After the Tournament
Inside Sara's room.
Sara looked a bit disappointed.
Haa… so much happened today. Everything felt so fast, didn't it? What do you think, Arla?
Arla sighed, a mix of relief and disappointment.
Yeah… at first, I thought there'd be a lot more going on. But everything got cut short because so many people dropped out. Honestly, I'm a little disappointed—so many rule changes, and this whole program turned out… strange.
Then both of them went silent. The air grew awkward—flat, even. Neither knew what to say, and it didn't help that they were two completely different types(assassin and knight).
Sara's thoughts:
Ugh… I have no idea what to talk about with her anymore...
Arla's thoughts:
Ah great… I just realized she's not even a knight. What else can I even ask her?
Then, suddenly, both of them spoke at once.
Arla & Sara (together):
How about we—
Eh?
Eh??
They stared at each other for a second before bursting into laughter.
Hahahahahahaha!
Hahahahahahaha!
Arla smiled.
If you think about it, our relationship was really just… mutual use, wasn't it? I didn't expect we'd actually get along like this.
Sara chuckled, resting her chin on her hand.
Hahaha… I was the one using you first, actually. When I saw you at the start, clanking around in that armor, I thought you were just some clown playing knight for fun.
Then, once again, they both spoke at the same time.
Arla & Sara:
B-but—
Sara spoke first this time.
But… I really respect your resolve, Arla. To actually become a knight. I honestly couldn't imagine someone like you existing—someone with that kind of heart. I used to think that was just something from fairy tales my mom told me when I was little… but now, I've met one. And she's my friend. Haha…
Sara smiled warmly and gave a salute—one typical of assassins.
Pleasure to meet you, O Knight…
Arla grinned and playfully mimicked a knight's salute, and doing fist to chest.
Pleasure to meet you too, Sara. I hope our paths never end here. Whatever our goals are, I hope we both reach them.
Sara smiled back, raising her own fist.
Of course it won't end here! You'll see me again—when I'm a famous assassin from the Southern Region! Hehe…
That day, they spent their time together, chatting, laughing, and waiting for orders from their respective squad leaders—along with the official licenses marking them as Knight and Assassin.
The Next Day
Both Sara and Arla were heading toward their respective headquarters—
Sara to Umbra,
Arla to Aegis.
Coincidentally, they arrived at the border at the same time.
Arla waved.
Well well… fancy meeting you here again, haha.
Sara smiled.
Haha, yeah. Looks like we're supposed to get picked up here, right? I can see the others too—Lea, Zaza, and even Ase.
Arla tilted her head.
Oh really? I thought I'd get a personal pickup. Guess not—haha, guess they're already here too.
Before they could talk more, a familiar figure approached. Arla froze.
Wait—no way… CINDY?!
Sara blinked in confusion.
Uh… who's Cindy?
Cindy crossed her arms and frowned.
Ugh, you again? I can't believe you actually passed! Whether you cheated or not, I doubt you'll even survive your first mission.
Arla smirked, voice dripping with sarcasm.
Haha, you're right—I'll probably fail, huh? But tell me, how's it feel to be a "wealthy Western girl" who's scared of a little rust and smell of oil?
Cindy's face tightened, clearly offended, though she tried to stay composed.
Watch your mouth. Just so you know,
I'll make sure you won't get any supplies of quality goods from the Trading Union connected to my father's company!"
With that, Cindy stormed off, hopping into one of the Western region's finest transport pods.
Sara tilted her head, still confused.
Huh…? Whatever's going on between you two, how did she even pass? She didn't make it through the exam… right? Weird.
Arla sighed.
Yeah… maybe her dad company pulled some strings. I kinda pity the guy, though. He turned half-monster, and still ended up with a daughter like that...
After chatting for a while, both Arla and Sara were finally greeted by their rides—but not the kind they expected.
Two floating brooms descended from the sky, hovering beside them. Each had glowing runes along the handle… and they could talk.
Aegis Broom:
Alright, the one named Arla, please climb onto my back.
Umbra Broom:
And the one named Sara, please do the same.
Both girls hesitated at first, but eventually decided to trust them.
Arla looked nervous.
Is this… safe? Also, um—what should I call you? Mr. Aegis? Miss Aegis?
The Aegis broom chuckled.
Just call me Mr. Broom Aegis.
I know, it sounds weird—but among humans, it's actually common to meet non-human males now. After all, only human men are the ones who tend to mutate into half-monsters.
Arla blinked in surprise.
Whoa, I didn't know that… Well, alright, I'll hop on—but, uh, Mr. Broom Aegis, could you lower yourself a bit? I'm not great with heights… and there's no seat!
Relax, just sit tight. I'll modify myself.
Modify—what??
Before Arla could react, the Umbra broom suddenly nudged her, sending her off balance. She yelped, but Mr. Broom Aegis swooped under her just in time to catch her.
Sara stood frozen, jaw dropped.
Hold on, Arla—don't move. Time for modifications!
TRANSFORM!!!
The broom suddenly reshaped itself—parts shifting, wood glowing—and in seconds, it became a comfortable floating bicycle.
Arla gawked.
Whaaaaat?! How did you even do that?!?
Before she could say more, the broom zoomed off at incredible speed, carrying her away toward the Aegis headquarters.
Sara watched in stunned silence… until her own broom floated closer.
Alright, your turn.
Without much choice, she climbed on—and in an instant, the Umbra broom morphed into a sleek hover-bike, black and silver, gliding effortlessly through the air.
And just like that, both Arla and Sara flew off—each toward their new beginning, their new squad, and the next chapter of their journey.