Chapter 112 112 Own stories
[OP: ]
[ "OK, so, you mean he was with her from the start and Nes encountered him when she was being attacked by some unknown people?" ]
[ "Yup, ah, and they were most likely defeated by him afterward. And, from her descriptions, it seems to me like they were the group from Freedom Alliance, the ones who should have been defeated by Lux or Ras. Perhaps Nes was too flabbergasted since she didn't know the fact that they all wouldn't die even if she drilled a hole in them here but, the way she killed that bastard was amazing~!" ]
El sounded delighted about the fact that her(?) Nes actually killed someone because he tried hurting her. And besides that fact, she didn't care much about anything else.
Things would happen, it was a given. Enjoying the moment was more fun to her than worrying about uncertain little things.
Her beloved darling was doing it already, and he was better at it, so she had nothing to worry about.
[ "Haaa… you dummy. Must be nice being in that situation, hun?" ]
[ "Of course~. It's Nes we are talking about~." ]
[ "Haaaa… alright. Send her off carefully, and please don't forget to tell her the important things she does not know about this labyrinth. Oh, better send her somewhere around area <R>." ]
Nes could read someone's emotions and feelings, and see their sincerity in whatever they were doing. She can tell if someone wishes her harm just by their vibe, that was the reason she was so friendly toward them the first time she met them.
She knew who was the good or right person and who was a bad and malicious one. However, she couldn't distinguish it this time because of that person's unique ability and there was a good chance she won't be able to do so again if someone has a similar ability.
She relied on this ability of hers a little too much, she knew that fact now. And it was thanks to El, so she was even more thankful to her.
She had to work on it and learn how to distinguish people by their actions rather than just their unique vibe. She might be in danger otherwise.
This made her closer to El, and since this was an unexpected event that she was not expecting to happen anytime soon, she was even happier.
[ "Yepiii~! You take care too… wait no. Go die you bastard! Why are you still higher ranked than me?!" ]
They both had just fought against people who were in high rankings and still, his rank was higher than hers even though she had a little more points than him now.
She had contributed to the fight against that shitty killer, so even though most of the points went to Nes, she had received a considerable amount of points, pushing her just a few ranks below her beloved brother.
[ "You weren't the one who defeated your opponent while I won fair and square. Of course, I'm higher ranked than you." ]
[ "Fair and square my foot! You cheater!" ]
[ "No ma'am. I won fairly. Ras even thanked me you know." ]
[ "That bastard would thank anyone who defeats him, you piece of shit! This is not fair! You are cheating!" ]
[ "Instead of getting angry and wasting time, do something productive like me and earn more points ma'am. Oh, it's fine if you wanna hand that wish over without a fight. I don't mind-" ]
[ "Fuck you! Don't talk to me!" ]
[ "Yes, yes." ]
Lucy was hunting beasts in a restricted monster dan so his rankings were increasing even as they spoke while on the other hand, El was having a fine breakfast with Nes.
He was working hard for that wish and here she was, drinking tea with her dear friend. But, he knew if he wanted to maintain this higher score ranking, he had to put in even more effort.
The only way he could earn points was by defeating the monsters, getting the hidden treasures, and defeating the other students in the duels. However, El had another way of increasing her points at a faster speed like Rex was doing right now.
She can do that 'auto hunting' but he didn't have that level of processing power to pull something like that. He was a normal person with talent and some strengths but mental calculation was not one of them.
At the very least, he couldn't do it the way El, Cathy, and Rex could.
So, he had to stick to the traditional methods and find the ones hoarding higher points and work relentlessly until the end, that was the only way he could guarantee his victory.
And he had his Luck, so he had faith in himself.
"Ugh! That bastard!"
"A-ahem! What happened?!"
Lucy continued his hunting while El's sudden words made Nes spit out her tea.
"Lucy is a bastard!"
Nes was looking at her with a sudden shocked expression and uncertainty.
The way El shouted shocked her and, if not for the food basket in her lap, she would have jumped up in surprise.
"Eh…?"
She thought something serious had happened but after hearing her mention Lucy's name, she confirmed this was one of those times when she just curses out of nowhere for no reason.
She had done this multiple times but Nes could still not get used to this weird behavior of hers...
"Nes!"
"Yes...!"
Nes thought this was just a usual outburst like always so she was trying to calm herself, but then El shouted her name out of nowhere. And the involuntary response from poor Nes almost sounded like she was about to cry from its sudden shock.
"I think I will have to go now."
But this thing that El said… it wasn't something Nes was expecting.
"W-w-what do you mean you have to go?! Shouldn't we form a t-team?!"
She was confused and afraid. The whole test experience hadn't been any fun for her. The 25 questions were all tormenting and this place was bad. She just wanted to go home if she could, but she couldn't do that.
She had to pass this test and get into the academy regardless of how tough it seemed. And for that, she thought she would have El by her side.
She thought she could rely on her now that they were reunited like this but, she was saying she had to go? Surely she wasn't abandoning her in this terrible place… right?
"No, little girl."
El patted her head with a warm smile and stood up.
"This is a test, remember? You have to do it on your own."
"B-but we can form-"
"Yes we can form teams but as I said, 'you' have to do it on your own."
Nes also stood up after putting the food basket down and started speaking in a louder voice, but El cut him midway and shook her head while saying that.
"It is a test for all of us.
Yes, one can form teams, but you know how their collective points would be counted as a singular entity's, right?
The team formation is for those who are a team and will always be a collective entity, like Lucy and me. But you, my dear, even though our dearest friend, are meant to shine alone.
You have to do it by yourself, and we will always be there for you so, don't worry.
This is our test, so, we all have to do our best."
El hugged her out of nowhere and the surprise on Nes's face grew larger. She understood what El was trying to say but it still didn't make any sense to her.
"But why? W-why do I have to do it… by myself?"
There were tears at the end of her eyes once again, El knew it even though she couldn't see her face, so she hugged her tighter.
"Remember, Nes? You once told me your mom and others used to say you are different from the others?
How they told you there will be difficulties you will face because you are special compared to others even though you look just like them?
How there will be difficult times before you?
This is just one of those situations.
You are special, this is one of those difficult times that you will have to see through by yourself, however, you aren't alone.
Your family is with you, and we are here as well, so don't worry. Even if you are by yourself, you will be alright."
She patted her back, took a last feel of her sweet scent and perfect body, and after a last squeeze, she sat back down and picked up her tea cup.
"I should finish this before going though. Help me Nes~."
Every protagonist has their own story, just like how everyone is the protagonist of their own story.
And even though a part of theirs, Nes had a journey of her own.
She was also a protagonist, so she had to overcome many challenges, change herself, become a better person, graduate from here, and go back to meet her family in that forest.
And that would still only be the start of her unique adventure...
"Smfff. Smfff. El, you are a meanie!"
"I'm crazy and awesome as well dear. Here, your favorite."
She handed her a lunchbox when she sat back with sad tears, but El wiped them with her handkerchief and patted her cute little head.
"It's fascinating how you're the same person that obliterated that bastard a while ago."
"Smffff, did you say something, smffff."
"I said you are cute. Quickly finish this up so I can go. I have to have more points than that bastard to win our bet you know?
Look, he's climbing the ranks like a war horse rushing through a sea of soldiers… ah. That reminds me, Nes…"
El had to tell a few things about this labyrinth to her so, she was going to finish this task and this sweet warm tea before parting ways with her friend.
She had to catch up with Lucy's points and for that, she was going to create her own point farm like Rex and Cathy.
She was excited to try a new method that had recently popped into her head too so it was exciting for her.
It would be fun for her… however, while Lucy was working hard and these two were having their breakfast, their other family member, Eva, was being surrounded by all the other people applying to be the official helpers in the academy.
It was chaotic and sudden so Eva was going through a difficult moment.
And, since it was their break time, the three cat examiners were having fun watching that fun lady suffer under their respectful voices and genuine greetings...
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