Of all things...
I never thought I'd be in the same room as these girls.
How will I explain what happened yesterday?
Gulp...
Didn't I Say to Make My Abilities Average in the Next Life?!
Episode 2
Didn't I Say the Four of Us Would Be a Party?!
We should start with introductions.
Huh?
I am Mavis von Austien, aged seventeen.
I come from a family of knights and aim to become a swordswoman.
Reina. I'm fifteen.
I'm a mage, Hunter rank E, and people call me "Crimson Reina."
Oh! She gave herself the "Crimson Reina" nickname again!
So you really aren't an F-rank beginner, then.
Well, no.
Oh! I'm hoping to become a mage, too.
Pauline. I'm fourteen, and my family are merchants.
Reina-san, I hope to learn a lot from you, if you don't mind.
In that case, you're asking the wrong person.
Right?
Huh?
Introductions. It's your turn.
Oh, uh, right!
Um... I'm Mile. Twelve years old.
Your profession and rank?
I-I-I hope to become a mage and my r-rank is...
Maybe C?
Somewhere around B...
It couldn't be A, could it?
My rank is a rock-bottom F!
I'm a novice Hunter!
That's a lie!
They don't believe me!
Could it be... at this rate...
Objection!
Will they put me on trial?
Have a space-time inquest?
It couldn't be torture, could it?
To try to uncover my secrets...
You. Tell us the truth—
It's time. We should go.
I guess so.
Mile-chan, you should come, too.
Um... Where?
We'll be late to the new student orientation.
Oh, that's right.
Thank goodness. I managed to dodge that somehow.
Huh?
Maybe I didn't dodge it.
I am Elbert, the school principal.
I'm here to cram what you would normally learn over the course of several years
of your own experiences into six months.
The training will be brutal.
But if you manage to graduate, you'll be awarded a D rank.
Whoa! That's amazing! He said D rank!
And... the student with the highest scores will be awarded C rank.
Wow! Yay!
I have to make sure no one finds out what I really am.
Especially not those three.
First, you'll show me what you can do.
Hold there!
You're pretty skilled, Mavis.
Thank you, sir.
Right. Next pair!
Y-Yes, sir!
This time, I'll be normal. I'll make this average.
I'd like to be about fifth from the top.
I'll just do whatever and lose quickly.
Look at who she's up against.
Yeah, Moob. He's already an active Hunter.
I heard he choked an orc to death with his bare hands.
Just do whatever and lose quickly. Just do whatever and lose quickly...
And if possible, lose in a way that doesn't hurt.
I'm a girl who can be average!
Bah! With a girl like this as my opponent, forget interesting. This'll be nothing.
I-I'm looking forward to a good bout!
Hey! If I'm gonna be fighting little girls, I'd rather have that one over there.
This one's flat as a cutting board! No fun at all!
What?
Huh?
I'll destroy you!
My chest? You're talking about my chest?
Is it such a crime to be flat?
She took out Moob with one blow!
Could you see any of that?
No, I couldn't follow it at all.
N-N-No! It's not what you think!
He said his stomach hurt, and then he just fell over!
I'm even more curious about you now.
He just fell over! I'm telling the truth!
Mile-chan is really amazing, isn't she?
Those weren't the moves of someone applying to be a mage.
What is with that girl?
Fly, flames!
All right, next! Reina!
Yes, sir!
Blaze brightly, fires of hell!
Burn through even the bones!
That's some pretty good magic.
Thank you.
Right, next. Mile.
Y-Yes, sir!
Average, average...
This time... This time for sure, I'll be average.
If I use about half the magic Reina-san used...
I won't get it wrong this time.
Blaze brightly, fires of hell.
Burn through even the bones!
Perfect!
Reina-san?
You're not bad.
Oh, no. I'm totally normal.
You saw my magic just now, right?
Yes. I saw it.
You used my original spell, magic that only I should be able to use,
after seeing it only once.
Original spell?
You're going to explain how you did it.
I just remembered something I need to do.
If you'll excuse me!
I did it again...
There, there, Mile-sama. It happens all the time, doesn't it?
You could help me a little...
You're so mean, Nano-chan.
Those are my specs.
Oh, hey.
Isn't this the perfect time to do that one thing?
Oh, right!
Just a little more and it'll be done!
It's done!
Listen to this, Marcelina!
Though it's a little hard for me to say...
Listen to this, Marcelina!
I want to live a normal life, but...
I just can't seem to do it!
Thank you for listening, Marcelina!
What an unusual doll.
Oh, this is an SD figure. Sort of a Nendonaroid.
By reducing the overall proportions, its cuteness is accented...
Huh?
Um, how long have you been there?
Listen to this, Marcelina!
From around there.
She heard the whole thing!
It really is very cute.
Th-Thanks...
Where did you learn such a skill?
Huh?
I took something I loved in my last life...
And just made what I remembered.
But there's no way I can say that!
Stare...
She's watching me! Staring at me! What do I do? What do I do?
It...
It?
It's a secret family technique!
Oh, is it?
Yes, it is!
Good! I managed to dodge the question!
I'm sure that's what she's thinking now.
Actually, Mile-chan, I came to invite you to tea.
Tea?
My first day at the academy, and I'm already going to a RL event!
You are going to tell us about yourself.
This tea set is starting to look like a police station katsudon...
U-Um... I'm really just a super-normal twelve-year-old.
Even though you defeated the Hunter Moob with a single blow?
It's a secret family technique.
Even though you used magic only I can use?
It was a secret family technique...
I told you, I invented that spell!
Reina-san, please don't look so angry.
After all, we're not trying to pick on Mile-chan.
We just want to learn more about each other to get better acquainted. That's all.
Yes, that's true.
Since we went to the trouble, I suppose we should have some tea and sweets.
It seems like we have a long night ahead of us.
There's no escaping this!
There's only one option left.
All right! I'll tell you!
So, you're saying that a cabinet minister after your abilities allied with a demon lord,
and you were able to escape unscathed with the help of a prince?
Yes!
I thought I was going to die!
I see. That must have been tough.
It really was!
And who d'you think is gonna believe that, moron?
What?
I've read that book, too!
Oh no!
It is a bestseller.
Are you mocking us?
That wasn't my intention at all. Not at all.
Then tell us the truth!
What?
Now, now. Let's leave it there for now.
What? Why? You're curious too, aren't you?
I am curious, but...
Everyone has something in their past they'd rather not talk about, right?
Well, yes, but...
Huh? I don't.
I have things I'd rather not talk about, too.
Which is why...
I hope you'll want to tell us one day, when we're better friends.
Pauline-san...
I'm sorry for trying to force you to tell us.
I'm looking forward to getting to know you.
Reina-san!
I'm not sure what you're saying, but...
Thank you, everyone!
I'm sure the doll Mile-chan made would sell very well.
It doesn't seem like she's any good at lying, so she's probably not a bad person.
But I'm going to make her tell me the secret of her strength!
Still...
For her to think she could fool us with the plot from that popular novel...
Is she... a ditz?
Next, you'll show me your strength in the field.
I've posted quests even you should be able to clear on the bulletin board.
Form parties and complete them within a week.
What do you think?
Who would be good?
Parties, huh?
Stare...
Well, shall we go?
If we don't hurry, all the good ones will be gone.
With these four members, our party's complete!
Y-Yes!
Defeating ten horned rabbits clears this quest.
Those are the lowest-ranked monsters. It should be simple.
But...
Where could they be?
Leave it to me!
There's one in the brush!
There really was one!
How did you know that?
It was just a little search magic.
Seriously, what are you?
The quest is more important right now!
We'll start with one!
It's fast!
With my magic, I'll—
It takes too long to aim!
I'll do it!
Oh dear!
They're so fast.
There's no way we're getting ten of those.
Do you think we aren't ready for this yet?
Is this the first time you've done a quest like this?
I've trained with the sword, though.
It's my first time, too.
I'm not good at hitting targets that keep moving.
I see.
I can defeat them myself, but...
But there's no point in that.
Laugh and have fun... Laugh and have fun...
Wha...
What are you doing?
I've got it!
Everyone! Do you want to get stronger?
Huh?
Gather, water!
Come to me!
Now, squeeze the water together tightly.
Horned rabbits are small and agile,
so we'll make this sphere small, too.
Try to imagine something you can move quickly.
Freeze!
Change form!
Sharpen into an icicle!
Now!
Go!
I did it!
A huge success!
How are you doing, Pauline-san?
Dance, droplets!
Surge as hot as a passionate heart!
That's amazing! It's just like you said, Mile-chan!
With water magic, practical applications are best.
Being able to make hot water is convenient in a lot of ways.
You really do know all kinds of things.
Uh... Um... They're secret family techniques.
Really?
I'm gonna practice a little more.
So will I.
I see.
Good luck!
Oh! You surprised me!
Since you're a swordswoman, Mavis-san, let's go over there...
That was a little unexpected.
What was?
That you would just accept Mile-chan's suggestion.
She might be a mass of mysteries, but her advice is right on point.
She used that search magic earlier, too. Her skills are the real deal.
If everyone gets stronger, I'll stand out less.
And by completing the quest, it's two birds with one stone!
Now, I'll start at a normal person's speed and gradually start coming at you faster.
Mavis-san, I'd like you to deflect all of my strikes.
All right.
Here I come.
Take this!
Whoa!
I can handle this much, no problem!
Then I'll increase to 1.2x speed!
Y-You got any more?
1.5x speed!
I-I'm barely keeping up...
20x speed!
Wait! Did your eyes and voice just change?
I'm so sorry! I started just having fun!
Mile...
Yes?
You're amazing! Amazing!
I didn't know humans could move so fast!
One day, I, too, would like to reach such heights!
Mile, please train me more!
Mavis-san...
All right!
I'll use every means I know of to make you stronger!
First, you must put on this hachimaki.
She Starts with Form First
Why are you dressed like that?
Never mind that. Put it on.
Lots of Things Mixed Together
If the hachimaki touches the ground, you start over!
Don't rest. Keep up a constant pace.
Strike at a speed where you can't feel the heat.
I have no idea what they're doing, but that's some impressive training.
Yes, it is.
We should start setting up camp soon.
Yes, we should.
First...
A tent!
Firewood!
All that's left is food... Food...
Orc meat!
Well, should we have dinner—
Huh?
To think you can use storage magic, too.
You're quite the valuable commodity—
No. I mean, if people found out about this,
there'd be no end to the invitations you'd get.
Don't you dare tell anyone.
I got some very good training today, thanks to Mile.
With this, even those horned rabbits will...
I forgot. My sword is...
If that's all, let me see it.
First, I'll bury it in the ground.
Carbon content, titanium, high tensile steel...
plus a lot of other things to make a sword that won't ever break.
In terms of keenness, it will be around the fifth-sharpest in this world.
The edge won't chip. It will resist blood and grease.
It will be a useful sword that doesn't require maintenance.
But it will look just like it used to.
Mile Blizzard!
Here you go, Mavis-san.
You can fix swords too, Mile? You really are amazing.
How does burying a broken sword in the ground fix it?
I-I-It's...
A secret family technique. Right?
Yes. Yes!
Well, whatever.
The storage magic earlier is the same.
This will be useful in business.
It's amazingly sharp!
Thank you, Mile!
All right! I've cornered it!
Got it! That makes ten!
We've completed our assignment!
We cleared it, thanks to Mile.
No, no. I really didn't do anything.
Too much humility is just another form of bragging.
It was my pleasure.
Now, let's get back.
If we don't return today, we'll fail.
What was that?
A rock golem!
If I remember correctly...
A group of four C ranks can barely beat that monster!
At our current level, we don't stand a chance! We have to run!
Mile!
What is that?
How does it move?
What's the power source? Where's the engine?
What's the armor made of?
It's truly a wonder of otherworldly mechanisms!
I want to pop it apart and investigate every inch of it!
Mile-chan!
Is she trembling?
So even Mile is afraid of rock golems?
They're behind us, too?
We don't have a choice.
Let's go, Reina! Pauline!
Before the ones back there reach us, we'll break past the one ahead!
We have no other options.
Oh no!
I won't let you!
There!
Take this!
Uh-oh!
Reina-san!
Over here!
Focus your thoughts...
Rapid fire!
That got through!
Aim for the joints, Mavis!
Got it!
Now!
Mile! We're running... away?
As I thought. This was built up using magnetic force, right?
You might even be able to make this configuration!
I'm just not surprised by her anymore.
I will now announce the results of the assignment.
Squad A, elimination of big rats...
Failure.
Depressed
Squad B, elimination of fire-breathing toads...
Failure.
Depressed
Squad C, elimination of ten horned rabbits...
Success.
Additionally, they crushed three rock golems they encountered while on the quest.
What?!
This party could really make it!
Assignment cleared!
Wait! Are we standing out?
Still...
New companions...
New friends...
Everyone made it out safely?
Thank you very much.
We owe it all to you, Arledy-sama.
I know this is sudden,
but I've discovered the location of the three who wrecked my plans,
as well as the little kitten.
Really?
Just you wait, Mile.
Didn't I Say to Make My Abilities Average in the Next Life?!