“Do earthquakes happen often?” Tafel asked Alice as she slid on her armor.

“No,” Alice said and shook her head after strapping her shield to her wrist. “That’s the first one I’ve ever experienced. I didn’t know the ground could move like that. It’s a good thing dwarven buildings are sturdy.” She frowned. “I hope the people of Anfang are alright.”

“There’s lots of adventurers there,” Tafel said and patted her sword before placing it on her back. It purred at her and closed its eye halfway. “I’m sure the town will be fine. Adventurers should be good at responding to emergencies.” She tilted her head to the side. “If you’re really worried, I can teleport us there.”

“No, that’s okay,” Alice said and slipped on her boots. “You’re probably right. Besides, if I go there now, I’m sure Henry will dump a load of paperwork onto me. He’s the receptionist by the way. And if that happens, we’ll be late for our final match.”

“We’ll go after the final match then, how about that?” Tafel asked. She paused at the door to the room as Alice finished tying her shoes. “Ready?”

“Yeah,” Alice said with a nod. She tied her hair into a ponytail as she walked out the door that Tafel held open. The two walked along the road from the inn to the arena, Tafel ignoring the gawks and stares while Alice smiled and waved at the crowd. They had won their matches without any issues like Alice had predicted, and they had acquired a sizable fan base. Especially Tafel—dozens of time mages wanted to befriend her.

Alice sighed as they walked into the waiting room for the match. “I can’t believe so many high-ranking adventurers joined the tournament just to have a chance to fight me,” she said and shook her head. “Usually, the strongest party would be B-ranked at most.”

“Well, there’s no point in winning easy matches,” Tafel said and crossed her arms as she stared at the door. “Adversary is necessary for growth. Without experiencing failure, you’ll stagnate. You can’t rest on your previous accomplishments if you want to go higher.”

“You’re very driven,” Alice said and furrowed her brow. She glanced at her shield and bit her lower lip. “It also feels like you’re attacking me personally when you’re saying those words. It’s an uncomfortable feeling.”

Tafel snorted. “Is it uncomfortable because it’s true?”

“Yes.” Alice nodded and clenched her hand into a fist. “I can’t remember the last time, well, no, the last time I struggled was against you and Vur during your placement test. But before that, I don’t know how many years it’s been since I lost in anything.” She sighed. “My parents were a bit strict and very pushy, always wanting me to be the best. But since they passed away, I haven’t had any growth in anything… except for my retirement funds. Guild masters make a lot of money, you know?”

Tafel frowned. Alice was laughing, but her eyes were cold. Tafel pursed her lips. “Sorry I said anything.”

“Hmm?” Alice raised an eyebrow before smacking Tafel’s shoulder. “Don’t worry about it. I still miss them sometimes; it’s true, but I’m strong enough to stand on my own even if I get lonely occasionally.” She pouted before adjusting her glasses. A tear slid down the corner of her eye, and she wiped it away with her fingertip. “This truth curse is really inconvenient at times. I didn’t want to face these feelings.”

Tafel opened her mouth to speak, but the door creaked open before she could say anything. The referee’s voice flooded into the room, filling the arena. “Welcome ladies and gentlemen! The final round of Dupey’s bimonthly tournament is about to begin! I’m sure all of you already know who’s competing today, but it’s my job as the referee and announcer to present you with them anyway!”

Alice rolled her eyes as she and Tafel left their room, stepping into the sunlight-filled arena. The referee gestured towards them with one hand. “In the eastern corner, we have the party Tafel x Vur! We still haven’t seen Vur or x, but with the skill Tafel and Alice have shown, it’s understandable if they decide they’re unneeded. But I do believe it’s a bit arrogant of them to participate in the final round with only two people; their opponents are the renowned triple-S adventurer party, the Fangs of Capitis!

“Arising from commoner backgrounds, these six adventurers worked together for years to become the most famous party in the whole of our continent’s human history! Even the dwarven king has acknowledged their might. Why are they participating in a tournament such as this one? No doubt, they want to settle the score with their ex-member, the berserk librarian!”

Tafel raised an eyebrow at Alice. “You never told me they were your old party.”

“It was an unnecessary detail,” Alice said and shrugged. Her expression darkened as the door opposite them swung open. Six figures dressed in pure white armor marched in a triangular formation with their heads held high. “Remember, we have to knock out the white mage first or we really will have no chance of winning.”

Tafel frowned as her eyes scanned the opposing party. “You say that, but who’s who? They’re all dressed the same, and their helmets make them look like clones.”

“You’ll figure it out when she casts a healing spell that’s as bright as the sun.” Alice unstrapped her shield from her wrist and expanded it before equipping it to her right hand.

The leading person dressed in the white armor stepped forward to the center of the arena. A man’s voice echoed from beneath the helmet, the low baritone easily heard over the referee’s ramblings, “Alice. Can we talk?”

Alice crossed her arms. “I’ve already told you, Abel, I have no intentions of rejoining the Fangs. You didn’t have to come all the way here.”

“Why don’t we make a deal?” Abel asked. “If I win, you rejoin us. If I lose, I promise to never bother you again.”

“That’s a really crappy deal,” Tafel said, stepping in front of Alice and drawing her sword. “You can screw right off.”

Abel turned his head towards Alice. “You told me you didn’t want to be in a party when you left. But you joined hers? A shoddy, three-member party? They don’t even have a healer.”

Tafel snorted. “Shut up and go back to your side of the arena. The match is about to start.”

Abel was silent as his helmeted face stared at Alice. He turned around without a word and rejoined his party on the side.

Tafel swung her sword, cutting a gouge into the stone arena. “He really pisses me off,” she said and clenched her teeth. “Trying to steal my party member? No way in hell am I going to let that happen.”

“Um, I’m your guide, not your party member,” Alice said and pursed her lips.

“You shut up too,” Tafel said and smacked the back of Alice’s head with her left hand. “We’ve fought together, thus you’re my party member.”

“That’s a bit overbearing, don’t you think?” Alice asked with a scowl. She rubbed her head with her hand.

“Overbearing means endearing in dragon culture,” Tafel said with a nod. “Maybe. But admit it, you want to join our party.”

Alice sighed. “I do. Even if it lacks heals,” she said. “Stupid truth curse.”

The referee’s voice boomed like thunder. “And with that being said, let the match begin!”