On the day of the exam I went to the designated meeting place. For some reason, Sword accompanied me as well. He argued that he has to supervise me since Ill start some kind of trouble otherwise.

As we waited, four other parties showed up, and immediately got startled.

How did you come all the way here?

I walked, obviously. No, I suppose itd be more accurate to say I ran.

When I answered while looking at Sword, he was yawning, completely disregarding the other adventurers.

Hey, are you okay? Recently youve been drinking every day, havent you? You should also drink some water for a change.

Itll be fine since Ive taken the antidote.

Alcohol counts as poison for you then!?

Looking my way, Sword grinned broadly, As expected, even you cant compound medicine, huh?

My parentthe other onehas been a doctor, so its not like I cant as Ive learned it from watching.

Swords mouth gaped in surprise.

But, unfortunately the medicinal plants around here are way too different. Ive found several I know Still, its something I cant handle as long as I dont hear about which effects what plants have by becoming the apprentice of a doctor. Or rather, in this world you can heal everything by just taking a healing potion, and you can detoxify yourself by taking an antidote, cant you? Based on my knowledge, medicine doesnt actually work that way. In the first place, medicine has the task of boosting ones own healing powers

Yeah, yeah. Least youve realized that youve got some limits in what you can do. He roughly stroked my head around.

Feeling gazes on me, I spotted two parties glaring at me.

One was the party of the scarlet-haired girl who picked a fight with me a few days ago. It looks like her adventurer license hasnt been revoked.

I wonder, whats the difference between her and the guy who had his license revoked after picking a fight with me?

The other party consisted of men. Id say they are kinda similar to Sword. They started to bicker all of a sudden.

Shit! So its gonna be a rigged exam, eh!? That little bitch sure takes it easy, seein how shes set to pass anyway thanks to her connections.

Does it look like that to you?

When I looked up to Sword, I was surprised to see him pull a cold face Ive never seen on him before.

Rigged exam, eh? I spose it makes sense for folk who dont get why your my partner. Well, you just need to show em that your good enough to get through the dungeon without havin to rely on my connections anyway, right? Though I hope that their spirit doesnt break from the difference in ability afterwards.

?

In other words, youre telling me that itd be better for me to not go with my self-imposed restrictions?

Clear the dungeon the fastest with Ryoku.

I got it! So basically a clearing with the restriction of not stopping at all!

Kind of like a sidescroller game, I guess.

Suddenly the scarlet-haired girl planted herself in front of me.

Its nice to see that they didnt take your license away.

Obviously they wouldnt!? I only came to the rescue!

Eh? Our conversation isnt meshing again?

Placing a finger on my temple, I brood deeply.

So you interpreted the Ill wallop you a good one as came to the rescue? I was forced to master how to put adults to shame as a child at a very young age, butis there a different way to interpret that when youre a commoner? I asked Sword.

Nah. Aint no way that Im gonna finish you off passes as comin to the rescue or anythin like that.

Figures.

S-Shut up! Listen, okay!? We definitely wont lose to someone like you! Mark my words! Ill laugh at you after beating you!

Watching this scene, Sword casually commented, Thats impossible for you.

!!

The girl became bright red.

Now, now, it might be impossible, but arent you slightly mean to her when youre so blunt about it? Its the statement of a determined girl at an age where shed want to push herself to the limits. Just be tolerant and listen to her in silence.

As I consoled and soothed Sword, the girl scowled at me with tears in her eyes.

Why?

Once again your natural agitation skills rearin its head. Haah Oh well, whatever. Still, I gotta say, sometimes your more of an old man than me, you know?

Id like you to at least change that part into an old woman.

Why make a guy out of me?

Sword shrugged his shoulders.

Next, the other girls from her party arrived.

Do you remember having heard the party name Crimson Lilies Are a Girls Oath? A girl that screamed swordswoman asked while glaring at us. 1

Parties have names? I hear about this for the first time.

Feeling astounded, I looked up to Sword, asking for an explanation, Hey, weve made a party, havent we? You didnt stick such apathetic name to our party, did you?

What was that!?

Sword caressed me with a sigh.

Dont worry, I havent named our party. Rather, I dont quite get why you girls would cry here. Is there any reason to become so teary-eyed?

Uncool, scary.

When they started to tremble, Im sorry for bein uncool, kay?

The other party got angry.

But yep, I know this is also partly my fault.

Ah. mmh, everyone has different tastes. It just didnt agree with my tastes. Dont mind it.

We do mind it!!

They thundered at me.

You, can you finally give it a rest with the condescending attitude!? Dont get so cocky just because youve got an S-Rank as a teacher!!

I was told once more.

Sword isnt my teacher, okay? This guy hasnt taught me a single thing. Ou-ouuuch!

My temples were ground.

Should I have the nickname of Natural-born Agitator added to you?

No!

Thats so uncool!

Weve been active at the town of Ys. The girl, who seemed to be the calmest among the three, started to explain. Weve worked our way up to E-Rank by steadily completing requests. But, at some point we talked about bolstering our numbers with a vanguard since things would become difficult for just the three of us going forward. As if fitting perfectly, we were told by the guild about a kid theyd like us to take care of.

They told us that she was a beginner at adventuring, and yet should possess the necessary abilities since an S-Rank had been taking care of her. Thus they wanted us to teach her the ropes. Hearing that the girl would be able to attack enemies or assist our party members since she could use sword and magic, it was just the position wed been looking for to fill for our party. We felt a bit uneasy since she was a beginner, but decided to give it a try anyway When I saw her show up, I got anxious, but since my two partners were brimming with motivation to train her, I suppressed my worries, and tried to call out to her. Just to get ignored.

Ooohh, from back then, huh?

When I looked up to Sword hed started to fidget around while looking quite awkward.

I see. Sorry about that. Back then Sword had dragged me to that place after I had never left my mansionerr, my house and the woods around it. After he had suddenly announced that wed split up there since he was a big shot, I was quite sulky. It was a time when I pondered whether I should turn the whole region into a death zone with a big, taboo spell. You werent the only ones I ignored at that time, so please forgive me.

Sword also apologized while scratching his head.

Your definitely rightI did somethin bad to you girls. You see, Id planned various things, but it all went up in smoke because of my mistake. I thought that itd be great for girls her age to teach her bout adventurin since she was a perfectly lil sheltered lady, butyep, its completely my fault! Please forgive me! And, Im sorry, but I dont plan to party with anyone other than her anymore!

The composed girl shook her head.

Thats not an issue anymore. Actually, wed be actually troubled if you asked us to let you join now. But, after that he suddenly rose up to D-Rank, so we couldnt reallycome to terms with that.

Im not a he, but a she.

Hmm, why is everyone so eager to make a man out of me? Just now Sword described me as a sheltered lil lady, and yet she ignored it altogether? Besides, boys with such slender contours dont exist, okay? The men in this world are kinda like buffed foreigners, arent they?

Sword is on the more slender side, but even he is quite the macho. I dont think that its anywhere close to my slenderness. Or rather, I consider myself to be a beautiful girl, you know!?

Sword also treats me somewhat like a brat, but Im a beautiful girl, am I not!?

As I got upset in my mind, the other two girls joined the conversation as well.

Yes, shes absolutely right! Suddenly becoming a D-Rank without doing anything just because youve got an S-Rank as a teacher!? What do you think how much time and effort it took us to climb all the way to E-Rank!?

In the first place, isnt it an unprecedented, special treatment to ask E-Ranks to look after a G-Rank!? On top of that, you ignored us when we called out to you from our side!! And then you became a D-Rank without any achievements! You believe such selfishness will be forgiven just like that!?

Even if you tell me all that

I apologized moments ago for having ignored you. Since most of it is Swords fault, bring up your complaints with him. Also, the guild master raised my rank to D on his own accord. If you have a problem with it, sort it out with the guild master. If you want, Ill bring him in front of you next time.

After shortly being at a loss for words, she gritted her teeth in anger, I hate that part about you. Throwing your weight around while just borrowing the power of a great man totally sucks!

Eeeehh?

Who is the great man youre talking about?

Me, its me. Thats why Ive told you that Im not a self-alleged bigshot. Did you finally get it, idiot?

I see, Sword was great, huh? I dont know in what area, but itd sure help if its in regards to political power.

Lets leave it at that.

Hey, dont ignore things as you please. He told me in a huff.

I feigned ignorance, Throwing my weight around while just borrowing Swords power, you say? I dont recall having said something cute like, Ill tattle to Sword on you if you dont do as I say, though. Oh well, I suppose thats the same misinterpretation as turning the threat to beat someone up into having tried to come to a rescue. I suppose it makes sense in that regard. Sword, the friends you tried to allocate to me are girls like these? Would you be able to become friends with them, loner coot?

I know, I know, Im sorry, okay? Also, dont add coot to loner!

I ignored him. Looking at the girl trembling in rage, I sighed.

Dont be so edgy. The exam is going to start anytime soon, and its a waste of your cute face.

I tried to pacify her by saying that, but

Its a really tough call whether that line was agitation or a sleazy, old man comment.

Sword butted in.

Translation Notes:

Lily = yuri, but probably not intended here in that meaning. Still, its kind of a wordplay by the author I guess.