Chapter 72 Heavy Expectations
――Since deciding to take Elvira to Flaria, I couldn't act on it right away. I had to finish summarizing my expedition report to some extent, and Arnold was also busy with various things, so we couldn't find a chunk of time.
Still, with Arnold managing to squeeze out some time, I was being taken along with Marcedes-san and Elvira in a carriage to visit Flaria once again. It had been about a month since the expedition, and it was slightly cooler compared to last time. It felt like the winter season from my past life.
Although this world doesn't have distinct seasons like in Japan in my past life — where the northern countries have snow all year round and the southern countries are warm all year — there are still some temperature changes depending on the time of year. The flow of the year is basically the same as in Japan in my past life. Perhaps it was designed to be familiar to Japanese players, who make up the majority of "Last Brave." It might have been hard to understand just by playing "Last Brave," but there is a unit of a year divided into twelve months with transitions similar to spring, summer, autumn, and winter.
"Elvira-chan, are you okay? Not feeling cold?"
I called out to Elvira, a black-haired girl sitting next to me looking tired. She weakly shook her head.
"Look, Flaria is coming into view. Let's get ready to get off."
Marcedes-san, with her light green hair swaying through Elvira, smiled at us and then furrowed her brows, looking back suddenly. She tapped Arnold, the black-haired man sitting in the opposite direction to Elvira, on the shoulder. He had been sleeping since getting on the carriage.
"Hey, Arnold! We're almost there!"
Marcedes-san nudged Arnold's shoulder, and he slowly raised his head, still groggy from sleep. He looked around with a more childlike gesture than usual, perhaps not fully grasping the situation due to just waking up.
Our eyes met. It seemed he had taken off his glasses to avoid dropping them while he was looking down, and for the first time in a while, our gazes connected without the lens barrier. It wasn't just my imagination; there were darker circles under his eyes than usual.
It had been a busy three days squeezed out of our schedules. Considering travel time, our stay in Flaria would be just over a day. We had applied for two days off and added one more. We had to head straight to the spring to collect water and then return immediately.
"It might be a bit uncertain, but I'll guide you."
I got off the stopped carriage and started walking, leading Marcedes-san, Elvira, and Arnold.
Our first destination was the inn. During the expedition, I had been taken care of at Emiliana-san's mansion, so I had passed by it many times, but this would be my first time stepping inside — well, in this current life.
After checking in at the inn and receiving the keys, we found that there were only double rooms available, so naturally, we took two rooms.
"We've taken two double rooms at the inn. How should we split them?"
"It's natural for me and El, Mentor and Ampère to pair up."
Arnold said as he reached out his hand, placing one of the keys on his palm. Clearly exhausted, he seemed eager to lie down as soon as possible, taking his sister's hand and heading up the stairs leading to the rooms.
Arnold's duties as an alchemist were well known, but recently, it seemed he was also being relied upon by the Knight Order as a magician. He was aware of his talents, feeling superior to others. Due to this awareness, he naturally believed that others would rely on him.
It wasn't arrogance; it was more of a spirit of service to share his talents with those who didn't possess them.
"Let's take a break today, Laura-chan."
Marcedes-san playfully snatched the room key from my hand and winked at me. Following the back of this beautiful woman who never seemed to show her age, I also stepped into the room.
Because of the short stay, naturally, there were few belongings brought along. After sitting on the bed and taking a breather, Marcedes-san suddenly spoke up.
"...You heard about Annette-san, right?"
The name Annette filled the room with tension.
From the stories shared by our Mentor, it was clear that Marcedes-san knew something about Annette.
"Yes. Um... Marcedes-san knew about it too, huh?"
Uncertain of the right response, I muttered softly, twisting my words at the corner of my mouth. My voice seemed to have caught Marcedes-san' attention as she let out a small sigh and began speaking in a nostalgic tone.
"My father was a peculiar man. In his later years, he became an apprentice to a human alchemist. He is our mentor's first disciple."
Marcedes' father, the first disciple of the renowned alchemist Berta.
With Marcedes-san, Kasper-san, and myself, all four disciples of Berta were now known.
"I was born after my father became an apprentice to Mentor Berta. So, I was born in the royal capital. Although my father often brought me back to his village, so when I say hometown, it refers to that village."
Marcedes' father, who apprenticed under Mentor Berta as a Royal Alchemist in the royal capital, and Marcedes, born thereafter. This also meant her twin brother, Olivelle, was also from the royal capital.
The village she often visited was likely where Arnold and Elvira were born.
"Annette was like a younger sister to me. Olivelle was born weak and timid, so Annette, being younger, often took charge."
The exact age gap between Annette-san and Marcedes-san was unknown due to Annette-san's passing, but Marcedes-san seemed older.
Marcedes-san cherished the memories of the past with a downturned corner of her eye.
"Later on, little Kasper-san joined us, and we played house with Annette, Olivelle, and me... It was fun."
――Kasper's name made me flinch.
This was the second time his name had come up unexpectedly. From the term "playing house," it seemed Marcedes-san and the others had taken care of the still young Kasper.
Before delving into thoughts, there was something I needed to confirm.
"Kasper is that Royal Alchemist."
"Yes, that Kasper. Seems like he's climbing the ranks. That little boy..."
Almost certain, this Kasper-san was indeed my boss.
Did his parents serve as knights, in the palace, or as alchemists? Were they close to Mentor Berta?
As I pondered their connections, Marcedes-san looked down, her long beautiful hair casting shadows on her face.
"After finding out Annette had Self-destruction disease, you must have heard about it too. After Annette's passing, Mentor disappeared without a word. We searched for a long time until we found out she was in Emme Village."
Without informing anyone, Mentor had arrived at Emme Village. The villagers of Emme Village, known for being closed off, kept their distance when the synthesis enthusiast Granny moved in. Perhaps it was comforting for her.
No one knew her past, and no one tried to uncover it.
Not many villagers leaked the news that a strange Granny had come to the village - even though I now live in the royal capital and Petra works in the city, the people of Emme Village mostly lead their lives within the village itself. Finding her must have been quite a hassle.
"I finally reunited with Mentor-sama, who hasn't changed from the old days. But rather than accepting Annette's death, it seems like she has given up on everything..."
At that moment, Marcedes-san looked up. A gentle smile graced their face.
"We had been in regular contact, but I was very surprised when I heard she took on an apprentice. And when Mentor wanted to visit me personally to provide a better environment for the talented apprentice's synthesis, I was even more surprised."
Marcedes-san paused. Then, looking directly into my eyes, she carefully chose her words before speaking again.
"Your talent has ignited mentor's intellectual curiosity... or perhaps, unconsciously, she had expectations for your talent. Maybe you can find a cure for the 'Self-destruction disease' that took everything from her..."
Although Marcedes-san was talking about Mentor's apprentice, I knew it was me, but it didn't feel real. The story of the renowned alchemist Berta's exceptional apprentice, as told by Marcedes-san, somehow felt distant.
――No, I couldn't fully grasp it. The fact that I was considered "that kind of existence," that my talent was changing Mentor's intentions and life in such a profound way.
"Arnold felt the same way. Meeting a genius like you made him feel frustrated yet hopeful. Laura-chan might be able to save his sister..."
――The expectations placed on me were heavy. Terrifying.
I wanted to scream that I wasn't such an extraordinary person. But all that came out was a trembling voice filled with self-pity.
I had always vaguely sensed that there were people who expected something from my talent and entrusted me with it. It should have been something to be proud of, yet why did I feel an unfathomable fear? It was because I couldn't fully believe in the talent given to me by myself, of all people.
Why was I, Laura Ampère, given the talent of an alchemist? If there had been such a description in "Last Brave" about Laura Ampère, I might have accepted it as something God (the staff) had designed. However, since such a setting wasn't evident in "Last Brave" Laura, I still harbored doubts about my own talent deep in my heart.
An unusually sharp memory that only manifested in matters related to synthesis. A knack for successful synthesis without much effort. Because I was aware that I hadn't put in enough effort to back up my skills, I was always haunted by the fear that one day this talent might slip through my fingers.
One day, I might open a book and find that nothing makes sense anymore.
One day, I might start a synthesis and be completely lost in the process.
――As I bowed my head, feeling like I was being swallowed by darkness at my feet, Marcedes-san's warm hand touched my shoulder. When I looked up, I met Marcedes-san's gaze, which exuded a motherly affection.
"I might sound like I'm saying all this, but don't put too much pressure on yourself. While Laura-chan indeed possesses exceptional talent, Laura-chan's life belongs to Laura-chan. You searching for a cure for the Self-destruction disease is out of kindness, not obligation."
――Not an obligation. As those words slightly eased my shoulders, a tight feeling gripped my chest.
It's not an obligation. It's just a 'request' Arnold personally made. However, it's a request that cannot be refused for Lukas, Arnold, and for the sake of this world.
After taking a few deep breaths, I nodded and said 'yes.' In response, Marcedes-san smiled deeper and indicated that we should rest without continuing the conversation.
Feeling the weight of expectations, feeling scared, it's because I lack the ability. It's because I lack confidence in myself. So, I have no choice but to gain the ability and confidence to meet those expectations.
Before I knew it, I passed the Royal Alchemist trainee exam, and almost a year has passed since then. Being an assistant keeps me busy, and I don't have much time for myself, but I thought it might be good to go back to basics and study synthesis.
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