"Hoh...? He's pretty good..." I praised the bard performing in the center of the town.
It's still early in the morning, so the people gathering around outside were still few. Without the usual noise of a large crowd, the handsome blonde bard was able to make his voice and instrument clearly heard.
Deciding he was good enough, I left a tip in his hat that was gathering coins on the floor.
"Thank you, mi' lady," he winked at me and flirted.
With his good looks, he was able to catch me off guard. He already left a good impression on me because of his talent, so that may have also helped on making me open my guard up on him a little. Musicians truly are charismatic...
With a faint blush on my face, I went back to the crowd to watch him perform his next song.
"Hmph! I don't get what the hype is about," Log complained.
Why am I not surprised he would say that...?
I could only sigh in defeat in my own student's obvious lack of interest in the performance.
Just for today, we're taking a vacation from adventuring and any other physical activities. Overworking is unhealthy. I'm specially putting Log in mind, as he's always tackling multiple quests as his training. Not to mention, he always just keeps practicing swinging his knives even in his free time.
Now that I think about it, there had only been two days when Log was able to properly take a rest: the first was when I took him out to buy his armour, and the other was when I challenged Chester's magic.
Hmm... Speaking of which...
"What?" Chester rudely asked when he noticed me doubtly glancing at him.
"So, why are you stalking us?" I asked back.
"Tch! You know I'm not! I was just trying to speak with you!"
"Eh? Then why haven't you said anything until now?"
"You bitch..." he angrily growled. "I was calling you again and again! But you're deliberately ignoring me!"
"I don't remember doing that."
"You...!"
Fufu...! Teasing him sure is fun...
Ever since Chester had confirmed my strength in that battle, he had become even more reserved in directly conflicting with me. He can't just act rough and tough on me now. Knowing that, I in turn became even more unrestrained in teasing him.
"Humpf... That's enough of that..." I exhaled, overtly satisfied. "So, what is it you wanted to talk about?"
"Huh? O-Oh? You feel like speaking to me now? Good," he nodded in relief. "I'll get straight to the point, I want to become your disciple."
"No."
"Y-You're not going to at least consider it!?"
"I'm already busy with Log, so I can't take in another student."
"You're actually picking that brat over me!? Abandon him now and take me in instead! I'm a noble!"
I wanted to ask what his nobility got to do with anything, but considered against it when I realized it won't really matter.
"Bastard! I'll kill you!" Log overheard Chester and immediately threatened his life.
"Eek!" seeing him brandish his knife, Chester shamefully shrieked in fear.
"Well, I obviously won't do that," shrugging my shoulders, I replied to his cold-hearted suggestion.
"B-But didn't you take that Finral as your disciple? Then why are you refusing me?"
"As I said, I'm already taking care of Log right now. I'm just not competent enough to take two students at the same time."
"You're just making up excuses!"
I won't deny it... He's right...
I totally have the time and energy to take in multiple disciples. However, I'm just too lazy to do that. Also, with Chester in particular, I'm simply too petty.
"Tch! Is this because I attacked you that time?"
He's surpsingly perceptive...
"Hmph! Fine! I won't deny that what I did back then was wrong. It's reasonable you'd hate me for it. I'll give up for now."
Eh? Is he really giving up just like that? I thought he would push the matter a bit more...
As I thought of that, Chester finally calmed himself down and fixed his posture. Then with a sharp change in his expression, he directly stared at my eyes. He's suddenly gotten serious.
"Still, I want you to answer some of my questions!"
"Well, if that's enough for you... Then I don't mind..."
"Good. Then, first of, are you a hero?"
"No."
"N-No hesitation at all... Fine! Then, are you an elven princess?"
"Not at all."
"You're not lying? Hmph! But I guess that's to be expected. You don't have the grace of a princess after all."
"Rude."
"Are you an elven sorceress?"
"Well, that's..."
It's a title that's been forcefully passed onto me by the elf country's elders. It's true that I am one. I even have the proofs for it.
"You won't deny it? I-I see! So you really are an equal to the Royal Court mage... I get it now..."
"Are those all of your questions? If so, can you finally leave us alone?"
"Not yet. I still have one last question. Eria, are you the elf heroine told in legends? I did some research on a few historical figures and..."
"Okay! You can stop now!"
I rushed on Chester and immediately sealed off his mouth.
"Shh! Not here!" taking a quick glance at the crowd around us, I protested.