After that, I gave my overall review of the clear.
I had been worried Sophie and the others might distance themselves from Luna, but that fear proved unfounded.
If anything, they seemed to feel even closer to her after she helped shift their mindset.
It was a dangerous bridge to cross, but all's well that ends well, I suppose.
"—Actually, there's something I want to give you three."
"Something to give us?"
"Yeah. A celebration for officially becoming explorers of "Silver Rabbit of the Night Sky". I'd be happy if you'd accept them."
I handed each of them a storage artifact containing the gifts.
"This is… weapons and uniforms…?"
Log muttered as he materialized the contents.
Yes—these were the items I had commissioned from Alan-san and Glenda-san during the festival preparations.
"Correct. For the weapons, I referenced clan data and had them adjusted so they'll remain usable even as your bodies grow. There might be a slight adjustment period at first, but they should handle perfectly."
The fine-tuning was left to Alan-san—he's a pro. They should match the requests exactly.
"As for the uniforms, they're based on mine but tailored to each of your combat styles. That said—these were made mostly for my own satisfaction. If you don't like the weapons or uniforms, feel free not to use them."
"No way we wouldn't like them! Thank you, Master! I'll treasure them forever!"
Carol expressed her gratitude, and Sophie and Log nodded in agreement.
Good—they seemed pleased.
"Can we try them on right away!?"
Log asked, barely containing his excitement.
"Sure, but first—Luna."
"…Eh, yes?"
Luna—clearly not expecting to be addressed—gave a slightly dazed reply.
"For you too."
I handed her the uniform made specifically for her.
Luna accepted it in stunned silence.
"Why…? The management department said uniform preparation takes time…"
When I joined, they rushed mine through, but uniforms normally take several days.
Yet here in my hands was Luna's uniform.
This was the second uniform Glenda-san proposed when I commissioned the sword belts and disciples' uniforms.
Even back then, she anticipated Luna joining.
Who could have predicted an S-rank explorer—formerly of the hero party—joining "Silver Rabbit of the Night Sky"?
A woman's intuition is terrifying, I thought with genuine awe.
"I can only call it a string of coincidences, but this was unquestionably made for you, Luna. I couldn't prepare a weapon, but—would you accept it?"
"No… the uniform alone is more than enough. Thank you."
"You're welcome. —You three probably want to test how the weapons feel too, right? I've secured permission for the indoor training ground. Get equipped and meet me there."
"Got it! Luu-nee, let's go change together! Come on, Sophie—hurry!"
Carol dragged Luna and Sophie out of the room.
Luna is now called "Luu-nee" by the tenth squad.
Since the three use nicknames among themselves, they gave one to Luna too.
I've called her "Luna" for years—changing it now would feel strange—so we stick to the old way.
◇
While waiting for the four in the indoor training ground, Log arrived first.
As expected—guys prepare faster for this kind of thing.
"Sorry to keep you waiting, Master! How do I look?"
Log approached, materializing his spear and holding it.
At first glance, his outfit resembles the black-and-blue robes typical of enchanters—rear-line—but it's designed not to hinder intense movement.
The spear in his hand was jet-black, almost devouring light—like Schwartzhaize—with an artificial magic stone embedded at the butt end.
Artificial magic stones are synthetic gems made by mixing specific minerals into regular magic stones.
They possess the property of attracting ambient mana, easing infusion—commonly used in staves by mages.
Also—unlike natural magic stones, artificial ones don't attract monsters that target magic stones (likely due to the mixed minerals).
In exchange, they cannot be used in magic tools.
Since Log uses many support spells alongside spear attacks, I requested the artificial stone.
My own combat style mixes swordsmanship and magic, so I was offered one for Schwartzhaize—but declined.
It would interfere with [Magic Sword Union: Ortration], and my ability [Mana Convergence] already replicates the stone's effect.
Incidentally, the staff and daggers given to Sophie and Carol share the same color scheme and also incorporate artificial stones.
Using black dragon scales as the main material inevitably results in dark tones.
"It suits you. Looks cool."
"Thank you! …But this spear isn't made from upper-layer materials, right? Even I—who can't appraise weapons—can tell it's extremely high quality."
"Sharp eye. The weapons I gave you are primarily made from black dragon scales."
"Black dragon—as in *that* black dragon!? N-No way—we can't accept something like this! It's way beyond us!"
Log was right—B-rank rookies shouldn't wield such gear.
But that doesn't matter.
If weapon performance ever costs them their lives in the future, regret would be pointless.
I won't hesitate—no matter what anyone says.
"Accept them. Think of this as an investment."
"Investment?"
"Yeah. The more you—my disciples—excel, the higher my standing in the clan rises. So keep pushing forward and achieving more."
"…Understood. Thank you."
"Master! Sorry to keep you waiting~!"
While talking with Log, Carol's voice came from the entrance.
"That was fast. I didn't wait at all."
The three approached me in the training ground.
Carol's outfit might be the closest to mine among them.
Black and blue—the clan colors—dominate, with a long outer coat that fits snugly. Below are shorts and high socks—designed for mobility far beyond appearances.
Next, Sophie—still wearing a dress with a mantle like her previous uniform.
But the design is refreshed, giving a more mature impression.
This stems not just from the clothes—the timid, insecure air she once had is largely gone.
Finally—Luna.
Her outfit has minor changes in detail, but the overall design remains close to her hero party days.
The biggest difference is color.
Her previous white-based outer coat is now black-based.
A simple color shift dramatically changes the impression.
"Master, how is it? Does it suit me?"
"Yeah—all three of you look great. Really cute."
When I gave my honest opinion, Carol beamed "Ehehe~", Sophie blushed with a soft "Hau…", and Luna looked at me as if seeing something rare.
"Luna—what's wrong?"
"Nothing… I just thought it was unusual for Orun-san to say something like that."
Hearing her, I gave a wry smile.
"Yeah, fair."
"Fufu, but I think it suits you better now. You seem more relaxed than back in Dawnlight—more like your true self is coming through."
Back in the hero party, I was weighed down by so many things.
Since joining "Silver Rabbit", some of that burden lifted—I feel freer, as Luna said.
…Though challenges still pile high.
"Thanks. Luna, you should have more free time now than in the hero party days. So much has happened lately—take it easy for a while."
"Yes—thank you."
"Hey, Master~"
Just as the conversation with Luna wound down, Carol piped up.
"What's up?"
"The three of us were talking earlier—we want to head to the Great Labyrinth now!"
"The Great Labyrinth? Straight to the 31st floor?"
Did I push them too hard?
The 30th-floor clear wasn't especially difficult for them.
Still—they must be tired. I thought resting today would be fine.
"No, not that—back to the 30th floor. We decided to surpass Master. So we want to see Master's current strength again!"
"In other words—you want to watch me clear the 30th floor?"
"Yeah! First we'll test our new gear, then watch you and Luu-nee conquer it together!"
"…I see. Luna—how about it?"
"I have no objections. If anything—I'm grateful for such a quick chance to party with Orun-san."
"Then let's clear the 30th floor. Sophie, Log—okay with that?"
"Y-Yes, no problem."
"I'm fine too. Please take care of us!"
"Alright—settled. But before that, one more thing to do."
"One more thing? What is it?"
"Deciding your party name. You're no longer the tenth squad."
Rookie squads don't have official names.
Members frequently change early on.
Once reaching third squad, changes become rare—so in this clan, party names are decided after promotion to third squad.
"Hmm—party name… I hadn't thought about it~"
"Me neither…"
"Same here. …Um, Master—if it's okay, could you name our party?"
"Oh—yes! I want Master to decide too!"
Log proposed it, Carol immediately agreed, and Sophie nodded vigorously.
(As expected…)
I had half-expected this.
I already had a name in mind, but…
"…Are you sure you want *me* to name it? Party names are basically permanent. It's a bit dramatic, but it's a name you'll carry for life. Don't you think you should choose it yourselves?"
"Hmm—that's exactly why I want Master to decide~"
"I-I want Orun-san to name us too…! Everything we've achieved so far is thanks to Orun-san."
"You reached this point through your own effort. …But alright. Then—here's my suggestion."
When I agreed to their request, Sophie and the others looked at me with sparkling eyes.
"—How about "Twilight Moonbow"?"
"Twilight means dusk, right? Evening moonlight?"
"Gekkou makes you think of moonlight. But it's not moonlight—it's moon *rainbow*—gekkou."
"Hmm? Rainbows appear during daytime after rain, don't they?"
"It's rare and strict conditions required, but rainbows can form from moonlight too."
"Whoa~! Really!?"
"So Master—what meaning does this name carry?"
Log asked excitedly.
"You know "Silver Rabbit of the Night Sky" means 'the moon floating in the night sky,' right? Twilight is when the sun sets and the moon begins to rise. As time passes, the moon climbs higher, illuminating the night. I put in the meaning of 'always striving to reach greater heights.'"
"Always striving to reach greater heights…"
"Yeah! Perfect for us rookies! Even when we're veterans, saying this name will keep us from forgetting how we feel right now!"
"I agree—it's a wonderful name. Orun-san, then the 'moonbow' part means…"
"I packed various meanings into moonbow, but I think each person should interpret it their own way. Explaining everything feels like it kills the poetry—so I'd like each of you to feel it personally."
"Fufu—Orun-san can be surprisingly romantic."
Luna teased with a smile.
"I always thought I was a realist, so I'm surprised this name came out of me too. Weird?"
"No—it's lovely. And everyone seems satisfied."
"Yes! I love it. Our party name is "Twilight Moonbow"! Carol, Sophie—no objections, right?"
"No problem~!"
"Since Orun-san gave it—no way I'd refuse."
"Glad you like it. Now that the party name's decided—let's head to the 30th floor."
"""Ooh!!!"""