I retraced my steps and returned to Ganaize. Radi and his companions had already arrived, so I instructed my Familiar to report regularly and then visited the Training Ground where Sofia and the others were.

As I passed through the entrance, I saw Eiley, so I greeted her first.

“Hello, I’m back.”

“Oh, you’re back.”

“Yes… how’s the training?”

“It’s going well.”

That’s good… As I thought, Eiley led me inside. It was the same place as before I left Ganaize.

What caught my eye was Sofia and Sylvie clashing swords. It had only been a few days, but their movements had changed quite a bit… I’d need to test them in real combat, but it seemed they were definitely improving.

As long as we’re going to fight the Five Great Demons in the future, there’s no harm in getting stronger. Furthermore, considering that Sylvie has joined us… it can be said that visiting Ganaize was extremely beneficial.

I’d say my objective in this Town has been fulfilled… what’s next? If I’m looking for companions, it would probably be a Magic-user… As I was thinking, Sofia and the others finished their training. They approached me and started talking.

“Lord Ruon.”

“Your training seems to be going well.”

“Yes. I promise to be even more effective than before.”

Quite confident. Now, how should I go about checking how much their abilities have improved…? Was there a suitable place nearby?

Well, I can think about that after all the training is over… Just as I was thinking that, a man approached Eiley.

“What’s wrong?”

“A visitor… is asking for Eiley.”

“Name?”

I could hear the conversation. When I casually listened in, I heard a surprising answer.

“Nestor Ibart.”

—Huh? I was surprised. Isn’t that the Warrior currently acting with Radi?

Nestor was originally a character who joined in this Town. Although all his abilities were above average, he was a defense-focused Warrior particularly strong in defense. Furthermore, he had decent Magic Defense, making him useful in the latter half of the scenario where Magic attacks are frequent. He also possessed the Unique Skill “Shield Evasion,” which reduces damage when a shield is equipped.

I rarely recruited him since I built my party to specialize in offense, but many people favored him for his reliable abilities. In fact, he had a high usage rate in polls on fan-run strategy sites. While he didn’t have anything specialized in offense like Balzard, he was an easy-to-use character due to his traits, which is likely why so many people used him.

That person is acting with Radi… Contact before my Familiar even reports. Nestor was probably a user of this place too… However, to meet him at this timing—

Well, there’s no point in thinking about it… I decided to remain silent and watch how things unfolded.

Eiley replied, “Let him in,” and the man headed for the entrance. A little while later, Radi and his companions arrived.

Radi was a man who looked to be in his late twenties, wearing a light blue Priestly Robe. His hair was blue, and his face, matching his hair, was very refreshing. Rather than handsome, it might be better to say he was charming; his somewhat youthful features made those who saw him feel warm and fuzzy.

Nestor, on the other hand, was clad in iron armor, looking more like a Leader than anyone else present. His short black hair stood almost on end, and his somewhat stern face, combined with his three-white eyes, made him look more like an enemy character than an ally.

What could this encounter mean…? As I continued to watch, Eiley spoke.

“It’s been a while, Nestor. I heard you left Town, but have you returned?”

“Yes. I was nearby, so I wanted to check the results of my journey.”

“Oh, so you want to spar, do you?”

Eiley murmured, scrutinizing Nestor as if evaluating him. In response, he looked back with a somewhat tense expression.

—The game never described whether he received sword training here. However, I used this place, and Sylvie also had experience using it. Eiley’s name is quite well-known, so it’s possible other companion characters are also connected.

After a moment of looking at Nestor, Eiley shifted her gaze to Radi.

“And you are?”

“I am Radi Diamond, Nestor’s comrade.”

He bowed with his greeting. He is a polite man, but deep down, he is the type to be hot-blooded.

If Phili is gentle, Eina is serious, and Alto has a carefree image, then he is hot-blooded. And he’s a magic-user, no less. In the first place, his reason for starting his journey was the extremely simple goal of “defeating the demon race that appeared on the Continent and becoming the strongest magic-user,” and he has almost no backstory.

In the game, the other four protagonists find reasons to fight the demon race during the scenario, but his reasons are very vague… This is related to his high-freedom scenario.

Originally, each of the five Protagonists’ scenarios had an image associated with them. Phili’s was based on the ‘Royal Road Scenario’ as its main book policy, and Eina’s started from the image of a ‘Tragic Heroine’. Alto’s initial concept was apparently ‘Protagonist Caught Up in Events’… but no such concept was created for Radi.

This was the creator’s intention. Characters with scenario restrictions would hide the convenience of a Free Scenario, which is ‘being able to travel as you please by your own will’. However, if all Protagonists did that, they would lose their individuality. Thus, the character Radi was born. He is a character created to fully enjoy the Free Scenario, which is the true appeal of this game.

Other Protagonists, who have a main scenario, cannot be involved in all sub-events. While that is unavoidable, Radi has no such restrictions at all. Therefore, he can engage in various activities, just as he visited this Training Ground.

“Did you suggest coming here?”

Eiley asked. Radi nodded.

“Yes. There are greetings, but Nestor insisted.”

“What is it, Nestor? Is there a reason you wanted to come here?”

“I just thought I could grasp my current abilities at Eiley’s place… but”

Nestor looked at Sylvie.

“…There’s an unusual face here.”

“Are you talking about me?”

Sylvie raised her voice. There was a hint of hostility in her gaze.

“You’re quite rude for just making a comment.”

Nestor leaned forward. It was an explosive atmosphere, but Eiley stopped it.

“Alright, alright, stop… I understand the matter. Please wait a moment.”

Then, Eiley strangely shifted her gaze to me.

“A moment, please?”

“…Me?”

I replied and approached her. We turned our backs to Radi and the others and conversed in low voices.

“I’m curious about Nestor, so it’s fine to see his skill… but can I have him fight Sofia?”

“Why are you asking me that…?”

“She’s your master, isn’t she?”

Now that she mentioned it, she’s right. Hmm, it doesn’t matter to me, but it seems like a good way to confirm Sofia’s abilities.

“Alright. But you have to get Sofia’s permission.”

“I know.”

Eiley replied, then turned back to Nestor and the others to explain. As a result, Sofia accepted the proposal, and she and Nestor faced each other.