Akatsuki Translations

What the hell was this?

Ur’s legitimate question was directed at the lump of mud before him. Initially, he thought it might be some kind of clay golem, like the ones he had seen at Magika’s residence, but upon closer inspection, he noticed human feet protruding from the bottom. It seemed to be a living human, albeit one heavily cloaked in an abundance of mud. Indeed, that explained it.

No, wait. Why were they covered in mud?

“…” -Ur

Regardless of Ur’s puzzling, the mud-coated individual – whether a he or she – continued to head straight towards him. Not because they had business with Ur, but seemingly because they intended to exit from here.

However, Ur’s nerves were not thick-skinned enough to dismiss the pitiable, even downright shabby, mud-soaked figure before him as someone else’s problem.

“…Are you alright?” -Ur

“What is?” -Mud Covered Person

He had thought he would be ignored, but a reply came – a high voice, likely belonging to a girl. However, the emotions encapsulated within were notably rigid, even harboring what seemed like hostility. Regretting that he had spoken at all, Ur nevertheless continued.

“You’re covered in mud and seem quite out of sorts. I just wanted to check if everything was okay.” -Ur

“…You don’t need to worry. I’m fine.” -Mud Covered Person

Despite her words, Ur thought he detected a slight tremble in her voice. Was it just his imagination?

He recalled the conversation of the female students he had passed outside the barrier. Their malicious aura made him feel as if he had stuck his nose into something troublesome. But it was too late to turn on his heel and flee now.

“…At the very least, how about getting rid of the mud? With some magic or something.” -Ur

“”I can’t use it, alright?” Just leave me alone.” -Mud Covered Person

Wait, she couldn’t use it?

Purification magic was one of the very basic spells that even Ur could perform. Often referred to as “laundry magic”, it served to remove dirt from bodies and clothing. Due to its convenience, it was renowned as a masterful spell, with even city dwellers unrelated to dungeons often learning it.

The idea that a student of the continent’s premier magic academy couldn’t use such a spell was perplexing to Ur.

However, if she said she couldn’t use it, then that was that. Besides, there was someone who could use it right here.

“…【Come forth, O Magic,  Harbor the Water Spirits, and Purify the Filth. 】” -Ur

“Hey, wait a minute.” -Mud Covered Person

Ur began chanting the spell, causing the mud girl to raise a voice of surprised protest. But Ur ignored her. He used the laundry magic every day; there was hardly a chance he would fail. He smoothly completed the incantation.

“【Clean! 】”-Ur

Suddenly, a miracle was invoked. A faint light emanated from the muddy girl’s body, and then – poof – the mud clinging to her was repelled. The water magic flowed over her, washing away the dirt and attempting to restore her to normalcy. In the blink of an eye, the mud was swept away from the girl’s body.

“…” -Ur

Beneath the layers, a small girl, clad in a tattered uniform and presenting a disheveled appearance, was revealed.

“…Pervert.” -Mud Covered Person

“I object!” -Ur

Ur shouted as he stripped off his clothes and threw them at the girl.

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“…So, in other words, during your magic practice, you were harassed with mud being flung at you, and furthermore, to make you wander around like that, they cut up your lower garments, didn’t they?” -Ur

“That’s right.” -Girl

“How insidious…!!” -Ur

Ur, having heard the circumstances, covered his face with his palm upon listening to the quite malicious bullying situation. It was not a story that brought any joy to hear. The sheer pointlessness of what was being done in the pinnacle of magical education indeed brought about a profoundly disheartened feeling.

It was fortunate that the girl in front of him, who had been the victim of the bullying, did not seem weakened. Her small stature, characteristic of a petite person, and the way she was completely enveloped in Ur’s jacket, hiding her torso, was somewhat adorable. However, her face was frightening. She was glaring quite intensely at him. Ur, suspecting she might be holding a grudge about the earlier incident, felt an unpleasant sweat on his back.

Even though he used the authority of the ring to enter the academy, he was, after all, a wanderer, an outsider. If unnecessary trouble arose, it would naturally be to Ur’s disadvantage. And if it came to that, it would cause trouble for Shizuku as well.

He should get his business done quickly. With that thought, Ur revisited the purpose of his visit here.

“Excuse me, is there a girl named Lynne here?” -Ur

“That’s me.” -Lynne

Ur covered his face once again. Oh, what a situation.

No, there’s nothing to be disheartened about, Ur reassured himself. He originally came here to find her in the first place. Isn’t this making things faster? With his spirits lifted once more, he turned back towards her.

“…Um, I am, through an introduction from the Adventurer’s Guild–” -Ur

“You’re ‘Ur the Skeleton Slayer’, aren’t you?” -Lynne

Huh? Ur was taken aback.

‘Ur’ was, without a doubt, his own name. However, a perilous word had been attached to the beginning of that name.

“When I went to the guild, it was being talked about. A young, small, grey-haired boy named Ur and his party, continuously defeating bounties, a rising star of hope. You’ve even gotten your hands on the ring so quickly.” -Lynne

Saying that, she pointed at the ring Ur was wearing. It seemed like she had been glaring since a while ago, but apparently, she had been glaring at the adventurer’s ring Ur was equipped with.

“…Well, whether I’m the promising new star you’re expecting or not, I’m Ur.” -Ur

“Hire me.” -Lynne

The conversation had progressed too swiftly.

“Wait, wait a sec. ‘Hire me,’ no.. ‘Hire,‘ or perhaps, ‘I’ll do anything.’ Anyways, listen!”  -Lynne

Ur pressed down on the shoulders of Lynne, who had assertively moved her face closer. She was remarkably strong, and her insistence was just as formidable.

“…I originally came to recruit you in the first place. So, calm down.” -Ur

“Really?” -Lynne

The moment Ur spoke those words, Lynne’s expression brightened for the first time, revealing a youthful cheerfulness appropriate to a girl her age. While her personality was entirely unknown to them, it seemed that the initial sullen face she presented was not entirely representative of the girl.

“However, I know nothing about you, Lynne—your circumstances, your capabilities, nothing at all. And it should be the same for you. You shouldn’t know anything about me or my comrades.” -Ur

Ur understood that it was one thing to hire someone for a temporary job, but quite another to welcome them into a traveling party without knowing anything about them. Especially when the girl seemed, no matter how you looked at it, to be grappling with some kind of situation.

Proper assessment was crucial.

“Taking our time, deepening our communication through discussion… we may not have the time for that, but at the very least, we can’t proceed unless I confirm what abilities you have.” -Ur

Trying to soothe her with that explanation, Lynne’s face fell into thought. Then,

“Then, come here tomorrow morning.” -Lynne

I’ll show you my magic.

She spoke with a challenging, even defiant expression.

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City of Sin, Lust, within the Lust branch of the Financial Guild 【Golden Phoenix】

“So that’s what happened, Akane. What do you think?” -Ur

《Nii-tan’s a perv~》-Akane

“Stop that, it hurts, you know.” -Ur

“Nii-tan’s a perv~” -Diz

“I truly am sorry for that incident.” -Ur

Ur was being teased by Akane and Diz.

Some time after his encounter with Lynne, Ur had departed from the academy.

Though the sun had already set, and Ur, having traveled here and there to the dungeon, guild, and academy in a single day, was thoroughly exhausted, he made a point not to neglect visiting Akane.

Granted, it wasn’t unusual for both Akane and Diz to be out.

“Work keeping you busy again?” -Ur

“This country has a lot of talented magicians, so it’s easier than Greed. But still, I’m having to delve into the dungeon quite a lot.” -Diz

《Something realllly big was squirming around》-Akane

“Akane, you’re amazing.” -Ur

“Praise me too.” -Diz

“Diz, you’re amazing too.” -Ur

He praised her. Diz seemed satisfied.

“I’m thankful that the work with the Golden Phoenix doesn’t involve rough tasks. Because most of the borrowers are magicians begging for research funds, I can also collect valuable magical tools.” -Diz

Various magical tools, whose purposes were utterly unknown to Ur, were scattered all over the desk in front of Diz. Apparently, each and every one of these magical items held considerable value. Essentially, they were items extorted from the talented magicians of this country.

“Is it alright for【 Seven Heavens】-sama to do such things?” -Ur

“There’s nothing illegal in the work of the Golden Phoenix.” -Diz

She picked up each magical tool, polished it carefully, and occasionally performed meticulous magic chants. Her demeanor resembled that of a specialized craftsman. Truly, she was multitalented.

“I always thought your position in the Golden Phoenix was just to conceal your identity.” -Ur

“It’s both, actually. Various circumstances made it that way.” -Diz

The term “various” seemed to encompass a multitude of things, so Ur decided not to delve deeper into it. He didn’t want to be burdened with information he couldn’t deal with.

“So, what do you think, Diz? About Lynne?” -Ur

“I can’t say much with just hearing the story. I primarily operate solo, so when it comes to party formation, I’m a novice.” -Diz

“A loner, huh?” -Ur

《loooneerrrrr》-Akane

A projectile struck his temple. It was one of the magical tools Diz had collected. What kind of woman throws such a thing?

“As for employment relationships, I know a thing or two, so I can offer some simple advice.” -Diz

“I’m all ears.” -Ur

“Discern between what you can compromise on and what you cannot.” -Diz

Hmm, Ur tilted his head. Diz paused her work and continued while brewing some tea.

“For example, ability and skill are areas where you can afford some compromise. You can improve them, they can grow, and adjustments can be made. No matter how much you expect immediate combat power, you’re not hoping for a perfect individual right from the start, are you?” -Diz

“Well, that’s…” -Ur

If Ur waited for someone who perfectly matched his current needs, the sun would set before finding anyone. Not to mention, it would be better to nurture someone who may lack in certain areas than to continue waiting for a candidate whose existence is uncertain.

“So, what can’t be compromised?” -Ur

“Whether you find the other person likeable or not.” -Diz

“…Huh?” -Ur

“It’s important, isn’t it? If you don’t like the other person, you have to face them every day and, moreover, entrust your life to them?” -Diz

Ur fell silent.

Essentially, it’s a matter of personality and compatibility. Indeed, if there were issues here, correcting them would not be easy. Of course, waiting for a partner who is favorable in “every” aspect is unrealistic. Compromise will be necessary. However, choosing someone with whom you fundamentally disagree is risky.

You cannot entrust your life to someone you dislike, someone you cannot trust.

“While ability is certainly important, the ‘relationship’ is indispensable in forming a team. You should be mindful of that.” -Diz

“…I see.” -Ur

Reflecting on it, that girl Lynne seemed to have quite an eccentric – not to put it badly – rather quirky personality. Of course, they have barely exchanged words yet. He didn’t know what her personality was like, nor whether they would get along.

Anyway, he must first get to know her. And, she must get to know him.

In the end, he wouldn’t know how things would turn out until he experienced the promised tomorrow.

“I wonder what kind of magic she will show me.” -Ur

“There was something I was curious about. Lynne, right? What’s her full name?” -Diz

Hmm? While pondering, he recalled the information given at the Adventurers Guild. That’s right…

“Lynne Nuu Leyline, the daughter of a rank holder. I don’t know why someone of the privileged class would become an adventurer…” -Ur

“‘Leyline,’ huh. I see.” -Diz

Diz nodded, seemingly satisfied upon hearing that information.

“What is it? You know her?” -Ur

“This is just advice, but there’s something you should prepare for tomorrow.” -Diz

“What’s that?” -Ur

“Food and something to pass the time.” -Diz

Somehow, it was an unsettling lineup.