The Wraiths returned to Helgar's workshop after completing their examinations. However, Helgar's expression was tired to look at, and the intimidating feeling he had felt when they first met was now a shadow of the one he had felt when they first met.

　He slumped back in his chair and didn't seem to move at all.

　It was alarming to watch, but after a few minutes, he stood up with a deep sigh.

'I have not a single complaint to make,'

　The words he said bluntly were, of course, to Wraith.

　It's a complicated feeling for Helgar to be unable to compete with an opponent who is less than half his age. However, he's already too old to lament it or be overly jealous.

　Nevertheless, the reason why he doesn't send words of praise without letting go is because the puny pride within Helgar gets in the way. He doesn't want to look hapless in front of some of his former students.

　It's a good thing that you're not going to have to worry about the fact that you're not going to have to worry about it.

The first thing to do is to explain the content of the class.
'Oh, yes. Please.

　The test was only what Helgar had mentioned, and this conversation was originally supposed to be the first to take place. Wraith straightened up, wondering if they would finally get down to business.

It's a good thing that you're not the only one. That's why I told you to make a golem.
I see.

　I swallowed the words 'I didn't expect this to be my first time, but' and continued to explain.

I'll start with an explanation of the process of creating a golem and some light practice. Eventually, our goal is to create a golem strong and large enough to be used in sword and magic training.

　As expected, we can't ask our students to perfect a golem as well as the Wraith. It's enough to make a golem that can fight back to a certain extent and maintain a certain level of strength there.

I'm thinking of asking you to help me prepare for the training and to answer the students' questions. I'll also need you to show me how to do it and more.
I understand.

　After receiving a rough explanation, Wraith nodded yes. Although I'm anxious, I think I can at least do my best at what I'm told.

''There's nothing more for me today. You can go home.''
'Yes. Thank you for your time today.

　Wraith bows his head with Seth and turns to walk away from the scene.

''No... no, you must wait a moment.

　When Wraith put his hand on the door, Helgar suddenly stopped him with a hesitant look. Helgar, who had a reluctant expression on his face for a while, eventually picked up a black stone with great vigor, as if to shake off his hesitation, and held it out to the Wraith.

''This is........''

　It looked familiar.

　It was the black stone that Wraith had been looking at just before Helgar had come here. The fact that it is offered to you probably means that you should receive it. I'm not sure if it's a good idea, but I'm sure it's a good idea.

You said this is the first time you've made a golem. If you're unsure, you can use it and practice with it before class.
So you're saying that this is a magic stone?

　Although he certainly felt the atmosphere similar to a magic stone, Wraith couldn't be sure for some reason. He rolled the black stone in the palm of his hand and furrowed his brow.

''........Ah, a magic stone.''

　Although it's clipped, I get a tentative affirmation from Helgar. Since the person who gave it to me says this, it must be so. The one who gives me a strange suspicion is the one who gives me a bad impression.

　Thinking that, Wraith thanked him and left the room this time.

　However, it was worrisome that Helgar's expression remained cloudy until the time he left.



　* * * *.



　With a clang and the sound of a light bell, the door to the shop opened. There were no customers inside the shop in the late afternoon, and there was Rotia snoozing at the counter with her arm as a pillow.

　She seemed to be sleeping peacefully and happily, not even noticing the shopkeeper's return. Mimi, also on the counter, wasn't sleeping, and when she saw Wraith, she gave a bored absent look.

'Is there such a thing as motivation in Rotia?

　Wraith puts one hand to his forehead and sighs deeply. Most probably the idea is to have Mimi wake her up when guests come over. It seems that Mimi, who is a disciplined wake-up caller, is still somewhat lenient only to Rotia.

　The Wraith silently approached Rotia and released a full-bodied deco pin aimed at her unprotected forehead. It's a good thing that you're not going to be able to get a good idea of what you're looking for.

''Good morning.''

　Wraith smiles at Rotia, who is holding her forehead, but is unsure of what has happened. Rotia shakes her shoulders with a bleep and looks away from her gaze as if she's battling a buzz.

''........Good morning.''

　For some reason, Rotia, who returns with a respectful tone, stubbornly refuses to make eye contact with the busily moving Wraith. Mimi, who was watching the interaction between the two of them, sighed with a terribly dumbfounded sigh.

''Employee, let's be serious.
Yes.

　Wraith goes out of his way to use the same salutation to put pressure on Rotia. If it was true, she didn't want to do this, but she didn't want her to relax so easily.

''Oh, come to think of it, has Rotia ever made a golem?''
No golem....
Right. Copy that.

　Leaving Rotia with a question mark on her face, I went inside the workshop.

　Inside, there was Rulimes, who was still stretching out her body with a gudee and spending her time at her leisure.

''Welcome back. How was it?

　Lurimes' posture remains the same as his apprentice returns home, and is greeted by an interminable voice.

　Wraith sets down his bag and takes out a black magic stone from inside. He places the black magic stone in front of Lurimes, who has his face on the table, with a coterie.

　It's a good idea to be able to have a good time with them.

''What is this, did you pick it up?
He's not a child. He wouldn't do that.
So what's up with that?

　Rulimes poked at the black magic stone with a twang and tilted her head slightly.

I've been given this for practice because I'm making a golem in class, and I've never made a golem before. I've never made a golem before.
I haven't made it since I left. I haven't made one since I left. Does that mean that this is a magic stone?
A magical stone.
Hmmm....

　Rulimes also showed a slightly dubious expression, as if he was feeling uncomfortable just like Wraith. However, he quickly lost interest in the black magic stone, as if it was troublesome to think deeply about it.

''Ummm, where shall we go to the tavern today?''

　Naturally, my thoughts turn to the daily pleasure of drinking, and my imagination runs wild. Incidentally, there are three bars that have been banned for getting too drunk, so there's a backstory that I'm becoming a little more cautious about the amount I drink these days.

　Lace thinks he's a genuine idiot, but it seems to be a matter of life and death for the person in question, and he's unusually serious and troubled about it. Please, I hope he'll be seriously worried about something else, my apprentice Wraith just thinks.

''Yes, master, I may ask you to help me create a golem in the future, so I'll be happy to oblige.

　It's a very good idea to be able to have a good time with your friends.

It's not that I don't like being told what to do, but I have my own plans...

　It sounds plausible, but the point is, it's a hassle. I'm not going to let him get away with it, because I know the Wraiths who know my daily life.

'You're not busy anyway,'
I'm sad that my apprentice cut my heart out.

　Lurimes cries deliberately and deliberately. Wraith is a bother and says, "Yes, yes, master is busy," and handles it appropriately.

　The treatment of Rulimez is becoming more and more disorganized day by day.