Chapter 81

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In the annex of the training facility, the research building.

The all-white atmosphere of the building was suffocating.

This place is the final gateway for graduation from the training facility, a place for measuring ranks.

'This time, about twenty kids are graduating.'

This time, about twenty kids have met the graduation criteria through the end-of-month evaluation.

[Mana Pulse Room A]

[Mana Pulse Room B]

[Mana Pulse Room C]

In the corridor in front of the measurement rooms, each marked with a sign, the kids sat in the order they arrived.

"Wow, I can't believe I'm graduating."

Gem, who was sitting to my left, muttered in a daze.

"What will you do when you get out, Gem?"

"Of course, I'll join a mercenary group! It's the best way to make it as a Dies (*Dies: the 6th rank among the 6 ability classes)!"

I nodded with a satisfied heart.

Gem. Jemyan Traha will soon take over a mercenary group and become famous.

"I'll work hard! Until I can form my own mercenary group!"

"Sure, sure."

"Have you already thought of a name?"

"Wow, really?"

Though she asked with curiosity, she already knew.

Her mercenary group's name is <Red Jackal>.

Gem's Red Jackal mercenary group is even more skilled than the 3rd rank Septima army.

'So the imperial army always hires them when forming a suppression team.'

Gem will soon have money, fame, and glory...

and plans to go on suppression missions with Cheshire whenever she can.

"Hehe. Gem, you can definitely do it. What's the name of the mercenary group you've thought of?"

"Hmm, it's embarrassing."

"But, but."

"Ri-ri's Jackals!"

Whoa.

I flinched.

"Wh-what's that...?"

"Aha!"

Gem wiped her nose, looking embarrassed, and said,

"I wouldn't have been able to graduate without you. You taught me and took the exams with me, so thank you."

"You, you're so strong, Gem! You would have graduated even without me, right?"

"No. I really couldn't have done it without you. And I've never met a noble as kind as you. I'm a commoner, but you still became my friend, so thank you."

"Ah, no..."

"Really, really, thank you. My mercenary group's name will definitely be Ri-ri's Jackals."

"No! Stop!"

I panicked and pointed at Gem's head.

"You, you have such beautiful hair. How about 'Red Jackal' based on the color?"

"What? It's childish."

Gem grimaced.

"Ri-ri's Jackals are more childish!"

"Hmph, no, they're not. Red Jackal is more childish."

"It's not! Ch-cheshire!"

I quickly sent an S.O.S. to Cheshire, who was sitting to my right.

"Try to calm Gem down. Her naming sense is completely off."

"Why? It's good."

"What?"

"Right! It's perfect!"

I slumped my shoulders between the two.

"I, I, I also vote for Ri-ri's Jackals!"

"Ha-ha! You like it too, Rom? 3 to 1, Ri-ri!"

Even Rom, who was next to Gem.

I just gave up and nodded with a cloudy look.

'So... what's the big deal about changing the name of a mercenary group...'

This was the historical moment when the <Red Jackal> mercenary group, which exuded power from its name, was forcibly renamed to <Ri-ri's Jackals>...

Then.

"Whoa."

"Wow, it's Dos."

The waiting kids murmured.

It turned out to be Gerard, who had just come out of the measurement room with his rank.

On his left wrist was a shiny golden bracelet, and on his chest was a small golden button.

The bracelet is a magical tool called a 'Rank Slate,' which serves as a kind of ID.

And the golden button, that's the ability badge.

"Wow, the color is amazing..."

Gem marveled.

On Gerard's badge and Rank Slate, 'DOS,' symbolizing 1st rank, was clearly engraved.

"......?"

While I was staring at Gerard in a daze, he stopped in front of us.

'What? Now that he definitely has his rank, is he trying to pick a fight?'

There's a huge difference between when he was expected to be 1st rank and when he actually got it.

A rank system that trumps even nobility.

In this country, ranks are above titles like dukes and marquises.

Especially 1st rank Dos, the only heir of the Schmitt ducal family.

Even if Cheshire and Gem have gutsy personalities, they would have no choice but to shrink back.

'Sigh, just go without picking a fight.'

While I was thinking that—

"Thank you."

"......?"

Unexpected words came out of Gerard's mouth.

I was so surprised that my mouth dropped open.

"I'll definitely repay the favor someday."

He added this while making eye contact with each of our team members.

"And."

Gerard looked down at Cheshire, who was sitting.

"...I'm sorry. Forget what I said before. It was a mistake."

"......"

What did he say before? What did he say!

Sure enough, he must have picked a fight with Cheshire without my knowing.

But Cheshire, with a heart as vast as the sea, nodded readily.

"Okay."

"Let's meet again if we get the chance."

"Gerard! Wait!"

I grabbed the departing Gerard and gave him a thumbs up.

"You're totally awesome."

Gerard smiled slightly.

"Thanks. See you later, Lili."

"Okay, take care! See you again when we leave the facility!"

I kept waving at Gerard as he walked down the long corridor and disappeared.

Reformed...?

Honestly, after Cheshire threw herself to save him from the flower monster, he couldn't help but be moved.

'I've cleared the sweet potato from the original work!'

My heart was pounding with excitement for a moment.

"Lili Rubinstein, to the A measurement room. Cheshire, to the B measurement room."

The manager called us.

* * *

Mana Pulse Room.

Abilities are measured here to determine ranks.

Selena Ludendorff, the researcher, was checking the Mana Pulse while waiting for her turn.

A glass tube large enough for one person to fit inside.

This magical tool called 'Mana Pulse' measures the amount of mana that ability users have in their bodies.

"Ah."

The sound of the door opening.

Selena, who turned around, froze in surprise.

'Oh no.'

Similarly surprised, a small child with blue eyes wide like a startled rabbit.

Lili...

'Why now of all times.'

Even though there are three measurement rooms, it seemed like a divine prank.

"Hello."

"Ah, yes. Hello."

Selena, who bowed politely to Lili, averted her eyes with effort.

"I didn't expect you to come here a month after enrolling. You're impressive."

"Yes."

As Lili's footsteps approached, Selena licked her dry lips.

"Just a moment... please wait."

"Yes."

Selena pretended to check the Mana Pulse, deliberately avoiding eye contact.

"Do you know how to do it? Just go inside and cast any magic once."

"Yes."

Lili entered the open Mana Pulse.

Their eyes met through the glass.

"Um... "

"......"

"...Mom."

"......!"

Selena's eyes widened.

"Ah! I, I won't say anything to Kyle... Just now, it's just the two of us here."

"......"

"Sh, should I just... call you teacher...?"

Lili's body trembled slightly as she lowered her gaze.

The child was nervous.

Afraid of being rejected.

"...No. Call me whatever you're comfortable with."

"Ah, yes."

The child's small cheeks turned red at the simple permission.

"Mom, you know. By any chance... can I ask you one favor?"

"What?"

"Just... asking. I'm not asking you to do it, just..."

Lili, who took a step closer, placed her small hand on the glass.

Her eyes were red.

"When my rank comes out, can you... hide it for me?"

"What?"

"A rank that won't send me to the battlefield. 4th rank... for me. Mom, can you... lie for me?"

"......"

"Kyle... Kyle, Mom, you're trying to protect Kyle, not sending him to the battlefield... That's why you told the Emperor where we are, right...?"

Lili's lips trembled.

Her teary eyes held a hint of resentment.

But more than that, hope.

Selena knew what answer Lili was hoping for.

Asking to falsify her rank.

Even though she knew it was impossible, she was asking for it anyway.

You're worried too.

If I could, I would do it for you.

—Like that.

"Lili."

"Yes...?"

"I'm sorry."

"......"

The child's body slumped.

Selena hastily added,

"But you'll be fine."

Your father, Enoch.

Is a powerful ability user, strong enough for the Emperor to covet for a long time.

Unlike me, who had to sell my daughter to protect my son.

"Your father will protect you. You can live without any worries."

"...How?"

With big eyes, on the verge of tears, the child asked.

"By not doing anything, will my father just... go around killing people from other countries? To protect me?"

Selena took a deep breath.

The child knew more than she thought.

"...I'm sorry. I was just asking."

Lili finally wiped the tears that had rolled down her small cheeks with her sleeve.

And she made a small white flame appear at the tip of her finger.

"......"

With a heavy heart, Selena stared at the rank measurement panel at the bottom of the Mana Pulse, where the light had entered.

Enoch Rubinstein's daughter...

The rank measurement was meaningless. The child was Dos, no need to check.

White, 6th rank Dies.

Black, 5th rank Nubeno.

Green, 4th rank Octava.

Selena anxiously watched the colors