I had just finished Alice's interview.
Immediately, I boarded the carriage to the Hero Department for training.
Alice was as passionate as I had anticipated.
"I'll work hard so that I don't just ride on the coattails of Seria or Irene... I'll at least do my part!"
She wasn't the type to hide behind the few exceptional team members, like a freeloader in a university group project.
She was thirsty to prove herself.
That relentless desire for improvement.
It's a mindset I admire.
Even just working hard is something.
Especially the part about doing 'at least my part' resonated with me.
In the past, I used to dislike the phrase 'working hard.'
"How can I help it if this is all I can do despite working hard!"
It sounded like an excuse from a loser who couldn’t achieve what they wanted.
But maybe my mindset changed after I possessed Theo.
Even though I had the advantage of prior knowledge, I was recognized by those brimming with talent.
Now, I think there's inherent value in 'working hard' in itself.
It's not just the results that matter, but the process is equally important.
Of course, there’s a sense of futility and inferiority when I see those with natural talent achieve in one hour what takes me ten hours of effort.
But I don’t think that’s a reason to stop trying. Giving up means the end.
"Th-Thank you! I'll work hard over the weekend!"
Anyway, having given Alice the archer artifact, I'll soon find out if she’s just a mouthy girl or genuinely passionate.
I just hope she doesn't use 'working hard' as a self-justification.
"The next stop is in front of the Hero Department. I repeat, the next stop is in front of the Hero Department. Please remember to take your belongings with you when you disembark."
As I organized my jumbled thoughts and ran through various combat simulations in my head, I arrived at my destination.
"...Sigh."
It's a holiday, so I'm particularly reluctant to train today.
But clean water flows from a clean source.
Having told Alice that I would be watching, I must do well myself.
I headed straight to the training ground.
Inside the command center at [Ford Company].
"Phew... That was a close call."
Thomas exhaled deeply, having just averted the natural disaster that is the principal.
"What? Odius is missing? Do you really want to be scolded? Where are you hiding him? Then where did the [Mass Teleport] scroll come from?"
"Ah, is that so? You found it there... Alright, I understand. But you know, right? If this is a lie, you better be prepared."
"My research has saved my life so far."
Thomas is a scientist.
He is proficient in most scientific fields, but his standout area is 'human science.'
Human science not only deals with physical aspects but also includes the mental.
Therefore, thanks to his deep understanding of various cultures and mindsets of different races on the Kyren Zena Continent, including orcs, lizardmen, elves, fairies, various beastmen, and giants, Thomas was able to have a relatively smooth conversation with the fairy principal.
One of the defining traits of fairies is that once they fixate on something, they become entirely absorbed in it.
Thomas was well aware of this fact and utilized it effectively.
Luck was on his side too.
The principal showed little interest in the fact that her academy had been forcefully entered.
She didn't even ask why they had intruded.
"Hmm..."
Thomas gazed at the spot where the principal had been sitting just moments ago.
That madman with clear eyes.
No, a mad fairy would have immediately headed to the location he had revealed...
"Hey, you're sure she really left?"
Oswald approached quietly and spoke.
Thomas had told him to hide far away, in case the principal recognized Oswald.
Thomas nodded.
"Yes. I checked for any surveillance magic she might have left behind, but there was none. It seems that her only concern was the location of the [Mass Teleport] scroll's creator."
"Phew, that's a relief. But how did she find out about this place? I only said I came from the magical city in the north. The guys I brought with me, except for the lieutenant, were all new to fieldwork."
"Then, it's likely she used spirits. They're still such a mystery."
"Ugh, damn spirits... Physical attacks don’t work on them at all, and most magic doesn’t affect them either, so annoying. Those sneaky bastards, wish we could just wipe them out."
Oswald remembered a harsh encounter he had with a spirit in the past.
A few years ago, under Maitri's orders, Oswald led a troop to the outskirts of the Great Forest to capture a young male and female Wood Elf.
The mission had been going smoothly.
They had managed to capture a young male and female Wood Elf pair in less than 24 hours after departure from the base.
Furthermore, since they had captured them far from the Great Forest, there was little risk of being pursued.
Just as Oswald was happily returning to the base, a group of wind spirits suddenly attacked his troop.
Although it was their first encounter with spirits, Oswald's elite troop quickly responded.
However, all physical attacks from Oswald and his men had no effect on the wind spirits.
Magic worked, but attack spells below the 3rd circle were almost ineffective.
Especially the high-ranking wind spirits, clearly visible to the naked eye, were surprisingly intelligent.
As soon as they sensed a magic attack, they swiftly eliminated the troop's mages.
In the end, Oswald, with tears in his eyes, had no choice but to release the captured young Wood Elves and retreat.
He had lost most of his troops and experienced his first mission failure, which still makes him shudder.
Frowning, Oswald asked Thomas.
"Hey, where did you get that [Mass Teleport] scroll you gave me?"
"I got it from the Polaris underworld."
"......That damn silver-haired bastard, seems I'm fatefully connected to him."
A city belonging to the empire, located in the north of the continent but with a mild climate.
Polaris, a well-developed city that makes one think, 'This seems like a really nice place to live,' at first glance, belongs to the territory of the Waldeurk family.
That is to say, the current lord of Polaris is Robert Lyn Waldeurk, the head of the Waldeurk family.
"I wish I could've wreaked some havoc there while I was at it."
"Just in case, don't ever say such things in front of Maitri."
Thomas looked seriously at Oswald.
"Why? Polaris is the territory of that silver-haired bastard's family, right?"
"There's information that Robert Lyn Waldeurk is having positive discussions with our superiors."
The 'superiors' Thomas referred to were the higher-ups at [Turning White].
Oswald, of course, understood the implications and his eyes widened.
"Really? Is that information reliable?"
"It's from a long-time informant at our headquarters, so it's quite credible."
"Damn it! What am I supposed to do now! They can't tell me not to kill that silver-haired bastard!"
Oswald's face turned crimson with anger.
Thomas looked at him with a calm gaze.
'Oswald is still a necessary asset.'
It's rare to find someone with Oswald's brute force who doesn’t scheme and just plunges headfirst into situations.
After organizing his thoughts, Thomas spoke.
"It's not confirmed yet, so let's wait and see. You know how capricious our superiors can be. I'll inform you as soon as we get any additional information."
Two days later, on Monday.
The A class of the Exploration Department was bustling from the morning.
"Hey, did you get accepted into Andrew's team?"
"I don't know. I met him, but it wasn't one-on-one. Sally, was it...? He only smiled when looking at that Knight Department girl, but was stern with everyone else."
"Ahhhh, I need to get in, I really do... I don’t want to be a classroom guardian..."
"Who else did you apply to?"
"Theo, Max, Neike. Since I use a bow, I only applied to those who specialize in close combat... I should get in, right?"
"Unbelievable. How come everyone I applied with is the same?"
"Who do you think had the highest competition? Even though Theo is with Irene and Seria, it must have been Neike or Piel, right?"
"Actually, I think all three had low competition. They're the top and second of the Hero Department and the most popular recently. It's too risky to apply to them, considering you might end up being a classroom guardian for the rest of the semester."
While the students were focused in their chatter, a professor entered the classroom.
"It's good to see such energy. Did everyone have a good weekend?"
The professor was Henderson, sporting a long mustache and wearing a perfectly tailored suit.
"Yes, Professor!"
Henderson, a wonderful middle-aged example who treated even young students as individuals, was the most popular professor in the Exploration Department.
The students all responded energetically.
Henderson nodded and said.
"I suppose everyone is most curious about the aide application results. I'll announce them right away. Assistant, please come in."
At Henderson's cue, an assistant, also in a tailored suit, began to enter the classroom, carrying a large scroll.
As the assistant entered, Henderson, making eye contact with Alice, smiled in satisfaction.
