Specialty Change: Carrot

There are already only three weeks left until the exam.

I've been doing my best to prepare, but...I'm still nervous.

At this point, I need to be sure that I know the basics. Let's go back to chapter one and...

Umm... Are you Carrot?

Uh, yes.

Do you know someone called Cermia?

Yes. Don't tell me... Does my sister owe you money?

N-No. She took over my entire pub so she could drink as much as she wanted, saying she won some money today.

And then all of sudden she starts crying, asking me to deliver this to you...

...So you came all the way here to hand me these snacks?

Well, yeah. I didn't have any other customers, and I was curious about this Carrot she kept mentioning...

I thought she was talking about an ex, but apparently she was talking about you. You two sure look like each other. Hehehe.

...I was wondering why she's been so quiet.

Where is she? I'll go pick her up.

Now I only have a week left until the exam. I've only studied half of what I wanted to...

It can't be helped. I'll have to study all night without...

Oh, there you are, Carrot.

Here's the Student Council's budget for this month. Please take a look and ensure there are no mistakes.

Wait, I...

I'm so glad you're here, Carrot. This month has been hellish.

If I had to review all of this by myself, I'm certain I would have fainted.

As always, thank you, Carrot.

...Don't mention it. I do this because I enjoy it.

When do you need this by?

The faster, the better. I'll have to call for a meeting once that's done too...

Alright. I'll be done in two days.

This is a nightmare...

First I got called to pick my sister up, and then I had to help the Student Council...

I came to Reingar to focus on studying. How did I end up having to deal with all these chores?

At this rate...will I fail the exam and end up spending my life running errands for other people?

Heeeey, Carrot. I've got a favor to ask you...

There you are, Carrot. I have some accounting paperwork that Hazel wants you to work on...

Wait, I got here first! Wait your turn!

You're just here to borrow more money! Student Council work is more important!

...No.

What?

I'm not just here to do everyone else's work for them!

Come to think of it, the Magic Research Department's promotion exam takes place three days from now.

We asked her for too much help without taking her own schedule into consideration.

Looks like she's really angry this time...

It takes a while for her to feel better once she gets mad like that. What should I do...?

I believe I have an idea.

Was I too harsh...?

No, I can't spend my whole life helping them out.

If I want to pass all my exams, there's no time to waste. I need to get down to business!

So... I passed the written test.

But I passed the written test last time too. It was the practical test I failed...

I really hope I pass the exam this time...

Hehehe, I've got just the thing!

Ta-da! Special combat Machinery, made just for you!

Oh my, what is all this?

This is the special Machinery I asked Yuna to make.

The Magic Research Department's practical test judges one's ability to use magic by evaluating sparring matches.

Being familiar with a variety of situations and magic combinations will surely increase your odds of passing.

I'll help you with fire magic.

I may not look like much, but I have experienced real battles! And I'm pretty confident when it comes to handling fire.

Sometimes a big sister's gotta do what a big sister's gotta do, y'know?

Cermia... Hazel...

You help us out all the time. It's time for us to return the favor.

Thank you, this will help me so much.

In that case, if you do well on the exam, can I get some mon...

No.

...You are so stingy.

*panting*

Are you alright? Don't push yourself too much. Take a break.

No, I still have...

Yeah, you still have way more to go.

Now I get it. What you lack is real combat experience.

Maybe because all you do is study. No matter what's happening around you, you always stop to think about what to do next.

Of course I should think before I move! I have to consider what course of action would be the most efficient...

That's exactly what the problem is!

In real battle, no one's going to wait for you to finish your calculations.

Haven't I told you before? You think too much!

...And you never think and constantly act on impulse!

Calm down. Now is not the time to fight. Cermia, stop being so childish and...

Fine, I'll rein in my power and fight you. Bring it.

You don't have to hold back, I'm confident that I can take you on.

I'll make you regret saying that.

Perhaps I shouldn't have brought Cermia here. If I had known they would end up fighting like this...

*panting* How's that? Now you can't say you'll go easy on me anymore, can you?

Hmmm, your stamina is barely even a quarter of mine.

If you're that exhausted after using all your magic in real combat...

Wah...!

...It's really easy to take you down.

If this had been a real battle, there's no doubt that it was Cermia's victory.

Ugh...

I would have had the advantage if we'd kept going.

You must have poured your magic into your attack, thinking you'd almost finished me off.

What else am I supposed to do, if not use strong magic attacks?

Don't react to your opponent's moves. Make them go where you want them to.

If the flow of battle goes the way you expect it to, there's no need to stop and think in the middle of a fight.

That might be possible for you, but it's not for me...

No, I know you can do it, Carrot.

What proof do you have to be able to say that?

You're my sister! If I can do it, you can do it too!

So it's not actually based on anything.

I may not have proof, but I do have faith.

...Really, you haven't changed a bit since we were children.

Come to think of it, we shared a moment like this once before.

When I first started learning magic, I nearly gave up when I couldn't create fire. But Cermia helped me until I succeeded.

If she had never done that and I had just given up, I would never have made it to where I am today.

Back then, Cermia helped me out, and now both Cermia and Hazel are helping me get ready for this test.

I thought I was the only one helping anyone out, but in fact, I was actually receiving a lot of help too.

...Okay, let's try this again.

Will you help me until I get it, Cermia? Like when we were kids?

Of course!

Hazel, can I borrow this Machinery for a little while longer?

Sure. I'll help you with everything I have until you are satisfied with your results.

Alright. Thank you, everyone!

Now I understand. What I truly wanted was...

Your exam results come out today, right?

Yes. They said they'd post the results at 2 p.m., so it's about time...

Aww, I'm so nervous now. This is even more nerve-racking than going all in on a bet!

Carrot is the one who took the exam. What are you so nervous for?

Oh, here she comes.

Carrot, how was your...

...

...It's okay, Carrot! You just need to do better next time!

Ugh, those Reingar researchers really have no idea what they're doing! They don't know a genius when they see one...

What are you talking about? I passed.

What? Really?

Yeah, all that practice with you and Hazel was a big help, and it also made me feel less nervous.

I'm glad to hear that. Congratulations.

Yeah, so now I can help out with Student Council work just like...

No, I realized that we've been relying on you too much.

You will become even busier once you become a researcher. We'll handle the accounting work ourselves from now on.

Hmm, but as far as I'm aware, the Student Council is too busy for accounting work, right?

That is true, but...

There's no need to feel bad.

You know, I've felt bad myself ever since I got angry at my sister and Ginger.

And I sort of missed you guys when you all left me alone to focus on studying for the exam.

It seems...I like helping others more than I realized.

Student Council work can be pretty fun, and it makes me feel like I can be of some use, so I want to continue to help out when I can.

You sound like you've grown since passing the exam.

If this continues, Cermia may have no room to act like an older sister.

What?! No!

Carrot, no matter how amazing you become, you can't abandon me!

Who said anything about abandoning you?

No matter what happens, you are my sister.

Then, in that sense, will you give your one and only sister a special allowa...

No, that has nothing to do with you being my sister.

Aww...

I heard that the fire magic professor really likes you, Carrot.

You take care of both Student Council work and your sister, and you even research magic at the same time. You're so amazing!

Well, all of those things just sort of happened.

Besides, even if I tried to stop doing all those things, I wouldn't be able to keep myself away for long.

But isn't it hard to keep up with everything?

It's a little tiring, yes. But it feels good to help. Besides, my desire to help others is the driving force behind all of my research.

Huh, your research?

Yeah. At the moment, I'm working on creating a magic tool to help Hazel with accounting and a monster that will help Cermia keep track of her spending.

I get to conduct as much research as I want while also using that research to help others. Two birds with one stone!

I'm glad to hear that. Sounds like you're a very reliable friend.

Hehe. I want to continue with my research and help even more people.

Making progress by helping others is the goal of my research.

I'm sure you can do it. I'll be rooting for you!

Thank you. If there's anything that I can do to help you, Merlon, let me know anytime.