Chapter 6: Cultural Festival Preparations
While enjoying a pleasant stroll through the bustling festival atmosphere in the town center, I spotted a familiar face at a somewhat quieter café located on the outskirts of town.
The brick-built café had terrace seating, and sitting in the shaded area under a sunshade-like roof was a blue-haired young man. He held a cup in one hand, bringing it to his lips with a melancholy expression. Some of the café’s customers had their eyes drawn to him, though he seemed unaware of their attention.
“Speyside-san.”
When I called his name, Speyside set his cup down on the table and looked toward me.
“…Aoi-sensei. What an unexpected place to meet.”
Upon seeing me, Speyside replied with somewhat less energy than usual. As I thought, he seemed to lack his usual vigor.
“Is something the matter? You appear quite dejected.”
When I said this, Speyside briefly lowered his chin as if in thought, then immediately raised his face.
“Would you care for a drink? My treat.”
“Are you saying you have something you’d like to discuss? In any case, I was feeling thirsty, so I’ll pay for myself.”
Saying this, I sat down facing Speyside. I ordered a cup of coffee from the waitress and turned back toward Speyside.
“Now then, what troubles you?”
When I asked, Speyside gave a slight bitter smile and tilted his head.
“The cultural festival is approaching, after all. Most of the teachers at Fidic Academy must be troubled by it. Especially this time—the preparation period has been far too short.”
“I see. You’re troubled about the content of your presentation. Speyside-san, you’re skilled with water magic, aren’t you?”
I replied agreeably while looking up at Speyside, who seemed more restless and unsettled than usual.
“Yes. However, while fire and wind magic are fine, water magic is unsuitable for presentations that would capture others’ interest. What I can do amounts to creating tsunamis or making ice sculptures… and I’ve presented both of those in the past, so…”
“Is that so? However, I think water could provide various ways to entertain an audience. For example, though the control would be difficult, there are complex fountains, and if you illuminate them with lights of various colors, they become quite beautiful. What if you set up walls to block the sun and create darkness, then put on a beautiful fountain show?”
When I made this suggestion, Speyside leaned forward and nodded.
“A beautiful fountain show! I see, that’s quite interesting. However, illumination with various lights would require rather complex equipment.”
“That’s true. You’d need colored glass and lighting equipment.”
When I answered, Speyside made the saddest face I’d ever seen from him.
“…The trouble is, I don’t know anyone who could prepare such things, and I have no idea what to do. Do you know anyone knowledgeable about such matters?”
At his truly troubled expression and voice, I found myself opening my mouth to offer assistance.
“No, it’s fine. Since I was the one who suggested the idea, I’ll prepare those things myself.”
“What… I’m deeply grateful. This would be tremendously helpful, but with such a short preparation time, will you be alright?”
Speyside asked something that showed concern for my schedule and the trouble involved. Remembering how things were when we first met, this was an unbelievable difference. It seems that when he decided to look up to me as a teacher for taking my lectures, his attitude changed completely—but such a dramatic change is almost frightening in reverse.
“Is something wrong?”
“Ah, no… Well then, I’ll make the preparations.”
I had just finished my drink, so I placed the payment on the table and stood up.
“Aoi-sensei, if it’s alright with you, please at least let me treat you to a meal. Of course, I’ll pay the costs and handling fees for your assistance…”
“No, no, please don’t worry about such things.”
I waved one hand to the considerate Speyside to decline, and left the shop. Due to this unexpected development, I now had things I needed to do, so I should act early.
If I recall correctly, there should be an old general store in the back alleys. I think there was also a trading company dealing in daily necessities nearby.
I need to procure the necessary tools.
With that thought, I stepped away from the lively town center toward the back side of town.
The number of people became sparse, and the atmosphere and clothing of those walking the streets changed.
“…Huh? Isn’t that Aoi-san! Are you looking for something?”
Then I heard a rough male voice. When I looked, there stood the figure of a large man.
“From the Nevis family, if I recall… Early-san?”
When I murmured this, the man nodded deeply.
“I’m honored you remember me.”
Early said this in a pleased manner. Initially, Early had come to this town and immediately visited the Nevis family, then challenged me to a match after hearing rumors about me. However, after that, for some reason he began calling me “Boss” and approaching me to talk. I asked him to at least call me by name rather than “Boss,” but in the end, having a stern-looking large man approach me familiarly was still conspicuous.
“So, what business brought you to such a place? If it’s something I can help with, I’d be glad to assist.”
Early approached like an attached dog, his eyes shining. He probably wouldn’t back down easily, and since it wouldn’t be any trouble, perhaps I should let him help.
With that thought, I nodded.
“I was thinking of going to buy some fire and water magic stones… and I’d also like copper ore and mithril ore. Hinana flower and blue wolf grass, yellow lotus stone and…”
“W-wait a minute! I’ll write down what you just said!”
When I began listing what I was looking for, Early hurriedly interrupted me and began taking notes. He seems to have an unexpectedly meticulous personality.
“…Fifteen items in total. Understood. I’ll rush to procure them, so please wait at that shop over there, Aoi-san. The Boss happens to be there too.”
“Karila-san is?”
When I answered, Early showed his teeth in a grin and opened his mouth.
“Yes, that’s right. Well then, I’ll rush off and get everything!”
Leaving only those words, he started running at tremendous speed and quickly disappeared from the alley.
“Good afternoon.”
When I entered the shop Early had mentioned through the back alley entrance, there was Karila sitting in a chair with her feet rudely propped up on the table. Karila seemed to have been drinking something from a wooden mug-like container, but red liquid was dripping messily from the corner of her mouth.
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Her eyes widened when she saw me, and Karila took her feet down from the table.
“Wh-wh-what the hell, so suddenly… Y-you startled me.”
While looking at Karila’s surprised face, I also observed the surroundings. It wasn’t spacious, but it was a bar-like establishment with a counter. Though somewhat dim, the atmosphere wasn’t bad. Behind the counter was a slender, tall man who appeared to be making some kind of drink.
“This is a nice establishment. The atmosphere is calm and seems suitable for thinking. By the way, is this a shop owned by the Nevis family?”
When I asked, Karila nodded while looking confused.
“Y-yeah. We use it as a hideout and also make money as a drinking establishment.”
“I see.”
Saying this, I looked once more at Karila and the person who seemed to be the shop owner behind the counter. I felt a slight sense that their gazes were wandering, and I furrowed my brow.
“…Were you perhaps plotting something mischievous?”
“Pfft!”
Without any probing, I asked directly. Perhaps it was unexpected, as Karila, who had been bringing the mug to her mouth again, spat out her drink.
“I-I wasn’t doing anything! Why are you suddenly suspicious!?”
Karila showed even more agitation. It was a bit suspicious, but I certainly had no evidence.
“I see. By the way, if you were considering business that wasn’t mischievous plotting, I’d like you to tell me about that as well.”
When I said this, Karila glanced at the man behind the counter and lowered her chin. She seemed to be thinking about something for a moment, but immediately turned back toward me.
“…Well, it’s ordinary business, you know? It’s not plotting or anything like that.”
“Yes, I understand.”
Karila, looking quite wary, raised her eyes and made this disclaimer before opening her mouth again.
“Right now there’s a cultural festival at Fidic Academy, so merchants from various countries are coming, right? At times like this, information sells well, and if you introduce people who don’t do business openly, you can take ten percent of the sales. Well, it’s prime earning time. Ah, we’re not involved with slaves, you know? We don’t deal in stolen goods either!”
“I don’t suspect you of that. Of course, if I were to discover such things, I’d have to consider various matters…”
“That’s exactly why your way of speaking is scary!”
When I added a word of warning, it had more effect than expected. Karila suddenly straightened her back and sat properly in her chair with a snap.
Seeing this, the man behind the counter let out a breath as if laughing.
“Really, just as Karila said.”
“Shut up, Gaia.”
Karila clicked her tongue and complained to the man behind the counter. Apparently his name is Gaia. When Gaia shrugged his shoulders at Karila, he turned toward me.
“You’re that teacher Aoi, right? I’ve heard the rumors.”
“…Hello. May I call you Gaia-san?”
I confirmed his name. Then Gaia looked at me with eyes as if seeing something interesting.
“Yeah, that’s fine. But still, the rumors called you a tyrant, demon lord, witch, and all sorts of terrible things, but meeting you in person is different from what I imagined.”
“…Karila-san?”
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