Grit

And what? Did you say that its the golem that was strong, not Davey? Then is a golem controller supposed to abandon his golem and have a physical fight with you? Are you stupid? Even an idiot goblin would know better than that. Dont kid yourself. You think youre better than everyone else, right?

Sios expression grew even more menacing as Illyna criticized him without stopping.

Stop!! Trainee Illyna is partly right. Sio Howl! Rule 8 of Alpha Reinforcements!

It is The knight order must always try their best and must know how to accept and reflect on victories and losses.

Now go if youve understood! Teacher Fridos, the man who had two swords on his waist, bellowed at Sio.

Sio frowned coldly, then addressed Davey, Consider yourself lucky. You wouldve almost been dead if your attack didnt coincidentally succeed.

Sio Howl!! Illyna was extremely angered by Sios taunting and shouted.

She was about to continue when Davey spoke uncaringly as he picked his nose. You wouldve already been dead if it was a real battle.

What? Sio responded.

Your head isnt hard enough to withstand a hit from a sword, right? Are you going to say that in front of Goddess Freyja after you die?

And I wouldve already popped your head off from the start if it wasnt for Illyna.

Davey didnt bother saying more, but what he said was already enough to irritate Sio.

Dont mock me, outsider.

As Sio stomped off after staring at Davey with a deadly glare, the Teachers consoled the members who were watching the battle and led them back to their dormitories. Then, they also disappeared, saying that they had to discuss whether they had to accept Davey as part of the knight order. It was a sudden and unexpected visit from an outsider; it couldve been a chaotic situation, but it seemed like this wasnt a rare occurrence.

Then, Boris called upon Davey after quite a long time. Ill get straight to the point: it is foolish to expect mana or physical talent from a golem controller. I heard from Trainee Illyna that you made that golem yourself.

Well, yes, Davey replied.

Amazing, truly. I saw my fair share of battle alchemists, but Ive never seen anyone craft and wield a golem that powerful.

Boris was quite gallant and was very open-minded.

It was seven to three, and I approved, of course. We congratulate you on your entrance to the knight order. Boris laughed heartily and handed Davey a small glass.

I assume its not just regular alcohol.

Taboo.

Alchemists are so smart. They are quite quick, arent they? Or did you hear from Trainee Illyna?

Well, it was just a hunch.

Davey could tell because there was a weak but clear after-scent of mana inside the glass.

Hm Trainee Illyna has brought us someone very useful. Well, it does say student, but its not a problem if they bring someone that is similar to or even more advanced than them. The important thing is

Boris stopped speaking and stared at Davey with a blank expression as he gulped down the alcohol in the glass even before Boris finished his sentence.

Is there a problem?

You Did you drink it without even hearing about what it is?

I am pretty quick.

-Theres no way the Oath of Abstinence was going to work on a mage who has already been enlightened up to the level of Absorption

Davey felt sorry for Boris but drinking this had no effect on him whatsoever.

Perserque sighed as she already knew the truth, but Boris couldnt hear her.

Then, I will check. Do you swear to keep your secret about Alpha Reinforcements and the Last Wisp in public?

Isnt that why I drank it?

That is true.

Then, that should be enough. I did come here to help my friend out, but I have somewhat of an interest in the work of the Last Wisp.

Interested in the various Zones of Evil and evil beasts, to be exact.

Hm, it feels like you already knew about Alpha Reinforcements pretty well.

Thats probably not just a hunch.

However, Davey didnt bother telling him.

Alright, theres no lies.

Boris stood up with satisfaction after he pulled out a small jewel from inside his chest pocket.

Its an artifact that detects lies. I wont worry about your identity anymore since you were honest and truthful. Boris spoke.

Arent you believing me a little easily? Davey asked.

I did speak to you a little harsher than necessary when we first met, but the enemies of Alpha Reinforcements arent humans in the first place.

There was a lot of meaning behind Boris words. The purpose of the founding and existence of the Last Wisp was to protect the continent from unknown enemies, like evil beasts in danger zones to extremely dangerous beings that threatened the continent; this meant that humans were not their enemy.

The fight between humans in the public sphere isnt any of our concerns. Well, go and rest for today since its already late.

As Boris spoke calmly and walked away, his footsteps seemed quite light.

* * *

Here, take this. Please dont break it or crack it open since it has to be returned.

Davey could feel a strange flow of mana as he stared at the wooden ring Illyna handed him.

Is it the same ring you have?

Yes, but its an inferior model. We need the headquarters' approval for you to become a member, but well There shouldnt really be a problem if what Teacher Boris said was true.

The effect? Davey asked.

Immunity to the barrier on this forest, and the freedom of movement. Originally, we shouldve arrived right at the High Palace and not in the middle of the forest when we used the artifact, but you didnt have the ring. Illyna spoke.

The maintenance of secrecy would be in danger if there were an artifact that could allow anyone in.

There shouldnt be any big issues when you move between here and the Heins Territory if you have that ring.

Illyna smiled cheerfully.

Now I have gotten myself an OP partner.

What are you going to do if I dont do it? Davey asked.

After all this?

Illynas bright smile disappeared for a moment.

Youre not really going to do that, right?

There are some aspects that pique my interest more than I thought.

Phew Illyna showed her relief as Davey spoke.

Lets go. The Teachers said that the faster you train, the better, even though youre still a trainee member. Illyna spoke to Davey.

Training?

Yeah. Trainees start integrated training according to the curriculum organized by the Teachers after a certain period. And thats also one of the reasons I returned.

Illyna had undergone training here while fulfilling her work in public Shes quite a hardworking princess.

The content of the training is taught directly by the Teachers. The Teachers step up to increase ones individual skills, but you could say that integrated training is more like a realistic battle and improves overall cooperation and thinking on the spot.

Illyna seemed quite delighted as she explained.

You seem to enjoy life as a member, Davey remarked.

There isnt anything that is bothersome, and its something I must do in order to achieve my goal. And since everyone is so kind, I can put down my role as royalty here and be comfortable here. Ah Kind except for a few of them.

It seemed like there were people who she couldnt didnt really want to become friends with as she suddenly frowned.

As Davey and Illyna were about to join the other trainees to participate in the training

Go first without me. Davey stopped in his step and quietly told Illyna to go.

WWhat? Illyna asked.

Go in. Ill join you in a bit.

Illyna looked confused by Davey, but soon silently nodded her head. She was a hot-tempered girl who always called him insane, but she was pretty quick.

Davey became enveloped in black smoke as he watched Illyna quietly walk away from him. Then, he slowly began to hear the faint sound of a conversation grow clearer as he moved while erasing any hint of his presence. It was Boris, the large man, and Elementalist Sylia, who had both watched him from the questioning to the combat test.

-Davey.

Shh. As Davey approached them while hiding his presence, Boris and Sylia looked full of thought as they spoke warily without noticing him.

Hm Then, Davey scoffed as he got an idea of what was going on as he heard their conversation. Although Davey had completely damaged the pride of Sio Howl, that blue-haired mage trainee, with his sloppy movements intended to mess with the latter, it seemed like it didnt give the Teachers assurance.

* * *

Where did you go? Illyna asked with an anxious expression. She was wearing light clothing suitable for movement while stretching in front of the entrance to the large forest.

Its nothing, Davey replied.

Then why does your face look like that? Illyna flinched awkwardly as she frowned.

What about my face?

-I want to give you a mirror.

As Perserque spoke, Caldeirass thoughts flowed into Daveys head as the broch on Illynas chest faintly glowed.

[You look like a villain smirking while plotting an evil scheme.]

Davey was disappointed that not one, but all three of them were thinking the same thing. He called out, Illyna.

Y Yeah? Illyna had an anxious expression on her face.

Davey asked in a dead serious tone, You want to take the test, right?

Why are you asking me such an obvious question?

Alright. Its fine.

The topic of discussion between Boris and Sylia was simple: they said that the future of the golem Davey had made was bright in many aspects, such as efficiency, but it was iffy. They were saying that he and the golem might get into serious trouble if they were just to be put into real battle since they had no proper training or knowledge about how to deal with evil beasts.

You cant trust my capabilities because theyre iffy?

Since it was clear that the Teachers didnt know the kind of effect a golem controller trained in alchemy could have in a large-scale battle, Davey had no choice but to show them again. He had to put some thought into it so that no one would be able to question him again.

* * *

The size of the forest was objectively quite large. The large forest that was right under the Pandora Region, the Zone of Evil in the northern region of the central continent that people couldnt reach, was a dangerous place that not even mercenaries came to because it wasnt worth the risk. As a result, it was safe to say that the entire forest was a training ground that all the trainee members of the Alpha Reinforcements could use.

-This training exercise works similarly to hopscotch, something that should be familiar! However, Ill explain it since there are people new to training!

Hm Illyna moaned mildly like she had done this training before.

-The range is from the first forest to the fifth!

-We have marked the territory of each team by casting a turf magic in each region.

-As always, we permit attacks against each other! Remember that the team that gains the most territory in the time limit receives the highest performance points! Also, dont forget that there are bonus points other than that!

It basically meant that they could do whatever they wanted to mess with them.

Theyre saying that it doesnt matter if it hurts like crap and its agonizing?

Ah What? Seriously, why is he like that?!

[Im already worried what kinds of things he will do]

Davey heard complaints from a human and a divine sword as he had a history, but he just ignored them.

-It will start in ten minutes! I will randomly give the signal to start! Now, get ready!

Boris went silent after he made the announcements.