“…Hah.”
The girl sat down on the ground, letting out a sigh. The sounds of monsters were no longer audible. It seemed that the next Dark Bear would not be coming.
“Thank you very much…”
She bowed her head toward the boy.
“I have no words to express my gratitude for saving me from such a dangerous situation.”
“Likewise, I got to see something impressive.”
The boy shook his head shyly. Upon a closer look, he appeared to be around the same age as her. If he were a noble, he would likely be at the age of entering the academy, still being taught by a tutor.
(I can’t believe there’s such a skilled practitioner in a rural area away from the royal capital. He’s about my age, yet he showed no fear of the monsters at all. If things had gone wrong, I could have been attacked by that Dark Bear too… He saved me… What incredible courage.)
The girl instinctively pressed her hand against her chest. She couldn’t stop her heart from racing.
(…Could it be that this person is… related to that exam?)
“Thanks for the help, kid! You’re amazing!!”
Oblivious to the girl’s turmoil, the old warrior exclaimed.
“Are these bats your familiars? Incredible! There aren’t many who can control familiars of this caliber even in the Magic Guild’s educational institutions. Truly impressive!!”
“No, these guys were strong from the start.”
“…Is that so?”
“Yeah. I just fed them, and then we became friends.”
“…There are strong bats around, then.”
“To live in a mountain where monsters appear, you have to be strong. More importantly—”
The boy’s gaze locked onto the girl, his eyes piercing and intense enough to make her feel a bit overwhelmed.
“Locals wouldn’t venture into a Dark Bear’s territory. Outsiders don’t enter this mountain without soldiers or adventurers as escorts. Why are you here?”
“W-Well… we are…”
“Don’t blame the Young Lady. We heard this place was safe.”
“From whom?”
“From a tutor serving House Glossaria, a man named Kachel Miegen.”
“…………Ah, I see.”
The boy’s expression turned bitter, as if he had swallowed something unpleasant.
“That guy should think things through a bit more… We were almost in a real mess before the exam…”
“Are you perhaps from House Glossaria?”
“No, I’m just a hunter.”
“A mere hunter can use magic?”
“I’m a hunter knowledgeable in magic.”
“…………Is that so?”
“…………Indeed it is.”
“Even so, your skills are impressive. With your abilities, you could easily join the Magic Guild.”
“Are you affiliated with the Magic Guild?”
“…Huh?”
“From what I just heard, I can make a pretty good guess.”
“Y-Yes. I apologize for not introducing myself sooner.”
The girl stood up and brushed the dirt off her clothes. Then she looked back at the old man standing behind her. Receiving his nod, she confirmed something before—
“I am someone assisting with the exam. My name is… Clara Listes.”
“I am Burns, the Young Lady’s bodyguard.”
“In a few days, an exam for joining the Magic Guild will be held around here. We came to scout the area. There must be no dangers or irregularities.”
“It’s a secret from the locals. If we informed them beforehand, it would cause quite a stir.”
“So that’s how it is.”
“Thanks to you, we were saved. If you don’t mind, could I ask for your name?”
“…Is it alright for a nameless hunter to give his name?”
“It’s perfectly fine. You are our benefactor… Ah.”
The girl touched the hairpin in her silver hair, removing it from behind her ear.
“I would like to give this to you as a token of my gratitude.”
“…No, you really don’t have to—”
“Oh? Wouldn’t a hunter like you want to turn what you gain from hunting into money instead?”
The girl covered her mouth and laughed. The boy looked troubled. I wonder why? Watching his face made her heart warm.
“Because of us, the materials from the Dark Bear were burnt to a crisp. Please accept this as a replacement, okay?”
“…Thank you.”
“Hehe.”
Clara took the boy’s hand and placed the silver hairpin on it. What if he rejects it… That thought crossed her mind for a moment. However, the boy accepted the hairpin without hesitation.
“I truly appreciate it. Please also thank your bats for me.”
The girl bowed deeply to the boy once more. The old man did the same.
“If you hadn’t rushed to our aid, we wouldn’t be alive right now. Truly… it was incredible. They say ‘like the wind’ for a reason, I suppose…”
“…………You are—”
“Huh?”
“…………You look just like my foolish son’s daughter.”
“…………You have a granddaughter? No way.”
“…………It’s nothing. I’ll escort you to the foot of the mountain.”
After that, the boy guided Clara and Burns down to the base of the mountain. Clara’s carriage was hidden in the woods at the foot of the mountain. In the end, Burns wanted to express his gratitude as well, but the boy declined and simply walked away.
“He was a wonderful person.”
Clara sighed as she murmured.
“At such a young age, his combat ability is astounding. The courage to strike at a monster’s vital point in one blow. I wish someone like him could be close to me.”
“As a bodyguard, I presume, Young Lady?”
“Yes. If possible, I would have liked to tell him my real name, but…”
“Since he saved your life. However, that opportunity will come soon enough.”
“Someone like him wouldn’t need to take the exam for the Magic Guild. I would want him as a close aide right away.”
“A knight standing to your right. A position everyone admires.”
“Do you think Burns believes he is one of the examinees?”
“Without a doubt.”
The old man Burns nodded in satisfaction, axe in hand.
“That boy is Zeros Glossaria. He is someone aspiring to join the Magic Guild.”
“Is that so?”
“Do you have any doubts?”
“The report from Instructor Kachel described him as ‘blonde, tall, and a polite nobleman.'”
“Didn’t you realize that his words are not to be trusted, Young Lady?”
“Kachel’s father was quite capable.”
“Regardless, I believe that boy is Zeros Glossaria. If he were someone else, then Kachel would have overlooked such talent. In that case, he should be expelled from the guild immediately! After all, he put you in such a predicament!!”
Clara did not hear Burns’s words. The image of the boy from earlier still lingered in her mind. The mysterious hunter. His combat ability to defeat monsters in an instant. And those overly strong bats. He knew about the Magic Guild’s exam. If he wasn’t Zeros Glossaria… then who could he be?
“And… you know someone who resembles me.”
Clara shook her head. She felt that she needed to investigate more about the baronial house.