Chapter 109
The burden that had been smoldering in his heart seemed to be washed away by the refreshing autumn breeze. Tenji, who was finally beginning to realize that he had defeated the monster, turned his gaze from the blue sky to the four people who had evacuated to a safe distance.
Pyne, Chaewon, Mina, and George had fled to a safe zone, which was within the range where the teachers who were monitoring the exam could intervene, while Tenji was buying some time.
Slowly walking toward the three sitting on the ground in a sorry state, Tenji felt their eyes on him change 180 degrees from seeing him as a mediocre swordsman to a superior explorer.
Feeling a bit embarrassed, Tenji slowly approached them, putting away his weapons and Goblins.
That's when it happened.
All four students were wearing the goggles that had been given to them at the beginning of the exam. They were carrying them on their belts or wrapped around their arms, and suddenly they all started beeping.
"'Time's up'. That concludes the first part of the Practical Exam for class 1-A. Well done, everyone. I'll repeat it once more. 'Time's up'."
The announcement that had explained the exam at the beginning, made by Illonka, echoed through the area. The four of them almost simultaneously shook their bodies, letting go of their tension all at once.
[Ah, what are we going to do now?]
Tenji also relaxed his shoulders in relief, but he couldn't help but think about how to deal with the fact that he had broken his promise with Chigo and Leon and Kaido. What he had done could not be undone.
What they promised was to "keep the fact that he was awakened to special grade calling, and even the existence of Tenji Amagi, hidden until he mastered the skills and abilities equivalent to a professional first-grade explorer."
"Well, let's hope things will get better. And also, President Limey..."
At that moment, a small, wrinkled old lady's hand was placed on his shoulder. There was no feeling or sound of her approach. Surprised, Tenji reflexively turned around to face her.
"Good job, Tenji. That was an impressive fight."
"...President Limey."
As expected of Ursula Limey, one of the top four known as the "Witches of Light." Everything about her was exceptional, and Tenji couldn't sense her approach at all.
"It seems your injuries are shallow. But let me heal them personally. 'Oreor Recovery'."
With a wooden rosewood-colored wand about 15 centimeters long, President Limey drew glowing letters in the air. After finishing the letters, she gently enclosed them with the wand, and a divine, warm light, like that of a mother, began to shine down from above onto Tenji, Pyne, Chaewon, Mina, and George.
"Wow!"
"This is amazing... My injuries are healed in an instant!"
"So, this is the ability of a Zero-grade Explorer..."
"Is this for real? The Light Witch was supposed to be a firepower-based magician, but this is just..."
The warm light quickly healed the students' wounds and regenerated new skin and muscle. Ursula Limey, the Light Witch, was known as the world's top attack magician. Her textbooks from various countries attest to that. But now, she demonstrated her recovery ability to the point that even healers were amazed. This fact was swirling the students into a vortex of amazement.
"You're all okay now. Good job, everyone. Just wait here quietly until Irohika comes to get you."
President Limey swiftly appeared, but soon turned around and left the scene.
Then, as if remembering, she turned her body towards the students.
"Oh, I'd forgotten about that... I knew my memory would deteriorate when I became an old lady. It's not inconvenient."
She walked up to the five students at a brisk pace and slowly opened her mouth.
"Mohammed Pyne, Song Chaewon, Yu Mina and George McToine."
""Yess""
Suddenly, President Limey looked so cool-headed and light headed that she could be mistaken for angry, and the four of them involuntarily straightened their posture and replied agilely.
"Regarding him, I prohibit any disclosure about Amashiro Tenji. Those who can't keep their promise... well, I will personally punish them."
The four of them gulped down their spit in unison at the word "punishment", which was ruthlessly pronounced.
Then they immediately shook their heads repeatedly in affirmation.
"Well then. I must get back to work."
And so, once again, President Limey quietly left the place.
The remaining students were stunned, but their gazes naturally turned to Tenji.
"I'm going back," George said bluntly, leaving the scene and returning to the starting point of the exam.
Although he was still an awkward person, Tenji and his friends felt a sense of relief as the oppressive atmosphere surrounding George disappeared.
"Hey, Tenji," Chaewon said slowly, realizing that this might be her only chance to ask him something. But Tenji shook his head without saying anything.
"I'm sorry, I can't say anything right now. I promised my mentors. I'll talk to you when the time comes." Limey nodded in agreement,
"Yes, that's how it is. I am hiding my strange abilities and true calling behind the facade of being a swordsman. Until I reach a certain level of proficiency, I will have to keep it a secret." Tenji repeated, "I can't say anything."
As Chaewon pushes forward towards Tenji, Tenji tries to show that he cannot say anything by covering his mouth with both hands. However, Chaewon's pursuit does not stop. Her thirst for knowledge is a fundamental desire. She prioritizes her thirst for knowledge over hunger, sex, and everything else.
"How long did it take for your divine calling to manifest? What's your rank? What are your thoughts on fighting Black Keroberos? What about her? What about your father and mother? Have you already decided on a guild?"
[Is it because of her curiosity, or is it because she simply cannot stop thinking about it?]
As Chaewon approaches him, she grabs Tenji's shoulders with both hands. It happened then. Tenji's foot was caught on a rock, and he fell backward. Chaewon, who was about to lean on Tenji, fell forward with him as well. The result was an image that looked like Chaewon was pushing Tenji down.
"Ah!"
"Hmm, Chaewon is naughty," Pyne exclaimed with surprise, while Mina teased her.
Chaewon and Tenji's ears turned red, then their faces followed. They were looking at each other's eyes at an extremely close distance. They had never experienced anything like it before, so their hearts were racing, making their faces even redder.
Then, Chaewon's face, which was already red, reached its limit. She quickly stood up and turned her face away from Tenji.
Tenji, also with a red face, looked down at the small grass on the ground due to embarrassment.
"I'm sorry, Tenji."
"Y-Yeah... Well, what just happened was unavoidable...it was an accident!"
"Y-Yes! It was an unexpected accident!"
From that day on, Chaewon and Tenji's relationship became awkward.
