第１２４９堀：切っ掛けの人たちは？ (Part2)
"Then, Mikos, tell the Viscount that when you hear from him, you're to come here."
"Understood! I hear you loud and clear. I'll head over as soon as I get word."
"I'm counting on you. Kagura might be busy too, but tell her not to push herself too hard."
"I know, I know."
No sooner had I finished the call with Kagura and the others than Riel contacted me.
"Yuki-san. Viscount Aoku and Fusora-chan say they're free to meet this afternoon. Where should we hold it?"
"I see. Have they eaten lunch yet?"
"Not yet. They asked if we could eat together—what do you think?"
"That sounds good. I want to hear what they have to say in detail, so let's do it over a slow meal. Did you happen to hear if they have any preferences?"
"Hmm. They seemed to enjoy everything they've tried so far, but... well, how about an all-you-can-eat yakiniku place? A private room, maybe? There’s plenty of variety besides just meat, right?"
"That’s true. The quality is decent, and it’s certainly better than an open buffet. Alright, I’ll handle the reservation here; bring them over when the time comes. You know the place, right?"
"Yep, I know it. See you then."
Good. With Riel and the others acting as intermediaries, the stage is set to talk with Viscount Aoku.
"Come to think of it, Aslin and her group were looking after Fusora, but Aslin is currently with Hivia, isn't she?"
"Ah, yes, that’s correct. Aslin and the others are with Hivia-san, but Dressa-sama and her team have been looking after Fusora-chan."
"I see. So they split up."
There’s no need for everyone to be glued to Hivia, after all.
That being the case, I should check in with Dressa.
"What?"
"Do you have a moment?"
"I'm in the middle of work, but is it urgent?"
"I’m having a meal with Viscount Aoku later, and I wanted to get a sense of how Fusora is doing. Or rather, are you not with her full-time?"
"Tori, Riel, and Kaya are with her. I’m the one compiling the reports; I’ve left the field work to Vilia and Hiiro."
"Fair enough. Should I ask Vilia and the others about Fusora, then?"
"They’re with her right now, so I’m not sure if they’ll have the time."
"Ah, I see. Then just tell me what you know, Dressa. If I call those two away from her side, it might make the visitors suspicious."
I don't want them to get their guard up because it looks like I’ve been briefed on every detail beforehand.
I want to hear their honest thoughts after they’ve had a chance to see things here for themselves.
"I haven't heard anything particularly good or bad. Well, she’s a child, so she’s adapted to Weed’s technology faster than the Viscount has. She’s been well-disciplined and hasn't caused any trouble, so in that sense, she’s a good girl."
"I see. How about the school visits?"
"She’s been going, but Weed’s school is basically general education, and there isn't much in the way of magic instruction, so it’s likely not what Fusora was hoping for. That said, she seems to be enjoying the trial enrollment quite a bit."
"I'll ask her about that."
"Good idea. Since we’re planning to establish a student exchange program, we should find out what level of knowledge she’s looking for. All we have in Weed is basic school-level magic; everything else is mostly confined to the research labs."
"Understood. Thanks."
"Don't mention it. Good luck."
As the conversation with Dressa ended, Samantha, who had been listening, voiced a question.
"Come to think of it, Weed does not have an academy specializing in magic, like a magic university. Where do people go to master the arcane arts?"
"It’s not a mandatory subject, so we just have Curse and a few other adventurer-mages teaching classes for the adventurers. Aside from that, there’s the practice area at the Adventurer’s Guild. Well, if someone wants to get serious, there are the curious types who join the research labs, but if we were to build a full-scale institution here, it might end up poaching students from the long-standing magic academies on the Rogari, If, and New Continents."
"Ah, that is true."
"Mhm. If Weed built a 'Magic Academy,' everyone would definitely flock here. Principal Popuri would probably have a heart attack."
"Exactly."
The reason Weed never built a specialized magic school in the first place was precisely because of that.
Every continent has its own premier institution, and we’d be in direct competition with them.
That’s something we need to avoid.
"Still, wouldn't it be worth creating one that covers the basics and some degree of application, considering the future?"
"Maybe so. I’ll have to bring that up at the next meeting. For now, let’s go see how the Viscount and his daughter are doing. It’s almost time."
"Yes!"
And so, we headed off to our meeting place.
It’s been a hectic time, but do you remember that the catalyst for this student exchange program was Fusora, the daughter of Viscount Aoku, whom we met when we were trying to head to the Goblin Village?