Chapter 98

When I arrived in front of Chris's atelier, I gripped the doorknob and tried to pull it, but it seemed to be locked and wouldn't open.

"Locked... Well, I suppose it's only natural. Dorothee."

"Sure thing."

Dorothee turned her wings towards the doorknob, and with a click, I tried pulling it again.

The door opened, and I peered inside.

"You've kept it clean, I see."

The room had the same structure as the atelier I used to use.

It was about 10 tatami mats in size, with various tools and books neatly arranged.

"A clean room reflects a clean heart."

"My room is clean, and Leonora's is cluttered with books and messy."

She must have had a dirty heart.

Behind her smirking smile, there must have been something dark and sinister.

"It seems I was mistaken."

"Indeed."

"Well, both you and Chris-sama are neat freaks, after all."

Dorothee said this and perched on a perch on the desk, so I went to the desk.

Helen then jumped onto the desk and curled up.

"It feels like it's been a while since I worked in an atelier like this."

"Are you feeling lonely without Erica next to you, Adelheid in front, and Leonora diagonally in front?"

Dorothee asked with a laugh.

"Well, I do feel that way. When I first arrived in Riet, I wanted my own atelier, but now I don't feel that way anymore."

"Oh, how honest. I wanted you to blush and say, 'N-no, that's not it!'"

Who is this person?

"I wouldn't say that. I just think they're competent apprentices and well-rounded colleagues."

"That's good to hear."

"Indeed... Well, let's start by making the base sword."

I took out the iron ingot that Senior Corinna made and began the alchemy.

"Boring. How about a word game... 'Bark.'"

"Crow."

"Harsh..."

"Harsh is you."

I continued the sword alchemy while entertaining the idle Dorothee.

Before I knew it, it was evening, and it was past 5 o'clock.

"It's already this late?"

"Sieghart, you really get 100 points for work. You were doing alchemy even while playing word games."

"It's a simple alchemy. Dorothee, I'm going back to the hotel. What about you? Want to have dinner together?"

"No, I'm going home. I have to wait for Chris-sama to return."

No, he hasn't come back yet.

"Is that so? Aren't you lonely?"

"I'm used to being alone."

Chris is a bit of a jerk.

"See you tomorrow, then."

"Yes. Oh, could you open the window for me?"

Dorothee said this and pointed at the window with her wings, so I went to the window and opened it.

"Thank you. Have a good night with your three apprentices. Since there's an exam tomorrow, take good care of them. Bye-bye."

Dorothee flew out the window, cawing as she headed home.

"She seemed a bit down."

She was her usual chatty self, but there was a hint of sadness.

"Chris probably left because Dorothee is reliable, but a familiar's job is to assist their master. Besides, she's just a chatty crow who gets lonely."

Poor thing.

Maybe I should ask the chief to tell Chris to come back soon.

"Let's go back too."

"Okay."

Helen climbed onto my shoulder, and we left Chris's room.

As we walked down the corridor, we didn't encounter anyone.

"Everyone is working overtime, I see..."

"That's normal at headquarters."

I used to work here a few months ago and often did overtime.

At the time, I didn't think much of it and tried to finish my work as quickly as possible to get a good evaluation.

"Which do you prefer, the life here or the life in Riet?"

"Riet. It's lively, and everyone is kind. Plus, Sieghart-sama looks happy, which is the best part."

If Helen says so, it must be true.

"Still, the pay has dropped."

I saw the statement last time, and it was 100,000 El less.

Well, it's because the base was high, I guess.

"That's fine. The rent is cheaper, after all."

"True."

We went down the stairs and walked through the entrance to leave headquarters. I saw the receptionist and thought I should greet her and explain the situation for the next day, so I approached her.

"Hmm? Ah, Sieghart, are you back?"

The receptionist, who had been looking down, noticed me and spoke first.

"Yes. What are you doing?"

"Well... secretly studying for tomorrow's exam."

The receptionist showed me an alchemy reference book.

"What level are you taking?"

"Level 10. It's my first time taking the exam."

Is that so...

She must be a recent graduate.

"I think it's a tough exam, but if you take it a few times, you'll get the hang of it. Good luck."

"You never failed, did you?"

No, I didn't.

"I learned that from a fellow disciple."

I laughed through my nose, but...

"Is that so... I'll do my best. I'm glad I got a job at headquarters."

"Indeed. Also, starting tomorrow, I'll be using Christoph's atelier for work."

"Understood. I've heard about the chief's assignment, so feel free to come and go. No one will be at the reception tomorrow because of the exam."

"Ah, right. Well, good work."

"Thank you for your hard work."

We exchanged farewells, and as I left headquarters, I walked through the city, which was beginning to turn a shade of crimson, and returned to the Central Hotel.

This week, I'll also post on Saturday.