Chapter 1 Part 6: People Are The Enemy

I hurriedly shook my head.

“Ms. Hilipa has nothing to feel sorry about.

If I had properly understood Lady Enencia’s meaning from the start, none of this would have happened.”

“But there are other jobs, right?”

“Yes, I received an offer to become a professor at Metwick Academy.”

“Metwick is the most prestigious academy in Neonde, isn’t it?”

“Yes.

It’s so famous that the main student body consists of royalty and visiting nobles.”

“How much salary did they offer?”

The amount Lady Enencia had offered and the amount the academy had offered floated side by side in my mind.

My peripheral nerves tingled again.

Moreover…

‘Ah, because by Lady Enencia’s standards, it is an animal.

We usually just call it a beast.’

Ms. Hilipa’s words, referring to that child so casually as a beast, stuck with me.

There was no way a child could grow up normally in a place where even adults struggled to endure.

My head was getting more and more complicated, so I pinched my thigh.

Why was I having such useless thoughts again?

Just think about the money.

I came here for the money in the first place.

“Ms. Hilipa.”

“Yes.”

“I’ll just work here.”

Ms. Hilipa’s eyes grew as wide as they could go.

At that gaze, as if asking if I was serious, I nodded firmly.

“I want to get back to studying as soon as possible.

I’m anxious I’ll lose my touch even at this very moment.”

I smiled brightly to reassure her.

“Don’t worry.

It’ll be fine.”

“…If you say that, I have no choice but to accept.”

Ms. Hilipa extended her hand to me.

“Thank you for readily taking on a task that others shy away from.”

“Please, don’t.

I’m really fine.”

And I’m getting well compensated for it.

I grasped Ms. Hilipa’s hand and shook it a couple of times.

“I’ll have the other mages keep an eye on things from time to time.”

“I would be grateful if you did that.”

Ms. Hilipa’s demeanor softened again.

Even though she said that, she must have been worried I might actually quit.

She must have suffered quite a bit because of that child.

At this point, I was getting curious.

What kind of child was it, really?

Ms. Hilipa kindly asked, “Rest as much as you need and then go home.

Shall I give you another energy potion?”

“One bottle is enough.

Um, but Ms. Hilipa.”

Ms. Hilipa looked at me, asking what it was.

“I’d like to see the child before I go.

Is that possible?”

Even though I’d already agreed to do it, I think I’d feel better after seeing the child with my own eyes.

At my request, Ms. Hilipa trailed off.

“Well…”

After staring at the ceiling and pondering, Ms. Hilipa said,

“Let me go check on its condition first.

Wait a moment.”

“Yes.”

Ms. Hilipa gestured to the mage standing nearby.

The two of them left the room together, and I sighed, adjusting the blanket over myself.

It was much better with no one around.

I could rest peacefully, even if just for a moment.

Just as I was about to lie back down on the bed,

“Senior Alice―!”

Bam, the door burst open noisily.

Startled so badly, I almost bit my tongue.

Standing at the door wasn’t a person, but an elf.

Ah, of course, I don’t mean a real elf.

It’s just a metaphor.

A real elf wouldn’t barge through a door so rudely.

His jewel-like eyes were glistening with tears.

“I heard you fainted on your very first day back!

This was no time to be fighting that idiot Senior Aslan!”

“Cl, Clam.”

As I cautiously called his name, Clam shouted without hesitation.

“Yes!

It’s me, your lovely junior, Clam!”

As I said before, it’s not “lovely,” it’s “dreadful.”

Clam rushed over like the wind and hugged me.

“Now that I’m here, it’s okay!”

Apparently, it was not okay at all.

I twisted my body, convulsing, and Clam hugged me even tighter.

Goosebumps rose all over my body.

Clam rubbed my face roughly with his palm.

“Oh no, your already pitiful-looking face has become even more pitiful.”

Don’t insult me so boldly like that.

And I only look pitiful in the Magic Tower; outside, I’m often told I look refined.

Clam pressed my cheeks repeatedly and asked,

“What on earth happened in the meantime?

Did you already meet that beast’s brat?”

Beast’s brat?

Doubt flickered across my face.

So you know about that child too, Clam.

When I didn’t say anything, Clam tilted his head.

“That’s strange.

I heard they were planning to show you tomorrow because they were afraid you’d be shocked and run away.”

I’d been feeling this since earlier, but how could he say things like that so openly in front of me?

Clam still had a lot to learn.

“What should I do.

I wouldn’t want you to run away in just one day, Senior.”

What was I going to do with this kid?

Just then, Clam thrust his face close to mine.

“Senior, you’re going to run away again, aren’t you?”

I thought about pushing Clam’s face away with my palm, but stopped myself.

We were meeting after a long time, so I’d let it slide.

When I just stayed still and did nothing, Clam climbed all the way onto the bed.

His face came so close that our lips might almost touch.

“I know everything about you, Senior.”

Clam whispered to me.

“Senior, you don’t like things that are hard.

That’s why you ran away.”

“…”

Hey, Clam.

That’s the same for everyone, not just me.

But I didn’t bother saying that out loud.

Clam was like a time bomb, ready to go off any moment.

Right now, giving him the answer he wanted was the wise choice.

I shook my head.

“I haven’t met that child yet.”

“Huh?”

“I said I haven’t met that child yet.”

So stop with all the one-man show.

But Clam’s gaze was still distrustful.

“Then will you run away tomorrow?”

“No.

No matter what kind of child it is, I’m going to work here.”

“Really?!”

Only then did Clam’s face light up brightly.

At a loss for what to do, he hugged me again.

Goosebumps rose all over my body once more, but I managed to endure it.

Clam swung his legs happily, as if truly delighted.

“Even if you came back for money, not for me, it’s okay.”

“…Clam.”

“As long as I can be with you, Senior.”

Clam smiled purely.

When he smiled like this, he really looked just like an elf.

If only his insides were as elf-like as his outsides.

“Please forget that I fought with Senior Aslan in front of you earlier.

I made a very, very small mistake.”

And now he was trying to just let it slide like that.

I lightly flicked my finger in front of Clam’s eyes.

“I’ve already forgotten.

I’m fine, so apologize to Aslan later.”

Tch, Clam immediately pouted.

I spoke in a deliberately stern tone.

“Did you forget what I said already?

I told you not to be rude to people older than you.”

Clam shrugged his shoulders.

“There’s no way.

I remember every single thing you’ve ever said, Senior.”

“Then you should apologize.”

“Fine.”

Answering with utter insincerity, Clam buried his face in my chest again.

I hated to admit it, but this posture was familiar.

After we had gotten a little closer, Clam would burrow into my arms whenever he had the chance.

So, like it or not, I’d gotten used to it.

Staring down at Clam endlessly, I asked.

“Did you do well while I was gone?”

Clam nodded.

“Yes, I behaved well, just like I promised you.”

That was the least credible thing I’d ever heard.

As credible as the rumor that prices would drop this year.

Despite my expression souring, Clam didn’t care.

“I behaved well, so praise me.

Like before.”

Seeing Clam even grab my hand and urge me, I asked, just in case.

“…You really behaved?”

“Yes!”

Again, Clam nodded without hesitation.

I’d rather trust a complete stranger than trust your words… but I had no choice.

I reached out my hand, and Clam immediately placed his head under my palm.

I could feel the soft, fluffy texture of his hair.

Clam closed his eyes as if enjoying my touch.

After stroking his hair about five more times, I took my hand away.

“That should be enou―”

Thump.

Before I could even finish, Clam snatched my hand.

His two eyes looked straight at me.

“More.”

“…”

Okay, but don’t look so serious.

It’s scary.

And so I had to stroke his hair until Clam was satisfied before I could finally break free.

***

“Senior, what did you do after you quit?”

“That’s the third time I’ve been asked that question.”

“It’s the third time for you, but it’s my first time asking.

Tell me.”

Ms. Hilipa was really late.

Having regained my energy, I sat side-by-side with Clam and chatted.

Clam, like everyone else, was curious about what I’d done after quitting.

I gave the same answer like a parrot.

“Moved, studied, traveled too.”

“Was it worthwhile enough to abandon me and leave the Magic Tower?”

Worthwhile, huh.

I idly swung my leg and answered.

“Everyone, including my parents, said it wasn’t worthwhile, but…”

“But?”

A smile naturally formed on my lips.

Just thinking about that time made me smile.

I placed my hand over my heart and continued.

“I was really happy during that time.”

Clam nodded.

“Then it was worthwhile enough.”

My face brightened even more.

I sought Clam’s agreement.

“Right?

You think so too?”

Clam’s cheeks flushed red.

He nodded vigorously.

“If it’s enjoyable, that’s all that matters.”

As we were smiling at each other, Ms. Hilipa returned.

Ms. Hilipa’s cheeks were just as flushed as Clam’s.

After dismissing the mages who had been supporting her, Ms. Hilipa leaned against the doorframe.

We silently watched her.

Ms. Hilipa gasped for breath for a long while before finally speaking.

“Now, I’m a little…”

She looked like she’d aged ten years in that short time.

I should at least go help her.