Chapter 55

When Baldur appeared, all the members turned their gazes towards us.

I steeled myself, forcing a smile as I stepped forward.

"I have been dispatched by the guild. Some of you may know me, but my name is Noah Ignis Essex."

"Likewise, I am his assistant, Eugene."

"I am Renji. Nice to meet you."

Eugene, with a tense expression, followed behind me.

Renji had a perfect smile. It was a pity that I couldn't find her genuinely cute after hearing her true thoughts.

"I am Lava Carbuncle, an associate of the Magic Guild."

She placed her hand over her mouth and smiled, a perfect lady.

A young man in the front row blushed at Lava's smile.

Other members also cast furtive glances at Lava.

Unfortunately, since our true thoughts were for data collection, Eugene and I could only exchange wry smiles.

After the introductions, we explained our purpose and asked for signatures on the consent forms we had distributed beforehand.

"Let's start with those who are ready."

I said this and headed towards the makeshift counter.

I sat in front of the crystal Lava had prepared.

Lava was setting up another crystal a little distance away.

With writing utensils and a roster in hand, she was fully prepared.

Baldur added, to supplement my explanation.

"This is a new initiative encouraged by the late king. As the captain mentioned, try to participate if you can."

However, Baldur continued,

"This is not mandatory. Those who cannot participate for various reasons should write down their reasons for refusal or deferral and submit them instead of the consent form."

It is not mandatory.

There will surely be those who do not want their skills known.

Hearing the reasons for refusal is, of course, for future reference.

"Let's start with the First Squad."

Baldur sat down in front of me with a thud.

The captain of the First Squad is Tristan, but since he is in charge of the entire group, it is effectively the vice-captain Baldur who is handling the situation.

It was very helpful that Baldur took the lead and lined up first.

"Thank you, I appreciate it."

The members of the First Squad are people I met during my journey from Albus to the capital.

They are also the ones who often greeted me when I showed up at the garrison.

I proceeded to imprint their statuses without any issues.

As expected, they were all highly skilled, having been directly trained by Baldur. Everyone greeted me in some way.

"Next, it's our turn for the Third Squad."

After finishing with the First Squad, Captain Joseph of the Third Squad made a dramatic entrance.

His gray hair and beard were curled.

The members of the Third Squad lined up behind Captain Joseph in a neat row, moving briskly.

"Hehe, it's been a while, Noah. Please take good care of the captain from now on."

"Yes, if I can."

His gentle hazel eyes looked at me.

I heard that Captain Joseph is the oldest in the Mencis Knights.

He, like Baldur, is a good understanding friend of Tristan.

By the way, those without a guild card need to register.

Knights raised in the capital often do not have guild cards.

They have no need to go outside the city walls or take quests to earn money.

Those who joined the group from their hometowns or have been on expeditions are different.

"Thank you. Here is Captain Joseph's status."

"Thank you. It's quite mysterious. Even though I'm wearing clothes, it feels like I'm being seen through."

Captain Joseph said this with sparkling eyes.

He probably meant no harm.

He looked at the card with great interest.

However, I wish he hadn't used that analogy. It makes me sound like a pervert.

It seems that about 70% of the entire group has gathered in this hall today.

Those not present are Tristan, the Second Squad, the Fourth Squad, and the Tenth Squad.

After finishing with the First and Third Squads, I looked around the hall.

Those who were alternating between looking at the consent forms and us started to join the line one after another.

Eugene and Renji were helping to collect the consent forms and organize the line.

The First and Third Squads had full participation, but the others were left to their own judgment.

I continued to look at the statuses of the members who joined the line one after another.

"Is there no one left? Then, it's your turn."

After finishing with the knight candidates, it was the apprentices' turn.

The apprentices made their decisions quickly.

Most of the thirty or so apprentices joined the line.

Knowing their status as soon as possible is a significant advantage for being recognized as a knight.

The knights who did not participate were watching from the corner.

Baldur said that those who had their statuses imprinted could disband.

Still, some knights remained in the hall.

After finishing with the apprentices, I sent Eugene and Renji back to the guild.

Renji said,

"Ah! I want to talk to the knights a bit more!"

Trying to stay, but I persuaded her to talk tomorrow.

Eugene and the others had to deliver the consent forms and other documents to the guild.

They live in the guild dormitory, so it was on their way back.

Lava, saying she would immediately analyze the data, got on the guild carriage with Eugene and the others.

They were going to stop by the Magic Guild on the way.

The members who wanted to stop Lava from leaving cast longing glances at her.

Whether she noticed or not, she left, shaking off all the attention.

"Noah, please wait! I will have all the data ready for you by tomorrow!"

"Yeah, sure. I've already checked it myself, so don't overdo it."

It was doubtful whether she heard my words. Lava was in such high spirits.

I noticed that more victims were added to her full smile and decided to pretend I didn't see.

That's it for the first day's work.

Tomorrow, we will mainly conduct important skill consultations.

This is also a voluntary participation for the members.

Those who did not participate in the status imprinting can also join if they have something to consult about, though the advice we can give is limited.

After I finish looking at those who didn't see their status today, I will talk as a consultant.

I will prioritize those I personally checked, such as squad leaders and individuals I am interested in.

The Second and Fourth Squads were postponed to tomorrow due to their roles in the knights and issues with their squad leaders.

The Second Squad is led by Marlo and Hans.

Marlo was demoted from squad leader but remains as a regular knight in the Second Squad. Hans was dismissed.

The Fourth Squad was led by Smith, who was also dismissed.

Smith was a lone offender, and the other members were caught off guard.

Still, due to Tristan's consideration, they were scheduled to be seen together tomorrow.

The Tenth Squad seems to have a special role within the group.

Although they are in the same squad, they rarely gather in one place.

Tomorrow's data collection may or may not have half the participants, but we will ask just in case.

"Let's go."

"Tristan. Good work today. Shall we go back?"

"Yeah."

Tristan, who seemed to have finished his paperwork, appeared.

I got on the carriage with Tristan from the garrison and returned to the mansion where Izu was waiting.

Quincy disappeared as soon as we arrived at the mansion.

He only appears when needed within the mansion and eats all his meals in his room.

"Hey, how about we have dinner together tonight?"

"…Is that normal?"

I suggested to Tristan that he have dinner with Izu and me.

I had been thinking about this for a while.

Wouldn't it be dull to eat in such a large dining room, far apart from each other?

I think a quiet meal is not bad, but I also know the loneliness.

I know this because I have had the opportunity to share meals with family and friends in the past.

What about Tristan and Izu?

They are family but eat separately. They live in the same mansion but rarely see each other.

I know that Tristan and Izu get along well.

I understand there are reasons for this, and if it goes against the rules of the nobility, I will accept it.

"I often had meals with my uncles. I think it's normal for family. Izu will surely be happy."

"Is that so…?"

After thinking for a moment, Tristan called the butler, who was standing quietly by.

"Claude, prepare a meal in that room."

"Yes, Tristan. I will arrange it immediately."

Tristan asked if this was fine.

I smiled and nodded.

That night, dinner was more enjoyable than usual.

Izu was smiling throughout the meal, and Tristan was drinking faster than usual.

I felt good watching the two of them.

From then on, having dinner together on days when our schedules aligned became a regular occurrence.

2015/01/12 Revised