Part 18: Chapter 4-4: The Race to F Rank

Part 4-4: The Race to F Rank


An Exam and a Race

What do you think? Do you want to try the next Promotion Test?

Yes!

We’re ready!

Very well. The next exam is…

Hold it!



Correct. In which case, I’ll tell you all together. The task this time is… this!



Defeating monsters close to the city? There have been a lot of monster sightings recently. Though this is the first I’ve heard of something as dangerous as dragons close by…

There have. Our knights are trying to keep up, but there are just too many of them.

It’s that bad that you need us to help out, huh?

Twins, Lucia. Will you combine your strength and defeat these monsters for us? Then I’ll promote you all. What do you think? It sounds like a pretty good deal, right?

Not to me! I can handle defeating monsters alone!

Hey! Hold on, Lucia!

Ohohoho! We’re rivals. I don’t need to work with you! I’m going to defeat all those monsters and rank up all alone! See you later!



Ah! Sue, let’s move! We need to defeat the monsters before Lucia does!

She thinks she pulled one over us, huh? Well we’ll show her in the end!



The reports say the monsters were sighted at the Great Woods of Gurm-Adis… which is about a day out from the capital.

Let’s hurry!



I’m not seeing many monsters so far… maybe they’re deeper in the forest.



Deeper in the forest it is, then. They don’t call this place the Great Woods for nothing. Anyway, no sign of Lucia so far…


And the Winner is…

Speak of the…

You’re here already? I’m going to defeat them all first!

Hah. We won’t lose to you. We’ll defeat them all first!



Pick up the pace, Lydie, or she really will beat us there!

Uwah! I’m trying!

Some time later…



Pant… pant…

Even I’m winded from all that running…

Hmm, this is odd. I don’t see any monsters anywhere…

And certainly nothing as dangerous as a dragon…

But I can’t believe Mireille would lie to us about the exam…

Huh? Over there, look!



Yes, can I help you?


Music: Song of Leaving Home (Lydie & Suelle Ver.)

Oh, I defeated them. I heard about some dangerous monsters and I came to take care of them.

You defeated them? You defeated our examination targets?

E-Examination? Is this part of the Atelier Ranking System?

That’s right. Wait a sec, lady… How do you know about it?

How do you think? I’m in the ranking system too! I’m Firis Mistlud. I’m a traveling alchemist.



Firis, is it? I’m Lydie, and this is my sister Sue.

We’re twins, and alchemists too. Ah, and this is Lucia.



Hahaha, nice to meet you all. I’m really sorry for messing up your exam, though. Hmm… I know! Will you come to my atelier? I want to apologize to you all. I’ll really make it up to you there!

To your own atelier? Can we?

Of course! It’s a pretty unique one too, so I’m sure you’ll love it. I put it up in the Garden of Merk. I’ll be waiting for you there!

Firis leaves.

Did she just say that she “put up” her atelier? What does that mean?

There’s only one way to find out. I take it you’re coming too, Lucia?

No, not today. I’m going to go and get Mireille to set me a new task. I’ll get her to do the same for you as well. After all, I want to beat you fair and square!

Very well, Lucia! You never make things easy on yourself, do you? Just let us know the details!



We might as well beat it ourselves. It’s cold and rainy and I need a warm bed and pillow like you wouldn’t believe it!

The next morning…



Firis said she’d be waiting for us somewhere in the Garden of Merk, right? Let’s go catch up with her!


A Big Tent and a Big Sister

Lydie! Look!

That tent! Could it be…?

Lydie, Sue! Over here!



Ah! This is your tent, Firis? We noticed it here before! And it’s an atelier?

Come on inside and take a look. I’m sure you’ll be surprised!

Very well. In we go!



Well?



What! We just walked into a tent, right? So how is it so big inside here?!

Surprise! This tent was made using alchemy. It twists space, expanding the insides!

Twists space? Alchemy can do that?

It sure can! There’s nothing alchemy can’t do!



An apology for defeating those monsters. I’m so sorry for messing up your exam!

Beast Meat received.

No need to apologize! You didn’t know. Thank you for this, as well.

You’ve shown us this amazing atelier, too. You hardly have to give us anything else!

Thank you! Both of you.

Hm, was that the do-



That's-



Wah!

She just leapt right past us…



L-Liane! Quit it, I’m having guests!

Who cares about them! My love for Firis is unwavering!

Liane? Liaaaaaane?



Yes… Well, we just met. So Firis is the sister you mentioned?

That’s right! The cutest, most precious, most darling younger sister in the whole wide world!

I’m sorry about this, you two. Liane always gets a bit worked up when it comes to, well, me. It might take her a while to calm down. Could you come back another time? I’m really sorry.



The twins leave.

Ah, we didn’t get a chance to ask Firis what her rank is! With that tent, I bet it’s pretty high.

I think so too. We just have to ask her next time. Now, let’s go and see Mireille.

The twins leave for the castle.

There you are, twins. I’ve got your new exam task all ready for you!


The New F Rank Exam

What? More monsters?

Sorry! The more we hunt, the more show up. They are causing so many problems for the city.

Why do you think that is? Are they looking for food? Or running away from something scary?

I’ve suspicions, but… no. We still don’t know. All we can do is clear them out for now. I’ve given Lucia a different exam this time, so there’s no rush. Just be sure to defeat them.

We will!



Hold on, Sue. Before we return to the Great Woods of Gurm-Adis… I just realized something about Liane’s shop.

Did you… oh. Now I’m curious myself…


The Lovely Firis

That’s right! She’s my darling baby sister! Sweet enough to eat!

Haha, so the name of your store, “Lovely Firis”…

Right again, it’s taken from Firis’ name. It lets me feel like we’re together all the time. When I told her about it, she got all embarrassed! That was so cute too! Ah, I can hardly put it into words just how great Firis is!

L-Liane? Come back to us, Liane!

Lydie… I’m sorry for bringing all this up. Run for it! She’ll never shut up if we hang around here…

G-Good point! Liane, we’ll see you later!



I mean it! Run like an angry ghost is chasing us!



Hey, Sue… do you think Liane even noticed that we ditched her?

Nope. Anyway, new exam! Let’s get to it!