GalaxyTL
And so, the lesson came to an end. Before I knew it, it was already evening. I’d wondered what it would be like to spend the whole day alone with Reki, but it turned out to be a very fulfilling day. Thanks to Reki. I tried to express my gratitude to him, but he just turned away with a huff.
But I didn’t miss that his ears turned red! You tsundere!
“We have some time before dinner. Anything you want to do?”
I told him I wanted to go to the hall. I might be able to see Schlie-san if I went there, and I could observe everyone working.
Right now, I didn’t even know what I could do to contribute, so I wanted to at least see everyone working! When I said this, Reki just replied with a “Hmm,” and then stood up, ready to go. He even helped me down from the chair, adding, “It’ll be a pain if you get hurt again,” with a grumpy tone. That’s so Reki!
“Oh my, is the lesson over?”
“Yes! He taught me a lot!”
“Fufu, good work. Ah, I told Schlie. He said he’ll finish his work quickly and have dinner with you.”
“Really!? Thanks, Saura-shan!”
As we returned to the hall, Saura-san, who was at the reception counter, called out to us. Saura-san was so nice, remembering the promise and properly relaying the message!
Eh, isn’t that normal? Well, from what I learned today, Saura-san was an incredibly busy person. I used to have a ridiculous amount of work too, so I understood, but it’s easy to forget things you’re asked to do verbally. I’d often realize later and panic. Maybe I was just forgetful!
“So, you’ll be here, right? I’m going back to the infirmary for a bit. I’ll be back before dinner.”
“Okay! I’ll wait here.”
“Saura-san, is that okay?”
“Yep, no problem.”
Reki said and then briskly walked away towards the infirmary.
After seeing him off, I decided to wander around the hall. I’d gotten Saura-san’s permission, of course! When she added, “Be careful not to get stepped on,” I felt the weight of her words… This was advice from a senior of about the same size as me. I’d be extra careful, yeah.
Flags, huh. Why do they always… lead to this?
“Nyaa!!”
“Whoa! That was close!”
No, I wasn’t stepped on. Almost stepped on, that’s all.
I wanted to see the request board up close, so I walked over to it. But I was careful to keep my distance because it was dangerous to be too close, with all those people around. I was staring up at it, thinking I couldn’t see the letters from this far, when I was startled by someone straddling me from behind. …Yes, straddling. Because this person was much taller than everyone else!
“Meg! My bad, I didn’t see you.”
“Nika-shan, it’s okii. I’m shawry for being in the way.”
It was Nika-san, the one with the dazzling golden hair. I didn’t know if he was actually a lion demi-human, though. It was understandable that he wouldn’t see a little shrimp like me.
“Saura keeps telling me to be careful. I saw her at the counter and got careless.”
I see. So, he forgot that there were other little ones! It couldn’t be helped. It was only the day after, after all. And Saura-san had to constantly remind him to be careful. It was probably a matter of life and death for her!
“So, Meg, what are you doing? Looking at the request board?”
“Ah, that’s wight. I wash wondering about the kinds of requests there are.”
When I said that, Nika-san grinned (so Nika of him) and effortlessly lifted me up. I thought he was going to carry me, but… Whoa, so high! So high!?
“There! Can you see now?”
“Fuwaa… sho high!”
He’d put me on his shoulders. I mean, even carrying me would be higher than other people… but he sounded so excited and happy, so I figured he was doing this to make himself happy. Well, I’m honestly enjoying it! I squealed with delight, attracting everyone’s attention. I’m sorry for playing around when you’re all working. But everyone was smiling warmly, they were so kind. And his dazzling golden hair was so soft and fluffy!
“So, Meg, can you read?”
“I can read!”
Ah, that’s right. I’m here to look at the board, not play around. He put me on his shoulders for this!
Let’s see… Dragon Subjugation!? Th-There really are dragons. I’d expected it, but the thought of subjugating one sent shivers down my spine.
I pulled myself together. And… I see. So it’s about gathering materials. Looking closely, it seemed like the difficulty level decreased the lower you went. And from left to right, it seemed to decrease as well. Maybe because some requests, like gathering dragon scales, didn’t require you to actually defeat the dragon, so the difficulty level was lower.
There were also requests that sounded like they were straight out of a story, like Goblin Subjugation and Orc Subjugation, as well as gathering medicinal herbs, escort missions, and even cleaning up the town. And one requesting someone to teach reading and writing at an orphanage.
Oh, this is a good opportunity to ask.
“Nika-shan, what kind of requestsh do you usually take?”
“Hmm, me? Aside from guild assignments, I usually take subjugation requests. I’m not good with escort missions, gathering, or anything that involves delicate work!”
Nika-san’s answer, accompanied by his booming laughter, “Gahaha!” was just as I expected. He seemed like the type who preferred bold action, someone who disliked intricate tasks. Yep, yep.
As I was nodding to myself, convinced, Nika-san spoke to me, his voice slightly softer, still facing forward.
“Meg, I heard about what happened to you today. It seems like you’ve been through a lot, but we’re all on your side. You can consider yourself one of us.”
His unexpected words made my eyes widen.
“B-But… I… can’t do anyting. I can’t work for the guild, and I’m just… being taken care of… I can’t even help evewyone…”
I was happy, but I felt like it was wrong to be recognized as a guild member just because I was a child. I slumped my shoulders dejectedly.
“Gahaha! You’re still little, and of course, you can’t do anything, everyone knows that! But you’re smart! We can teach you everything. We’re counting on you to grow.”
So make sure you absorb it all! Nika-san said with a cheerful smile. I see. That’s right. I’d decided that myself. I’d learn as much as I could while I was being taken care of!
I’d work hard to be acknowledged as a true guild member!
“Someday… I’ll be a real member!”
“Yeah, that’s the spirit, Meg!”
I decided to push aside those complicated thoughts about my original world and the past of this body for now.
Because dwelling on them wouldn’t allow me to move forward. So, for now, I’d assume that I’d be living in this world from now on, accept it. Mentally, I needed a little more time.
It’s important to change your mindset. I’d worry about those issues once I understood things better. One step at a time!
I thought about this while clinging to Nika-san’s head.