“When the mask is no longer a shackle from the past, but a trump card you can choose to use…”
“Then this time, you decide for yourself.”
“Whether to defend or attack is entirely up to you.”
“No longer bound by form, only loyal to the sword in your hand.”
“As long as you make the choice you believe suits you best, that is the sword path most suited to you.”
Seeing Onigawara Rin still looking somewhat absent-minded, Heimer softly reminded her.
At this point…
Only one person in the entire room had yet to receive Falna.
Everyone’s gazes instantly focused on the figure hiding behind the black bear like searchlights.
Hanasaka Warabi.
“Awo?”
Hanasaka Warabi was trying her best to shrink herself into a ball.
However…
Perhaps it sensed everyone’s gazes focusing on them.
As Hanasaka Warabi’s closest comrade and partner who had grown up with her since childhood, the black bear being used as a shield slowly rolled its tiny bean-like eyes.
It looked at all those eyes—especially the gaze of that terrifying man.
Then it looked at its owner’s cowardly appearance.
And so…
This black bear, who had mixed among humans for many years and deeply understood the way of survival, made a decision that betrayed its ancestors.
Better a missing friend than a dead me.
Without the slightest hesitation, Kyobo immediately made its choice.
Its huge body suddenly shifted to the side.
Then—
“Off you go!”
As if to completely cut ties with her, it even very conveniently used its broad, sturdy bear backside to shove Hanasaka Warabi hard.
This backstab from a teammate came quickly and viciously.
…
“Ow!”
Hanasaka Warabi was completely unprepared.
The sudden [Bear-Butt Impact] sent her flying out like a bowling ball.
“Waaaah—!”
Hanasaka Warabi let out a miserable scream and staggered forward.
To avoid falling flat on her face in front of everyone, she had to stumble several steps before barely managing to steady herself.
As a result…
When she raised her head…
She realized that she had stopped right in front of Heimer’s knees.
Less than ten centimeters away.
“…”
The air froze for one second.
Hanasaka Warabi stiffly turned her neck and looked at the black bear, her face twisting with anger.
“Kyobo!!!”
“You actually betrayed me!”
“And I even gave you a piece of steak at dinner earlier!”
“You traitor!”
“Awooo…”
The black bear Kyobo covered its eyes with its paws and let out a wronged cry, acting as if it had seen nothing at all.
Seeing this, Heimer helplessly beckoned.
“All right, stop acting.”
“Since you’re already here, hurry up.”
“Everyone else is waiting to sleep. Don’t waste time.”
“Tomorrow, I still have to take all of you to the Guild to register as adventurers.”
“Oh…”
Hearing this, Hanasaka Warabi instantly deflated.
Her head drooped.
Since that stupid bear had already pushed her onto the stage, retreating now would be far too embarrassing.
“Hmph… w-who’s afraid of who?!”
Thinking this, Hanasaka Warabi snorted, trying to regain a little face.
Then…
She slowly shuffled to the side of the bed.
Looking at the bed, which was somewhat tall for her small frame, she had to climb up with some difficulty using both hands and feet.
After finally making it onto the bed…
Hanasaka Warabi knelt there.
Her eyes wandered everywhere, looking at Heimer one moment and the bedsheet the next, but refusing to meet anyone’s gaze directly.
“Um…”
“Can you… be gentle?”
Her voice was as tiny as a mosquito’s buzz.
“…”
Hearing this, the corner of Heimer’s eye twitched.
“I am inscribing Falna for you, not beating you.”
“Don’t say things that are easy to misunderstand.”
“Hurry up.”
“Wu…”
After being scolded, Hanasaka Warabi shrank her neck.
She could only close her eyes with an expression as if she were about to march bravely to the execution ground.
“Whoosh—”
She loosened the robe enough to prepare for the ritual.
Her small frame looked even more fragile in the quiet room.
Her back was narrow, with slightly protruding shoulder blades that made her seem especially delicate.
Heimer wasted no words.
He took the proper ritual position, gathered blood at his fingertip, and began.
Touch.
Blood.
“Buzz—”
Light shone.
The complex patterns looked especially striking on Hanasaka Warabi’s small back.
A moment later…
The copying was complete.
Heimer glanced over the Skill descriptions, and his eyebrow rose slightly.
[Name]: Hanasaka Warabi
[Race]: Human
[Level]: Lv.1
[Ability Values]:
Strength: I 0 | Endurance: I 0 | Dexterity: I 0 | Agility: I 0 | Magic: I 0
[Development Abilities]: None
[Magic]: None
[Skills]: 『Linked Fangs』 『Scent of the Road Ahead』
…
Skills:
『Linked Fangs』
When performing coordinated attacks with a tamed beast, both parties receive a bonus to [Strength] and [Agility].
If both attack the same target, damage receives an additional bonus.
『Scent of the Road Ahead』
Borrow the senses of beasts.
The user possesses extraordinary intuition toward traps and hostility.
Perception judgment receives a major correction against enemies hidden in the dark.
Pathfinding ability is greatly increased.
….
“Not bad.”
Heimer gave a simple evaluation and handed the parchment to Hanasaka Warabi.
“…”
Hanasaka Warabi held the parchment.
Her gaze swept over those two lines again and again.
Once.
Twice.
The eyes that had originally been nervous gradually began to brighten as she read.
Then—
Hanasaka Warabi suddenly turned her head.
She looked at the black bear, who was still on the floor pretending to be dead with both paws covering its eyes.
“Heh…”
The corner of Hanasaka Warabi’s mouth spread open.
A chilling laugh escaped her.
The next second…
“Hah!”
The petite girl suddenly leapt from the bed.
Her body drew an arc through the air.
Then—
“Bang!”
She landed heavily.
Accurately and flawlessly, she dropped onto the black bear’s soft, thick belly.
Her knees even used the force of the fall to deliver a harsh bump.
“Awoooo!!!”
The black bear cried out in pain, its mouth opening wide as it released a miserable scream.
Its paws, which had been covering its eyes, flew open, and its eyeballs nearly popped out of their sockets.
“Hmph!”
“What are you screaming for?!”
Hanasaka Warabi stood on the bear’s belly with both hands on her hips, looking down from above.
“This is what traitors get!”
“Let’s see if you dare sell me out again!”
“Awooo…”
Kyobo did not dare resist.
It could only let out a pitiful whimper.
At this point…
Seeing this ridiculous pair making a scene…
“Clap! Clap!”
Heimer clapped his hands, unilaterally stopping Hanasaka Warabi’s punishment and pulling everyone’s attention back.
“All right.”
“Since everyone has received Falna, we’ll stop here for tonight.”
“Although you now have Falna, this is only the beginning.”
“Tomorrow morning, I will take you all to the Guild to officially register as adventurers.”
“That will be the true beginning.”
“So now…”
“Sleep.”
“Recover your energy. Tomorrow will not be this easy.”
“Yes!”
The girls responded in unison.
Even Hanasaka Warabi, who had just received powerful Skills and was still incredibly excited, obediently jumped down from the bear’s belly.
Seeing this, Heimer lightly nodded.
“Good night, everyone.”
“Good night, Lord God!”
“Creak—”
“Click.”
Heimer walked out of the room and closed the door behind him.
The chattering discussions of the girls inside were cut off.
However…
The moment the door closed…
A voice sounded.
“Finished handling things?”
Heimer turned his head.
A figure was leaning against the wall nearby.
Short crimson hair, single eye, black eyepatch.
It was Hephaestus.
“I thought you would take a little longer.”
“But judging from things now…”
“Since your matters here are already settled, shouldn’t it be time to handle the promise between you and me?”
“After all, for that ‘worthy thing’ you mentioned, I’ve been waiting here for quite a while.”
“You wouldn’t be planning to stand me up at a time like this, would you?”