Aldo and Clara returned from the dungeon, earning their keep primarily through excavation work and delivering the excavated items to the Diggerโs Association.
โClara-sama has reached a certain level of contribution points to the association. As a token of recognition, please accept this medal and a monetary reward.โ
The receptionist handed a medal and an envelope to Clara, who accepted them graciously.
โThank you very much.โ
โWe look forward to your continued success, Clara-sama,โ the receptionist said with a bow. Clara wore a proud expression.
As they left the association, Aldo posed a question to Clara.
โClara, what was that medal about?โ
โAh, Aldo-san, you havenโt received one yet, so I guess you wouldnโt know. We Diggers accumulate contribution points. By delving into dungeons, defeating malevolent spirits, or excavating materials and selling them to the association, you earn points.โ
โHmm, I see.โ
โYou even get points if your companion does the work. For instance, if you sell excavated materials to the association, I also receive a share of the contribution points. Though, of course, the person who actually did the work gets the lionโs share.โ
Aldo stroked his chin thoughtfully. โI see. Interesting.โ
โSo, Aldo-san, how about we grab some tea together? As your senior, I wouldnโt mind sharing a few Digger tips with you.โ
โWell, I appreciate the offer, but Iris is waiting for me at home. Sorry.โ
Aldo declined politely, prompting Clara to respond cheerfully.
โOh, no problem! Youโre such a good person, Aldo-san, prioritizing your family.โ
Clara lightly pushed Aldoโs back.
โOff you go! Iris-chan is waiting for you. Dash!โ
โDash? Thatโs a bit much, donโt you think?โ Aldo was flustered by Claraโs enthusiasm.
โHaha, see you later, Aldo-san. Say hi to Iris-chan for me!โ
โWill do. See you around.โ
After parting with Clara, Aldo returned home, where Iris greeted him as usual.
โWelcome home, Dad! Ohโฆ!โ
Iris stopped short upon seeing the sword Aldo carried. It was a weapon imbued with malevolent spirit energy, strictly off-limits. Seeing it, she clenched her teeth in frustration.
โIโm home, Iris. Howโve you been?โ
โIโm good! But Iโd be even better if you came home sooner.โ
Her words pricked Aldoโs heart. He clutched his chest, the guilt palpable.
โHaha, youโre right. Iโll do my best to spend more time with you, Iris.โ
โOkay!โ
Although Aldo worked hard to ensure his daughter had a good life, he grappled with the dilemma of leaving her feeling lonely.
โBy the way, Iris, are you ready to spend some time with Clara alone?โ
โUmโฆ Iโm still a bit nervous.โ
โI seeโฆโ Aldo respected Irisโs feelings. If she still felt wary of Clara, he wouldnโt force her to spend time alone with her. However, he couldnโt deny that having Clara help look after Iris would ease his worries.
โHow about next time, we hang out with Clara together?โ
โIf youโre there, Dadโฆ then okay.โ Iris nodded, trusting her fatherโs presence.
Aldo took Iris out to town, hand in hand, to meet up with Clara. At the meeting spot, Clara arrived cheerfully.
โHey there, Aldo-san, Iris-chan! Sorry to keep you waiting.โ
โOh, hi, Clara.โ
โHello, Clara-san,โ Iris greeted quietly, her gaze lowered. Clara crouched down to meet Irisโs eyes.
โHello, Iris-chan. You look so cute today. Oh, youโre wearing the outfit I picked out for you last time. That makes me so happy!โ
Iris blushed, unable to meet Claraโs gaze. But Clara simply smiled warmly.
โAlright, today weโre heading to the city to watch some street performances. Letโs go!โ Clara pointed enthusiastically towards the city, leading the way.
The city wasnโt far from District A, where Aldo and Iris lived, and the group reached the bustling streets on foot. Even before the event began, a crowd had already gathered. Iris, being small, couldnโt see over the people in front of her.
โHere you go, Iris.โ
โWowโฆ!โ
Aldo lifted Iris up into his arms. At nine years old, she wasnโt exactly light, but Aldoโs strength, honed through his work in the mines, made it manageable.
โStep right up, folks! The street performance is about to begin!โ
The lively call of a female emcee echoed, capturing the crowdโs attention. A large man took the stage, gulped down a bottle of liquor, and then spewed flames from his mouth.
โWhoa!โ Iris exclaimed in amazement.
โDid you see that, Dad? He breathed fire! Fire!โ
โYeah, that was incredible,โ Aldo replied, sharing in her excitement.
Though Iris knew about magic, seeing something seemingly magical in person was a first for her.
โIris-chan, is this your first time seeing street performances? So cute,โ Clara said, smiling at Irisโs wonder.
Next, the performer took a knife and tossed it high into the air. It spun rapidly before he caught it deftly, earning cheers from the audience and Iris alike.
But the real show began when the performer started juggling multiple knives with precision.
โWhoa, Dad, look at that! Isnโt it amazing? How doesnโt he hurt himself?โ
โYeah, itโs impressive. He mustโve practiced a lot.โ
โDo you think I could do that if I practiced?โ Iris asked, eyes sparkling with curiosity.
Aldo, however, gave her a wry smile.
โNo, itโs too dangerous for you, Iris.โ
โAw, but I want to do that knife trick too!โ
Iris pouted, her lips forming a displeased โboo.โ But Aldo stood firm, unwilling to budge.
โNo means no. Your dad wonโt allow it. If I catch you trying it with the knives at homeโฆ youโll get a stern talking to!โ
โHmmph. Fine, I get it,โ Iris grumbled.
Despite her protest, Iris was the type to obey once scolded. It was a behavior ingrained by circumstances, a sort of unfortunate obedience born from her environment.
โIris, how about I teach you something even cooler than that performance?โ Clara chimed in.
โHuh? Really? What is it? Whatโs cooler?โ
Just as the large man exited the stage to make way for the next performer, Irisโs curiosity shifted to Claraโs offer. Clara put a finger to her lips in a playful gesture, signaling for silence.
โHehe, itโs magic. I can use magic. Iris, youโve never used it before, have you?โ
โWow!โ
At the mere mention of magic, Irisโs eyes lit up. She was the kind of child who dreamed of becoming a magician, so the idea instantly captivated her.
โBut,โ Clara teased, โthat comes later. For now, we should give our full attention to the performers. Itโd be rude not to.โ
โOkay!โ