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Chapter 20. Suspicious Woman

"Let's start with introductions. I am Ivy Meraldas. Although you already know about me."

"On the contrary, I think there aren't many people who don't know about the fifth rank..."

I hate to admit it, but I'm probably the least interested in rankings among the Magic Knights. Even I know who she is, so everyone else must know too. Well, I only found out because Nina told me.

What I really want to know is why someone ranked 5th is in the Enchanted Forest, which should only have people around the 200th rank. Could it be that they're sending us into the Enchanted Forest in order of rank? That would mean the higher-ranked students were sent first, maybe.

"Just to confirm... were you just suddenly teleported here by the magic circle without any explanation?"

"Yes... that's right. I was gathered outside the capital, and then suddenly teleported to this place by the magic circle. Everyone quickly left, thinking this was the test, so I'm exploring the forest at my own pace."

Hmm... while we had someone trying to organize us, it seems the top-ranked students moved individually right away. Honestly, it's strange to have someone act as a leader when we don't usually practice teamwork. And since this is a test where rankings matter, cooperating seems odd.

"And you are?"

"Oh, right... I haven't introduced myself."

I was so wrapped up in my thoughts that I forgot to introduce myself.

"I'm Theodore Ansem. I'm ranked 250th and was just teleported here a little while ago."

"Well... 250th, is it. I see... hehe."

She seems suspicious. That smile could be mocking my low rank, or it could be saying I have the potential to move up. It's amazing how suspicious someone can look with narrow eyes.

"If we can get out of the Enchanted Forest, we can find the Stella River and return to our original location. Until then, why don't we cooperate?"

"For what purpose?"

As I said, there's no point in cooperating in a test where rankings are affected. It's like helping the competition, and there's no benefit to me.

"For the sake of security."

"Security? You, the fifth rank?"

"Rank doesn't matter... I believe people should do whatever it takes to feel secure. Because feeling secure allows people to live their daily lives."

What is with this person? She sounds like a noble. Though I've heard she's the only commoner in the top ranks... she doesn't seem like a commoner. Maybe she's hiding her noble background?

She's just so suspicious. But talking further won't get me anywhere. She doesn't seem like someone who reveals her true intentions, and there are lots of rumors about her. Her actual abilities are unclear, except that she's presumably very strong.

"Well... if you can't feel secure, I'll accept that, but I think it's more efficient to work together to get out of the Enchanted Forest. Even if this is a test affecting our ranks, cooperating with me to outsmart the others or fighting under the same conditions as everyone else is up to you."

"..."

So she understands why I want to refuse. And she kindly gives reasons why my thinking doesn't make sense. However, I can't completely disagree with her. Cooperating to outsmart multiple people, that's indeed a good strategy.

"Fine. I don't trust you, but I'll cooperate to get out of the Enchanted Forest."

"Well. I'm pleased."

She knew I'd agree if she said that. It annoys me to act according to someone else's plan, but it's just a feeling I need to suppress. I'll reluctantly accept her proposal. If we end up in a direct confrontation, I won't hold back. I swore that while watching Ivy Meraldas, who smiled slyly with narrowed eyes.

Ivy, running ahead of me, is releasing magic around her to check something.

"In the Enchanted Forest, the illusions are caused by the magic of the enchantment grass, but it's also said that the surrounding trees reflect magic chaotically."

"Enchantment grass alone can't create illusions, so the reason for the illusions in the Enchanted Forest must be that. Though, I think it's still a hypothesis."

"I think it's plausible. That's why I'm scattering magic everywhere like this."

Ivy must be scattering magic with a property opposite to the special magic emitted by the enchantment grass. Normally, it's impossible to deliberately change the nature of magic like that, but Ivy does it effortlessly. Seeing her do that makes me even more unsure why she wants to cooperate with me.

Could it be to test my abilities after I jumped from 984th to 250th place? But she should know about my public duel with Karl, so confirming my abilities shouldn't be necessary.

"Still, it's surprising to see a normal straight sword."

"...Why?"

"People with higher ranks often use unusual weapons."

Well, that's true. The only high-ranked person using a straight sword is Princess Elissa. Nina uses dual swords, the top-ranked Jeremiah uses a rapier, and the second-ranked Marquess's daughter uses a spear. Ivy, who's running ahead of me, uses a two-handed sword as tall as she is.

"I'm more surprised that a woman uses a two-handed sword."

"Really? The famous knight of the 5th division is a woman who uses a two-handed sword."

"I don't know."

I don't know about knights with titles like "massacre knight". Is that really a magic knight who protects the country?