Chapter 12: Confession

—Dungeon Exam, Day 11

"H-Hey... You... There's no way you're actually in a 'Dream Party' like that, right?"

After diving down to the first floor and exploring for a while, we ran smack into Gon and his party.

"U-Uh... well, actually, as of yesterday, I've been transferred to Class S..."

"""—?!"""

It wasn't just Gon's party; every other group nearby gathered around us in an instant.

"From the bottom of Class E straight to Class S?!"

As Gon raised his voice in disbelief, Misha stepped forward, her tone laced with anger.

"Mars has always had Class S strength! It was weird that he was in Class E to begin with!"

"N-No... I mean, I knew he was strong, but still... suddenly Class S? Though, I guess it makes sense. Rumors about your exploits are already circulating among some of the students."

Rumors were spreading that fast?

"Like how you took down a swarm of Threat Level C monsters on the seventh floor all by yourself, or how you brought back some ridiculous treasure."

"What's that? I never did any of that."

Before I knew it, the stories had blown up into something unrecognizable.

"That's just how rumors are. People were whispering that I was carrying Baron's child before I even entered the academy. We haven't even kissed yet," Karen muttered, her cheeks flushing red.

Huh? I feel like I heard a rumor that Baron was a player who moved fast...

"Eh? I heard that you and Baron were already in a deep relationship, Lady Karen..."

"T-That’s impossible! You didn't actually believe those rumors, did you?" Karen denied it desperately.

"I-I'm sorry... But you are engaged, right?"

"Yes, well, that is true, but... there is no doubt that your relationship is far more advanced than ours."

Karen looked back and forth between Clarice and me.

"T-That’s not true! We're also... um... just like you and Baron, Lady Karen..."

"Eh?! Even though you were flirting so openly in the carriage?!"

"We weren't flirting... I was just happy..." Clarice answered, turning red all the way to her ears.

"Come on! I'll listen to all your love stories later! Right now, we need to move forward!"

Sasha forcibly wrapped up the conversation before it could spiral out of control. We bid farewell to Gon and the others and aimed for the deeper levels.

"Come to think of it, we only decided on a rough formation. What should we do?" I asked Karen as we descended to the second floor, watching Ellie and Misha fight from a distance.

"Honestly, I don't know the full extent of your abilities. Even when we moved with Flower Lotus, although Ellie was vigilant, she didn't participate in combat. Clarice was the same; she just held her bow ready... You three always dove together, didn't you? What was your formation then?"

Since we were told not to stand out, Clarice likely intended not to interfere unless we were in a pinch. As for Ellie, it was probably just her mood. Right now, she was fighting carefully while confirming her coordination with Misha.

"When it was just the three of us, Ellie was the vanguard, I was the middle guard, and Clarice was the rearguard. Though, we usually walked in a tight group until we engaged the enemy."

"...I see. And you, Sasha-sensei?"

"When I was with Wind Elegance, both Misha and I were rearguards. I was too scared to let Misha stand on the front lines."

Misha’s stats did lean more toward a rearguard role. However, her ability to be difficult to detect was attractive, and her aptitude for Spearmanship was Rank B. In the end, I thought it should depend on what she wanted to do.

"Right... Then shall we have those two as the vanguard, Mars and Clarice as the middle guard, and Sasha-sensei and myself as the rearguard? I'm a little anxious since Clarice's ability is the only unknown factor."

I see. Karen has never seen Clarice fight.

"Karen, I'll vouch for Clarice's ability as a rearguard. Don't worry."

On the other hand, since Sasha went with us down to the fifth floor the other day, she knew Clarice's strength. Well, Karen would understand once we started diving deeper.

Our sleeping quarters for the first night with this party were on the second floor.

After confirming there was no one nearby, I left one monster alive and bound it to prevent new spawns. While Sasha briskly gave instructions for setting up camp, I timidly called out to her.

"Sasha-sensei, Lady Karen, Misha. I have something to discuss..."

"What is it?"

The three of them stopped their preparations and listened.

"Would you like to have a slightly more comfortable dungeon life?"

"I always want that, though?"

"Then, could you please keep what you are about to see a secret?"

Although they looked suspicious, the three of them nodded.

"Thank you. Then..."

I visualized the object in my mind and channeled mana into both hands.

"Wha—?! What are you planning to do?!"

Sasha braced herself at the sudden surge of power. But I ignored it and released the magic.

"————?! T-This is... a bathtub?"

Creating walls of earth, I quickly constructed everything needed for camping while the three looked on in astonishment. A changing space. A drying space. Beds and a toilet... and partitions to separate them all.

"A-Amazing, Mom! Look at this bed! The surface is made of stone, but it's soft!"

Misha jumped onto the bed, her skirt flying up to reveal her white thighs. I caught a glimpse of what lay beyond before I instinctively averted my eyes.

"Misha! I can see! I can see it! Stop that!"

Clarice hurriedly stopped her, but Misha's excitement didn't wane.

"Hey?! This bathtub is huge! Can't we all fit in it together?!"

It certainly could fit six people... which meant...

"Hey! You're grinning like a pervert!"

Clarice pinched my cheek.

"...Even so, Mars. You're a Wind Mage, yet you used Earth and Fire just now... Does that mean?"

At Sasha's words, everyone's gaze gathered on me.

I'm a Wind Mage, yet I can use Earth Magic, which should be the hardest for me to learn. It was only natural for them to assume I could use Water Magic as well. Rather than hiding it awkwardly and having them probe deeper, it would be better to just admit it. That way, they wouldn't pursue the matter of Holy Magic.

"Yes. That's correct... I can use all Four Great Magics."

I filled the tub with water and heated it with Fire Magic. Karen, dumbfounded, covered her mouth and muttered.

"Two people in the same generation who can use all Four Great Magics?! It is said that only one appears every hundred years..."

Two people? Is there someone else besides me who can use all four?

"Karen? Don't you think this amount of MP is more amazing than being able to use all four magics?"

"Yes... And activating multiple spells simultaneously... It's just one unbelievable thing after another."

Karen nodded at Sasha's question.

"Hu-Huh? Lady Karen, I recall you telling Duke Regan that you didn't remember anything about the other day..."

My question made Karen gasp and cover her mouth.

"T-That was because you didn't seem to want to talk about it, Mars... Besides, it's true that I lost consciousness."

So both of them saw everything.

I had to ensure they wouldn't leak this secret somehow.

"You don't need to make such a face. You want to keep it a secret, right, Mars? Then I won't tell anyone. Misha, you ensure you don't tell anyone either. Mars will hate you if you do."

"Yeah! I definitely won't say anything, so don't worry!"

Misha gave me a cute wink with a thumbs up.

"I-I was saved by you, so I won't say anything strange either. Please don't underestimate me."

Alright, I'll trust everyone here.

"Well then, we'll take a bath first. Take care of things, Mars."

As the women disappeared behind the partition, I was left with the important duty of watching for monsters in case one popped, and ensuring no male students tried to go past the partition if they entered the room.

If a monster popped inside the partition, the women would have to deal with it, but Clarice should have already informed them of that.

For the hour that Clarice and the others were in the bath, I passed the time training my magic alone.

"With facilities like this, diving into the dungeon won't be a hardship anymore."

Later, as I soaked in the bath and we all ate together, Sasha looked around and spoke with deep feeling.

"That's true. But knowing this makes it painful that I can't dive with Mars... This dungeon exam really made me realize how important Mars is."

"...Mars... separate... die..."

Well, regardless of the circumstances, I was happy they wanted to be with me.

"Ideally, yes. With the partitions, we can escape the annoying gazes of the boys, too."

"Yep! I've decided! I'm going to join a party with Mars!"

Since there would be seven of us if I joined the S-Class group, the party would have to be split into at least two groups.

"Has Mars decided who he's going to team up with?"

"Let's see... Clarice and Ellie are confirmed. If it's guys, maybe Gon and Carl."

When I answered Sasha's question, she made a sour face.

"Gon and Carl? The kids from Class E? If so, you should probably stop. You might have experienced it already, Mars, but just by S-Class and E-Class students being friendly, the other classes get jealous."

True, the glares from those around us were harsh when I was with Clarice and the others. Thinking of Gon and Carl, perhaps not teaming up with them was a valid option. There was always the choice to team up after they reached a higher class, even if not Class S.

"Please decide on the party arrangements after the dungeon exam is over. It's late, so let's sleep."

"Understood. Then please, everyone, go to sleep first. However, I need you to agree to this: since this isn't a Safe Zone, I will check on you occasionally. I will try my best not to look at your sleeping faces, but please understand that I will be entering the room."

If it were a Safe Zone, we could sleep at the same time, but this was different.

After getting everyone's consent, I spent the night keeping watch and training my magic again.

—Three Days Later, Dungeon Exam Day 14

"Ouch—"

Misha, who had attacked a swarm of Rock Lizards from behind, failed to finish one off in a single blow and took a counterattack to her flank.

Although we were vigilant, at such close range, we couldn't react instantly. We barely managed to prevent a follow-up attack. After defeating the Rock Lizards, we gathered around Misha.

"Karen. I'm sorry, but can we call it a day? I want to treat Misha's wound."

"Of course! Please don't apologize!"

We decided to play it safe, stopped diving for the day, and immediately set up camp.

Misha's wound was surprisingly deep. Sasha, who was nursing her, spoke gravely, saying that even with a Potion, it would take three days to fully heal, and a scar might remain.

As everyone fell asleep and I stood guard alone as usual, I sensed someone standing behind me.

"Clarice?"

"...Yeah. Can I talk to you for a second?"

I already knew what Clarice wanted to say.

I nodded silently, and Clarice sat down next to me. Her face wore an expression of determination.

"I'm going to heal Misha."

It was exactly what I expected... and to be honest, I had been thinking about nothing else since Misha got hurt.

"Understood, it is a good time now while everyone is asleep. Sorry, but I'm coming with you."

I wanted to heal Misha immediately when she got hurt, too. But Holy Magic was the one thing that couldn't be exposed. Even more so than being able to use all Four Great Magics.

I realized its rarity after coming to this academy. After all, we were taught that if there was a situation where you could only save either an A-Class adventurer or a Holy Mage, you must absolutely save the Holy Mage.

While the other women slept soundly, Clarice and I crept close to Misha, who was groaning in pain.

Clarice exposed Misha's stomach. Placing her hands over the blood-soaked cloth covering the wound, a gentle light healed Misha's injury.

As I watched that shining light, I noticed someone else watching it too.

"Clarice!"

I shouted in a suppressed voice. Clarice seemed to notice as well, but—

"Wait! Just a little more!"

—she prioritized the treatment.

Once the mysterious light faded and I confirmed Clarice had finished, I called out to the figure.

"Sasha-sensei. May I have a moment?"

I was surprised by how terrifyingly low my own voice sounded.

Sasha would understand if we talked. If push came to shove, I could guilt-trip her with the fact that we saved Misha. But if the worst happened... I wouldn't hesitate.

Hiding the blade in my heart, I decided to talk outside with Clarice and Sasha.

In the silence, the three of us sat around a table.

For some reason, Clarice instructed me to place both hands on the table, and then she placed her hands over my right hand.

"You don't need to make such a scary face. I already knew Clarice was a Holy Mage."

That's impossible. If that were true, Clarice would have been referred to another A-Rank party by now.

As I remained silent, Sasha continued.

"Did you hear that I bought Dameze from Misha?"

I was surprised by the sudden change of topic and didn't understand what she was getting at.

"Yes. When we met after a long time, Dameze was with you."

Since I didn't answer immediately, Clarice answered for me.

"After we parted ways with you, we went on another quest with the members of Wind Elegance. Dameze followed us then. That sort of thing isn't rare. I am an Elf. Not to brag, but it's not the first or second time a man has fallen for me and followed me around."

Well, with that level of beauty, I could understand.

"He was just one of them. I thought he would give up eventually, but when a member of Wind Elegance got injured, Dameze muttered something. He said, 'If only Clarice were here, she could heal this.'"

"""Ah—"""

Just like me, Clarice seemed to realize what Sasha was implying.

"From your reaction, you understand. Yes, Dameze said he saw you chanting Holy Magic right in front of him. At first, I thought it was just nonsense to get my attention, but Clarice's physical characteristics matched those of a Holy Mage perfectly... no, even exceeded them. So I got curious and gathered information in Granzam, thinking she really might be a Holy Mage. By the way, not a single resident spilled the beans."

It was a blind spot. I never expected the leak to come from Dameze. If I believed Sasha's words, it was a misfortune amidst good fortune that nothing leaked from the residents of Granzam.

"Don't worry. Dameze is my slave. I ordered him not to speak of this to anyone, so it won't leak from him anymore."

"Eh? Could it be that the reason you made Dameze a slave was...?"

"Yes. This is my thank you to Clarice for saving Misha. Of course, I haven't told Misha, nor have I reported it to Duke Regan. Well, looking back now, I'm glad I bought Dameze. He's unexpectedly sharp and useful."

Misha told me she made him a slave to keep men away, but I didn't know there were such circumstances behind it. If we hadn't saved Misha, the guys who heard the story from Dameze might have come to steal Clarice. After all, a Holy Mage could be sold for an outrageous price.

It also explained why Sasha convinced Karen when I healed Minerva and Dominic. It was an action taken with Clarice in mind.

"I'm sorry! I acted like I doubted you! On top of that, I..."

"It's fine. I was happy. You used Holy Magic for Misha. Isn't that right, Clarice? Mars was willing to fight me for your sake."

Sasha's gaze shifted from me, bowing my head, to Clarice beside me.

"I was more terrified than anything. Praying Mars wouldn't do anything rash. I thought Sasha-sensei and Misha would understand."

Eh? She knew? Is that why Clarice still has her hands covering my right hand?

"Mars. I swear again, I will absolutely never let it slip from my lips. No matter what torture I undergo... or so I thought, but please forgive me if I can't resist the Charm Eye."

"Charm Eye? Doesn't Duke Regan's Charm Eye not work on you?"

"Yes. But there might be a male Charm Eye user, right? And one with high magic power at that. Usually, such guys get surrounded by bad rumors and executed, though."

Charm Eye can be used to force a confession? That's a terrifying Magic Eye.

"Hey? Can I go check on Misha's wound? I'm worried about how it looks."

Sasha's expression changed to that of a mother.

"Yes, of course. Clarice, could you check with her?"

Ideally, I wanted to see too, but she probably wouldn't feel good about a man staring at her daughter's skin.

When Sasha returned from checking the wound, her face was slightly teary.

"Eh? Was there a problem?"

I asked involuntarily.

"No, the scar was gone, and her fever had gone down. Thank you."

Sasha bowed her head repeatedly.

Seeing that figure, I swore in my heart.

I will never doubt this person again.