“Does it feel like protection?”
Since Yuki was gone, I decided to ask Ronald.
“I’ve been told by my parents to keep an eye on her, but it’s not to the extent of protection. She’s my cousin, so we get along normally.”
“What about your family?”
“Hmm? If I say normal, would that be alright? Well, it’s not as bad as her family’s situation. I’m sure we’re providing some support too. After all, family and relatives are meant to help each other in times like these.”
I can’t say I don’t understand.
Well, I’m on the side that was helped through backdoor entry.
“Ronald, are you entering the Magic Tournament?”
Frank suddenly asks Ronald.
“Of course. If we end up fighting, count on me.”
He’s entering…
Is he from a martial family?
“Alright… Tsukasa, Cedric, let’s go sell the crocodile.”
It’s not even noon, but it seems they’re heading back.
“Yeah, sure.”
“Alright. Well then, Ronald, see you back at the dorm.”
As Cedric waves, Ronald waves back.
Then, we retrace our steps.
“Tsukasa, what did you think of Ronald and Yuki?”
As we walk, Frank asks me.
“Seemed like the kind of guy who’d be popular… and open your eyes already.”
One or the other, anyone would know.
“No, I mean, did you think they were strong?”
“Ronald seems like someone who gets things done. But Yuki… I just can’t tell. Honestly, no clue.”
It’s clear that Ronald is trained in some kind of martial art.
But as for Yuki, I had no idea.
She had a sword, but her movements weren’t those of someone with training.
Still, she goes into the forest alone and can hunt lizards.
“I couldn’t tell either. Something feels off about her.”
That was true. Her aura, appearance, and movements were just too different.
“Maybe it’s because she keeps her eyes closed?”
“Could be…”
Frank seems to be deep in thought.
“What’s up?”
Cedric, also curious, asks.
“You remember how they checked out the crocodile? I think they were testing Tsukasa’s strength.”
“Yeah, I kind of got that vibe.”
“I figure both of them will probably enter the Magic Tournament.”
That’s why he asked Ronald.
“Think you’ll lose?”
“No clue. Both of them were inscrutable.”
They really were.
“Should I ask my dad about the Shirakawa family? Akaba seemed to know them, so he might know something.”
Since we’re both into the more obscure stuff.
“Appreciate it. Japanese wizards have always been a bit different, so they’re really hard to figure out.”
“I’m easy to understand, right?”
Pure enhancement magic.
“Easily understandable, but also the hardest to gauge.”
“Hearing that I beat a crocodile barehanded, Ronald and Yuki both looked somewhat shocked.”
Rude.
“Should I use a weapon?”
“Are you really that eager for a trident?”
“I’m not really knowledgeable about martial arts, but wouldn’t I become weaker using one?”
That’s a solid judgment — you’d be overloading yourself.
“I might just buy a staff. Mostly for the looks.”
“Stop being an idiot, let’s sell this crocodile and grab a meal.”
“Yeah, let’s do that. Caught some big game, I’m curious how much it’ll fetch.”
Yuki did mention it’d sell well.
“Alright, I’ll treat you once it sells.”
“Very generous.”
“It’s always good to have supportive friends.”
After finishing our morning hunt, we decided to head back to town. Making our way to the industrial district, we approached Klaus’s place.
“Hey Klaus, you in?”
Frank knocked loudly and called out.
“Yeah, I’m here. Can’t get away right now, so come in.”
With Klaus’s approval from inside, we opened the door and entered the workshop. Klaus was staring intently at a computer screen with a serious expression.
“Haven’t seen you doing blacksmith work before.”
A computer…
“Shut up. These days artisans need knowledge and thinking skills. Don’t get stuck in your little bubble. Ignorance gets exploited.”
That’s right, he used to be a teacher.
“I’m fine.”
“You’re the one I’m most worried about…”
“Rude. My parents are still around.”
“Thinking long-term here, idiot. You gonna leech off them forever?”
Tough words for a former NEET.
“I’ve got a dependable older cousin.”
Erik!
“Man, you seriously rely on others. You’re gonna need a smart wife. Best solution, and fastest.”
“Anyway, need a favor? What’s the issue?”
Klaus stops his computer work and looks up.
“Busy?”
“Nah, not that much.”
“Alright, can you help with something? We hunted a crocodile.”
“Figured that’d be why you’re here, but a crocodile…”
Klaus looks incredulous.
“We got tired of the lake, so we went to the river.”
“Figures… Alright, show me.”
As Klaus speaks, Cedric brings out the crocodile.
“Holy crap! You actually took down something this big…”
Klaus, amazed, scrutinizes the crocodile closely.
“Isn’t it amazing? One-hit KO.”
“Seriously?”
Klaus looks at Frank and Cedric.
“This guy’s the real deal. Not human moves.”
“And, he beat it barehanded.”
At that, Klaus gives me an exasperated look.
“What are you even doing at school? You could make a living doing THAT.”
Said again?!
“I’m here to study, obviously.”
“Ah, sure… but still, a crocodile…”
Klaus looks the crocodile over again.
“Isn’t it gonna sell?”
“Nah, it’ll sell, but it’ll take much longer than the bear did.”
“By how much?”
“Maybe a month or so.”
That’s a long wait…
“Seriously gonna take that long?”
“The meat’ll sell fast, as a rare delicacy. The delay’s with the skin and such. Need specialists to appraise it, and then find buyers.”
Hmm, a month is… alright.
“By the way, how much?”
“Sorry, but that’s so out of my expertise I can’t guess.”
“Cheaper than the bear from last time?”
“That’s not happening. In fact, the bear last time was too cheap.”
It was 120k…
Yeah, it was rotten, so understandable.
But since it was something Joan prepared, I feel lucky.
“Anyway, keep us posted.”
“Got it… By the way, you guys going to the river means the Henselt girl went too, right?”
He means Ilmera.
“Nah, Ilmera and the others were in the mountains hunting birds.”
“That’s easier… Oh, and she’ll come this evening. I’ll let her know too.”
“Thanks.”
“Sure thing. I’ll let you know once we figure the price.”
Alright, looks like it’ll sell.
Thank you for reading.
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