Chapter 147 - Chapter 146: Yunressa's Wedding and the Spring Personnel Transfer
The second day of the second month of the Earth cycle.
Class on acquiring [God's Miracle].
Everyone in the class was working hard to manifest their own [God's Miracle].
Everyone in the Leventein Group had already finished acquiring the instructed [Blizzard] and was now aiming to manifest [Battle Fervor].
However, it seemed they did not particularly desire it, so they were not striving to manifest it with such fervor.
With nothing else to do, they were not going all-in, but simply training to manifest it normally.
Rimliche had already acquired the instructed [Blizzard] and [Battle Fervor], so she was practicing the last remaining [Abundance].
And then there was Cleiria. In fact, she had acquired all three [God's Miracles].
As a member of the Marquis Leventein family, keeping in mind that she would stand above others, she acquired [Battle Fervor].
Furthermore, believing she should possess it for the sake of the Leventein domain, she acquired [Abundance] by going all-in.
Even though [Abundance] acquisition via going all-in seems to carry a risk to one's life, I truly think Cleiria is magnificent for acquiring it for the sake of her domain.
While Mika was in such an acquisition class, he was lost in thought in his usual thinking pose.
(...Wasn't it written as 'Sue' on the surface? No, was it 'Up'? There was a flow where you attach a petition to the tip of a bamboo stalk, there are two stops, but still... I felt like there was such a flow.)
He was earnestly trying to recall the etiquette of a "direct petition."
(If I directly petition the King saying I want to quit the Magic Academy, the Marquis's face would be completely ruined. Or rather, if I pulled such a stunt at the commemorative party, wouldn't it be a standard death sentence?)
Would a commoner's rude behavior be judged by the law normally?
For crimes of disrespect or similar.
Since it was unavoidable that we would meet faces at the commemorative party anyway, the reason he started fantasizing about using this opportunity was that he was thinking such foolish things.
If he really executed it, he would not be able to live in the kingdom anymore.
At the very least, even if the King forgave him, it was certain that the Marquis Leventein would turn into an enemy.
He could predict that it would be a quite painful life.
Mika glanced at Cleiria.
Cleiria, who had already finished acquiring the [God's Miracles] that should be acquired by the second year of elementary school, was practicing magic control.
Although she had acquired [God's Miracle], magic control is truly important.
The most prominent example is [Physical Enhancement].
If you cannot perform fine operations and consume magic power recklessly, you will run out of magic power in an instant.
It seems that for other [God's Miracles], too, you have to manage the amount of magic power by performing surprisingly fine operations.
(I am always going all-in...)
At that moment, a dazzling light suddenly rushed into the classroom.
Due to the sheer amount of light, the cause was immediately apparent.
When Mika looked at the source of the light, Rimliche was looking at him with a surprised face.
And, as expected, Rimliche's "Bracelet of Judgment" was emitting a dazzling light.
"...Rimliche. Going all-in?"
When Mika asked, Rimliche shook her head vigorously back and forth.
It seemed she had managed to acquire [Abundance] normally.
This was a somewhat unexpected result.
Truly, it seems compatibility does exist.
(No, I'm sure Rimliche acquired two [God's Miracles] around the beginning of summer. If we consider she has been practicing since then, she must have been practicing acquisition for about seven or eight months.)
Although she hadn't practiced with much fervor, if she had done it for eight months, it would not be strange if she had acquired it.
(This is the sixth acquisition. Considering the difficulty of acquisition, does that mean her compatibility is good?)
Rimliche was flustered, wondering what to do with her glowing "Bracelet of Judgment."
Usually, she faints from magic depletion, so "I don't care about what happens next" suffices, but this time she did not faint.
It truly seems she had just acquired it normally.
Seeing the flustered Rimliche, Mika let out a bitter smile.
"Be happier. Congratulations, Rimliche."
"Uu... Mika-kun."
Looking at Rimliche with eyes like an abandoned puppy, Mika gestured for her to put it inside her robe.
By hiding the "Bracelet of Judgment" with her robe, the classroom finally calmed down.
(Only Rimliche would be this troubled after acquiring it.)
Elementary school was already nearing its end, and there were quite a few children who had acquired their first [God's Miracle] on their own.
And the joy of those who had acquired it on their own was amazing.
Shouting loudly was still normal; most children ran around the classroom or played excitedly.
That was natural.
This was proof that "I have stood one step above everyone else."
Earlier, Ninetiana had said something like "Mages have high pride and look down on others," and he understood that such consciousness was cultivated in this environment.
Among fellow mage apprentices, those who advanced one step earlier looked down on others.
As for how their attitude would be towards those who could not use [God's Miracle], you can imagine.
(...They probably want to incite competition to make them take acquisition seriously, but isn't moral education necessary?)
Those who possess immense power and are arrogant are only dangerous.
Unfortunately, the Magic Academy had no such thing as a moral education class.
There were only classes on Kingdom History and loyalty to the Royal Family.
"Congratulations, Rimliche. It is wonderful."
"Oh, thank you, Cleiria."
Such exchanges took place with Mika sandwiched in between.
Cecilia and Charl were also smiling at Rimliche, telling her "Amazing." and "I'm glad."
Finally, Rimliche's expression changed from surprise to embarrassment.
"Now, three people have acquired three [God's Miracles] this year."
Cleiria spoke to Mika with a smile.
"How is it normally? Is it usually up to two?"
"Yes. In middle school, one person per group acquires three [God's Miracles. Those who acquire more than that seem to be almost non-existent."
In preschool: [Physical Enhancement].
First year of elementary: [Explosive Flame] or [Heal].
Second year of elementary: [Blizzard] or [Battle Fervor].
Normally, even with smooth progress, it is one for each stage.
Those who acquired two in a year were likely blessed with considerable talent or had a [God's Miracle] with very good compatibility.
However, this year, in the second year of elementary, the Leventein Group had four.
[Physical Enhancement], [Explosive Flame], [Heal], [Blizzard].
Mika, Cleiria, and Rimliche had six.
[Physical Enhancement], [Explosive Flame], [Heal], [Blizzard], [Battle Fervor], [Abundance].
Probably, this might be the first time in history for such a bumper year.
Well, it seems there were more mages in the past, so there might have been someone exceptionally talented.
And, this is something he has not told anyone, but Mika has acquired one more [God's Miracle].
It is likely the [God's Miracle] called [Purification].
It was a [God's Miracle] that was very useful in the battle against the "Composite Undead Monster [Legion]," but there are hardly any seven-year-olds who can use seven [God's Miracles].
Or rather, if anything goes wrong, one might not be able to acquire seven normally.
Acquiring three [God's Miracles] in the second year of elementary puts you in an excellent group.
The rest is two years of middle school and two years of high school. A total of four years.
Even if you acquire one [God's Miracle] every year, that is seven.
Those who achieved this were considered quite excellent, and those who could acquire more [God's Miracles] were probably just a handful.
No, maybe not even a handful.
(...Even now, if I really didn't want to go to the battlefield, maybe I should have pretended to be unable to acquire any [God's Miracles]?)
It is truly a late realization.
However, there was a rumor that if one could not acquire them, they would be taken somewhere, so he could not choose that option initially.
But, getting carried away and acquiring everything might just be tightening the noose around his own neck.
(Well, there is nothing to be done about it now.)
Mika looked around the classroom.
If things went on like this, half of this class would be relegated to the second group next year.
And it seemed a few students would rise from the second group.
Mika had almost no friends outside the Leventein Group, but everyone in the Leventein Group talked with various children in the dormitory.
The information gathered there became topics during lunch.
Thanks to that, he heard rumors about the dormitory occasionally.
And speaking of dormitory rumors.
(Rumors about seeing something unexplainable late at night seem to have subsided recently.)
Mika did not know what it actually was, but it seemed to be something like a Will-o'-the-wisp.
He did not know if it was a ball of fire or a sphere of light, but that rumor seemed to be about seeing such a strange thing late at night.
And it seemed that such eyewitness reports had not been heard for a while.
(...If it is something similar, I have one at home.)
Surely, it wasn't Fee (that guy)?
Thinking such things, Mika waited for the class to end.
■■■■■■
The next day, the second day of the second month of the Earth cycle, Saturday.
Mika had come to the Adventurer's Guild.
"Well then, we will perform the curse removal here tomorrow. Please prepare. You have five items in custody, right?"
"Yes. I will prepare. Is it okay to start from the morning as usual?"
Mika nodded to Yunressa's confirmation.
Currently, Mika had stopped accepting new requests and was clearing up the backlog.
However, there was an exception for the custody of cursed items; they were cleared up once a certain number had gathered at the Second Branch.
Because, if you clear up five cases, it becomes five million Rats in a single day.
It is delicious and you can't stop!
Yunressa, sitting opposite him, was writing something on a document.
It had been over two years ago, but Rosalinde had said Yunressa was "Mika's handler," and currently, it was exactly like that.
Rosalinde had secretly told him that since Mika mostly came on Saturdays and Sundays, Yunressa tried to come to work as much as possible.
It seemed he had been taking quite a lot of care.
"Oh, by the way, you got married, didn't you? Congratulations."
Mika conveyed his congratulations and bowed his head slightly.
And, this was also information from Rosalinde, but Yunressa had recently gotten married.
Her partner was a general person living in the Capital.
Saying it like that makes it sound like a celebrity's marriage announcement, but it seems her partner works in a job unrelated to adventurers or the Adventurer's Guild.
"Oh, Rosalinde! I told you to keep it a secret!"
Stopping her hand that was writing on the document, Yunressa looked up.
"Why? It is a happy occasion, so announce it widely and hold a reception in the Guild's lobby there—"
"I'm not doing that!"
Yunressa blushed red with anger.
However, the reason her face was red now was likely not anger, but embarrassment.
Mika took out a gift from his Magic Bag.
He had prepared it urgently after hearing the story from Rosalinde.
He handed over a cloth that was rolled up.
"Please accept this as a wedding gift. I have been taken care of by you, Yunressa-san, so this is just a small token of my appreciation."
"...Mika-kun. Such a thing, I am the one who has been taken care of. But... thank you."
Yunressa spread out the cloth she had received.
Inside was a cutlery set for two people.
The cloth had pockets, and one spoon, knife, and fork could be stored in each.
"M-Mika-kun!? This isn't Cresitan-made cutlery!?"
Yunressa, seeing the contents, raised her voice in surprise.
"Yes. I use them at home too, and they are very easy to use."
They do not get scratched at all, nor do they get cloudy inappropriately.
They maintain a state as good as new forever.
In the past, silver cutlery was used because it was said to "react to poison," but the color did not change because it was poison.
Silver reacted to arsenic and other substances, changing color due to sulfur components.
It seems the poisons commonly used contained such components.
And in terms of reacting to poison, this metal called Cresitan is superior to silver.
It seems to react to different types of poison and change color.
One day, if seasonings develop further, it might even react to ordinary food.
Mika decided to give two sets to Yunressa from his unused stock.
So, the only thing newly prepared was the cloth for storage.
Considering the cost, it would amount to hundreds of thousands of Rats, but that includes costs for molds, etc.
Since Mika possessed the molds, if they ran out, he could just make more.
"To receive such a good thing... Thank you, Mika-kun."
Yunressa lightly wiped her eyes.
(It is not something that should move one that much.)
It was an item used daily in Mika's house.
Rather, he had worried about what to buy as a gift and ended up using his stock, feeling sorry about it.
"But... what is this used for? It is rare..."
Saying that, Yunressa pointed to the fork.
"That is called a fork, and it is used instead of a stick. Since it is fixed firmly, it is convenient for cutting with a knife while eating."
"Cutting while eating?"
Yunressa made a puzzled face.
Mika easily conveyed "I use it like this" with gestures.
"Well, please try using it. You can scoop and stab with it, so it becomes convenient once you get used to it."
"I understand. Thank you. I will try it."
Saying that, Yunressa put away the cutlery.
"Oh, by the way, Mika-kun, are you planning to visit your hometown again next month?"
"Oh... yes. I intend to, but it is still undecided for a bit."
Actually, he was a bit worried about visiting his hometown this year.
With Kistil and Nerisfeene present, it was difficult to return casually as before.
Kistil's father...
Nerisfeene's church...
Since anything could happen with each, he was hesitant to leave the Capital for a month.
However, considering Amalia and Loretta, who were surely waiting for Mika's return, it was also difficult to choose not to go.
Mika was also curious about his family's situation, so he was thinking of making do with a short visit.
"In that case, if the timing does not match, there is a possibility we cannot meet directly..."
Yunressa made a face as if thinking deeply.
"What is it?"
Mika asked, but Yunressa kept a difficult expression.
Mika tilted his head.
"...This is something I want you not to tell anyone yet."
Yunressa lowered her voice slightly.
"Chirensta-san's transfer to headquarters has been decided. He has been going to headquarters half the week already."
"Oh, I heard that before. Didn't he say he might transfer even in the middle of the year?"
He had a memory of hearing such a story about a year ago.
"Yes. Actually, the upper echelons intended to do so, but Chirensta-san kept refusing no matter how many times he was solicited, saying 'Can I just give up in the middle!'."
"...That is impressive on its own."
The one soliciting is impressive, but the one refusing is also impressive.
Normally, they would reach some sort of compromise... both of them.
"But, the upper echelons said, 'You waited a year,' so the transfer to headquarters starting in spring was decided."
"Hee~... Could it be that Chirensta-san is now part of the executives? Joining the upper echelons?"
When Mika asked that, Yunressa made a thinking expression.
"Hmm... It feels like one step before that. To enter the upper echelons, one really needs to serve as Branch Manager at a large branch. Like in the Capital or Sarbengeal. But Chirensta-san is the Vice Branch Manager here, right?"
"Oh, that is true."
He had heard that there was a Branch Manager even at the Second Branch.
Since he had no opportunity to meet him, he was obscure, but he thought unkindly, "Maybe a cat or a statue could do the job?"
At the Second Branch (here), he only had the impression that Chirensta was working hard.
"So, it seems he cannot enter the upper echelons immediately. However, it seems he will be given significant authority and entrusted with the guild's reform."
"Wow..."
Isn't that the most difficult state?
(Since authority is given, the upper echelons will say 'Do it', but since the position does not accompany the authority, they will be looked down upon on the front lines. The upper echelons, for their part, will resist by brandishing their positions when they feel their interests are threatened while saying 'Reform it'... I can only think of such a future.)
This is the kind of thing that stops trains.
Nostalgic memories of trains stopping often during commutes resurfaced.
Mika took out paper and ink from his Magic Bag.
"Since we might not be able to meet, this is advice from me to Chirensta-san. Can you pass it on to him?"
Saying that, he wrote the advice there with a rustling sound.
And, seeing the content written by Mika, Yunressa was startled.
"W-Wait, Mika-kun! Are you really going to give this to Chirensta-san!?"
As Mika folded the memo, Yunressa asked.
"Please consider it as Chirensta-san's life depending on it. I am seriously thinking about Chirensta-san's well-being and giving this advice."
Mika handed the memo to Yunressa.
Mika had written two pieces of advice.
'Declare that you will fire them at any time. Approach it with that resolve.'
'As proof of resolve, leave a resignation letter with the top.'
Those were the two.
Since Mika said it with such a serious face, Yunressa could not say anything more.
"Probably, if Chirensta-san seriously tries to enforce the guild's reform, the obstacle will not be the front lines. It will be the upper echelons."
If the superiors thought Chirensta was hindering them, they would attack Chirensta by exploiting his weak position.
The more Chirensta clung to his position, the more effective that attack would become.
And, caught between self-preservation and responsibility, he would be mentally driven to a corner.
So, seal that off first.
It was not a bluff; he must be prepared to be fired for real, but that resolve would be what protects Chirensta.
"If you want to stop me, fire me."
By declaring that, all improper attacks could be deflected.
Chirensta would not protect his own position, but let the top protect him.
However, if the top fired him, that would be the end, but if that happened, he could accept it.
And, the opponent attacks because they have interests they want to protect.
From the opponent's perspective, if they fought Chirensta to a standstill, it would be the same as losing.
They would inevitably be forced to make a choice for self-preservation somewhere.
Protect interests or protect position.
He explained such things casually to Yunressa.
Yunressa had a blank expression.
"Well, I hope it does not get that bad, but I don't know what state it will be in. Can you tell him to go in with considerable resolve?"
Yunressa swallowed hard, nodding.
At that, Mika smiled.
"Oh. Also, please tell Chirensta-san 'Congratulations on your promotion'."
After threatening him so much, Mika said it so cheerfully, and Yunressa made a complicated expression.