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The summons from the investigator that Ferrent mentioned didn’t take long.

As per Ferrent’s explanation, whether it was just a formality or not, the staff from the Academy’s administration office came to fetch me, adjusting the time considering my schedule.

Since I had no reason to procrastinate, I quickly arranged an appointment for the very next day.

I headed towards the administrative building to find the temporary office where the investigators were staying.

“Ah, hello!”

“Oh, it’s you, the student. I didn’t expect to run into you outside; it’s nice to see you.”

The person I encountered at the entrance of the administrative building was a staff member I met every time I went to the magic building to meet Frecia.

“Looks like the professor, the ‘boss’, hasn’t called you today?”

“I have work to do. I let the boss know beforehand that I intentionally didn’t schedule anything for today.”

It was just a formal investigation, so it would probably wrap up quickly, but I couldn’t make any promises. I had already mentioned it to Frecia to clear my schedule.

“Ah, so you’re going to be investigated too. The higher-ups really lack flexibility. You’re a Hero, and they want to question you…”

“Haha… They’re just doing their job. I’m just having a quick chat, while they might be busy with reports. I understand.”

“Is it because you’re a Hero? You seem to be quite understanding. Anyway, good luck. I have to get back to work now.”

“Oh, sure. See you next time. Take care.”

Since I had seen her since mid-term of the semester, she was one of the few familiar faces among the staff.

Leaving our light encounter behind, I entered the investigation team’s office, located in a corner of the third floor, where a paper sign was hastily put up.

Since this was an office created temporarily for this investigation, the room was mostly empty with just a few desks scattered around.

“Ugh… how on earth did the demonic race figure it out? Hey! What do you think?”

“Well… there’s no particular link, so it can only be seen as a coincidence…?”

One person was frowning and speaking irritably, while another was clutching documents in one hand and fiddling with her glasses in the other.

“Hello. I’m Elysia Frentz.”

I realized the two women didn’t even notice my entry as they exchanged opinions.

I felt like I would be stuck at the door if I stood there quietly, so I hastily interrupted their conversation to greet them.

Only then did their gazes turn towards me.

“What…?”

“Did you not see the list? Elysia Frentz. The Hero from this generation.”

“No, I know who she is, but I meant to ask why the Hero is here.”

“Oh, didn’t I tell you? I called her. We have to submit a report, after all.”

It seemed that the one who looked like the superior hadn’t explained anything to her junior before summoning me.

“Wait, are you really calling the Hero chosen by the Goddess? You didn’t even call the Saint, did you…”

“Hey, are you kidding? The Saint has been the Saint long before this incident, and the Hero… ugh, that sounds cringy. Can I just call you by your name?”

“Yes? Oh, sure…”

The woman who suddenly asked for permission to address me continued her thoughts.

“Elysia, since you became a Hero due to this incident, you were a civilian before, right? So we need to investigate.”

“But the Goddess chose me…”

“I said it’s about the report. I didn’t genuinely call you; I’m just looking to ask a few formal questions. If you’re upset, you can take my superior’s position, you know?”

“… When I see the team leader getting crushed by the higher-ups, I lose all desire for promotion.”

“… That’s what I’m saying. Please, just take my place.”

“No way. I’ll work under you for a lifetime, even if it means getting a lower salary, just to use you as a shield.”

“Damn it… am I really calling this person my subordinate?”

Why were they bantering like this while I was here?

“Um, excuse me?”

“Oh! Sorry for making you stand there. Please, have a seat. What would you like to drink? Tea? Coffee? Or juice?”

“I’m fine with anything…”

“Come on. Can I really give that to the Hero? Hey! If you look deep inside the fridge, there’s orange juice, right? Get a glass of that. No, make it two, including my share. If you want some too, then three glasses.”

Under the orders of her superior, the subordinate pulled out juice from the fridge and filled up three cups.

She placed one cup in front of me, one in front of her superior, and took one for herself.

“Here, here. This is super expensive juice. It’s pure juice without any unnecessary stuff. I was saving it for myself, but you should try it. It can’t taste bad.”

“Ah, okay…”

As I took a sip from the cup, I understood why she made such a fuss over it.

I had visited many cafes and had my fair share of juice, but this taste was in a league of its own.

“Wow, team leader. You’ve been drinking this alone without sharing with me? I’m honestly disappointed.”

“… Well, I just handed you a cup, didn’t I? I’m also saving it because it’s expensive.”

But really, how expensive could this juice be to make her act so stingy to her subordinate?

It reminded me of some Saint somewhere…

“It’s a whopping 5 gold per bottle.”

“Cough!”

“Uh, Elysia? Are you okay? Here’s some tissue…”

“Cough, cough… I-it’s fine. It just caught me off guard…”

Wait, why on earth does juice cost 5 gold?

That’s even more expensive than the highest-grade holy water I bought for the Saint.

Sure, I could understand pricey alcohol having all sorts of weird high prices, but juice costing 5 gold…?

Thankfully, I didn’t end up spitting it out. If I had, it would have been a nuisance, but I would have regretted wasting the juice.

“… Juice can’t possibly cost 5 gold. Team leader, that’s quite the joke…”

The subordinate dismissed the juice price as a joke.

However, the cup she was holding, with the juice inside, was slightly trembling.

“It’s not just any orange; it’s a premium variety that yields so little each year, you know? You should know since you’ve tasted it.”

The taste was indeed good. But was it worth spending 5 gold on a single bottle of juice?

“That’s true, but if you have that kind of money, you should dress up a bit! This is why you can’t date or get married!”

“Oof…”

“You didn’t take me up on going for drinks last time because you said you were broke this month because of this juice, didn’t you?”

“Ugh…”

“Wow… I had a feeling, but I can’t believe it’s true. Anyway, how much is your salary that you’re spending on such luxury?”

“If you don’t want to drink it, just put it down!”

“Oh, no, that’s not it. I enjoyed it, team leader.”

The subordinate quickly gulped down the juice, as if afraid it would be taken away from her.

The team leader shot a glare at her subordinate before turning her attention back to me.

“… Sorry for showing you something embarrassing. I haven’t introduced myself yet. I’m Erin Weasley.”

I shook Erin’s hand as she extended it towards me.

“I’m Elysia Frentz.”

“This is…”

“I’m Stella. I don’t have a last name since I’m a commoner.”

Stella introduced herself before Erin could say anything.

I nodded and bowed my head, acknowledging Stella’s courtesy.

“Thank you for taking the time to meet with us, Elysia. The reason we called you today is, as mentioned earlier, due to the Saint attack incident.”

Erin, who had shown a somewhat foolish demeanor a moment ago, seemed completely different as she pressed directly into the main topic.

“Yes. Please proceed.”

“Actually, we’ve already completed the investigations for the other individuals. The report is almost ready too. However, since you were a civilian right before the incident, we needed to call you regardless of you being a Hero. Thank you once again for your cooperation.”

“It’s the least I can do.”

“I really won’t ask more than just a few formal questions, so you don’t need to worry too much. Hey, hey. Elysia’s cup is empty! Quickly refill her juice.”

As Erin spoke, Stella opened the juice bottle again, but I quickly stopped them.

“No, no! I’m really fine. Really, it’s okay.”

Of course, the orange juice was delicious, but seeing Erin sipping on the juice she spent so much on made me hesitate to ask for more.

Erin’s corner of her mouth lifted slightly in relief at my refusal, but I didn’t point it out. With the juice costing 5 gold, how much would a single cup be?

“Oh, then I’ll have one more instead of Elysia…”

Before Stella could finish her sentence, Erin shot her a glare.

“… I thought about drinking it, but I’m not a fan of sweet stuff, so let’s put this back.”

After seeing Stella placing the juice back in the fridge, Erin’s expression returned to normal.

“Cough! Now, shall we continue?”

The two’s foolishness disappeared, and my investigation began.

However, just as I had been told beforehand, the questions directed at me were basic, and unlike Ferrent, who had been thoroughly grilled, it ended quickly as I shared what I experienced at the time.

“Thank you for your cooperation. This has been a great help.”

“Don’t mention it. You’re the one who’s working hard, Investigator. If you need anything else, just call me.”

“Oh, I appreciate that.”

“Uh, by the way, it’s a bit odd to say, but I’m just curious…”

“Yes?”

“Did Selian undergo an investigation too?”

Of course, I already knew that Selian had been investigated, but I casually brought it up.

“Ah, yes. Since she was one of the incident’s parties involved, we had no choice but to call her, just like you, Elysia.”

“Did you ask about Selian…?”

“Oh, speaking of which, you and Selian are friends, right? Don’t worry. While you were a civilian before the incident, Selian was a Hero candidate prior, so her investigation was just as formal as yours.”

Hearing Erin confirm that put my mind at ease.

“Thank you for telling me. I was just worried since we’re friends…”

“Ha ha. I envy the friendship you two have. As you can see, I’m surrounded by these guys…”

When Erin turned to look at Stella, Stella shrugged her shoulders in response.

“Then I’ll take my leave. Good luck.”

“Yes. Thank you for your time, Elysia. Please go ahead.”

“Take care!”

With that, I stepped out of the office.

Thanks to Erin’s consideration, I was able to ease my worries about Selian, but I still found it annoying that she had concealed the fact that I was investigated.

As a form of punishment, I decided to snatch away a dish that Selian really liked at dinner later.

However, for some reason, during dinner, despite having her favorite dish taken away, Selian didn’t get angry; instead, she stuffed food into my mouth. Yuli and Anne joined in watching this spectacle as well.

… I’m sorry. I was wrong. Please forgive me.

 

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