Place a wooden cup on the table.

　Unlike the normal ones, it doesn't make an unpleasant high-pitched sound.

　I wonder if it is an elf-specific cup.

　.............

　.......

　There was a silence that flowed through the air that made me think about such unimportant things.

　Soria turned her face down and pressed silent.

　Phil looks at Soria like that and has his head in his hands.

　Yui has a blank expression, as if she doesn't care.

''Ah, what a nice day it is.

　I'll just say it anyway.

　Is that all you can say?　Phil sends me a message with his eyes.

　I know I'm not very good at talking. I'm not a good conversationalist.

　But at least you can say one word in this atmosphere.

"It's a beautiful day.

　Yui says.

　I look around at the unexpected helper.

　Yui looked at me too.

'Just the two of us, alone with me, elf sightseeing,'

I won't let you!

　Phil stands up at Yui's fast-paced suggestion, tapping the table.

'Lady Soria!　Now that I've had a chance to talk to Jade, come on, don't be shy!

　Phil says, trying not to get ahead of Yui.

　But the important thing is that Soria doesn't respond with a bright red face.

　...... It's no good, this.

　I'm not going to be able to get it right.

　No, it's good for the party as long as they can complete the request ......?　It's a work-only relationship, but that's how it works.

　But.

　But I still have to tell you something.

　I look straight at Soria.

'Thank you, Soria.'

What?

　Suddenly, his eyes widened in surprise when I called him to me.

　Still, it seemed to be the first time he finally met my eyes firmly.

'First of all, yes. Thank you for coming to heal Kamiki, even though I had to run some errands.

Oh, no, no, no. It's a request. And if Mr. Jeed called you, I'm ......!

And thank you ---- for recommending me to the guild.

--I always wanted to say this.

　It's just that for a lot of reasons, I didn't get a chance to say it, but I owe Soria my life. And I'm sure that was her life, too.

　If I had stayed in the Order of Kuzela like that, I would have been broken. That's something I've really felt since I came to the Guild.

''And I only did what I deserved!　Because Mr. Zied is the kind of person that more people will know about!

　Suddenly, Soria makes an impassioned speech.

　I immediately huffed and looked away.

''You're in good shape, Soria-sama!　Let's keep it up!

'Ugh, ugh. ......!　I'm still not used to it, after all: ......!

　Phil is next to me and he's complimenting me so much.

　Are you in good shape ......?

　The tension was not like the usual Soria, though.

　No, well, it's better than not talking more than Yui in a bad way.

　It seems like they've managed to break the ice somewhat, so I'll bring up the topic.

''Speaking of which, isn't it time for the S-ranked exam?　Of all of us, Phil's still an A.

'I wouldn't have a problem with it. I'd definitely be promoted first.

'Phil, don't be proud. These people who take the exam, just like you, are fierce A-listers.

''Hmm. But there are a lot of A-ranks in the party unit. There's no way I could lose to those miscellaneous people.

　There are two types of ranks: individual and party.

　Whether the test was taken individually or in a party determines the individual's rank. Most of the higher ranks are from a party.

　That is, you can take the exam as one person or in a group.

　For example, if a group of individuals with a C rank are promoted to an A rank as a party unit, they can only accept requests for a C rank as an individual, but the party can accept requests for an A rank.

　If you want to promote as an individual, you will need to take it again as a single person.

　However, only one person can take the S-rank test each year. Or a pair.

　There are probably a lot of them taking the S-ranked exam this time around in a party, too. The more numbers there are, the more advantageous it is for party testers, but there are still 'individuals' who are overwhelmed. Like Phil.

　That's why, for Phil, such people are not the enemy.

''By the way, the two members of my personal party are also going to take this S-rank test.

　It was Kåñëa and Sheila who came to mind.

　Phil also seemed to have an idea.

'Oh ...... right. So the girls get it too?

　He has a somewhat bitter look on his face.

　Come to think of it, I'm sure you've been streetwise through Kåñëa and Sheila.

'Don't tell me you're not sorry yet?

I sent you a letter. But we haven't seen each other yet. I just couldn't find the time to do it. ......

Then you should apologize for the test.

Yeah, I know.

　Phil nodded, feeling somewhat awkward.

'Gigi, Gigi, speaking of the party you're at with Jide, you're Sheila and Kåñëa, right?

　Soria asked me, smothering me as if the magic item transferring my voice had broken.

'Yeah. You know?

'Sufi told me about it. ......!　She's going to register as an adventurer because of it: ......!

　I see. It's an unexpected contact, but if you think about it, they are indeed connected.

　Soria, who transferred from the Astaire religion to the True Astaire religion. Sufi, the leader of the True Astaire Faith. Kuena and Sheila from the same party as Sufi.

　...... The world is a small place.

I haven't heard your name in a while. How's Sufi doing?

Yes. We've been talking often about what you wanted to give Mr. Jade.

Oh, ...... the one in the example.

　It's probably about the sword.

　I told you before that you couldn't use it, but he still wants me to keep it.

　Well, as long as I take it, I'm good to go.

Just tell him I'll take it when I see him again.

Ha, ha!

　She still behaves slightly suspiciously, but she's finally starting to be able to have a normal conversation.

　Soria should be getting used to me by now. Let's make a topic of conversation.

''Come to think of it, what is the S-ranked exam?''

What, you don't know?

　Huffing and puffing, Phil says in a somewhat silly tone as he hangs his cheeks up.

'It was a skip, you know. 'Does Phil know?'

I don't know. I've never taken it either!

　Phil says, emphasizing his chest as he crosses his arms.

'Why are you being a bit proud of yourself? You used to ask me, 'Don't you know?' You could ask. ...... Does Soria know anything about that?

'Yes, no, I was also promoted without an exam, so I'm sorry I can't help you ......!　I'm going to do my best to gather information now, so go to ......!

Yeah, it's not that important. Don't get up. You're scaring me. I'm scared to death of your passion.

　For all I know, Soria seems to have an overdone me faith: .......

　But if you don't know either of them, that leaves you with Yui. This guy is the youngest person to have ever reached the S rank, so he's definitely taken the test.

　I don't want to talk to him because it's going to be too much trouble, but ......

Yui, you know what I'm talking about, don't you?

Hmm. The tests are always different.

　Yui says as she eats her coronet.

　'Then,' asks Phil.

'What happened to you?'

"The fastest way to complete a request for an S-ranked class.

　Well, it's reasonable.

　You can choose to defeat the top demons at random.

　And if you can defeat them, you can be judged to be brilliantly suited to the task. And if it's the fastest, it can simply be the first to do the job.

''By the way, what kind of request was it?''

　At my question, Yui put a hand to her chin as if to remind her.

　That's right. It was several years ago that this guy became an S-rank. It must already be a corner of my memory.

''Defeating a high-ranking dragon.''

That's what I'm talking about.

　I don't think there's any request like the F-ranked dope snatchers I sometimes get until I'm S-ranked.

''Huh, well, that's okay. I'm not going to lose, I promise. As a knight of Thoria-sama.

　No matter what kind of test comes, I won't lose.

　I could see that kind of intent in his eyes.

''Yes, I believe in it too,''

　Soria responds to that.

　Soria suddenly nods her head.

''Speaking of which, did Phil have any problems with Kåñëa-san and Sheila-san?

Ugh ......!

　Oh, could it be that Phil hadn't been told that he'd gone to get involved?

　Phil panicked.

'Yeah, it's that ......!

'You picked a fight with Kåñëa and Sheila one way or the other, didn't you?

　I said with a smile on my face and a loose cheek.

　This is a bit of a punishment.

　A teary-eyed Phil looked at me resentfully.

　But on the other hand, Soria's face was a mixture of surprise and anger.

''What do you mean by that ......!

''S-so, that's ahhhhh~......!

　As a knight of Soria-sama, what Phil said, but that action would be too much to see.

　Phil knows that and that's why he has an interesting reaction to it.