Chapter 84

"Mr. Roubert also seems to be tired, doesn't he...?"

"Yeah. The newspaper reported the incident early, and the residents are angry that a politician committed arson, so the city hall must be in a mess."

I shouldn't have leaked it to the newspaper...

"Zig, that Therese is from the same school, right?"

Leonor asks.

"Yeah. She's a senior by four years."

"She seems quite timid and nervous."

"That's the best way to describe her. I haven't really talked to her much. How about Adelheid?"

Adelheid, who used to be a receptionist, seems more talkative.

"Of course, I've talked to her, but not that much. She usually walks in the corners of the hallways, and sometimes she even runs away when I greet her from behind."

She's like a small animal.

"That's... impressive. She's even more timid than Adelheid."

But they're timid in different ways.

"Don't call her timid. Anyway, despite being like that, she's a top-notch alchemist. She's always been in the top two or three in the headquarters."

Adelheid looks at me and corrects herself.

"Really...?"

"She graduated top of her class from the magic school."

I remember she was very confident when she offered to help me study for the entrance exam.

But she lost her confidence after a few minutes.

"It's amazing that you were assigned to work with her."

Leonor laughs.

"I didn't assign her. But, she's quite a difficult person to talk to..."

I end up looking like the bad guy.

As we talk, Therese, who has finished inspecting the burned branch, returns.

"How was it?"

"It seems a very powerful fire opal was used."

"Right. So, we can rebuild, right?"

"Y-Yeah... but the chief said to... and also, fireproof walls, right?"

It seems the chief is giving clear instructions.

"Right. We're planning the layout."

"You're planning it yourselves?"

"It's better to create a comfortable working environment."

We are the ones who will be working here.

"Well... is that okay?"

"The chief said it's fine."

"Then, it's fine..."

Therese seems to agree.

"Alright, come with me. It's not good to talk outside."

"Oh, by the way, where do you work, Zig and the others?"

"Technically, we work from home. There's an apartment called a dormitory behind this branch, and we live there."

"That's... good that it didn't catch fire."

Indeed...

Considering the time, it would have been bad if Erica hadn't noticed.

"Yeah. So, we work in Erica's room. Well, we're studying for exams."

"Erica, ma'am?"

Therese tilts her head, looking at Erica and Leonor.

"Oh, I'm Erica. Erica Rintner."

"I'm Leonor. Leonor von Rechert."

When the two introduce themselves, Therese's eyes widen.

"H-Hi! I'm Therese Trenmel!"

The "ma'am" part...

Do you think you're a soldier?

"...I can't keep up with her emotional instability."

"...She seems to be afraid of nobles. That's why she acts like this with me too."

I see...

"Therese, don't be afraid of nobles."

"B-But, if I defy them, I'll be killed..."

What kind of noble view is that...

"That's a terrible prejudice."

"Even though you're a 4th-class national alchemist and a disciple of the chief... you should take a page from Zig's book."

Adelheid hesitates a bit.

"N-No... I can't act like Zig and mock nobles..."

Therese fidgets with her hands.

"Actually, they are fools. They act superior but lack the ability. Moreover, that incompetent 5th-class alchemist has been holding us back."

Of course, I'm talking about August.

"That hurts..."

"Probably about August. It really stung..."

Why are you guys so down?

"You guys don't act superior or hold us back."

Leonor takes off her hat and puts it on Adelheid.

"Good to be a disciple."

"From now on, I'll proudly call myself a disciple."

That's the spirit.

"Let's go."

We leave the scene and head to the back of the branch.

When we enter Erica's room, we sit at the table.

"Therese, do you want tea or coffee?"

Erica asks with a 100% genuine smile.

"Coffee, please..."

"Got it."

Erica prepares the coffee as usual.

"I'm back."

As we wait, Dorothea enters through the window.

It seems she just returned from a walk in the sky.

"Oh, Dorothea, I came to pick you up."

"Thanks. You ignored me when I was flying in the sky, Therese."

Hey, you should have called out to her.

You talk so much.

"I'm sorry..."

There you go.

She's down.

"Dorothea, people don't have eyes on the top of their heads."

"People are full of blind spots. Be careful, Zig. Life is full of unexpected events."

I know.

I know better than anyone, having been stabbed and reborn.

"Dorothea, you should be careful too. It's the doldrums, and you never know when Chris will terminate the contract."

"Chris loves me! Birds are free creatures!"

Cats are too, right?

"Indeed."

Helen nods and rubs against my hand.

"Oh, no! If only Chris were here, I wouldn't have to put up with this stupid cat and social misfit!"

I'm not putting on a smug face.

I'm just disappointed.

"Don't fight. Dorothea, you must be tired from your walk in the sky. Here, have some honey."

Erica brings a glass of honey with a straw.

"Yay. Erica is so kind. But, Erica, your kindness will be taken advantage of. Sometimes, it's better to be angry."

"Why are you looking at me while saying that?"

I'm not being taken advantage of.

But, I do somewhat agree with what Dorothea is saying.

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