It's been a while since the A-ranked adventurers began their exams.

　They had walked quite a bit but were far from their destination, and it was already dusk.

　Quena and Sheila were resting in the middle of the forest.

''You, how long do you plan to follow me?

　Quena said to Sheila, who was stirring the pot beside her.

　Sheila puffed out her cheeks at that.

'What. So you don't want to eat?　I'll have it back, what you're eating now!

'Ugh, that's ......'

　Quena involuntarily pulls back a bowl in her hand.

　It was the soup Sheila was cooking. There was also bread on a handkerchief on the ground.

'But we're not at a party, so I don't think we should act together.

'That wasn't in the rules there, so it's fine. Either way, only one of us can get an S-rank.

　You can work together, but at the end of the day, you'll still be fighting for an S grade.

　It's ugly, but that's the essence of this test.

　To what extent can you use it, or will you be used? The emphasis is on the ability to think rather than believe.

'...... One of these days there's going to be collusion among A-ranked adventurers. Like getting other A-ranked adventurers to side with you in a monetary bribe or something.

　Kåñëa blurts out, looking at the current situation.

''That doesn't seem to make any sense in a meritocratic world, does it?

You're rarely so serious.

What do you mean "rarely"?　I've always been serious!

　A moaning can be heard in such an exchange.

　A grand wooden spirit, like a wind rushing through a canyon, echoes throughout the forest.

　Quickly, Kåñëa and Sheila take their swords and are on guard.

　This place is already - demon territory. It's a place where you can never let your guard down.

''Something is there.''

　Sheila's mouth moved, wearing the atmosphere of an evil sword.

　The destination of her gaze is the other side of the large leaves. She detects some kind of presence.

　Sheila steps forward and holds her hand over the leaf.

　She makes eye contact with Kuena for a moment. 'I'm going to open it.'

　I take the leaf at once, amplifying my alertness. Phil is there. He's holding a fruit in his hand. He's chewing on it in his mouth.

'Oh, anhh, I want to dare you! What the hell, boys!

...... You. What are you doing?

　This is as close as you can get.

　It could be guessed that Phil was deliberately hiding and looking at Kåñëa and Sheila.

　I'm sure you'll be able to find out more about this as well.

''I didn't do anything!　There's no reason why I should happen to be around!

What are you talking about, hiding your presence?

Yeah, that's what I'm talking about: ......!

　Phil says, at will.

'Oh, I wanted to apologize!　You guys can go to ......!　I would have beaten you to a pulp for blowing up a fight before. I really wanted to apologize for that: ......!

You said you were sorry.

Yes. She even sent you some letters.

　Quena and Sheila look at Quena and Sheila with a poke in the eye at Phil's current apology.

　But as if that wasn't enough, Phil shakes his head.

'I lose my brakes when it comes to Lady Soria,' he says. Now that I've cooled off, I can see that ......!　I've been doing a hell of a lot of things to you guys: ......!

　With tears in his eyes, he slumped down and put his hands on the ground.

　Then Phil sucked in a breath and continued.

'I'm so sorry ......!

"Yeah, sure.

''I feel like I've seen a hell of a lot of stuff with the Sword Saint on his knees. I don't really care.

Well, it's just so easy to do, isn't it?

It's not something to be ashamed of. It's just that I'm lucky to be fighting the best.

'Yes. I was lucky enough to fight the better man at the time. That time.

That one?　...... gunu

　I feel both apologetic and agitated in some way. I want to say it back, but I'm suppressing the idea that an apology is the priority here.

　However.

Yeah. I'd win in the same situation. Two against one.

　Sheila broke down Phil's sorry feelings.

You're going to be able to get your hands on some of the most important things in the world. It's true that you wear a strange aura like your own body, unlike before, but you think that's more than just that.

"Bizarre"?　I'm good friends with me (evil sword)!''

No, but it's true that they are becoming a bit of an equalizer. You used to have an evil sword and a different personality, but now you don't know which one is which.

I won't be here for Kuena.

'I don't care about your situation. But I can't afford to let you underestimate my power. This power is with Master Soria. I may have fallen behind Yusuf, but I am still a swordsman.

　Battle stance.

　Phil's eyes turn sharp.

'Oh, did we go into a situation where the brakes don't work?

It's not too late to withdraw. I am undeniably stronger than you.

'Wow!　I'm so motivated, you know!'

Wait. What's the point of having a fight in the middle of an exam?

　Kåñëa stops him in the midst of a swordsman's atmosphere.

　The benefits of fighting here are limited. It's more important to focus on the exam.

''It's ...... good. It's more important to get to S-rank first.''

　Phil, who is still calm, settles the contradiction.

　'But,' he added.

'I can't be bothered to back down and procrastinate like this. So let's play the game, shall we?

Competition?

Yeah. First one to pass this test wins. How's that?

It's pretty clear. Well, it's okay. I don't care about the game.

"Wait a minute!　I said we could win two against one!　Me and Kåñëa are participating in this individually, so it's one-on-one after all!'

'Don't make weird theories about being an a**h*le.'

Unreasonable?

It's okay. Or does Sheila feel uneasy on her own?

　Kåñëa says in an agitated tone.

'Why would Kåñëa be agitated!　You're still jealous of my promise to Jade?

No, I'm not jealous. No, I'm not jealous of that. ......

Promise?　What are you talking about?

'If I pass the test, you'll kiss Jide. And I won't lose!　To Kåñëa and to Phil!

　Sheila says proudly in a posture where her arms are crossed and her breasts are coordinated.

'Ki, a kiss?!'

　Phil reacts in excess.

　He leans forward so much that Sheila and his lips meet.

'No, not like that!　I won't allow it!

What. Why can't you do it?　Okay, now, Phil, what are you doing with Jide at ......?

B-b-bag!　I'm ...... that one!　Lady Thoria has a thing for Jade, too!　So no!　The Jide belongs to Lady Soria's ......!

'There were pauses in some places!　You know you really like him, don't you, Phil?　You need to be honest about your feelings!

Why do you need a boost ......? No, no, no, no, no, no, no, I'm definitely not a fan of ......!　First of all, there's no reason to!　That's right. There's no reason to!　It's not like I was indebted to them for saving the Holy Republic or myself, or that I was counted on their clumsy kindness or anything!　You can't just be jealous at first and think the gap is great or something!　I'm sure Lady Soria is thinking of Jide first and foremost: ......!

　Phil excuses himself quickly.

　But it was a full-blown tube of feeling.

'You're just using that as an excuse for Soria!　You can't put someone else first and not be able to honestly express your feelings!'

　Sheila let out a sincere word.

　The Order she had once been a member of. Her father and those who should have been close to her and her father's rotting father. If only she could have stated her opinion well back then.

　It is because of such feelings that Sheila is honestly alive.

''But Soria-sama was the master who made up his mind in my heart. To disobey and disobey is not ......!

'...... Hmm. It's true that I can't do anything to disobey Jide either. Then a compromise is fine!　If only Thoria and Phil would stick with Jade!　A very easy theory!'

'Gu ......!　Oh no, that's ......!

　The conversation between Sheila and Phil gradually heated up.

　In the midst of it all, Kåñëa was left alone. She had clearly expressed her feelings for Jide, but she still couldn't get a good sense of distance between them.