To cast magic, unless it’s something you’ve embodied, you need to solve extremely complex mathematical formulas every time.
Even if you don’t know about other types of magic, there’s a reason why combat magic in this world doesn’t wield great power.
“Ugh, math is so difficult. Why do we have to learn it?”
“Because that’s how I make money.”
“What?”
“Oh, I misspoke. You need to learn math now so you won’t be hindered from doing what you want later on. So, stop asking questions and focus on the lesson.”
“You sound just like a teacher.”
Oops, without realizing it, I answered like I do when my students ask such questions.
I smiled awkwardly, reining in my teacher persona, and changed the subject.
Talking with them was more enjoyable than I had anticipated.
Surprisingly, unlike in the original story, they didn’t seem like jerks with terrible personalities; they seemed like very ordinary people.
“Uh, it’s cold. Please close the window!”
…Or not? Maybe their personalities haven’t changed?
Anyway, they didn’t seem as obsessive and ruined as in the original story.
Like how Aurora’s personality changed, perhaps the male leads’ personalities changed a bit too?
That’s fortunate for me.
As we chatted while watching the scenery quickly pass by, my vague fear of Princess Eva subsided a little. Instead, I started to feel like we were on a picnic.
We finally arrived at our first destination, Berlena.
Alright, we’ve reached Berlena. How do we find Aurora here?
“At times like this, it’s best to head to the biggest inn in the village.”
Raffaelo said with a familiar tone.
“It’s easier to gather information there.”
Following Raffaelo’s advice, we headed to the largest inn in the village.
As soon as we opened the door, the lively noise of people drinking and chatting filled the air.
“Five rooms, please.”
“Sorry, we don’t have that many rooms left, sir.”
“Then three room.”
“Alright, I’ll prepare them for you.”
Ah, so I’ll get a room to myself, and the male leads will share two rooms.
“Arkhangelo, you take a room by yourself. You picky guy. I’ll share with Ghieuspe and Simone.”
“Hmph, I won’t refuse.”
“…….…”
Arkhangelo was far ruder than I had imagined.
“Isn’t this when you’re supposed to decline? I mean, how can you be so shameless…?”
I was astonished by his brazenness. However, Arkhangelo looked at me as if to say, ‘What’s the problem?’
How do the other male leads deal with his personality…
“Arkhangelo, what’s wrong with you today? You’re not complaining about staying in a shabby inn?”
“Well, the Lady is staying here too, so I can’t be the first to complain. I can endure this much.”
“You’ve grown.”
…Was this better than usual? As expected, Arkhangelo Phyro is amazing!
It seems Arkhangelo is just as rude as he was in the original story.
I took my luggage and went up to the assigned room. The room was better than I expected.
It felt like an inn you’d find in the countryside. As someone who wasn’t born and raised as a noble in this world, I had no problem with it.
Afterwards, I went down to the first floor for dinner with the male leads.
The first floor, which also served as a tavern, was already bustling with drunk patrons.
“Five meals, please.”
“Alright, I’ll bring them out shortly.”
While waiting for the food, I tried the tracking magic once more.
I wanted to check how close we had gotten to Aurora.
However….
“What?”
“What’s this? We’re farther away than before?”
Raffaelo squinted at the magic coordinates.
“Did she take an airship again? What is this…!”
“No, I didn’t see any airships on the way. Judging by the location and distance, it seems she took a train.”
Damn, did we lose Aurora right from the start?
Feeling dumbfounded, I covered my face with both hands.
“I didn’t expect Aurora to act so diligently. I have no idea what she’s thinking.”
“Humph, Simone, you’re overestimating Aurora! She’s just trying to mess with us without much thought!”
While Simone and Arkhangelo exchanged words, Raffaelo carefully examined the magical map.
“Since she took the train, catching up with her right now is impossible. We need to know Aurora’s next destination to move faster.”
“For now, shall we move north in the same direction?”
“Let’s stay here for the night and leave tomorrow.”
“Well, we have no choice. Let’s do that.”
At that moment, the food we ordered arrived.
The pasta and bread placed on the table looked quite decent. I expected to only get scraps of bread and potatoes, so I was quite satisfied and started eating.
“Hey, are you okay with eating this?”
Raffaelo glanced at me and asked.
“Yes? It’s delicious.”
“Thank you. Because of you, Arkhangelo doesn’t seem to be complaining today. Normally, he’d be grumbling about the taste by now….”
“…Why are you friends with him?”
“We missed the right time to cut ties.”
“Feel free to insult me openly.”
While Arkhangelo grumbled, we continued our warm meal, occasionally teasing him.
Everyone must have been hungry as the plates were quickly cleaned.
By the time we finished eating, the sun had set, and a light darkness had crept in.
“I think I’ll go take a nap now.”
“…It’s 8 o’clock.”
“Lady Seraphina, most people just call that ‘sleeping.’”
“Sleeping officially starts at 11. Anything before that is a nap.”
“That’s quite an absurd logic.”
“What’s absurd is Arkhangelo’s tone.”
“You never miss a chance to retort.”
But I plan to wake up once before 11 to wash and then sleep again. So, isn’t this technically a nap?
As I admired my sharp judgment and was about to head upstairs to my room, a voice from the next table caught my attention.
“So! The lady’s item got stolen by a gang of bandits?”
Bandits?
At those words, I and the male leads all turned our gazes to the next table.
“The lady you’re talking about… was she the blonde noble lady who stayed here last night?”
“Yes, it happened so suddenly. She asked me to keep it safe, but now I don’t know what to do…. The lady had soft pink eyes, but there was a certain madness in them that made her seem quite unusual.”
Wait a minute, something feels off.
The noble lady they’re talking about, doesn’t it sound like Aurora?
Blonde hair, pink eyes, and most importantly, madness could only describe Aurora.
Simone, who also grasped the situation, moved quickly.
“Excuse me, may I ask you something?”
When Simone, with his unmistakable noble appearance, politely asked the people at the next table, they flinched.
“Sorry to intrude, but I overheard something interesting. Are there many bandits around here?”
“Yes, the road to the neighboring village is infested with bandits. They’re vicious, even kidnapping people. That’s why most prefer to take the train unless they can’t afford it and have to walk….”
“But that blonde lady you mentioned….”
Simone’s eyes sharpened as he asked.
“Did she look around our age? Fair skin, thick eyebrows, a striking appearance?”
“Yes, she did… Are you the person she asked to deliver something to? Now that I think about it, she mentioned a handsome silver-haired….”
The man’s face turned pale as he realized the situation.
“I-I’m sorry, sir! But the bandits…!”
“What was the item?”
