episode_0050

“……”

“……”

The suffocating atmosphere lingers.

A subtle silence envelops Moonbora and Mahana.

Flowing gently between them like mist.

Even Yuseha, who had been teasing Moonbora just a moment ago, fell silent in the slightly serious atmosphere.

Well, of course, there was no hint of worry in his eyes.

Rather, his eyes seemed to be saying, “Isn’t our little Meow Meow growing up well?”

In response to the proud display of his daughter, Moonbora pursed her lips.

It was an embarrassing sight to anyone, but Moonbora did not deny it.

She simply nodded in agreement with his intentions, feeling a bit embarrassed.

There was no doubt that Mahana’s growth was impressive.

Not only the size of the mana flowing through her body, but also her overall physical abilities had greatly increased.

Even Moonbora, who lacked proper [Exploration] and [Observation] abilities, could sense the level of growth.

Most likely, her stats and records in the status window would be even more impressive.

And there was one more impressive thing.

A unique mana wave that she had never felt before.

Undoubtedly the power of a [Rune].

“Given the unfamiliar rhythm… could it be a rare boss rune with a + grade?”

It was probably true.

Since she didn’t know many runes herself.

“I wonder if Yuseha has consumed it too?”

This, she wasn’t sure about.

From the first time she saw it, she felt that it was not easy to figure out something about Yuseha.

At first, she thought it might be a characteristic that prevented the leakage of information from the like [Concealment].

“…No.”

It was simply because of how surprisingly quiet and calm he was, making it impossible to know.

It was evidence that he was skilled at concealing his own power and presence.

Just as she was wondering where he had learned such a skill.

A voice rang in her ear, “Meow~”.

Mahana, the cute girl, looked up with her fists raised.

“Um, it’s been a while. Miss Bora.”

“Yes, nice to see you.”

Silence fell again.

She tried to break the awkwardness by speaking first, but Mahana’s actions were faster.

She bowed her head 90 degrees and apologized.

“Meow~! I’m sorry!”

“…Yes, yes?”

Surprised by the unexpected words, Moonbora watched as Mahana continued to bow her head.

“I’m really sorry about that time. I’m deeply reflecting on not being able to control my condition and take care of my body properly.”

“…Ah.”

“I’m sorry for disappointing you. As a tanker, I should have basic manners… I have no words to say, even if I had ten mouths.”

Moonbora remained silent for a moment.

The words she had said…

Was she really keeping them so deeply in her heart?

“…I’m sorry.”

It was a word that had to be said.

Even if she were to go back to that moment, she would have acted the same way.

This must have been a big shock to Mahana.

As she started to feel a bit down.

Unexpected words followed.

“Meow~, and thank you.”

“…Yes?”

Mahana, fidgeting her fingers, smiled brightly.

“Thanks to you, I was able to reflect on myself. I was able to make an effort. Even though my heart was broken and I almost gave up halfway…”

Mahana looked back at Yuseha.

In their smiling faces, a continuous bond of friendship was felt.

“Thanks to you… I was able to become even better.”

“…”

“And because I moved forward, I was able to meet Seha, and now I can speak to you here.”

“What are you trying to say?”

Mahana cautiously held onto Munbora’s hands.

“I will definitely prove it.”

“Prove what?”

“That you can trust and follow me.”

“…!”

“So please watch over me. Hehe.”

Mahana’s smile, like the sun, was warm and comforting.

It was a smile reminiscent of the one Seha had.

‘…I see.’

Munbora nodded inwardly.

She had to admit.

That she was wrong.

“I judged everything based solely on her status window.”

She had concluded her potential based on the recorded stats and abilities.

And even now, she hastily drew conclusions based on the magical power she felt.

Realizing how foolish that was.

‘Her inner self.’

Mahana.

This little girl’s heart was formed with a strong will of iron above all else.

At this point, her defeat was as good as confirmed.

“…”

Munbora slowly let go of her hand.

She turned around.

“We might be late at this rate. Let’s head to the exam venue.”

“…Mm.”

A faint sigh escaped Mahana’s lips.

For a moment, she felt a slight pang of sadness.

And then, a somewhat hesitant word slipped into Mahana’s ear.

“I believe.”

“…! Mm, thank you!”

Mahana followed Munbora with a bright smile.

And a little further away…

“…Sniff!”

Watching it all, Seha covered her mouth with both hands, tears of joy streaming down her face.

Yes, this is it.

This is the taste.

This is the true taste of ‘Gosla’!

* * *

Bubbling―!

The three of them entered the exam venue.

The crowd was still bustling, with about 5 passages leading in.

In the midst of the overwhelming crowd.

They felt someone approaching from this side.

“Excuse me!”

A woman with reddish-brown hair raised her voice, holding up a document folder.

Judging by her name tag and pretty school uniform, she seemed to be one of the seniors volunteering for today’s exam.

“Munbora, Mahana, Seha, right?”

“Yes, that’s us.”

“Great! Will you follow me? I’ll guide you.”

Thanks to the kind senior’s help, they were able to arrive at the stadium where the exam would take place.

The stadium was like a colosseum, with circular stands and a central area for the exam.

And a judging stand for the final scoring.

“…I have a question.”

Munbora raised her hand with a puzzled expression, wondering why they were all together as if it were natural.

The exam venue consisted of a total of 5 locations.

Naturally, Munbora thought they would each split up to take the exam and then meet again.

But there was no sign of them separating, and they were even seated together.

Munbora was secretly taken aback by the treatment of being treated like a group.

In response, Seha grinned.

“We’re a team now, so it’s natural for us to be together.”

“…Whose decision was that!? We weren’t even a team to begin with?!”

“Yes, but not just any team, a team that faces all hardships and joys together.”

“Don’t talk nonsense!”

Munbora protested, and Seha tilted her head in confusion.

She then cast a gaslighting glance at Mahana, as if to say, ‘Isn’t that right? We swore to stick together, didn’t we?’

“I didn’t say anything like that!”

“Ugh, with your gullible nature, we’ll end up together anyway, so why resist?”

“What did you just say!”

As if resigned, Mahana whispered something in Seha’s ear.

Listening with a ‘Mm, mm.’

Staring at Moonbora with determination in her large eyeballs, she tightened her grip.

“M-Mmm. I-I hope we’re on the same team…”

Her twinkling eyes sparkled.

In an instant, Moonbora’s face turned red under the intense gaze of the ‘eye attack.’

“C-Cough! Th-That’s…strange…anyway, it’s not going in.”

“Tsk.”

“Mmm~”

“Saying that won’t help!”

The fun chit-chat was short-lived.

Soon, the sound of a microphone being tapped could be heard.

It was the signal announcing the start of the exam.

Five people entered one after another.

Each of them, wearing the distinctive uniform of the ‘Hunter Academy,’ proudly displayed their badges as professors.

“…The age range is more diverse than I thought.”

In ‘Gosla,’ there is hardly any information about the academy professors.

Just the characters learning something.

Gaining skills.

And increasing their stats.

Considering the main stage, it was quite surprising.

‘…Maybe it’s because of the guide.’

The guide is a bit ambiguous, but it also plays the role of a teacher.

Therefore, as the influence of the professors grows, it may overlap with the position of the guide managing the characters.

I speculated that this was excluded due to the possibility of complaints from the community.

‘…Let’s see, one is male. The rest are all female…oh? There’s even an elderly lady.’

In the fourth seat.

An elderly woman with wrinkled skin that made her look well over 60 was standing with her arms crossed.

Her strong presence made it clear that she was also a professor.

“Indeed, the rumor that they focused heavily on recruitment this year seems to be true. They all seem to be quite capable individuals.”

“Oh, really?”

Moonbora looked puzzled at my question.

“…You don’t know?”

Of course, she wouldn’t know.

I’ve only been in this world for two months since I possessed it.

“…Well, it’s information you need to know anyway, so I’ll tell you now.”

Moonbora explained enthusiastically.

I only caught snippets of the subjects being taught.

Each one was about understanding the positions of hunters, establishing strategies and command systems, information about monsters and ancient history, and sparring among hunters.

It was clear that the major professors were teaching useful subjects.

I listened quietly and waited for the next instruction.

“And what about that person?”

“…Who?”

“Over there, at the end.”

The woman at the far end.

With long beige hair.

A slender and flexible body like Moonbora’s.

A sword hanging from her waist.

And a slightly fierce but beautiful appearance, like a flower blooming in spring.

She was a person who naturally caught your eye.

“Who is she…?”

Moonbora stopped mid-sentence.

When I looked at her questioningly, she turned her eyes away and mumbled.

“…I don’t know.”

“…Huh?”

“W-What? Of course, I don’t know everything just because I’m Moonbora.”

“M-Moonbora Wiki…don’t give me weird nicknames! Anyway, I don’t know. No, I don’t know.”

I narrowed my eyes.

Judging by her reaction, she knew something…

Considering Moonbora’s personality, she wouldn’t withhold information just to annoy me.

‘Is she someone I know personally?’

It’s possible, as Moonbora values etiquette and is careful with sensitive topics.

The reason I’m paying attention to that female professor is not because of her appearance.

She’s beautiful, sure.

Even Moonbora next to me is a beauty to behold.

The reason I’m interested is one and only one.

‘…She’s been staring at me since earlier.’

It may seem strange.

With her eyes closed and arms crossed, and being so far away, how could she know?

But my intuition was screaming at me.

Right now, that woman is ignoring all the other exam takers gathered here and is solely focused on me.

And she’s doing it with a fierce intensity.

‘…Ugh.’

I hope it’s just a misunderstanding.

I’ve experienced this kind of thing a lot.

‘Probably…’

It can’t be a misunderstanding, right?