Alaric’s Offer and Kurenai’s Decision

“So what will you do, Kurenai?”

Edmund asked, looking down at me with his typical deadpan look.

I mean, what can I even do!? If I don’t pay, they’ll just expel me and make it seem like I defied the Emperor’s decree.

But... one gold coin...

Looking down at the ground, I tried to think of a solution.

“Fine, you have until the end of next month to pay. But make sure it’s enough to cover both months.”

My eyes lit up before the realization hit me.

That just delays the inevitable! It doesn’t change that I don’t even have a single gold coin... let alone two!

Edmund’s eye twitched before he started to walk off, and Alaric strutted up to me.

“Seems like you are in a bind.”

“...”

Ignoring him, I kept on pondering with my head lowered and eyes spinning.

It’s not like I can ask my parents to pay... What about Tomoko? She’s the Crimson Dragon after all... According to fairy tales, dragons are notorious for hoarding treasure! I bet she has way more than two measly gold coins!

“Oh no. I just can’t stand by idly and watch you succumb to despair!”

“...”

“Hohoho. My gracious soul would suffer in great regret if I didn’t help someone in need.”

“...”

No... If Tomoko actually had any gold, she wouldn’t have had to borrow money from my parents for booze. That lazy bum of a dragon!

“You know... I have the perfect offer for you. It’d solve all your problems.”

He leaned in closer, his voice a greasy whisper in my ear.

Maybe running away is my only option after all... No!

Mentally, I shook my head.

“And it wouldn’t even be difficult... all you’d have to do is sign a contract.”

His grin grew even wider, twisting into something more sinister.

A Hero never runs! A Hero faces any and all adversities head-on!

“Exactly!”

My eyes sharpened.

“Oh. So you understand how blessed you are to be allowed to make a contract with me. Good, after all, it does benefit you significantly.”

“Contract?”

My head leaned to the left. I was so confused that even my hair formed a question mark.

“Indeed, the graceful offer by little old humble me, Alaric Vandegard!”

“...”

What is he talking about?

“Don’t worry, it’s simple. All you have to do is... sign it and obey anything I say.”

“Like a bodyguard or maid?”

“Something like that... but more long-term...”

His words gave me an idea. That might be it! I just need confirmation.

“So we are allowed to take on jobs while attending the academy?”

His face looked like he was drifting off and imagining something.

I wasn’t sure what... but whatever it was must have been delicious. Considering he even started drooling.

“Yesh... Ash long ash, we attend the classhesh, we are allowed to take on outshide jobsh.”

“Even adventuring?”

Why is he now squirming and hugging himself...?

“Yesh... but you wouldn’t need to adventure... I’d jusht take care of you in all kindsh of waysh!”

“Perfect! Thank you very much, Alaric.”

“Of courshe... Ahem. My humble self just can’t not help! Now just sign here and you’ll be officially mine-”

“...”

“Eh?”

But I was long gone, leaving him alone with his ‘contract.’

No time to waste! I need to visit the adventurers’ guild right away... the adventurers’ guild...

Hehehe.

Finally! I’m finally about to meet real adventurers!

I was so overjoyed that I started skipping instead of running.

Then, stopping right in the middle of bustling streets, I remembered something...

I don’t even know where the adventurers’ guild is!

Grabbing my head, I ruffled my hair up violently in disappointment at myself.

“Hey, aren’t you the curry girl?”

Hya!

Startled, I jumped before turning around to find the butler from the dining hall standing behind me.

“The nice butler!”

“Haha. Indeed, thank you for remembering me so positively.”

“Of course! You helped me out very much. Thank you!”

Bowing forward to him, I really wanted to show my appreciation for how much he helped me out.

“Get up. Everyone’s already staring at us.”

Waving his hands around, he seemed to be panicking.

“But-”

“It’s fine! Just get up. A noble bowing to a commoner is really inappropriate!”

“Still! I have to properly show my gratitude.”

“Ugh!”

He grabbed my wrist and pulled me with him into a narrow alley.

“You can’t do that! People will misunderstand and spread rumors.”

Looking up at him and seeing his bright red face and how heavy he was breathing, I stammered.

“D-did I m-mess up a-a-again!?”

After he saved me earlier, I ended up making even more problems for him! I bet he h-h-hates me now! I mean who wouldn’t... Imagine the person you saved turns around and puts you in even more danger...

“It’s fine... You really don’t know etiquette, do you?”

I knew it! He hates me! What should I do!? Apologize? Give him something to make up for it? But what!? Maybe a potato mochi!

“Hahaha.”

He burst into laughter.

Now he’s laughing at me? While I agree that it’s my fault... it still hurts...

My eyes teared up.

“I’m sorry... I didn’t laugh at you.”

Gently he placed his hand on my cheek and brushed away the tears.

Bawawawawawawawa.

My face burst into a bright red as I stumbled backward.

“Your reactions are just way too cute... Hehe.”

“I’m not cute!”

I shot back with a pouty face.

How dare he touch me like that! Next time I’ll bite his hand! Only Hikari is allowed to touch me! And only I am allowed to touch Hikari...

Just as my mind was about to drift off, I caught myself. At least the thought of Hikari calmed me down.

“I apologize for touching you so rudely without permission, Miss.”

Hmpf.

“Apology denied! Only someone special is allowed to touch me like that!”

He swung his arm around, bowing deeply.

“Indeed, a mere commoner like me should never lay his hands on a noble lady such as yourself.”

“First of all! You shouldn’t do that to any lady! Second of all. I’m not a noble.”

“You’re indeed right. Let me apologize again.”

Hmpf!

Closing my eyes, I looked away from him, still pouting.

“Also, what do you mean by that? You aren’t a noble?”

“Just like I said, I’m not a noble.”

“But you’re attending the Royal Magic Academy?”

While he sounds surprised...

Opening one eye, I glanced at him.

He doesn’t seem to be. Did I carry myself that horribly!?

Scratching his chin, he concluded.

“That explains a lot... but then how?”

“By the Emperor’s royal decree...”

He bowed forward again, this time even more elegantly.

“What an honor to be in the presence of someone regarded so highly.”

“Fufu. Exactly! Hehe. Though, it doesn’t mean too much.”

“My name is Lucian. Nice to meet you, Miss.”

“Nice to meet you, Lucian. I’m Kurenai.”

“So what is such a distinguished beauty such as yourself doing out here by herself?”

Ugh! He really likes teasing me like that, huh!? But I know exactly what to do... Heh heh heh!

Lowering myself and pretending to lift an imaginary skirt, I greeted him back.

“I’m looking for the adventurers guild.”

Take that! I learned that from watching my classmates.

“Oh ho. Well-mannered as well... Watch out or you might bring every man around you to his knees.”

Fawawawawa!

“Hahaha. Sorry. As a formal apology. How about I personally escort you to the guild?”

With that, I begrudgingly followed him as he led me to an astoundingly glamorous building.

That’s not the guild, is it!?

Admiring the building for a second, I saw a dozen adventurers enter and leave. Some looked scary and strong, some brawny, others scrawny, but they all had one thing in common. They were clean and well organized.

“Not going to enter, Miss Kurenai?”

“Where’d you bring me Lucian!? This isn’t what an adventurer guild looks like!”

He raised an eyebrow in confusion.

“What are they supposed to look like?”

“More run-down, dirtier, and mixed with a pub!”

“I don’t think there are any like that around here.”

Another part of my childhood shattered in real time.

B... but they seemed so fun...

Enter one, find a party, adventure together, return to celebrate victory... drink together...

“Welcome to the Capital’s Adventurers Guild Headquarters! How can I help you today?”

The receptionist asked me with a bright and bubbly smile.