Project GB is an official initiative by Re:Library.

After curtly declining the party invitation, Alcrei did not get angry but instead had a blank expression.

That’s fine, since that means I won’t need Ciel’s help for this, but when I was about to leave, 「You, you think you can refuse my proposal!?」 a loud voice echoed out.

I see; he simply blanked out because he didn’t consider the possibility of being refused. Still, now this is getting annoying. For now, since this is genuinely my first time meeting him as Ainsel, I curtly asked, 「In the first place, who even are you?」

This might not necessarily be the correct choice, but even without the status of being Fiiyanamia’s daughter, an A-rank is still higher in status than an earl’s child who isn’t even a direct heir. Even at best, we’d only be equal.

For that reason, from an objective standpoint, my remark is not a problem, and it’s instead Alcrei who’s playing with fire. Still, it’s not like there is much I can do legally or using my influence; I can probably have the Hunter Guild file an official complaint to Alcrei’s family at best.

Since things like these are tied to the local customs, it’s hard to make proper judgments.

That aside, while I did change my voice to prevent being traced back to Ailneige, it’ll be troublesome if Alcrei starts following us in the future. After all, Ainsel will be appearing in the Hunter Guild regularly, and the chance of Alcrei being around is relatively high.

The only time we have to go to the Hunter Guild is during academy rest days, and the same goes for Alcrei. For that reason, we need to somehow settle this issue right now, cutting all loose ends in the future.

This is why even though I can run if I wanted to, I’m not running. We can do that anytime.

「I didn’t think there would be any student who doesn’t know, but I’ll allow your ignorance this time. I’m Alcrei Tweisel. You do know the Tweisel family, don’t you?」
「Earl Tweisel’s kin, is it…」

While acting as if I only learned it now, judging from his statement, I guess students from the first academy don’t become hunters? The first academy only accommodates nobles, and even those who aren’t next in line can still aspire to become knights or bureaucrats. I vaguely recall a certain prince attending the first academy while also being a hunter, but perhaps people like him are the minority.

Actually, does that mean that there’s a chance that I could bump into the said prince here in the Hunter Guild? I need to verify with the princess later.

「If you know, then that saves the explanation. Join my party.」
「I refuse.」
「Why!?」
「Because we simply have too large of a rank difference. If you are not at least B-rank, I cannot agree to it.」
「What are you even…」

Has his mind not processed it yet, or is he refusing to understand? I don’t know, but since Alcrei is needlessly repeating himself, I showed him my A-rank card while making sure to cover my name.

I’d hate it if he knew my name, and there is a chance that he’ll argue that it’s a fake, but since Alcrei should have a certain level of education as a noble, I hope that he knows that it’s risky to show off a fake card inside the Hunter Guild, enough that no one—there are exceptions, but no sane person at least—would take such a risk.

「As such, please do not speak to me in the future.」
「Wait, so I just need to be B-rank, right?」
「I’ll at least hear you out when that happens.」
「Once you join my party, I’ll have you take off that hood and mask.」

For some reason, he seems convinced that reaching B-rank would automatically mean that I’d join his party; he’s not listening at all. Still, reaching B-rank while being a student is impossible, and we should be out of this country once we’re done with schooling, so if this makes it so he doesn’t constantly involve himself with us, then that interpretation is good enough.

Nonetheless, he actually didn’t doubt the authenticity of my card. He’s at least sharp-witted, I suppose. Even if he had doubted it, inquiring with a receptionist would quickly reveal the truth, so it’s not—actually, that might end up spreading the word to the other hunters present, so I’m glad he’s quick on the uptake.

「If you don’t speak to me until reaching B-rank, I’ll consider it.」
「Don’t you turn back on those words, alright?」
「Alright. Now if you’d excuse me.」

We haven’t looked at the requests yet, but it’s not really necessary, so I quickly left the Hunter Guild.

Since we don’t have any other plans for the day, I headed somewhere unpopulated so I could speak with Ciel.

『Come to think of it, why did Alcrei behave obediently back then?』
『I want to know, too. I was so looking forward to Ain relying on me; that was disappointing.』
『Sorry to hear that. But still, why…』