Chapter 60

I obtain permission from Mr. Griffo to welcome Houma and the others into the mansion.

Miti, Sutei, and Mitera burst out in excitement as they rushed toward the cats. The cats Houma brought along were quite used to people, it seemed, as they approached the children affectionately to be petted.

“This cat is so fluffy too!”

Miti came closer to Houma, but he smoothly avoided her, leaving her a little disappointed.

“By the way, even though you’re a spirit, ordinary humans can still see you, can’t they?”

I whispered to him, and Houma proudly twitched his whiskers.

“With my true power, something like this is a piece of cake.”

I see, that makes sense.

Almoa and I quietly moved to the corner of the room, away from everyone’s eyes.

“So, what’s this all about, Houma?”

“I wanted to thank you two for all your help. Here, I brought this for you. I made these treats myself.”

Huh? You can make sweets?

The cat spirit showed us a paper bag he’d been carrying. It seemed to be part of spirit magic, as the bag stayed firmly on his back without any ties or straps.

Almoa and I exchanged glances and took the bag. When we looked inside, we found a few candies wrapped in leaflets.

Almoa’s eyes widened.

“They’re beautiful. Translucent blue.”

She held one up to the light, and as she said, it looked as if a serene water surface had been captured inside, possessing a mesmerizing beauty.

If I hadn’t been told it was candy, I might have mistaken it for a magical gemstone.

“These are water candies infused with my magic. Eating them will not only hydrate you but also restore your mana. They were a real challenge to make.”

“Are you sure it’s okay to take these?”

“That’s why I brought them. Oh, and I just used some random wrapping paper I found lying around, so feel free to toss it.”

“Uh, alright. Thank you.”

Almoa gave a slightly awkward smile.

For such beautifully crafted candies to be wrapped in dusty, discarded paper… I suppose spirits see things a little differently than humans.

But still, I’m grateful for it.

“Huh?”

As I examined the dirty wrapper, my eyes widened.

“Is this a flyer for the Ella Amo Ranger Exam?”

“Let me see, teacher.”

Regin had somehow appeared beside me.

He was staring intently at the flyer for the ranger exam.

I handed it to him, and he began reading it with an unusually serious expression.

“Well then, Isto, we’ll be taking our leave. Do your best, and come visit again sometime.”

“Oh, alright.”

I couldn’t help but feel curious about Regin’s reaction, and my response came out absentmindedly.

Without any particular concern, Houma and his friends quickly left, as nonchalantly as only cats could.

As the cats disappeared, the other members, looking a bit disappointed, gathered around me.

“Hey, Isto-sensei. Were you just talking to the cats? And Almoa-san too.”

Tiara gave me a curious look. Almoa and I played it cool and didn’t respond.

Amid the lively children, Regin was the only one who stayed silent, deep in thought. Worried, I called out to him.

“What’s wrong? Is something on your mind?”

“Teacher.”

Everyone turned to look as Regin clutched the flyer tightly.

“I… I want to go to Ella Amo with you, teacher. I want to take the ranger exam!”

“What?”

“Please! Take me with you! I’m begging you!”

Regin bowed his head earnestly.

Silence filled the room. The children who knew him well seemed more shocked than I was.

“Can I ask why?”

I asked.

After a brief pause, he replied.

“Out of everyone at Elpida, I feel like I’m the only one with nothing special. Narg’s training hard to get stronger, but I don’t go that far, and unlike Groza or Eiri, I don’t have anything I’m particularly good at. Even Miti has things she wants to do, but I don’t.”

Regin looked down.

“When we talked about staying in this town earlier, I realized how amazing everyone is. I felt like I was just drifting along, and it really got to me.”

“And?”

“So, I want to find something I want to do like everyone else. I used to just think ‘as long as it’s fun, that’s enough,’ but I started thinking, what do I really want? I was mulling that over just now.”

He carefully unfolded the wrinkled flyer.

“And when I saw this flyer, it clicked. ‘This is it!’ I want to take the exam and become an adventurer. This is what I want to do.”

“You don’t need to take the exam just to become an adventurer. Our Elpida is already an adventurer’s guild, after all.”

Tiara said, but Regin responded with determination in his eyes.

“I want to see many worlds, with my own power! This exam feels like the first step I need to take for that.”

The boy I thought of as a carefree spirit looked me squarely in the eyes.

“Please, teacher! I know it’ll be dangerous. I know it’s far and it’ll be tough. But I want to take this exam! Let me go with you!”

His plea was sincere.

I crossed my arms.

I sensed Mitera’s gaze as if silently asking, “Should I convince him otherwise?” I gave a small shake of my head.

—In Ella Amo, the exam isn’t just a simple test.

There is great danger.

As Mr. Griffo agreed, it would be wise, as an adult and director of the orphanage, to leave all the children behind except Fiole.

But—

Right now, Regin is looking back at himself and choosing a new path with resolve. His own genuine determination.

Is it right to suppress that just because it’s dangerous?

Besides…

According to Branch Manager Sigurd’s [Dream Vision], what awaits us in Ella Amo is a ‘promised victory.’ If we manage our moves carefully, perhaps we can avoid the risks.

To leave behind.

To take along.

Both choices have their reasons.

Then, the place I should take a stand is—”

“I understand.”

Helping, raising, and supporting the independence of these children—that is my guiding principle of action. Just like my mentor, who once permitted me to venture out into the town before I was even an adult.

“Let’s go together, Regin.”

“Sensei…!”

“But remember, if you’re going to accompany me, you must study and train diligently to pass the test. Got it?”

“Yes! Absolutely!”

“Good. I plan to take the test as well, so let’s do our best together.”

I looked at Regin, who was beaming with joy and jumping up and down, with a calm expression.

…However.

In a situation without Mitera around, I’m somewhat concerned about how well things will go. It’s likely my responsibility to manage that somehow, too…

“Isto-sensei, I have a suggestion.”

Suddenly, Gloza raised a hand.

“If you’re taking Regin along, why not bring Tiara as a supervisor as well?”

“Me?”

Tiara, surprised by the sudden mention, pointed to herself.

After thinking for a moment, she glanced at Regin, who was running around in excitement, and shrugged.

“Well, I suppose there’s no other way. Leaving Regin in that state unattended would indeed be dangerous.”

She added,

“Besides, I still have much to learn from Isto-sensei.”

“Tiara…”

“As your most devoted student, you wouldn’t possibly turn down my continued requests for teaching, would you, Isto-sensei?”

She tapped a book with a little pat.

Honestly, I can’t match her.

“Understood. I’ll be counting on you.”

“Hehe.”

Tiara smiled happily as well.

Watching her run off to inform the maid she always read books with, I looked on with a deep sense of emotion.

Two days later.

“Well then, everyone, we’re off.”

Along with Fiole, Almoa, Regin, and Tiara, the five of us received a farewell from the people of Elpida in front of the Grifo residence.

As the children exchanged brief words of farewell, I spoke shortly with Mitera and Grifo. We had already shared everything necessary, so there wasn’t much left to say.

“Take care.”

“Stay safe.”

“Please, I leave the rest to you both.”

—Then, with all of us on board, Redelia departed from Wigarlus.

Sitting alone on the coachman’s seat, I recalled the words of Branch Chief Sigurd, who had secretly shared with me some information about the Dream Vision.

“A woman holds the key…”