TLed by NolepGuy
Chapter 158
In the middle of another peaceful day in the Hamel Mountain Range.
-Squawk!
“One down!”
With my arms crossed, responsible for the students’ safety, I yawned as I idly performed Lupin duty. 300,000 gold for standing still for three days.
“Sweet.”
I should have found a job like this earlier, but memories of my foolish past hammering away on construction sites surfaced, and I nodded with a bitter smile.
As expected, the Proprietress is always right.
If the wealthy Proprietress assigns a task, there’s always a reason behind it. Why did a lowly Possessor like me complain?
Grateful to Malik for awakening me to the Wisdom of Life, I shouted.
“Group 3 students. You’ve gone too far. If you don’t want your bodies and necks connected via Bluetooth, come back.”
“Group 6 students, you’ve also gone too far. That area is the Elite Orc Habitat.”
Students, who had lost their rationality at the sight of the Orc collapsing helplessly, recklessly rushed toward the summit.
Excited to impress friends they hadn’t seen in a while and to put the Academy lessons into practice, the students were thrilled.
They’ll die at this rate.
I let out a Deep Sigh and shook my head.
‘Ah. I really don’t want to work.’
I wanted to live as an Unemployed, but the truth of life forced me to work to survive. With a bitter smile, I diligently moved my eyes.
And from a slightly distant location, I could see the Current State of Green Head, struggling to cast magic.
“Ugh!”
Green Head was knocked down by a single punch from an Orc.
Whether aspiring to become one with the grass or something, Ruin’s Clothes, rolling continuously on the ground, were covered in dirt.
The magic blooming from Ruin’s hand made a pitiful “Pew…” sound and failed to pierce the Orc’s skin.
It must be a daunting opponent for Ruin, who had lost the Foundation of Talent.
In the novel, Ruin primarily used his Unique Ability, the Flame Script.
A skill that dramatically enhances the efficiency of the Fire Attribute. While there were more abilities, at this point, this was the limit of what Ruin could achieve.
Of course, it has now disappeared.
“Damn. Damn. Damn…!”
Ruin was fighting with all his might.
Rolling on the ground.
Desperately cursing.
Those in the same group as him were looking at Ruin with displeased expressions.
Ruin’s Magic, which fell far short of expectations, must be a burden to his group members.
They must have had high expectations.
They likely thought that being in the same group as Ruin, the pride of the Magic Department, would make completing assignments easier. But instead, Ruin became a liability, which they couldn’t have been happy about.
Not to mention his nasty temper.
He doesn’t know the first thing about teamwork.
If he were as talented as me, it might be forgivable, but Ruin, who isn’t, was nothing more than a foul-tempered deadweight.
Even distancing himself from me to avoid showing his fallen state was probably Ruin’s idea.
It won’t be easy.
Recovering his magic.
Repairing Lost Relationships.
Unlike before, when everything went smoothly, things will keep going awry. Well, it’s not my concern, so there’s no need to overthink it.
I shrugged and turned my gaze away from Ruin.
‘He’ll figure it out on his own.’
Failing to seize opportunities among countless chances is Ruin’s fault.
While stopping students from leaving the designated area, a familiar Girl’s voice reached my ears.
“Butler!”
The Girl approached with light footsteps.
I turned around slowly and looked at the Girl’s face.
“Miss Hanna.”
“How is it? Is the job tough?”
Histania Hanna looked at me with her hands clasped behind her back.
With her waist slightly tilted to the side, Hanna’s innocent appearance made me smile as I shook my head.
“No. I just want to go home.”
“What? It’s only the first day.”
“Exactly. It’s only the first day, and I’m already tired.”
“Isn’t that neglecting your duty?”
“What about you, Miss Hanna?”
At my pointed question, Hanna smiled shyly and looked up at me.
“I’m a student, after all. I should get some Free Time.”
“If you’re taking a break, you should do it with your group. Where did you leave them?”
Hanna avoided my gaze with a troubled expression. It seemed true that she had abandoned her group.
“I don’t know.”
With an ambiguous reaction, I responded to Hanna.
“Not knowing is a problem.”
Hanna clicked her tongue and turned her head. Looking at Mikhail and Yuria, who were taking down Orcs near the forest’s edge, Hanna muttered softly.
“They’re people who can handle themselves.”
“That’s true.”
Indeed, those two were capable individuals. They’re the Heroine and Hero, after all.
Still, leaving the party to rest isn’t acceptable.
“Even so, sneaking off alone is….”
Just as I was about to start nagging.
“Take this!”
Hanna threw herself into my arms.
Momentarily lost in the warmth of Hanna’s sudden embrace, I burst into laughter at her shy smile.
“What’s this? Suddenly jumping at me.”
“You were about to nag me, Butler.”
“It’s not nagging; it’s a valid point.”
I answered, stroking Hanna’s hair.
“Mikhail might submit the assignment without your name. He might even tell the Professor you did nothing.”
“It’s fine. I’ll just take the top rank in the Ranking Battle.”
“What’s with that arrogant statement?”
“You said it, Butler. Being too humble is annoying.”
Hanna chuckled and buried her face in my chest. Her sniffing sounds made my face turn red as a bonus.
“I’ve taught you something bad, haven’t I?”
“Hehe… It’s your fault, Butler.”
“Oh dear…”
Hanna exhaled deeply and looked around.
A year ago.
Hanna’s eyes, gazing at the place where we had trained with swords, seemed filled with complex Emotions.
Happy Memories and Nightmares.
With a Low Voice, Hanna began to speak.
“It’s been a really long time since I’ve been here.”
“Indeed. It must have been about a year.”
“Has it already been that long?”
Hanna gave a Bitter Smile as she looked at the spot where the first lesson had taken place.
“It’s hard to believe it’s been a year since you abandoned me there, telling me to try something, Butler. Time really flies.”
“…Well, it was necessary for the lesson to proceed smoothly. Time was tight, and…”
Recalling the memories of raising her harshly, Hanna seemed to have a lot of pent-up feelings. Since I had indeed been strict, I couldn’t argue.
Hanna, amused by my flustered reaction, let out a bright laugh and murmured in a small, Low Voice.
“I know… why you taught me that way. And….”
“If it weren’t for you, Butler, I….”
Hanna looked at me with eyes filled with gloomy Emotions. Like someone clinging to their Savior of Life, Hanna’s embrace tightened even more.
Hanna erased her Sad Smile and shook her head. Refusing to let go, Hanna buried her face once more into my broad chest, took a deep breath, and rubbed her face against it.
Hanna, resembling a Puppy.
As expected, perhaps because she’s the Proprietress’s younger sister, her actions were mischievous.
“Now, Butler, you should get back to work.”
“My Job is being a Butler, though.”
“That’s true, but today, you’re a Teacher, aren’t you?”
“That’s also true.”
Hanna, with a reluctant expression, finally released her tightly held embrace.
“I’ll be going now.”
“Yes. I’ll be cheering you on.”
“Hehe. Okay.”
Hanna walked toward Mikhail.
With Whiny Complaints written all over her face, Hanna trudged away, glancing back at me. Smiling at her pouty expression, I waved my hand.
As Hanna’s figure grew distant from me.
I called out to her.
“Miss Hanna.”
“Yes?”
“It looks like it’s going to rain.”
“Rain?”
Hanna looked up at the sky with a puzzled expression. Staring at the clear sky without a single Cloud, Hanna extended her Palm under the bright sky and said.
“You’re right. It does feel like it’s going to rain.”
At Hanna’s words, I let out A Chuckle and said.
“You’re not saying anything, are you?”
“If Butler says so, then it must be true.”
This is why I want to treat her well.
There are very few people in this world who believe my words without a shred of doubt.
Hanna, with a worried expression, spoke to me. Concerned about the idea of rain, Hanna let out her worry.
“What should I do? I didn’t bring an Umbrella.”
Smiling, I said to Hanna.
“Fortunately, I brought a few spare Umbrellas. Come and get one. I’ll give one to you for free, Miss Hanna.”
“I don’t like free things… How about we share an Umbrella instead, Butler?”
“No.”
“Tsk…”
Hanna, stepping backward, kept her gaze fixed on me. As I kept chuckling at Hanna’s leisurely pace, clearly trying to tease me more, I shouted, “Hurry Up and Go!”
But Hanna, unwilling to give up easily, stopped in her tracks and refused to move.
“We’ll share it!”
“No!”
“Why not!”
“Because it’s cramped?”
“I’ll make room for you on my shoulder.”
“Isn’t that something The Man should do?”
“But you said it’s cramped, Butler!”
Seeing Hanna puffing her cheeks, I couldn’t help but give in to her Stubbornness.
“Fine, we’ll share.”
“You promised!”
“Yes.”
As Hanna walked away, she kept looking up endlessly at the sky.
“I hope it rains a lot.”