episode_0027

How did this happen?

Right now, I’m drinking with a woman who isn’t my wife…

“W-w-Whoa…”

Of course, Yuri gave her permission, but a sense of guilt inexplicably consumed me.

Was this the reason that guy said I could rest easy? If the wife meets another woman, she’ll teach her a lesson for sure… What terrifying inner strength.

“P-phuh…”

The innermost counter of the Adventurer’s Guild bar.

Eve, sitting next to me, had been pouring drinks down her throat as if it were breathing. It was clear she’d been out of it for a long time, but not only did the pace not slow down, the empty glasses piling up on the table continued to increase.

“It’s more than just one drink…” “Mmm, good…”

Bang— She put down her glass and looked somewhere off in the distance. Her gaze rested on the drinks section of the menu, so I worried about how to stop her yet again.

“—I have something to say.”

The words that followed were heavier and calmer than I expected.

Crimson cheeks, seemingly drunk. The cloying smell of alcohol hanging heavy in the air. There are stories that can only be told with the courage of drink, but this didn’t seem to be such a case.

“…What is it?” “I think it’s time we talked seriously about work.” “Ah—”

Eve pulled a small, plate-like object from her bosom.

An Adventurer’s Pass. A kind of identity card that stores everything: that she’s an adventurer, her skill level, and her track record.

Presenting this meant she was truly accepting the request as an adventurer.

“Um… Will you take a look at this first?”

I also pulled out the [Basement Key] from my pocket and used a plausible excuse to begin our conversation.

“I found this in the Filbrogue mansion’s warehouse… No matter how I look at it, it seems important. What do you think?”

As I handed her the key coated with a mana barrier, Eve received it cautiously.

“This mana on the outside…” “Ah, that’s my doing.”

It was only a very thin barrier for preservation, but she noticed it the moment she held it. Furthermore, as if she immediately understood the principle of that coating magic, she enveloped her hands with mana, like gloves, and then dissolved the magic applied to the key. Even a top student is a top student…

“Hmm…”

First, she checked whether there was any other magic applied to it, then she seemed to concentrate on reading the constituent components. Finally, she checked the appearance by looking around it.

“Oh—”

Then, as if she had noticed something, she completely brushed off the rust from the body of the key. As if excavating relics buried in the ground, a certain pattern was revealed within.

“This is…” “Why, do you recognize the pattern?”

I also stuck close to her, staring intently at the key. Hmm, I also feel like I’ve seen this somewhere…

“Artemis Ruins. Commonly called, ‘The Tarun Labyrinth.’” “…Ah!”

The Tarun mountain range located in the center of the continent; the labyrinth in its heart.It’s a place that preserves the remains of the Artemis civilization, the ancient people who lived in the mountain range, my past life’s memory vividly told me.

“You knew about it?” “Ah, no. Not exactly… I think I’ve seen it in a book I read a long time ago.” “Hmm… Really? Few people in the kingdom know that.”

I flinched. I noticed something.

“Then you’re from the Empire?” “Well… Um… It’s similar? Before coming here, I worked at the Empire’s Adventurer’s Guild…”

The Artemis ruins are in the Tarun mountain range, but also within the Empire’s territory.

Including the fact that the kingdom and the Empire don’t get along, information exchange between the two countries wasn’t exactly active. So unless one has a particular interest in ancient studies, one can conclude that those who know of the Artemis Ruins are usually from the Empire.

Indeed… Her origin explained Eve’s outstanding skills. The Empire’s magical beasts were notorious for their viciousness due to the poison they exuded, so surviving there meant being strong.

Anyway, the problem wasn’t over yet.

“Now that we know your identity… What exactly is your goal? The purpose of your request.”

It’s time to fabricate my purpose. Should I just vaguely reveal it, like last time?

“Something… I felt that it wasn’t a coincidence that I went to that warehouse that day.” “…….” “It was when my academy admission was accepted, I was full of anticipation for a new life, and was studying various things. I went to the warehouse to find the necessary materials…”

Churp. I added some more embellishment.

“And I found this key there.” “…….” “I feel like fate is guiding me. I feel that if I follow where this key leads, I’ll become stronger.”

Eve was quietly and intently listening to my words. She seemed to be trying to sift the truth from the lies in my words, but at times, she also looked completely absorbed in my story.

A moment of silence passed, and she spoke.

“In short, you want to go to the Artemis Ruins?” “…Yes.”

Tsk. It was quite a speech, but she just extracted the essence.

Coward! Let’s fight with incitement and fabrication!

“Then there’s something you need to do first. To enter the ruins in imperial territory, you need imperial citizenship, or at least an adventurer’s license…” “I’m prepared for that.” “Haah…”

In truth, starting adventurer work was something reserved only as a last resort, but since this happened, I can’t help it.

It’s something I’ll inevitably do someday. As an academy student, it’s common to become a scholar or an adventurer.

I’ve just moved up the timeline. I was already prepared.

However.

“Yuri will come too.” “…That would be difficult. You might not know, but that girl—” “Didn’t you see earlier? When the other students all flew away, Yuri was standing there without a scratch.”

It was natural. I taught Yuri directly. She’s the kind of girl who would follow me even if I told her not to, at least half of my skill level.

Yuri, a hardworking girl with rare talent. Honestly, she possessed potential that was incomparable to ordinary students.

However.

“Besides, she doesn’t want to be separated from me.” “Oh… um… well… if she can get an adventurer’s license, there shouldn’t be a problem…” “I’ll protect her if necessary.”

Eve nodded twice. However, I couldn’t proceed with the whole story without her presence, so we decided to meet again soon, the three of us.

“I should have just brought her along…” “Why? I’m glad we came together.” “… Seriously? To you, that… No.”

Was she going to say ‘because Yuri is here’? Suddenly, Eve’s face seemed even redder.

Whatever, I got permission from everyone. …Did I not get it today?

I emptied my glass and banged the table heartily.

Bang—

“I’m serious. And I learned some of your secrets today.” “…….” “I don’t plan on gossiping about you being from the Empire, so don’t worry.”

Eve finished the rest of her drink, just like me.

“Thank you.” “Then, should we write a contract?”

I was a bit careless because it felt like the subdued atmosphere was brightening. I pointed to Eve’s adventurer’s pass and spoke.

Her eyes widened.

“…You know about adventurer contracts?”

Ah, ah.

“Huh? No, isn’t a contract standard procedure for this kind of request?” “…Alright.”

Cheh, I almost gave myself away because of my past memories. Close call… I was lucky to have quickly come up with an excuse; I couldn’t show any shady aspects right before signing a contract.

Eve looked at me for a moment, then used magic with the pass in hand.

“Contract.”

[Adventurer’s Oath]. A type of magic inscribed in the pass, often used for adventurer request contracts because once a contract is made, the terms cannot be changed.

Soon, a blue light emitted, and words were carved in the air.

From acquiring adventurer status, to going through the labyrinth, and finally using the key to the basement in the ruins to uncover secrets; we swore our names beneath the document that promised our upcoming journey.

Whoosh!

Their names were etched in blue flames beneath it, and then the light in the pass faded.

“That’s it for now. I look forward to working with you, sir.” “Yes, I look forward to working with you too!”

『[Condition: Recruit Eve Istar] fulfilled.』

…Huh? Ah, right. The condition was just recruitment?

My questions weren’t all answered, yet the status window continued to do its own thing.

『[Main Story Chapter 1: Academy Admission] cleared.』 『Experience and rewards will be given.』 『Level up.』 『Scenario unlocked. [Main Story Chapter 2: Midterms]』

Why, how? I understood that midterms came after admission, but why was recruiting Eve related to ‘Academy Admission’ in the first place?

That question was answered the next day.

. . .

Flop— Flutter, flutter.

“…What’s all this?” “That’s what I want to know, big sis… Do you know how surprised I was this morning?”

A pile of mail delivered to the dorm room. I quickly skimmed the surface… requests to join clubs, requests to join academic groups, fan letters, love(?) letters, insurance sales requests—no, let’s ignore that…

Most of it contained information eagerly seeking me out.

“Why are they looking for me…?” “Ah, you wouldn’t know, sis. You came back late last night… Sigh—” “I’m sorry… Yuri.”

I hugged the sulking girl from behind.

“It’s fine to drink with another woman, but please contact me, contact me!” “Okay, I will be careful.” “Sigh… Anyway, the reactions of the students yesterday were insane.”

To summarize… The commotion during yesterday’s sparring match flipped the academy upside down, and my name and Eve’s were spread throughout the academy, not only among the freshmen, but also to seniors and professors.

Initially, there was just confusion, followed by anger toward the instructors, and once those emotions subsided, they came to the conclusion that we were extraordinary. Thanks to that, Eve Istar and Narias Filbrogue were selected as the ideal candidates to approach!

Haah…

When I came out into the hallway, everyone’s eyes were strangely focused on me.

“…Good morning.” “Oh, have a great day…!!”

I casually waved my hand.

“Oh, yeah.“ “Kyaaah!!!”

One word pierces the hearts of the female students; two words set their entire bodies ablaze.

I grabbed Yuri’s wrist and fled from the dorm.

“Huff, huff…!”

We passed our dorm room, which had a sizable gathering of people, and arrived at the relatively quiet entrance.

Someone was waiting for me there.

“Excuse me…” “…Who?”

A beautiful woman with green hair, wearing knight’s ceremonial armor. It was definitely my first time seeing her…

She approached me, leaned into my ear, and whispered.

“Your Highness, it’s me! It’s Aspie!”