I Have been Reincarnated As a Lazy, Arrogant Noble, but When I Destroyed The Scenario Through Effort, I Became The Most Powerful With Extraordinary Magical Power - 73

073 – Impromptu Trio

“Is it the ranking exam?”

After completing the golem subjugation and receiving the reward, I was asked that by the guild receptionist.

When I first applied to be an adventurer, either because I was a noble or because I captured Bhutan, I was exempt from the exam.

However, it seems that the exam to ascend to the B-rank is still pending.

“Ye-yes… If I don’t take it, my qualification will be invalidated.”

“Huh?”

“Eeep!”

It was just a confirmation, but apparently my tone was intimidating.

Geez, what a hassle.

Still, I wanted to retain my adventurer qualification. It allows me to enter other countries without revealing my noble status and participate in events like the adventurer’s tournament.

Considering the future calamities that might occur, the adventurer’s guild’s information network is invaluable.

But…

“I don’t like it.”

I tried to convey this to Cynthia and Lillith, who were sitting behind a table in the guild…

“Uhm…”

“Huh?”

“Um, Cynthia-sama, Lillith-sama, both of you passed the adventurer aptitude test before, but then, it seems that the ranking exam is still…”

“Huh?”

“Eeeep!”

Let me emphasize this: this is just a confirmation.

This person is just a receptionist and not responsible for this.

And when I tried to explain this to them, it seemed that either option was fine with them.

“However, considering the future, wouldn’t it be better to take it?”

“Well, I suppose so.”

Noblesse Oblige mainly revolves around the magic academy, but going out into the outside world is common.

Naturally, events and other countries are involved.

“I have no issues. I will follow Lord Weiss’ lead.”

Lillith answered matter-of-factly, her loyalty always makes me proud.

The nature of the exam varies from country to country, sometimes involving battles against examiners or finding specified items.

“Um…”

“Huh?”

“Eh, uh, um, uh, well…”

“…What is it?”

“Lord Weiss is just giving a reply, so there’s no need to be so scared.”

Lillith understands. I’m just shy around people.

“That, is that so!? I-It’s a relief… Um, well, that, the exam, due to certain circumstances in our country, will start later today…”

“Huh!?”

“Eeeeeeep!”

Geez, do I really come off that intimidating?

“Well then, I guess all B-rank members are here. I’m Vance. Nice to meet you.”

Reluctantly, truly reluctantly, I came for the exam.

I thought it would be alright if Cynthia and Lillith were with me, but apparently, they are still of a lower rank and will take the exam at a different location.

In other words, I’m alone.

I don’t have an issue with purging evildoers, but I’m not good at socializing with others.

Especially when there are many I don’t know from the original work.

Ah, I’m shy.

“Hey, isn’t he the Weiss who won the tournament?”

“Seriously? He looks cool too.”

“I heard he commands demons. Plus, he’s a noble. Quite impressive.”

At times like this, having a high magical power is a nuisance.

I seem to be praised, but I’m not sure how to respond.

Well, it seems my plans are working.

The Name of Sloth will be unnecessary from now on.

I’d either curse them to death or pretend I can’t hear them.

“Hey, his ears are getting red, aren’t they?”

“Yeah, his cheeks too. Is he getting excited before the exam?”

“Kuh, he’s so cool.”

…Damn it, stop praising me.

“Before the exam, please form groups of three. The number of participants should be enough.”

At that moment, the examiner Vance started saying something outrageous.

Geez, if you say that, people will gather around me.

…Well, whatever.

“Nice to meet you! I’m a swordsman.”

“I’m a shield! Let’s do our best!”

“I’m a healer. We make a good team!”

However, contrary to my expectations, teams were forming one after another around me.

…Why?

If it were the opposite, they would have invited me first…

Wait… I see.

Most adventurers are commoners. Nobles wouldn’t deliberately subject themselves to danger.

Naturally, that makes nobles impressive.

In this world, titles carry incredible influence, but for commoners, they are nothing but a headache. From being humiliated to being accused of causing harm, there’s no way to win against baseless complaints.

Stories of people being falsely accused and sentenced to death, just like victims of a hit-and-run, are not uncommon.

So, is it that people fear approaching me?

…Does that mean I have to initiate it myself?

However, saying something like, “Um, can I join?” is out of the question. No, “Let me in” is fine, right?

…But that would be too much of a noble-like response, and I don’t like that.

Damn, what should I do…

Just then, I locked eyes with a familiar face.

His eyes widened in surprise, and he smiled shyly.

…Did I just feel relieved?

No, it’s just my imagination. It must be.

“Hey, Weiss.”

“…Well, hello there, the runner-up… even after I beat you up so badly, your body’s already healed?”

“I couldn’t leave the inn for three days. But, Shari managed to heal me. Still… my body hurts here and there.”

His movements were stiff and awkward, as if his whole body was screaming in pain. Yes, that’s Alan.

Why is he here? Well, I knew he was in this country, but…

But of course, he’s the protagonist.

It’s a common trope in works of fiction, but protagonists always seem to have abnormally fast recovery rates.

Despite how much I beat him up, isn’t his passive ability quite unfair?

However, that’s not all.

He has such an impressive gift, but is there a side effect causing his body pain?

No, but…

“Why are you alone…?”

Why isn’t this guy in a team yet?

Even if he’s the runner-up, his strength should be apparent to the people of this country.

Unlike me, who’s not a noble, he should be highly sought after by the commoners.

Alan stammered, “W-Well, I-I don’t know. I tried to ask, but the guys told me to buzz off…”

“Hmm.”

…I see, almost everyone here is an adult.

Us kids probably all look the same to them.

Also, his expression was completely different from when he was fighting.

Especially during the finals, that’s the impression I got.

Hah, what a protagonist mob character…

“…Well, I am just a kid.”

“But, Weiss is also alone—”

“Shut up, don’t lump me with you.”

I almost let those words slip. It’s okay as long as I didn’t finish the sentence.

I am definitely not alone.

“But I’m relieved now. Duke and Shari are taking a different test, so it’s a bit reassuring.”

“What, are those two taking the test too?”

“Yes, they are. I’ve been handling quests on my own, which is why my rank went up.”

That means the possibility of Shari and Cynthia being together is high.

“So, Weiss, have you formed a team already?”

“…No, I’m considering it. Evaluating the strengths of potential members is important.”

“R-Right, that makes sense…”

Geez, he’s looking at me with such a sad puppy face. He’s a bit like Devi.

“You’re not in a team yet?”

“Is it okay?”

“Yeah, let’s do it!”

“Alright, let’s do our best!”

Meanwhile, teams were forming around us one after another.

Damn, what’s up with this system…

…I don’t like it, but…

……

“…Fine, Alan. You’re pitiful, so I’ll team up with you.”

“Really!? Thank goodness…”

“Fine, just make sure you actually work.”

“Of course!”

…Phew, whatever.

Occasionally, even a protagonist mob character can be useful.

But this guy seems so lively when he’s not fighting.

However, there’s still a problem – one more person.

The examiner said the numbers should match, so if I wait like this, someone might end up without a team.

“W-Weiss-kun…”

“Huh?”

When I turned around, there was a frightened little girl.

She was holding a staff larger than her. Her expression was like that of a kitten.

Why is she here?

“Karta, what are you doing?”

“Um, I-I’m here for the exam…”

“…So, are you alone?”

“Y-Yes. People said I’m too small, so no one wanted to team up with me, and I was wondering what to do… Hehe.”

Karta had a beaming smile. She looks kind of familiar.

…Oh well.

“Well, whatever. Karta, you can join too.”

“Re-Really!? Thank you so much! Yay!”

“Karta-san, I’m Alan. We haven’t talked much at school, but nice to meet you.”

“Nice to meet you too, Alan-kun!”

Come to think of it, it’s interesting to see these two interact.

In the original story, Karta was expelled and didn’t get along with Alan.

Considering it as an unreleased side story might not be a bad idea.

“So, did you come to the exam alone?”

“N-No, Cecil-san and Olin-san are here too. We’re taking different tests—”

“No need to explain everything, got it?”

“Huh? Oh, okay.”

Understanding everything, I cut Karta off.

So, we’re almost all here.

…Seriously, what is this? The fate of nobility?

“Alright, it looks like everyone’s here. The three of you who just formed the team will head to the Water Dungeon. And… if you bring back the Siren’s magic core, you’ll pass.”

At the next moment, the adventurers start exclaiming.

“Wait, you mean the Siren for real?”

“The Water Dungeon, isn’t that really difficult?”

“Darn, this is a lame test.”

Dungeons, they’re still structures we don’t quite understand.

Whether they were left by the Demon Lord or from ancient times, even in the original story, it’s not really clear.

But the Siren, that should be a pretty strong monster.

I remember having a few game overs against it in the original story.

This guy Bance, despite his peaceful appearance, sure knows how to give tough tests.

The surroundings are in chaos. There are those who want to pass.

“…Dungeon, huh? It’s my first time, but let’s do our best.”

“I’m nervous because it’s my first time too! Do you think there’s space to fly?”

“I don’t know, but it doesn’t seem likely…”

“Eh!?”

But Alan and Karta were completely the opposite. They looked like they were about to head to an amusement park.

For this brief moment, I thought you guys would make a good team.

“Alan, Karta, let’s finish this as fast as possible. Let’s not lose to anyone.”

“W-Well, Weiss-kun, this isn’t a competition, you know!?”

“Think of it as a competition.”

If we’re going to do it, we have to aim for the top. We’re strong. Just clearing it is boring.

“…Weiss, I agree with you.”

“Yeah, even Alan-kun agrees!?”

“Hah, isn’t this the first time we’ve agreed on something?”

“It might be.”

Alan lost his hometown and family in the past due to monsters.

He probably holds more resentment than I do.

Not that it matters, but I can show a bit of sympathy.

“Alright, let’s go. We’ll leave any dead weight behind.”

“…Got it.”

And Karta seemed to have made up her mind, switching from her carefree expression.

Geez, the old cowardice almost seems nostalgic.

The Water Dungeon was probably visited in the original story.

I don’t remember all the details, but it was definitely challenging.

This might be a good opportunity to see how far my skills can take me in a dungeon.

On the other hand, Cynthia and Lillith…

“Hi, I’m Nell! Nice to meet you!”

“Oh, nice to meet you. Have I seen you somewhere before…?”

“Nell-san, nice to meet you!”

Cynthia and Lillith teamed up with a white-haired girl with long pointed ears, Nell.