Chapter 83

After talking on the phone with the head office, I spent a few days off studying at Erika's house. With just a week left until the exam, I think we've worked hard enough to pass.

"Can we study this week too?"

As the break ends and we start work again, Erika, who prepared breakfast, asks.

"Yeah, sure. But I'll be going to the capital this weekend, so don't forget to prepare."

I don't need much preparation, but the women will have a lot to do.

After finishing breakfast and taking a short break, we start our study session, which is essentially work.

Well, at this point, it's just a review of what we've learned so far.

"Hey, Dorothea, can you put the branch sign out front?"

If we don't put it out, no customers will come here.

"Ah, that one? Sure. Open the window for me."

Indeed, Dorothea can't open the window, so I opened it for her.

"By the way, you can go out and play too."

"Yay! I'll go feel the wind!"

Dorothea happily flies out the window.

"Is flying in the sky really that enjoyable?"

"Well, I do admire it, but it's scary."

Yeah, if you fall, you die.

"But maybe the desire to fly in the sky is why airships were invented?"

Even in my previous life, there were airplanes. Maybe people think the same way in any world.

"Zig-san."

Huh? Dorothea is back.

"What's up?"

Dorothea perches on the window frame, so I ask.

"There's a customer in front of the branch. It's an unfamiliar uncle and Therese."

Therese?

"Is it that Therese?"

"Yes, it's Therese from our school."

Hmm...

"So she's here..."

"Zig-san, who is Therese?"

Erika asks.

"She's my senior from the same school. A 4th-class alchemist. Let's go see."

"Got it."

We stood up.

"Adel, do you know Therese?"

Leonor asks.

"Yeah, I know her. That person..."

As expected, Adel, the former receptionist, knows Therese.

"What's up?"

"Well, you'll see when you meet her."

We left Erika's room and headed to the front of the branch. There, a man and a woman were looking at the burned branch. The man was Roubert, and the woman was a young, black-haired woman with her eyes downcast.

"Ah, everyone, it's been a long time, hasn't it?"

Roubert greets us.

"Indeed. We were going to talk about the request..."

I haven't seen anyone at the office even when I called.

"That's my bad. We've been swamped with the recent incident. There are constant inquiries from the residents, and I've been explaining things everywhere and working overtime for investigations."

"I'm sorry to hear that. So, you have some time now?"

"No, not really. I brought someone from the Alchemists' Association headquarters today. You might know her."

Roubert glances at the woman next to him. I follow his gaze and make eye contact with the woman, but she quickly looks down and bows her head.

"Hey."

"Ah!"

She flinches just from me calling out to her.

"Master Zig!"

"Zig-san!"

Helen immediately jumps on my face, and Adel grabs my arm.

"Is it my fault?"

I didn't do anything, did I?

"Therese is very sensitive."

I didn't know that...

"Adel, I'll leave it to you."

I shouldn't talk. I haven't talked to her much anyway.

"Um... Therese, it's been a while."

"Ah, yes... It's been a while."

Therese, who is trembling, responds to the greeting.

"So, you're here."

"Yes... I was told that Master Zig requested me..."

What?

"I didn't request you."

"Master Zig!"

Helen sticks to my face again.

"What?"

"Be gentle! Be gentle!"

Troublesome.

"Ah, um, it's fine... Master Zig, it's been a while."

Therese speaks up.

"Yeah. Are you... doing well?"

I can't tell with this one.

"I'm doing well. I'm glad to see you doing well, Master Zig..."

"Look me in the eye when you talk."

Where are you looking?

"Are you the one to say that?"

Adel's voice becomes a bit cold. I stepped on a landmine.

"Sorry... Therese, what's this about being requested?"

I apologize to Adel's glare and ask Therese.

"Well? The head office said, 'Zig said you're the one, so go.'"

Did I say that? And I barely remember her. Therese is the kind of person who doesn't leave a strong impression.

"Master Zig, didn't you say you wanted someone who doesn't talk nonsense and can get the job done? I think that's why they chose Therese."

Ah, I did say that. So, it's Therese...

She doesn't talk nonsense and is probably good at her job, but...

"I don't think it's a good choice."

"I'm sorry..."

Therese looks dejected.

"Master Zig, your words, your words."

"Ah, sorry, Therese. I have a bad temper and speak my mind, so I thought I might hurt you."

Honestly, I don't think we're a good match.

"Ah, it's fine..."

Really?

"Anyway, are you here alone?"

"Yes. I'm supposed to assess the branch's situation and plan the reconstruction. Then, I'll report to the head office and request personnel."

I see.

"What do you think?"

Everyone looks at the burned branch simultaneously.

"Um, yes... It's not just rebuilding, but completely leveling the ground and starting from scratch..."

"It's completely burned out."

"Um... I'll take a look."

Therese enters the burned site.

"Be careful."

"Um, yes..."

Is she okay?

"Roubert, the government is covering half, right?"

Since Therese has started her investigation, I look at Roubert.

"Yes. There's pressure from various sources to say the branch had no fault."

One of those sources is probably the branch manager...

"We need to rebuild quickly."

"I understand. So, what about the request? I need to get back, and I don't know when we can talk again, so I'll ask now."

He must be really busy...

Is he even able to go home?

"The request for the Tuesday stone is still open. Can we extend the deadline?"

"Ah, that one. Sure. The Tuesday stone isn't urgent, and we're too busy to do anything with it even if we receive it. I'll extend it by another month."

"Thanks."

"No problem. I'm glad you're all safe. See you."

Roubert waves and heads back to the office.

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