Akatsuki Translations

“…My body hurts.” -Lynne

Lynne slowly lifted her body from the bed.

Her body was in pain.

However, it wasn’t the honorable wound of being attacked by monsters. It was muscle soreness from relentlessly running away from monsters. Additionally, there were scratches from tumbling around and scraping against the ground.

During dungeon exploration, she would join in the extermination of a variety of monsters, and the rewards from the magic stones that appeared were deliberately divided by Ur (Lynne tried to refuse, claiming she wasn’t working her share, but Ur firmly insisted). So, she had enough spare money to buy healing potions, but she avoided that. Including the money sent from her grandmother back home, she saved every penny she could. She was looking ahead to the future.

Looking ahead, namely, to after she became an adventurer, she was saving money.

Last night, when she returned, she learned about Lautaro’s restriction system for aspiring adventurers. She couldn’t have missed it when Medal proudly announced it to her as if declaring victory.

Yet, her resolve was unshakable. To become an adventurer. That was her greatest goal. If her enrollment in this academy was not permitted, then she would consider withdrawing. She would even renounce her city citizenship. Such was her unwavering determination.

Of course, abandoning her home was by no means a pleasant thought.

“…I’m fine.” -Lynne

After changing from her pajamas to her uniform, quickly arranging her hair, and getting ready, she left the dormitory. She was to attend classes at the academy today. Even after earning credits, it was allowed to take classes within the period if desired.

She wouldn’t miss the opportunity to attend classes here, which were beneficial for the magic of the Leylines, constructing spell formulas, and improving techniques and efficiency in forming magic circles. Even if the remaining time was short…

“Ara, Lynne-sama. It’s been a while, hasn’t it?” -Shizuku

On her way to the academy, in the courtyard leading to the school building, she encountered a beautiful woman. There was no need to try to remember who it was. The breathtakingly beautiful silver hair, the exquisite features, a curvaceous body that even someone of the same gender couldn’t help but glance at, the woman who temporarily enrolled as an adventurer, Shizuku.

“…It’s been a while, you remember me, don’t you?” -Lynne

“Yes, of course. You were kind to me at first.” -Shizuku

“I feel like my kindness was rather disregarded, though?” -Lynne

This girl, Shizuku, was a transfer student adventurer, and at first, it seemed unlikely that she would be able to keep up with the classes. Secretly, the other students somewhat belittled her. In fact, her knowledge of magic was very basic, and for the first few days, she wasn’t even able to properly attend the classes.

However, during those few days, she absorbed the knowledge and techniques of this academy at an astonishing rate.

Hearing one, she understood ten. Everyone realized she had a natural talent. Many professors from various classrooms approached her. And she had already ingratiated herself with the “Lustania faction,” apparently receiving various accommodations. Lynne wasn’t too familiar with these circumstances. She hardly had any friends and was busy.

“…I’m glad to see you’re doing well.” -Shizuku

“Thank you very much.” -Lynne

They had a relationship where they had cared for each other when they first met. Continuing the conversation seemed better than ignoring her, though it felt a bit like throwing sarcasm. However, Shizuku didn’t seem to mind and gratefully smiled.

To be honest, Lynne had never been very fond of her since they met. In a way, she couldn’t quite grasp what she was thinking. Just as Lynne was about to cut the conversation short and head to the classroom…

“How are your activities as an adventurer, Lynne-sama?” -Shizuku

“Huh?” -Lynne

An unexpected question from Shizuku. She shouldn’t have mentioned her goals to her.

“I heard about it from someone I know.” -Shizuku

Ah, she must have heard it from someone in the faction, Lynne realized. It must be that man, gleefully telling Shizuku at length how foolish Lynne was. Lynne snorted.

“I’m doing splendidly. Sorry to disappoint.” -Lynne

“Oh, that is very good to hear.” -Shizuku

Shizuku seemed extremely pleased. Lynne felt like she had been brushed off again.

“It’s reassuring to have more people in the same profession, isn’t it?” -Shizuku

“…Do you have no intention of quitting as an adventurer?” -Lynne

She was a little surprised. From her behavior at the academy and how she ingratiated herself with Medal, it seemed like she was intent on quitting as an adventurer and enrolling full-time in the academy, and indeed, not just her, but probably Medal and the professors thought so too.

However, she nodded affirmatively, as if it was only natural.

“This academy serves as nourishment for my activities as an adventurer.” -Shizuku

She declared so, her voice not wavering in the slightest. It was at this moment that Lynne first felt she touched upon a part of Shizuku’s true nature, which had been unknown until then.

An unwavering, almost frightening determination.

Despite the somewhat fluffy smile on her face, there was something terrifyingly deep-rooted piercing through her. It was a little scary. But at the same time, she felt a slight sense of kinship.

Well, if they were to become fellow adventurers, it might be better to get closer to each other.

“…Oh? Is that a bird?” -Shizuku

Just then, Shizuku looked up at the sky. Weaving through the planted trees, a bright blue bird flew towards them. Lynne realized it was a familiar, and more so, it was a familiar from her own family.

“Roux?” -Lynne

As she called its name, it fluttered its wings and landed on Lynne’s fingertip. A beautiful blue bird, her grandmother’s familiar, which she used to cherish when she lived at her family home. As she gently stroked it with her finger, the bird snuggled close, its behavior unchanged.

So, what is this familiar doing here? Looking at it, she noticed a letter tied to its leg. She untied it and checked the contents, and then,

“――――” -Lynne

It felt as if her vision swayed. Her heart raced upon reading the words, and fear constricted her body.

A letter stating that her grandmother was critically ill.

She knew that her grandmother’s health wasn’t good. She knew from the letters they exchanged, that her writing had increasingly become shaky over the years. She knew and had turned a blind eye to a reality that was supposed to be far off. But now, it had arrived.

“Lynne-sama” -Shizuku

Lynne’s feet wavered unsteadily, but Shizuku supported her from behind. Seeing Shizuku’s quiet face, looking at her with concern, Lynne felt a little bit of calm return to her heart.

“It seems the letter contained rather distressing news, didn’t it?” -Shizuku

“…One of my family members is in critical condition.” -Lynne

“Is your home nearby?” -Shizuku

“Ah, yes… It’s outside the central district, so it’s a bit far.” -Lynne

“Then you should hurry back. I will contact the professor for you.” -Shizuku

Having been told so clearly, Lynne nodded. She muttered a small thank you, and while scolding her trembling, nearly entangled feet, she rushed out of the school in her uniform.

“Grandma…” -Lynne

She didn’t even know herself what kind of feelings were packed into that word.

　　　　　　　　　　　　◆◆◆◆◆◆◆◆◆◆

Shizuku watched as Lynne hurriedly dashed out of the academy, but she could sense the presence of multiple people approaching from behind. Chuckles filled with small mockery and malice. Medal’s entourage. As usual, on their way to the academy, they seemed intent on picking on Lynne.

However, this was undoubtedly inconvenient.

It was always inconvenient, but there were limits.

“【Sing, O Water, and Capture/Calm ■】” -Shizuku

Shizuku quickly and accurately chanted a spell. Soon, a mud-based magic attack that had been launched towards Lynne from behind was intercepted by Shizuku’s magic. Small, translucent water bullets entangled and slowed down the mud’s momentum, causing it to lose speed and fall before hitting Lynne.

Shizuku tilted her head slightly at the result.

“……Only one of the spell formulas worked. It’s difficult to learn just by watching.” -Shizuku

Muttering quietly to herself, she turned around to find Medal’s entourage surrounding her in droves. It seemed the target had shifted from Lynne to Shizuku. One of them spoke up in an intimidating tone.

“Why are you interfering?” -Girl

“It’s not right. Lynne-sama is in a hurry for something important.” -Shizuku

“Why do we have to care about that girl? Besides, are you siding with her?” -Girl

“Is that wrong?” Shizuku tilted her head. The entourage laughed scornfully.

“Taking the side of that girl who keeps spouting ‘adventurer, adventurer’? Are you sane? Oh wait, you’re an adventurer too, right? Then, I suppose it can’t be helped?” -Girl

They taunted, their voices dripping with mockery, unpleasantly ringing through the crisp morning air. They seemed somewhat pleased. It made sense; they had found a weakness in the thorn in their side who had quickly become Medal’s favorite after transferring.

“This should help us regain Medal’s favor,” they thought with rough breaths.

“Better brace yourself. Medal-sama is harsh on traitors, you know?” -Girl

“Is that so?” -Shizuku

“What a predicament,” Shizuku sighed with a genuinely troubled expression. They thought she would come begging for forgiveness and apology. They even considered stripping her bare and making her kneel.

However, Shizuku faced their overwhelming malice, born of numbers, with a sweet smile.

“Then there’s no helping it——I’ll have to silence you.” -Shizuku

As the girls uttered a dumbfounded “Eh?” the sound of magic power, colder than ice and as bright as silver, crackled before their eyes.