Translated: Sei, MTL-sensei-tachi
Edited: Sei, Grammarly no Danna
Source: Syosetu

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Chapter 313


　Ururu-san has agreed to join the expedition to the Demon King's territory.
　Her exceptional cheerfulness and outstanding communication skills are truly remarkable, so she'll surely be able to show her true worth to the people there as well.
　Nack will also be helping Olga-san at the clinic, so I can leave him in his care with peace of mind.

"Well then, senpai. The commander is in her office up ahead, so do your best."
"Hey, wait a minute, Usato-kun!?"

　Today was the day senpai was going to meet Rose.
　After guiding Senpai to the rescue squad dormitory, I first escort her to the commander's room, where Rose is waiting.

"Senpai, please rest assured. The commander has a good eye for people."
"I understand that, but..."
"She can even find humanity in those fierce-looking thugs with their menacing faces."
"I can hear you~!! You monster~!!"
"You’re not much different from us!!"

　As Mil and Guld happened to pass by in the hallway, they muttered such complaints, but calling me a monster now wouldn't faze me in the slightest.

"Commander would surely recognize your worth."
"Kyun"
"...What was that sound just now?"

　Senpai suddenly blurts out some incomprehensible onomatopoeia.

"I tried to turn this fluttering in my chest into a sound."
"Zowah. Okay, I just tried to turn my immediate drawback into a sound."
"...As expected of you...!"
"Listening to you guys talk makes me feel like my intelligence is declining."

　This exchange.
　Nea, who'd been watching my exchange with senpai, muttered that with a look of utter exhaustion.

"If I had to give advice..."
"Uh huh."
"Don't look away, don't play dead. And... don't turn your back and run away."
"That's how you deal with an encounter with a bear, right?!"
"In her case, that advice isn't entirely wrong, is it..."

　Nea also nodded solemnly.
　The point is, all you need is the guts to face Rose head-on.
　If you run away the moment you see her, or get scared and look away, that's no good.

"Senpai, you shouldn't lie to the Commander. That person can accurately read our thoughts just with her hellbent hearing and intuition, so forget any cheap tricks; you should confront her head-on."
"M-Mm."
"And since she might be listening to this conversation right now, don't worry if you see me beaten to a pulp sometime today or tomorrow."
"No, I would worry?!"
"It's fine. It's just business as usual."
"Are you trying to encourage me or make me anxious? Pick one, will you?!"

　No way, I don't have the slightest intention of that.

"If it keeps up like this, you'll be fine. Hahaha."
"J-Joking? You're joking, right?"
"...Well then, I'll be at the training grounds."
"Can't you at least answer me before you go!? I'm going, though!!"

　I see off senpai as she hurriedly heads toward the commander's office.
　It'll probably take quite a while.
　It's also an opportunity for Rose to get to know senpai better.

"Suzune, will she be okay?"
"Hmm, it's senpai, you know?"
"I'm worried now."

　I meant it to sound more like there's no need to worry, but somehow I ended up making her feel uneasy.
　I always think that words are difficult.

"Now, we'll train as usual."
"Haa, I hate that I've gotten used to it."

　Since Nack is at the clinic today too, I'll keep an eye on Nea and Ferum to make sure they don't slack off while I do my own training.

●
——— read on seireitranslations.blogspot.com ———

　When I stepped outside the dormitory, I could see another new dormitory being built next to it, already taking shape.
　After greeting the carpenters who were building it, I headed to the training grounds with Nea, Ferum, and Blurin, whom I had brought from the stables.

"Blurin, you better get moving while you still can. If I leave you alone, you'll just get rounder."
"Gwaaah!"
"Growing up? Really?"

　As I gave a wry smile to Blurin, who was protesting by tapping my leg, I noticed that Ferum, walking beside Blurin, had a displeased look on her face.

"Ferum, are you still sulking?"
"...I'm not sulking."

　You're totally sulking.
　I'm at a loss about what to do with Ferum, who's sulking after hearing she can't come to the Demon King's territory.
　I didn't mean to, but maybe she feels like she's being left out...
　Personally, since we haven't really gotten close to the demon race yet, I thought it wasn't a good idea to bring Ferum, who's on our side, any closer.

"I get it. Things are different now than when we invaded the Demon King's territory... I really do get it."
"Then stop making that sulky face."
"Shut up, Nea!"

　Ferum scowls at Nea's teasing.
　There's nothing to be done about this one thing; she'll just have to bear with it.

"Once relations between demons and humans improve, you'll be able to go to the Demon King's territory too. Just hang in there until then."
"Ah, don't worry. I won't be that selfish."

　...She's awfully obedient.
　Her voice sounded a bit flat, too, so I guess I'll give her a warning just in case.

"...You shouldn't just follow me around on your own, okay?"
"..."
"Oi, don't look away."

　Ferum flinched, shaking her shoulders and averting her gaze. I shot her a glare.
　If this kid seriously tried to follow me, I might not even notice.

"I'm really counting on you, okay? This is for your own good, you know?"
"...Tch, I get it..."

　Not a moment to let my guard down, man.
　Exchanging such banter, we arrived at the training ground and proceeded straight into our warm-up exercises.

"Alright, today I'm going to do that training I've been wanting to try for ages! Nea, Ferum, I'm telling you now!!"
"What is it?"
"This guy's up to something weird again..."

　I shake my head at the two of them, who look displeased.

"You will be supporting me during this training. Unfortunately, you will not be able to train——"
"You should have said that earlier."
"That's right, you idiot."

　These cocky folks...
　Once this training is over, let's have them run with Blurin.

"Alright, first, Ferum will assimilate with me."
"Yeah"
"Nea will be on my shoulder."
"Okay"

　As if used to it, Ferum merged with me, and Nea, transformed into an owl, jumped onto my shoulder.
　Alright, that's the usual combination up to this point.
　What I had in mind started from here.

"Ferum binds my body to make it difficult to move."
"...Yeah"

　Dark magic transforms into a belt-like form, wrapping itself around my body.

"Nea binds me with a restraining spell."
"...Yes"

　Then, a restraining spell envelops my entire body.

"And Blurin will ride on my back."
"Guaah"

　Finally, Blurin jumped onto my back, putting a tremendous strain on my body.
　A creaking sound can be heard from my body, the sound of the restraining spell creaking.

"This completes it...! What should this form be called...?"
『How about stupid?』
"I think pervert would be fine."

　I can't hear you.
　Alright, let's call this form the Reinforced Cast Form.

"Hah, if I hit my opponent with this, I can freeze them and knock them unconscious...!?"
『Oi Nea!? This guy is trying to come up with another weird technique!?』
"You could just use a normal binding spell and be done with it..."

　Nea calls out to me as if she has no other choice, and I grin.

"Hmph. The binding spell alone might let them escape. So on top of that, I’ll bind them with Ferum’s dark magic, and then——"
"And then?"
"Put the assimilated Blurin on top."
"Gwah?!"
"You’re lifting it like it’s nothing, but Blurin is incredibly heavy, you know..."

　The binding spell has no effect = you could say they have that much endurance and power.
　That means that all you need to do is stop them from moving.
　Anyway...

"Alright, let's head straight for the city!!"
『Wait a minute!!』
"Wait! You idiot!"
"You can't stop me!! Let's go, Blurin!!"
"Argh!!"

　Nugh, as expected, with my body locked up like this, it's hard to move!
　But this strain is pushing me forward...!!

——— read on seireitranslations.blogspot.com ———

●

Senpai's POV

　My first impression of Rose-san was that she was a person of strong will.
　A firm and unwavering will that never wavers.

"I know Lloyd-sama recommended you, but that doesn’t matter here and now. I won’t start until I see for myself what kind of person you are."

　Even I, who fought as a hero, felt intimidated by those eyes.
　Facing her directly, I felt a faint chill despite her imposing presence, she who was Usato's superior and the origin of that extraordinary healing mage.

"I'm not opposed to you joining the Rescue Squad. If anyone wants to join, I won't refuse, and if anyone wants to leave, they're free to do so. ...Well, that's just how things are around here."

　The hardships of the rescue squad are well known even to the castle.
　A group of superhumans, including Usato-kun, who is a member of the rescue squad, was trained in such a place.
　While there is an exception named Nack-kun, he, too, is essentially a future superhuman candidate.

"I don't care if you are a hero or not. If you're entering here, you're one of our members. If you want to back out, now's your chance, you know?"

　Hearing those words, I instinctively understood I was being tested.
　Depending on my answer, Rose-san would decide her assessment of me.
　Understanding that, I didn't flinch at all. I met her gaze and firmly voiced my own resolve———my determination to join the rescue squad.
　What followed happened in the blink of an eye.

"Once the new dorms are ready, pack your things and come over. Ask Usato about anything you need."

　So, I guess I've been accepted...
　I still felt uneasy, but it seemed I'd at least been granted permission to join the rescue squad.

"T-That was nerve-wracking..."

　Leaving the dormitory of the rescue squad, I headed toward the training grounds where Usato-kun and the others were, recalling my meeting with Rose-san just moments ago and letting out a sigh of relief.
　I was really nervous.
　Her presence was so intimidating, and even just sitting there, the air felt thick with tension.

"I guess this is my new world."

　Though I can't just shed the title of hero so easily, I'll strive to become a full-fledged member of the official rescue squad from now on.
　As I walked toward the training grounds with this thought, I suddenly sensed a familiar presence approaching from behind.

"Hmm? Usato-kun? Going for a run?"

　I immediately recognized the presence as Usato-kun and turned around———there he was, his entire body wrapped in a jet-black belt, enveloped in a purple glowing pattern, running toward me with Blurin on his back.

"Eeh!?"
"Ah, senpai! Did you finish your interview with the commander?"
"Usato-kun, how did you get to look so cool?"
『This guy's sense of style is seriously messed up.』
"Even the townspeople did a double-take at this Usato, and now you're calling him cool? Seriously, this girl's got some nerve."

　The binding spells and dark magic restrain his entire body.
　And the strain from the weight of Blurin on his back.
　It was indeed the form he chose to push himself to the limit... but conversely, it could also be called the ultimate training method.
　After Usato-kun has undone his assimilation, I tell him that I might be able to successfully become a member of the rescue squad.

"So once the new dorms are ready, senpai will move in there? If that's the case, does that mean Nea and Ferum will be the same?"

　When he asked that, Ferum nodded with a slightly pleased look.
　Meanwhile, Nea has a bitter look on her face.

"So I finally get my own room."
"I can't help but feel uneasy about putting this kid in a room alone..."
"Nea, stop treating me like a kid."
"Well, looking at how you usually act, I can't help it. Will this child be okay alone..."

　She's really worried about her, isn't she.
　Is Ferum a bit childish in her personal life?
　In that respect, Nea seems to be a reliable person.

"It seems the dormitory will be ready fairly soon, so it might be best to get your preparations done ahead of time."
"It appears so."

　Since the construction involves magic, the work speed is much faster.
　So I have to get ready early too... but is it okay if I bring a change of clothes and stuff?
　I don't have many personal belongings, so I think I'll be able to finish packing my luggage quickly.

"I might be able to see it completed just before I'm dispatched to the Demon King's territory."
"Ah, I see. Usato-kun has been assigned to the Demon King's territory."
"Yes. Because of that, I won't be able to train with senpai, though..."
"It's an important mission. There's no need to worry about it."

　I smiled faintly and shook my head.
　I understand perfectly well what he must do now.
　I don't want to get in Usato-kun's way either... and above all, the place I'll belong to from now on is also the place Usato-kun will return to.

"I'll wait for you to come back. As a dear friend."
"Senpai...Thank you very much."
"Hmph, no need to thank me."

　I'm now officially a member of the rescue squad.
　I'll probably still be treated like a trainee for a while, but I'm ready for a fresh start.

"Oi, wait a minute."
"Huh? What's wrong, Ferum?"
"What's wrong?"

　But then, as if noticing something, Ferum, who had been walking beside me, pointed at me, her voice slightly trembling.

"Could it be that I'll end up training with this girl alone?"
"Ah, I see."

　With both Usato-kun and Nea heading to the Demon King's territory, it inevitably meant only Ferum and I would remain living in the same dormitory.
　...Fufufufufu...!

"Please treat me well, Ferum!!"
"But I don't want to! U-Usato, change your mind and take me with you now!!"

　Ferum is reacting negatively to my enthusiasm.
　As the saying goes, "no" can also mean "yes"!!
　I declare that to be tsundere behavior!!

"It's going to be fun! We'll be under the same roof!!"
"Hiiii!?"

"...Usato, is that okay?"
"Senpai knows what she's doing, so it's a joke. ...Probably."

　Anyway, this is where my daily life as a rescue squad member begins.
　I look forward to working with you! Usato-kun!!

——— read on seireitranslations.blogspot.com ———

Author's Notes:
A story about a senior becoming a junior.

Finally, the sight of Usato training was enough to make even the seasoned Lingle citizens do a double-take.
He looked like a suspicious person with a black belt wrapped around his entire body.