第１６９７堀： 名前を伝えて嬉しいな (Part2)
「A so-called genius, I suppose. Age-wise, she's about the size of Aslin or Firia when I first met them.」
「Huh? Universities are only for adults, right? Oh, I remember you said you'd bring some younger students for your guidance, so is she one of them?」
「Sona, that would contradict her participating in classes. What do you mean?」
「That's why she's a genius. She's literally a person permitted to attend university at that age.」
「Ohh~. So she's good at studying~.」
「Indeed. She's actually at a level where she can discuss magic quite naturally with Samantha, Cleena, Rurua, and Comet.」
「「Haaah~」」
Both women let out a sigh of admiration at Yuki's words. It's difficult to fully grasp, but engaging in discussions about specialized techniques like Comet's magic with the wives Yuki just mentioned is something beyond the capabilities of an ordinary person.
「That's truly incredible. And so, this...」
「Ah, Ruhau.」
「Why is Ruhau at the university? Well, of course, for her studies, but was there a reason for such haste?」
「That's because Ruhau could use healing magic.」
「Ah~, so she was affiliated with the church.」
「Precisely. Normally, she could have made a living with that, but she herself yearned to learn more magic, so she sought entry to the university.」
「I see. Normally, if one could use healing magic and work for the church, they wouldn't struggle to live, but Ruhau disliked that path.」
「She's a child, too~. She can't exactly travel alone, so that's all she could do, huh~. Did her parents agree~?」
「Ah, Ruhau is an orphan. That likely made it even more difficult for her to decline.」
「Is that so? Indeed, if it's an orphanage she was cared for by, its ties to the Litea Church would be strong, and she would probably feel it went against her obligations.」
Amidst all that, she prioritized seeking entry to the university. It was, as one can imagine, an incredible decision—one that even an adult might hesitate over.
「Well, for Ruhau—and for all the students who attended classes this time—a transit permit to Weed will be issued. They'll likely visit Weed in the future, so if you're curious, you can ask them anything then.」
「Ah, the countries on the Rogali continent generally allow free passage through gates if one can pay the fee, right?」
「Provided they have the exit permit from their own country, that is.」
「So this time, the Nation of Magic is granting permission, and free transit permits are being issued, huh~?」
Yes. Such measures were implemented to support academically ambitious students in coming to Weed and participating in various activities. Nonoa, too, seemed to have been contemplating this, and when Yuki made the suggestion, she readily embraced it.
「It would be a shame to simply bid them farewell after this. Of course, lodging and meal expenses are to be borne individually. Ah, but for Ruhau specifically, Samantha, Cleena, Rurua, Comet, and I have personally provided her with cards, allowing her to stay in hotels free of charge for two or three months.」
「Whoa~, is she a child worth going that far for? Won't Nonoa get angry if you poach her?」
「Regarding Ruhau, Nonoa has given us free rein. Her specialty is alchemy, which is scientifically akin to chemistry, and it delves into the transformation from magic power to magic. Honestly, our own members are incredibly intrigued by her work. We've even arranged for her to submit reports.」
「Ah, something Seraria mentioned, I think. About why magic power transforms into magic, right?」
「Precisely. The idea is that if we can understand the intricacies—the underlying laws—we could find countless more applications.」
「Mmm. I'm not good at that kind of thing~.」
Sona is quite forthright about her weaknesses. No, as acting lord, it is indeed the correct approach to rely on others for what she doesn't understand or cannot accomplish.
「Well, I'm entrusting you with Glass Port Town. If things go poorly, I'll be dealing with whatever Light and Vilia have gotten themselves into.」
「...That's almost certain, isn't it?」
「Do you plan to move the army?」
「That depends entirely on the opponent's scale.」
He spoke of such things with a wry smile, likely knowing full well he would end up having to deploy the army.
It's a common race to eat ice cream before it melts, but outdoors, it melts with astonishing speed, doesn't it? Especially during the summer. I recall my hands often becoming sticky from it.