Chapter 86

"But why is the meeting place here again...?"

This was the first meeting of the seven countries' students convened by the League. The designated venue was "Cheers to Sake." Today, "Cheers to Sake" was supposed to be closed, but when Hikaru asked, the master lent him the key to the shop, even saying, "If you want, you can open for business."

"——Of course, a bar is originally a place where people gather, and no one would expect students to be in such a place, so I thought it would be the most appropriate location."

League, who had been waiting in front of the shop, responded to Hikaru's muttering.

"I was getting anxious because you were taking so long. Although it's not a popular place, there's always a chance we might run into someone."

Looking around, there was no one else nearby. Using "Magic Detection," Hikaru could see that there was no one on the street. The instruction to come alone was League's idea, to avoid unnecessary suspicion.

"I came early to open the shop, but you were even earlier. You must be really enthusiastic."

"I'm betting on today."

Hikaru thought it was exaggerated, but League was dead serious. Well, he wasn't the type to joke around much anyway.

Entering the shop, Hikaru checked the refrigerator and started boiling water. Ravia helped make the tea, and League sat at the counter.

"——Thank you very much, Hikaru."

"What's with the sudden thanks?"

"Well, I didn't expect to be able to connect with students from all the countries so quickly."

"I told you they all have their quirks. Don't be too optimistic."

Hikaru had already told League about the people he had contacted.

"Still, thank you."

"Stop setting up those flags."

"Flags...?"

"Yes, flags mean—"

Just as he was about to explain, the shop door opened.

"Oh! This is the right place, then. League, I'm grateful for your invitation. And—Hikaru, it's been a while!"

It was Sylvestre who entered. He was as cheerful as ever. If a man like him was to be the next king of Tsabra, it gave one hope. He was a stark contrast to League, who never showed any expression.

"Sylvestre-sama... no, Sylvestre, let's drop the formalities here."

"Ah, right."

Sylvestre plopped down next to League. He had been in contact with League, through the headmaster. Sylvestre had surprisingly agreed to participate in the meeting.

"Hikaru, I didn't know you were a student... you're quite skilled, able to hunt a Lesser Wyvern alone."

"What do you mean? I'm young enough, right?"

"You're skilled enough to hunt a Lesser Wyvern alone. So, it's magic training, then?"

"Wait a minute. Hikaru hunted a Lesser Wyvern alone?"

League interjected.

"Didn't I tell you that?"

"I didn't hear that... I thought you went with a party."

"We went as a pair. Ravia and I."

Ravia nodded, and Sylvestre finally noticed her.

"Who is this beautiful lady?"

"Oh, she was there... at the place where the Lesser Wyvern was defeated."

"I see. She supported you with Holy Magic, then?"

In addition to "Healing Magic," "Holy Magic" obtained through deep faith includes "Support Magic."

"Something like that—"

"No, Hikaru went alone after telling me to stay back."

"Ravia..."

"It's the truth, isn't it?"

Ravia calmly put tea leaves into the pot.

"Hikaru, what's going on?"

"There's nothing to it, and it's not a big deal. Let's end the chatter—here comes the next guest."

The shop door opened again—Claude entered. He looked surprised by the empty, dimly lit shop but seemed relieved to see Hikaru behind the counter.

"I'm Claude Zhard Kirihar. I was called by Hikaru."

"I'm League Rokki Romania. I asked Hikaru to do this. Thank you for coming today."

"I'm Sylvestre Gii Tsabra. We've met at a social event, right? No need for formalities here."

Sylvestre spoke in a casual tone, but Claude seemed unsure whether to be relaxed or formal, standing awkwardly at the counter.

"Claude, would you like some cold tea?"

"Ah, yes... thank you, Hikaru."

"Please, have a seat."

Encouraged by Hikaru, Claude sat down and drank the tea in one go, then exhaled.

"League, Hikaru is using polite language with you."

"Yes, it's quite a rare sight."

"I can hear you, you know."

Hikaru interjected as League and Sylvestre started whispering.

"That's not right. Claude and I are in almost the same position within the Federation, yet he gets polite language, and I get casual."

"Yes, it is strange."

"League... don't join in. Besides, I was asked by you. To increase the success rate, I need to be polite. And, League, Sylvestre, do you remember the first time we met?"

League was with Roye when he approached the adventurer guild. Sylvestre was during the Lesser Wyvern battle.

"It wasn't a proper meeting. And I didn't expect to meet you both so many times."

"Yet now you're our biggest supporters. It's surprising."

"Exactly. Getting Hikaru is a big plus."

"That's not true! I haven't been 'gotten'! I've only helped up until today!"

As Hikaru retorted, Claude looked puzzled.

"Isn't Hikaru from Ponsonia? Yet you seem to have gotten quite close to them."

"No, it's not that we're close—"

"Can you talk to me like that too? Use more casual language."

Hikaru took a step back.

"Eh? Does Claude get excited when people use rough language...?"

"No, that's not it! What are you saying!"

"Sylvestre, did we make a mistake with the Kirihar representative?"

"Indeed, that's a serious issue."

"No, really!"

Ravia refilled Claude's tumbler with cold tea.

"It's good to see Claude relaxing a bit."

Claude, who had been about to stand up, sat back down.

"So that's what it was... thank you. I was indeed tense. My throat was dry."

As Claude drank the cold tea, Hikaru detected multiple people approaching with "Magic Detection."

"Well... the rest of the guests seem to have arrived. Shall we move to the table?"

Next to arrive was Ruka. Shortly after, Ivan, who attended the greatsword lecture at Jalarzak, arrived. Then, a female student from Yuraba, whom Ravia had contacted, arrived. Her name was Ekaterina, with black hair tinged with blue, tied in two braids. Her purple eyes seemed shy, or perhaps a bit melancholic. Her skin had a bluish tint, characteristic of Yuraba.

"That makes six. The last one is—"

League looked at Hikaru, who responded.

"Kotobi. I was introduced to her by Teacher Katie, who teaches magic devices. She's supposed to be Teacher Katie's sister."

"About that, Hikaru. I did some checking, and Teacher Katie doesn't have a sister."

"Really?"

"How did you communicate the location?"

"I talked to Teacher Katie directly. —It's strange, but I don't think Teacher Katie would lie to me."

"Is that so?"

Just as they were talking, a woman appeared at the shop.

"I got lost on the way. I'm a bit late, I'm sorry."

The woman had a flame tattoo on her face and a cold, beautiful appearance.

"Is that Teacher Katie?"

When Hikaru asked,

"I'm Katie's sister, Katina."

"No, you're Teacher Katie, right?"

"I'm Katina."

Hikaru checked the Soul Board. It was Katie.

"Teacher, this isn't a joke. I have my own thoughts on this."

He rolled up his sleeve to show his revolver.

"Wait, Hikaru!"

Katie quickly approached and put her arm around Hikaru's shoulder.

(I want to join because it sounds interesting!)

(I said I need "students," right?)

(That's fine. It's an exchange of opinions. Teachers' opinions are also valuable. I'll prove it.)

(—I don't think you're joining because you think it's related to "Holy Magic" just because I'm gathering people, right?)

(No, no, of course not! It's not like that at all!)

"Hikaru."

League, unable to stand it, spoke up.

"In this case, I think Teacher Katie is fine. Having an opinion from someone who isn't a student could be beneficial."

"See!"

Katie pointed at League triumphantly. The word "pity beauty" flashed through Hikaru's mind.

"...Fine, I guess."

Hikaru sighed. Thus, the meeting began with six students and one teacher.

[Participants] (in order of national power)

League Rokki Romania... Heir of the leading clan in Romania.

Claude Zhard Kirihar... A male from the Zhard family, which opposes the Miralca family, where Queen Makedo resides.

Ruka Roadgrad Ludansha... The third princess of Ludansha.

Ivan Jalarzak... The son of a top-class swordsman in the martial Jalarzak.

Ekaterina Yuraba... A daughter from a family that sends many bureaucrats to the federal government.

Katie Kotobi... A member of a family that controls one of the largest mines in Kotobi and a teacher at the academy.

Sylvestre Gii Tsabra... The crown prince of Tsabra.

*Hikaru... Observer

*Ravia... Server

I want Ravia to make me some tea too.