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Translated By Arcane Translations
Translator: FusionX
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“Sif, did you get everything I asked for?”
I lifted the cloth covering the cart and checked the contents. She seemed to have gotten everything.
Various metals, oils, monster hides and bones. A diverse collection of materials. I needed them for my research.
“Of course. I got them for a good price, and there’s even some change left.”
Sif handed me the noticeably lighter pouch of coins. I opened it and saw that there were more gold coins left than I expected. She had indeed gotten a good deal.
“Well done. I’ll give you a bonus.”
“Really? Yay! I’ll buy my siblings some juice with the bonus.”
“You take good care of your siblings.”
“It’s my duty as an older sister. They’re my family.”
A warm smile spread across Sif’s face.
Even in the original story, she had been fiercely protective of her siblings. It seemed that hadn’t changed. Even her character quests revolved around her siblings.
“Buy them something nice.”
I dropped another gold coin into her hand.
Amused by her widening grin, I chuckled and attached the pouch to my belt.
“As expected of our… employer! So generous!”
“Then work harder in the future.”
“Leave it to me! Fast and accurate delivery guaranteed!”
“It’s getting late, so you should go.”
“I’ll help you carry these to the workshop!”
Sif quickly unloaded the cart and carried the materials into the workshop. With my help, the materials were soon piled up neatly in a corner.
“Call me if you need anything else!”
The black-tailed cat beastkin disappeared into the darkness of the secret passage. A fitting exit for a cat.
“…I should examine these before going to bed.”
I had to work tomorrow.
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“Karina! Look! First place!”
At Milia’s shout, Karina and I stopped and looked at the Theology department rankings posted on the bulletin board.
First place.
Karina Kalon.
She had actually gotten first place. She had been worried during the exam period, but the results seemed to have put her mind at ease. The pink-haired Saintess breathed a sigh of relief.
“Hee hee, I studied hard before enrolling…”
“I’m going to study hard and get first place too!”
Milia seemed inspired by Karina’s achievement. I looked at her, her eyes burning with academic ambition, and said,
“Don’t focus too much on studying. Wasn’t your goal to make a hundred friends?”
“Oh! Right?! I’ll make lots of friends too!”
“Hmph, a hundred friends…”
“You should try making some friends as well.”
“I-I’m fine as I am…”
Was making friends still too difficult for Elisa? I patted her back encouragingly and urged the group towards the lecture hall.
We had to hurry, the wheelchair made us slower.
“Johann, what were you making in the workshop yesterday? I heard noises even in the middle of the night.”
“You were working late?”
“I was working on something, and I lost track of time.”
I couldn’t stop once the ideas started flowing. I wasn’t tired, despite getting less sleep than usual. Though I felt a bit stiff.
“Sh-Should I massage your shoulders…?”
“I’ll do it!”
“Thank you, but I’m fine.”
A knight escort getting a shoulder massage from students?
I didn’t want to know what kind of rumors that would start. While no one would dare to say anything directly, it would still be awkward.
I didn’t want to invite unnecessary gossip.
“Johann, if you’re tired, I can cast a healing spell.”
“Using the Saintess’s healing magic for fatigue… that’s extravagant.”
“Hee hee, if my knight escort is in poor condition, it could affect my safety.”
“That’s true.”
“May I see your hand?”
Did she need to hold my hand to cast a healing spell? I extended my hand. Karina took it in both of hers and started… caressing it.
…Why wasn’t she casting the spell?
This was awkward. I scratched my cheek with my free hand and looked around.
Fortunately, there weren’t many people around, so no one was staring.
“Y-Your muscles are very tense…”
Were they? I couldn’t tell.
“I don’t feel anything.”
“Your hands are covered in calluses… and scars…”
“It’s unavoidable when you’re surviving in the wilderness.”
Was this the first time I had shown her my hands?
Looking at Karina’s veil, I thought I saw a faint blush through the fabric. It was probably my imagination.
“Karina, class is about to start.”
“Oh, right! Almighty Kalon…”
A warm glow emanated from our joined hands, followed by a soft, white light. The sight was calming, and I closed my eyes, feeling my fatigue melt away.
“How do you feel?”
“Amazing. I feel completely refreshed.”
“Hee hee. Let me know if you’re ever tired.”
“Hawa…”
Why was she malfunctioning?
I looked at Elisa, who was frozen in place, her face bright red. Fortunately, she quickly snapped out of it, shaking her head vigorously.
“Let’s go inside. Class is about to start…”
“Alright.”
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“…My cheeks are burning.”
“M-Me too…”
“Surprisingly, so are mine.”
The first lecture after the midterm exams. We were subjected to intense stares. While no one said anything directly, we all knew who was behind those burning gazes.
Bella.
That was a murderous look.
She was going to snap soon.
Should I take care of her discreetly?
No, that was too extreme. I needed to take some preventative measures. I glared back at Bella as menacingly as I could.
Ugh, I had goosebumps.
That glare was more terrifying than a hydra. If looks could kill, I would have been incinerated by a first-tier magic spell by now.
…I really needed to do something about her.
[Contractor, let’s just mess with her brain. No need to overthink it.]
That was a tempting offer.
But I wasn’t experienced in manipulating people’s minds. I could accidentally turn her into a vegetable.
Should I practice on some monsters in a dungeon?
No, relying on shortcuts would only lead to problems in the long run. Easy solutions often came with significant side effects. A more complex but safer approach was preferable.
I could try to befriend her, use her eventual descent into villainy as an excuse to eliminate her, or turn her into a loyal dog…
…But Bella wasn’t my priority right now.
“Mister, is the new thing you’re developing going well?”
I looked at Viola. She blushed and scratched her cheek with her silver fingers.
“Why are you staring? Is there something on my face?”
“I’m just… not used to it.”
It was strange to be glared at from one side and gazed at adoringly from the other. I quickly changed the subject.
“The development is almost complete. Working on the prosthetic arms for the past few months has made things easier.”
Once it was finished, it would significantly boost my combat capabilities.
I planned to refine it further and give it to Renny and Lewis as well.
It was a valuable tool for front-line fighters.
“Already? That’s fast… You were moving so fast when you were making the prosthetic arm that I could barely see your hands. I wish I was that fast. I could finish my work so much quicker.”
“Speed isn’t everything.”
Considering how many mistakes I had made to reach this level of proficiency, it was better to take your time, especially when you were starting out.
My Dexterity was A-ranked.
That meant she needed to reach at least that level to replicate my speed.
I wasn’t sure what the ranking criteria were, but A was considered high.
Considering that my highest rank was S, I doubted anyone could match my dexterity, aside from dwarves.
“Speed isn’t important. The quality of your work is what matters.”
“But your work is both high-quality and fast.”
“…You’ll get there eventually. With enough practice.”
“If it were that easy, everyone would be a renowned inventor.”
“…That’s true.”
“Ahem… it’s good to see you all after the exams…”
Class was starting.
I straightened my posture.
It was time to get to work.
“I’m pleased with the results of the midterm exams…”
The professor’s sleep-inducing voice filled the lecture hall.
My real work was just beginning.
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