I don't know what I'm doing, but...

　Lace is in a lightly melancholy mood as she looks at the stain on the ceiling. Normally, she would be back home right now, worrying about the store, but in reality, she's just sitting in a coffee shop in a daze for some reason.

　How can this be happening when time is running out right now? I feel like being stingy with God, who may or may not even exist.

　The Wraiths, who had continued to have thoughts of escaping reality, suddenly came to their senses and looked in front of them. There was the figure of Rotia, who was carrying a huge pile of food into her mouth one after another.

　With a tremendous amount of food, the food she ordered disappeared as she looked at it. As an added bonus, this price was to be paid by Lace.

　In spite of the fact that this is the case, there is no sign of restraint on Rotia's part. They are just mumbling and moving their mouths with no expression on their face. I'm sure you've already eaten the equivalent of three people's meals, but the momentum is unabated.

　If this continues, the payment will be a reasonable amount. Wraith's pockets, which are never rich, will be lonely again.

''So who are you guys........''

　For some reason, I think I said the same words just a few minutes ago at the coffee shop, but I try not to think about it. Rotia finally stopped eating after hearing Wraith's words.

''I, Rotia........''

　She is a girl with dark blue eyes that give off a sense of serenity, and hair that is completely black like Wraith's. She wears a black robe that doesn't fit well enough to fit her hands into her sleeves, and she wears an atmosphere that is somewhat unapproachable, partly because she is always expressionless.

　However, he is full of emotions, even if he doesn't show it, he is full of emotions.

"I'm Mimi. I'm a spirit.
Genie you're right.

　If you're wondering what kind of a joke a talking fox is, the answer was simple. I had met a salamander before, so I was not particularly surprised and could accept it naturally.

''So that means it's a false appearance?''
Yes, you're well aware of that.
I've met a few spirits before.
Well, that's quite unusual.

　Basically, meeting a spirit that has a form is at the level of a once-in-a-lifetime encounter. If you think about it that way, Mimi is a very rare spirit that works with the human Rotia.

"You're the one who is unusual in having a spirit with a human.
I've known her a long time. She's like a daughter to me.
A genie is your daughter.....

　Basically, spirits are superior to humans in terms of position. This is an irrefutable fact. It's not unusual for such a spirit to call a human "like a daughter", but only Mimi would do so.

　I'm also curious how the relationship came to be that way.

''Maybe you rode the dragon chariot to the royal capital, right?　Why were you lying there hungry again?
..........

　When Lace asks, Rotia turns her head to the side with a pui and doesn't pretend to answer. Or rather, she's so expressionless that I can't even tell what she's thinking.

　Unavoidably, Wraith turns his gaze to Mimi.

''It's because Rotia was cheated out of most of her possessions by the merchants. It was so blatantly suspicious, but you didn't think twice about buying it.''
You said there was a new species...

　Rotia muttered in disapproval.

　Lace was caught by the word "new species" and his expression was unintentionally bitter. Even if it was unintentional, the shopkeeper's old man's smile emerges.

　Could it be that guy tricked me........

　I feel indescribable after guessing the general situation. Wraith was also almost tricked in the same way, so I can't make fun of Rotia.

　On top of that, when he first came to the royal capital, Wraith was also cheated out of his possessions and was rescued by Raffy when he was falling down. When you think about it, you can say that Rotia is a person in a similar situation to Wraith.

　Thus, helping them now doesn't feel that bad.

I'm sure I'll be able to understand why you've fallen ill. So what do you do after this?

　Wraith has been through this before, so he knows that if he doesn't even have money to eat lunch, it means he doesn't have money to stay at the inn tonight.

　That's one of the reasons I asked this question.

''Well, for now, I guess we'll have to go to a place called the Adventurer's Guild and sell some potions.
'So that's why you were looking for the guild. By potions, does that mean Rotia is an alchemist?

　Rotia nodded coyly as she chewed on the bread. She swallowed the chewed bread with a gulp, and then turned her dark blue eyes to the Wraith closely.

''I'm looking for someone........''
"People?
Yes, yes, that's why me and Lothian came to King's Landing.
Wow, do you know his face and name and all that?

　There's no way Wraith, who doesn't have many acquaintances in the King's Capital, would understand if I asked. I asked out of curiosity.

''He's an alchemist, and his name is Wraith.......''
........what?

　Did I hear it wrong? That's what Wraith thought, and he couldn't help but make such a sound. Rotia tilted her head curiously and looked at Wraith.

''So, an alchemist by the name of Wraith.......''

　If you say it twice, there's no way to mishear it. Wraith pulled his cheeks together and slowly pointed at himself.

'Wraith, that's me...'

　Rotia, who had been expressionless all along, only this time her eyes widen and she reveals her surprise. Even as a wraith, I'm surprised by this.

　I never thought that I would meet the person who is looking for me by chance.

''Heh, that's an amazing coincidence.
Really. What kind of odds are there in this wide open royal city...
But we'll be lucky if we don't have to find one.

　With that, Mimi wagged her three tails in a good mood.

　It might be a happy event for Rotia and Mimi, but for Wraith, there are a lot of questions.

''Well why were you looking for me?''

　If a person is still in the royal capital, I can think of many reasons, such as for the elixir, but what kind of reason would a person from another country have for looking for the Wraith?

　Unable to imagine, Wraith asks honestly.

''I wanted you to be my apprentice...''
And the apprentice...?

　Confused by the unexpected offer. When Lace couldn't help but repeat the words, Rotia nodded with a serious expression.

''Rumors about you have been circulating to some extent. I heard that there is a terrific alchemist who makes elixirs. I didn't expect you to be so young, though.''
Even in other countries...

　If you think about it, Rulimes, who wasn't in the king's capital, had also said that he had heard about Wraith's activities itself, so it's not surprising that people from other countries knew about Wraith.

　Nevertheless, it is a bit troubling for Wraith to be asked to become an apprentice out of the blue. He has more to think about after starting the shop, and he even promised Raffy that he would pretend to be her lover.

　If you want to do anything else, you definitely don't have enough time to do it first.

　However, since he or she has taken the trouble to travel all the way across the country to visit, it's hesitant to say no immediately.

''Alchemy, I want you to teach me........''

　The sight of Rotia, who doesn't show much emotion, asking for a sincere request made Wraith's heart flutter. Pondering, Wraith suddenly came up with an idea.

''Rotia, how long will you stay in the royal capital?''
I haven't decided...
So you're free to do that?
'Yeah...'

　Wraith nodded good and held up two fingers.

''I can be your apprentice. But on two conditions. I'll accept if you'll swallow this.
What...?
First, Rotia will be an employee of my shop. In return, I will teach you alchemy. If you feel you can't, you can leave the shop at any time.

　If Rotia became an employee of Alchemia, Wraith could teach alchemy without bothering to leave the shop. Furthermore, he would have more workers that he wanted.

　It wouldn't be a bad deal.

　Rotia thought about it for a bit, but eventually nodded with a coy smile. This clears up the first one.

''As for the second...?
Secondly, the genie over there is my store mascot.

　--this is what the Wraiths' main aim is.

　A talking fox, and a genie as a mascot, would definitely stand out. Although the proposal is full of ulterior motives, the Wraiths don't have time to do charity work.

　Unless it has its own merits.

''What is a mascot supposed to do?''
'Basically, I just need you to stay with Rotia. But sometimes I'll talk to the guests, and then I'll let them touch me and stuff.
"Human...?　Why would I do that...

　Since he is only a spirit, he still has a lot of pride just like Salamander. Although Wraith thought that this condition was too tough for him, but.

''Please, Mimi........''

　Rotia picked up Mimi and told her shortly. However, the power of it is moderate.

''Ugh........''

　This weakened Mimi, and her tail wagged in a huff. Eventually, she sighed as if she had given up.

''........Okay.''
Thank you....

　Rotia smiles and presses her cheek against Mimi. Anyway, that's the deal.

''Good, then I'll grant you an apprenticeship.
'Oh....'

　Wraith chuckles when he sees a reaction that he's not sure if he's happy about.

''Then there are a lot of things to do.......how many potions does Rotia have right now?

　Rotia gradually opens her backpack. The number of potions taken out is five.

''There's space with the tools...''
'Well, yes. What's the material?
Not much....
Hmmm....

　Selling potions would make some money, but it would definitely not be enough to live on. If the materials are also scarce, it will be difficult to mass produce potions.

''Well if Rotia is good, do you want to stay in my shop until your life is stable?
Are you sure...?
The whole upstairs is empty, so you can use that.

　Wraith was also taken care of at Raffy's house when he first came to King's Landing. This offer was made in memory of that.

''Then, please........''
All right. I'm going back to the store now, what do you want to do?　Do you want to come with me?
Yeah, I'm going...
Yes, sir.

　This will be the second person that Wraith will be teaching alchemy. I still can't say I'm used to teaching it, but Daisy is also developing her abilities without any problems, so I'm sure she's not doing anything wrong. I'm sure I can help.

'It's a big day for a lot of things,'

　Wraith muttered quietly to himself as he watched Rotia resume eating in front of him.