Chapter 287

As the anniversary slightly approached, the Academy started to get busier.

Not only were there newcomers, but the plaza’s stores were gradually increasing.

That store over there will probably turn into a street food stall soon. I’m curious about how the food from outside tastes.

‘But there are so many people coming.’

With the year-end, many were leaving the Academy, but the influx of visitors was considerable.

Fewer people would mean a better chance for the Academy to fall into chaos, but with this many, it just complicates things in every way.

Moreover, there are hardly any followers of Gaia. Most of the priests are clustered in Byzantium, which just can’t be helped.

Fortunately, Rize is still holding strong. She’s reliable to the point she could go on a rampage alone.

What I need to do now is to see if any demons have slipped in. According to Rize, only people with a preference for blue can enter.

‘The most likely candidates are related to performances…’

Traditionally, the “clown” plays a significant role in the beginning.

Unlike hunters, the title of clown can seem a bit odd, but his behavior is worthy of the name.

The problem lies in the fact that it’s not a funny clown but a terrifying one. You never know what a smiling face might do.

‘Nothing seems to be happening here.’

Peeking at the stage where performances would take place, there was nothing of note.

An official came up midway to ask what was going on, but I managed to brush it off.

“Just here to participate in the performance. What’s up?”

“Ah, you’re a participant! Please write your name here. Do you have a specific act in mind?”

“Dancing.”

“If it’s dancing, we’ll need music. Do you have any particular song in mind?”

“Um…”

I was surprised at how detailed this was. It was way too little time to just dance the moonwalk one time.

So, I added a song to fill the gap. I wanted to cry a little, but I figured I should at least throw in some black history to buy time.

After hastily choosing some music, I moved on to another area. Even amidst the rush, there was someone working alone.

-Bang! Clang! Bang!

In the workshop area far from the plaza. But with the year-end approaching, it should normally be quiet here.

However, only one place had the sounds of hammering resonating widely. I walked toward where the sounds were coming from.

As expected, it was Jane’s workshop. Despite the year-end, she stayed in the workshop instead of going home.

‘Her hometown might be even more dangerous.’

Jane’s hometown, the land of science, Santia, is currently very unstable in terms of security.

It’s not that ordinary citizens have a high crime rate; it’s just that with revolutionary activities, bombs could go off anywhere at any time.

Of course, most of the terrorism is aimed at the higher-ups, but the upper echelons do occasionally exploit the situation.

So, it’s best to avoid Santia as much as possible. It can explode anytime when you’re bored.

–Crackle! Crackle!

Entering Jane’s workshop without a sound, I caught sight of her familiar back.

Instead of the hammering sound, there were flashes of light, indicating she was welding. I quietly waited from behind.

Despite the bitter cold of winter, the workshop was surprisingly warm. It appeared Jane was wearing her work clothes halfway on.

Underneath her work clothes, she had a t-shirt drenched in sweat, and you could clearly see the outline of her underwear due to the moisture.

“Phew.”

It seemed like she had just finished her work. Jane took off her welding mask and let out a sigh.

She was clearly sweating, even wiping her forehead with her arm. I knew that being a blacksmith required considerable strength.

‘Her muscles are definitely getting defined.’

A blacksmith can’t do the job without strength and physical stamina. They’re close to fire, and hammering takes a lot of energy.

No matter how much of a genius Jane is, she’d be useless without stamina. At the very least, she has more stamina than Grace.

“Jane.”

“Yeah? Oh! You’re here!”

Jane greeted me energetically upon hearing my call. She tossed her tools aside and ran over.

Thanks to this, I got to see her up close. She was clearly working hard, as her body was sweating profusely.

“What brings you here? Just checking up?”

“Just looking around.”

I had no other reason to visit her. Just a casual check-in along with some sightseeing.

Unless she’s running short on funds, it’s rare for her to come looking for me first.

She has a tendency to get absorbed in her work, and she hardly meets anyone.

Eli takes care of her, but Jane tends to feel awkward about it. She’s a typical introvert.

‘That personality helps her avoid trouble, though.’

Even as the Academy faces collapse, Jane stays tucked away in her workshop.

So much so that when she finally finished her work, she asked, “What happened outside?”

Now that’s probably better for her.

“Jane.”

“Yes?”

“Aren’t you going to have fun at the anniversary?”

“Uh… I find such gatherings awkward…”

Jane replied with an awkward smile to my question. Quite the introverted response.

She’s the type who feels much more comfortable inside than out. I had no intention of dragging her out forcefully.

‘But I feel like Eli will drag her out anyway…’

Eli declared she’d enjoy the festival together with Jane.

After all, she wouldn’t contribute much to the combat, and if any trouble arises, she’d run away with Jane.

Moreover, since Porori would be keeping an eye on her, it might be safer for Jane to stick with Eli.

‘The workshop’s position has changed after all.’

Jane’s old workshop was barely fit to be called a workshop. It had just the essentials and nothing else.

As a result, it was located deep in the workshop area, but now it has improved significantly.

Meaning, monsters could potentially raid Jane’s workshop. It’s best to prevent this.

Most importantly, sticking with Eli is better than being alone.

“Let’s go outside, just for a bit.”

“Huh? But…”

“Let’s get some fresh air. The air here isn’t good.”

“Um… okay.”

Jane reluctantly agreed, hearing me mention the bad air.

In reality, the stuffy heat combined with the aftermath of welding makes the air pretty terrible.

It’s better to take her along for ventilation as well. It’s for her health.

“Then I’ll wash up for a bit.”

“Okay.”

After Jane got cleaned up nicely, we stepped out of the workshop.

Jane’s outfit was just a haphazard getup, but it felt shabby nonetheless.

‘Didn’t I hear that Eli bought her some clothes?’

Could it be that she hasn’t bought winter clothing yet? I asked, curiosity piqued.

“Clothes. Is that all you have?”

“Yeah?”

“What about what Eli bought you?”

“Oh, I haven’t worn that yet. I plan to wear it once a week.”

“…Why?”

“Because it’s comfortable.”

If there were a textbook for introverts, this would be the perfect example. Even when gifted clothes, she only chooses her comfy clothes to wear.

Am I supposed to disregard Eli’s kindness then? Of course not. She’ll wear it when she genuinely needs it.

“Besides, it would feel wasteful. I’d feel bad wearing the clothes she bought for me carelessly.”

“…”

And to top it all off, a penny-pinching trait as well. Truly, what a delightful combination.

But since her appearance is on point, it seems she looks good in whatever she wears. Especially, Jane has a figure that really suits clothing.

Eli struggles with her larger chest since her options are limited, but Jane’s figure is pretty decent.

“Is that Sivar?”

“?”

As Jane and I were strolling through the plaza, I heard a familiar kid’s voice.

I turned my head to see a mischievous-looking little boy looking up at me.

With his short haircut, he resembled a real-life version of a cartoon character.

“Dun?”

“What are you doing here? Why are you with this lady?”

It was Dun, Malboro’s son. After his question, he fired off another one.

I found myself hesitating on where to start answering, but I decided to tackle the first one.

“I was just looking around.”

“Hello! Good to see you again.”

No matter how much of an introvert Jane is, kids tend to charm her. She smiled warmly, bowing her head.

Dun observed Jane for a moment, then turned back to me. Nodding, he said something unusual.

“I see. Just like mom and dad, right?”

“Um?”

“If that’s the case, do you have kids too? That lady next to you looks like a mom.”

“Uh…”

That was a slightly perplexing way of thinking. At the same time, it was a very childlike notion.

The assumption that if a man and woman are together, they must have children, is quite a confusing statement in multiple ways.

I blinked in surprise and glanced at Jane. She seemed just as flustered, glancing at me in bewilderment.

“W-What do you mean by that…?”

How red must she be to stutter like that. Her face turned as pink as a cherry in an instant.

But Dun just tilted his head as if he found our reaction strange. It was as if he didn’t understand why we were perplexed.

“Isn’t it so? If a man and a woman are together, they naturally have a baby, right?”

“…”

“I was with you last time, and now I’m with you again. So, you must be mom and dad.”

Malboro didn’t mislead Dun. It’s just that this is how children’s minds work.

Because of that, Jane continued to look at me, getting more and more nervous. Turns out she’s weak in this aspect.

Just as I was about to deny it, a fun idea popped into my head. I smirked inside and responded.

“Yep. There’s going to be one soon.”

“S-Sivar-san?!”

“Right? I knew I was right!”

While Dun swelled with confidence, Jane’s face turned as red as a tomato. The glasses slipping down her face only mirrored her emotional state.

Having never experienced a joke like this before, she must be quite bewildered. The impact must have stung.

“Dun! Where were you running off to?!”

“Oh! It’s dad.”

Just then, Dun’s father, Malboro, the Academy professor, appeared.

As soon as he spotted me, he made a face of confusion, then quickly covered it with a chuckle.

“Oh my, it’s Sivar-student! And next to you is…”

“Dad! Dad! This guy is dad and that lady is mom!”

“Oh, no! Th-That’s not…!”

Before I could introduce myself, Dun dropped a bombshell. Jane’s eyes began to spin like a whirlwind.

She seemed desperate to say something, gesturing with her arms, but it seemed difficult for her to find the words. She’s not particularly eloquent.

Moreover, Jane does tend to invest a lot of energy into interactions with others. Even now, she must be on the verge of overload.

“…Ah, I get what you mean. If it’s coming from Dun, then it must be true.”

“Right?”

Fortunately, it seems Malboro quickly caught on. He played along appropriately.

It looks like the introduction is all but gone. This is because Malboro’s wife approached from behind him.

Despite Malboro having a somewhat menacing appearance, his wife looked solidly built. I could see where Dun got his looks from.

“Then may both students enjoy the festival. We’ll be on our way now.”

“Bye! Show me the baby next time!”

Dun dropped another bomb before leaving. I swallowed a chuckle inside, watching their backs as they left.

Both of Dun’s hands were held by Malboro and his wife. It was a heartwarming family sight.

I had times like that back on Earth too. Though it was so long ago that I can’t quite recall, I’m sure there were.

‘…I miss my mom and dad too.’

Even as an adult, the embrace of parents is something to long for. Adults can suppress that longing.

But being forcibly separated like this only amplifies that longing, causing torment.

Will I ever be able to go back? Even if I can, will it even be the place I remember?

I couldn’t help but worry about the hardships my parents must have been going through since I vanished.

“…”

“…”

Between Jane and me, there was no conversation. We just took in the sight of Malboro’s family.

Then feeling a strange atmosphere, I turned my head, only to find Jane doing the same.

It seemed like this situation kept occurring, but perhaps it was just my imagination. This time felt a bit different, however.

“…They really are a good family. Don’t you think so, Sivar?”

“Yeah.”

“I grew up under my grandfather without my parents… I don’t really know that feeling. I envy you.”

Jane’s parents were eliminated by the upper echelon of Santia. But she doesn’t know the truth.

If she discovered that truth, Jane wouldn’t have survived either. Her grandfather, knowing this, raised her in silence.

I read the envy evident in Jane’s blue eyes and turned my head forward.

“Wowww~”

Dun soared high in the air, still holding his parents’ hands. They were lifting him up together.

It was a heartwarming scene that made me smile, yet it also struck a chord of loneliness within me. Why had I been dragged here to struggle like this?

“Sivar?”

“Yeah?”

“You don’t have parents, do you?”

What the heck? Why’s she suddenly hitting me with a downer?

Jane’s question shattered the warm atmosphere. I blinked in surprise at her query.

Yet, Jane seemed to ask with sincerity, completely oblivious to the awkwardness. That made it even more bewildering.

“I don’t have parents either. I understand your feelings well.”

“…”

“I don’t know if it’s okay to say this, but…”

Jane scratched her cheek nervously, then boldly extended her hand.

It was the kind of handshake one offers. If I had initiated, it would have been one thing, but for Jane to suggest it is almost never the case.

There was one exception: when Jane had earned my trust. For her to gather such courage signifies that trust.

“Let’s do our best, even without parents!”

“…”

But her manner of speaking still screams introvert.

I blinked, then let out a chuckle. I took her hand.

Her hand, hardened from all the blacksmith work, turned out to be surprisingly firm.

“Yeah. Let’s do our best.”

“Thank you!”

Jane answered enthusiastically.

[Faith is increasing!]

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