(The Deus Discipline on Floor 200…)

According to President Robert, the challenge is set for seven days from now, leaving little time to prepare.

Ensuring perfect physical condition and thoroughly inspecting weapons and armor should suffice. Most importantly, I need to inform my companions first.

“I’ll go find Sumire and Sara.” (Eugene)

I muttered to myself.

Sara was likely busy with the student council, while I’d heard Sumire would be at ‘that place’ today.

And so, I headed to the 7th Sealed Prison.

◇◇

The underground prison was dark, even during the day, as no sunlight could reach it.

Eerie laughter and unsettling sounds from strange creatures echoed continuously.

It was a perpetually gloomy place, no matter how many times I come.

However…

“As I said! That’s not how you do it!” 

“I don’t get it, Eri-san!”

“Sumire, you’re an Ifrit. You can’t use magic like humans. Listen to me. Use magic as if it’s an extension of your body.” (Eri)

“What about chanting spells?” (Sumire)

“Unnecessary! Forget about it.” (Eri)

“Eeh, but I went through the trouble of learning them in class!” (Sumire)

“It’s fine for beginners. But aren’t you aiming for the upper floors of the Zenith Tower? If you take it slow, you’ll never make it.” (Eri)

“You’re so strict, Eri-san…” (Sumire)

Bright voices, entirely unfitting for the dark dungeon, reached my ears; Eri and Sumire’s voices.

I entered the innermost cell with a clank.

Eri and Sumire turned to look at me.

“Excuse the intrusion.” (Eugene)

“Oh, Eugene.” (Eri)

“Eugy-kun, what are you doing at a place like this?” (Sumire)

“…At a place like this?” (Eri)

“Ow, ow! I was kidding, Eri-san!!” (Sumire)

Sumire was having her head rubbed painfully by Eri’s knuckles. That’s gotta hurt.

“Sumire, training magic seems…tough.” (Eugene)

“Totally! Eri-san used to explain things so clearly, but now she’s just confusing.” (Sumire)

Sumire was learning magic from Eri, but she also attended magic classes at the academy. According to Eri, however, those classes weren’t suitable for Sumire.

“Sumire’s magic skills have improved enough that she needs to handle at least Saint Rank magic without chanting to progress.” (Eri)

“Saint Rank magic…without chanting?” (Eugene)

Isn’t that the pinnacle of human ability? 

Then again, Eri rarely lies since she is an angel. If she said it is possible, it probably is.

“So, Eugy-kun, why are you here? …Ah! Don’t tell me you’re here to do something indecent with Eri-san…” (Sumire)

“What?! Is that true? Geez, you should’ve said so sooner♡! Alright, little girl, off you go now.” (Eri)

“No, that’s not it.” (Eugene)

What is Sumire even talking about?

—I explained the situation to the two of them.

“The Deus Discipline on Floor 200, huh? If you’re going, I’ll join too.” (Sumire)

“Great, Sumire. I’m glad to have you onboard.” (Eugene)

I sigh in relief.

I can now fight alone thanks to the Heaven Sword, but my mana reserves are average at best. Facing a Divine Beast would be much harder without Sumire’s Mana Blade.

“Well, with you two, Floor 200 should be no problem.” (Eri)

“Really?” (Eugene)

Eri’s casual confidence was reassuring.

“Alright, let’s go shopping for gear to prepare for the trial in seven days, Eugy-kun…” (Sumire)

“Kay, Sumire~☆, no skipping magic training because it’s tough. Stay here.” (Eri)

“What? I’ve done enough for today! I’ll go with Eugy-kun!” (Sumire)

“You just want an excuse to flirt with Eugene. I see through you.” (Eri)

“So what? I’m Eugy-kun’s girlfriend!” (Sumire)

“Sumire, you’re in the mistress category. Eugene, come here at night♡.” (Eri)

“Ah, that’s unfair! Fine, then I’ll stay here until nighttime.” (Sumire)

“Excuse me!? You’re going home before that, little girl!” (Eri)

Eri and Sumire were bickering and tugging at each other. They seem to get along surprisingly well now.

“Eri, Sumire, I’ll see you later.” (Eugene)

““You absolutely must!””

I left the dungeon while waving goodbye to the two.

“Now, try again. Stop chanting and don’t visualize it. Use magic like breathing.” (Eri)

“I can’t help but imagine it~.” (Sumire)

“That’ll only produce human-level magic.” (Eri)

“Ugh, this is hard~.” (Sumire)

Looks like she is going to resume magic training while grumbling. 

I heard her skills have been improving rapidly, so I look forward to the trial in seven days.

(Next up is the student council building. I hope Sara’s in the president’s office.)

Sara is always busy, so she rarely stays in one place for long.

Oh well, if she isn’t there, I just have to look elsewhere. I thought that and headed to the student council building.

◇◇

(Wait, didn’t the student council members dislike me?) (Eugene)

It has been so long since I last came here that I’d forgotten.

Now, I was standing before a door labeled Student Council Enforcement Division.

Many student council members didn’t like me, likely because of my close relationship with Sara, who was popular among the academy’s students.

(If I go in, I might get into trouble…) (Eugene)

If Teresia-san, who I can reason with, were there, I could have her call Sara for me, but…

I hesitated on what to do until…

“Oh? Eugy, what brings you here? Coming to see me?”

Someone tapped me on the shoulder.

I didn’t even notice them approaching me.

This mischievous tone and the way they addressed me…

“Airi? Why are you here?”

It was Airi Grandflare, my childhood friend and the seventh princess, destined to be the next Empress.

“Well, I am a student council member, so of course I’d be here.” (Airi)

“Right. I forgot you were part of the enforcement division now.” (Eugene)

I was surprised when I first learned Airi had joined the student council. 

The rescue missions undertaken by the council apparently aligned with her aspirations to train in the Zenith Tower. I heard she is actively assisting in the relief efforts and updating her progress record.

“Hmm, so you didn’t come to see me.” (Airi)

My childhood friend managed to read my expression pretty quickly and pouted slightly.

“Uh, no. I came to see Sara.” (Eugene)

“Then the president’s office it is. Let’s go.” (Airi)

Airi grabbed my hand and threw open the door with a dramatic bang.

The student council members inside turned to look at us.

They greeted Airi with friendly smiles.

However, some of the expressions directed at me…carried a hint of something more complicated.

Despite that, no one made an obvious attempt to pick a fight.

This was probably thanks to Airi’s presence as the future Empress standing beside me.

Having a powerful childhood friend sure comes in handy.

“Is the President here?” (Airi)

“Yes, Airi-san. She’s in the council president’s office, reviewing some documents.” 

“Thanks.” (Airi)

Airi gave a brief word of gratitude and ascended the stairs.
I followed after her.

At the top of the stairs, a short corridor led us to a door labeled Council President’s Office.

Knock, knock! 

Airi knocked on the door.

“Come in.” 

A voice called from inside.

“Excuse me.” (Airi)

Airi said as she entered. I stepped in after her.

Inside, the room was filled with stacks of documents piled high on the desk where Sara and Teresia-san were going over papers.

“Airi… What brings you here… Wait, Eugene?!” (Sara)

Sara stopped what she was doing, her eyes widening in surprise.

“Sorry to interrupt while you’re busy.” (Eugene)

“That’s fine, but… what are you doing in a place like this?” (Sara)

“President Sara, phrasing it like that is inappropriate.” (Teresia)

Teresia-san admonished, a subtle jab at Sara’s choice of words.

(She said the same thing as Sumire.) (Eugene)

Sara and Sumire have been spending a lot of time together lately. Maybe their speech patterns were rubbing off on each other.

“I wanted to consult with you about something, Sara.” (Eugene)

“Should I step out, Eugene-kun?” (Teresia)

“No, there’s nothing to hide. It’s fine if you stay.” (Eugene)

I proceeded to explain Robert’s proposal to Sara.

—Once I finished explaining…

“…I see. So, this is a request from the Swordsmanship Club’s Robert Crown-senpai to challenge the Deus Discipline on Floor 200. Got it. I’ll join.” (Sara)

“Sara, you seem busy with student council work. Are you sure?” (Eugene)

I cast a concerned glance at the mountains of documents surrounding her.

“It can’t be helped. Robert-senpai is rumored to be the next leader of the Sacred Knights in the Holy Union. If I, as the future Holy Maiden, don’t assist, it could cause problems later…”  (Sara)

“That sounds…complicated.” (Eugene)

It was the kind of situation where politics and obligations couldn’t be ignored.

As someone that’s not from the Holy Union, it wasn’t my place to comment.

(With this, the usual exploration team is complete.) (Eugene)

I felt a sense of relief.

Now, all that remained was to plan our strategy.

Although President Robert had said we could act freely, it would be better to coordinate in advance.

(Where is the Swordsmanship Club’s room again?) (Eugene)

I mused.

“Hey, hey! Eugy!” (Airi)

Airi tugged at my sleeve, her eyes sparkling.

(Oh no…) (Eugene)

The moment I saw Airi’s excited expression, I knew what was coming next.

Letting Airi hear about this was a mistake.

But she was the one who brought me to the student council.
Perhaps this was inevitable.

“The Deus Discipline on Floor 200! You have to take me too!” (Airi)

Her face was the same as when, as a child, she swore she wouldn’t stop challenging me until she won.

■Comment Response:

>Take care!

>Rest up!

>Don’t push yourself if you’re unwell!

-Thank you all for your kind words.

■Author’s Comment:

Sorry for the delayed and short update last time.

I’m back to writing now.

I caught a cold last week, likely from fatigue after a year-end party.

There are more parties in December, so I’ll try to take better care of my health.

Also, the cover for Zero Sword Volume 4 seems to have briefly appeared in Amazon’s Overlap Bunko rankings.

Of course, I haven’t seen anything myself.

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