... live free!

"In the meantime, the case with them is probably fine, but is there something you'd like to ask them?

"Huh? Are their cases okay now?

"Well, it's common, isn't it?

And he was laughing bitterly. Seems pretty much as Emilia, the guild master, would say. How much trouble do you have? I thought so, but maybe there's nothing I can do about it even if they pay so much attention.

"You're having so much trouble. You said an e-rank party or something. Is it true?

"That's true. Well, I've been doing it for over four years and stopping E rank is what causes all those problems."

I was surprised that the E-Rank Party thing was true, but I was surprised that I had just the strength to be D-ranked if I didn't cause problems.

"Do they have the strength to be D-ranked?

"For once, there is. But I think I can get in the bottom of the D-rank."

"Huh? You were so weak?

That's what I thought when I was at the duel. They didn't think I was strong. And yet you can just be D-ranked.

I can't believe I have the strength of...

"That's because you have more strength than that. Some of them may not have enough experience, but I think they have as much strength as C-rank at least. Maybe if I could use magic or something, I could get a B-rank, too?

And he said that with a smile on his face. Sure, right now, maybe I don't have enough experience, but if I could use magic, could I possibly be B-ranked? Like you have that much strength, I don't think... Should I keep it to myself that magic can be used?... but is the story now about Emilia in her standpoint? That's what I thought and asked.

"Is that Mr. Guildmaster's standout?

"Well, yeah. And you can call me Emilia, okay?

"Bye, Mr. Emilia"

When I called her that, Emilia seemed a little surprised but immediately happy.

"Yes."

"Call me something a little more shattered."

"... may I call you Lena proper?

"Yes."

While we were having that conversation, I figured out that Emilia was talking about standout, but is it unusual for people to use magic?

"I was just wondering, is it unusual for someone who can use magic?

"Not so few people can use magic as rare, but not many. If there was one person at the party, it would be quite advantageous."

I see, I was a little relieved to know it wasn't that uncommon.

"... could you possibly use Lena?

That's what freaked me out a little. I tried to figure out if I should tell you, but before that, I was a little surprised to hear... maybe they noticed me now? That's what I thought, and I saw Mr. Flirty Emilia, but I'm not sure you noticed. But it's Mr. Emilia, and is it okay if I say it?

"... if only for a little while"

"That's amazing. It could be promising in the future."

"That's too much for a boulder. I don't think I'm strong enough to be C-ranked."

"That's about as good as it gets."

And Emilia told me. Now, I'm surprised. Maybe not because they told me there was. I asked her wondering how she could say that.

"Why did you think that?

"Remember the promotion exam?

I remember when it came to the promotion exam. I don't remember who you fought, but the ones who fought like the Onomas right now, right?

"Once."

"That's when Lena was kicking where she cut her thighs and then cut them, right?

I could have done that… I nod thinking so.

"After that, I asked the kid in the infirmary how he was, and he said the bone around the base of his left leg was shattered."

"Huh?"

I did kick as much as I wanted, but I didn't know my bones were broken...

"Well, they deserve it, don't they?

Sure. I shake my head vertically thinking.

"But if that's all you can do, if you're better at fighting, you should be that good at it. Besides, you didn't mean a meeting or anything, did you? The last step was completely different."

Sure, it may be, but I still think it's too much to buy... And that's what I thought.

"So... we were talking about Yua's party, weren't we?

"Speaking of which, I did."

I was asking about their party and we talked about it differently at some point. In the meantime, I decided to ask what I wanted to hear.

"That happened, but Yua, can't you get out of that party?

"I don't know if I can, but they might make a scene."

"... Indeed"

They seemed to treat Yua like a thing and not give her a proper reward. I'm going to rebel by saying that Yua might earn less for it if she's gone... Plus, it seems like you're bullying Yua because she's younger...

"It would be easier if Cyril had decided to kill Yua and stay out of the party..."

That guy... but maybe he's already doing it because he seems to be acting weird?

"Right."

"I'll check back later."

"Please"

"As for the story, that's it, but nothing else you want to hear?

That's what they asked me, but I don't want to hear any more, because I can't think of any more, okay?

"... maybe it's okay"

"Yes, if anything happens to you, help Youre, right?

"Yes."

"Well, I have other work to do around here."

"Yes."

That's how I left the room.

"Go home by Elena's place, will you?

So Emilia left.