CH 114

Majolica has two faces. It’s known as the city with a magic academy, and the city with a dungeon. There is another one like this to the west, called Preques, so it’s said that to the west there’s Preques, and to the east Majolica.

“Are there any conditions to join the academy, besides the entrance exam? Like, if you’re a slave you can’t join?”

“There is no such restriction. Although I don’t think there are records of any slave enrolling.”

Yes, it’s hard to imagine a slave going to school. Although Hikari would probably be a special case.

“And do you need documents or anything when you go into the dungeon?”

“You do need an admission card, so you need to register. It registers when you go in and out, and what floors you have been through.”

“Why does it need to register when I go in and out?”

“If someone goes in but there is no record of them leaving after a certain period of time, a rescue team is put together. I feel like this is mostly applicable for students of the academy.”

“What about students who are also adventurers, like you?”

“…I believe they would send a rescue team. Most students that venture out into the dungeon are students anyway.”

This system was put in place after an incident when a lot of students didn’t make it back. This is what we talk about while going from Lochia to Majolica.

We need to walk for four days. I don’t know if she’s used to walking by now, or if her stamina is just improving, but Mia doesn’t seem to be pushing herself anymore.

Then again, we do get to rest more, because having more people means having more people to keep watch. We do some mock battles here and there too, but what Mia is most interested in is learning about holy magic from Trisha.

Mia can only use Heal and Recovery, so she’s learning about offensive magic, like Holy Arrow and Turn Undead.

I hear a bit about it too, but don’t get it at all. For some reason, I haven’t learned any other Holy Magic spells besides Heal and Recovery no matter how much I level up. I don’t know why, but I guess at least for the time being the only benefit to leveling up this skill is to increase the effectiveness of its spells.

For example, if we consider just the amount of healing itself, my Heal is better than Mia’s. Not that I’ve been using it a lot lately.

Mia has been practicing along with Hikari when we rest. She used to be bad at controlling her magic, but she’s getting a lot better. She’ll probably be able to use it freely soon.

My cooking keeps getting a favorable reception too. They’re not just being polite, are they? They aren’t, are they? It’s praised so much that it rolls back around to making me feel insecure.

I’ve been accepting that praise without thinking anything of it, so I’ve been getting confident. But I need to not let that get to my head, and remember that I’m still experimenting. Then again, I have to consider that I have the blessing of my skill, and they’re eating things they’ve never tasted before.

We reach Majolica eventually, and I show my guild card as usual, and I’m let in without any issues. But when it’s Leila’s turn, the gatekeeper’s expression changes when he sees her card.

Leila doesn’t seem too bothered by it.

“What are you going to do now, Sora?”

“We’re going to stay in an inn for now, but is there a way to rent a house here?”

“House?”

I answer Leila’s question with a nod. I don’t know when Rurika and Chris will be coming here, so if renting a house is cheaper, we could go for that option.

Staying in an inn comes with its privileges, but we’ll probably have more time in a rented house, if Mia is going to practice her cooking.

“I see. I will be going home for now, so I will ask if they know anyone who can help.”

“Thanks. And are there any inns you recommend? Especially ones with nice meals.”

“I do, but it might be a little expensive, you know? Are you all right with that?”

“…Yes.”

And so, Leila guides us to an inn.

This city gets a lot of monster meat from the dungeon, and apparently this inn is popular in Majolica because of the refined meals they serve. I ask for a room for four people for three nights.

I’m not wasting time resisting, I’ve learned my lesson.

“Thanks.”

“I will have to go to the academy tomorrow, but I will come visit again at night.”

“Then I’ll take care of some things during the day too.”

And so, we say goodbye to Bloody Rose for today.

They all live in the academy’s dormitory, but Leila and Casey are going to be visiting their homes. I’m sure their parents are worried about them going to another country, even if they are B ranked adventurers.

The other four aren’t from here, so they’re going straight back to the dormitory.

I head to the merchant guild the next morning. People in the inn told me where it is.

This world doesn’t have guide maps or anything, so if you want to go someplace, you have to look for it yourself. That’s why I end up asking gatekeepers and people in inns a lot.

Map shows me buildings, but I can’t tell what they are. Once I know what they are, it just sort of learns it too.

“How may I help you?”

“I was thinking about renting a house. Is it possible to do this through the merchant guild?”

“Yes, no problem. What kind of house are you looking for?”

“A detached house that can accommodate at least six people, preferably with a separate room for all of them.”

“Are you planning to stay here long?”

“I’m a traveling merchant, so I’m thinking of going to the dungeon to gather materials. That is why I need a base of sorts.”

I hand my card.

“Very well. We have a few options. Would you like to see them in person?”

“That would be great.”

“Understood. Please wait while I call someone who can guide you.”

This person is very competent. It all got taken care of really fast.

After a while, a woman that kind of reminds me of a small animal walks out, who will be my guide as I check out the houses.