Instead of directly answering Hulim’s question, Grisa looked at her and asked in return: "I remember—Miko Kedar is your roommate?"

  "Yes, Miko is indeed my roommate."

  Hulim was a little confused but gave an affirmative reply.

  "Hmm......"

  Grisa nodded, turned around, and placed Hulim’s topic application on a desk.

  "......There’s no problem with your topic. You can proceed to complete it now."

  "......"

  Although Grisa’s reaction was a bit strange, at least Hulim could now go to Hekadiza to search for those things. So these minor oddities didn’t matter.

  ......

  In less than two days, the academy’s official approval came through.

  This meant Hulim could depart for the Indam Federation in the south at any time.

  Hulim didn’t choose to linger. She packed her bags the day after receiving the approval.

  In front of the main gate of Manacos Magic Academy.

  "It’s a pity. Due to my position, I can’t leave Langard casually. Otherwise, I’d love to go on a study tour like you."

  Alicia said with a regretful expression.

  "Alicia, we’re not going for fun. Don’t get any naive ideas about running off yourself."

  "I know that, of course. But...... it’ll be a bit lonely without you and Miko around. Besides, I’ll have to deal with the harassment from those annoying nobles every day."

  "Hmm? Didn’t the Third Prince calm down? Why are people still bothering you?"

  "Third Brother has calmed down, but there’s still First Brother, Fifth Sister, and Twelfth Brother. If anything, with one person temporarily out of the picture, the competition has become even fiercer."

  "......"

  So this is what happens when the balance is broken—everyone wants to step up and eliminate the others?

  By the way, your royal family has so many direct members. And having five geniuses is really astounding!

  Don’t be fooled by the many nobles from all over the world at Manacos. It doesn’t mean nobles are more likely to be geniuses. In fact, the proportion of nobles who can enter Manacos is extremely low. It’s just that compared to the larger number of commoners, nobles’ talents are more easily discovered.

  "Well...... Don’t worry. I won’t be gone too long. I’ll definitely be back before the end of this year, probably?"

  "P-Probably??"

  Alicia stared at Hulim in confusion.

  Stolen from its original source, this story is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.

  Why is this uncertain? You’re just going for a regular investigation, right? Why does this sound like you’re never coming back?!

  "I’m just kidding. I’ll come back safe and sound. As for you, Alicia—don’t let me hear that you’ve fallen from grace when I get back!"

  "Fallen from grace is such an inappropriate way to put it! Even if I fail, I’ll just maintain the status quo!"

  Alicia retorted loudly.

  "Sigh, aren’t you full of energy?"

  "Uhh......"

  Alicia realized, then laughed.

  After she finished laughing,

  Hulim spoke up:

  "It’s almost time...... I should leave, Alicia."

  "Mm."

  Alicia nodded, then waved goodbye.

  "Take care, Hulim."

  "Goodbye!"

  Hulim waved back, then turned and left Manacos.

  After parting with Alicia, Hulim went straight to the Lower District Caravan Station.

  She boarded the carriage smoothly.

  As the caravan slowly set off, the tall white walls of Langard gradually faded into the distance.

  And the distant southern lands were slowly drawing near.

  ......

  Southern Pasara Empire.

  At a transportation hub city, Hulim was preparing to transfer to a caravan heading to the Indam Federation.

  "Huh, that’s?"

  Amidst the bustling crowd at the caravan station, a familiar figure suddenly came into view.

  "Arthur."

  Hulim called out to the acquaintance.

  "Why are you here?"

  "Huh? It’s Hulim!"

  Arthur turned around and looked equally surprised.

  "I can’t believe I ran into you here—what a coincidence!"

  "It really is a coincidence. You haven’t answered my question yet."

  "Well, about that...... I have to raise my adventurer rank as soon as possible for the future."

  "Raising your rank, I see...... Are you taking the promotion exam?"

  "Ah, yes, that’s it! I had bad luck—this long-distance escort mission brought me all the way to the southern part of the empire."

  Arthur looked frustrated.

  Hulim nodded in sympathy—that’s why she’d chosen a different path back then.

  Incidentally, Hulim had already become a Rank C adventurer last year.

  "But...... is this okay? Are you sure it’s fine to leave Langard?"

  "It’s fine for now. I left all my savings with Aunt Clea. She used to be from the Church, so it’s more convenient for her to buy potions there. With the potions suppressing Alice’s condition, leaving for a short time won’t be a problem. And......"

  "I’ve made up my mind!"

  Arthur’s expression turned resolute.

  "After graduation, I’m going to become a full-time adventurer. Then I’ll take Alice around the world to find the demon who cursed her—and destroy it!"

  "Only then can Alice truly have a future......"

  "......"

  "Ah, right, I haven’t asked you yet. Why are you here?"

  "Me? I’m going to conduct on-site research at Hekadiza Mountains in the Indam Federation for my academy’s study tour project. I’m just passing through here."

  "Really? Do people actually travel that far for a study tour!"

  Arthur was quite shocked.

  "I’ve only heard rumors before—some people go to dangerous places tens of thousands of miles away for this. I never thought someone like that would be right beside me!"

  "I admit it’s far...... but the Indam Federation isn’t that dangerous, is it?"

  "Hmph~, that mountain you mentioned—what’s it called, Kazadi Mountain?"

  "Hekadiza Mountains."

  "Oh, right, whatever that mountain is called! A place like that doesn’t sound safe or suitable for sightseeing, does it?"

  "......"

  Hulim had no rebuttal. She really couldn’t be sure if Hekadiza Mountains were dangerous or not. She’d probably have to see for herself.

  "Hey, Arthur! It’s time to go!"

  An adventurer shouted to Arthur from a distance.

  "Got it! I’ll be right there!"

  Arthur turned and yelled back.

  Then he looked at Hulim again.

  "As you can see, I have to leave. Goodbye, Hulim—may we meet again by fate."

  "Mm, goodbye."

  After saying their goodbyes, Arthur turned and jogged toward the group.

  "......"

  Watching his retreating figure, Hulim ultimately chose not to tell him the truth about the High-Rank Demon.

  "Maybe it’s better if he doesn’t know......"

  Jingle~!

  As the departure bell rang, the merchant caravan Arthur was accompanying began to move, heading northward.

  Staring at the slow-moving caravan, for some reason, Hulim suddenly lost interest in taking the carriage.

  She remembered the scene when Brother Sieg had left home.

  "Traveling alone...... maybe that’s not a bad idea."

  After some time, a Shieldhorn Beast carrying a twelve-year-old girl left the city and galloped southward.

  The encounter and parting with Arthur were like a small interlude on the journey—calm and natural, as if they had never met, or perhaps she had long grown used to it.

  ......