Chapter 67

On the evening of August 10th.

After finishing shopping for uniforms and stationery in the old town and returning home, Ridi suggested we celebrate my acceptance.

"Want to go out for a meal somewhere?"

Gai also nodded, indicating that we should celebrate my acceptance.

"Since you both got in as top and second, I'll splurge a bit."

It seemed she had been thinking about this from the start and had already decided on a restaurant.

"So, put on your best clothes."

When Ridi said this, I changed into my best clothes, but apart from the uniform I bought today, I didn't have much else. Since I hadn't officially enrolled yet, I couldn't wear the uniform. I chose the most decent leather pants, long boots, and a white linen shirt from my usual clothes. Even after changing, I didn't look much different from usual.

Sharon changed into a simple white dress and laced leather sandals and came downstairs. As I watched her, thinking that a beautiful girl looks good in anything, which is a bit of an old man's thought, she looked stunning.

Ridi, on the other hand, was wearing a similar white linen dress to Sharon, but she was a genuine beauty, and her abundant blonde hair went well with the clean white.

(If she wore a wide-brimmed hat, she would look like a lady, but holding a rugged short sword doesn't quite fit...)

Gai, as usual, was dressed in his adventurer style with leather top and bottom and a longsword hanging from his belt.

Following Ridi's lead, we headed towards the bustling new town, the south side of the city where the commercial guild is located. It was still a bit humid due to the summer night, but it wasn't as stifling as in Japan, making it quite comfortable. The people walking around seemed to be heading to a pub after work, looking quite cheerful.

Ridi, however, paid no attention to the scenery and marched straight into a grand stone inn where wealthy merchants stay. We followed her without falling behind, but she didn't look back. At the door of a sophisticated restaurant on the first floor, she caught a waiter and said, "I'm Ridian Dupre, I have a reservation."

The waiter led us to a table, where we saw not only well-dressed merchants but also a few nobles who seemed to be accompanying their children for exams. Sharon was visibly tense in this atmosphere.

I tried to reassure her, "You don't need to be so nervous," but she just shook her head, unable to speak. Indeed, our clothes didn't quite fit the atmosphere.

(There's no dress code, but I wish we had gone somewhere more casual.)

We were led to a four-person table, where an elaborate magical light fixture illuminated the white tablecloth, and a single flower was placed in a small vase. As soon as we sat down, drinks were served. It seemed everything was prepared, and today's celebration was entirely Ridi's production.

White wine glasses, rare in this world, were placed in front of me and Sharon. Ridi raised her glass and said, "Zack, Sharon. Congratulations on your acceptance," and the meal began.

The restaurant had a high-end feel, serving dishes in a style similar to a French course meal. The pâté, made from bird meat and organs, was seasoned with plenty of spices, making it delicious and free of any off-flavors. The main course, a fish, was cooked to perfection with a delicate touch, and the aroma of butter and herbs was exquisite.

I asked Ridi, "Isn't this quite expensive?" She laughed and replied, "It's not cheap, but it's worth it."

We enjoyed the meal while discussing the future. I was particularly concerned about when Gai, who had seen us through the acceptance process, would leave.

When I asked him when he planned to return, he said, "The procedures are done, so I'll leave the day after tomorrow."

I suggested, "Won't you stay for the enrollment ceremony? I think it's only about twenty days away, and it shouldn't be a problem," but he shook his head.

"It's been about a month and a half since we left. I've left the forest around the village to Hector, a squire, so I want to return as soon as possible."

Gai's main job as a squire was to patrol the area around Rasmoar Village. Normally, he and Hector, a hunter, would take turns searching for signs of monsters, but in his absence, the burden fell on Hector.

"True, Hector will be burdened, but Einos and Will are there. I think it will be fine for another twenty days. Besides, your father didn't tell you to hurry back, did he?"

"He told me not to worry about the village, but I still have concerns. I think Hector is burdened..."

Gai was firm and decided to leave on August 12th.

(If he leaves so soon, Sharon, who is about to live alone for the first time, might get homesick. But since he won't be gone forever, it might not make much difference...)

I was worried about Sharon, who was leaving her parents at the age of ten for the first time.

"Are you okay, Sharon? Gai can stay a bit longer if you want."

She smiled and said, "I'm fine. I'm more worried about the village."

I felt a bit uneasy but quickly reassured myself.

(Children in this world become independent early. Many start working at ten, so there's no need to worry too much.)

By the time the dessert, a baked pastry, arrived, I was starting to feel a bit tipsy.

(I haven't had alcohol in a while, or maybe it's the first time in this body, but two glasses made me drunk. Still, it's a strange feeling to gradually become an adult. Not just in size, but in habits and drinking...)

Suddenly, I remembered something from the earlier procedures.

"By the way, I didn't hear about the top student giving a speech at the enrollment ceremony. You kept it a secret, didn't you?"

When I jokingly glared at her, Ridi's eyes darted around.

"W-well, I forgot about it... I think I did something similar, but..."

"What did you say? I'd like to hear for reference."

When I asked with a grin, she looked down.

"I started disliking public appearances then. So..."

It seemed Ridi's social anxiety began with her speech as the top student at the enrollment ceremony.

I immediately apologized, "Sorry, I didn't realize," and Ridi started laughing.

"Hehe... You fell for it. It's not a lie, but I don't worry about it anymore. It's an old story. Besides, now I have you guys..."

It seemed I had been fooled by a tipsy Ridi. When I tried to say something, she said, "As an apology for tricking you, I'll tell you something good."

When I tilted my head, asking, "Something good?"

"The speeches of past top students are kept. They should be in the faculty office."

While not past exam questions, having previous examples would make it easier to write a speech.

(My experience of writing speeches for my boss when I was a new employee will come in handy. Mixing old examples with standard phrases should do the trick. This will save me some trouble.)

After the meal, we left the restaurant. On the way back, Gai, unusually, spoke to Ridi.

"Still, it's impressive that you knew about such a place. It seemed like you've used it many times."

Ridi chuckled and patted Gai's back.

"Not really. I went there for the first time too. I just heard about it before. It's quite expensive and grand."

I interjected, "Wasn't taste a selection criterion?"

"No, I'm not as picky about taste as you. That's why I said I'd splurge."

It seemed Ridi chose the place because it was famous. The food and atmosphere were good, so I had no complaints, but today's Ridi seemed a bit off. She seemed more excited than usual, almost detached.

When I mentioned this to her at home,

"It's because I'm happy, of course. I thought you'd get in as the top student, but even so, it's still exciting to see the results. So, you should praise Sharon more."

"Of course, I'm happy too, but..."

"Besides, this means you'll live together. Sharon got in within the top five, so she's exempt from tuition."

(I see. If we had rented a house and Sharon hadn't gotten in within the top five, she might have been taken back to the village. In that case, I would have entered the dorm to discipline myself. He was worried about that.)

The next day, we went to the old town to buy gifts for Rasmoar Village. The gifts were practical books that could be used in the village. In this academic city of Doctus, many old books are sold. Among them, books on agriculture, civil engineering, and animal and plant encyclopedias were necessary for the village but quite expensive, so we decided to buy them here.

Of course, Gai would buy the real gifts in the adventurer's town of Periclitus.

On August 12th, Gai left at sunrise. I had finished writing letters to our fathers the night before and handed them to him.

"Even though it's safer for you to go alone, be careful on the way. Please convey my regards to our fathers."

I shook Gai's hand to see him off. Sharon, looking a bit down, was clearly feeling sad.

Gai said, "Don't cause any trouble for Zack," and then, in a small voice, "Enjoy it while you can," as he hugged her. Tears welled up in Sharon's eyes.

"Take care, Father. I'll work hard..."

Gai bowed to me again, then nimbly mounted his horse and rode east along the road. We watched until he was out of sight, then slowly returned home.

Our life as a trio was about to begin.

(For me, this is the first time I'm stepping out from under the protection of my grandfather and father. Until now, one of the squires would always help me. Ridi is here, but I want to protect her, not the other way around. So, from today, I'm on my own. I want to be a man who can protect his family, like my father and grandfather...)

Just as I was getting motivated, Ridi suddenly hugged me.

"From today, we'll live together as three. Five years will fly by, so let's enjoy it."

Her smile somehow deflated my motivation.

(Just as I was getting motivated... Well, enjoying it is also important... No, I came here to gain strength. I can't let myself be swayed...)

"Enjoying it is good, but we need to get stronger. We can't fall behind Mel and Dan, who are still in the village."

Sharon nodded at my words, but Ridi pouted, saying, "You're so serious," before quickly adding, "You're right. We don't want to regret it later..."

Before she could change her mind, I said, "So, let's head to the forest now," and started putting on my gear.