"Oh, Ash-kun..."
As I sat with my back open against the wall of the Third Arena, I heard a weak voice.
Classmate with no luck - it's Mr. Nina.
"Is Nina's exam venue here too?
"Yeah......"
Sneaky nod, Mr. Nina sits with me.
Sigh deeply,
"And it's second from the end. The waiting time is too long. I want it to be easier soon..."
That's what he said, he's gonna show me the lottery.
Nina's opponent was Mr. Noir, in order of '14'.
Apparently, the practical exams had an order, and that number was written on the lottery.
My number is' 15 '.
"The second from the end on the fourteenth means I'm the last? Can't wait."
"Ash-kun is amazing. I can't wait to fight that Mr. Fermina..."
Ms Nina says in a tone that impresses her.
"I want to be a good wizard. Think it's better to fight a strong one, and there's more to learn.... Don't you think Nina wants to be strong or something?
"I think so. But I want to be strong because I can survive any demon attack... to protect myself, so I want to avoid the battle I know I'm going to lose. Strong opponents make me want to run away."
Strong opponents make you want to run away, huh?
That's the opposite of Mr. Fermina.
"Is Mr. Noir that strong?
"It's so strong that I don't know what it means..."
"But they're not demons, they're human beings. Are you still scared?
"That's better than demons...... When I lose a game like this, I always think. If this is a demon, I'm being killed."
Mr. Nina seems too imaginative.
I mean, if you put that imagination to work in a positive way, you might be able to overcome your fear of fighting powerful enemies.
"So how about this?
"What do you mean?
"When Mr. Nina is attacked by a demon, I take him down. Which means you don't have to worry about Nina getting killed by demons."
"But that's not gonna happen until Ash is many times stronger than me, is it?
Indeed, Mr. Nina is right.
I defeated the Dark Lord, but it would be hard for you to believe me if I explained with my mouth that I had defeated the Demon King with a piece of cake.
"Then beat Mr. Fermina and prove that I'm strong. That's why I'm working hard, so why don't you try your best, Nina?
Nina's face brightens to my words.
"... well, you are. Thanks to Ash, I'm getting kind of brave. I'm starting to feel like I can do my best to fight Mr. Noir."
"Whoa, that's intentional! But at any rate, can I just say something like 'beat Mr. Noir'?
"Oh yeah! You're free if you just say so! All right, we're gonna beat Mr. Noir today! It's a fluke!
"... yes. You're Nina Alibal?
Suddenly, a pale voice came down.
When I looked up, a faceless girl stood right next to me.
He has low, blue, long hair in the wind.
"Noir, noir,..."
Mr. Nina is trembling.
Right, this girl is Mr. Noir......
"... you beat me?
Mr. Noir asks Nina in an unchallenged voice.
"Or I will win! I'll beat you and I'll sayonara with my weak self!
Whoa, that's good, Mr. Nina! That's how it goes!
I'm caught up in being respectful, but Mr. Nina's got the courage to stand up to her mighty enemies.
Now let's keep a quiet eye on Mr. Nina.
"... yes. But I can't lose. Something unbeatable, something for a reason."
"Oh, it's no big deal what your reason is anyway!
"It's a big deal. I was a writing exam blur."
"Oh, I could barely solve it, either!
What a low-level feud......!
"What falls into the intermediate class when you lose to the lower class ladies"
"What's wrong with the intermediate class! This is the lower class!
"Intermediate classrooms are a long way from purchasing"
"The furthest is the lower class!
"Purchasing's most popular product," Outside Crisp, Inside Fu ♪ The Mellon Bread of Dreams with Moldy Mochi Cheeks Melting, "is something that will sell out as soon as you don't decide to start dashing from an advanced class classroom"
- That's why I can't beat you.
With that said, Mr. Noir walks away refreshed.
"Yes, I told him... to that Mr. Noir, I told him... Did you hear the conversation?
"I heard it without getting word for word. Good luck with that."
When I complimented her, Ms. Nina had a full laugh.
"Ash-kun pushed me on the back so I could stand up to Mr. Noir. I don't know if I can win...... yeah, I think I'll lose a lot. But I'm not running! If you keep running, you'll remain weak for as long as you want!
Ms Nina declared forcefully.
Nina took my word for it.
So I have to beat Mr. Fermina in order to live up to Nina's feelings!
While I burned my fighting spirit, I waited for the opening of the practical exam.