The Pars City – Temporary Hall
It was the day of the Ascension Ceremony. We headed to the temporary venue built in the festival grounds at the center of Pars City. VIP seats were lined up along the central passage of the venue, with general visitors able to watch from the outer perimeter. Still, it was impressive that such a large venue could be constructed in just three days. Was it thanks to the power of Skills, I wondered.
“Oh, Kelvin! You’re already here!”
“Good morning, Ange. I’ll be relying on you today.”
“Hahaha~ It’s an honor to be asked by a new S-Rank Adventurer. Yes, you can count on me as if you’ve already boarded the ship!”
Ange would be accompanying me today as my attendant, guiding me through the Ascension Ceremony and the mock battle. She was the Guild staff member I was closest to. Rion might have arranged this out of thoughtfulness.
“It’s a little early, but I’ll explain today’s schedule first, shall I?”
Ange took out a paper from the pouch slung over her shoulder and began distributing it to everyone. Hmm, it looked like today’s itinerary.
“The ceremony starts at 10 o’clock. You’re free to do as you please until then, but it would be helpful if you could be ready early. The Guild has prepared formal wear for everyone, so please change in the waiting room.”
“We’re wearing formal wear? I thought we’d be fine in our mock battle gear.”
I had come prepared, wearing my beloved black robe, Embrace of Wisdom, to get into the spirit.
“I’m sorry. It’s not a rule, but our Guild Master got strangely motivated. It seems he made them for everyone on his own. They’re officially recognized ceremonial clothes, so you can wear them to any formal occasion. They’re free of charge, so please bear with it just for the Ascension Ceremony… Oh? Where’s Mel?”
“Mel hasn’t been feeling well and is resting today. She’s been a bit down since yesterday.”
“Is that so? I’ll have to go and see her later.”
Rion used Mel’s supposed poor health as an excuse to explain to Ange, but it was a blatant lie. Melfina was currently inside my magic. As Melfina and I had discussed before, this was a countermeasure to avoid being seen by people like Colette and Delamis. I didn’t think it was necessary, but she said that besides others, Colette had a very high chance of noticing Melfina. Was it true that she was more than just a recipient of Melfina’s blessings and served as a Shrine Maiden for that reason? She was truly a Delamis Shrine Maiden.
“It’s as you say, but also as if it isn’t…”
“Hmm, did you say something?”
“…I think it would be faster if you actually saw her.”
Melfina’s demeanor had been a little strange since this morning. Was she really feeling unwell?
“Once the ceremony is safely concluded, we’ll have lunch, and in the afternoon, it’s the highly anticipated mock battle! Guests from other countries are also coming primarily for the matches. You can’t often watch matches between S-Rank Adventurers like this.”
“Kelvin, you absolutely must win! I won’t forgive you if you lose!”
“Naturally. I’m going all out to win.”
Sera was full of energy this morning.
“S-Sera is strangely motivated, isn’t she?”
Ange whispered to me discreetly.
“Things happened yesterday. Well, please just let it be.”
“I see. Kelvin, you have it tough too… If you need anything, you can talk to me, so rely on me!”
“Thanks, Ange. I appreciate it.”
As always, Ange was a good friend who cared about her friends. I wanted to continue being friends with her.
“Master. There are still two hours until the ceremony, what shall we do?”
“We came a bit too early. Let’s kill some time somewhere—”
“Oh my, isn’t that Kelvin and Uncle Gerard?”
A gruff voice called out from behind us. I knew who it was without turning around. Gerard was flustered.
“It’s been a while, Pritia. About two days.”
As I expected, standing behind us was Gordiana Pritiana. She seemed more elegantly dressed than the last time I saw her. Was this Pritia’s dressed-up appearance? It was quite striking.
“Yes. Today is finally the Ascension Ceremony. I’ll be watching from the sidelines, so make sure to do your best, okay?”
“Hahaha, that’s encouraging.”
“Still, there’s plenty of time before the ceremony, you know? I was planning to go to my favorite cafe for a morning meal and some reading… Would you two like to join me?”
With a “capi!”, hearts in the shape of winks flew towards Gerard, not me. I had to avoid them. From behind!
“It’s not mine either!”
Ah, Gerard also dodged the approaching hearts. Honestly, what a tsundere.
However, a cafe wasn’t a bad option. I might hear interesting stories from Pritia, so let’s join them.
“We have time to spare, so we’ll tag along.”
“Oh, really!?”
“Ange, you too— What’s wrong?”
Suddenly, I noticed Ange had frozen.
“K-Kelvin, isn’t that Gordiana Pritiana, the ‘Pink Ogre’ from the Western Continent?! Since when do you know her?”
“Huh? Didn’t you hear about what happened with Sera?”
“Sera’s? The story about the new dungeon that Rion-chan reported? Does that have anything to do with Gordiana?”
Hmm? Didn’t Pritia contact the Guild?
“Ah, sorry, Older Kel. I didn’t explain it in detail. I was the one who went to report the monster subjugation in the new dungeon. I tried to mention Pritia-chan’s name, but she insisted she didn’t want any of the spoils… And then, she charged into the mansion alone, leaving me and Grandpa Gerard outside the Guild.”
“…So Rion arrived at the mansion a step behind.”
No wonder the security Golems reacted when only Pritia charged in.
“No, well… I just got ahead of myself, woof.”
“Oh, Pritia-chan, you’re so clumsy.”
Pritia stuck out her tongue, blushing. No, I’d prefer our female companions to strike such poses.
“A-anyway! Let’s go to the cafe! We can talk about it later!”
***
After killing time at the cafe Pritia recommended, we moved back to the venue hall when it was about time. We parted ways at the entrance to the venue; we headed to the waiting room, and Pritia went to the VIP seats.
“It was quite a nice cafe.”
“Yeah. I thought it would be more unconventional, but Pritia has surprisingly good taste.”
Except for her clothes, that is. Now, after calming my mind, I’ll change into the formal wear that Rion prepared.
“Here, these are the ceremonial clothes.”
Ange handed me a package. It seemed there were different types of ceremonial clothes for each person, and mine was a noble-looking black formal outfit. It was decorated withモール and bore the crest of the Pars Adventurer Guild, wings.
Efil, Sera, and Rion were given dresses that matched their respective appearances. These were designs that the Guild staff had conceived over many all-nighters. Hey, was that where they put their energy? Like my formal wear, they were adorned with wings and were quite high rank, A-Rank.
“There’s also a dress for Mel, so please give it to her later.”
“Understood. She’ll surely be happy.”
“E-Efil! This ceremonial dress doesn’t have holes for my wings and tail!”
“No problem. I left the sewing kit with Kuro-chan, so it can be fixed in a few seconds.”
Sera seemed panicked, but it looked like it would be fine with Efil in charge.
Now, for Gerard in his armor, he was given a white outer shell with wings engraved on it. However, due to his ‘Self-Modification’ trait, equipping it would cause his crimson outer shell to disappear. What should I do? Moreover, once equipped, this outer shell cannot be removed.
“Hmm, Lady Ange. I apologize for my personal circumstances, but would it be alright if I remained as I am?”
“Ah, Mr. Gerard, it’s alright. The Guild Master gave up on you because you absolutely refuse to take off your equipment.”
“U-um. Is that so…?”
Gerard, I have a feeling you’re being strangely misunderstood.
“Kelvin, you can change in the men’s changing room over there, and Efil-chan and the others in the ladies’ changing room. I’ll call you when it’s time. As we discussed at the cafe, you only need to say ‘yes’ during the ceremony, so don’t worry. Here we go~”
Pushed by Ange, I was ushered into the changing room alone.
“…Time to change.”
“My Lord, you seem somewhat disappointed for some reason.”
