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We started walking towards the exit of the city.

Like Raum, the monsters showed up nearby this city too. But the Adventurers kept subjugating them, so the safety was maintained to a degree.

For that reason, it was judged to be fine for the beginners to leave the town for the test.

“Corne grass should be growing at the lakeside in the north.”
“Was it inside that picture book from earlier?”
“Yeah, I remembered it.”

In the north of Stollar was a lake that acted as their source of water. The lake was created by the spring, so the water temperature was too low and wasn’t ideal for swimming though.

It was still one of those spots that a lot of tourists visited once summer came.

Given that it was a famous place, the water was of quite a good quality and was very clear. Hearing about it from me, Finia looked quite dejected.

“So you can’t swim in it because it’s cold. It saddens me that I can’t see you in a swimsuit, Lady Nicole.”
“It’s too early season-wise. Besides, why are you looking forward to seeing me in a swimsuit? I’m the one who wants to see you in one.”
“Then both of us can wear it!”
“And where do we swim?”
“Maybe the inn’s bath?”
“It’s too narrow!”

Gadius’ inn had a public bath too. It was expected from a big inn like that.

However, it was still not that big, and only 4-5 people could fit in. This was because, in this region that was closer to the north, it was more customary to wipe your body instead of bathing.

Finia was close enough to me to join baths together. What point was in seeing me in a swimsuit at this late hour?

As I expressed my point in exasperation, I saw familiar faces at the gate that were also about to leave the city.

It was Mark’s group from that time we did the roof repairs.

“Oh, it’s Mark.”
“Hmm? Ah, Miss Finia! Are you planning to head out of the city?”

Mark’s expression brightened before my eyes as Finia addressed him. She was also Mark’s savior, so he held special respect for her.

I couldn’t deny that he had good intentions. But still, I wasn’t about to hand Finia over to some dudes, okay?

“Yes. For our rank-up exam.”
“Oh, then are you looking for the Moria grass like us?”
“Moria grass?”
“They are a species of water plants. They can be collected near the northern lake. Since you’re asking back, I take it you are looking for different things?”
“Yes, we are looking for Corne grass. But since you’re looking for water plants, your destination seems to be the lake. Same as us.”
“That’s right. Would you like to go there together?”
“Well…“

She hesitated and glanced at me. She seemed to be waiting for my decision.

Something about their feelings rubbed me the wrong way, but it wasn’t bad for there to be more people with us.

More people was better, be it for keeping watch over the surroundings, or for searching.

“Well, I guess it wouldn’t hurt.”
“Lady Nicole is not objecting, so let’s go together.”
“Really!?”

Good grief, this guy’s change in attitude. He was looking down on us because we were girls and I was a kid.

Well, Finia was a beauty. And unlike me who wasn’t quite tall enough yet and Michelle whose hips were still childish, Finia was close to them in both age and appearance.

So I could understand why they would make a pass at her…

“But you won’t be forgiven if you do something insolent. Particularly by Gadius and my dad.”
“Eeh!? I-I got it!”

I warned him just in case. They had learned in this one week that Lyell was my dad. I doubt they would do anything stupid after so much warning.

We requested the gate guard process our request to leave the city, and headed to the lake that was the city’s water source.

Stollar’s north was somewhat elevated, and the spring had welled up there and created a lake.

The water accumulated there traveled down the slant as a river, flowing inside the city.

Due to such good quality water and the sunny western part of it, Stollar was a rare grain-producing region.

The reason Donovan clung to the tax collection right so much was also for this reason.

Since we were climbing up on a gentle slope by the riverside, it felt like we were hiking.

Michelle had already run off to taste the water and was delighted at how tasty it was.

“Woow, so cold! And so refreshing. Nicole, you should try too!”
“Really? I suppose it would be good to replace our water here too.”
“Ah, good idea. Let’s do that.”

Some odd tastes still got mixed before the water reached Stollar, so its quality was quite different here compared to the city.

It was a good idea to replace the water in our water bags with the one here.

Finia and Cloud went to replace their water like Michelle, and Mark’s group also joined when they saw it.

As we continued our carefree hiking, we finally reached the lake on top of the elevated ground.

The lake with a high degree of cleanliness was reflecting the sunlight like a mirror, its surface shining like a gem.

Finia and Michelle couldn’t hold back their emotions as they saw it.

“So pretty!”
“It really is. Like Lady Nicole’s hair.”
“I don’t shine that much.”
“No, no, it’s nothing compared to your smile, Miss Fin—”
“Shoo shoo, get out of here!”

Mark was trying to flatter Finia, but I brushed him aside.

Following that, I started checking the surroundings for Corne grass. Finia followed me and also started the search. Given the situation, Mark couldn’t keep up his carefree hitting either.

Still, I couldn’t find the Corne grass even after some searching.

“Huh… This is weird. The book said they should be around here.”
“Maybe they are scarce?”
“As expected of an exam I suppose. We can’t get them so easily.”

Given the reaction, neither Finia nor Cloud seemed to have found them either.

“Could it be that we need to go all the way to the opposite shore to get them?”
“This lake is quite big. It would take a long time to get to the other side.”
“Yeah. It will be evening by then. What do we do, Nicole?”
“Hmm…”

As Michelle said, it’ll be evening by the time we reach the opposite shore. If that happens, we’d be returning past midnight.

Considering the danger of marching in the middle of the night, it would be safer to stop at the lakeshore for the night.

Or the grass might not even be anywhere around here.

“Maybe this is a lesson to not trust the book so blindly? Let’s head to the opposite shore for now. If we don’t find it there, we’ll stay here for tonight and return at noon tomorrow.”
“Okay, got it!”

And like that, we ended up having to go halfway around the lake.