Chapter 31: Departure

“Oh, welcome back~”

When I returned to the dorm room, Sachi was lying on the bed, looking up at me from the edge with her face upside down. She had a habit of relaxing like that, which left me momentarily dumbfounded, but I quickly regained my composure and entered the room. Sachi sat up and turned towards me.

“From the look of it, it seems like you didn’t receive a lecture.”

“What did you expect when I came back…”

I wasn’t sure what expression I had on my face, but for the time being, it seemed I was spared from a lecture. Sachi then placed her hand on her face and began imitating something irritating.

“Ehh! Sachi-san! I’m so sad because the teacher scolded me! Please comfort me a lot, just like always!”

“I’ve never said anything like that!”

And I swore firmly in my heart that I would never say such a thing in the future.

“So, what did the principal talk to you about? Did you get a reward for becoming a special scholarship student?”

“Oh, no, well…”

When asked again, I unintentionally stumbled over my words. Seeing my reaction, Sachi tilted her head in confusion.

“Is there something difficult to say? Well, you don’t have to force yourself to say it if it’s difficult…”

“I-It’s not that it’s difficult to say, but I was just thinking about how to explain…”

I wasn’t particularly skilled at explaining things, and on top of that, the content of the conversation was somewhat complicated. I pondered for a while on how to convey it accurately.

Eventually, without mentioning the appearance of the principal, I did my best to explain as much as I could with my words.

“Hmm, I see. So that’s the request you received.”

After listening, Sachi nodded with a satisfied expression. I thought it was good that she seemed to have understood.

But immediately, that relief disappeared into darkness.

“Recently, there have been many disappointing students, so they want the special scholarship student, Mil, to clean up after them.”

“You overheard the conversation?”

Completely different. Not a single word was said like that. I wanted her to refrain from saying such unpleasant things, so I glared at Sachi, but she continued playfully.

“It’s an exaggeration to say ‘clean up after them,’ but basically, it means that they want you, Mil, who can be trusted more than other students, to help with completing the request, right? I understand it properly, so it’s okay, it’s okay!”

“Please don’t phrase it in a way that could be misunderstood.”

I was in a position where I could easily incur resentment. Taking care of the mess of students from upper-class backgrounds was nothing short of unpleasant gossip.

“But even though you were just asked to help with completing the request, why does Mil look a bit uneasy? You’ll receive a good reward or a lot of achievement points, right? I think you should be happier…”

“W-Well, that’s true, but…”

If I only considered the reward and achievement points, it was indeed a tempting offer. However, my overwhelming feeling of unease outweighed those factors.

Was that unease showing on my face? Sachi peered into my face and asked.

“If you’re okay with it, should I help too?”

“Huh?”

“Nobody told you that you can’t cooperate with someone else, right? So, I don’t think there’s any problem if we accept quest requests together like we always do, right?”

In an instant, the feeling of unease vanished like a clear summer sky. Just the thought of Sachi’s cooperation made me feel so relieved. It was incredibly reassuring.

However, quickly coming back to my senses, I shook my head and replied.

“N-No, please let me do this alone. I want to try doing it alone, just by myself.”

“Alone…?”

I received a questioning look from Sachi.

That’s right, we would usually accept quest requests together.

This time, since I wasn’t explicitly told not to cooperate with others by Headmaster Ananas, there wouldn’t be any problem with Sachi helping me with the request. However, I wanted to try completing the quest on my own, without relying on anyone else. I wanted to fulfill the entrusted task solely by myself.

“I want you, the special scholarship student, to resolve the school requests that are currently incomplete and abandoned.”

When I received this request from Headmaster Ananas, I was genuinely happy. It would be a lie to say that I had no worries, but everyone feels pleased when their abilities are recognized by someone, somewhere. Although I felt it was too much of an honor to be chosen as a special scholarship student, deep down, there was a hint of joy seeping through.

(Someday, I want to become like Sachi-san…)

Come to think of it, ever since the day of the entrance exam, I had been receiving help from Sachi. During the exam, she helped me look for the things I lost, and she even retrieved the acceptance item that was taken by other examinees. She aided me when I got into trouble with another student after enrolling, and when my father’s pendant, a keepsake, was broken, she got angry on my behalf. Recently, by accompanying her, I’ve been able to earn achievement points as well. In every aspect, I have been supported by Sachi. The thought of not having her by my side sent a shiver down my spine.

However, I didn’t want to remain in a state of being carried or supported anymore. As a student of the Magic Academy, I wanted to fight and succeed on my own. I believed it would contribute to my personal growth and be the key to breaking free from my dependence on Sachi. Eventually, I wanted to become a reliable and cool magician like her.

But Sachi, unaware of this conviction, responded with an ordinary reaction.

“Well, if Mil says so, then okay. Do your best with the quest. Just don’t get too carried away and spin your wheels.”

“Y-Yes…”

“Oh, and if you encounter any difficulties, don’t hesitate to call for help. Sachi is always free, so feel free to ask anytime.”

Sachi said kindly.

I felt an impulse to rely on her words right away, but I firmly closed my mouth and resisted the urge. This was something I had to accomplish on my own, as a special scholarship student of my year.

From that day onward, Mil would depart from Sachi’s side and face quest requests alone.