“What a ridiculous claim.”
“It’s not really that big a deal. Just like you guys have confidence in your abilities as adventurers, I have pride in the path I’ve walked to get here. Excessive modesty isn’t good for my mental health, after all.”
“…You little brat. If you continue to overestimate your own strength, then you’ll be beaten to a pulp. Take back this stupid joke and choose your opponent. You can still be forgiven.”
Raikas again threatened Suimei, warning him to take back his words. Suimei, having said this much already, wasn’t about to give up so easily though.
“No. I will not. And I have no intentions of seeking your forgiveness.”
“…You’ll regret it.”
“I appreciate the warning.”
“Hmph. Enmarph, we can’t let this little punk look down on us like this. Let’s crush him!”
“…Got it.”
Suimei’s uncaring shrug enraged Raikas beyond all reason and provoked a furious response from Enmarph. Raikas, meeting his partner’s eyes, sent a murderous glare Suimei’s way. Enmarph’s gaze was no less penetrating. In this manner, the two walked over to the center of the training field.
(…)
…He’d been the target of their anger from the very beginning. That said, he had also ignored their goodwill, and stubbornly boasted of his own ability. By the time he’d noticed, things had already gone past the point of no return. If he kept this up, then eventually there would come a day when his actions would come back to haunt him.
The circumstances of where he was had also contributed to the current situation. As a magician, he wasn’t the least bit worried, but it was also the truth that the current situation was exactly what his opponents wanted. As men, they couldn’t bear to lose to an immature brat. Suimei was distinctly aware of all of this, but he couldn’t help but follow this train of thought nonetheless.
As the situation grew more serious yet, a voice called out from behind him.
“Suimei-kun. Those two are pretty strong. Are you sure this is okay?” Lefille asked as he approached the training field.
Is that because she’s worried about me fighting them at the same time or because she’s probing my true strength?
Suimei nodded in her direction.
“Yes.”
“You have the confidence to face them at the same time?”
“Sadly, it’s pretty hard to imagine given how ordinary I look, isn’t it?”
As he mocked himself in answer, Lefille unexpectedly smiled.
“It certainly is.”
“—You answered so fast! How cruel.”
So that’s how she saw him. Her blunt words caused them both to erupt in laughter.
“Hehehe…”
“Hahaha…”
Surprisingly, they seemed to be quite compatible indeed. The Goddess Arshuna’s guidance sure is miraculous, Suimei mused to himself.
“…Anyway, fighting them both at once is in line with my aims. This works out perfectly.”
“…I see. Alright then. I won’t say any more.”
Lefille nodded, before unexpectedly turning to Dorothea.
“Excuse me, but can I watch this from the sidelines?”
“Wuh?”
Completely and utterly shocked, something that wasn’t even a word unwittingly left Suimei’s mouth.
“That’s not a problem, but Suimei-san, you probably don’t want someone watching you, right?” Dorothea asked, after straightforwardly giving her assent to Lefille.
“Oh… No, it’s okay.”