With just a bit more points left for Elowyn and Elaris to reach the same amount as a boss, the last mini-boss disappeared before the final blow.
"Damn it, he defeated the boss."
"Tsk, that damned consort."
Both looked toward the smoke-filled zone where Lamia was raising her arms to catch Enrico, who was falling down for some reason.
'Damn it, looks like they took over my body for a moment. System, what happened?'
[It was a forced intervention, but don't worry, it seems he used up all his energy to do that. It'll take at least a year before he can do it again—unless you allow it.]
'Even so, I don't like the idea of something taking over this body unless it's the original owner.'
Spinning in the air, Enrico gracefully dodged Lamia's outstretched arms and landed smoothly on the ground, making Lamia and her four followers blush.
'Looks like I'm still in my female form… I think I'll revert back to normal in a few minutes.'
As Enrico watched the Nartheis almost completely disappear in his hand, he realized that being had interfered and quickly burned what was left of that Nartheis to finish everything off.
'If he interfered because of that, then she must be somehow important to his plan.'
"Beautiful, you did so well! Why don't you come back with us to my homeland? I'll treat you like the goddess you are."
"Exactly, if you come with us, we'll do anything for you, my goddess."
'What an exaggeration.'
Noticing how flushed they were, Enrico also realized that his friends seemed embarrassed while looking at him, and then he noticed his upper clothing was torn in several places.
"I don't mind being admired for my beauty, but at least don't overdo your expressions."
"I'm sorry, goddess, I'll try to do better next time."
"That's right, we're still not worthy enough to gaze upon you that way."
He wasn't talking about them, but rather about his teammates. Still, if they thought that, it would be less troublesome while he waited to return to his normal form.
'It's a bit annoying, but it'll be useful.'
Noticing that everyone around was starting to return to normal, Lamia seemed desperate upon realizing she wouldn't have more time to admire the living artwork she so desired. Running up to Enrico, she held his hand, shivering slightly at how comfortable it felt in hers.
"Enrico, why don't you stay in this form a bit longer? At least until I convince you to stay like this forever."
"…Sorry, but I have business to settle with the other two opposing teams."
"Enrico, now that this is over, let's have our rematch."
"Rematch? You'd better step aside, boy — I need to eliminate him to make sure I advance."
Lamia noticed that the two other teams wanted to fight against Enrico's, making her remember that this was still a competition. Sighing, she released Enrico's hand just before he returned to his original form a second later.
'Maybe I can find a way to make him stay in that form in the future… actually, yes, that's it.'
"Enrico, I challenge you to a duel! If I win, you'll return to your female form once I find a way to bring it back."
"Great, now there are three teams I'll have to deal with."
"You don't need to deal with three teams."
Confused, Enrico looked at the three teams who had spoken simultaneously, and then a second later, he realized what was about to happen and smiled excitedly.
"So it's going to be an all-out battle. Very well, I accept."
Each of the four teams stared at one another before the fight began, and with just one movement, the leaders were the first to act.
'This might be fun.'
'I'll win and bring my beautiful art back.'
'Better eliminate all three quickly to reduce the competition.'
'I hope Enrico won't be mad if I use the technique he taught me against him.'
Before the leaders could clash, Kai dashed past Elaris, heading straight for Enrico at a speed that surpassed the other three. Managing to block the attack, Enrico sighed, still wearing that excited smile — which Kai returned.
"I almost forgot, let's start our rematch already."
"Finally. I've been waiting for this for months."
Thus began the first human-versus-human battle inside the dungeon, making the spectators in the stands erupt with excitement.
"Looks like a big fight is about to start."
"I hope they do well, even if they lose."
"Don't worry, Camila. They'll be fine. You know this won't make their determination falter."
Sylvia, Camila, and Giulia were in the stands watching the fight being broadcast, while Erina sat a chair ahead, paying close attention. She was the only one among the three new members of Class S who hadn't been chosen, feeling a bit disappointed in herself — though not as much as Sylvia, who was even pouting.
"If I were there, I'd be helping a lot more than several of them."
"Calm down, Sylvia. Remember, you were still at second circle among many other second circles to choose from."
"Still, I'm irritated, Camila. Aren't you?"
"What can we do if four people were the limit?"
Besides, she hadn't reached the third circle yet, unlike Sylvia, who had trained hard after not being chosen — finally closing the last two percent she needed, along with Giulio.
A few seats ahead, Nicholas sat with an irritated expression as he stared at the team that had defeated his, while Giulia elsewhere tried not to look upset.
"I'm a reincarnator and lost like that? Off-camera? A bunch of idiots ganging up on me."
He hadn't fought the strongest of their team, but the other four had teamed up to take him down, resulting in Nicholas's elimination.
'At least I managed to take down two of them.'
'Calm down, Giulia, it's not that big of a deal. You'll get more information by watching them fight… who am I kidding? I'm a reincarnator — I should be stronger. That damned Victoria's team…'
The aura of both of them overflowed with anger as they stared at the battles on the magic screen showing the four teams fighting.
'Looks like they're not the only teams about to fight.'
'Wait, isn't that the team of those weird guys?'
Jester's team had encountered the team from the Valtara continent, and both had begun a battle where one member of the other continent's team had already been eliminated.