4. Enlighten

After that... Eriri just left you there? Geez...

Okay... I see. The Lieutenant will arrange a room for you.

Thanks! That means a lot! I was so helpless there, being abandoned at the base... Thankfully the first room I find is yours.

But come to think of it...

What? Why are you looking all round? Did something catch your attention?

I mean, that's a lot of books...

Books are quite the luxury in the orphanage Rayna and I grew up in.

Then my suggestion to you is to read more. Reading can really expand your horizons.

Sounds very useful for an archer.

...Um, no. That's not what I meant.

I'm referring to your perception in life, not the actual field of vision. Duh.

Ah... t-that's right, hahaha! Yeah, I totally knew that... Hmm? Is this... manga? Does reading manga also ''expand your horizons''?

(Sobbing)... How dare that lowly newbie enter Sova's room just like that!

That's unforgivable! I'll put you in your place during the training tomorrow!

These strange white buildings and statues are the same in the book Sova showed yesterday.

Ooh, it looks like you've at least done some pre-reading.

Who's there?!

It's me! Over here! I'm Shelly!

Ah... Sorry...

Hmph, how ignorant! In a word, I am your officer for the training! And this is my hometown, the capital of the Empire!

So, let's begin our hellish special training! Don't wet your pants now!

No, no, no. I wasn't scared, I'm just not familiar with this place.

You're not scared of me? Don't underestimate me! Do you think I'm weak or something?

Huh? Why would you say that?! I don't think you're weak at all. I don't even know you.

There are two types of people in this world: those who fear me and those who think I'm weak!

Um... So no one treats you as an equal?

Ahhh, shut up! This is all your fault! Who gave you permission to just leave me there and talk with Sova in her room? Unforgivable!

Oh, is that it? Is that why you're so being hostile?

W-what's with that speechlessness! But I'll make it clear that I'll fulfill all my duties as your training officer.

Open your eyes! This land is truly blessed, a gift from God!

Why'd you join Teslovik, Shelly?

Teslovik plans to slay gods, yet the Empire worships the gods too. Isn't that, well, a major contradiction?

Are you stupid or something? How could the god we worship in the Empire ever bring disaster upon the world?

The gods that would bring disaster upon the world are evil and should be killed!

Leave the god-slaying to me! A lowly scrounger like yourself wouldn't even make it halfway.

I like your confidence...

Well, Shelly? Only one more section to go, and I'll have passed the test.

Aaa...aaaaah! How did you even get this far?!

If she keeps this up, she'll pass for sure! Ugh... If she's not failing here, my plan to take back Sova will...!

You leave me with no choice! I'll take care of you myself!

Huh? Wait, is that allowed?

Cut the crap! It is whatever I say! Even a frog can be a prince if I said so!

I'll show you, I'm the one who deserves to stand at Sova's side!

Huh? Surely that's not that important.

No! It IS important!

Only the powerful are worthy and I must be the one!

I... see. Let's get on with it then.

We're... not done yet... I can still... keep fighting on.

That's enough, Shelly.

Yes, enough is enough. The two of you will be allies fighting side by side, remember?

Sova! Uck... How embarrassing.

Sova? What are you doing here?

Fenriru said she thought this section might be a bit too easy for you.

So she sent me down here to dial up the simulation's output.

What do you mean?

Put simply, you two will now face off against Levia, leader of the Empire, AKA ''Saint Jupiter''. That's all my training data poured into there. Be careful or you might actually die!

We... won.

WE DID IT!!! You see that, Awakener?! We actually beat the Cardinal!

That was a hard fight...

Sova! You see! I'm the best candidate for your...

Shelly!

She's exhausted. I'll take her back to the dorms.

Wait, Sova.

What's wrong?

Was the simulation's output really one hundred percent in the battle?

So you did realize it. As I expected. No, the truth is, your opponents' battle rating was set to 50%, if not less.

The point is, both you and Shelly set new personal records.

I see... No wonder... I feel so... exhausted...

Hey, don't pass out... Hey!