Chapter 395 - In the Vortex, Yet Out of the Loop
◇ You have vanquished [Tsarkalv of the White Throne]. ◇
・A vanquishing reward will be granted—You have obtained [Glass Orb of Transfiguration].
◇ Your title has been updated. ◇
・'Seeker of the White Throne' ⇒ 'One Who Knows Color'
◇ Your skills have evolved. ◇
・[Flip Stroke] ⇒ [Mistlurade]
・[Wearlewind] ⇒ [Lumina Raygust]
・[Exchange Voltate] ⇒ [Exchange Implode]
・[Fatal Leak] ⇒ [Eyes Oculus]
・[Adamant Sky Dash] ⇒ [Goma Soten]
・[Mana Efficiency] ⇒ [Master of Magic]
・[Embodied Protection] ⇒ [White Dragon's Blessing]
◇ An update to your evaluation within the Eastern Faction, Istia, has been recognized. ◇
◇ The rankings of the Eastern Faction, Istia, will now be restructured. ◇
—…
—…
—…
◇ The rankings of the Eastern Faction, Istia, have been restructured. ◇
――――――Ranker's Title――――――
◇ First [Unruly] — [Tengen] ◇
◇ Second [Sword Saint] — [Ui] ◇
◇ Third [General Commander] — [Goldow] ◇
◇ Fourth [Peerless] — [Irori] ◇
◇ Fifth [Left Wing] — [Mi-na] ◇
◇ Sixth [Acrobat] — [Haru] ◇ Rank up!
◇ Seventh [Right Wing] — [Ri-na] ◇
◇ Eighth [Scorching Gaze] — [Hinayo] ◇
◇ Ninth [Undying] — [Tetra] ◇
◇ Tenth [Twin Fists] — [Genkotsu] ◇
――――――――――――――――――――
◇ Congratulations, you have been promoted to the Sixth Seat of Istia—
"Hah!"
I crumpled up the system log window that was endlessly streaming in like a torrential downpour and hurled it into the far distance with all my might.
From top to bottom, the whole thing was nothing but questions, question marks, confusion, and things to retort to. Is this really the time to be staring at the results and getting all giddy?
Anyway, the very first thing I want to ask this virtual world is—
"Are you serious?! You didn't put Lady Sora in the rankings?!"
"It makes no sense."
"Wh-?! Wha, nyah… mweh."
As I spouted words of pure disbelief at the most nonsensical result of all, Ashe's immediate agreement was the only correct response.
And just what is this esteemed daughter of the Yotsuya family so surprised about?
If Arcadia's rankings select candidates based on their 'value as a warrior in a broad sense,' then it's impossible that Sora-san wouldn't be chosen. She's outstanding in combat, whether solo or in a group, more than capable as a support, and even possesses command abilities.
Plus, she's got good looks, a good voice, and a good personality. There's literally nothing to complain about. No, I'm not kidding; there's a suspicion that charm and charisma and all that actually factor into the evaluation criteria… so seriously, why?
If they have time to randomly raise my rank again, they should make Ui-san or Goldow the absent number one and rank Sora—
"I-It's fine! I'm still not ready for something like that…!"
"—If 'I'm not ready' was a valid excuse, I wouldn't want this rank in the slightest either."
After being shown that spectacle, the battlefield ruins weren't exactly in the mood for a victory cry.
As everyone wore looks of bewilderment and sat down with a collective 'well, I'm dead tired,' a familiar face came over and directed a dissatisfied voice at Sora.
Having come to know him as a clan member, our Master, who is aware of the fact that he wishes he could cast aside his title, was at a loss for words, a troubled look on her face.
"Well, we can figure out all the 'whys' later, can't we? Good work."
"Yeah."
"Good work."
"…You too."
Even Tetra, whose style wasn't direct combat, couldn't hide his fatigue and plopped down beside us.
As the three of us, still unwilling to move, returned his words… in that moment, I felt the taut string of tension finally snap.
"……………………Haaaaaaaaaaaaaaah…!"
I couldn't exactly lean on the two girls behind me, so not caring if the ground was hard, I threw my body forward with all my might.
This wasn't like my first day.
Even if I did a spectacular face-plant, my body, having leveled up and gained some durability from my equipment, would take no damage.
"I'm done… Wake me up in about a week…"
"You say that, but you'll be running around energetically tomorrow, won't you?"
As I lay on the ground in exhaustion and spouted nonsense, my ever-blunt junior threw back a curt reply.
You say that—but with the news of the 'Colored' monster's defeat being loudly announced to the entire world, do you really think the public, which is no doubt in an uproar right now, will allow for such a peaceful tomorrow?
Well, anyway,
"We won… right?"
"Mm… The end was anticlimactic."
"Anticlimactic… I wonder if that's the right word for it."
I voiced my doubt, saying it didn't feel real. And Ashe, showing her honest confusion, gave a noncommittal nod that wasn't quite an affirmation.
The only normal person in our temporary party… or so she probably thinks of herself, the third exceptional player (Sora-san), tilted her head with a wry smile.
I mean, yeah, I'll admit that Sora, Ashe, and I all slammed them with our genuine ultimate moves, and against any normal raid boss, that might have been enough massive firepower to hope for a one-turn kill… maybe.
But our opponent this time was none other than a 'Colored'—
"………………Maybe it… never had any HP to begin with."
"Hn-eh?"
"At least, not that white dragon."
Ashe herself probably wasn't as exhausted as we were. The reason she was still sitting down instead of standing up was likely to support Sora, who she was now back-to-back with since I had moved away.
Such was Ashe, whose mind, as always, spun too fast… She may have arrived at some 'what if' on her own.
Having drawn our gazes with her meaningful murmur, she blinked quietly two or three times, and then,
"…………I don't know. I'll have it sorted out by the victory party."
She smiled, looking just a little tired—
And in a truly rare display, she playfully declared that we would have to wait.
And so, following the 'White Throne' subjugation battle, which we delivered in 'full chaotic spin' mode, I will now begin to write the 'conclusion' of chapter three in various senses of the word.
Thus begins the fourth section. Let's get to it.
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◇Status◇
Title: Acrobat
Name: Haru
Lv: 100
STR: 250
AGI: 300
DEX: 0
VIT: 0 (+150)
MID: 300 (+350)
LUC: 300
◇Skill◇
・Arm of Versatility (Gandharva)
[Construction]
[Flip Stroke] ⇒ [Mistlurade] Up!
[Wearlewind] ⇒ [Lumina Raygust] Up!
[Exchange Voltate] ⇒ [Exchange Implode] Up!
[Greed's Precept]
・Water Magic Aptitude
[Aqua]
[Flood]
[Water Enchant]
・Active
[Reflect Explode]
[Breath Moment]
[Rocket]
[Floating Leaf]
[Fatal Leak] ⇒ [Eyes Oculus] Up!
・Passive
[Embodied Protection] ⇒ [White Dragon's Blessing] Up!
[Attentive Limit]
[Gigant Figure]
[Adamant Sky Dash] ⇒ [Goma Soten] Up!
[Hare Real]
[Land Insulate]
[Floating Star]
[Trickster of Zenith]
[Dangerous Light, Fast Recovery]
[Cutting Body, Unyielding Advance]
[Luna Nobody]
[Mana Efficiency] ⇒ [Master of Magic] Up!
[Telepathy]
[Four-Sided Blessing]
◇Arts◇
【Kesshiki Ittoryu】
[Flying Water]
[Striking Iron]
[Heavenly Snow]
[Withered Flame]
[Seven Stars]
[Blade Thunder]
Oral Tradition: [Bound Wind]
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