"Since Teacher Kunun left, I have things to do too~!"

  "Teacher Colette, can you come to our house tomorrow? Father wants to thank you again for recommending me to Manacos."

  "Haha, of course! Then I’ll look forward to it!"

  "Wait, Hulim—I want to come too!"

  "Fran, you can come anytime you want."

  "Really? It’s a deal, hehehe~!"

  ......

  After Colette left, the three of them didn’t part immediately. Instead, they sat down to chat.

  "Fran, I heard you refused your father’s request to go to an aristocratic academy. Why?"

  "Sigh——, Hulim, don’t even get me started! Do you know what kind of place he wants me to go to?!"

  Fran said angrily.

  "What kind of place?"

  "It’s an aristocratic girls’ academy——!"

  "Everyone there just drinks tea, gossips about fashion, and obsesses over clothes all day!"

  "Most of them probably haven’t even touched a sword! After graduation, they’ll just marry some wealthy noble of matching status and waste their entire lives! I’d rather die than live like that!"

  "......"

  So that’s why she refused. With Fran’s personality, it’s no surprise she wouldn’t let others dictate her life.

  "But......"

  Hulim asked again.

  "Do you have any plans, Fran?"

  "Yes!"

  Fran stood up, looking determined.

  "I’ve made up my mind! I want to become as strong as Hulim and follow the same path as you! Even if I can’t stand by your side in the future, I want to stand behind you at the very least. I don’t want my life to be without you!"

  "So I’m going to join the Imperial Mage Corps and become a qualified battle mage!"

  "......The Imperial Mage Corps?"

  In essence, it was an organization similar to the Imperial Knight Order—a military organization. The difference was that they specialized in combat magic.

  While their missions weren’t as arduous as the Knight Order or Imperial Army, being part of the military meant danger was inevitable.

  "Will your father agree?"

  "Of course not! But I’m determined! Besides~, I already signed up. If I don’t go, it’ll be a violation of imperial law."

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  "......"

  One could only imagine how exhausted Baron Bandon was right now......

  "What about you, Ander?"

  Hulim turned to ask Ander.

  "Me?"

  "Well, I joined the Imperial Army. But I won’t officially enlist until the beginning of next year. I’m preparing now—usually, I go monster hunting with my parents, and Teacher Kunun also guides me often."

  "The Imperial Army......"

  Hulim looked at Ander, then at Fran.

  Why did both of them join the military? If this continues, you’ll really end up on the battlefield against the Demon King’s army......

  "What’s wrong? Why are you looking at us like that?"

  "Sigh......"

  Hulim sighed.

  "Fran, Ander——"

  "Hmm? What is it, Hulim?"

  "——Don’t become cannon fodder and get wiped out in the future."

  "......"

  "......"

  You’re really bad at comforting people......

  Fran and Ander thought the same thing simultaneously.

  ......

  After parting with Fran and Ander, Hulim prepared to head home.

  As she passed a street, a carriage with the church’s emblem drove by.

  "Huh? Isn’t this the Hayelar family’s little sister?"

  The carriage stopped in front of her, and a somewhat familiar voice reached her ears.

  Then a young priest poked his head out of the carriage and looked at Hulim.

  "Ah...... You’re——"

  "I heard you’re studying at Manacos Magic Academy! That’s amazing—it’s a place only geniuses can get into~! Say, are you on vacation now?"

  Could this unreliable priest let someone finish speaking for once......

  "Yes, it’s the annual vacation, so I’m back home."

  Though she complained inwardly, Hulim nodded.

  "Oh, annual vacation? How nice. The church doesn’t have anything like that. I really wish they’d adopt such progressive ideas!"

  "......"

  "By the way, where are you off to in this carriage?"

  She hadn’t paid much attention when they greeted each other, but now she noticed the carriage was loaded with large and small bags of luggage.

  "Oh, this~?"

  A bright smile immediately appeared on the young priest’s face.

  "I’ve finally been transferred to the Central Cathedral——!! From now on, I’ll live in a magnificent place and enjoy a comfortable life! No more wasting my life in this countryside~!"

  Watching the young priest look so pleased with himself, Hulim finally couldn’t help but ask a question that had bothered her for a long time.

  "......Sorry, I’ve wanted to ask this for a long time...... Are you really a clergyman of the church?"

  "What are you talking about! I’m definitely a genuine priest of the Seven Days Church!"

  The young priest patted his chest confidently.

  "Heh......"

  Hulim stared at him, looking unconvinced.

  "What kind of look is that? Let me tell you—there’s no better priest in the church than me! My superiors transferred me because they saw my hard work and dedication! Otherwise, why wouldn’t they transfer someone else......"

  The young priest began chattering on, praising himself endlessly.

  Hulim silently complained inwardly.

  I really don’t understand how you can have the nerve to talk about hard work and dedication when you avoid work whenever possible, and only want to go to the Central Cathedral for a more comfortable life......

  Also, haven’t you barely been anywhere? Why do you think you’re the best?

  "......In short, my transfer to the Central Cathedral today is all the result of my hard work and diligent efforts——"

  "Alright, alright, I get that you’re going to the Central Cathedral. No need to repeat it."

  ".......How rude of you! Don’t you know it’s impolite to interrupt others?"

  The young priest said disapprovingly.

  "I think you’re pretty much the same."

  Hulim retorted unceremoniously.

  "By the way......"

  Hulim suddenly remembered something.

  "Since you’re going to the Central Cathedral, will you be able to see Sister Lucia and Sister Lumia?"

  "Hmm? You mean those two? Probably. Do you have a message for them? I can pass it along for you."

  Hulim shook her head.

  "I don’t have any messages right now. But could you help pass along communications between our family and them? I heard priests have much more freedom to move around?"

  "It’s true that we have more freedom...... Alright! It’s not a big deal—I’ll help them send letters to your family!"

  "Thank you."

  "You’re welcome. We’re practically acquaintances with your family. Is there anything else you need help with? Tell me now."

  "Nothing else for now......"

  "Alright, if that’s the case, I’ll be on my way~!"

  The young priest restarted the carriage and set off again.

  At the same time, he stretched out his right hand and waved at Hulim.

  "Goodbye, little sister!"

  Without waiting for a response, the young priest drove away triumphantly, leaving Mente Town. His voice could still be heard in the distance.

  "Hahaha~! Central Cathedral, here I come——!!!"

  ......