あれから俺は少し鍛錬をしてから、浴場に寄って宿で休み、朝目覚めるといつものように「ドブさらい」の現場に向かった.
　今日はステラおばさんの家の周辺ではなく、少し離れた場所で、依頼者も別だ.
　俺がステラおばさんの家の周りの側溝を綺麗にしていたところ、その仕事を見た別の人が冒険者ギルドに依頼をくれたのだ. そういう人が、だんだんと増えてきている. ありがたいことだ.
　そう言うわけで、毎日、色んな所を回って掃除をしている.
　もう日課のようなものだ.

　今日は、昨日リーンのお父さんから貰ったあの重たい黒い剣があったので「ドブさらい」の仕事の時に持っていった.
　なかなか落ちない側溝の底にこびりついた頑固な汚れを削り落すのに使ったのだが、この黒い剣は驚くほど便利だった.
　いつもは、工事現場でもらってきた木片を使ってこそぎ落とすのだが、もうその必要はないだろう. この剣を使えば、びっくりするほど綺麗に汚れが落ちるのだから.
　角度や力加減を間違うと、石で作られた側溝自体が削れてしまうので注意が必要だが、この剣はリーンのお父さんが言ったようにとても頑丈だ.
　いくら使っても、傷つく気配がない.
　まあ、もともとボロボロだから気にならないだけなのかもしれないが…….
　とにかく、とてもいいものを貰った.

　と、そこまでは順調だったのだが、「土運び」の工事現場の近くで事件が起きた為、調査をするという事で衛兵がたくさん集まっていた.
　とても工事を続けられる状況ではない、ということで「土運び」は中止になった.
　そういうわけで、ほとんど丸一日、する事がなくなってしまった.

「さて……今日はこれからどうするか」

　俺は郊外の森に来て、何をしようか考えていた.
　別に冒険者ランクが「Fランク」だからといって、街の外に出られないわけではない.
　依頼が受けられないだけなのだ.

　ここは俺が王都に来てから日頃鍛錬に使っている森だ.
　なんとなく、空気が俺の住んでいた山と似ているし、適度に王都から離れていて人目につかない. 動きまわるのに都合のいいひらけた場所も、木剣を吊るせるような大きな木もある.
　何よりここは、少し切り立った崖の上にあるので、周囲が見渡せて風景がいい.
　だから、気に入って使っている.
　山を降りてきた最初はここで寝泊まりもしていたのだが、やはり屋根や壁がないと色々不便で、今は王都の端の方の宿屋に泊まっている. 部屋はそれほど大きくないが、外に出ているうちにベッドのシーツを替えてくれるし、衣類を預けておけば洗濯もしてくれる.
　何より、安い.
　冒険者ギルドのおじさんには良い宿を紹介してもらったと思う.

「こなすべき依頼もないし、いつものメニューをたくさんこなすか」

　そう思って、早速もらった重たい剣を振ろうと思って構えたのだが──
　近くの茂みから、ふと、何かの気配がした.
　動物だろうか.
　いや、ここは鳥や小動物が多少はいるが、こんな物音を立てるほどの動物となると、珍しい.
　……足音からすると、人だな.
　誰だろうと思って物音のする方向を見ていると、木々の間から、見覚えのある人物が顔を見せた.

「リーンか……？　どうしてここに」
「ノール様、おはようございます……突然、すみません. ギルドのマスターに今日はここにいるだろうと伺って……ご迷惑でしたか？」
"No, it's not really a nuisance, but how did you get here ......?

　It's on a steep cliff.
　I grew up in the mountains, so climbing is not a problem for me, but it's not an easy place to come.
　I told the guild uncle about this place, but I didn't tell him the exact location. .......
　By the way, she has a skill that allows her to know where other people are.
　I don't think it's very commendable to follow people, no matter how many skills you can use. .......

Why are you following me again?　I thought you were done with your business yesterday.
"Yes, thank you very much for yesterday. I'm here today to ask you for something else.
A favor?
The matter my father was talking about the other day, ......, I'd like to ask you for a favor.
What's that?

　The ...... you were talking about yesterday?
　What was it?

I want you to make me your squire.
"...... What do you mean, 'squire'?

　I don't think that came up yesterday.

"A squire is a person who takes care of your personal affairs and asks you to teach him your skills and knowledge.
　In other words, it is similar to being an assistant in a magic research institute, or an apprentice in a craftsman's apprenticeship.
　It's enough for me to have you by my side.
　I'll try not to cause you any trouble, so if you'll allow me...

　With that, Lean put his hand on his chest and bowed his head quietly.
　I feel like I've seen this action many times yesterday.
　I guess this is the way people in this town act when they sincerely want to convey something.
　It's quite pleasing. 　

　But...

"No.

"What?

　I guess she didn't expect me to say no.
　She looked at me with an impatient expression.
　...... Or rather, why did she think I wouldn't say no?

I'm sure you'll be pleased to know that I'm not the only one.　I'm not sure what to say, but I'm sure you'll understand.　I'm sure I showed my embarrassment yesterday, but if you keep me by your side, I'm sure I can be useful in some way. Even with this, I still managed to achieve the best ever results in all six of the royal capital's training camps...
"No, that's not it.

　I'm not talking about her or anything like that.
　I'm just trying to do my job and make myself stronger.
　I can't see myself making someone my disciple.

I don't have anything to teach you in the first place.　And I don't want you to be useful. I can take care of myself.



　Since I have lived alone for a long time, I can do most of the things in life by myself.
　I only ask the lady of the inn to do my laundry.
　That's enough for now, and I don't need more.

So, we will give you a generous reward for your guidance.
No, thank you.
Then you may use me as you see fit. I can assist you with the Adventurer's Guild's requests, do miscellaneous tasks...
I don't want that either.
Well, then...
No thanks.
......!

　Her face is getting redder and redder, and tears are welling up in her eyes.
　I guess she really didn't expect me to say no.
　But no matter what I say, I don't want what I don't want, and I can't do what I can't do.

I'll be of use to you, I promise!　Can you believe that I can be of any use to you?　Now, if you'll excuse me...

　I'm not sure if you've seen this before, but I'm sure you've seen it before.

I'm sure you'll be able to understand.

　The air in the area instantly cooled down as if frozen, and dozens of ice blocks appeared in the air.
　Each one of them was about the size of a man and had a sharp tip.
　They looked like sharp blades.
　Then, almost as soon as they appeared, they fell with tremendous force.
　Where it fell...
　Lean, right underneath it.

"Hellflare.

　I thought it was dangerous, but when she raised one hand, flames shot out from her palm with great force.
　It grew in size as quickly as it was seen, and the dozens of ice blades that had fallen towards Lean were instantly swallowed up and vaporized.
　Above her was a huge mass of scorching flames that could have swallowed an entire house.
　The heat was so intense that it seemed to burn the entire area just by being there, but when she lightly waved her hand, the mass of flames disappeared as if nothing had happened.

This is one of the highest level magic skills I can use, the [Hellflare]. And...

　She attached the small cane to her waist belt with a familiar motion, and
　I'm not sure if it's a good idea, but it's a good idea.

Oboro-gatana.

　A large tree behind her slid noiselessly to the side and fell.

This is a [Thief] system technique. It was taught to me by a teacher of the [Hidden Sage].

　I'm not sure if this is a good idea or not, but it's a good idea.

"Divine Slash.

　Her sword released a flash of light and sliced right through the fallen giant tree, the cut covered in pale flames.



It's a special technique that is especially effective against undead. It's a special technique that's especially effective against undead, and...!
"Enough is enough.

　I shook my head quietly.
　I shook my head quietly and stopped Lean from showing me one amazing skill after another.
　You've done enough for me.
　She's very talented, very good.
　She is so talented and so good that it makes me feel sorry for myself.
　I mean, wouldn't she have been able to defeat that cow easily?

　For some reason, she was looking at me with an expectant expression.

"So, ......!　Permission to become your apprentice...?
No. I have nothing more to teach you.

　When I said no again, Lean looked astonished.
　...... Why not?
　If she's this great, there's nothing more I can teach her.

I'm not!　I'm not sure what to do, but I'm not sure what to do.　I'm sure I'm not even close to Noor-sama's level yet, but please...!
I know you're good at what you do. But...

　Somehow, I don't know how, but you've mistaken me for someone who's worthy of being taught.
　How could I have misunderstood that? ......?
　I hope you understand that I'm not very good at explaining things.
　The best way is to show it to them and convince them.

"You showed me some amazing [skill] just now, but let's take a look at my [skill].

　I focused my attention on my fingertips, and when I put all my energy into it, fire came out.
　The fire was roughly the size of my fist.

　【Petite Fire】.

　When I first learned this skill, the fire at my fingertips was about the size of a small candle.

　However, I thought that if I continued to train, I might be able to acquire ordinary [Sorcerer] type skills, so I continued to practice [Petit Fire] in my spare time.
　Except for when I was sleeping, I focused on my fingertips and kept emitting flames from them.
　The result was this.
　Indeed, the fire became bigger.
　However, the fireball that my instructor showed me when I was in training school was about ten times larger than this.
　That was the lowest level of attack magic.
　It's not even close to that.
　Compared to the skill Lean had just used, it was almost nothing.
　Of course, I can't make it fly like a [fireball].

　No matter how hard I tried, all I could do was light a fist-sized fire at my fingertips.


　This was my limit.
　It took me about 15 years to get to this point.

　It's very useful for boiling and cooking. ......

...... This is my only [sorcerer]-type skill, [petit fire]. The other six systems are, well, similar. You know what that means, right?

　None of my skills can compare to the skills that this girl Leanne just showed me.
　There is such a difference in talent that it is ridiculous to compare them.
　However, the skills she just showed me were all very impressive.
　At my age, this is it.
　This is the kind of person who has talent, or perhaps "genius".
　I still have nothing to teach him.

That's what I mean when I say I have nothing to teach you.

　"That's what I mean when I say that I have nothing to teach you." Not only can he not teach you things, he can't even explain them well.
　I have no choice but to show my shame in this way and convince you.

　When Lean saw my [petit fire], he suddenly turned his head and began to tremble.
　She seemed to be quietly pondering something.
　But perhaps now she realized the misunderstanding.

"......, do you understand what I'm saying?
"Yes. Yes, I understand.

　Then Leanne looked up, looked me straight in the eye and said.

"My pride ...... and inexperience.

　.................. What?

You're right... I was far too presumptuous to ask you to make me your apprentice.
　It's no wonder that you can't accept me as I am now. ....... So...

　Then he straightened up, put one hand on his chest, looked me in the eye and said.

"Until one day I can be recognized as your disciple, ...... Master Noor.
　No, Master Noor.
　Until then, I will always follow you.