Filia looked up at me expectantly.

'A midnight class sounds kind of disgusting!

''Please don't sound like Mr. Clarice.

Just kidding.

　Filia chuckled.
　I don't know, Clarice and Filia are like sisters in some ways, I think.
　They may have been influenced by each other without realizing it.　

　Anyway, it's time for class.
　It's not witchcraft class, though.

　I put a large book on my desk and tapped it on the table.
　The title of the book is 'A Comprehensive Reference Dictionary of Imperial Ruins'.

''Have you ever read this book?''

　Filia shakes her head.
　I know that's true.

　This kind of thing is something that only an adventurer party executive would use.

''This is. It's a reference book for finding out about the ruins that we're trying to capture.''

Does this book tell you what enemies are in the ruins?

No.

　I said, and Filia nodded her head.

'So you think it only lists things like the origin of the ruins?

That's not true either. There is very little information about the site itself in this book.

　When I said that, Filia looked annoyed.
　I guess she couldn't imagine what the book was for.

　I smiled.

'For example, look up the ruins of the Temple of Lenin from this book.

Yes.

　Filia flipped through the book with a quick flick.
　It took quite a while, and she seemed to be struggling with it.

　If she wasn't used to pulling dictionaries and encyclopedias, she would feel like that.
　And a fourteen-year-old girl has no use for thick books like that.

'Here, the ruins are arranged by region of the empire. The Temple of Lenin is in Trolan County, but it's faster to find it based on the spelling.

How?

"Indexed at the back by spelling.

　Filia flipped the end of the thick book and said, "Really! And I took a move.
　Then, based on that, I begin to look it up again.

　Find the Temple of Lenin in the index and look up the number of pages and how many paragraphs of the page it is on.
　Then you can open that part of the book.

　Filia finds the part of the Temple of Lenin and says, "Yes! I mumbled and began to read.
　But soon, though, a strange look came over her face.

　There seemed to be a lot of question marks floating around in Filia's head.

'Solon, what is this?'

　Underneath the words "Temple of Lenin", Filia pointed to the part of the temple that had been surveyed, "Surveyed. Imperial Year 321" was written underneath the words "Lenin Temple".

　Furthermore, underneath it, the names and numbers of books are written incessantly.

　Among the books listed, there were some hard-looking books such as The Veins of the Imperial Central Province and The Study of Ancient Temples, as well as books like The Beginner Adventurer from Tomorrow!　There are also light practical books such as 'How to Take the First Safe Step'.

The 'Comprehensive Reference Dictionary of Imperial Ruins' that Filia-sama just looked up is a list of books that contain information on the ruins. It's like a reference book for looking up reference books. The 'Dictionary of Ancient Demon Tribe Ecology' written in it is on the bookshelf, so please take it from there.

　Filia nodded and stood up, reaching for the bookcase behind her.
　But she couldn't reach her back.

'Hmmm, I'm almost there.'

Oh, don't worry, I'll get it.

　Quickly, I took the Encyclopedia of Ancient Demon Tribe Ecology on the top shelf.
　Filia looks at her hand in frustration.

''I wish I was taller.

You'll grow up soon. Isn't Miss Filia in a growth spurt?

Yeah. There's a lot of growing up to do besides height!　You're going to make Solon gasp in no time!

'I won't ask you in depth about all sorts of things other than height, but for now, good luck with your studies, okay?

'Of course!　But what's the point of looking up a book like this?

　Filia pointed to the Encyclopedia of Ancient Demon Race Ecology.

''Before attacking the ruins, we should study a book like this in advance. It's because having information about the enemy and the terrain makes a huge difference in the safety of attacking the ruins.

'Did Solon use books like this in the Order, too?

''That's right. That's because it's mainly the executives of the adventurer's party who look into these things and formulate a strategy. But I think the rest of the members should also, by nature, investigate this kind of information beforehand.

Why?

If it's left up to the leader, we can't all make the right decision right away. Information is the lifeline of sorcerers and adventurers. That's why Filia-sama has to get used to this kind of work. Now, Filia-sama, please start using some books to summarize the enemies, maps, and main resources and treasures of the ruins.

　Filia did as she was told and began to work, but after a moment she made a noise.

''So, Solon. It's just plain work...'

'Adventure isn't just about spectacular battles. A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step.

Yeah. But ... it might be a bit boring. But then again, there are so many books on ruins and adventures in the mansion.

　Filia looked around the bookshelves.
　It's not just books on magic, but also a good amount of books related to ruins that are collected in this mansion.
　It's a good thing that I purchased it again.
　Filia nods her head.

''Solon, don't you really still want to conquer the ruins and have adventures?

Why?

If it weren't, I wouldn't have so many books on the ruins in the mansion.

　Filia stared into my eyes with concern.
　What's wrong with her?

'You don't think you're holding back because you're my tutor, do you?　If I'm here and Solon can't do what he really wants to do....

　Oh, I see.
　So that's what Filia is worried about.

　Filia is a good girl, I thought again.
　The fact that she worried about me, imagining that I might be a hindrance to her continuing adventuring, was proof that she had a sensitive heart.

　I dismissed Filia's words.

''I'm not going to be an adventurer for a while anymore. I was able to achieve a lot in the early Knights of St. Sophia, and I don't think I'll ever be more active than I was in that order.''

But....

''I came to the imperial capital looking for a path other than being an adventurer, and I became Filia-sama's tutor because I wanted to. So don't worry about that.

Yes.

It is my hobby to have a few books about ruins in this house. I like to read books, and the books about the ruins are quite interesting.

Well, that's weird.

'Really?　Be that as it may, there's another reason.

What?

'In fact, I'm thinking of going to the ruins soon with Filia-sama. I'm getting all my books together for that.

Really?

　Filia's eyes lit up again.
　As I recall, Filia said she wanted to become a magic swordsman like me, and that should have included playing an active role in attacking the ruins.

　There are many dangerous places in unconquered ruins, but if the ruins have already been explored to the deepest part, they are relatively safe.
　If it's a very elementary ruin, as long as I follow you, there's no problem at all.

''The first site Filia-sama will visit is the Temple of Lenin. In other words, it's the site you're studying right now.

　Filia looked down at the book about the Temple of Lenin with a surprising look on her face and looked at it carefully.
　I smiled.

'Are you feeling a little more motivated?'

Yeah!

　Filia nodded vigorously and went to work again.
　As I watched her, I thought back to the old days.

　When I first started my adventurer's party, I was also excited to check out the ruins we were going to next.
　In the beginning, there were only me, Creon, Sophia, and Shea in the party, but we all banded together to share information and fight the battles.

　Now Sophia has stopped being an adventurer, Creon has parted ways with me, and Shea is dead.
　Somewhere along the line, our paths had parted.

　I brought a chair over and sat down next to Filia's chair.
　And as I watched her work, I felt my eyelids grow heavy.

　I could at least close my eyes for a bit until Filia finished her work.
　I closed my eyes at that thought.