Serina Volume 1, Chapter 20

Chapter 20 - Interlude Part 5: B-Rank Examination

　I had done it with someone other than Alec. ......

　After it was over, I regretted it, but it was too late. Ai was in a good mood and didn't seem to mind, and said with a smile, "Let's do it again!".

　This is cheating, right? It's definitely not good.

"Se-ri-na, Fufu."

"Hey, get away from me."

　Ai is messing with my hair, so I push her away.

"What's with you, Serina, you're so cold, even though you were feeling it so much."

"This has nothing to do with that!"

　I adjusted my clothes angrily.

"Whaat, are you mad at me?"

"I'm not mad, but, yeah, I am."

"Which is it?"

"Don't get tangled in the field or dungeon. What if a monster attacks us?"

　I think this is a dangerous place, too, but I was careless.

"Ah, you want to do it on the bed? You should have said that earlier!"

"Because it's not. Anyway, I'm going back to town. I think Isabelle is waiting."

"I'm not really into that girl."

　I don't care about that. We head into town.

　I visited the Adventurer's Guild, the building with the shoes and wings sign, and found Isabelle waiting for us there.

"Isabelle, about the client, Ten-Vyal: ......"

　I asked her about it first. He's a key witness in this mermaid case, I guess you could say.

"You're late, both of you. Yeah, it's all been taken care of. Since he made a false request to the Adventurer's Guild, I made sure you got your success reward and made the Guild pay a fine. I hope this is the least I can do for the mermaid."

"That's right"

　There are some things that money can't solve. But unfortunately, there's nothing we can do about it now.

"And, yes, this is your reward."

　I received a silver coin from Isabelle. It's a reasonably high reward, but it's not worth the work since we were in quite a bit of danger. Nevertheless, I might have done a good thing as a hero.

"How about you, Serina-chan? You've been very active lately, and your level has probably improved. Wouldn't you like to take a promotion test around here?"

　The uncle of the guild staff said something like that.

"Adventurer rank. ...... Yeah, I'll give it a try."

"Well then, just as well, since the examiner is here too, let's do the C-rank exam. I'm sure you can handle it."

"Wait a minute, you mean I'm the examiner, don't you?"

"Hmm? Yes, that's right."

　What, Isabelle is going to be the examiner? Did she get the examiner's quest?

"That's a little ...... We just formed a party."

"Well, if it's a party that's been together for years, you have to worry about cheating, but it's impromptu, right? Then there's nothing to worry about. Anyway, here's the deal. You'll be doing the examiner."

"That's not very nice."

　Isabelle seemed unhappy, but I knew she wouldn't cheat, so it would be okay.

　A staff member led me out to the back of the guild. There was a square surrounded by a fence, with a scarecrow at the end with an arrow stuck in it.

"Serina~! Do your best~!"

　Ai cheered me on from the edge. Isabelle and I faced each other in the center of the room, pulled out swords and ready.

"Well then, we will now be giving you the guild's adventurer rank test. I won't cut any corners, so prepare yourself, Serina."

"Yeah, that's what I want!"

"All right, now, just don't hurt yourself too badly. Begin!"

　The staff member gives the signal, and I run into Isabelle and smash my sword into her.

"That was naive of you!"

　Isabelle lightly parries my attack with her slender longsword and immediately turns to attack.

"Kkuhh!"

　It's heavy. In addition, Isabelle attacked in rapid succession with fluid movements.

　Up right, up left, right right, left.

　The clashing metal sparks, and Isabelle's blonde hair dances.

　She moves her body quickly from side to side, and I'm too busy trying to prevent it from striking back.

"Now, what's the matter, Serina? I can't give you a C rank if you don't show me your attack!"

"Yes, I'm sure you will!"

　Since I was getting nowhere, I decided to take a skill to increase my power. I don't have time to look at the window, so I try by reminding myself.

【Evasion Level 3】 Level up!

【Swordsmanship Level 3】 Level up!

　Good. This is it――

"Murhh?"

　It seems that Isabelle has noticed that my movements have changed. But she may not have grasped how much it has increased.

　So, here I see a chance to win.

　I don't want to take her attack with my sword, but I want to dodge it just in time. If I don't, I won't have a clue how to fight back. If I make a mistake, I will be cut down, but there are potions in this world, so I can push myself a little.

"Here!"

"Wha!"

　Isabelle is surprised by my counterattack. But the sword only grazed her cheek, and was avoided.

　It's no good. ...... So much for that.

"I give up. I'm no match for you. ...... Isabelle?"

　She's already stopped attacking me, but she's still looking at her hands and shaking. What's wrong with her?

"I-I've been scarred in the face... ......!"

　Ah, it was a bit of a stopgap, but I hope you can tolerate it, because that was where my ability was superior.

"I have a potion."

"Such a thing! I also have one too! Let's continue!"

"What?"

"Do you think this Isabelle von Archibald will just back down after being slammed by a commoner, novice adventurer?"

　Aahh~, I have a feeling it's going to get troublesome. ......

"O-oi, Isabelle. This is an adventurer's guild, there're not a nobleman's or commoner's here."

"I don't give a damn about them!"

"Kyaaa!"

　Isabelle slashes at me, and I rush to defend myself. She seems to have gotten serious, and the sharpness of her attack is different. What skill――!

"Uh-oh! If that's the case, I'll help you out Serina."

"Ai! You have nothing to do with this!"

"It does. I don't want my lovely girlfriend to get hurt, you know"

"What do you mean, I don't understand what you mean!?"

"I'm not going to become your girlfriend, though"

"It's okay. It's okay."

　Ai joined in, and she and Isabelle went at it. As expected, when it was two against one, we had the upper hand.

"There, there, Isabelle, there are so many gaps!"

"As I already said, you have nothing to do with it."

"Here, now! Serina."

"Ehh?"

"Shouldn't we finish it soon? You'll get hurt."

　Ai winked at me, but so be it.

"I get it. Eii~!"

　I got it. I put the tip of the cut against Isabel's neck, and of course, stopped short.

"Wha.....Even though it's two against one, this me......!"

"Fuu, that's it! Well, then, Serina has passed with a C-rank. That's good."

　The guild official said, relieved.

"No! It's not a C, it's a B. If it's not a B, I won't accept it."

"No, no, no, I think B is still a bit early for me. ......"

"I'm a B, and you defeated me, so it has to be a B!"

"All right, all right, then, only Serina is B. That's fine, right?"

　The guild staff seemed to have become troublesome, well, it would be better to follow Isabelle's lead here. She's a noblewoman.

"All right, here's your card. Congratulations, Serina. As of today, you're B-rank adventure."

"Yes, thank you."

　I got the rewritten card and was smilingly satisfied when I saw my rank.

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