Chapter 11

"Alright, now that we're friends, how about a deal? I'm not just proposing this to Anne, but to Kuna as well."

I spoke to Kuna and Anne with a cheerful smile.

"A deal?"

"It depends on the content. It's a bit scary to be proposed something like this right after becoming friends."

Anne, who had heard that I had been deceived in the matter of the gem, seemed to be a little wary.

"Let me be clear. I'm a genius. If I play it straight, I'm sure to be the top special student."

I put on a confident expression and declared it with assurance.

"Quite the confidence."

"To be the top even with this Kuna, that's unbelievable."

Both of them looked half doubtful.

"Then, let me show you my skills first, [Silver Magic Refinement: First Form Spear • Pierce]."

I activated my usual magic. The mithril ring on my forearm melted and transformed into a spear, returning to a solid form. I demonstrated a few of my skilled forms with the spear.

"Indeed, you have a point. The number of steps in your magic formula is unbelievable, yet there's no waste. The magic power leakage is almost zero. The processing speed is, to put it bluntly, abnormal. I don't know anyone who can handle such complex magic."

By consuming magic stones to increase my power, my magic becomes stronger. With stronger magic, the power increases, and I can use more power-consuming magic. Additionally, the processing speed after activating the magic formula improves. However, the actual execution of magic can only be honed through practice. Magic like [Silver Magic Refinement], which is complex but consumes little magic, can only be used by top-tier magicians.

"Your magic skills are unbelievable. Moreover, your spear forms have no unnecessary movements. You're a step or two behind Father in both magic and physical techniques, but it's clear that you've undergone considerable training."

"Who are you, then! Kuna's father."

The scary part is that Kuna is saying this with a serious face and from the bottom of her heart.

I have trained for 168 years in this world. And yet, I'm a step or two behind. It's unimaginable. If such a person exists, it would be the only Rank 6 in this world, the legendary great mage Cyril, who created the underground labyrinth.

Great Mage Cyril is abnormal. At the peak of my Rank 6, I used all the player maid magic I could and could only achieve a draw. A genuine outlier.

...A draw isn't quite accurate. When the battle reached a stalemate and began to turn into a war of attrition, a monstrous and gigantic silver dragon appeared, spewing a breath that changed the surrounding terrain. I was left with critical injuries, and when I came to, Cyril was gone. I have never won against a Rank 6, and that was the only time.

That's why I think, if there were a few Rank 6s at that time, we could have won before the silver dragon appeared. That's why I want to create the strongest party, not just be the strongest myself.

"As you can see, in practical skills, I don't lose to anyone. Also, remember the past exam questions I gave Kuna?"

"Yes, I do."

"Those are actually this year's questions. Probably, 95% will be the same. So, if you memorize them, the written exam will be a breeze. The method of obtaining them is a secret."

"Wh-What! Not only did I study the wrong questions, but the surrounding topics as well! What was the point of my efforts!"

"They won't be wasted. They'll definitely be useful somewhere."

That's for sure.

It will also help with the preparatory studies for the start of the knight school.

"...So, you know the questions in advance for the written exam, and in practical skills, you don't lose to anyone. Indeed, the top position is certain. So, what kind of deal are you talking about?"

Anne put her hand to her chin and murmured.

She's a girl who looks good doing everything.

"I'll let Kuna and Anne take the remaining two spots. For the written exam, as I said, I have this year's questions, and for the practical skills, I know what to do and can provide guidance. With your talents, you can win."

To be honest, it's a bit unfair.

But I want to let these two win.

As friends... and for the future.

"What do you want in return?"

"Definitely something perverted."

"Kuna, stop joking at such times. I doubt this person would say something like that."

"Sorry. Sōji doesn't have the guts for that, does he?"

Kuna's evaluation of me is too low. I can't help but want to make her regret it someday.

"Cough, so the deal is this. If all three of us can enter as special students, I want you to form a party and challenge the underground labyrinth. If you go solo, you'll die. At the knight school, it's better for students to form parties. But I don't want to be under upperclassmen. Forming a party with less talented classmates is suicide. I want talented people. I want to aim for the top with three of us."

Securing talent is the first condition for success.

Kuna and Anne looked at each other after hearing my words and smiled.

"I thought it was something else. Why are you asking such obvious questions?"

"Right, we are friends. It's natural for friends to cooperate."

My heart warmed.

I've always dreamed of such interactions.

I might have been so engrossed in the game era of Ilrande to experience this feeling.

"Why don't we form the party right here, Sōji, Anne?"

"That sounds good. We'll be working together from here on."

"But we don't have a party name yet. What should we do?"

"Anything will do. Really."

"No, it's my first party formation."

"That's true. How about each of us suggesting something that represents us, something we're proud of or good at? We can use that as the basis for our name."

"Ah, Anne, that's a good idea. It could be a name that represents us."

"I agree. So, I want to know what each of you would choose."

I asked myself. What is my symbol?

"Then, I'll go first. My greatest pride is this tail. It's fluffy, it's soft. It's identical to my mother's, who is known as the most beautiful tailed woman in Elsie. This tail is my symbol."

Kuna proudly brought her tail to the front of her body and flaunted it.

"Then, I'll choose this sword. It's the symbol of the Oakley family, entrusted to me by my father. The swordsmanship engraved in my body is my pride and soul. So, this sword is my symbol."

Anne raised her sword to the sky. Her eyes were filled with hope.

"Then, I'll choose my magic skills. [Silver Magic Refinement: Improvised Form • Fox Tail]."

I activated the magic and created an object with a fox's tail entwined around a sword. It was a bit distorted since it was improvised.

"I want to become the world's greatest magician. So, magic itself is my symbol."

I won't lose to anyone in this. I've always been on the side that provides original magic, a pride that comes from being chosen in this world. That's why I made magic my symbol.

"Tail, sword, magic. If we combine them simply, it would be 'Tail Sword Magic'?"

"Let's make it sound a bit cooler."

"Right. How about 'Tail of the Magic Sword'?"

"Anne, that's a bit lame... but"

I smiled and opened my mouth.

But before I could finish, Kuna interrupted.

"It's cute and sounds good. I like it."

"I was going to say the same."

"Then, let's call our party 'Tail of the Magic Sword'."

We all laughed together.

"First, let's aim for the first mission of this party: all of us becoming special students."

"Right, it would be a shame if the party disbanded after the exam."

"Given our advantages, we can definitely win."

"Yeah, we can do it."

If there were a lot of people who could beat Kuna and Anne in practical skills, it would be scary. What kind of golden generation is this?

"Wait a moment. I have an idea."

Kuna quickly drew a picture on a piece of paper.

It was a flat version of the object I created, improved with her sense. Honestly, I thought it looked cool. It was based on the same motifs of a sword and tail, but it was on a different level from mine.

"Let's use this as our emblem. If you agree..."

"Sure, I'm in."

I activated [Silver Magic Refinement] again.

I cut a part of the mithril from the ring, shaped it into a thin plate, and reproduced Kuna's design. I then transformed the mithril into a chain and made it into a necklace.

"This is the symbol of our party."

I hung the emblem around Kuna and Anne's necks.

They both lovingly stroked the emblem.

"Alright, let's stop playing around. Let's thoroughly study the written exam today and start preparing for the practical skills tomorrow."

"Yes, please help us."

"Wait, if I think about it calmly, I paid for a tutor, so Anne is being unfair."

"Of course, it's a loan. I'll take money from Anne too. I'll make sure she pays it back with interest. And first, 10,000 bal."

"Um, Sōji, what is this?"

"I gave one to Kuna too. You'll need cash, right? Until you pass the exam, I'll take care of your accommodation and meals. So, keep this ring safe. It's a family heirloom, right?"

"But..."

"Earlier, Anne said that she almost died because she was too attached to her mother's heirloom. But I think there are things worth more than life. So, if you can just owe me money, it's better to do so."

"...I misunderstood you. You're a good person."

"Yeah, but don't forget. Medical expenses, food, and accommodation cost 50,000 bal. The exam questions and my tutoring fee are 150,000 bal. You have 10,000 bal in cash. I've lent you 210,000 bal, and it increases by 10% every ten days, with compound interest."

"I take back my words. You're a miser... No, that's not true. Compared to what I can gain, it's a fair price. To sum up, you're a good person."

Anne smiled wryly.

Then, she shook my hand, just like Kuna did before.

"Anne, be prepared for tonight. There's only one bed. We couldn't find any other rooms."

Since the inn was full, we had no choice but to sleep together.

It was cheaper than a three-person room, so it was easier on the wallet.

"Sleeping in the same bed with a man... It's indecent. But I don't have the money for another room, so it can't be helped."

"Anne, if he does anything strange, let's beat him up together."

"Yes, let's cut off his hands so he won't have any strange ideas again."

"What!?"

With two women and one man, the position is weak.

"Actually, there's a reason for us to sleep three in a two-person bed."

I wanted to restore my reputation.

"Exploring the underground labyrinth usually doesn't end in a day. We bring a tent, but to reduce the load, it's normal for three people to carry only one tent."

Tents are bulky and heavy. It's foolish to bring two just to separate the genders.

"To be honest, it's cramped. If you can't sleep together or if you're distracted by the opposite sex, it can lead to death. We need to get used to it now."

When I explained, Kuna