Kays Translations

Chapter 13

The next day, the chief came to pick me up.

I didn't wake up until I felt a gentle tap on my shoulder, indicating that I must have been quite exhausted.

As I sat up, I noticed my earphones and smartphone lying next to me and panicked.

The chief quickly said, "Here, take this," and handed me a change of clothes.

"Oh... right."

The clothes I wore yesterday were covered in blood and mud.

"It's a spare uniform, so don't worry about it..."

"Thank you."

Certainly, returning in the torn and battered attire from the attack was out of the question. I eagerly changed into the offered clothes.

Before leaving, I expressed gratitude to the staff at the treatment center. 

When I mentioned that I would come back later to make a donation to the church, they bowed their heads in acknowledgment.

Well, there are some personal things on my mind... like religion, prayers, and such.

When I stepped outside, a carriage was ready.

"Huh..."

It seemed the chief had arranged it.

Well, if asked whether it's appropriate for a severely injured person to walk home, I would certainly agree that it's not.

This is my first time riding in a carriage due to an injury... Regardless of the circumstances, it brings a sense of relief and happiness.

When I inquired about the carriage, I learned that there is a service that provides rental for pick-ups and drop-offs.

I thought it was like a Japanese taxi, but it seems the cost is quite reasonable. It's more like a VIP treatment with a chauffeured car.

Considering it's an expense from the guild... I can't help but feel a little sorry about it.

While I was contemplating this, we arrived in just a few minutes. Well, it's only a short walk of a dozen minutes or so.

Upon entering the guild, everyone quickly noticed and came over with concerned expressions.

They all ask if I'm okay, expressing their concern.

Lana and Lily, who were at the reception, stood up and looked in my direction. I raised my hand to acknowledge them.

While responding to the worries of the accounting team with a nod, I notice Carol's anxious expression.

I give her a reassuring smile and a thumbs-up, and she smiles back in relief.

My eyes welled up with warmth at the fact that everyone cared.

Surviving from the brink of death was a situation I had never experienced before, so honestly, it felt a bit awkward.

"I appreciate your concern. At times like this... I don't know what kind of expression I should have."

I responded with the most classic and overused joke in anime history, but, as expected, there was no clichéd response. 

Nevertheless, everyone laughed, and that made me very happy.

The customers in the store, unaware of the circumstances, gathered attention, wondering what was happening.

Noticing the commotion, the guildmaster appeared from the second floor.

"Mizuki, Taran."

He beckoned, so I thanked everyone and headed to the guildmaster's office.

Sitting on the sofa, I explained the situation to the best of my knowledge from the moment the incident occurred.

"I see. I'm relieved that you're safe..."

"Thank you."

The guildmaster crossed his arms and stared into my eyes.

"So, I heard you took a beating but managed to turn the tables..."

It seemed that the guildmaster had gathered some information by yesterday.

 He must be aware that an ordinary employee, without any weapons, had been brutally attacked, even shot with an arrow, yet somehow managed to retaliate.

It was evident that there was some secret involved.

The chief didn't mention anything on the way back, but he's probably curious. After all, he interacts with me the most.

I don't think I can keep it a secret, and it's almost certain that the captain will question me for a debriefing.

While I want to keep the fact that I can use magic hidden, I believe it's better to inform the guildmaster and the chief about it.

I cleared my throat lightly before revealing the secret.

"Um, the thing is... I can use magic."

I thought it would be a shocking confession, but they didn't seem particularly surprised. 

Maybe they had anticipated something like this.

"I just, you know... don't really understand it myself."

I gave them a brief explanation of how I came to be able to use magic.

The door made a soft knocking sound, and Lily-san brought tea.

"You didn't learn magic at school?"

"School?"

I tilted my head in response to the chief's question.

"Well, Mizuki's school, to be precise."

"Um... I think I mentioned it before, but, personally, I studied something like information... Ah, I was focused on making this, so I don't know anything about magic."

I tapped my waist pouch and mimicked using my finger to operate a smartphone.

"So, you're saying you could use it by reading books and chanting spells?"

"Yeah, exactly!."

The guildmaster and the chief exchanged glances, seeming somewhat skeptical.

"But... even though I don't know about a magic school, I am interested in magic, so I wanted to study it on my own. The reason I took a day off yesterday was to look for magic books. However, the owner of the first bookstore told me something like 'Magic books are only available at the Magic Academy in the capital,' so... I was on my way to the second bookstore when I was attacked."

After recounting the story in one go, I took a sip of tea.

"What... kind of magic did you use?"

The guildmaster asked just to be sure.

"Well, um, lightning and... stones."

"I see."

Neither the chief nor the guildmaster seemed to be well-versed in magic, but they seemed satisfied with my explanation... or perhaps they were just accepting it.

It felt a bit like explaining AI to someone who's not good with technology—getting a casual "oh, I see" in response.

In any case, I received congratulations for being safe, and they advised me to take the day off again today, ensuring I get some rest.

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