Chapter 54 The Promising Newbie Magician
As the clock struck the appointed time, the door was knocked a few times.
I looked up from my list. For the past few days, I had been busy synthesizing healing potions to supply to other countries under attack by monsters.
"Please wait a moment," I called out to the other side of the door, quickly tidying up the desk. I carefully poured the healing potion into containers, sealed them, put away the synthesis tools, and finally rushed to the door.
"Sorry for the wait," I said as I opened the door.
"Hey, sorry for interrupting your busy schedule, young lady."
Vake raised his right hand to greet me. Standing next to him was a young man I didn't recognize.
He wore a slightly dirty robe and had a simple, handsome look. His short, neatly trimmed brown hair and gentle light purple eyes caught my attention.
Our eyes met, and I felt a sense of familiarity. Despite it being our first meeting, his face seemed oddly familiar.
He appeared to be an ordinary young man without any striking features. I wondered if he resembled someone I had seen in the city by chance. I greeted him with a nod, assuming he was a first-time acquaintance.
"We were just talking about this barrier with you, young lady. How about him? He's my young magician."
"Nice to meet you."
Our eyes met again, and I couldn't shake off the feeling of déjà vu.
Vake put his hand on the young man's shoulder, speaking proudly like a father boasting about his son.
"He's also a genius, just like you in the alchemist world. If you're the promising rookie in the alchemist world, he's the one in the magician world!"
The young man blushed at Vake's words. He responded with a bashful agreement.
The more I looked at him, the more I felt like I knew this young man. However, he didn't quite match anyone in my memories. Why was that?
Lost in thought while staring at the young man, Vake misunderstood my silence as worry and patted my shoulder, trying to reassure me.
"I'll accompany you. Don't worry."
I involuntarily let out a surprised "Huh" at Vake's words.
"Vake-san, you're coming too?"
"Yeah."
Vake nodded firmly in response to my confirmation.
Despite being on rest due to an injury, having the Knight Order leader and the promising rookie travel to a remote village was a welcome development. However, I couldn't help but feel anxious about the continuous stream of fortunate events. Would it be okay for the promising rookie and the Knight Order leader to leave the royal capital unattended?
Learning that Vake would accompany me raised a new concern on me.
Vake going to Emme Village meant he would meet Lukas. This would change their first encounter from "Last Brave" slightly.
I didn't want to foolishly refuse this offer, but I couldn't shake off my worries.
"But what about your schedules?"
"We'll call it an expedition training, so it's fine. Besides, we've been tasked by the higher-ups to check on the situation in the region."
Vake's words made me nervous. I realized something at that moment.
I felt like things were going too smoothly, but it seems like Emme Village isn't the main focus. The order from above was to check out the situation in the countryside first, and I was lucky enough to sneak in there.
Even so, good luck can come with good timing.
"Checking out the countryside... is it because monster activity has been increasing recently?"
"Well, something like that."
Vake chuckled vaguely. It was an unusual attitude for him, but since Vake disliked lies and was not good at them, his attitude was almost like approval. The royal capital, Platonovena, Emme Village, and now this time.
Attacks by monsters have been happening frequently in a short period. It seems like the country is planning to investigate and take measures seriously.
"Sorry for the suddenness, but I'll be leaving in 5 days. Can you handle things here for me?"
"Yes, of course! I'll write a letter. And I'll also give a letter of introduction to Vake-san."
Although Vake said it was sudden, the expedition must have been planned long before. But without saying it out loud, I nodded firmly.
It seemed like we would be able to have a much stronger barrier magic set up in Emme Village than I had anticipated.
While I was concerned about Vake and Lukas, I couldn't afford to miss out on this opportunity. Even if the first meeting's time and place were slightly different, it wouldn't have a big impact - or so I tried to convince myself forcefully.
But then I remembered. In this world, Lukas had already met the heroine in a dream.
Even the most important meeting between the protagonist and the heroine was changing slightly. Thinking about it made me feel relieved.
After the tightness in my chest eased, I felt overwhelming gratitude towards Vake, the magician, and Arnold. I bowed deeply to the two of them once again.
"...Thank you so much."
"Don't worry about it. The safety of your... family comes first. Use whatever you need."
I was bothered by the way he emphasized the word 'family,' but then I quickly remembered Vake's past.
When he was young, his parents were killed by monsters. Despite being a child himself, he struggled to raise his younger brother and sister. Perhaps he held stronger feelings towards family and home than most people.
"So, about... the other request for escorting Flaria..."
After pausing for a moment, Vake nodded slightly but decisively.
"Sorry, but my schedule just got filled up with a new mission. Do you need to hurry?"
It seemed like he was willing to accompany me to Flaria if it worked out for him.
I shook my head reflexively. It felt too much to ask for his help.
"No! I have synthesis work to do, so not right away... But it's still not right to ask Vake-san for the escort..."
Even though I hesitated in my words, Vake furrowed his brow. He looked pained, almost sorrowful.
"Don't worry about it! Well, 14, 15-year-old girls getting weird ideas. I'll try to adjust things as much as possible."
"...Thank you."
I squat down to meet Vake's gaze. Our eyes lock, and then they narrow into a crescent shape.
Although age-wise he's closer to being a father or daughter, I couldn't help but think of him as an older brother. It's such a happy feeling to have someone worry about you and reach out a helping hand.
As I pondered this, I realized there was another person I needed to thank properly. So, I shifted my gaze away from Vake and looked up to see the promising newcomer magician.
"Um, I'm Laura Ampère. I apologize for the sudden introduction. Nice to meet you."
I look up at the brown-haired young man. Seeing him face to face again, he stands tall with a mature face. He seems older than Arnold—maybe around 18 years old.
"Don't worry about it. It's also for my own training, so I should be the one apologizing."
His eyes, which had been smiling, suddenly turned serious.
Due to the height difference, he unintentionally looked down at me, and in those purple eyes that seemed somewhat cold, something clicked in my mind.
I heard a man's loud laughter echoing in my ears.
"I'll do my best in my duties."
――The image of that man floated in my mind, floating in the air with magic, wearing a sly smile. He held a large and impressive staff in his right hand.
As he pointed the staff towards me, an intense pressure accompanied by advanced magic struck. Elvira, a black-haired girl, shielded me with her own magic, deflecting all of his attacks and shouted at the man.
――Return his body.
"Oh, I forgot to introduce myself. I'm Flor Vilnorf."
Flor Vilnorf. Honestly, the name didn't ring a bell. But this memory was unmistakable.
Without returning the offered handshake, I just stared up at the young man in front of me.
――This person was possessed by the demon king in 'Last Brave'."
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