Chapter 192 – Epilogue 2

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3rd unit vice-captain’s office.

Leticia Risttestone was busy processing the work that had been piling up.

She had been detained for several days, on suspicion of conducting illegal investigations towards Count Vilhelm.

And with both captain and vice-captain gone, the work of the 3rd unit had fallen behind to a disastrous degree.

However, no one was faster in the Royal Magicians Order when it came to such work.

After all, Gawain was no good at it, so Leticia would usually deal with it for him. And so in just one day after her return, she was able to finish all of the urgent work.

Without a second of overtime, she had gone through eighty-percent, and things were going smoothly.

(I just need the Captain’s approval.)

She headed to his office while holding a stack of papers.

She knocked and opened the door.

Captain Gawain was buried in a mountain of work and looked exhausted.

“Captain. If you can approve these.”
“More…”

He looked at them without emotion.

“Hey, Leticia. I think it’s important to take your mind off of work sometimes, to keep things efficient. Sitting at a desk all day will just slow you down. And so, I think that…”
“No. If you want to go out, it will be after you finish this important work first. Don’t you realize how much there is?”
“Because you keep bringing more…”
“If you keep complaining, I will start bringing the work that I was doing for you as well.”
“I do appreciate it! Very much! Really!”

He said as he went back to work.

She stared at the red hair behind the mountain of documents.

That was like Gawain. He would complain, but still do his duty.

Though, he would cut corners where he could, which would sometimes be troublesome for others.

(Now that I think about it, he was like that during our student days as well.)

Leticia had a serious personality, and so there were many things he did that she could hardly believe.

But the memories were nostalgic now, and raised her hand in order to cover her smile.

(I could definitely never be with this man.)

She reminded herself. And then she thought back on that boy whose hand she had held so many years ago.

The back alley during the summer, and the classroom during the sunset.

He had also had red hair, and was popular with the other children.

‘You are an important person for Mr. Gawain.’

The words suddenly flashed in her mind.

‘You should turn your eyes to your surroundings a little more. That is my advice, as someone who sacrificed everything in order to make a wish come true.’

(Could it be…)

Leticia stood in the hallway with the red carpet.

The orange light of the sun poured through the windows.

◇　　◇　　◇

The hospitalization ended, and things went back to normal.

I had been worried that everyone would be troubled without me, their vice-captain. But what I was greeted to was a 7th unit that was working smoothly.

“Yes, yes. That’s good, Muna.”

Ms. Misha said. I could trust her without any worry.

And there was also someone else there.

“Translate this, while using these as references. The important part is the 3rd formular. It is difficult, but I know you can do it.”

Luke was giving directions to Miles.

Up until now, he always seemed to work in his office, away from the others. He never participated in this kind of work.

But while I was away, he was fitting in with the others as if it was normal.

Not only that, but things were progressing faster with Luke’s involvement.

I heard that Ilis and Miles were more enthusiastic. And I could not help but feel a little jealous.

(Why…why was he better at leading them than me…!)

I thought I was better at working with people.

He hated it. So I had to do it for him. That’s how it was supposed to be.

‘Ah, this is really nothing. I just didn’t want to rob you of your work, so I left it to you.’

I could imagine him saying that, and I shook with rage.

“If he said such a thing, I’m not confident that I’d be able to control myself. Before I know it, I would have punched Luke to the ground so that he slides across the floor. If that happens, you must help erase the evidence and support my story.”
“Not stop you?”
“Well, I would feel better if I did punch him.”

I said seriously, but Ms. Misha just chuckled.

“You two really are amusing. That being said, people have gotten used to the way things are run here now. Most importantly, Ilis and Miles are working hard.”
“Because Luke is better at leading them than me?”
“Well, there is something impressive about him. But I think a lot of it is your influence. Because you didn’t avoid the problem, and faced it.”

Said Ms. Misha.

“Be confident. You did a good job with them.”

I thought back on her kind words.

(They are doing well because of my influence… Hehe.)

As I smiled and watched them work…

“What is wrong with your face?”
“It’s creepy. Please stop it.”

They said.

(Maybe they don’t like me after all!?)

As I stood there, stunned, I heard someone chuckle behind me.

Luke then narrowed his eyes when I saw him.

“Don’t get so smug just because they like you now.”
“I’m not.”
“No, you definitely are.”
“Fine, we’ll just say that I am then.”
“You really don’t care…that annoys me even more.”

I pouted, and Luke laughed.

That gentle, familiar laugh.

“There’s something I want to talk to you about. If you have time.”

He started walking, and so I followed him.

Apparently, he wanted to talk to me alone.

The gardens of the palace boasted flowers that were in full bloom.

I remembered how we had danced together, after the red rose ball.

“I was just talking to Ernest earlier. He has a very high opinion of our work during this recent incident. He says the 7th unit will be made official. And you will be promoted to Adamantite rank.”
“Me-me? Adamantite rink…?”

The unexpected words shocked me.

Indeed, I was a vice-captain. So that rank was not actually strange.

“But…that would beat your record for reaching Adamantite rank…”
“That’s right. Even though I was still younger. But in terms of speed, you surpassed me by quite a lot.”
“I-I see…”

I still could not believe it. It did not feel real.

However, when I pinched my cheek, the pain told me that this was not a dream.

And then my chest began to fill with joy.

“The day has finally come! My complete and utter victory over you…!”
“I have also been given a promotion.”
“Eh? You too?”
“Yes. For the first time in the history of this kingdom. There will be an 8th Magus rank magician. The youngest ever. And the fastest promotion.”
“…”

I was speechless.

While my new record was impressive, in terms of accomplishments, being raised to Magus rank was clearly even more impressive.

Luke really was mean.

Always going ahead of me like this.

And while I could have punched him in the face, there was something now much more important than anger.

“That’s great. I’m so happy for you…”

The words spilled out of my mouth.

I almost felt like crying.

Because I knew that he worked harder than anyone.

And this a cruel world, where your effort often did not pay off.

So my heart was filled with emotion for a friend, whose dream had finally come true.

Luke saw me wipe at my eyes, and he smiled.

“Do you have any plans for tonight?”

He said.

“There is something that I want to tell you.”

Expelled From a Black Magic Item Craftsman Guild I Was Picked up as a Royal Magician