A Banished Failure Survives in the Borderland and Becomes an S-Rank Exorcist

Return to your room. I'm really tired today. I fought Gil, the Premium Versus Mage, and met Cyrus, the first in the line. There is no doubt that he is recognized as the most powerful anti-magician of mankind. That's why you're under heavy pressure. And the upcoming student selection match.

Many students in college are confident of themselves, good or bad. Moreover, when you enter the student selection competition, you will undoubtedly find talent with strength and confidence.

I was anxious. It is not a practical meaning. It's spiritual. When I came back from dusk, I was struck by a feeling that I didn't know what was going on. That life at dusk is as peaceful as a lie. There is nothing to be afraid of. Just go to college, study, and go home. Even though that was enough, I remember a definite feeling of anxiety.

"... it's just..."

I know there's no one here. But it's like a habit since I lived in a dormitory in a third-tier city. I want to say it even if I know it's not there.

But not this time. There's someone in the room.

"Eh...."

"Ah...."

It was Sherry who was there. And... naked. No, technically, I've been wearing towels before, so I can't see everything. Still, the glossy skin and the drops from my hair seemed very fantastic.

"Eh, hey...?!

I'm confused, but I'll check the room immediately. Yeah. It's a corner room, and this is definitely my room. The simple furniture in the room is definitely familiar. Then why... is there a naked sherry in this room...?

"No way...!

"Um, what happened?

"Well... I actually forgot something here..."

"Um, it's the next room, and you forgot something here?

"... while Julia was gone, it was empty, so I was using it as a storeroom. So....."

"Mmm...."

"So, I sweated a little to carry things...."

"Mmm...."

"And then take a shower....."

"No, take a shower in your room."

"Yes, because! I wanted to get in right away!

"Okay. Okay... but for now, I want you to get dressed. Please...."

"Ah...."

With that voice, the parsley and towel fall. I turned away and waited in front of the room. [M]

"N, no, ahhhhhh!!

I could not see his full-bodied chest, nor his supple limbs. No, not at all. No... it's true.

◇

"I disturbed you....."

"No, it's fine. Dinner is served."

I'm in Shelley's room, and this is how I get cooked. Apparently, Shelley cooks like a self-catering person every day.

"Delicious?"

"Mumumumu... it's delicious, it's too delicious!

"Yes, I'm glad."

The menu is served with hamburger and corn soup, accompanied by bread. However, I was quite surprised by the fact that bread was also handmade. Shelley's culinary skills are merely respectful. I think it's purely amazing because I can only survive. [M] When I was at dusk, I had no choice but to bake or simmer, so it was very helpful.

"Is Julia going to be in the contest tomorrow or later?

"I'm leaving...."

"I thought it was unexpected and unclear."

"Well... there's so much going on."

I didn't really feel like going out. There are quite a few students who do not compete in the selection match, but it seems like they still come to see it, and it will be a kind of festive commotion. It seems to be a routine event since two years ago, but I didn't know because I was in the evening just then. [M]

Each year, only a few people from each city can go to the first border city. They can move around at dusk, practice combat, and finally see the royal family.

Royalty. It is a person of special lineage, but the details are not revealed. They are also said to be a hope for mankind, but the details are unknown. Probably only the nearest humans and Premium vs. Mages know.

That's why the selection game is exciting. Being chosen is like being said to be worthy of carrying this human being.

"Speaking of which, has Shelley ever been selected?

"... not yet."

"That's a surprise. I thought Shelley was absolutely chosen for her abilities."

"I've grown stronger in the last year."

"... you haven't been strong for a long time."

"I see. There was no particular skill that was missing. That's why I worked so hard to become a first-class magician. In that sense, it looks like Julia."

"What an unexpected commonality."

"Fufu... I see."

After a short chat, we return to the selection game.

"Yulia, are you going to show me that?

"The Invisible Blade?

"Yeah. If you use that, you can stay."

"... I'm lost. I'm thinking of bringing in a normal broadsword the day after tomorrow...."

"Julia doesn't want to stand out, does she? After all, you could have said on the first day of the transfer that you defeated me. I didn't want to deny it either. But you're secretly living your college life. Even if you bully me, I accept it."

"Did you notice?

"Everyone knows that. Do you know what they're saying? You're a gallivanting lady.

"Oh... that's another great rating. But I'm not wrong... but the dress is a little different."

"Don't you think I'll give you something in return? I'm keeping my mouth shut because you're accepting it, but honestly, it's annoying. Attack the same person. We're here to fight at dusk....."

"I know that, but... you still don't feel realistic... that dusk world was so intense. That world wandering about was all I had. [M] So now... you're confused again. And so is bullying, but I'm afraid of being frightened by everybody. I think that's the kind of power I have..."

"Are you stupid!!?

"Eh...?

Shelley stood up from her chair. The eyes were filled with anger.

"Your power is not the object of fear! A worthy substitute! I've lived in the twilight world for two years and worn it to survive a hell of a day, something incredible in words! So... so don't be so scared... at least I respect you."

"Sherry...."

You're holding my hand. [M] It conveys the warmth of a certain person and makes me feel alive. [M]

I was just scared. [M] He became a dusk, and acquired the power of an aberration, and became far removed from man. Ordinary humans poison at dusk. One demon tribe is powered by dusk. But I... got my strength by dusk. That's why I think I'm no longer human, but close to the Devil's tribe. I've pretended not to see it before. I've pretended not to know. Every time I saw this right arm, I didn't know who I was. [M]

But Shelley says. My power is something to be respected. [M] I'm glad someone finally admitted it. I thought I was glad to be back... for the first time...

Shelly, look at my right arm.

"That's...."

"Twilight Syndrome, Level 5. No, it might even be beyond that. It's been like this for over a year. That's why I thought I was a foreign object, not a human being. Shelly, am I still human?

"... it's not like you can tell from the outside if you're human. Humans are the way their hearts are. If you have the will to confront the demons, if you have the will to fight for humanity, if you have the heart as a human being, you are definitely a human being."

"Well... no, maybe I wanted someone to say that. But it's time to move on."

"... are you ready?

"Oh, I'm human. I will fight for mankind."

"It's a bit ridiculous, but what a poetic thing to say... if you were to be the light that rips us apart at dusk...?

"I like it. That poem."

"Hey!? It's embarrassing to say poem!? Stop it!

"Hahaha... it's poemy. You actually put it in your notebook?

"Why did you do that!? Did you see that!?

"Eh... really?

"I missed you!!

Unloving exchanges. But it was something pleasant.

Now we're ready. Let's go, let's go, go further.