Chapter 6

The traveling merchant approached, bowing deeply.

"Thank you so much! I thought it was the end of the line!"

"Don't worry about it. We're all in this together when we're in trouble."

She smiled with a compassion befitting a saint.

(You've become so reliable. It feels like a lie that you were once at the academy...)

I'm genuinely happy to see my junior's growth.

The job of a Saint is the highest rarity, excelling in holy attribute magic and healing magic. The requirement to obtain it includes the ability to reassure others? — It seems even vague qualities like saintliness were required.

This was the part Aria struggled with the most, being extremely shy.

She can be incredibly affectionate with close friends but tenses up with strangers. The fact that she can face a middle-aged traveling merchant with confidence shows significant growth.

"That was an extraordinary high-level magic. Didn't you push it a bit too far?"

"It's fine. I had all the mana burden taken by my senior."

"No way, that's a tough joke. Transferring mana for such a large-scale spell is impossible, right?"

"With my senior, that's just a piece of cake!"

Aria boasts as if it were her own achievement.

"Really? Casting a spell through mana transfer, even for a low-level spell, is the limit, right?"

"Hmm. If it were to cover the entire magic squad, I might be limited to low-level spells. There's a limit to understanding complex spells simultaneously."

"Whaaat!? Covering the entire magic squad — this guy is telling a joke with a dead serious face?"

The traveling merchant's eyes widen in surprise.

What is he so surprised about?

"The magnificent magic just now. Are you, by any chance, a famous mage?"

"I apologize for not introducing myself earlier. My name is Aria, and I am a Saint."

Aria bowed gracefully, with movements as beautiful as any noble.

"You're a Saint? Why are you in such a place?"

"I'm also a member of the Hero Party."

"So, this person is the Hero!?"

"No, that's not it. I'm just a Mana Porter —"

(Why is Aria nodding as if it's the most natural thing in the world!?)

There's no way I could be a Hero.

"No, no, no need for modesty. A Saint and a Hero — what a perfect match! I've witnessed a miracle today!"

"But —"

"We make a good pair! Hehehe"

Aria makes a fist pump, blushing for some reason.

(You need to deny it properly!?)

"You saved my life and showed me such a miracle. I have little to offer, but here's a token of my gratitude —"

"Huh? I can't accept that much! It was just a coincidence that I passed by."

The traveling merchant tries to hand over gold coins, but I hastily refuse.

"Well, at least let me pay for a mana recovery potion."

"I've never even used a mana potion. Really, your gratitude is enough —"

"Senior — the Hero has infinite mana. I'm a pretty mediocre Saint, so I always rely on his help."

"Wow... So the Hero has incredible power..."

(If Aria is a mediocre Saint, then all the Saints in the world must be useless! )

(Ah, the traveling merchant completely believes I'm the Hero... Being looked at with such admiration only makes me feel guilty! )

"No, I'm not a Hero —"

"No need for modesty. The infinite mana a Saint mentioned — that's an amazing ability! I've heard that Heroes have unique skills, but yours is the best among them."

"Um..."

This is not good.

The conversation is proceeding under the assumption that we are a Hero Party.

"I'm heading back to the village of Axis. I would like to thank you there."

"Senior, what should we do?"

"Since we don't have a specific destination, let's accept his offer."

(I need to clear up this misunderstanding on the way!)

We ended up heading to the nearby village, pushed by the traveling merchant's enthusiasm.

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