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“… Thank god. She seems okay.”

Jonahim said, his expression softening after seeing that only the edges of Merc’s clothes had been slightly burnt, after running to where Merc was.

“You’ve got to be kidding me… She took down a Ghezo Velche by herself?”

Elea exclaimed, her hold on her spear tightening as she gazed at the Ghezo Velche’s corpse, which was right next to Merc.
　
Her face was a mix of befuddlement and remorse.
　
Elea was likely annoyed by the fact that a young girl had defeated a Magic Beast that even they had a hard time defeating.

“… Mana Hardening. And quite a strong one at that. Just who are you?”

Luka inquired as she approached Merc, who had already adjusted her wooden staff around her waist, and lifted her face to look at her. They were so close that Merc would almost certainly make contact with Luka’s breasts if she made a step forward.

“M-Me? I’m just a Healer in training who wants to become an adventurer.”

Merc said in a cool manner, her gaze falling on Luka. Merc’s eyes were pulled to the two bulging hills on her chest rather than Luka’s face.

She’s quite gifted as well.

Although she pretended to be cool, the thoughts that ran through her mind were anything but.

“You must be quite good if Luka commends you on your Mana Manipulation. The way you dodged the Ghezo Velche’s attacks was also splendid. Are all elves this amazing?”

Jonahim said this after collapsing to the ground, cross-legged, most likely from fatigue. Elea’s face hardened as she heard him say it.

“There’s no way! If everyone was as good as Merc, then they would have already taken care of the Ghezo Velche by themselves.”
“I suppose you’re correct. That simply means Merc is amazing. So, Merc, if you could have taken it down by yourself, why didn’t you?”

At Jonahim’s question, Merc merely shook her head sideways.

“… It would have been impossible. With all of the other Velche around, I wouldn’t have been able to take down the Ghezo Velche. It wouldn’t have been possible without you three.”
“I suppose you’re correct as well.”

However, the truth was that even with the Velche there, Merc could have easily defeated the Ghezo Velche. Although she hadn’t known there were two of them, she probably wouldn’t have lost either way.

The only reason she hadn’t gone up the mountain by herself was that the village had banned it. The elf village was a place where abiding by the rules was extremely important.

Merc couldn’t go to the mountains alone, and there were no adults who would accompany her. Even if she had defeated the Ghezo Velche after ignoring the ban and going to the mountain, the issue of her breaching the law would have remained.

If that had happened, the Chief would not have approved of her, and she would have just disgraced her family.
　
The same thing would happen if she decided to leave the village without first gaining approval and obtaining the necessary qualifications. It was an outcome that Merc wanted to avoid at all costs.

That’s why finding a safe way to the mountain and fighting the Ghezo Velche had been crucial for her.
　
And now she had accomplished that goal.

“Pardon me, but might I ask you three for a favor?”
“What is it?”
“Could you please inform the village that I was the one who killed one of the Ghezo Velche? Likewise, I’ll request that the Chief also pay you the award for the second one.”
“Huh?”

Elea pushed Luka aside and stood in front of Merc with an angry expression after hearing Merc say that.

“Do we look like adventurers that would steal another’s achievement? Give me a break. True, it’s still difficult for me to believe you defeated the Ghezo Velche on your own, but that doesn’t mean I’ll lie about it.”
“Miss Elea…”
“It’s exactly as Elea says. We’ll receive our intended reward. While we’re at it, we’ll also report that you defeated one of the two Ghezo Velche that appeared.”
“Jonahim…”
“Merc, you’re strong. We can all agree on that.”
“Miss Luka…”

The three of them, as expected, appeared to be straightforward adventurers.
　
Merc had the impression from her past life that many young high-ranking adventurers would steal others’ achievements and commit heinous things, but these three seemed to be different.

Merc was both amazed and moved by their performance.
　
Even though Merc had never met any other adventurers besides Blazing Impact, it gave her the impression that the adventurers of this age weren’t all awful.

“Merc, there’s something that’s been bothering me.”

Just as Merc’s eyes were beginning to water, Elea spoke in a somewhat angry tone. Merc could tell she was upset by something because of her expression, but she couldn’t pinpoint what it was.

“Merc, try saying my name.”
“What? It’s Miss Elea.”
“Now Luka’s.”
“Miss Luka…”
“Now Jonahim’s.”
“It’s Jonahim. What is this about?”
“This is it!”

What is what?!

Merc still couldn’t figure out why Elea was angry.

“Why do you attach Miss to my and Luka’s names, but call Jonahim without any formality?”
“… Now that you mention it.”

Merc was finally able to figure out the root of Elea’s anger. However, because she had done it unconsciously Merc couldn’t answer as to why she was doing it.

In my previous life, I was accustomed to addressing men younger than me without any formality, and I would add Miss to any woman beyond the age of fourteen. It’s quite hard for me to change that habit now…

“Jonahim, do you mind it?”
“Hm? Not at all. Instead, how about I just call you Merc? That should settle things.”

Jonahim said with a bright smile, putting an end to the case swiftly. Merc didn’t mind Jonahim addressing her casually, so she nodded slightly as well.

“I just can’t accept this…”

Elea expressed her disdain with a scowl on her face, as though she couldn’t believe Jonahim and Merc had thrown out the formalities so lightly. Merc couldn’t do anything about it, despite Elea’s glare.

“What’s wrong Elea, are you jealous?”

Jonahim casually asked her.

“…?”

Elea, on the other hand, simply stared at him in disbelief.
　
Merc had assumed that Jonahim had been unaware of Elea’s feelings for him, but this looked to be incorrect. It had been evident even to Merc, who had only recently joined them, so there was no way Jonahim could have missed it.

“If you’re jealous, why not just have Merc address you informally as well?”
“… Huh?”

He really doesn’t get it…

“What I’m trying to say is that since you’re already addressing Merc informally, Merc should just do the same. Luka, what do you say about it?”
“I don’t mind.”
“I-I…”

Elea had an incomprehensible look on her face as she said. She was probably relieved that Jonahim hadn’t figured out her true feelings.
　
She silently nodded after one last glare at Merc.

“It’s fine with me if you say so, Jonahim…”

As a result, despite Merc’s wishes, she ended up addressing the members of Blazing Impact informally.

What in the world is going on…?