The answer

The sun was still up, the birds were chirping, children were running around, the fountain was flowing peacefully, but me? I was all gloom n' doom. I actually thought Ami approved me right before we went to the dungeon, but clearly not. That, and she's completely shattered my image of her.

The word in my hometown was that she was cute and kind, and wanted to use her knowledge to advance the world so that our kingdom could prosper. I thought... she'd kind of be like Slavena, minus the menace and threats.

Ngah! Why'd I go and attack Slavena!? My danger senses were screaming when she was just serving food, but when she was at full bloodlust, I charged her! Why!? "Ah! My head can't take it!"

Suddenly, all eyes were on me. I... said that out loud... didn't I?

Everyone went back to their routine, though, but I was still left with a fried brain and no clue on how to pass Ami's trial. I'm starting to wish breaking into her lab was the trial instead. If it was, I could probably figure something out.

Clunk!

"What's with the dead look?" a voice snarled.

I tilted my gaze up to notice Davida. "I... Uh, I think I failed," I mumbled.

"What happened?"

"Well, I helped Ami get the treasure."

"Was she hurt?"

"No, she was fine. But, she said she didn't want me as a bodyguard."

Davida let out a sigh.

"Though she said if I could pass a trial, I'd have a chance."

"What is it?"

"Said she wanted a "guard", not a "bodyguard"."

Davida began to scowl. "Then tell me, what is a guard to you?"

"Ah, someone who stands guard. Like the guys at the gate!" I smiled.

"That's your problem."

"Heh?"

"You're thinking too much like a knight."

"'Like a knight'? That's good, right?"

"Not for the role you're trying to get. I doubt my stupid subordinate- FORMER subordinate told you this, but Ami hates the knights."

"Why?"

"Because of said former subordinate."

"What do you mean?"

"The current captain of Division 1 here at the capital. When I was still active duty, she was assigned to be Ami's bodyguard."

"WAIT! 'The captain'!? As in, THE captain!?"

"Yes, back when I was captain of Division 1, she was my subordinate as well as the only other woman in the Knight's Order at the time."

"Huh? But doesn't the captain have an all-female unit under her?"

"Yes, but that is now, not back then. Our kingdom is very traditionalist when it comes to military service. Hence, the best path for a woman to take if she wants to kick ass is an adventurer as they're not bound by military codes. As such, you'll see a far greater ratio of female adventurers to female knights and sailors."

"'Sailors'?"

"The royal navy. They're a separate division from the Knight's Order, but are still part of the kingdom's military. You won't find too many here though unless you wander to the great canal which connect the capital directly to the northern lake and southern ocean."

"Ah, my father was actually a sailor, so I know about the navy. I've just never seen a female sailor before, so I'm pleasantly surprised to know they exist."

"Their numbers are in the single digits from what I've heard, so I can't really fault you for not knowing that. Getting back to what I was saying, my former subordinate was the only woman aside from me in the Knight's Order, meaning she had to be assigned to guard Ami."

"Why?"

Davida's gaze narrowed. "All I can say is that assigning a man to her was out of the question. Make your own judgement. As for my former subordinate, she was the epitome of what a knight should be, but as a result, her personality clashed with Ami's to the point where Ami actively pushed to have her dismissed. We resisted until... this," Davida sighed as she slapped her prosthetic leg. "Thanks to this, I had to retire from the knights, while my former subordinate succeeded me. I stayed around as advisor until she got things in order, then moved out of town to get some fresh air. Problem is, despite the increase in female personnel to the knight's ranks, none have proven to be a good fit for Ami. Either their skill set wasn't up to par, or their personality was a lot to be desired."

"I was good though?"

"Your intellect is lacking, but your battle sense is top notch, and something the knights aren't capable of replicating."

"Huh?"

"Knights are instilled to be chivalrous. As such, the tactic you used to take down Goliath would have never crossed our minds. We're taught to fight honorably with our weapons, but if we lose said weapon, we're only taught basic martial arts to defend ourselves with. You on the other hand, have an unorthodox fighting style."

"It wasn't good enough. I couldn't beat the captain when I fought her head-on during the trial."

Davida went silent before shaking her head. "The point is, you are uniquely judged to be the perfect fit for Ami. However, if you want her to accept your presence by her side, you'll need to think of what kind of person she wouldn't mind at her side."

"What do you mean?"

"Figure that out yourself. That's the trial you need to overcome," Davida grumbled as she hobbled away.

So I'm back where I started. No, not quite. I know a bit more about Ami now, so maybe I can use that to help me solve this. Hmm, a bodyguard's no good, nor is a knight. Ah! I got it!

And just as that solution came to me, I noticed Ami walking towards a shop. This is perfect!

"Ami!" I called out as I ran over.

She didn't seem to notice me, or was ignoring me, as she entered the shop and closed the door behind her.

"Lazar Foxx Antiques and Emporium"... Guess it's a pawn shop. Ah! I think she mentioned something about one of the treasures we found being useful for a job. Should I wait outside, or go in? Hmm, probably shouldn't wait here, especially when I can just go inside.

Opening the door, I found Ami waiting at the counter with the gold rock monster statue we got from the dungeon. "Hey, Ami!" I called out.

"What do you want? I'm doing work," Ami grumbled as I walked up to her.

"I've solved your riddle; you want us to be friends!" I beamed.

A look of disgust spread across Ami's face. "Huh?"

"Huh"? B- But I thought that was the right answer!