Is it wrong to try to meet someone in a dungeon?

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Unsurprisingly, the most enthusiastic were the members of the Familia belonging to Orario, while ordinary people without affiliation mostly looked bewildered.

At the same time, driven by this atmosphere of being accustomed to commotion, I once again came to know Orario's resilience, or rather, the reason why it is called the 'center of the world'.

(If only this had nothing to do with me... though thinking that way is pointless anyway. What will happen next, whether it's Orario or the 'school district'... or me...)

He was so happy before, but now the title of "Level 1 Adventurer" feels incredibly heavy. Even if he were to be completely objective, the possibility of Bell Crane, as a Level 1 Adventurer, remaining uninvolved in the "Urban Arena Festival" is practically zero. This isn't narcissism; it's an undeniable fact.

When Lord Bader was joking with me just now—whether it was really a joke or not, to be honest, I suddenly remembered that the hunter who captured Winnie and the others had called me a "fence-sitter," which almost made me faint.

If people find out I'm wavering during the 'Urban Sports Festival,' I feel like they'll be disillusioned with me again, and I even feel like I'll get beaten up... like Mr. Modo and his group, and probably while they're beating me up and cursing me.

Professor Leon must have had some considerations, but he never told me the specifics until the very end... Honestly, what will happen in the end?

(What's a little scary is... Teacher Leon never said he wouldn't participate in the 'Urban Sports Festival'... I guess I'm just having these wild thoughts because of Lily and Lord Hermes.)

It's unclear whether this counts as growth or just a distorted personality.

While worrying about whether the backpack containing the school uniform would be exposed, she glanced sideways at the busier street than usual and hunched over as she walked.

Turning off the main southwest road, you'll find yourself in the sixth ward of the city where the "House of Fire" is located.

Just as I was feeling down and walking listlessly,

"well……"

At the other end of the corner, a woman appeared, walking listlessly as well.

Ah—so there are others like me—

But that beautiful blonde hair was breathtakingly gorgeous, far more dazzling than someone like me—

…………etc.

"Miss Ais!?"

"ah"

As if I had been hit by a meteorite falling from the sky, I accidentally let out a strange scream.

The blonde, golden-eyed woman—Miss Ais—stopped and turned around, her eyes slightly widening. Just as I was thinking this, the listless look I'd seen earlier vanished, and in an instant, she dashed up to me at a first-level adventurer's trot!

I couldn't help but blush and lean back.

"Bell".

Hello! Good morning!?

"Hmm, good morning... But, should it be, good afternoon?"

"You're right, good afternoon!"

The incident happened so suddenly that my mind couldn't process it immediately, causing the conversation to go completely off track.

Calm down, calm down!

Lately, everyone's been saying things like my 'expression has changed' or 'I'm like a completely different person,' and that I've also undergone some kind of transformation by my master, so even in front of Miss Ais, I can stay calm...!

Thanks mainly to the latter, I was able to pick up the conversation after forcibly concentrating.

"What, what's going on? Why are you here? Is there something you need to do?"

"Yes. I went to your base..."

"...Eh!?"

However, her answer was enough to make me waver again.

Why is Miss Ais going to our base?!

"My throat is better now, and Lefia is alright too, so I thought I could go see her now..."

I stared intently at Miss Ais, which seemed to cause her to misunderstand something. Her cheeks flushed slightly as she said this.

So cute...! No, no!

Indeed, after the "factional war," Miss Tiona said that Miss Ais's "throat was hoarse and her voice had become very strange."

But... who exactly did she mean when she said "go to meet"?

"Who...who did you go to see?"

"To see you."

"Ni?"

"See Bell."

"Me (Bell)?"

Huh?

"But Lady Hestia said you weren't here and kicked me out... and then I walked around listlessly. But... thank goodness. I've found you."

Miss Ais didn't notice my foolish expression, but smiled faintly.

Like a mountain flower swaying under the blue sky.

My face was already completely red, and I couldn't control myself.

"Hey, Bell."

"...Yes, yes!"

In my dazed state, my gaze was already fixed on those cherry lips, and I quietly awaited the words that were about to fall.

"The existence I long for," he said.

"Training, huh?"

...Ahhh!!

"Could you teach me some more combat techniques?"

It was I who made this request after the Battle of Daedalus, which revolved around the heretics, ended.

After losing to my "formidable rival," I was determined to win the next battle.

Before Miss Ais, I vowed to become stronger.

So Miss Ais really did remember that promise.

"So many things happened in between, that's why it's been delayed until now..."

"Well, there's nothing we can do about it. I heard the Loki Familia had a tough time recently, and I've also had my share of troubles..."

As before, we stood on the northwest side of the massive city wall.

This edge of the city has become our exclusive training ground. After arriving here with Miss Ais, I put my luggage containing the uniform in the corner and said what was not meant to comfort me.

After all, Miss Ais belongs to the Loki Familia, the largest faction in the city, and she's incredibly busy compared to me... Besides, I've had quite a few things happen on my own. The 'Expedition' and the 'Two Great Festivals,' the 'Factional War,' plus the recent 'School District' return to port... In fact, I've been away from my base far more often than not, to the point of feeling guilty.

But now, the joy and excitement in my heart have long surpassed that guilt.

This is a joy, because Miss Ais remembered the promise.

This is exciting, because I'll be able to fight Miss Ais soon.

Since that morning when I set off again, how much have I grown, and how much have I shortened the distance between myself and the person in front of me? Or, how far have I fallen behind this person?

The thought of being able to confirm these things immediately fills me with immense excitement.

"How about a simulated battle, like before?"

"……!no problem!"

"I will use the scabbard, you can use the weapon (dagger)."

No further words are needed.

Miss Ais leaned her drawn sword against the battlement.

I then gripped the "Goddess Blade" for self-defense in my hand behind my back.

I will never say such stupid things as, "The dagger has been sharpened."

This is completely unnecessary for this person. To Fiora, such worry is nothing but an insult.

In the very center of the passage, we all spontaneously struck our poses.

"..."

Their eyes met.

Meanwhile, we were also looking for opportunities to exploit each other's positions or to see if the other was secretly exerting pressure elsewhere.

During our first training session, the sheer presence she exuded, even just by assuming her stance, was enough to send shivers down my spine. But things are different now.

I believe that this alone represents a significant step forward.

But I yearn to go further.

I want to catch up with this person. Not just watch her back, but walk alongside her.

I want to catch up with my dreams.

(...the 'right side' is open.)

That's Miss Ais's left side, but to me it's her right side.

It's true, although it's only a tiny bit, there is definitely a 'flaw'.

(But it still feels like a 'trap'.)

The flaw was so subtle that even a seasoned, high-level adventurer might not be able to detect it.

But since the other party is Miss Ais, she probably won't reveal any such opportunity.

Therefore, this must be a 'test'.

To test whether I can notice this 'flaw' now, and if I do, whether I will take the bait, and how I will attack.

As if confirming my intuition, Miss Ais didn't seem to have any intention of taking the initiative.

His body remained motionless, ready for battle.

She watched me silently, observing my actions. The 'strategic battle' had quietly begun.

She is testing me to see how strong I am now.

(What should I do?)

The first test has probably been passed. What about the second?

Should we feign falling for the bait on the 'right' side while actually attacking the left? Or should we simply launch a frontal assault?

Should they stay close to the ground and attack from below with a forward-leaning stance, or should they go all in and launch a surprise attack from above?

Or perhaps we should just go all out and unleash magic directly?

But—I always feel like all of this has been seen through.

……

…………

………………good.

Decided.

(On the 'right side'.)

It bites the bait with all its might.

Miss Ais believes I have passed the first test, so let's use that trust in return.

This is the 'tactic' that the current first-level adventurer (Bell Crane) has racked his brains to devise.

This is a simple and honest move, yet it transforms speed into a sharp blade to deliver a devastating final blow to the opponent.

It took four seconds to make the distance judgment, which is now complete.