A little time went back to the day when Rion and the others were chosen as participants for Lumiest’s versus match. On the top floor of the Adventurer Guild Headquarters, in a pub in Labyrinth Country. In the Boss’s Office, which was as usual in a state of disarray with things scattered about, an important discussion was taking place. Gathered here were those considered the strongest adventurers both in name and reality. Among them were the four S-Rank Adventurers mentioned in Art’s story, and four A-Rank Adventurers—Suzu, Paul, Shinjir, and Oddrad—who had trained under “Grim Reaper” Kelvin, nearly dying multiple times, and had shown remarkable rapid growth compared to before. In this spacious but precarious room, some stood defiantly, some sat comfortably on sofas, and others perched on vaguely used Magic Items, all listening intently to the discussion in their own ways.
“–And so, I intend to select the members for the versus match from the faces gathered here today. I’ve already contacted you all about this beforehand, and the S-Ranks will agree, right? If not, I might demote you with my authority as Boss you know…”
“Hey, you ‘Unrestrained’! What are you saying so selfishly? You don’t need to be so roundabout, I’m participating whether you like it or not! This is a delicious, delicious job that has only gone to A-Ranks until now. Ah, my heart flutters like a maiden’s.”
“Oh my? Bakke-chan, it’s not good to pick the unripe fruit. They are currently enjoying their golden time called youth, you know? It’s not right for outsiders like us to butt in. You should only get involved when you’ve become a responsible adult (heart). Before that, of course, force is not good, you know?”
“I’ll participate according to plan as well. Of course, it’s not for impure reasons like these guys, you know? It’s simply because there will be battles against strong opponents there.”
“Huh? Hey, Battle Maniac, what are you being so cool about? Among us, you’re the most impure, aren’t you? At least, I only have one husband.”
“Huh? No, that’s…”
“Indeed, I do think it’s a bit much for you to be involved with so many people of the opposite sex. Moreover, how does your body handle it, Kelvin-chan? Are you amazing not only in battle but also in *that* department? Oh, how embarrassing! I’ve said something unfitting for a maiden!”
“Hahaha, as expected of the elites I chose. To be this friendly already!”
“Since when!?”
Kelvin’s cry of despair. Kelvin couldn’t be entirely blamed either, but all S-Rank Adventurers were quite free-spirited.
“So? Since it’s a given that we’ll participate, are the remaining two spots going to be chosen from these kids? I heard the Grim Reaper retrained them from scratch… I’m a bit worried if they can keep up with us. Are they really okay?”
“Ah, don’t worry about that. For the past few months, my allies and I have trained them thoroughly to bring out the best in each of their unique strengths. I can guarantee they’ve become strong enough to reach the passing grade. Glostina, who is here, also helped out partway through.”
“Ufufu! When Kelvin-chan and Sera-chan asked, I couldn’t refuse. A-a-a-nd! He said he admired Gordiana-senpai, didn’t he!? I was so thrilled about the excitement of changing from junior disciple to senior disciple, and about gaining a comrade, that I taught him everything I could! I give him my seal of approval! He has quite the talent!”
“I-is that so? Is that so…?”
“Oh, yeah. Unlike Sera, her teaching methods were thorough, so it’s true that he grew rapidly after Bourjoise joined.”
Even S-Ranks have their limits. Bourjoise, still caught up in her excitement, wriggled her sturdy body, causing Bakke and Kelvin to distance themselves slightly.
“Indeed! My name is Oddrad! As introduced, I have gained tremendous power through the teachings of Lord Bourjoise! If you leave it to me, everything will be fine! So, there’s no reason not to choose me!?”
“Hey, Oddrad! What are you promoting yourself for without permission!? Hey, Masters and all you S-Ranks! If you’re going to choose someone like him, choose this Paul-sama! Honestly, we already have someone with this much muscle on the team, so it’s a character overlap!”
“Oh, if we’re talking about character overlap, I believe my existence is unique, don’t you think? It goes without saying that the female members of our versus match team are beautiful. Therefore, by adding me to the male members, wouldn’t it create balance? After all, Art from Lumiest might participate, and I think only Shinjir here can counter that appearance—”
“–Gender and appearance are completely irrelevant! What is truly essential for this selection is combat power that can satisfy Master Kelvin! I, Suzu, would dare to say that I am the most adept at grasping that point among these four! Please, please give this Suzu the wonderful opportunity!”
The four stated their respective selling points, each vying to be chosen. Their momentum was tremendous, not even losing to the S-Rank Adventurers who had been speaking so freely moments before.
“Ah… well, it certainly seems they’re all strong-willed.”
“But, how are you going to decide? We can’t make these kids compete here, can we?”
“That’s the problem. No matter how you look at it, their abilities have become quite evenly matched… Boss Shin, what should we do?”
“That’s true… Shall we decide by rock-paper-scissors? Luck is also a part of skill after all!”
Shin’s single remark sparked a great rock-paper-scissors tournament, which began with a spirited cry of “Alright!”. However, for some reason, draws kept happening, and there was no sign of a conclusion.
““““Heave ho! Heave ho! Another draw! Heave ho, heave ho, heave ho!””””
“…It’s not ending, is it?”
“It’s taking so long to end that we’ve already decided on our orders.”
“Their extraordinary visual acuity and reaction speed, and this situation where the four are reading and preempting each other are causing the situation to stagnate. This will probably never end. Watching this battle where the buds are sweating profusely is something I could watch forever!”
“That’s quite entertaining too, but time is finite. It can’t be helped, let’s decide by the good old-fashioned method. No grudges, with this lottery!”
Shin extended his right hand in a fist to the four, holding four strings.
“Among these, there are only two with red tips. Those who draw those strings will undoubtedly be representatives.”
“That’s a really old-fashioned way of choosing.”
“Well, as long as it’s decided for sure, it’s good, isn’t it? It’s completely luck.”
“If ‘Unrestrained’ isn’t cheating, that is.”
“I wouldn’t do such a thing. If you want, shall Bakke and the others check the contents first? There’s truly no trick or scheme. *Kufufu*!”
Despite saying so, Shin wore a defiant smile. Kelvin and the others checked the lottery just in case, but no suspicious points were found. However, since something still felt suspicious, it was decided that Glostina would hold the lottery, and the four would draw from it.
“No grudges, alright? Are you ready?”
“My muscles are telling me. The winning one is this!”
“Hmph, what are you talking about?”
“I’m always ready. I’m not nervous at all!”
“**“““One, two, go…!”””**”
Thus, the Adventurer Guild’s members were also decided.
