Chapter 18 : Fastening the First Button (1)

Chapter 18: Fastening the First Button (1)

“Hoo.”

I dropped the sack onto the ground as if throwing it down, letting out a deep sigh.

Because I had worked nonstop since morning, my whole body was drenched in sweat.

“Haaah….”

I exhaled another deep sigh, this time from a sudden wave of emptiness.

It was the weekend—no, worse, an early weekend morning—and here I was, wondering why I had to suffer through this.

Still, there was comfort in knowing that at least this was the last of it.

“Here, junior. Use this.”

“Oh. Thank you.”

I gratefully accepted the towel suddenly offered from the side.

Unlike me, whose exhaustion was plain to see, this person was still brimming with energy.

“You really worked hard today, junior!”

Like me, Lancia Jintia had been working hard since early morning, yet she greeted me with a bright smile.

It was such a cheerful smile that it could lift the mood of anyone who saw it.

“You worked hard as well, senior.”

“Ahaha, what hard work? Compared to you, it’s like I’ve just been playing. Ughk…!”

Stretching with a long, drawn-out yawn, Lancia loosened her body.

At her unguarded appearance, I quietly averted my gaze toward the clock tower.

“We finished earlier than I thought.”

Today’s volunteer activity had been cleaning the streets around the academy.

Arpentia Academy could very well be described as a small city where academia and daily life blended together.

Naturally, many people and shops gathered there, keeping the place bustling at all times.

Like a spider’s web, with the academy at the center, there were areas filled with forges and weapon shops,

shops specializing in magitech goods,

places that dealt in food and other daily necessities,

and stores selling books and academic supplies—each section neatly divided by trade.

Scattered throughout were inns and restaurants for travelers from afar, carriage rentals, theaters, hospitals, bathhouses, and cathedrals, all adding to the convenience.

On top of that, there was even a monorail—the pinnacle of modern magitech—allowing easy and quick travel between districts.

In essence, a city had formed around the academy itself.

And where many feet passed, traces were always left behind.

“It’s thanks to how hard you worked, junior.”

Lancia exhaled softly.

“Especially since Archbishop Rahma and a few others weren’t here today, we were really short-handed. Honestly, you showing up was a lifesaver.”

“…So Archbishop Rahma must be busy now that classes have started.”

“Mm, that’s part of it, but the Dungeon Field Class period is coming up soon, right? He’s apparently the one in charge of it this time, so he’ll be even busier.”

“I see.”

Nodding along, I subtly steered the conversation.

“The Dungeon Field Class… I’ve heard a lot about it, but now that it’s coming up, I can’t help but feel a bit nervous.”

“There’s nothing to worry about! The dungeon is randomly chosen, but the difficulty is always set to a level new students can handle. As long as you stick to the basics and coordinate at least a little with your team, you’ll pass without trouble!”

She spoke with an almost exaggerated energy, as if trying to encourage me.

“I heard the teams are decided two weeks in advance… Is there anything I should pay special attention to?”

“Mm, not really? There’s nothing you need to prepare separately. The essential gear for clearing the dungeon is provided in advance, though small details vary depending on the location.”

“I also heard we can bring personal belongings. If I did that, would there be any drawbacks?”

She shook her head.

“No, if anything, that would be considered thorough preparation and seen positively. But since you won’t know which dungeon you’ll get until the day of, there are plenty of people who brought unnecessary stuff and ended up being burdened by it instead.”

“So in the end, making a reasonable judgment after considering all that comes down to the individual’s ability.”

The truth was, I didn’t really need to ask her anything.

I already knew everything about the dungeon and the incident that would happen that day.

The general layout, the types of monsters, the hidden traps…

The memory of that day was etched so vividly in my mind that I could still recall every detail clearly even now.

“As expected, you pick things up really quickly, junior.”

Feeling a bit embarrassed at her praise, I gently moved on to my real question.

“Senior, come to think of it, do you know the upperclassman Mackenzie, the one who works in the library?”

“Mackenzie? Yes, I know of them.”

Lancia nodded, narrowing her eyes slightly as if recalling something.

“But really, it’s just ‘know of.’ They came to volunteer a few times in our first year, but that was it. Good grades, but not much interaction with others…”

She trailed off, then suddenly looked at me.

“Wait, junior, do you know Mackenzie?”

“Not exactly. We’ve just exchanged greetings a few times in passing.”

At most, two or three encounters.

Yet even in those mere two or three encounters, I had felt an indescribable sense of unease.

‘I hope I’m just overthinking it…’

Duval Mackenzie.

A top student with little conversation and lacking social skills—

that was how she cautiously described them.

Even though there was nothing particularly unusual on the surface, I couldn’t shake off the inexplicable sense of wrongness.

My instincts were telling me to keep a close eye on him.

“Wow.”

Lancia seemed slightly surprised by my answer.

“That’s impressive, junior.”

“What is?”

“You said you’ve exchanged greetings with Mackenzie?”

“Yes, but what about it?”

“It’s just… Mackenzie is famous for never talking to anyone.”

When I looked at her in puzzlement, she shrugged.

“Mm, I don’t mean this as gossip, but Mackenzie is… kind of the model of a true genius, I guess? Outstanding grades, divine power far beyond the average student—he’s already had scouting offers from various places.”

I nodded for her to continue, and she gave an awkward smile.

“But… he’s a bit lacking in social skills. The only people he talks to are the librarians, the professors, and Archbishop Rahma. I was once in the same group with him, and… he really didn’t say much. So as far as I know, he doesn’t have any close friends among our peers.”

When she added that this had made group assignments tough, I asked again for confirmation.

“…The Mackenzie you’re talking about—he’s Duval Mackenzie with green hair, right?”

“Yes, tall with green hair. That’s the one.”

I couldn’t help but fall silent for a moment at her reply.

So his social circle was that small, and among the few he spoke to were the librarians, the professors, and Archbishop Rahma.

“Mackenzie seems to get along well with Archbishop Rahma, then.”

“Hm? Ah, yes. I heard the Archbishop was the one who introduced him to the library work. He’s also given him counseling now and then. I think he might even be his advising professor…”

“…I see.”

I slowly nodded.

‘As I thought.’

Lancia, who had been watching me as if finding my sudden silence awkward, suddenly seemed to remember something.

“Oh, I heard from Sister Roberta. She said you’ve been training hard every single day without fail?”

“I know I’m lacking in many ways. If I don’t have talent, I should at least put in the effort.”

I gave a casual reply while looking at her.

‘First things first.’

For now, I needed to focus on the Lancia in front of me.

“Actually, that’s one of the reasons I wanted to see you, senior.”

“Me?”

“Yes. To be honest, the reason I was able to receive personal guidance from the sister was entirely thanks to you, wasn’t it? So I wanted to properly express my gratitude.”

“Ah, hey… there’s no need to go that far, that’s embarrassing.”

She hunched her shoulders slightly, as if shy.

“All I did was create the opportunity. Sister Roberta is actually much stricter than she looks… ahem. Hem!”

Lancia let out an awkward cough.

The way she looked flustered after saying it made me smile without realizing.

“You mean she’s meticulous?”

“Yes, meticulous. Very much so. If she feels the person receiving her guidance doesn’t have the right attitude, she cuts them off firmly.”

She looked at me with a slightly curious gaze.

“But she said you’re truly hardworking, junior, and that teaching you is enjoyable. It’s been a long time since I’ve seen her that happy.”

“Well, I only remember getting beaten up and struggling.”

Even now, my jaw ached faintly from the beating I’d taken a few days ago.

When I twitched my jaw slightly, Lancia burst into laughter.

“But senior, why don’t you ask her for guidance?”

“Huh?”

“I mean, you went as far as introducing me, so you clearly have enough of a connection. And I know how hard you work as well.”

“Ah…”

She gave an awkward smile.

“…Did I just ask something too personal?”

“No, not at all. It’s just… a little embarrassing to say, but my body is still clumsy. I don’t have talent, and I feel like holding up someone so busy would just be a burden.”

If she claimed she had no talent, then who in the world could be considered talented?

I shot back immediately.

“If you’re clumsy, all the more reason you should get guidance, isn’t it?”

“Oh.”

Her expression froze as if I had caught her off guard.

Honestly speaking, the sight of her gasping for breath looked rather… absentminded.

“Come to think of it, didn’t you once promise to spar with me?”

“Uh, I… did?”

As she averted her gaze with a small turn of her head, I smiled.

“Then I’ll be waiting tomorrow. If Sister Roberta is as strict as they say, she’ll definitely explain my shortcomings well.”

“J-Junior…”

When she looked at me on the verge of tears, begging me not to tell Sister Roberta, I told her I was joking and pulled out a note from my pocket.

On it was a list of several items and magic tools needed for the Dungeon Field Class.

“But we’re done for today, right?”

“Huh? Oh, yes. I think the others are also wrapping up and heading off. We can head back now too.”

“Then would it be alright if I went off on my own for a bit?”

I lightly waved the note in my hand.

“Since I’m already out, I have a few things I want to buy.”

“Oh, to prepare for the class?”

“Yes.”

Lancia seemed to think for a moment, then spoke.

“If you don’t mind, could I come along?”

As expected.

Feigning nonchalance, I asked.

“I don’t mind, but are you sure? You must be tired as well.”

“I owe you, junior.”

With an innocent smile showing no hidden motives, she nodded.

“Honestly, you worked so hard today that I was much more comfortable. So of course I should repay you. And I can at least play the guide. I know some great shops students frequent.”

She began folding down her fingers as she counted.

“And, not to brag, but I’m quite skilled at bargaining and negotiating.”

Lancia bit her lip slightly, as if feeling embarrassed after saying that.

“…Would it be a bother?”

“Of course not. I’d be grateful if you came along.”

“Ahaha.”

Relieved, she smiled and was about to take the lead when I stopped her.

“Senior, before that, would it be alright if I sent a letter first?”

“A letter?”

“Yes.”

I took out a letter I had written before bed.

It was the standard stationery and envelope provided to academy students.

‘I remember how I used to say I’d never use this and tore it up the moment I got it.’

As I recalled that old memory with a wry smile, she asked me.

“Are you sending it to your parents?”

“No, to my brother. More precisely, my second brother.”

I had two older brothers.

The younger of the two, Artiac Gwendil, was an especially outstanding warrior among us—so much so that he joined the Imperial Knights immediately after graduating from the academy.

He was also the one who often cleaned up the messes I caused in my reckless days and took particularly good care of me.

“So it’s a greeting letter then.”

“In a way.”

I smiled faintly.

‘Well, sort of.’

Even though there were only a few lines asking after his well-being, it was still, technically, a greeting letter.

But more importantly…

‘I don’t have any money right now.’

To be precise, the letter was asking him to cover the cost of some things I was about to buy on credit today.

…And at the end, I had made sure to add, “Please help your adorable youngest brother.”