"When the mask is no longer a shackle of the past, but a trump card you can play."
"Then this time, it is up to you to decide."
"Whether to defend or attack, it all depends on you."
"Do not be constrained by form anymore; be loyal only to the sword in your hand."
"As long as you make the choice you think is most suitable for you, that is the way of the sword most suitable for you."
Seeing Onigawara Rin looking somewhat distracted, Haimer offered a soft reminder.
Thus.
Only one person remained in the room who had not yet received the Grace.
The gazes of everyone present instantly focused like searchlights, swishing in unison to land on that figure shrinking behind the black bear.
——Hanasaka Warabi.
"Ao?"
Hanasaka Warabi was trying hard to curl herself into a ball.
However.
Seeming to feel the focus of everyone's sight.
As Hanasaka Warabi's closest comrade-in-arms, the partner she grew up with since childhood.
The black bear being used as human shielding—its mung-bean-sized eyes darted around, looking at so many pairs of eyes—especially the gaze of that terrifying man—and then looked at its own master's cowardly appearance.
And so.
This black bear, who had mixed among humans for many years and was well-versed in the ways of survival.
Made a decision that went against its ancestors!
——Better the teammate dies than myself!
Without any hesitation!
Kyoubou made its choice immediately, its massive body abruptly shifting to the side!
And then——
"Off you go!"
To clear itself of any involvement completely.
It even extremely conveniently used that broad, thick, fleshy butt to give Hanasaka Warabi's body a forceful shove.
This was a backstab coming from a teammate!
It came fast and ruthless!
...
"Aiyo!"
Hanasaka Warabi was completely unguarded.
Her entire person was sent flying out like a bowling ball by this sudden [Bear Butt Impact].
"Waaaaah——!"
Hanasaka Warabi let out a miserable scream.
She stumbled and rolled out.
In order not to fall flat on her face in public and perform a face-plant, she had to flap forward several steps before barely stabilizing her figure.
As a result.
When she looked up.
She discovered she had stopped exactly at Haimer's knees!
The distance was less than ten centimeters!
"..."
The air solidified for a second.
Hanasaka Warabi stiffly twisted her neck, looking at that black bear, her face twisted with anger.
"Kyoubou!!!"
"You actually sold me out!"
"And to think I even shared a piece of my steak with you at dinner just now!"
"You traitor!"
"Awoo..."
The black bear Kyoubou covered its eyes with its paws and let out a wronged cry, putting on an act of "I didn't notice anything."
Seeing this, Haimer waved his hand helplessly.
"Alright, stop acting."
"Since you're already over here, hurry up."
"Everyone else is waiting to sleep, don't waste time."
"I still have to take you all to the Guild to register as Adventurers tomorrow."
"Oh..."
Hearing these words, Hanasaka Warabi's momentum instantly deflated.
Drooping her head.
Since she had already been pushed to the front stage by that stupid bear, if she retreated again, it would really be too shameful.
"Hmph... W-Who's afraid of whom!"
Thinking of this, Hanasaka Warabi snorted through her nose, trying to regain a bit of ground.
Then.
She dawdled her way to the bedside.
Looking at the large bed that appeared slightly too high for her petite frame, she climbed up with some difficulty, using both her hands and feet.
After finally climbing onto the bed.
Hanasaka Warabi sat on her knees on the mattress.
Her eyes wandered uncertainly, looking at Haimer one moment and the bedsheets the next, just not daring to look at the person directly.
"Th... That..."
"Can you... be a little gentle?"
Hanasaka Warabi's voice was as small as a mosquito's buzz.
"..."
Upon hearing this, the corner of Haimer's eye couldn't help but twitch.
"I am engraving Grace upon you, not beating you."
"Don't say things that are easily misunderstood."
"Take it off, quickly."
"Wu..."
Hanasaka Warabi, having been scolded, shrank her neck.
She had no choice but to close her eyes, wearing an expression of resolved death as if heading to the execution ground.
"Swish——"
She pulled down her sleeping robe.
Her petite body was exposed.
Although she was a legal L0l!.
The curves she should have... really weren't much to speak of.
Her smooth back looked completely like that of an undeveloped child; her butterfly bones protruded slightly, appearing exceptionally fragile.
Haimer didn't waste words.
He straddled her directly, condensing blood at his fingertip.
He reached out.
Dropped the blood.
"Hum——"
Light flared up.
The complex patterns appeared exceptionally stark on Hanasaka Warabi's small back.
A moment later.
The rubbing was complete.
Haimer swept a glance over the skill descriptions above, his eyebrows raising slightly.
[Name]: Hanasaka Warabi
[Race]: Human
[Level]: Lv.1
[Abilities]: Strength: I 0 | Endurance: I 0 | Dexterity: I 0 | Agility: I 0 | Magic: I 0
[Development Abilities]: None
[Magic]: None
[Skills]: 『Coordinated Fangs』, 『Pathfinding Scent』
Skills:
『Coordinated Fangs』
When performing coordinated attacks with a tamed beast, both parties gain a bonus to [Strength] and [Agility].
If attacking the same target, damage receives an additional bonus.
『Pathfinding Scent』
Borrows the senses of the beast.
Possesses extraordinary intuition regarding traps and hostility.
Perception judgment regarding enemies hidden in the dark is drastically corrected.
Pathfinding ability is drastically improved.
...
"Not bad."
Haimer gave a simple evaluation and handed the parchment to Hanasaka Warabi.
"..."
Hanasaka Warabi held the parchment with both hands.
Her gaze swept back and forth over those two lines of text repeatedly.
Once.
Twice.
Her eyes, originally somewhat apprehensive, began to light up bit by bit as she read deeper.
Immediately——
Hanasaka Warabi suddenly turned her head.
She looked towards the black bear still on the floor, covering its eyes with two bear paws and playing dead.
"Heh..."
The corners of Hanasaka Warabi's mouth cracked open.
She let out a burst of laughter that would make one's hair stand on end.
The next second.
"Hah!"
One could only see.
This petite L0l! leapt fiercely from the bed.
She traced a parabola in the air.
And then——
"Bang!"
She crashed down heavily.
Landing with pinpoint precision on that black bear's soft, thick belly.
She even used the momentum of her descent to drive her knees ruthlessly into it.
"Aooo——!!!"
The black bear ate pain, instantly opening its mouth wide and letting out a miserable, shrill scream.
The bear paws that 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 with both feet on the bear's stomach, hands on her hips, speaking condescendingly.
"This is the end awaiting a traitor!"
"Let's see if you dare sell me out next time!"
"Awoo..."
Kyoubou dared not disobey, only able to whimper aggrievedly.
At this point.
Watching this pair of live treasures making a scene.
"Clap! Clap!"
Haimer clapped his hands, unilaterally interrupting Hanasaka Warabi's act of violence, and pulling everyone's attention back.
"Alright."
"Since the Grace has been bestowed upon everyone, that will be all for tonight."
"Although you have the Grace, this is only the beginning."
"First thing tomorrow morning, I will take you to the Guild to formally register your Adventurer identities."
"That is when the real beginning starts."
"So now."
"Sleep."
"Save up your energy; tomorrow won't be this relaxing."
"Yes!"
The girls responded in unison.
Even Hanasaka Warabi, who was endlessly excited about just receiving a Divine Skill, obediently jumped down from the bear's stomach.
Seeing this, Haimer nodded gently.
"Goodnight, everyone."
"Goodnight——Kami-sama!"
"Creak——"
"Click."
Haimer walked out of the room and closed the door behind him.
Shutting out the chirping discussion sounds of the group of young girls inside.
However.
The moment the door closed.
A voice came over.
"Finished handling it?"
Haimer turned his head.
A figure was leaning diagonally against the wall.
Crimson short hair, a single eye patch.
——It was precisely Hephaestus.
"I thought you would be handling it for a bit longer."
"But looking at it now."
"Since matters on your side are all finished, shouldn't it be time to handle the agreement between you and me?"
"After all, for the sake of that 'presentable thing' you mentioned, I have been waiting here for half the day."
"You wouldn't be thinking of standing me up at a time like this, would you?"
____
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