I'm not interested in adventurers or rankings, so go ahead and do what you want.

　Butts approaches the bespectacled lady at the reception desk as she says this.

'Forget it, sis, can we have tea later? What? What? Hey, hey, let go!

　Batts exits with the guild guards holding him by his sides. He really doesn't seem to be interested in being an adventurer.

''Then we will call you as soon as we are ready. All of you, please stand by in the waiting room.

　The bespectacled sister at the reception desk calmly handles things as if nothing has happened.
　We would see each other again more than ten years later, but due to the influence of the Demon King, her appearance had changed, and it would be after the big war party that she would remember meeting me at this time.

''Takkun, pay attention to Rick!

　Karuna's tsk.
　In the past, I never looked at Rick intently in this scene.
　But in my memory, the image of Rick and the words he spoke at the time were certainly still there.

'...... You're from the West. You've got quite a bit of magic in you.

　At this time, Rick had already set his eyes on Mr. Linden and observed him. As a candidate for the Demon King's vessel.

''Tad-kun, you'd better be prepared.

　Karuna's voice, which had seemed like she was watching a movie at ease, had changed to a serious one.

''Maybe this past reminiscence, you'll see some things you don't want to see.''
Yeah, but still: ......

　I had a feeling about that, too.
　But I had to know the truth about Rick.

But I'll remember it.

　Even if it meant despair.


　As I headed to the waiting room, I saw one person sitting there with a deep hood on. It was probably the other examiner.
　I couldn't see his face and couldn't tell if he was a man or a woman.
　I bowed my head and bailed, and they bailed back as well.

'Hey, Takumi. What does the introductory exam entail?
It seems like the exam changes every time, but it's in a mock dungeon in the basement here.

　While talking to Sasha, the bitter memories of taking on the challenge a few months ago and retiring in the blink of an eye without being able to do anything came flooding back.

The guild has prepared simple traps, hidden treasure chests, and monsters in the mock dungeon. The requirements for passing a test vary, but if your grades are good, some people will suddenly get a B or A grade.
Well, it sounds like a fun attraction.

　Rick sat in silence, in contrast to a flushed Sasha.

'We're ready. Come this way.

　The door to the waiting room opened and Linden-san appeared.
　My heartbeat quickened with nervousness at my second guild initiation test.

''Ah! Ta-kun!

　Karna tweaks again.
　She also looks at Rick to see if he's been acting suspiciously, but he doesn't seem to have changed in any way.

'What, Karuna. Nothing unusual about Rick: ......
"Cha, no. Tak-kun, that's... ......

　I had never seen Karuna so crisp.

'Tell me. I've decided I'm open to anything.

　But the words that came from Karuna were a very unacceptable fact.

''Your zipper is open all the way up,'' she said.

　I turned away with tears in my eyes at the past blunders I couldn't change.
　I would have preferred to remain unaware of it.

"Come on. Let's go. Sasha, Rick. The introductory exam.

　I wanted to punch myself in the past for now, leaving Chuck fully open and heading into the mock dungeon with a cool look on my face.