So you got promoted all the way up to the rank of Athena.

......

I'm not surprised, nor angry.

But I have to ask, Karl told you some stuff about me the other day, right?

How much do you know?

......

That Karl! He and his big mouth almost told you everything!

*Siiiiiiiiigh*

Fine.

If we leave the story there...

...then Karl will come off as a heartless guy...

So I'll tell you how it all ends!

Anyway, on to the story!

I'm only gonna say this once, so listen up!

Err, ehem.

At that time, I told Karl to concentrate on the mission. He already told you that, right?

After listening to what I had to say, Karl left the cave.

But for some reason, he came back again and saved us all.

I got so angry.

I mean, obviously.

I thought he had listened when I told him that he should make the mission his priority.

But, when I took a good look at him, that's when I saw it.

He was covered in wounds.

When I asked him what had happened, he told me that he had slain the demon...

...and then hurried as fast as possible to get back to us.

So of course, I asked him.

I asked him why he would do something so reckless.

And when I did, this is what he said.

"Even if you know that someone will come rescue you eventually, you don't wanna spend the whole day trapped in here, do you?"

......

Him showing his ability by defeating that demon was one thing...

...but when he said that, I knew he was someone I could rely on.

Though I also thought that I should help him before he collapsed onto the floor.

Collapse? That's a bit dramatic, don't you think?

Oh, Karl!

Were you listening?

A little bit.

Did I really say that though?

I don't remember that at all.

*Siiiiiiiiigh*

Well, that can't be helped. For bad or for good, Karl is Karl after all.

What's that supposed to mean?

......

But actually, I don't remember much of what happened after all that.

But Seria, after the whole team was out of the cave, you beat up the squad leader, didn't you?

I-I was a bit outta line...

Instead of thanking Karl for saving us all, that squad leader did the total opposite...

...and reprimanded Karl for coming to rescue us "so late"...

Urgh!

That's exactly why I didn't wanna talk about this!

Especially about that last part!

Karl, you idiot!

Ha ha ha.

That's long in the past, so you shouldn't care about it so much.

Why do you say it like you weren't there?!

You were the one who put the leader in an arm lock!!

I-I did not put him in an arm lock!

I just told him to watch himself!

I-I mean, that squad leader said he was gonna punish you...

*Sigh* Never mind.

Anyway, it was thanks to this incident that Karl and I started working together.

Though lots of stuff happened after that too...

Listen up, Hans!

Now that you have heard our story...

...don't go bullying any of your superiors or elders at the Akras Summoners' Hall...

...like we did.

Understood?!

......

You know Seria, when you talk to Hans...

...you turn into quite the motherly figure.

WHAT?!

Yelp...!

I don't care if you're my friend or not, I'll still beat you senseless for that kinda talk, Karl!

Beat me senseless?!

You're right, I really did say too much this time!

I'm sorry!

*Sigh*

Well, I've been standing here talking for so long that now I'm starving.

Hans!

You made us tell you our story, so the least you could do is treat us to lunch!

We could celebrate your rank promotion while we're are it, too!

I found a really good restaurant just the other day.

C'mon, let's go!

Oh geez, she really hasn't changed at all since back then.

Well, I guess I shouldn't be talking, since I haven't changed either...

We've grown a lot since then...

...but I think that at the core, we haven't changed all that much.

Oh yeah, Seria's still waiting for us.

Hans, go ahead and I'll catch up.

I have to go to the Hall for a little bit, but I'll meet you guys after I'm done!

All right then, see ya later!

Huh? What happened to Karl?

He says he has to go the Hall for something?

......

Well, okay.

I guess I'll just put up with you for now.

And this time, you're gonna tell me about your old memories with Karl!

D-Don't get the wrong idea though!

I-It's not like I'm dying to hear about them or anything like that!

I told you my story, so it's only fair that you tell me yours!

Quit stalling, and let's go already!

Hanging out with a dummy is so tiresome when you have to explain every single little thing!

You know, you really are dumb!

......

Yeah, that suits you well.

You should just go on being yourself.

That means you should be your dumb self for the rest of time!

You big ol' dummy, you!