An ordinary profession creates the world's strongest

Hajime said with a smile.

Seeing the lover's smile that he should be used to seeing, Yue could hear his own heartbeat.

There seemed to be something different about Hajime's smile.

That smile was gentle and warm, making Hajime seem even larger and more unfathomable than before, just like this huge tree...

"moon?"

“…Uh, yeah.”

Hearing Hajime's call, Yue responded like an innocent girl. She took a deep breath to calm herself. Then, she smiled as usual, or perhaps even more dazzlingly than usual, and answered.

The two stared at each other.

Then, Shia, who also took a breath like Yue, stared at Hajime, and then came to her senses and began to emphasize her presence.

"Ahem, Hajime-san, Miss Yue-san, did you hear that? It seems a shortcut down has appeared. It's almost time for you two to return to your world of two."

Hearing Shiara's high-pitched voice, Hajime and Yue turned around and saw a magic circle appear in a corner of the garden. Just as Shiara had predicted, this was the shortcut back to the surface.

Seeing Shia's cheeks flushed for some reason, and Kaori and Tio staring at him blankly for some reason, Hajime tilted his head in confusion while checking the magic circle.

Then, Guanghui spoke to Hajime.

“I, Nagumo, what I just said… if I could use that concept magic…”

"Yes, we can probably get back. At least this compass will tell us the direction to move."

"Is that so..."

Guanghui showed an expression as if he saw hope, and he also bit his lip tightly.

Ryuutarou, Ling, and Shizuku also looked happy, but like Kouki, they seemed to have something they wanted to say or confirm, but they held back.

Perhaps it was because they knew that the means of return were not yet fully acquired, and that the person most likely to obtain all the magic of the Age of Gods was only Hajime, so they were embarrassed to speak up.

“Um, um, when Nagumo-san came back…um…”

Ling hesitated, as if she had something to ask Hajime.

Without her having to say anything, Hajime knew what she wanted to say.

Ling's hesitation wasn't just due to embarrassment, but also because she was worried about Hajime's indifference to his classmates. She was worried that once Hajime got the means to return, he and the others would go back on their own.

Ling is usually the outspoken, messy, and cheerful person, but at this moment, she became polite. Is this Ling's strength or weakness?

However, she was a thousand times better than those people who had no basis for believing that Hajime would naturally let them go back with him.

At least, Hajime didn't dislike that kind of politeness.

"Don't worry, as long as there are no restrictions on the number of people or any negative impact, I will take you all back."

“I-I see. Hehe, thank you, Nagumo-san.”

"Don't mention it. You're asking me such a question without any confidence. Does that mean... you didn't pass the test?"

“““Wu!?”””

Guanghui, Ryutaro, Ling and the others put their hands on their chests and lowered their heads.

As long as there is sublimation magic, all ability levels will be raised by at least one level.

Of course, since Sublimation Magic is magic from the Age of Gods, it requires a vast amount of magical energy to elevate abilities. For example, it's like a limit-breaking attack with no side effects, so there's probably a time limit, but...

Even so, conquering the surface of the normal-level [Orcus Great Labyrinth] should be easy.

By clearing the really large maze on the lower level, you should be able to advance to a fairly deep level.

However, they seemed so lacking in confidence, which meant that they had not obtained the sublimation magic.

Although Guanghui and the others were dejected, there was one person who seemed both worried and embarrassed, and was at a loss as to what to do to help Guanghui and the others...

"Yaegashi...it seems like you've been deemed to have passed the test."

"!...Uh~...Yeah, I think I can use it."

"Really? Shizuku!"

"Really?! Well done!"

"As expected of you, Shizuku-kun! You're Ling's wife!"

Indeed, considering that Shizuku achieved breakthroughs through the trials of happiness, the dream of an ideal world, and the emotional twists, all with her own strength, that's enough to be considered a passing grade. Even if her combat abilities are lacking, her mental strength is worthy of the Age of Gods magic.

Ling was simply delighted by this fact. "Damn it, I want it too!" Ryuutarou, while happy, also frankly expressed his reluctance. While Kouki praised Shizuku with a smile, there was a hint of gloom in his expression.

Shizuku looked towards Guanghui repeatedly with worry.

"Anyway, let's go back to Feyalbergen and get some rest. The cockroach army left me with some minor psychological trauma, my spirit was deeply wounded, and there are still some lingering effects from my Limit Break... I want Yue's healing."

“…Hehe, leave it to me.”

"Speaking of healing, Hajime-san, I happen to have some rabbit ears you can pet."

"When you talk about healing, of course it's me, Hajime-kun! That's my calling! I'm a healing expert! I'm willing to do anything! I'm willing to do anything! It's so important, I have to say it twice!"

"Well, Master, you must be tired. Okay, I'll use this as a chair so you can have a good rest. Even if my back hurts, I can endure it for you."

Shia and the others continued their offensive as usual, but Hajime's expression suddenly changed. His deep eyes, as if confirming something, scanned Shia, Kaori, Tio, and Yue.

Afterwards, Hajime looked up at the sky, as if to reassure himself.

Shia and the others opened their eyes wide in surprise at Hajime's sudden move.

Hajime turned his gaze back to Shia and the others, and a slightly troubled smile appeared on his face.

"……ah."

Kaori couldn't help but utter a sound. She opened her eyes wide, as if suddenly remembering something she had almost forgotten. Then, her expression, almost tearful, seemed to be reminiscing about a beautiful memory from the past.

Yue, Shia, and Tio were already accustomed to Hajime's arrogant, rude, and vicious smile, and they couldn't help but gasp, just like when Hajime smiled just now.

Sure enough, in this short period of time, Hajime seemed to have changed a little.

How to describe it?

Yue and the others couldn't find the right words to describe it, but if they really had to, they would say it was an expression that was both strong and gentle.

It was as if the image of Hajime before being summoned and the image of Hajime after experiencing the hellish pain of the abyss coexisted within him. It was as if sternness and tolerance coexisted within him, an expression that was both mysterious and captivating.

Seeing Yue and the others frozen in place, Hajime smiled slightly.

"What's wrong? Okay, we're going back now. Aren't you going to heal me?"

After saying that, Hajime turned his back to them.

Kaori rubbed her eyes. Shizuku understood her feelings and stood beside her with a smile on her face. They saw the nostalgia for "him" in each other's eyes and smiled happily at each other.

“…Yeah, I understand now.”

"moon……"

Yue placed her hand closer to Kaori's arm, her smile soft.

Yue's words were very concise, but Shia and Tio understood what Yue understood.

Yes, she understood why Kaori fell in love with Hajime in Japan.

Yue and the others only knew Hajime after the change, while Kaori knew Hajime before the change.

In the hearts of those who love Shi, the two Shi now overlap, and seem to produce a strong resonance.

After a closer look, he saw that Hajime had already activated the transfer array. He turned around with doubt in his mind, thinking: What are they doing?

Yue and the others smiled at each other again, then ran towards Hajime as if they were going to throw themselves into his arms.

Ling and the others followed behind with joy on their faces, as they saw the hope of returning home.

Although one of the boys was clearly forcing a smile...

Regardless, the conquest of Hartrina Forest, one of the seven great labyrinths, came to an end with a clear hope in hand.

Volume 8, Chapter 4: A Gradually Changing Heart

The capital, Fjallbergen, is now filled with the tranquility that is unique to morning.

In the tranquility like calm water, the singing of birds gradually becomes louder like ripples, accompanied by the rustling of leaves, like gentle forest music.

However, even in the quiet [Feyerbergen], on the outskirts of the city - in the remote places deep in the forest, there were sharp shouts in the opposite direction.

“Hurry! Whoosh! Shout!”

Accompanied by short and sharp exhalations, there was a whooshing sound of breaking wind.

At the same time, a black line streaked through the air like a puff of mist. It was the path of the black blade, flowing as naturally as water flowing downwards, with impeccable fluidity.

The warriors' movements are also extremely refined. Against the backdrop of their distinct, fluttering black hair, they look like a Kagura dance dedicated to the gods, even giving people a sense of mystery.

The black knife and black hair drew circles, dancing in the forest of falling leaves.

As soon as the leaves entered the sword world she created, they were shattered and scattered, mixed with flying beads of sweat.

How many hours did she keep dancing?

There were circles drawn by the movement of her footsteps, and countless broken leaves scattered on the ground.

With an extremely firm and graceful posture, she kept her mind clear of distractions and swung the black knife continuously.

"——!"

However, just as people thought Shizuku's dance would continue forever, her steps suddenly became disordered.

The sword's trajectory deviated, and it missed the leaves that were supposed to be cut.

Like a leaf spinning in circles before falling to the ground, Shizuku was tossed about by the centrifugal force of the circular motion, spinning and losing her balance.

Shizuku barely managed to avoid falling down in disgrace, but she still stomped a few steps, then used the black sword's scabbard to support herself. As a swordsman, Shizuku couldn't help but grimace at her own disgrace.

“Fufu…Ahh, really!”

Shizuku shook her head irritably, her trademark black ponytail swaying violently from side to side, as if reflecting her mood.

"My heart is like still water, my heart is like still water, Shizuku."

Shizuku said this deliberately, took a deep breath, and imagined a quiet spring in her mind.

She had been practicing to calm her mind and maintain a calm state since she first started learning swordsmanship in Japan. Through this habitual practice, Shizuku's excitement was quickly calmed down.

Just when I thought everything was calm again, a young man appeared on the surface of my heart lake...

“Wa ...

In an instant, Shizuku let out a heroic cry that was unlike that of a girl, as if she wanted to strike the surface of the lake in her heart. She raised the black knife high and slashed from top to bottom.

(If I say it’s not, then it’s not!! Absolutely not! It’s not!!)

The calm surface of the water has disappeared, and instead it has become like a sea hit by a typhoon, with turbulent waves.

(Besides, I don’t even know what something is! I’m very calm!)

No matter how you look at it, she's not calm, and the screams in her heart are fragmented.

Shizuku had actually been training since before dawn. She'd been concentrating since the moment she started, but her focus quickly faded, and her swordplay became chaotic. When she reluctantly started over, her mind wandered again, and she lost track of her footing. She kept repeating the same cycle.

Rather than having "some distracting thoughts" hindering her exercise, it would be more accurate to say that she was trying to drive away "some distracting thoughts" through exercise.

Why would Shizuku do something like this at a time that could still be considered night?

After returning from the Great Labyrinth of Hartrina yesterday, Hajime and his group went to bed early to relieve their fatigue.

Of course, Shizuku quickly went to bed after eating and bathing, but...

For some reason, she couldn't sleep at all. Shizuku felt depressed, tossing and turning in bed for hours. Finally, she decided it was pointless to stay in bed, so despite the late hour, she rushed out, black knife in hand.

What was the reason that made Shizuku depressed all night?

The reason is the same as the distracting thoughts that just prevented my mind from being as calm as water, a young man that surfaces on the surface of my heart from time to time.

“Hah! Hah!～～!!”

Shizuku's shouting became even more intense.

Even if I told myself not to think about it anymore, no, the more I told myself not to think about it, the more I thought about what happened in the big maze, or the dream world I fell into after activating the transfer array that moved the floors.

For those trapped in dreams, it was a sweet world, but Shizuku had an "awkward" dream that still makes her blush when she thinks about it now.

She never expected that to be her ideal world... Shizuku would never admit it, nor would she tell anyone else.