Chapter 268: An impossible reunion (1/2)
Chapter 268: An impossible reunion
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TLN: I sincerely apologize for ending the chapter yesterday in such a sour manner. I was thinking about putting out today’s chapter yesterday, but I had business to attend to and couldn’t manage to bring out 2 chapters.
Again, really sorry!
White as always.
After the night passed, I had come to a place I wouldn’t even imagine I would be a few hours ago.
The outside is pure white.
That place is, to my surprise…
“I am truly sorry, Waka-sama! I am aware that you are in the middle of clearing the labyrinth of Lorel, but…”
The one who is lowering his head is Shiki.
Actually, tomorrow is lecture day in the Academy.
At evening, I was planning on going to Rotsgard in order to have a preparatory meeting, so meeting with Shiki today was within schedule.
I simply didn’t expect it to turn into meeting in the morning.
Because of the sudden call of Shiki, I am currently at Kaleneon, a place I haven’t been to for a while.
“And so, how’s Jin?” (Makoto)
“He has regained consciousness, but he is still in a state of extreme agitation. I didn’t expect Jin to lose control in such a manner. It was my blunder.” (Shiki)
“…He is still alive. You don’t have to be bothered so much by it, Shiki. You must have estimated the amount he could handle when you had him train after all.” (Makoto)
That’s right.
Apparently, Shiki was training Jin, who was burning with desire to be employed by us, in a separate curriculum from that of the classes and had him take some work to see.
Of course, he wasn’t alone. The company staff was also with him.
The training itself was just as I said, not something that was too dangerous.
Regarding Jin, Amelia, and the students, I have given a relative amount of material for Shiki and have left it to him, and from what I have heard, there’s no problems.
By nature, it was a situation where there’s no need to call for me.
‘I am truly sorry, Jin has been seriously wounded. Please come to Kaleneon posthaste’, is the report I received in my sleep, and so, that’s why I am currently in Kaleneon.
From what Shiki has said, the treatment has been safely done and has shown the best results where no scars are left.
However, because Jin was about to die -not in a class, but in actual combat- he fell into a state of agitation.
…Well, at the classes, no matter how much they are conscious of death, lately, they have seriously understood somewhere in their minds that they won’t die.
Even if we corner them right at the borders of death, we wouldn’t go as far as actually killing them after all.
But actual combat is different.
For the sake of stealing, protecting, eating; they will fight the enemy and kill it.
Of course, only one side will survive and the other will die.
In other words, Jin has experienced the fear of actual borderline death that he has not experienced in a while, and his state of mind is currently unstable.
In terms of strength, he has plenty enough to work as an adventurer, but -fufufu- looks like he has finally stepped into the starting line of becoming a warrior in the real sense of the word.
He probably remembered the time with the lesser dragon and that has made him even more mortified and agitated.
That was also actual combat, but he was in a party, moreover, they had countermeasures before fighting, and they also had tenacity that surpassed their fear.
Now then…why was Jin on the verge of dying this time?
“…Actually, I am expecting Jin to act in Kaleneon’s matters. And so, I was thinking about having him experience fighting in a snow country and the way to fight there, so I brought him here with the intentions of having him learn in actual practice.” (Shiki)
“And there was an unexpected factor that even Shiki was unable to predict. Is that how it is?” (Makoto)
“…Yes.” (Shiki)
Shiki’s bitter smile was heavy.
Maybe he thinks he has planted a trauma in his student.
Being honest here, I don’t feel like Shiki needs to feel so responsible about it.
I also have no intentions of blaming him at all for the injury of Jin.
After this, I plan on saying this to Jin when he gets somewhat better: ‘Don’t make Shiki worry’, ‘are you a weakling?’, ‘are your limbs decorations?’, which is just some light abuse.
I don’t know for what sake he did it, but he came to our place seeking strength, and said he desired to be employed in the Kuzunoha Company.
He should have known of its danger.
He himself has taken the lessons and has been watching us, so he should have known that there’s no way he would obtain power and money by sipping tea while watching the sunset.
If that wasn’t the case, he would have dropped out of class.
On top of that, he was suggested training by Shiki and he accepted it, and splendidly failed in it.
That’s right, he failed expectations.
At the very least, that how I have to think as the representative of the company.
Everyone from Asora is also going outside and doing their best as part of the company with pride, so the responsibility is heavier.
If it were simply about the class, it would be another story, but when it is about Jin and Amelia, I must make sure to act the part.
“Shiki, in this time’s matter, Jin betrayed your expectations and you were disappointed. That’s all there’s to it.” (Makoto)
“But I—! Am in part their teacher as well.” (Shiki)
“At the same time -for now, at least- you are the company superior of those two. Right?” (Makoto)
“That’s…yes, it is exactly as you say, but…” (Shiki)
“Then, let’s go with expecting the same as everyone at Asora in terms of work. Without the partiality that they are students. You are focusing too much on it.” (Makoto)
“Am I…really focusing too much on it? I admit that because he is under my tutelage and inexperienced, I have been soft.” (Shiki)
“That’s how I see it. No matter if he is a student under your tutelage, as long as he wants to work in the Kuzunoha Company, inexperience doesn’t matter. If we are going to hire them, it would be troublesome if they don’t properly show the strength we seek from them.” (Makoto)
“…Right. It is just as you say. If we are soft with only them, it wouldn’t be a good example for the people of Asora that have crossed the gate and working hard at the outside for the company. You are completely right.” (Shiki)
“I am leagues away from preaching Shiki though. Hahaha.” (Makoto)
“No, that’s not true. This is not good, I just end up treating them as students rather than acting as a superior. If they are going to be involved with the company, I have to properly do things.” (Shiki)
“That’s right, that’s the way to go. Now then, Jin should have calmed down by now. Maybe I should go with the: ‘hey, wimp’. And so, why did Jin end up that way?” (Makoto)
The mysterious factor that overturned the expectation of Shiki.
It interests me.
“That’s probably me~!”
“Uwa?!”
From the other side of the room’s door, a response suddenly came in place of a knock.
What?!
Who?!
No, this voice…
I have heard it before?!
“Is it okay to enter?!”
An energetic voice resonates in the room.
Obviously, I look at Shiki.
“There’s probably no mistake. Because of that person’s influence, Jin chased the mamonos too far and received an injury.” (Shiki)
“Heh~.”
I see.
It is a voice I have heard before, but…at the same time, there’s a sense of discomfort for remembering.
It is as if something is out of place. A strange sensation.
Who is it?
Well, for now, it seems like the other side doesn’t hold any hostility, so let’s have it enter.
“Please, go ahead.” (Makoto)
“Excuse my intrusion!!”
Energetic.
At any rate, it seems to be an energetic person.
I could tell before that person came in but, she is a girl.
She is in her teens and…
…
Around the same age as Jin and the others…
But…
Hah?!
Haaaaaah?!!!
“Nice to meet you! It is an honor to make your acquaintance, Raidou-sama! At the orders of my father, Falz, I am on duty at the Adventurer Guild of Kaleneon, my name’s Sofia!!”
Short blue hair, both eyes not showing a single irregularity, and her energy is the same as before entering the room.
The dragon slayer that Root supposedly dealt the finishing blow to…has, for some reason, rejuvenated, and is standing in front of me.