Chapter 152: Maybe I Should Pretend to Be Someone Else
“The A-Rank Promotion Exam… Can I Take It?”
At Shifa-san’s question, the older sister fumbled and quickly checked the papers in front of her, as if confirming some crucial details.
“Um… so you’ve been making a name for yourself in Arcel, haven’t you? Wait—could it be that famous story where you tackled the difficult areas using Ice Potions and Aquatic Potions!?”
It seemed that her achievements in Arcel were well-known and shared across the guilds.
“Considering your recent accomplishments as well, I’m certain you’ll be approved to take the exam.”
“I want to take it.”
Shifa-san’s eagerness was almost forward-leaning, her excitement palpable. Perhaps meeting peers who had already reached A-Rank had sparked a fire in her—she couldn’t bear to be left behind.
She had always had a stubborn streak, a desire to win no matter what, even if she tried to hide it.
“And the others? As for Geo, your recent accomplishments will automatically promote you to D-Rank,” the older sister continued.
“Eh, really?”
Even though I had only just become an adventurer, I could already be promoted? Somehow, that made me feel like I was progressing exceptionally smoothly.
“Y-Yes! I want to be promoted too!” I blurted out eagerly.
“Uh, but as I said, your promotion is automatic…”
My over-enthusiastic response earned me a small, amused smile from the older sister. Embarrassing!
Anii couldn’t help but giggle openly, her laughter tinged with mockery.
“Hmmhmmh, I want to be promoted too! But it’s B-Rank, so unlike some people, I actually have to take the exam.”
“The A-Rank exam…? Well, if Shifa is taking it, I might as well try too…”
It seemed even Sarassa-san wanted to take the exam.
“Very well, I’ll register you for the exam. …Wasn’t there one more person?”
“I’m certain Sena won’t take it,” I said.
“…?”
I didn’t need to ask her to know the answer. Some things were just obvious.
For a while after that, dungeon exploration was put on hold as everyone focused on studying for the promotion exam. And when we tried to return to Arcel, I realized something.
“We have to find Sena. Where could she have gone…?”
Finding her in the vast Royal Capital was no easy task. I should have at least asked where she was headed… but even if I had, she would probably have gone wherever she felt like on a whim.
“Heheh, leave that to me, Anii-sama!”
Anii confidently pounded her chest, brimming with self-assurance.
“Finding someone is just like hunting. With my Gift, Hunter’s Sense, tracking down Sena-chan is nothing!”
“You really think you can tell where she is?”
“Wait a moment… yes, I think it’s this way!”
I had my doubts—hunting and finding a person seemed entirely different—but I followed Anii anyway, half believing her.
“With so many smells around, I hope her scent hasn’t been drowned out,” I muttered as we made our way through the crowded streets.
“Being sensitive to smell isn’t all it is,” Shifa explained.
“Really?”
“Yeah. It’s more like a heightened sense, a kind of intuition.”
We followed Anii for a while longer until we finally arrived at one of the Royal Capital’s most famous plazas.
It was a large square dotted with a variety of fountains, drawing countless tourists eager to see them. Amid the bustling crowd, Anii pointed to one of the fountains.
“That’s probably her.”
I followed her gaze and saw a girl sleeping sprawled on her back, completely oblivious to the world around her. People passing by snickered quietly at the sight but kept walking.
I hoped it was someone else—but, alas, it was unmistakably my sister. Honestly, I didn’t want anyone to know we were related.
“…Maybe I should pretend I don’t know her.”
“You are her brother,” Anii elbowed me, clearly reluctant to speak to her herself.
I had no choice. Swallowing my embarrassment, I prepared to call out to the sleeping Sena—but then, a shabby-looking man, completely out of place in such a refined plaza, casually tried to cross near her.
I noticed immediately. The man reached for the bag Sena had left beside her.
No wonder she was being targeted—she was lying there completely defenseless!
“Hey! Stop!”
I shouted and rushed forward to stop the theft. The next moment, a firm grip grabbed my arm.
“…Huh?”
Our voices overlapped. Somehow, Sena, still deep in sleep and drooling, had caught the man’s arm.
Before I could react, the man flew through the air and landed headfirst into the fountain behind him with a massive splash.
Could it be that she had sensed him approaching…?
“Zzzz…”
Still asleep?!
“It seems she reacted unconsciously. I’ve heard skilled swordsmen can respond to attacks even while sleeping…”
“W-What? That’s terrifying…”
Having had to wake up Sena many times before noon, I shuddered at Anii’s words. If I’d been a fraction too close, I might have been the one thrown into the fountain. I made a mental note to be more careful from now on.
“Damn it! What the hell!?”
The man, drenched and muttering curses, got up but, realizing everyone was watching, attempted a hasty escape. His guilty behavior was obvious—he was trying to steal Sena’s bag after all.
“That man should be caught. He’s probably a repeat offender.”
“I’ll paralyze him. Thunder Bind!”
A small bolt of lightning struck him squarely in the back, fired by Sarassa-san. He collapsed immediately, letting out a high-pitched scream.