“Anyway, thank you. You really saved us. I thought you were impressive back then, but taking down a bear that huge is truly amazing.”
Once again, Andy-senpai expresses his gratitude.
“Hello. I heard that bears live deep in the forest, so why is one here?”
It hasn’t been that long, so we must still be near the entrance.
“Yeah, about that, we’re not sure either. We came to gather medicinal herbs, but as you say, there shouldn’t be any bears this close to the entrance. Also, we have something to ward off monsters.”
“Monster wards?”
“Yeah, kind of like charms. Without them, wizards like us wouldn’t be able to enter the forest.”
“Hmm…”
“Do you have one?”
I check with Frank and Cedric.
“Nope.”
“Obviously not when we came here to hunt.”
That’s true.
In fact, wolves attacked us as well.
“Did it break?”
“Maybe? Should we have a teacher take a look?”
Is there really a teacher who specializes in such things?
“If it’s not effective, it’s dangerous. We should head back today. We’re returning as well, so we’ll escort you back to the lake.”
“Much appreciated, but is that alright?”
“Yeah, sure?”
I confirm with Frank and Cedric.
“Of course. Besides, if we manage to hunt a bear, you’d be satisfied, right?”
“Considering the time it would take to get to the industrial district, it’s probably better to head back.”
It seems there’s no issue with them either.
“Since that’s the case, let’s head back.”
“Thank you.”
“Big help.”
We decide to return and retrace our steps.
“So, which town are you from, seniors?”
I ask, as it comes to mind.
“Our group? America.”
“We’ve known each other since we were kids.”
“Hmm…”
That sounds nice.
Are they… dating?
No, maybe that’s something I shouldn’t ask.
“You mentioned gathering medicinal herbs— is that something you study? I myself didn’t take the herbology course, though.”
“Herbology isn’t directly related. I’m an alchemist.”
Joan-senpai answers.
“Alchemy? I’ve heard it’s quite profitable.”
Same as Sharl, huh.
“True, it can be profitable. But my goal isn’t just that. Many people in research have some kind of objective, not just myself.”
“Objective…”
“What is it?”
“That’s a secret. I absolutely can’t say. In fact, most people don’t. Alchemy is something that one usually does alone; it’s a bit of a secretive profession.”
That sounds suspicious.
“I know someone who says his hobby is to lock himself in his room and grin while staring at potions.”
“Yeah, that’s pretty common. For some reason, alchemy doesn’t have a great reputation. I think it’s wonderful, though…”
“Difficult and not at all wonderful. I once thought about selling potions and living the high life, but it didn’t seem like it would work out, so I gave up.”
Not happening.
“You’d be like that.”
“You don’t even know the elemental symbols, do you?”
Frank and Cedric look unimpressed.
“Of course not! I even failed entrance exams for basic high schools.”
Isn’t H supposed to represent water?
“There are people suited and unsuited for this kind of work. Anyway, we came here to gather herbs used for potion-making, and we asked Andy-senpai to guard us, but a grizzly bear was beyond us.”
“True. We’re glad you were there.”
Joan-senpai and Andy-senpai nod in agreement.
“I’m not familiar with it, but can’t you buy medicinal herbs?”
“You can buy them, but it’s better to gather them yourself. The ones for sale are often old, and the people picking them are usually inexperienced. There’s knowledge involved in herb collection, which you’d study in herbology.”
Making money from herb collection seems tough. Monster hunting might be better.
As we chat and walk, we exit the forest and arrive in front of the magic circle.
“Excuse me, could we speak for a moment?”
Andy-senpai calls out to the guard.
“What is it?”
“Actually, we encountered a bear-monster less than a kilometer from here.”
“One kilometer… that’s pretty close. Were anyone of you injured?”
“No, but the junior we’re with took care of it for us.”
Andy-senpai gestures towards me.
“I see. I’ll report this and investigate. Anyway, I’m glad everyone is fine.”
“Yes, please take care of it… Tsukasa, thank you so much today. We’ll head back.”
“Thanks for the help. See you at school!”
The two of them wave goodbye.
“Yes, goodbye.”
“Thanks for your work.”
“Andy-senpai will see you at the dorm again.”
We bid them farewell, and the two disappear through the magic circle.
“You guys seem to get along well with them?”
“We’re not that close, but since Andy-senpai is in the dorm, we bump into each other there.”
“That person is also a full boarding student, so we often meet in places like the cafeteria.”
I see.
I don’t know the time difference between America and Astral, but it must be significant; maybe they live there.
“Well, let’s head back…”
“Yeah…”
“We need to go to the industrial district eventually…”
Even though it isn’t fully evening yet, the sun is starting to dip, and the lake looks beautiful. And there, by that beautiful lake, we see the backs of four familiar girls.
“They’re here too, huh…”
Toko came all the way here just like yesterday.
Why does everything overlap like this?
“Toko’s here, huh? This is the first time I’ve seen her outside of town.”
Indeed.
“Should we say hello?”
Hmm… I don’t want to see Toko again.
If I get too close to her, the chances of her recognizing me increase.
Also, Yuika would probably start grinning.
“Let’s not bother them and just go back.”
“Yeah, good idea. Okay, Tsukasa, visualize getting on the magic circle and wish to go to the industrial district.”
“Alright.”
As I agree, I guide Frank forward.
“Alright, alright. I’m going first, so hurry up.”
Frank heads first, and Cedric and I exchange a glance. Wordlessly, Cedric extends his hand toward the circle, and I follow, wishing to go to the industrial district.
—
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