Chapter 87

In the morning, Erika went to her room, had breakfast, and then returned to her room to make the final preparations. Then, waiting in front of the apartment, which was the meeting place, she saw Wolfgang arrive.

"Hey, you're already leaving?"

"Yeah, I'm leaving early to guide you to the examination venue."

After that, we'll study at the hotel.

I'm going to the headquarters, though.

"Is it true that you're dating Adele?"

Adele?

"I'm not dating her, why do you ask?"

"Well, there's a bit of a rumor at headquarters. They say Adele requested a transfer to chase after her boyfriend."

I guess it could look that way.

She did leave the beautiful capital and transfer to a remote town.

"That's not the case. I headhunted her."

"Why her specifically? Your fellow students would have been fine, right?"

She was the only one who could be approached.

"Those elites wouldn't come."

"Still... why Adele?"

"It's not a big deal. We were classmates. It's not strange at all."

We didn't have any close relationship, though.

"Hmm..."

"You could come too. Submit a transfer request to the Riet branch. There are only four alchemists there."

I don't know what level Wolfgang is, though.

"No way. I like the capital, and I don't want to be bossed around by you."

"Then, hurry up and build our branch."

Get to work.

"Alright."

Wolfgang went back outside.

"You were talking about Adele, weren't you?"

"Adele is beautiful..."

Eh... that way?

Is that how it is?

As if on cue, Adele and Leonora opened the door and came out of the room.

"Oh? You're early."

"Wolfgang? What were you talking about?"

Leonora asked, seeing Wolfgang's back.

"About how beautiful Adele is."

"Are you hitting on her?"

Adele looked at Leonora without changing her expression.

"Does it look like it?"

"Not at all."

"Well, your expression is completely emotionless."

That's Wolfgang for you; he doesn't show any emotion.

"Whatever. More importantly, did you forget anything? Don't forget your admission ticket."

Obviously, you can't take the exam without it.

It's not a distance you can go back to, so you can't forget it.

"I won't forget."

"I've checked it multiple times. I have it."

I guess it's fine.

"Sorry to keep you waiting."

Finally, Erika arrived.

"Erika, did you forget anything?"

"I'm fine! I have my admission ticket and writing materials!"

She seems reliable.

"Leonora, are you okay?"

"You can tell how I feel about you. I'm fine."

Really?

Well, I'll believe you.

"Let's go, then."

"Okay!"

"I love airships."

"I don't like them."

We left the branch and headed to the airport. After buying tickets, we boarded the airship bound for the capital and waited for departure. Leonora sat next to me, looking out the window. Adele was in front, and Erika was next to her. Helen was on my lap.

"Erika, you said this is your first time in the capital, but you've ridden an airship before, right?"

"Of course. I rode one when I was a child, and last year, I went on a business trip or training to various places."

Come to think of it, Leonora also went on a training trip.

"I've never been on a training trip."

"Neither have I."

Adele...

"Hey, Adele. Wolfgang seems pretty relaxed, but you weren't in the same class, right?"

"Yes. We were in adjacent classes. He's the type of person who talks to everyone, and he approached me a lot at headquarters."

I think there's a different reason for that.

"I see... Then, it might have been fine to say I didn't know him."

"No, since we're in the same year and school, it's better to know. He approached you as if he knew you."

He's overconfident.

"I'm glad you're here. I thought he was someone I worked with."

"I was nervous. Then he looked at me with a pleading look..."

A good disciple and a reliable friend.

"The last time I rode this airship, I was desperately trying to remember the faces and names of my classmates."

Because I had forgotten Adele.

"You didn't remember Wolfgang?"

"That's right. Hey, are there any other classmates from your year?"

"There are two other girls at headquarters."

Girls.

Well, there are a lot of female alchemists.

"Are they in the same class?"

"No, they're in different classes. I'm the only one from the same class at headquarters."

A bit of a sting.

"Can you tell me their names?"

"Elvira from the chemical production team and Marta from the magic stone production team. Both are in the development department."

I don't know them...

"If I invited them, do you think they would come to the Riet branch?"

"No, they wouldn't."

She was decisive.

"Is there a reason?"

"I can't say much, but when I went to the Riet branch, they threw a farewell party for me. From what I heard, they definitely wouldn't come."

It sounds like it's because of me...

She's being very careful with her words.

"It doesn't seem like we'll get any more. Wolfgang doesn't want to come either."

If you like Adele, come.

"I have to say, it's quite unusual for someone to want to go to the Riet branch after being assigned to headquarters. They must have a lot of complaints or be a bit strange."

"Strange?"

Pointing at Adele.

"A lot of complaints."

Well, that's true.

'Our airship will be departing shortly. If you are on the wrong airship, please inform the staff.'

As we were talking, it was time to depart. Soon, the airship started moving and lifted off.

"Wow, it's high up."

"Isn't it?"

Leonora and Erika, who were by the window, were looking outside happily.

"You don't like airships, right?"

I asked Adele, who didn't look out the window at all.

"I'm afraid."

I see...

I thought that might be the case.

"You're really a coward..."

"I think a man who quietly holds my hand or puts his arm around me here would be wonderful."

What are you saying, sitting right in front of me?

How do you do that?

I grabbed Helen from my lap and placed her on Adele's lap. Adele started petting Helen.

"Such a sense of security."

"Helen calms my mind."

"Hmm... during the exam... no good."

No, it's not allowed.

Even a familiar can't enter the examination room during the exam.

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