The Degree
Retsuji Arthur

“Finally he reached the Guardian, Miss. What do we need to do? Should help her?”

Smiling faintly and leaning her head in her hands, Erina looked at Ray with interest.

“Tak no use, Mein. If he needs my help then he's no match standing next to me as a husband. It's nice if he thanks me but I don't want to make it that easy.”

As a beautiful and dreamy woman, Erina had high criteria for the man she wanted to be by her side.

Only classy people are suitable for other classy people. Facial factors become a big supporter if you want to get the perfect woman.

The world is unfair to ugly people. Those words are absolutely true. Justice comes only from those with good facial assets and other factors.

“What makes you dissatisfied, Miss?” Mein seemed to not understand a thing. The cold, apathetic face did not change but his brows looked slightly tapered.

“Just be curious. During this time he did not use Degree at all.”

Mein widened her eyes and looked at Erina in disbelief, “That's impossible .. meaning she managed to survive without using Degree?”

It is hard to believe that a person completed a task all along without using his Degree.

Even if the Degree possessed was useless for the task, it should be impossible for one to survive until the third exam.

“I can't guarantee it but it seems like it is. Without a Degree even though the man had extensive knowledge and abilities. There is a possibility that it is his Degree but it could also not.”

It does not rule out the possibility that Ray is blessed Degree about intelligence but it is not impossible that Ray is indeed smart without Degree.

Erina had a hard time guessing it because there would be many possibilities to appear if she did not have any clue to guess it.

“Entah deliberately want to hide it or can not use it ... whichever it is, we have to pull it to our side.”

Erina had her own purpose and reason for repeating a task she had already done. The goal is of course for his own benefit.

“Nona correct. If he could survive without utilizing the Degree then his abilities were clearly above average. It might even be equivalent to Miss.”

“No. Because he's a man whose physical strength is greater than mine. At least for now he's ahead of that. I really didn't choose it wrong.” Erina blushed and smiled affectionately at Ray. “This may also be called love at first sight.”

Mein glanced at Erina with mixed feelings, “I wonder if Miss wants to take her because of talent or because of love.”

“Entahlah. Maybe both. He's definitely the type of two-faced guy where I'm very weak with him.”

Until the end Mein did not understand his words. As they chatted others who had occupied the chair seemed to have interest.

Of course there is one who looks unconcerned and just closes his eyes. Such a person clearly understands that it is better not to interfere in the affairs of others.

“Hey, ladies and gentlemen. It seems you guys are talking about me, huh?”

Erina glanced at the man who spoke to her confidently.

He was the one who reached the seat after me and Mein. I didn't observe him at all, but he's definitely capable. Thought Erina.

“Don't get along, hickhead. Miss Erina is impossible to talk about you. He never even knew you were breathing.” Mein said cynically and stared coldly.

Despite getting a cold reaction but the man seemed to not care and grimace, “Jutek really, anyway. Although it looks like this I am a great person who immediately succeeded in one try, loh.”

For the first time Erina seemed interested in the man.

“Ho? Either you're just arrogant or you're confident. It seems you got a unique Degree, huh?”

“Ke he he, of course. There's no way a great man like me gets a degree ecek-ecek.” The man stroked her hair in a disgusting narcissistic style.

“So so it is. Would I know your name?” Erina smiled from behind her folding fan.

“Before asking people's names introduce yourself first.”

Mein looks angry when the man says it, “Bajingan—”

Erina immediately raised her hand and stopped Mein from acting rashly.

“You were right too. Call me Erina.”

“Ke he he, I'm Ronald Franklyn. You can call me Ronald, baby.”

“Ronald, yes. You seem to be taking good care of your body. I've never hated the muscles that men have.”

“So, huh? I've also always loved women who have the best assets like you.”

The two praised each other but Mein knew that Erina was just a pleasantries. From the way alone it is clear what purpose he wants to achieve.

“I'm happy for the compliment. Since you are handsome and strong, I don't mind if you come here and touch him in some places.” Erina slightly blushed and slightly shook her chest.

Ronald barely blinked when he saw it and smiled happily, “That's good, my dear. But unfortunately I can't do it now.”

“What's the reason?” Erina made a face as if surprised to be mixed in disappointment.

Ronald closed his eyes quietly, “Nobody knows what would happen if I got up from my chair. You're probably more senior here, honey. But if you say there won't be anything I don't believe because there's no proof.”

It is like a double-edged knife. Putting trust in someone can be useful and can also be stabbing from behind.

Perhaps Erina trapped him and made him eliminated from rising from his chair.

“You're too alert but it's good. As a senior I applaud your attitude of not trusting anyone.”

“Ke he he, I am grateful for your praise, dear. Sorry for refusing that tantalizing invitation.” Ronald did not seem to regret it at all.

It was a contradiction to his words but Erina no longer chased after him.

“Tak problems. When you get out of here there will be a time lag before the next task. If you are still interested I have no problem taking the time and place for us to have fun.”

“You are a woman with strong will. I don't hate him at all. If that's what you want then I'll accept it as much as I can. Thanks for that.”

Erina smiled and laughed a little. His smile was different from the usual. This time he made a horrible smile and looked at Ronald as if looking at a fool.

“Fu fu fu, instead I thank you .. idiot.” He added the final sentence with a voice that no one else could hear.

“Then can you tell me your Degree?” continued.

“Of course. There is no rejection of your every wish. My degree is so great and suits me that is, Parkour.”

“So so. It is only fitting that you are able to avoid obstacles so easily. Is it okay to expose it to me?” Erina smiled gently and looked satisfied.

“Tak problems. I have no fear to reveal it.”

“Good. Then let's shut up and watch the people trying to reach this place.”

“As your wish.”

Their conversation went so smoothly without any obstacles. It would seem suspicious because Ronald who was previously very careful in speaking suddenly became rash.

No one would understand the anomaly other than Erina and Mein.

Erina then looked at the other man sitting quietly while closing his eyes.

“For the quiet man there, would you like to join us? If you want you can play with my waiter.”

Mein wanted to protest Erina's words but she chose silence. More than anyone Mein knows Erina. In their generation, only Erina had words as a weapon. That's how the degree works anyway.

The man started to open his eyes. Before looking at Erina he looked at Ronald who was completely silent and observed the other participants. He had certain suspicions to Erina.

“I passed. You can do or say anything on condition that it doesn't bother me in any case.”

“Men cuek not popular, loh.” Erina narrowed her eyes while saying so with a hint of ridicule.

“I know that. Anyway my purpose to this place is not to be popular.”

“Then what is your destination?”

“What is it worth to say to a stranger?”

The atmosphere around them became heavy. The man stared intently at Erina. His gaze that seemed to have no fear or any emotion was enough to make Erina wary of him.

“In addition it seems like you have a troublesome Degree, yes.” The man spoke again and looked at Ronald briefly before closing his eyes again.

“What do you mean?” Erina asked suspiciously.

If the man guessed his Degree to some extent then there was no way but to do the cleaning.

“Entahlah. I don't know what you're talking about but the fact that the man was completely silent after you told me was enough of a suspicion. Although I don't care as long as you don't try it on me.”

He emphasized that if Erina did not bother him then he Takkas dug deeper or cared.

“You're a unique man. No problem giving your name, right? I'm Erina.” For the first time Erina felt really wary of a novice.

The man opened his eyes and stared at something far away with an apathetic face. His lips then moved and conveyed the sentence:

“Arthur .. my name is Retsuji Arthur.”

...[***]...

**Name: Ronald Franklyn.

Age: 24 years old.

Origin: France.

Degree: Parkour.

There was no obstacle that he could not cross. Able to have fast movement in any case and good motor nerves. Having a strong feeling towards something be it a hindrance or not**.