No matter how high the level of adventurers who tried, not a single one could pull out Orion's Spear.
A muscular Level 3 adventurer, a Level 4 with enhancement Skills, even a veteran Level 5 with locked jaw—all failed.
Orion's Spear seemed to merge with the crystal and the earth beneath it, completely unmoved by anyone's physical strength who had climbed onto the platform.
One by one the adventurers returned to the crowd in defeat, but their failures only sparked even greater curiosity. More and more people gathered, wanting to witness the emergence of the hero capable of succeeding where others failed.
"This scene reminds me of King Arthur pulling Caliburn from the stone." Charlie unconsciously muttered while watching the immovable Orion's Spear.
"Charlie-san is right. I was thinking the same." Kei said with an agreeing nod. "In Arthurian legend, even renowned knights failed, until an unknown youth finally pulled it out and was crowned king."
The legend of King Arthur was indeed too global in their place of origin, adapted into thousands of novels, films, and games. However, for natives of this world, that name sounded foreign.
"Eh? This is the first time I've heard that story. Among the heroes I know, none are named Arthur." Bell interjected with a confused expression. As a hero fanatic, he found it strange there was a great legend that escaped his reading.
Charlie immediately realized he had slipped up. He winked at Kei before patting Bell's shoulder.
"Don't think too much about it, Bell. That's just a local legend from our hometown. Right, Kei?"
Understanding his intent, Kei immediately supported. "Mm. Compared to the legends of great heroes famous here, King Arthur isn't that significant a figure."
"I see..." Bell didn't think further about it.
Meanwhile, Astraea and Hestia, who could detect lies, sensed the pair's little trick.
Hestia didn't care much about unknown legends, while Astraea wisely chose not to expose their little secret.
"Let's try too, Ais-san."
"Mm. Okay."
Hearing the voices of two girls behind that sounded familiar, Charlie turned around.
Sure enough, he recognized Ais Wallenstein and Lefiya Viridis from Loki Familia.
"AH!"
Lefiya, who noticed Charlie's presence, immediately shrieked. Her face turned bright red, whether from some embarrassing memory that crossed her mind, and she hurriedly hid behind Ais's back.
"A-Ais-san, let's leave here quickly. Cancel the intention to join this event!"
Unfortunately, Ais ignored Lefiya's panicked plea. She instead walked calmly toward Charlie's group.
"Good evening." Ais greeted in a flat tone.
"Evening, Ais." Charlie replied, maintaining an equally neutral demeanor.
They had agreed to keep their special relationship secret, so in public, they showed no excessive familiarity.
"Why are you glaring at me, Lefiya?" Charlie glanced at Lefiya who was staring at him as if he were her greatest enemy.
"Hmph! Don't call my name so casually, we're not close!" Lefiya snorted annoyed while turning her face away.
She knew about Ais and Charlie's affair because she happened to witness it. Although she hadn't told anyone for Ais's reputation's sake, that burden made her very uncomfortable.
"Let's go, Ais-san!" Lefiya impatiently pushed Ais's back up onto the stage.
Kei, observing that interaction, narrowed her eyes.
"That elf seems very hostile toward Charlie-san. Have you done something to her?" she asked suspiciously.
Her feminine intuition said the situation wasn't as simple as it seemed.
"I'd like to know too." Charlie answered while shrugging, pretending not to understand.
In his heart, he suspected Lefiya, with her particular 'admiration' for Ais, certainly didn't want her idol close to any man. Something similar happened to Bell in the original storyline.
On stage, Hermes acting as master of ceremonies called out, "Alright, who's the next participant?"
"Here! Me!"
Lefiya raised her hand high, then climbed onto the stage with quick steps, perhaps more to avoid Charlie than actually wanting to try.
"Impossible! Won't budge at all!"
Although Lefiya was Level 4, her effort ended the same as previous participants.
"Aww, Lefiya-chan! Gave up so quickly! Well, who else?" Hermes teased cheerfully.
"Wow, here we go! Sword Princess, Ais Wallenstein takes the stage!"
Even without Hermes's announcement, the crowd immediately erupted.
In Orario, famous High Class Adventurers like Ais were celebrities. Every appearance drew attention.
"Pull it, Sword Princess!"
Nevertheless, Hermes himself actually didn't hold much hope. He already anticipated the result.
Sure enough, after several seconds of exerting strength, Ais released her grip.
"Can't. Hard to pull." she said without emotional change.
"Impossible... Even Ais-san who's Level 6 couldn't do it..." Lefiya muttered with slumped shoulders.
As Ais descended the stage, Kei nudged Charlie's arm. "Charlie-san, try it."
However, Charlie just shook his head. "No need. Even I probably won't be able to."
"Huh? Why not?"
Not just Kei, even Astraea now looked at him in confusion.
"Haaah... The reason is simple." Charlie sighed, then explained. "The user of Orion's Spear has already been determined from the start. The power remaining in that spear recognizes its owner's identity. Only someone who meets certain requirements can pull it out. And clearly, I'm not the chosen adventurer, so there's no use trying something that's bound to fail."
Since he still vaguely remembered the storyline, Charlie knew the hidden requirement behind Orion's Spear. If someone wasn't chosen, they wouldn't be able to pull it out.
At the same time, his gaze was fixed on Bell, who climbed onto the stage after being enthusiastically pushed by Hestia.
"Oh, you next, Bell?" Hermes grinned widely, his eyes that always sparkled with hidden plans looking sharper than usual.
"Yes. Please help me." Bell answered politely, even bowing slightly to Hermes before approaching the crystal holding the spear.
"Well, the Little Rookie faces his challenge too!" Hermes exclaimed, his voice echoing to heat up the atmosphere though most spectators didn't expect much from a mere Level 2 adventurer.
Bell took a deep breath. However, just as his fingers touched the cold surface of Orion's Spear—even before he could exert any strength to pull it—a sweet and clear feminine voice echoed exclusively in his mind.
"I found you!"
"Eh?"
Instantly, the scene before them changed drastically. Orion's Spear which had looked dull and shabby suddenly emitted a blinding white light. That light spread quickly, illuminating the entire area from base to spear tip.
*CRACK!*
Sacred inscriptions carved on its shaft began to glow faintly with extraordinary magical aura. Shortly after, with a loud cracking sound, the chunks of clear crystal holding it shattered into pieces, scattering around the stage.
Orion's Spear was now free, fully exposed, held by Bell who staggered. Unprepared for how easily the spear came loose, Bell tumbled backward, sitting on the stage while still gripping the spear tightly with an innocent expression of disbelief and confusion.
(As I suspected. Fate indeed chose you.) Hermes thought inwardly, a thin smile hard to read appearing on his lips before he quickly lowered his hat brim to hide his satisfied expression.
"Congratulations, Bell!"
Hestia, unable to contain herself, immediately jumped onto the stage and landed with a tight hug that almost made Bell fall again. Her face shone with unbridled pride.
"..."
Meanwhile, the atmosphere below the stage changed to dead silence before finally exploding in whispers of disbelief.
Veteran adventurers could only gape witnessing the reality that a Level 2 youth had just succeeded in pulling out Orion's Spear which even a Level 6 adventurer like the Sword Princess failed to draw.
"You see, Kei?" Charlie said in a low voice, only audible to the girl beside him. "This was all destined. If we use the metaphor of a story, that boy is the protagonist of this world."
He appeared very relaxed. Not a hint of jealousy on his face despite losing the opportunity to be the center of attention. For him, troublesome fame was the last thing he wanted.
However, Kei couldn't hide her annoyance. She pouted while staring at the stage dissatisfied.
"It still feels unfair." she complained softly. She was very certain, if only there were no special arrangements or requirements on Orion's Spear, her lover definitely had more than enough power to pull it out.
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