Translator: Haruto.

“I-I understand. Since you also have their endorsement, you’re more than welcome to apply for a promotion,” the receptionist informs me.

It seems I’ll be able to become an S-rank adventurer after all… or so I thought, but things are never that easy.

The receptionist adds, “As I’m sure you know, S-rank adventurers must possess overwhelming strength and skill. In order to confirm that you possess such qualities, we need you to battle our guild’s special examiner. You’ll be using real swords, unlike the wooden swords used in mock battles, so we’d also like to ask you to please sign this contract.”

Skimming through the document, I notice it says that there’s a risk of death.

Well, the Guild wouldn’t have hired that person as a “special examiner” if they weren’t exceptionally strong. I’m sure it’ll be a fierce battle.

The adventurers around us begin to chat excitedly among themselves. The arrival of two heroes and my application to become an S-rank adventurer appear to have piqued their curiosity.

“Aah, alright… There.”  I sign the contract and let one drop of blood fall on it.

One beat later, the paper begins to shine due to the mana stored inside it, indicating that the contract has been sealed.

“Thank you. I’ll go summon our special examiner right away. Please wait here.”

After waiting some time, we see a woman descend the stairs of the Guild’s headquarters…

She’s someone I’ll never forget and that I’d recognize anywhere. She’s my master, savior, and the Golden Horizon’s former leader, Beatrix Austadt.

“Bea…”

“I knew it… I figured it had to be you when I heard your name, Alize.”

Despite being a little old now, it’s obvious her body is still in top condition. All of her movements are sharp yet graceful.

“…It’s been too long, Bea.”

“Yeah, it sure has, Alize.”

In response to our little greeting, Mia and Lulune tilt their heads in confusion.

The latter asks, “You know her, Alize-san?”

I nod and say, “Yeah, she’s Bea… Beatrix Austadt, the former leader of the S-rank party known as the Golden Horizon, and the person who took me in and raised me.”

An expression of surprise appears on both of their faces.

Mia cries out, “The Golden Horizon?! The so-called ‘Living Legends’?!”  

Bea draws closer to us, sighs, and answers, “…Right, I’d forgotten some people like to call us that. I think you heroes are far more deserving of that epithet, though. Unlike you, we weren’t able to defeat the Demon King.”

Lulune and Mia rapidly shake their heads from side to side in disagreement.

“No, ma’am! We still have a long way to go before we can compare ourselves to you!” Lulune exclaims.

“We could never hold a candle to the members of the Golden Horizon! Some people even claim that S-rank wasn’t enough for your party! They say you should have been classified as SS-rank!” Mia says.

At the time, I just looked up to them and didn’t understand exactly how amazing they were, but the members of the Golden Horizon are indeed great legends.

It’s even said that Bea managed to slay an ancient dragon by herself, and people often talk about how the Golden Horizon reached the 100th floor of the Labyrinth of the Abyss. And that’s just a couple of all the great feats they achieved. Perhaps the fact that I grew up surrounded by those incredible warriors is the main reason my self-esteem is not very high.

“At any rate, I can’t tell you how proud I am that you’re aiming to become an S-rank adventurer, Alize,” Bea comments, looking far into the distance.

Considering the way I was back then, I guess she never expected me to try something like this.

“I owe it all to the people I’ve met and the experiences I’ve had along the way,” I tell her.

“Haha, it sounds like you’ve been enjoying your life to the fullest… I’m so glad I was able to save you that day.”

There’s no doubt I wouldn’t be alive today if she hadn’t rescued me. I now have Lulune and Mia by my side, and the other heroes think dearly of me as well, but that would have never come to be without Bea’s benevolence and unwavering faith in her ideals.

“However,” Bea begins as a ferocious look flashes in her eyes, “since you’ll be my opponent, I don’t see any reason to hold back. Let’s see how much you’ve grown, shall we?”

“I also want to show you how strong I’ve gotten, so I’ll be going all out, Bea.”

Cheers of excitement are heard all over the Guild. Everyone’s thrilled at the idea of seeing Bea’s full strength. As expected of a living legend, she can really get people hyped up.

“Let’s head to the battle arena right away, then,” Bea proposes.

“Great. I can’t wait to begin.”

And so, we leave for the battle arena, with a bunch of onlookers in tow.

***

Once we arrive at the arena, Bea and I equip our preferred weapons.

She’s wielding a Diamond Sword that is as transparent as water. It’s the weapon she obtained when we dove into the Labyrinth of the Abyss and reached the final floor.

As for me, I went with the same sword I’ve been using all this time and that I got from Bea long ago. It’s not a regular iron sword, of course; it’s made out of Adamant. Compared to her Diamond Sword, though, it falls a little behind in terms of sharpness and overall power.

“…You’re still using that sword, huh,” remarks Bea.

“Of course. You gave it to me, so I’ll keep using it for as long as I can.”

The receptionist from earlier then asks nervously, “Are you ready to begin?”

Bea and I nod at the same time.

The receptionist tosses the coin she was holding in her hand, making it spin in the air until—

It lands on the ground and a clink rings out.

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Announcement:
We picked up two new series. Here they are if you’d like to check them out:

1. The Strongest Old Man in the Parallel World ~I Only Got Physical Skills So I Had to Form a Party but It Turned into a Harem~

2. How the Listless Gyaru Yukikawa-san Started Coming Over After Class.