Preparations for opening both shops, the magic tool shop and the apothecary, were steadily progressing as spring approached.
For the latter, I had Rille-nee handle most of the detailed paperwork. We'd already secured the land. Since we planned to renovate the empty house into a shop, evenings spent discussing the floor plan together were a fun time.
For the magic tool side, I'd secured the transport route for magic stones and commissioned the blacksmith who always reforged the magic swords, asking them to design lamp covers and other accessories. Selling bare stones as-is wouldn't attract customers no matter how you looked at it. Blacksmiths are both craftsmen and artists. I explained to them the intended use and budget, then left the rest entirely to them.
The installation work for the purification devices at the mines was finished, and I was now basically just handling the shop preparations.
With a bit more breathing room because of that, I went to the institute's cafeteria at noon that day to give a small token of gratitude to the friends who'd helped me.
"Alcohol?"
"Yeah, wine."
Merry happened to be at the institute today too, and she picked up the bottle I'd placed on the table.
"It's a local specialty from a town I passed through on my way back from work."
Ale was the common drink around here, so wine was a rarity. I thought it'd make a nice thank-you gift. By the way, this was a secret from Master. I couldn't give it to someone who had just recovered from his addiction.
"From the Nalm region. Not bad."
Cliff, of all people, gave a surprisingly positive reaction after hearing the details.
"Wait, Cliff, are you actually an alcoholic?"
"Don't phrase it so crudely. I just enjoy it in moderation."
"That's usually what heavy drinkers say."
"..."
No response. I'd hit the mark. Not that it's a bad thing.
"Huh, that's unexpected. You look like you'd be a lightweight."
Merry saw right through him too, and Cliff glared at her, displeased.
"Do I look like some pathetic loser who'd pass out after just a few drinks?"
"I didn't say that. You're kind of a pain, you know that?"
"Agreed."
I sided with Merry. His pride was both Cliff's best quality and his most annoying one.
He folded his arms and sulked, so I hurried to smooth things over.
"Sorry, sorry. I'm glad you liked it. Hey, want to have a drinking party sometime?"
"What kind of gathering would that be?"
I wonder if noble gatherings are more like formal dinners rather than drinking parties. I wasn't planning on drinking much myself since I still had a bit of growing left to do. But someday, it'd be nice if we could all drink together with Alec and Rock too.
"What about you, Merry? Can you hold your liquor?"
"I'm not as strong as I make myself out to be, but I can hold my liquor just fine. Matty's the one who can't drink at all."
"Wait, really?"
I glanced at the small, quiet boy who'd been listening to the conversation the whole time and saw him shrug apologetically.
"Sorry."
"No, I'm the one who should be sorry. I'll bring you a different thank-you gift, Matty."
"Y-you don't have to! I didn't even do that much. If anything, I'm the one who..."
He trailed off again. Old habits die hard.
"U-um, Aime!"
"Yes, what is it?"
After waiting a moment, Matty opened his mouth as if he had finally made up his mind.
"Actually, lately I've been trying to see if the magic circles you taught me can be applied to verbal incantations. Y-you don't need to get me anything, but could you take a look at my formulas? They're not going too well, and I'd love to hear your thoughts... i-if you're not too busy!"
"Matty, you don't need to be so humble about it."
Merry encouraged her cousin.
"After how much she worked us, it's only fair she helps in return!"
"B-but, I enjoyed it because I got to learn new things..."
"Matthias. You're simply asserting your right. There's no need to hold back."
Even Cliff chimed in, and somehow I was being made out to be the one who had done something horrible. I did feel bad about keeping them up until the middle of the night, though.
Still, what did I teach Matty again...? Hmm, now I'm curious.
"I'll do whatever I can. I'll stop by your place before I leave."
"Th-thanks!"
Matty showed a timid smile, looking relieved.
"Sounds like you're having fun?"
Suddenly, someone draped their arms over me from behind and my head got heavy.
I shoved them off and turned around to find Harold-sensei resting his elbows on the back of my chair.
It had been a while since I'd seen that smug face of his. It wasn't just me; Cliff and the others also made a "great, he's here" kind of face. Completely unbothered by the mood his former students were giving off, the man just grinned away.
"I heard you're opening a shop? Congrats."
"...Thanks."
Does he have business here, or is he just killing time? I'll respond to him for now. I'm not particularly fond of him but it would be rude to shoo him away right away.
"Voluntarily stepping down from your post. How admirable."
"Being entrusted with a responsible job is an honour."
"How noble of you. So, when are you going to repay me?"
"Was there a favour I owe you?"
"That's cold."
Since I genuinely couldn't remember, Harold-sensei had to spell it out himself.
"I kept Irena busy for you once, remember?"
Apparently he was referring to the time before I went to El Alley, when I was battling it out with the Director and the others. I'd completely forgotten about that. And in the end I got sent on the assignment anyway, so it didn't even help that much.
"Shouldn't I be the one receiving thanks? You got to have a meal with a beautiful woman, didn't you?"
"I don't need you as an excuse to dine with beautiful women."
"Oh, is that so?"
From right behind Harold-sensei, the beautiful woman in question suddenly appeared.
Completely caught off guard, the man flinched and scrambled backwards. Oh, I might've just witnessed something rare.
Irena-san ignored him entirely and held out a thin, reddish wooden box in front of me.
"An extra reward for you."
"Huh?"
I took it, and opened the lid to find white fabric inside. It was woven from high-quality silk, and since the court mage emblem was sewn into it, I could tell it was a new robe.
On top of it sat a card in familiar handwriting, praising my achievements and expressing hope for my continued success. My friends, peering in from the sides, widened their eyes at the signature at the bottom.
"It's from His Highness?"
Merry exclaimed. That's right, the name on the card was Alec's.
The robe I was currently wearing had gotten so worn from running around the mines that no matter how many times I washed it, it still looked grimy up close. But a robe bestowed by the King couldn't be replaced on my own, and apparently you couldn't get a new one unless you'd worked for several years, so there was nothing I could do about it.
That must be why Alec thoughtfully sent me a new one. It was incredibly helpful and made me happy.
"Thank you so much!"
It was frustrating that I couldn't thank him in person. Instead, I bowed my head to Irena-san.
"Take good care of it. And don't worry, you'll all get yours before long."
The first part was directed at me, and the second at Cliff and the others, who looked just a little envious. With that, Irena-san left, murmuring "You're treating me tonight, okay?" to Harold-sensei on her way out. Good luck keeping her happy.
"Man, what a lifesaver. It was getting so dirty, I was worried the Director would scold me sooner or later."
I tucked the card away and carefully closed the lid. From now on, I'd wear this for ceremonies and negotiations. The one I had on now would become my work clothes.
"Less of a reward and more like he felt sorry for how scruffy you looked."
Merry responded to the thought that had slipped out. Maybe so. Either way, I didn't care.
"I wouldn't say that."
Harold-sensei returned to his original spot and countered. The stiff expression from a moment ago had turned back into his usual smirk. No, actually, it was even more obnoxious than usual.
"I thought it'd be over after graduation, but hmm, well well."
"What?"
"When you become queen, give me a title."
"You'd be the first one I demote."
I knew he was only teasing me. I couldn't be bothered to take him seriously.
"His Highness would never commit such a folly."
Then Cliff cut in with a completely serious expression. Folly? That's rude to me, you know.
"Don't get ahead of yourself. Just continue to serve with sincerity."
"I know, I know. Here, Sensei, you can have this wine. Matty can't drink, so we have a spare."
"Could you at least try to be tactful?"
"Not when it comes to you, Sensei."
"Well, fine. I'll let it slide for today."
Taking the bottle of wine, Harold-sensei finally left.
That man, grinning away while observing people and amusing himself with their reactions... I really can't stand him. Anyway, I'm glad I was able to thank my friends who had helped me.
Feeling satisfied, I headed back to the workshop carrying Alec's gift, when I had a vague feeling that there was one more person I should be thanking.
My memory's been a little fuzzy lately because of how busy things have been.
I thought about it for a while, but lunch break ended before I could remember, and with a "Eh, oh well," I forgot about it entirely.