When I Tried Strengthening 【Rusted Sword】, It Evolved Into An Overpowered Magic Sword

Chapter 28 Then I’ll join you too

“A familiar, slightly sharp voice of a girl.”

“…Amethyst-san.”

Amethyst, the user of Purple Lightning. She spotted Dia from within the guild and rushed over with what seemed like exhausted steps.

As she reached Dia, Amethyst thoroughly examined her from head to toe.

“Are you okay, Dia? Did you get hurt anywhere?”

“H- no, I’m fine, Amethyst-san. I haven’t been injured anywhere. In fact, not getting injured is my only strong point.”

Amethyst was excessively concerned about Dia, who couldn’t help but smile wryly.

It felt like I witnessed the opposite scene just a moment ago – Dia worrying about Amethyst, and Amethyst looking bewildered.

Considering how they were at odds during the exam’s start, this transformation in their relationship is quite unbelievable.

It’s good that they’ve reconciled.

Feeling quietly warm inside, Dia noticed Spinel and Lapis behind Amethyst, and a sigh of relief escaped her.

“Everyone seems to be safe. I’m really relieved.”

“Yes, thanks to you all. I appreciate it.”

Amethyst directed a smile towards Dia. She glanced briefly at me, but unfortunately, there was no smile for me.

Afterward, there were no particular words exchanged.

It felt like there was a subtle sense of distance.

As I wrestled with these complex feelings, suddenly, from somewhere…

“Are you the participants who were reported to be attacked by demons~?”

“Huh?”

I heard the voice of a young girl and felt puzzled.

I quickly looked around, but I couldn’t find anyone who seemed to be talking.

However, right below us, a small young girl was standing.

Wearing a pink frilly dress, she was dragging a Gothic Lolita doll with one hand.

The examiner for this adventurer’s exam, if I recall correctly, was named Charm Fluorit, right?

“I heard the story from ‘Purple-chan’~. That there are participants fighting against a cat-like demon.”

“Oh, is that so?”

This time, I glanced at Amethyst, and she casually averted her gaze.

It seems like Amethyst reported my situation to the guild. Despite her seemingly indifferent demeanor, she did at least show some consideration.

“So, I sent a request to the standby adventurer party to search. Did you happen to meet them somewhere~?”

“Yeah, I met them on the way back just now. I told them we defeated the demon, and they said they would continue searching the area…”

“Oh, is that so~”

As I reported briefly, Amethyst, who had been listening, shook her shoulders slightly, looking somewhat surprised. It seemed like she reacted to the part about defeating the demon.

…But that was all.

On the other hand, Spinel and Lapis had their mouths wide open, seemingly in disbelief.

Well, that’s a normal reaction.

Unlike them, Charm-san immediately believed my words.

“I’m grateful that you managed to subdue the demon~. I caused you quite a bit of trouble~. As an examiner, I intended to keep the area as empty as possible to ensure fairness in the exam~. But~”

“N-no, I think it couldn’t be helped. The invading demon had a strange ability to become invisible…”

Nobody could have prevented it in advance. Above all, the fundamental premise of the adventurer’s exam is that accidents or injuries are the individual’s responsibility. Regardless of the experiences or even fatalities one might face inside the area, it’s the responsibility of the person who took on the challenge.

Considering the nature of the area, although with an extremely low probability, the appearance of demons is naturally a possibility.

Therefore, there is no blame to be placed on anyone. If anything, it was just our ‘bad luck.’

“It really helps when you say that~. Due to the interference of the demons~, there were quite a few who couldn’t take the exam normally~.”

Charm-san glanced briefly at Amethyst, who once again nonchalantly averted her gaze.

“To prevent unforeseen events~, I would like to be more cautious and considerate in planning the content for future exams~.”

“…Well, I don’t think we’ll see demons with such outrageous abilities again.”

Recalling the cat-like demon I defeated, I responded. No one could have anticipated the intrusion of an invisible demon in the exam area. Therefore, such concerns are probably unnecessary.

In any case, this concludes the report on the demons.

“By the way~, did you bring back the ‘exam dolls’~?”

“Oh…”

Come to think of it, that was true. We had only finished reporting the demon subjugation, and the adventurer’s exam itself had not yet concluded. Moreover, time was running out, with less than ten minutes remaining.

I hurriedly took out the exam doll from my pocket.

“On that note, we only managed to obtain one doll, so I’m hoping that Dia could be considered as passing with just that.”

“Huh!?”

Dia widened her eyes as if she hadn’t heard anything like that.

“Why me!? If anyone should pass, it should definitely be Rust-san! Obtaining the exam doll was mostly thanks to Rust-san, and you even single-handedly defeated a demon! Why should I pass over you!?”

“No, no, Dia should definitely pass. If it weren’t for Dia, I wouldn’t have been able to come back alive in the first place. Besides, demon subjugation is a separate matter from the exam. Above all, it would be a shame to bury Dia’s talent.”

With both sides refusing to yield, we continued our spirited argument. Seeing this seemingly endless debate, Charm-san let out a troubled sigh.

“With the achievement of subduing the demon, we could consider a special pass for you. However, whether other participants will accept that is another matter entirely.”

“Well, that’s true.”

If we were to pass just because we defeated a demon while we couldn’t obtain the exam dolls, it would surely raise questions among the other participants. Even if we were to publicly announce the demon subjugation, there was no guarantee they would believe it. It was a tricky situation.

Dia seemed determined not to accept the exam doll under such circumstances. I desperately tried to figure out a way to at least get her to pass.

As I pondered this, suddenly from the side…

“Dia.”

“…?”

Amethyst tossed something.

Dia awkwardly caught it with unstable hands. As she looked at what she received, her eyes widened in surprise.

“Um, this is…”

“It’s the ‘exam doll’ we obtained. Since we only have one, and everyone can’t pass with it, it’s better to give it to you.”

In her usual indifferent tone, Amethyst explained. Come to think of it, she mentioned earlier that they only had one as well. Did they give us their only one?

“Is it okay, Amethyst?”

“W-well, originally you came to help us, and we ran out of time to look for the dolls. It’s partly our fault that you can’t pass together. Besides, we do have a history of trying to forcibly take dolls from you, so it’s sort of making up for that guilt…”

Amethyst, who had been speaking rapidly, eventually scratched her purple, long hair as if feeling awkward.

“Come on! Just go and pass already!”

“Am-Amethyst-san…”

Amethyst, pushing Dia forward, seemed to have a slightly flushed cheek, as if embarrassed.

Ignoring her surprise, Dia suddenly teared up and took Amethyst’s hand.

“Thank you very much.”

“Hey, what are you crying for?! And let go of my hand! I don’t remember giving you permission for that!”

“But, you used to pull me along like this a lot back then…”

“That’s all in the past! Now we’re sort of… enemies or rivals or something…”

I found it unexpected for Amethyst to be this flustered. Spinel and Lapis seemed equally astonished.

In the midst of this, Dia unexpectedly smiled at Amethyst.

“I’m not an enemy; you’re my best friend.”

“W-what do you mean ‘best friend’? I said it earlier, but it’s just because I only have one friend, so you’re the ‘best’ by default.”

“I-I do have a few friends!”

Seeing them getting along so well, I felt genuinely relieved. Yes, I should express my gratitude as well. Thanks to them, Dia and I could pass together.

“Uh, thank you, Amethy…”

“I didn’t give it to you personally.”

“…”

I was ignored and rejected. Nevertheless, with two dolls now, one we obtained ourselves and the other clutched tightly by Dia, we were ready to pass the exam.

“Alright then, the two of you, is it okay to consider you both as having passed?”

“Y-yes, please.”

As we nodded, Charm smiled. With this, we passed. I finally achieved the dream I had been cherishing for so long—to become an adventurer.

Ever since receiving the 【Rusty Sword】, becoming an adventurer seemed like a distant dream. A dream that now materialized. A warm joy spread within me, and I bit my lip to contain the urge to shout in happiness. However, in front of Amethyst and the others who couldn’t pass, openly expressing my joy was naturally inappropriate.

As I silently contemplated this, Charm spoke again.

“And, I have an announcement for you, Amethyst and the others.”

“…?”

Charm lowered her voice a bit and informed them.

“Due to the abnormal situation of the demon’s intrusion this time, the three of you couldn’t take the exam as usual. As a special measure, a separate opportunity for the ‘Adventurer’s Exam’ will be provided for you three. The date will be five days from now.”

“…Five days.”

Originally, the next adventurer’s exam would be scheduled a month later. But now, due to the exceptional circumstances, Charm informed them that they would have a special chance in just five days. This way, Amethyst and the others wouldn’t have to wait a whole month to become adventurers.

“If we reschedule it this way, since it’s a retest on a different day, I don’t think anyone else will complain, right?”

“I-Is that really okay? Wouldn’t it be considered an abuse of authority…?”

“As the examiner for this adventurer’s exam, there’s absolutely no problem with it from the guild’s perspective.”

Charm smiled casually. Amethyst and the others were left in astonishment, hearing this unbelievable information. To add to their bewilderment, Charm tilted her head.

“So, Amethyst and the others, will you take this special exam? Or will you not?”

“…”

Asked again, they exchanged glances. Then, with a determined look, they nodded at each other. Amethyst, instead of responding to Charm, turned to Dia beside her.

“Dia, go ahead and wait for me. I’ll catch up soon.”

“Yes. I’ll be waiting for you.”

The two exchanged a confident smile. Lastly, Amethyst turned her gaze towards me as if to say, “You too, be prepared and wait.”

“Yeah.”

And so, our adventurer’s exam came to an end.