When Fang Zheng returned to the hotel, to his surprise, the priestess actually brought him a pleasant surprise.

"Sir Knight, I have found a companion who is willing to join us?"

"real?"

Fang Zheng was also quite surprised to hear the priestess's happy report.

"What kind of person is he?"

"That's her."

As she spoke, the priestess stretched out her hand and pointed behind her. Only then did Fang Zheng realize that behind the priestess stood a girl who looked about the same age as her. She had long blond hair that reached her waist, and was wearing adventurer armor. A long sword hung from her waist... Well, she looked like a melee adventurer.

The girl was very beautiful, but unlike the priestess, she looked expressionless and seemed indifferent to everything.

"How did you find her?"

"I met her in the temple. I heard that she wanted to become stronger and was looking for a companion. I invited her to join, and she agreed."

"Uh...wait."

Hearing this, Fang Zheng reached out and pressed his forehead, remaining silent for a moment.

"Hmm... Let me think about this carefully. You mean, you met this lady in the temple, and then she said she wanted to find an adventurer who could become stronger together?"

"Yes."

"Why is it in the temple? Generally speaking, shouldn't we go to the Adventurer's Guild to find adventurers?"

"This... I'm not sure either..."

"Forget it, I'll ask it myself."

Fang Zheng sighed helplessly, then walked in front of the blonde girl, who stood there quietly, staring at him. There was no expression on her fair face, only a hint of curiosity in her eyes.

"Hello, young lady. My name is Fang Zheng. I am currently the leader of this team. I would like to ask if you would like to join us?"

"Yes."

"Uh...what's the reason?"

"I want to become stronger."

"...No, I mean...never mind."

Seeing the blonde girl tilt her head slightly and give him a curious look, Fang Zheng raised his hands helplessly in surrender.

"You look like a warrior of good level, so I'll tell you in advance that our team is not very strong. As you can see, this is a little priest who only knows two divine arts, and the remaining 'great magician' (gritting teeth) can only cast one explosion magic a day, and then he is completely useless. Even so, do you want to join?"

"Yes."

"Well……"

Faced with the girl's answer without hesitation or delay, Fang Zheng was speechless.

"Why?"

"because……"

As she spoke, the girl raised her head and stared at Fang Zheng.

"You are strong."

“…”

What kind of reason is this?

But at least it's a reason.

"I am indeed very strong, at least stronger than you."

Fang Zheng nodded without hesitation.

"How about this? I'll train you and make you stronger, and you'll join our team? That's part of the deal, right? Do you agree?"

"Um."

The blonde girl nodded again and stood there without saying a word.

"Well... welcome to join us then... what's your name?"

"Ais Wallenstein."

Just like that, a young swordsman named Ess Wallenstein joined this adventure team that had no name until now.

Like everyone else, Fang Zheng also gave her a test.

"Listen, this is a test, but it's also a battle."

Standing in the open space outside the city, Fang Zheng held a pitch-black broadsword and a silver-white dagger in his hands, staring at Ai Si in front of him.

"Show me your full strength and show me what you can do."

“…”

Ai Si did not answer Fang Zheng's words, but just nodded slightly, then she drew the long sword from her waist.

"Come on, Ais! Beat him to a pulp!"

Huihui, who was watching the show nearby, shouted in excitement. She was punished by Fang Zheng with a sharp tongue every day, so she was naturally very angry. Although Aisi had just joined and the two hadn't even exchanged a few words, Huihui had already completely stood on Aisi's side.

"Haha, I'll deal with you when I get back."

Looking at Huihui jumping up and down, Fang Zheng chuckled, then he looked at the girl in front of him.

"You come first, let me see what you can do."

“…”

Ai Si didn't say anything. She clenched the sword and slowly drew it out. Then the next moment, the girl flashed and appeared in front of Fang Zheng in the blink of an eye. The sword in her hand swung down like lightning and slashed at Fang Zheng.

A speed type... that's not surprising though.

Fang Zheng raised his eyebrows at Ai Si's reaction, but he was not surprised. Generally speaking, female warriors, unless they are gifted, mostly rely on speed. And Ai Si in front of him is obviously no exception. She is very fast and decisive. Strictly speaking, she is a bit like an upgraded version of Asuna + Yuki.

However, it is still a long way to go before you can deal with me.

Thinking of this, Fang Zheng moved his right hand slightly, and swung out the pitch-black sword suddenly. With a "clang" sound, he easily blocked Ai Si's attack. Then Fang Zheng turned the pitch-black sword in his hand, and then he saw Ai Si's long sword sliding along the sword spine. At this time, Ai Si also lost her balance instantly. Then Fang Zheng kicked out without hesitation, kicking her in the lower abdomen. With a muffled groan, the next moment Ai Si flew backwards like a cannonball and fell heavily to the ground.

Seeing this, Huihui and the priestess who were watching the battle nearby were stunned.

After a while, Huihui jumped up in panic.

"Wait, wait, what are you doing to a girl!?"

“This is a fight.”

Fang Zheng put down the sword in his hand and looked at Ai Si who was lying on the ground not far away. At this moment, the priestess also hurried over, came to Ai Si's side and called her in a low voice.

"Are you okay?"

“Woo…”

Perhaps because she heard the priestess' call, Ais opened her eyes, shook her head, and slowly sat up.

At this time, Fang Zheng also walked up to her side.

"Do you know what the problem is?"

“…”

Facing Fang Zheng's question, Ai Si was silent for a moment, then shook her head.

"Your strength control is too poor."

Fang Zheng swung the sword in his hand again.

"Indeed, a full-force attack at the beginning may defeat the enemy by surprise, but if the enemy is much stronger than you, then it is equivalent to directly telling the enemy 'please kill me'. If I had not kicked you just now, but swung my sword to chop you, you would have been beheaded."

“…”

After hearing what Fang Zheng said, Ai Si didn't say much. She just turned over and got up, raising her sword to point at Fang Zheng again.

Reckless... reckless, um...

Looking at Ai Si in front of him, Fang Zheng didn't know why he suddenly remembered Asuna when he first entered the Death Game. Asuna was like this at that time. She tried her best, but other than that, she was a little too hard and couldn't find her direction.

Now this girl seems to have a clear direction, but... her strength is still too weak.

So……

"Let's do it again."

As he spoke, Fang Zheng raised the sword in his hand again.