I'm actually liking this more grounded thing the author is going for. This tournament was something that Al wanted to be part of and he did well for someone with little experience, and there was no hidden power or plot armor making him win either
I think the recent bandit attack really shook Haruka to her core. Despite her immense natural strength, she fears having to kill, even in self defense. But what she hates even more, is being coddled by her party and leaving them to do dirty work instead. She doesn't want to be the one being protected from the harsh reality of this world, of being an adventurer. Which in turns create a paradoxical connundrum. Why is she being protected, when she herself is the most powerful of her group. Does she have to kill when she is so strong? Could she not find some way, with her immense powers, to not have to kill?
