Chapter 36

The Seemingly Weak Skill, [Bubble]. Bursting, Expanding, Contracting, Tension, Proliferation, Floating… Huh? Is the Enhanced Bubble the Strongest?

**Six Months Later, Back at the Academy**

The long road leading to the school building veered off to the side, passing through the training grounds and forest before reaching the orphanage.

A cool breeze blew through the forest.

The scent of greenery was refreshing.

Catching insects, playing adventurer games with friends, training with Luke, or cutting through the forest when I was running late for class…

Every scene that passed by overlapped with childhood memories.

Each time I approached the orphanage, it felt like I was returning to my younger self.

“Ah! It’s Big Brother Ausel!!”

“Really!”

“Big Brother, you’re back?”

“Hey hey, where have you been all this time?”

“Hahaha. Well, I’ve just been a bit busy.”

Children from the kindergarten group, all under six years old, spotted me and came running over with excitement in their eyes.

“That’s right. Do you want to play with this?”

“…Bubbles?”

The kids tilted their heads, puzzled, as they looked at the bubbles I’d conjured onto my palm.

I was going to impress them with something I couldn’t do before.

“Expansion Balloon, Hardening Lock.”

I created three smaller bubbles beneath the large one to act as a base, keeping it steady. Inside the big bubble, I generated countless small, soft bubbles, creating a pool of foam.

“Wow! Amazing!”

The children squealed with delight as they jumped into the bubble pool.

It seemed like a hit.

“Ausel…”

“I’m home, Minel.”

Minel appeared outside after hearing the commotion.

Inside the orphanage, it was quiet.

Everyone must still be in class.

Just as Luke had mentioned, everything—desks, chairs, shelves, carpets—had been replaced with new items. The wooden floors and pillars even looked freshly built, likely treated with some kind of magic.

This place was completely different from the orphanage I remembered.

“I heard about what happened, Ausel. You safely rescued the students who panicked inside the dungeon, didn’t you?”

“It was just luck. All I could do was run away.”

“Your bravery wasn’t an accident, Ausel. It’s the result of all your hard work that allowed you to accomplish that.”

“…Minel.”

“Yes?”

“…I-I want a hug…”

“Of course.”

Minel smiled softly and opened her arms slightly, ready to embrace me as I stepped closer.

She smelled like warm sunshine, and being hugged by her felt like being wrapped in a fluffy bed soaked in sunlight.

“…Mm.”

Though it was embarrassing for someone my age… I suddenly wanted nothing more than to be held by Minel.

This was my first home, my safe haven.

It calmed me down.

All the unpleasant things seemed to fade into the past, and my restless emotions felt like they were resetting to zero.

Having a place to return to really is important.

For just a little while longer… let me stay like this…

“…Thank you.”

“If you ever feel like needing another hug, you can always come back here.”

“Okay. Um, there’s one more thing… Can I ask you for advice, Minel?”

“Of course. If I’m the one you need to talk to.”

“I was invited to join ‘Claudia’s Sword of Grace.'”

“…I see.”

I wasn’t sure if this uneasiness in my heart stemmed from psychological pressure or something else.

Whenever I asked others about it, they’d say things like, “Don’t think too much! Just join already!” or “There’s no reason to hesitate. They’re the strongest clan in the country!”

But then again, everyone around me is either an adventurer or overly optimistic, so naturally, they wouldn’t understand my hesitation…

But I felt like Minel would listen carefully and truly understand my feelings.

“I’ve heard about it. Many people have come here asking about your background.”

“Eh… Really?”

“They’re all eagerly awaiting the arrival of a new hero, it seems.”

“Sorry… I didn’t mean to cause trouble.”

“Not at all. For both me and the children here, it’s a source of pride that many people now know about your achievements. It’s not a burden.”

The ripple effects of public curiosity had reached even here.

Probably, without my knowledge, many people were inconvenienced because of me…

“…You said you wanted to consult me. Does that mean you’re hesitating about becoming a hero?”

“Yeah… Everyone says this is an opportunity I should be grateful for, but…”

“When starting something new, it’s natural to feel nervous or uneasy. But knowing you, I don’t think that’s the only reason you’re hesitating. Perhaps… you aren’t receiving enough expectation to match your anxiety.”

“Not receiving enough expectation…”

“People move forward despite their fears because they also hold expectations for the future. But what you desire isn’t status, fame, or wealth, is it? Ausel… Don’t you have other dreams or goals you wish to achieve?”

“…Mm.”

Her words pierced straight through my heart.

Minel had perfectly steadied my wavering resolve with just a few sentences.

That’s right. I do have a dream.

It’s not just my dream alone.

It’s a dream that two people share together.

“I’m home… Hey, what are you guys doing!? What’s going on here!? Are these bubbles? Could it be…!?”

The students had returned from class.

Luke rushed in after seeing the bubble attraction left at the entrance.

“Ausel!? What are you doing here!?”

“Ah! It’s Big Brother Ausel!”

The elementary group kids poured in alongside him, unreservedly clinging to me.

Unlike the younger kids, they were bigger now, so I wished they’d tone it down a bit.

“Hahaha! Careful, that’s dangerous!”

“Big Brother Ausel, are you back? Are you going to live here with us again?”

“Hmm. I’m not sure about that. I don’t plan to attend the academy anymore.”

“Some people kept asking about you, Big Brother Ausel! Like who you are and what kind of training you did!”

“Me too!”

“Same here! Someone even offered me money for a picture of you!”

“S-so that’s how it is… Sorry for causing trouble.”

“Hehe~. Big Brother Ausel’s famous now!”

The kids laughed innocently, but all I could manage was a bitter smile.

“…Luke. Can I talk to you for a moment?”

“I’m coming too!”

“Me too!”

“Everyone, please stay here.”

“What?! Nooo!”

I called Luke over and quickly slipped out of the orphanage, trying to escape.

Minel kindly stopped the kids from following us.