The Academy was located within a massive city that was several times larger than Greenhilde.
This city, not belonging to any country, was developing independently by embracing the cultures of many nations, as befits a neutral area.
The city was divided into four districts centered around the Academy, and today, Lena and I were heading to the Magic District.
“Hehehee…”
As soon as we entered the Magic District, Lena’s eyes began to sparkle.
I guess since she is a magician, her excitement about seeing magical items and materials is understandable.
“Do you need anything?”
“Um, y-yeah. A little… potion and catalyst…”
“If you want anything else, just say so. I’ll buy it for you.”
“W-well, I don’t really need anything…”
“Really? How about a staff or a robe…?”
“I-I already have the ones Master gave me…”
“You’re still using those?”
“Y-yes…”
Lena nodded, tightly gripping the Shadow Robe and Magic Staff I had given her.
Of course, although the Magic Staff and Shadow Robe are good artifacts, a high-ranking member of the Ivory Tower could be using something better.
She’s too modest for her own good.
“Living without desires isn’t necessarily a good thing. Sometimes, it’s important to embrace your ambitions.”
“I-is that so?”
“Yes. Desire is the driving force that propels people forward.”
Lena looked up at me and grabbed my arm, just like she used to when we walked together in the past.
Now, even though she’s not a child anymore, she clung to my arm with a slightly scared expression.
“…C-can I hold onto you like this… just for today…?”
“Oh come on, is the Ivory Tower’s esteemed high-ranking member allowed to act like a little kid?”
“I-it’s just what I want to do…”
“Alright, alright.”
When I teased her, Lena’s face turned red, but she didn’t let go of my arm.
Maybe this is something she’s really wanted to do?
If that’s the case, then I can let her have it.
Holding onto Lena, I wandered around the Magic District with her.
It was my first time in the Magic District, so everything felt novel and exciting.
Sometimes, it seems like it’s necessary to just let loose and explore…
“Oh? Is that you, Master?”
Just then, I heard a familiar voice. Looking over, I saw two faces I recognized.
“Oh… Laila, is that you? Long time no see!”
It was Laila and Sowol, who was with her.
Were they out shopping or something?
The two of them, holding coffee as they walked, noticed us and came over.
“Uh, ugh.”
Lena squeezed my arm tightly, probably because of Laila.
She almost snuggled up to me from behind.
This girl has always been shy around strangers.
“Long time no see! Have you been well?”
“Just the same as always. But I didn’t know you were here too?”
“Well, I have to assist the Saint…”
“Why not enroll in the Academy too?”
“Ha ha, I wish I could, but I have to balance work at the church and Eastern Trading Company. Plus, I need to support the Saint at the Academy… so I’m just sticking around here.”
It seems Laila is still taking care of Sowol.
I turned my gaze to Sowol, who was wearing a smile but looked like she was trying to suppress her laughter.
I wondered what she found so amusing.
But her eyes didn’t match her smile.
“By the way, what brings you two to the Magic District?”
In a way, Sowol, being the most un-magical person here, made me curious.
What would the church’s Saint, perfectly trained in the Moonlight Sword, be doing in the Magic District?
As I pondered, she spoke directly to me with a cheerful smile.
“Well… I just wanted to check a few things!”
“A few things?”
“Yeah! And by the way, Lena?”
“Eeek!”
“Aren’t you getting too close to Master? You might be making him uncomfortable!”
Lena, who was practically glued to my side, seemed to panic and pressed closer to me.
Just as Sowol was about to say something else, Laila cut her off with a smile.
“Alright now, let’s move along, shall we?”
“Hey! Let go of me!”
She has quite the feisty side.
I approached Laila, who was holding Sowol back while she squirmed.
Even though I drew closer, Sowol, her cheeks puffed out, shot me a quick glance.
Pffft!
“Ah! Seriously!”
As I pressed on her puffed cheeks with my finger, the sound of air escaping echoed.
Sowol, her face flushed, let out a shout.
Some things never change, huh?
It’s cute, so I ruffled her hair playfully.
“Saint, have you finished your homework?”
“I-I have!!”
“Good to see you’re diligent.”
“I-I am! C-cough! Diligence is a virtue that a Saint must have!”
“Then prepare for tomorrow’s class. I’ll help you review later.”
“Really?!”
“Of course.”
“Alright! Then I’ll trust you and wait! Hehehehe!”
Sowol’s mood brightened instantly as she grabbed Laila’s arm and moved off.
As I waved goodbye to Laila while she was dragged away, Lena spoke in a small voice behind me.
“I-I finished my h-homework too…”
“Oh really? Good job. That’s my student.”
“Hehehe~.”
Seeing her smile made me feel good too.
So, shall we explore a bit more?
It was impossible to cover the vast Magic District in a single day.
Having bought a few things, Lena and I headed to a café that was quite famous in the Magic District.
“U-um… Is it okay if I go in there?”
The open-style café was bustling with people.
Even though it was a café within the Magic District, it was so popular that even non-mages were around.
Especially for Lena, who didn’t like lively crowds, the noise inside was quite overwhelming.
“I heard this place is good.”
“Who said that?”
“Arisha did.”
Arisha, being naturally bubbly and a wanderer, really knew about good places.
When I asked her where to take Lena, she recommended this place.
“I-is that so? Then…”
Maybe feeling brave, Lena tightened her grip on my arm.
Good for her for having some guts.
As we entered the café, all excited yet nervous together, suddenly—
“Hm… No open seats.”
The place was so packed that there weren’t any empty tables.
I thought we might have to just grab some coffee and leave when I heard someone call out.
“Wow! Master!!”
“Hello, Instructor.”
In a cozy spot in the café sat a blonde beauty and a red-haired girl. Arisha and Ripa.
They looked lovely in their casual clothes, enjoying their day off.
“I can’t believe you actually came here! I’m delighted!”
“I didn’t expect to run into you here.”
“Oh! Arisha said she wanted to study here today…”
“Sometimes you have to do some studying at a café! And I had shopping to do too!”
“Are you part of the café studying crew? You’re not bothering the shop, are you?”
“Huh! I did order quite a bit?!”
Arisha cheerfully looked toward the café owner, who gave a thumbs-up, implying they had really ordered a lot.
“Is that so? Ah, is it okay if we sit here with you?”
“Of course!”
Arisha quickly cleared a spot next to her.
What had they bought during their shopping?
Peeking into their paper bags, I noticed potions and catalysts inside.
“Looks like Sowol was here to buy potions and catalysts too. Preparing for the next class?”
“Yeah! It’s for the basic magic defense class.”
“The class that seems boring to the high-ranking Master.”
“A-no, it’s actually a class to reaffirm the direction of magic. I-I’m looking forward to it!”
“By the way, wasn’t Arisha supposed to go to the library today…?”
“Ahaha~. Schedule change!”
“I see…”
Nodding her head with a hint of disappointment, the server approached just then.
As I pondered what to order, Lena leaned closer to me.
“M-Master. I want to try this.”
Lena pointed to a fluffy pancake that looked beautifully decorated, something girls would love.
I had no idea Lena liked things like this. I’ll have to remember to buy her something like this next time.
“Oh. That’s a couple’s menu. So, we’ll just need this and… two cups of coffee?”
“Hehe. Yes!”
“C-couple menu…”
Just then, I heard Arisha’s small voice beside me and turned my head to see her expression had turned serious.
“Arisha?”
“Yeah? What’s up?”
Did I see it wrong?
Her pretty face was still adorned with her signature smile.
Hmm. Maybe I did misread her expression.
That bright Arisha couldn’t possibly look that enviously sticky.
“Order something else if you want, I’ll cover it.”
“Wow! Really?! Thank you, Master!”
“Thank you!”
As Arisha and Ripa happily looked through the menu, our order arrived.
Hmm. It definitely looked delicious.
As I took a sip of the bitter coffee and reached for the pancake, Lena, giving it a piece while hesitating, offered me a forkful of pancake topped with whipped cream.
“M-Master.”
“Yeah?”
“Aah~.”
She was excited.
Is she feeling good being outside?
As I smiled and opened my mouth, I felt another stare directed at me.
Again. Arisha’s face had lost its smile.
Gulp!
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