TRUE ABILITY Chapter 66

The Path to the Dark Side 2

...Ranked? Elites?

Now that I think about it, I remember hearing something like that from Lloyd-senpai.

But what about it?

My understanding of what is to come today hasn't changed.

"It's natural for you not to understand. Normally, meeting with the elites of an organization might cause anxiety and tension, but there are very few instances where fear—... the utmost caution is necessary."

Many of her words resonated with what I was feeling.

At the same time, I vaguely understood her intention.

"In other words, there’s something I need to be careful about, right?"

Fia-san nodded solemnly at my question.

"Exactly. I felt it necessary to warn you."

“…”

I see. That must be the reason why she’d taken the trouble to wait for me.

"Listen, Yuno Astario. I’ll get straight to the point."

Fia-san looked directly into my eyes as she spoke.

"Even if it's a facade, make yourself appear strong."

"...Strong?"

"Yes."

Following Fia-san's example, I closed my eyes in thought and then opened them.

"...In other words?"

When I asked, Fia-san also closed her eyes in thought before opening them again.

"You’re not someone who wouldn't understand."

“...Hm?”

I folded my arms. Was I being tested?

It felt like she was saying, "Surely, Yuno Astario, you must have already realized the intent of my words."

Knowing Lloyd-senpai, it's not an impossible scenario.

There's no need to put on a brave face, but if I must...

"...Of course."

Saying that, I closed my eyes in thought and then opened them.

"If you have any advice, please share it."

It was a sincere request..

"Let's see..."

Muttering softly, Fia-san closed her eyes in thought once more before opening them again.

"Don't show any openings. Don't make yourself look weak. Don’t act humble. In short, don’t let yourself be underestimated. Got it, Yuno Astario? To be frank, many of the elites are madmen. Combat maniacs who believe without a doubt that they are the strongest. Lunatics. They’ve miraculously gathered under the name of Lloyd Marz."

I understood well how miraculous that was.

"You will join them. No, you have already joined them..."

Her tone was almost tragic.

Appear strong... don’t let yourself be underestimated...

In other words, if they see me as useless, it’s over.

It made sense.

For the elites, a useless newbie would only be a hindrance.

"...Specifically, what should I do?"

Engaging the elites in a serious fight would be out of the question.

I’d hate to become the cause of discord from the start.

"Let's see..."

Muttering softly, Fia-san closed her eyes again before opening them again.

"This is a story about your predecessor."

Predecessor?

"During a battle, he supposedly smiled and said this amidst a rain of killing intent and hatred directed at him from all directions."

Fia-san's jet-black eyes pierced me.

"—‘How pleasant.’"

“…”

I fell silent. If there had been a thunderstorm, I would have felt like I was listening to a strange ghost story.

"I'm not telling you to imitate your predecessor exactly. But no matter how much the elites harass you or direct killing intent at you, remain calm and act as if it’s nothing. It may sound silly, but that’s the position you’re in. You have enough skill to pull off such a bluff."

So, don’t flinch. I understood that. However, there was still something that didn’t quite add up.

"Um, Fia-san, what do you mean by predecessor?"

"...!?"

Fia-san had a look that seemed to say, ‘Oops.’ For a while, she closed her eyes.

Then she opened them.

"That was close. Listen, Yuno Astario. The main purpose of today’s elites’s meeting is your—"

"—Oh? Fee-chan, trying to steal a march on me?"

A cheerful girl’s voice cut her off. I could see Fia-san’s face turn from alarm to dread in that instant.

Fia-san's gaze was fixed behind me.

Tracing her invisible line of sight, I turned around.

The sound of the wind rushing through the darkness. The rustling of trees. The silver crescent moon.

And then—

"...Zwei...you..."

Fia-san's voice was a bit frightening.

In front of me stood a girl with lifeless, pitch-black eyes, as if she had swallowed the entire night. She waved her right hand and smiled at me.

"I’ve come to pick you up, Yuno-kun."