Scarlet did not return to the guild the next day.
That, by itself, already said a lot about her. While all the chosen representatives were busy with meetings, adjustments, light training, and endless conversations about strategy, she simply disappeared. No explanation. No warning. As if the very idea of collective preparation were irrelevant.
"She really doesn't care," Elara commented in the morning while organizing her grimoires.
"Or she cares too much to waste time with the rest," I replied.
We were in the mansion's courtyard, training in a simple way. Nothing heavy. Just maintenance. Even so, my mind kept returning to Scarlet's gaze from the day before. It wasn't hostile. It also wasn't friendly. It was clinical.
Like someone evaluating something they still hadn't decided was worth the effort.
"This bothers me," Liriel said suddenly. "She doesn't see us as allies."
"She doesn't see anyone that way," Vespera replied. "People like her only recognize individuals."
At the beginning of the afternoon, we were called back to the guild. This time, for a meeting with all the human representatives. The room was full. Some Rank S adventurers I only knew by name were there. Others, only by distant reputation.
Scarlet was leaning against the wall when we walked in.
She looked at us for a second. Then she looked away, as if she had already classified us and decided that, at that moment, we were not a priority. That was strangely irritating.
The guild master began the meeting by talking about logistics, schedules, tournament rules, and possible confrontations. Scarlet listened to everything with a neutral expression, absentmindedly fiddling with a dagger.
When he finished, there was a brief silence.
"So," Scarlet said, breaking it without ceremony. "Is that all?"
The master took a deep breath. "These are the basic guidelines."
"Guidelines are useless when the difference in power is absurd," she replied. "Elves are still the biggest problem."
"And the demi-dragons," someone commented.
Scarlet shrugged. "Noisy. Resistant. Predictable."
Some of those present shifted uncomfortably. I remained silent.
"And what about our representatives?" an older adventurer asked, looking in our direction. "Do you think they can handle it?"
Scarlet finally looked at us again. One by one. Without hurry.
"The mage has talent, but wastes mana," she said, looking at Elara. "The succubus is too instinctive. The goddess fights like someone who still hasn't decided if she wants to kill humans."
Liriel did not react. Elara clenched her teeth. Vespera remained still.
And then Scarlet looked at me.
"You," she said. "Are the strangest."
"Why?" I asked.
"Because you don't seem to have ambition," she replied. "Strong people usually want something."
"Maybe I just want to survive," I answered.
She smiled slightly. "That answer is honest. Rare."
The guild master cleared his throat, clearly uncomfortable. "Regardless of personal opinions, you will fight as representatives of Vailor."
"Of course," Scarlet replied. "I never said I wouldn't fight."
"You called the tournament a waste of time," Elara retorted.
Scarlet tilted her head. "I did. I still think so."
"Then why are you here?" Liriel asked.
Scarlet looked at her for a few seconds, evaluating her more closely than before. "Because sometimes it's worth confirming if something is truly useless."
The meeting ended shortly after that. The atmosphere was far too heavy for any real joint planning.
Outside, Elara let out a sharp breath. "She's unbearable."
"She's honest," Vespera corrected. "Even when she doesn't have to be."
"She's playing with us," Liriel said. "Testing limits."
I remained silent for a few moments, watching the movement inside the guild. Scarlet walked alone toward the exit, without looking back.
"She doesn't despise us," I finally said. "She challenges us."
"That's worse," Elara replied.
That night, lying in bed, I thought again about her words. Ambition. Something I wanted. I had never stopped to define that clearly. Surviving had always been enough. Protecting those who were with me. Moving forward.
But maybe, in that tournament, that wouldn't be enough.
Scarlet didn't want to prove anything to the world.
She wanted to decide if we deserved to exist on that same stage.
And, whether we liked it or not, that judgment had already begun.