Rachel stood in disbelief, still catching her breath.
The crowd of adventurers murmured in surprise.
"She actually won?"
"That armored guy isn't weak. That was real magic control..."
Rachel slowly turned to look at Yami.
For some reason, his approval mattered.
Yami met her gaze and gave a simple nod. "Not bad."
Rachel smiled. That was enough.
Later, after she received her official adventurer's license, she returned to where Yami, Rei, and Lina were waiting.
"So," Lina grinned, "you did it!"
Rachel nodded. "Yeah. It still feels unreal…"
Rei smirked. "Well, believe it. You're an adventurer now."
Rachel hesitated. "So… What now?"
Yami turned toward the exit. "We head for the dungeon."
Rachel's eyes widened. "Wait, already?!"
"Better to get started now," Yami said.
Rei stretched. "Besides, we'll be there to cover you if anything happens."
Rachel swallowed. This was moving fast.
Still… She clenched her fists and nodded. "Alright. I'll do my best."
Meanwhile…
At a table near the back of the guild, Kira sat alone, spinning a cup in her hands.
She had been watching the whole time.
Rachel's test.
Yami's group interacting.
Yami giving approval to another girl.
She didn't know why it bothered her.
"Still feeling out of place?"
A voice snapped her out of her thoughts.
Lucky Luke plopped down across from her, his ever-present grin on his face.
Kira sighed. "What do you want?"
Luke shrugged. "Just checking in. You're part of the group now, aren't you?"
Kira looked down.
"I… don't know," she admitted. "Yami let me join, but I don't feel like I belong."
Luke rested his chin on his hands. "Well, you're still new. Besides—" He leaned in. "You're special, aren't you?"
Kira froze.
"…What do you mean?"
Luke grinned wider. "Oh, nothing. Just a hunch~."
Kira narrowed her eyes. Something about this guy was off.
Before she could question him further, Yami's voice cut through the guild.
"We're leaving."
Kira stood up immediately.
She was still part of this group.
For now.