Shiro, who had joined Kaito Knight’s group with the help of two of his team members, felt a few discrepancies.
(…The attitude of Hinata’s team members has changed. They were sticking close to Hinata just a moment ago, but suddenly…)
“—Kaito-sama, it’s the monster we were talking about.”
“Ah, I understand. Everyone, take a look at your student cards. The creature over there is a monster called ‘Green Balloon.'”
“Y-yes… This is my first time fighting a monster…”
“There’s no need to be embarrassed. Many people experience their first battle after enrolling, so… could you watch and observe?”
“Alright… I’ll give it a try…!”
One of Kaito’s team members, a scout by profession, readied a beginner’s short sword and advanced towards the Green Balloon.
“…It’s fast, just like in the video… Ah…!”
“Kaito-sama, Yusa-san is…!”
“—Good job.”
Kaito grabbed the slime that was tangled around Yusa, the girl, with his gloved hand and pulled it off. He then swiftly slashed with his sword.
(That person… He used his team members as decoys from the start…?)
“In the dungeon, teamwork is essential. Just like now. Do you understand the importance of trust?”
Despite the weapon’s seemingly inferior performance, Kaito used a skill to imbue his attack with magical power, defeating the Green Balloon.
Seeing this, Shiro had no choice but to acknowledge his ability—thoughts like these began to surface, and Shiro questioned herself.
(I have to acknowledge it… I feel like I’m being forced into this. If I stay with this person…)
“Kaito-sama… How can I earn your trust?”
“I’ll accept anyone into my group. Was it Saejima-san and Serizawa-san? Also…”
“Let’s move on for now.”
Shiro interrupted the conversation, checking the fallen stone-like object—the core of the Green Balloon.
“Nanami-san should have understood Kaito-sama’s greatness… Maybe it’s better to be honest with yourself?”
“Yes, yes, it’s a pity. Nanami-san is rank A, so you could definitely be a great help to Kaito-sama.”
“Rei, that’s not right. Fujiwara-kun has his own strengths.”
Kaito approached Shiro, who was crouched down to examine the core, and stood beside her—but before his hand could touch her shoulder, Shiro stood up with a deliberate, natural motion.
(Hinata always sounds exemplary, but… something feels different.)
“Nanami-san, what’s wrong? Don’t you want to join Kaito-sama’s group?”
“…It’s a waste, isn’t it? Nanami-san is rank A, so you’d surely be a big help to Kaito-sama.”
Shiro couldn’t ignore her team members. Still, the conflict of not wanting to be in this situation was tightening her chest.
After Kaito defeated the monster, the atmosphere changed. Even though she was aware of it, Shiro couldn’t alter the flow created by Kaito and his two subordinates.
“Well… Monsters of this strength should be around here as well. Let’s each make a record of our kills.”
“…How do you know so much about dungeons?”
“Hehe… Nanami-san, you’re quite serious. It’s not surprising to have information on dungeons that have been used for practicals for years, right?”
Unlike her attitude of loyalty towards Kaito, Rei’s demeanor towards Shiro was clearly different.
And Shiro had no choice but to turn her suspicion that Kaito had obtained dungeon information beforehand into certainty.
“Don’t worry, I want everyone to achieve our goals and safely get out of here.”
“…What did you do to everyone?”
“‘What did I do’? This is just natural, Nanami-san. You’re the only one being unnatural here.”
“…”
Kaito’s ever-present smile seemed to Shiro like that of a different person—and she remembered the last boy she had exchanged glances with.
(…No, I have to keep going… I can’t show weakness here.)
“Alright, now we’ve found a ‘Mad Brownie.’ We’ll show you how we take it down as an example. After that, it’ll be your turn.”
“Yes, Kaito-sama.”
Seeing her two team members respond in unison, Shiro was momentarily speechless. Even though she was practically separated into two groups and forced to submit to Kaito, she bit her lip and endured.
(…I won’t say such things… I don’t want to lose.)
A small monster leaped at Kaito but was swept aside by a single swing of his sword—Shiro then clearly recognized it. Every time Kaito defeated a monster in front of her, a certain skill was being activated.
“Next, why don’t you show us your abilities as a ‘Magic Craftsman’? Since we’re exploring together, I’d like to know more about your skills.”
“…I use my skills when necessary.”
“How do you defeat monsters, Nanami-san? I’m interested.”
Shiro ignored Rei’s words and confronted the next Green Balloon.
“…‘Magic Craft’”
Shiro extended her right hand upwards—a magical sphere formed within her hand.
“‘Ice Ball’”
The magical sphere began emitting cold air—when she hurled it at the Green Balloon, it was completely frozen in a single hit and encased in ice.
“Well, that’s impressive, but it’s more ordinary than I expected. Is it a magic-user type of profession?”
“How is it possible for someone with rank A to be below me…?”
“She’s showing that she can do ‘things like this.’ I won’t say she’ll show us everything today, but I’d like to see at least one more skill.”
Hinata’s goal was to recruit Shiro. Even though she had been aware of the recruitment attempt, she regretted not being able to resist the situation.
(I have to manage on my own… Otherwise, I can’t say I’ll help Fujiwara-kun.)
Determined to escape the persistent gazes directed at her, Shiro used ‘Ice Ball’ once more to support her team members in defeating the monsters.
