145: Surprise, you gotta pick your timing

"I'll be off to eat then."

Genelis, who’d just finished checking the heraldic aptitude of every adult student, heaved himself up from his seat.

"I'll eat with the students in the classroom, but you're heading out, right, Genelis?"

"Yeah. Don’t wanna bother the kids. I’ll be back after I’m done, right?"

"Yes. Please do."

When I asked, Faydral—Genelis’s grandson, who’d been standing nearby—tilted his head at me, curious.

He’d been one of the sightseers, so he’d been at school.

"Grandfather’s done with work, right?"

"No. Got one more thing to do."

"Faydral. I gave you pocket money yesterday. Enjoy the festival slow and easy today and tomorrow."

"...Yes."

He looked like he wasn’t quite convinced, but the festival’s pull was too strong. He dashed over to his classmates, laughing and chatting about where to go after lunch—let’s go there, no, how about over there—like he’d already forgotten his worries.

Normally, the Seal Officer’s duties wouldn’t start until the ceremony in two days.

But.

“Hey, Craft.”

“Hey, Raidock.”

Raidock and his party walked in, carrying lunch prep. Solar, Eva, Camille, Marilyn.

Then came another trio.

“Smells delicious.”

They stepped in, the former members of Raidock’s team—Priest Bepp, Mage Bardack, Warrior Morda.

Raidock scanned the mix of old and new, giving me that suspicious look again, like he’d just caught me in something.

"Hey, Craft. You pull this many people for campus security? What’re you scheming now?"

They were supposed to be on an adventurer guild assignment, guarding the academy since morning.

Not some high-tier squad from the Goldendown, the best adventurers in the realm—or even a serious party with real muscle.

I play dumb, just barely.

"Got a big ceremony for a student today."

"Hmph. Whatever. If you’re gonna throw me at a tough opponent, just say so upfront."

"Just regular, run-of-the-mill, standard security."

"Hmph."

Raidock snorted, then dug into his lunch with the other students.

Normally, the adventurers guarding the academy ate in a separate room. But today, with so few students around, they were eating in the same classroom.

Raidock sat down, and the students who looked up to adventurers immediately swarmed him, demanding stories right away.

They’d once come as instructors, teaching self-defense and the like, but lately they’d been too busy to teach, leaving that work to other adventurers.

Kendall and the others had been taught directly by Raidock, so they were all grinning like fools.

Just as the conversation heated up, the classroom door creaked open.

“Chiii! Craft-san! You said you’d treat me to food, so I came!”

Bang! In he burst—Jitarou the hunter.

“Hey. It’s lunch, eat up. Got something to do after.”

“What’s up? I wanna enjoy the festival, y’know?”

“Yeah, yeah. Not gonna give you much time.”

“Meh. Fine. Huh! Tastes great!”

No hesitation at all—Jitarou just started eating right in with the students.

“““……”””

Raidock’s gaze is burning.

I glance away, and the classroom door opens three times.

"Uh, Craft? I heard you had something to discuss. Is it really okay to meet here?"

"Az-nee!?"

"Lord Azur!"

The one who timidly stepped into the classroom was Azur, a fox-like beastman.

What surprised them was the Kendall siblings, who’d been raised by her.

And Jitarou.

Yeah. No mistake. For now, eat your meal.

Yeah... what the hell is this?

That’s a surprise for later.

When I answered that to Azuur, Raidock gave me a half-lidded look.

Craft...

"Alright, just hold on a sec."

With Azul’s arrival, Kendall and the others were buzzing with excitement, turning the meal into a noisy mess. But today there were few students around, so no one bothered to complain.

By the time I finished eating, the last member showed up.

"Sorry to keep you waiting, Craft-sama."

"Kyle-sama!?"

There they were—Kyle, now a proper noble, with Persia and Alphard as his escorts. And Leifan too.

Up until now, Alphard had usually been the one guarding him.

But now he’d taken command of the Holy Knight Corps, so lately it was his subordinates doing the guarding.

Today, though, Alphard was here with him.

"Everyone, I’m sorry to have summoned you. I’m glad you came."

All of them stared, eyes wide, turning to look at me.

Then Kyle suddenly realized.

"Wait—did you not tell him anything?"

"No, Kyle-sama. We were only told about campus security."

"I—I have something important to discuss too…"

"Ah... "

Kyle finally grasped it, gave a faint nod.

"Brother... this concerns everyone's future. A surprise like this? Not really necessary, don't you think?"

"Leifan..."

Kyle smiled wryly. Leifan looked at him with that disappointed-you're-a-dummy kind of stare.

Huh? This isn’t the place to be shocked.

"Anyway, let me explain properly. Everyone gathered here today—your contributions to Goldendoon... to the Elixir Domain—have been immense. I’m planning to conduct a proper heraldic aptitude assessment. And if you wish, we’ll even revise your seals."

"“““What!?”””"

"Knew it..."

While everyone else stared, stunned, Eva alone just nodded, calm as ever. Impressive.

"Separately, Raidock and the others have another reward waiting—but that’ll come after the ceremony."

Kyle said it with a smile. Raidock blinked, a little confused.

"Lord Kyle. We've already received more than enough reward."

"Your deeds go far beyond what a guild's reward could cover. You came willingly when Goldendoon was relocated. You led the stampedes. You cleared the swamps. You surveyed resources. You took the lead in slaying monsters. You trained adventurers. The list goes on and on. I’ve already gifted my brother a manor, but I haven’t given you all anything yet."

Hearing Kyle’s words, Raidock’s expression tightened.

"...I understand. I’d be honored to accept the reward."

"Thank you."

Mm-hmm.

Well, I suppose Raidock might be better suited for something other than a swordsman’s crest, but you never know—best to try it out.

When Kyle asked what kind of reward to give Raidock and the others, I suggested checking the crest—and one other thing.

"Craft! Can you go check if Genelis has returned?"

"Sure thing."

When I moved to the next room, Genelis wasn’t alone—he was waiting with Professor Javir too.

"Wait? You’re here for the crest test too, Professor?"

"Craft. Just helping out. I was curious if there’s a crest more suited to a wanderer like that silver-haired adventurer."

"Huh. Yeah, I get that."

"Indeed."

"Genelis, you’re feeling better now, right?"

"Yeah. I’ve had enough rest."

"Then I’ll call you."

Back in the classroom, Maina, Alfonso, Faydral, and even Kendal and the others were waiting to watch.

"Is the festival okay?"

"Same as before, right? I figured it wouldn’t take long. The festival’s all day tomorrow—so I’d rather see what happens with your brothers’ crests first!"

Ed answers cheerfully.

Right then. No reason to refuse.

"Everyone alright?"

I asked just in case—noble families sometimes hide their crests—but everyone waved it off without a care.

"Then let’s go."

We moved to another room and lined up.

The Seal Officer checks the list.

"First, Moda. Over here."

"...Huh."

Still not much to say, huh!

I’ve been praying for at least a crest on Moda and Bardack—though Raidock’s at least got one.

Sorry for the late update (´д｀)

Sorry 'bout that.