The Saintess's True Colors
I had originally planned to just watch for a bit. After all, neither Baran nor Aria seemed to have noticed that the other female companions were observing them. But Aria's actions far exceeded my expectations. It wasn't an attack, nor did she deploy a barrier. It was pure provocation aimed at the three of them. And that provocation hit its mark perfectly.
-Whoosh!
The girls, radiating mana, charged straight at Aria. Baran looked at her and asked politely,
She spoke in an incredibly serious tone. Anyone listening might think she was heading off to battle the Demon God. As Baran inwardly marveled at the absurdity, a massive orb of solar energy suddenly materialized in the sky.
He immediately understood. Sherry was going all out in this exam. What on earth had gotten into her to go this far?
-Vwoooong!
In that instant, Aria struck her staff against the ground while gazing at the orb. A pure white barrier of holy power formed around her. At the same time—
"Hoo..."
Aria exhaled softly and leveled her staff. The barrier she had spread around her naturally enveloped the incoming solar orb. Caught completely off guard by the counter, Aria flinched in surprise.
"Huh?"
It seemed she hadn't even considered that her attack could be blocked like this. As expected of the Saintess. Baran was just thinking that when—
-Whoooosh!
Luden suddenly appeared and swung her blade at the Saintess with the flat of her sword. The slash cut through the air, carrying a clear killing intent. If this weren't an exam, she looked ready to kill for real.
Aria blocked Luden's strike with her staff. She hadn't gone completely all-out, but still—stopping Luden's sword was something Baran hadn't expected. It seemed she had trained quite diligently since the school trip.
"Ugh!"
But Luden was a descendant of the hero. No matter how vast Aria's holy power was, completely neutralizing her blade was no easy task.
Should probably help her out here.
Baran calmly assessed that Aria wasn't inferior to the other female companions. It wasn't for nothing that people said she possessed talent rivaling even the first Saintess. Still, no matter how talented she was, facing three opponents at once was impossible.
Guess I have to step in.
The moment Baran moved to help, Aria swung her staff and sent Luden flying backward. Then she whispered so only he could hear,
He nodded and prepared to move. But at that moment—
Luden tilted her head with an icy expression. It was the most emotionless face Baran had ever seen on her.
With those words, Baran quickly left the area. Now only the two women remained in the forest.
Aria slowly looked Luden up and down. Golden hair flowing down to her waist. Matching blue eyes. A figure with curves in all the right places. And finally, the golden mana radiating from her body.
Just as I thought.
She had suspected it before, but seeing that mana confirmed it. The woman before her was this generation's hero.
Normally, the hero and the Saintess should get along well. However, the Luden standing here was clearly after Baran. If she yielded here to build a friendly relationship...
I'll definitely lose the position of legal wife.
She had joined the group later than the others. Therefore, she absolutely had to get into Class A. Still, just to be sure—
Luden answered without the slightest hesitation, nodding firmly. It seemed Aria's earlier provocation had really gotten under her skin.
Luden made a face that said she couldn't understand at all. Then she spoke.
"......"
A vein throbbed on Aria's forehead. At the same time—
Sherry, who had somehow joined them, nodded vigorously in agreement. Seeing their reactions, Aria smiled in a way that would terrify the world.
With those words, she released her holy power at full strength. All while completely unaware that Lillia was secretly scheming elsewhere.
At the same time.
Baran kicked off the ground and sprinted toward where the transfer students were gathered. He moved so fast that the surrounding scenery blurred past.
Then—
Lillia appeared before him with a seductive smile. So that's why she hadn't moved earlier—she had been waiting for him to act alone.
She's planning to interfere.
Baran briefly observed her. Her specialty was illusion magic. It would normally be difficult to deal with, but with his Mind's Eye, she was practically his natural prey.
The moment Baran tried to raise his mana, Lillia suddenly stepped forward and hugged him tightly. His brain momentarily froze at the unexpected situation.
What is this? Is it a surprise attack?
He looked at her carefully, but contrary to his expectations, she showed no sign of moving.
-Look at that vixen!
Miroel shouted from the side, pointing accusingly. Baran pretended not to hear her and asked,
As she spoke, the corners of her mouth curled up. For some reason, he felt like he could see a fox tail wagging behind her. While Baran was momentarily dazed, she brought her face close to his ear and whispered in a sweet voice.
Wait. So I've just been working hard for nothing?
As she spoke, she wrapped her arms around his neck. As expected of the main heroine, her face was incredibly beautiful. She must have sprayed on expensive perfume too—the fragrant scent tickled his nose. Being the successor of the Eldorado Merchant Guild, she really does use the good stuff.
She breathed sweetly with a blissful expression. That was when—
"Hey!!"
A sudden burst of black flames flew toward them. Seeing the black flames, Lillia openly clicked her tongue and quickly stepped away.
In that instant, the Saintess naturally appeared before the two of them. And from behind, Luden emerged with fierce eyes.
Luden drew her sword with a face full of killing intent. Lillia smiled at them.
Luden immediately swung her sword at Lillia. Sherry and Aria naturally joined the fray as well.
I should probably stay out of this.
Thinking that, Baran quietly retreated behind them. That was when—
-Tap!
Someone placed a hand on his shoulder. He hadn't noticed at all because he was focused on the women. When Baran quickly turned his head—
The male transfer students shook their heads with the most pitiful looks imaginable. Why are they looking at me like that?
The women who had been fighting so elegantly moments ago were now grabbing each other's hair in a disgraceful brawl. As Baran stared in disbelief—
The transfer student exam will now conclude.
The transfer exam finally came to an end. At the same time—
Hidden Quest - Ensure the Saintess Joins Class A
🎁 Reward: Experience points and a random box will be given to the player.
An unexpected reward message appeared before his eyes.