Awakening to a Special-Grade Explorer
Vol. 4 - Ch. 177 - Professionals aren’t mere decoration

There was no one in the battlefield who could have fend away the task that intelligent variant had shrewdly carried out. ---Or atleast, that was how it was supposed to be.

However there was one exception---Tenji.

It was hard to put a finger on but he was feeling exceptionally well today---like an athlete in his 'flow state.' It was this silver lining that he managed to subvert the worst possible scenario.

He noticed something invisible jolting the air at the corner of his periphery the instant healer had dashed in their direction. The person himself had no idea, no evidence, but he just felt something from his fibre. It could also be labelled as some kind of super sense, but either way, it was far from just some uncomfortable premonition.

The only thing he was sure was it would be too late by the time he could even move his fingers, so he elected the voice-activation based defence skill.

The defence fell short at the attack of underling as the barrier was shattered in blink, however he had at least managed to falter the pace of underling and obstructed its attack.

Ultimately, the healer avoided the attack by paper breath.

Tenji also didn't stop on his track to see what happened and hurriedly activated another skill and struck the neck of underling with his Flame Demon Blade, cleaving it from the rest of the body and scorching the neck region.

Though as the result of charging onto the enemy without thinking about his next action, he couldn't manage his landing properly and needless to say, the momentum from attack continued and with no support or time to adjust posture, he rolled onto the ground in a front-charging stance.

He tried to at least mitigate the fall damage as he rolled on the ground and finally stopped when he crashed into the nearby tree.

He hurriedly turned around to look at the situation from his comical landing and patted his chest in relief seeing everything was right.

"Phew, great. I was on time."

It was just then---

"Great my ass, it wasn't the place for a student to butt in."

"Owwch."

Someone lightly decked him on his head. He hurriedly flipped back and saw a dumbfounded Kujou present there.

He tried to make a head out of Kujou's comment and tilted his head in confusion.

"Haa, you didn't get it huh. I guess so, you're still a student after all."

"Huh?"

"You flew into the situation just now but for your information; Honnou, I and a few other explorers had the means to cope against that surprise attack. Sure, we were a moment late in noticing to act...but it was even harder for us to make a move when you suddenly made that strange voice and jumped in. Be more open to your surrounding changes and learn to trust professionals a bit more for god's sake."

"Ack...S-Sorry!!"

"Sheesh, anyway, that was a good move, and it packed enough punch. ......Alright, Tenji Amagi. Take the rank in rearguard along with us and earn time for the rest of the members to make it to the cliff. Understood?"

Kujou flashed a smile as she offered her hand at the end of her words.

She did preach Tenji for his recklessness, but also acknowledge his growth with her words. But since he wasn't accustomed to receiving such direct praise, Tenji's face turned red from her words.

"Y-Yes! I will do my best!"

Tenji replied as he took that slender yet dependable hand to stand up.

He readied his Flame Demon Blade next to Kujou and glanced at the situation---on one side, even more underlings were coming from distance, while there were rearguard members who were already engaged in fighting against the underling infesting the area. Fuyuki, too, was fighting alongside them.

Right, this was a battlefield, not a place to dilly-dally for even a moment.

(Inhale ...... calm down, me.)

Tenji realised his body tensed too much and called inside his mind to get a grip on himself. Still, it was clear the influence of the battlefield wasn't something he could surpass completely and turned that overflowing emotion toward the enemy.

He had just prepared himself to jump on the fray when he heard a distant voice calling out to him.

"Thank you very much!!"

It was the word of gratitude to him from the woman he had saved

The healer, Marie, conveyed her thanks to him in a loud voice before rushing to Limey under the protection of other explorers. She got on her knees and swiftly checked her condition, and once sure there was still time, she immediately started healing Limey.

Tenji inferred most of the situation from her action and loosened his cheeks in relief.

"It's a nice sword."

Kujou, who had been conforming to the battlefield situation, commented. It seemed like she had enough capacity to still assess the Flame Demon Sword he was carrying even while surveying the situation. Tenji was dumbfounded at how wide her field of vision was.

"Ah, yes! Thank you for your praise!"

"Good, you have calmed down enough I presume. Join in the rearguard unit and cut down any foe trying to make out for Limey. I believe that should be the piece of cake with this sword, right? I have nothing to say about your strength, which I believe was comparable to Honnou. I have high hopes from you...do your best."

"I will!"

With a gentle gesture, Kujou patted on Tenji's back.

Brimming with confidence, Tenji once again rooted himself nearby Limey and joined in the rearguard unit.

After confirming the situation for a while, Kujou ordered the rearguard members to retreat as well.

The silver lining in all this situation however was---there was no death among the members of Chariot.