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Huin Town Inn had become full as of late, and people who were not residents of Huin Town had started to flock toward the town.
"They came for the Moonlit Orchid that was about to bloom, as well as the high-grade beast that would be attracted by the scent of the Moonlit Orchid. As you know, beast cores are valuable objects."
"Are you also here for the Orchid?"
Yuna asked after getting an explanation from the apothecary about the sudden influx of people in Huin Town.
The apothecary, who was verifying Yuna's potion, paused before nodding her head.
"I received the information early, and the apothecary seat happened to be vacant in Huin Town, so I came earlier. After obtaining the Moonlit Orchid, I will leave."
"…Oh."
The apothecary put down the potion and looked up at Yuna from her seat. Yuna's expression was impassive; she was neither surprised nor showing excessive emotion after hearing that she would leave.
"I live in the capital. As my disciple, you can leave with me. I'm sure your grandfather will agree if he considers your future."
Yuna tucked her black hair behind her ear. It had not been cut short and had been allowed to grow freely for a year.
"He will agree, but I don't want to. I will come to the capital after three years to register myself at one of the academies there."
"Do you have the confidence that you can obtain an application of acceptance? The competition to enter the capital academies is fierce."
"…Well, I can just go back and open a small bakery shop. My aspiration is not that high."
The apothecary wore an exasperated expression after hearing Yuna's low-aspiration declaration.
"Why did I accept such a hapless person as my disciple again?"
"Because of my 100% purity," Yuna stated in a matter-of-fact tone.
The apothecary snorted but did not comment further.
"Here."
Yuna caught the medallion that the apothecary flicked toward her.
"How can I lose face if my one and only disciple cannot even obtain an application to one of the best academies? Just use that to enter through the back door."
Yuna examined the medallion carefully. Its size was comparable to an Olympic gold medal.
"Zahia Elliohart," Yuna read the name carved onto the medallion. "Is this your name?"
"Hmm…"
"Oh… thank you, Sensei. I'll make sure to use this and surely enter the academy."
If there was an easy way, Yuna would not say no to it. She did not possess the strong mentality or pride of 'I will achieve it with my own ability' in the first place.
"Not curious about my identity?"
"Who cares…"
It's not like I will ascend to immortality if I know, Yuna thought dismissively.
The apothecary smiled at the answer.
"I am the High Elder of the Mage Tower in the capital, as well as the Guild Master of the Apothecary Guild stationed there."
"…Oh… cool."
Yuna's expression remained nonchalant. Well, novels always had hidden dragons and crouching tigers, and those people always seemed to possess unassuming appearances.
Status had always been an uninteresting topic for her.
After years of interacting with Yuna, the apothecary—whose name was Zahia Elliohart—had come to understand her hapless, unmotivated, and lazy disciple's temperament. She knew exactly what would attract her curiosity.
"My current appearance is fake."
That finally elicited a surprised reaction from Yuna.
"…You mean you're not an old hag?"
Speechless, Zahia scolded, "What old hag? Mages age slowly. I'm only 45 years old."
At forty-five, a mage would look no older than twenty to twenty-five.
"Then that appearance is a disguise? …Wait, is this some sort of hiding one's identity so you won't be discovered by people?"
Yuna guessed wildly.
"In some way." Zahia looked at Yuna's increasingly interested expression and enjoyed the attention immensely.
"…I won't show you my real appearance. Come to the capital, and I'll show you."
Yuna's eyes dimmed.
"Oh… then I'll see your true appearance three years later."
"Or you can come to the capital with me and see it now," Zahia tempted again. She really wanted to show off her disciple to her peers as soon as possible.
"Forget it."
"This brat… what's so good about this town?" Zahia carefully scrutinized her disciple and seemed to think of something.
"…Is it because of that kid… Austin?"
"Mind your own business, old hag—ouch!"
Yuna covered her forehead where she had been knocked hard and glared at her Sensei.
"Call me old hag again…" Zahia threatened.
Yuna pursed her lips and stayed silent.
Not just Austin—Yuna also wanted to save more money so that she and her grandfather could move to the capital and open a shop there.
Her only family member—Yuna did not want to leave him behind at all. Her grandfather, who had lost his children and wife, would be too lonely if even Yuna left him.
His expectation was that Yuna could attend a more prestigious academy, and Yuna's wish was for her grandfather to accompany her wherever she went.
…
"I won't be attending school for a week. I took an escort job," Austin informed Yuna, who was sitting across from him eating her lunch.
"To guide those outsiders into the forest?"
"Mm… they seem to be looking for a type of flower that blooms only once every fifty years."
"Moonlit Orchid. Sensei told me about it." Yuna looked at Austin, who was listening quietly.
"There's going to be a high-level beast attracted by the scent of the blooming flower."
"…Mm. They guaranteed my safety."
"…Come to the apothecary store before departure."
Yuna felt that she should not interfere with Austin's decision.
Everyone had their own considerations. It was not her place to stop them when she could not help them attain what they sought, nor jump into danger on their behalf.
The plants that bloomed beside the Moonlit Orchid would be influenced by it and gain properties that could enhance potions to a greater degree.
Austin must have been aiming for those plants to enhance the potion for his mother and rid her ailments for good.
In the novel, because Austin had to earn daily income just to purchase one potion, he could not participate in the expedition to obtain the Moonlit Orchid. The event was only mentioned in passing.
That was what Yuna remembered—or rather, what she assumed—since she no longer recalled the novel clearly. Still, her hypothesis seemed most likely.
Now that Austin had a week's worth of potion for his mother, he could leave with a lighter heart.
The day of the expedition came faster than expected.
"These are potions that can treat wounds. Don't lose them."
Yuna packed the potions neatly and instructed Austin to keep them in a safe place.
"…Thank you."
"Just come back safely."
Austin stepped forward and hugged the fussy girl.
"Don't worry. I will come back."
For you—and for my mother.
For the two most important people in his life, he would make sure to return.
A sweet feeling welled up inside Austin when he thought of those waiting for him—someone eager for his return, a place where he felt at home.
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