TRUE ABILITY Chapter 62

In the Student Council Room 3

I can’t think properly. I was obviously shaken.

Whether Lloyd-senpai knows about me being shaken or not, he still wears a faint smile on his face.

“I’ve said a lot, but all of it is speculative. It’s also possible that the stray gods have quietly embarked on a journey.”

I want to believe that. But why, I wonder? Right now, the chances of it being the bright possibility Lloyd-senpai mentioned feel slim.

…Nothing’s confirmed yet.

I tell myself that.

“However, we can’t afford to be optimistic. At the same time, there’s no need to rush unnecessarily. At this point, it’s only a matter of discussion.”

“Still, you doubt something, don’t you, Lloyd-senpai?”

Lloyd Senpai immediately responded to that question.

“Yeah. I clearly feel something is wrong. That’s why we’re taking action. The more help we have for that, the better.”

Saying that, Lloyd-senpai looked straight at me.

“But not anyone will do. The Dark Side (Shadow Moon) doesn’t operate that way.”

“…”

“So let’s first explore the possibilities. How about it, Yuno Astario? I know I might be coming off as persistent, but how about you try joining the dark side purely as an experience.”

“….…!”

Fia-san reacted faster to Lloyd Senpai’s words than I did. She had a restless expression as if she wanted to say something.

That reaction is probably the right one.

However, my determination solidified even as I glanced at Fia-san’s demeanor.

“If there’s even a slight chance of Kami-sama being in danger…”

I looked straight into Lloyd-senpai’s eyes and spoke.

“I’ll join. I’ll do everything in my power to avoid that possibility.”

■

(Fia’s POV)

It was right after Yuno Astario left the student council room.

“Lloyd-sama?! Are you sane?!”

Fia rushed towards Lloyd as if closing in on him. A voice, carrying a mix of urgency, anxiety, and astonishment, echoed loudly within the room.

Contrary to her emotions, Lloyd responded with a calm expression.

“I don’t know what it’s about, but I’m always sane.”

“……”

Fia, her expression now beyond mere astonishment, staggered with a hand on her forehead. However, it was only momentary. With determined eyes, she looked straight at Lloyd.

“Do you rate him, Yuno Astario, that highly…?”

“Correct.”

“….It’s unheard of for someone to join the dark side as merely a form of experience. You said it yourself that the Dark Side is not such a casual organization. It’s not some kind of a flower shop, right?”

“……That’s right.”

Saying so almost like a murmur, Lloyd put on a somewhat self-deprecating smile.

“It’s okay if you laugh. But when he declined my offer to join the dark side, I distinctly felt fear.”

“Fear?”

“Yeah.”

Saying that, Lloyd covered his face with his palm as if to hide it.

“The fear of not being able to welcome the singularity, Yuno Astario, whose soul resonated with me, as a comrade. And strangely, I myself had a premonition that I should be with him. There’s something in my heart… no, something even deeper within me is whispering to me———”

“……”

Beside the enthusiastic Lloyd, Fia was thinking. Now, at this point, Yuno Astario’s entry into the dark side, which had still been uncertain, became definitive.

It was time to accept that fact. So, the next thing to consider was Yuno Astario’s role within the organization.

Surprisingly, Fia herself didn’t have such a negative impression of Yuno Astario. No, rather, one could say she viewed him quite favorably. The movements he displayed in the recent martial arts tournament were praiseworthy even from Fia’s perspective, having navigated numerous life-threatening situations. Additionally, although they were not completely serious, he handled the welcome of the fiercest individuals within the dark side and its hierarchy.

That fact was certainly something that Fia could not ignore when evaluating Yuno Astario.

However—

(If that’s all there is to him…)

Even if you generously estimate Yuno Astario’s abilities to be one or two levels higher, it still falls short.

That fact was one of the main reasons for her anxiety.

[Lloyd Marz’s Favourites]

A title that is simultaneously the most enviable and the one that evokes the most fear—an honor that a boy younger than herself is attempting to bear.

To put it bluntly, Fia is concerned for Yuno Astario. In fact, based on the abilities of Yuno Astario as she has witnessed them so far, Fia is confident that she could defeat him should need be. This only added to her unease.

If possible, one shouldn’t get involved with the shadowy organization. That is Fia’s absolute conviction.

“I believe in what I call my premonition. Always had, and will continue to do so. Have you understood that much?”

“Yes.”

Building on her response, Fia continued—

“So, how do you plan to treat him from now on?”

In response to Fia’s question, Lloyd Mertz answered with a daring smile.

In that instant, a bead of sweat rolled down Fia’s forehead.

“…Lloyd-sama?”

A sense of foreboding crept in. Fia’s intuition was right on target.

Upon reflection, it became evident what Lloyd Marz, so invested in Yuno Astario, was likely thinking.

“—I’ll Grant him a rank.”

“It’s impossible.”

“Let me hear the reason.”

“His abilities are overwhelmingly lacking. Naturally, they won’t stay silent about it either. No, complaining would be the least of it. In the worst-case scenario, even his life might be at risk.”

“No problem. He can handle it.”

“Lloyd-sama! Are you seriously planning to kill him?!”

It was not an exaggeration to say that Fia expressing her opinion to Lloyd so strongly was a first.

Therefore, Lloyd, once again, reiterated.

“There is no problem.”

“…….”

“Meeting those unwavering eyes of his, Fia realized that she had no choice but to give up. At the same time, she voiced the growing question.”

“…What rank… what rank in the hierarchy do you intend to grant him?”

“Very well. I shall let you know in advance. A position has opened up. I’m considering him to fill it. Of course, the previous generation has already given their approval.

“…A position? Whose exactly?”

In response to that question, Lloyd once again wore a triumphant smile.

“…….”

A bead of sweat rolled down Fia’s forehead once more.