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Like, there might be people who would start searching for the hunter who defeated these A-rank monsters and make weird demands. There’s unlikely to be any hunter here who doesn’t know Ciel, but that isn’t the case for clients and the Merchant Guild.

「It’s been long since I last came, but did anything happen?」
「Nothing significant… Well, not necessarily, but nothing that you need to be bothered with, Cielmer.」
「Is that so?」
「Yes. A somewhat troubling individual came, but the Grand Master handled them.」

Since Rhavelt dealt with them, I guess it’s good. I do feel somewhat guilty for having troubled him again, though. The only way we can repay the favor is to bring back monster materials from the den.
But that’s also a cause for problems, so would it be better not to do so?

「Are A-rank monster materials needed?」
「The guild would greatly appreciate it.」

It seems like I’ve spoken out loud, as Ciel relayed my concerns. Celia then responded with a suggestive reply.
Let’s just pretend that we didn’t get the hint. If they say that they don’t need it, then we can just stop giving them materials. For when that happens, I really need to learn how to make a new magic pouch soon.

I’m still an amateur in the field of sorceric tool crafting, but I should be able to figure out how to make one while we’re at the academy.
While I’m still learning, there are other things I want to create, so it might be best to start with those first.

「Oh, looks like you’re back.」

Just as I was thinking about all the questions to ask on our return to the academy, someone called Ciel from behind.
As Ciel turned around, we saw a familiar face looking at us with great interest.

「Carol, long time no see.」
「True, long time no see. Have you been well, Cielmer?」
「Naturally.」
「… Naturally, huh.」

Carol parroted Ciel’s slightly off-base reply with a troubled expression.
Both Carol and Celia haven’t had that many interactions with Ciel, so I can somewhat understand that reaction.
Carol aside, if Celia responded to us greeting her the same way, I would’ve been troubled as well.

On the other hand, if Carol ever says, 「Naturally,」 I’d simply respond 「I’m glad to hear that you’ve had progress in your sorcery research.」

I digress.

In Ciel’s case, what she means is, 「(Since I’m with Ain, ) Naturally (I’ve been well,)」 in 9 cases out of 10.
I might be wrong too, but I don’t have any intention of sharing this information at all.

「You’re studying at Ausente’s academy, right? Did anything interesting happen?」
「I was made to realize just how amazing Ain is.」
「… Perhaps we should chat elsewhere.」

The questions Carol asked to change the topic inadvertently caused Ciel to get excited, resulting in her tone changing back to her original one.
Unlike in the academy, where we’re playing the role of Ailneige, Ciel’s manner of speech changing isn’t an issue. However, two A-rank hunters having a chat in the middle of the guild hall is quite conspicuous, so I agree with changing locations.

I feel bad for the delighted Ciel, but I advised her to move somewhere else as well.

◇

『Fair enough.』 Ciel readily accepted the proposal to change locations, and now she has followed Carol to a fancy cafe just some distance away from the Hunter Guild area.
The cafe is mostly populated by young women and has seats both inside and outside the building; its construction is similar to the cafes I’ve seen in my old world. The establishment also has a similar feel, but that’s likely because the cafes in my old world are intentionally designed with a retro-look.

While it’s retro in my old world, it’s probably considered modern here, so perhaps this world will eventually grow to be similar to modern-day Japan of my time.
In reality, there will likely be some aspects that would develop similarly and others that would end up being completely different. This world has sorcery and monsters; gods provide each individual with Jobs, resulting in most people having what I’d consider supernatural powers in my old world.

I’ve been completely steeped in the common sense of this world to the point where I even catch myself wondering how people without sorcery and Jobs can live their lives.

Now, while we’ve come to a place seemingly catered to young adults, the price is not young-adult―or rather commoner-friendly. One cup of the coffee(-ish drink) is worth 2 silver coins. Roughly around 2000 yen.
No commoner would pay that much for a single cup, so the people here must be wealthy enough to afford the price.

Entering the building full of chatter, a staff member guided us to an open table.
Normally, I’d set up a barrier to keep our voices from being overheard, but since we’re only having a chat today, that is unneeded.

「It’s bitter, but is that alright?」

On the table where Ciel had sat in advance, Carol arrived with two cups in hand.
Considering that she describes it as bitter, it’s probably black coffee, but I’d personally prefer to have some milk and sugar with it. While I can stomach it now, I wouldn’t drink it by choice.

「As long as it has some taste.」
「That’s the most troubling answer.」
「?」
「Well, as long as you’re alright with it.」

Carol sat down as if in surrender, and I really empathize with that. After all, if you carelessly expand the topic, you’d be met with some uncomfortable stories.
The worst part is that Ciel would casually recount those terrible past events as if they were normal. If other people were to spend long periods of time talking to Ciel, they’d probably get really good at changing the topic.

「Back to the topic, but wouldn’t going to the academy just bore you at this point?」
「I got to know how amazing Ain is.」
「Well, that might be the case, but is it really fine to talk about her like this?」
「Not an issue; Ain is a registered A-rank hunter, after all.」
「I guess that’s how it works.」
「Besides, if I don’t bring her up like this, Ain wouldn’t even think of showing herself sometimes.」

I wanted to object to Ciel’s words, but I really can’t since she’s not necessarily wrong about that. Carol seemed to have something to say about that, but she held her tongue.

「The topic of Ainsel is fine and all, but I personally want to talk more about sorcery. What courses did you two take?」
「Sorceric Tool Crafting and Puppet Sorcery. I have my focus on Puppet Sorcery.」
「… I see. Those certainly sound like something best learned in the academy from scratch.」
「Are you also interested in it, Carol?」
「I am, but it’s outside my field of expertise. But since we have the time, would you mind telling me about it?」

『What should I do?』
『We certainly do have time, so it should be fine to share about it, I think? I want to have a short chat with Carol as well.』
『Oh, is that so? Then I suppose there’s no reason not to talk.』

While it’s troubling that that’s her main motivation for talking, it’s completely in character for Ciel.