Even though there was some uncertainty as to what the Second Queen had in mind when she selected me as a court mage, the paperwork to show that I was recognized as a court mage was real.

　My rank as a court mage is one hundred and eighty-eight. But that doesn't mean that I would instantly be respected as the hundred and eighteenth mage in the kingdom, rather, it would make people wonder what kind of moves I used to obtain that position.

　In fact, there are many students who blatantly harass or look down on students who have drawn an unfortunate spirit. It's not all of them, but if they are excellent, the quality is also poor, and I've been made to lick their lips many times.

But it's a painful story. I'm not ready to leave this world behind.

　My roommate, Sven, was back in the room before me. When I told him that I was going to the West tomorrow, he rolled his eyes in surprise at first, but soon congratulated me.

　Sven has made a contract with the Spirit of the Stone, and his hair is gray from the effects of it. He laments that he's often mistaken for an old man, but he's still one year older than me, at nineteen.

　Since we became roommates three years ago, me and Sven have gotten along well with each other without any particular quarrel. We were close to each other as we both drew the same unfortunate spirit, but we were never humble and convinced of the reputation of the people around us.

It's a label created by a bunch of hard-headed people. It's not something that I, as a stone user, would say.
Well, Sven is a stone head. Really, he's so good at fighting, and people are blind to it.
'It's considered a mage's job to blow them away without getting close, so I don't blame them. I suppose I need to defend as well as attack, though.

　Sven's tone seems to have aged, but he is sometimes dented when Leslie calls him 'like an old man'. That's another reason why he looks older than his age.

'...... Sven, when I leave, take care of Leslie for me.'
"No.
"Huh ......, what's that? Maybe it's a cliché, but I'm serious about .......

　Me, Sven, and Leslie. The three of us did a lot of things together, and I'm sure Leslie, who was shy, would see Sven as a friend.

　But Sven shrugs his shoulders and sucks on a homemade cigar I made, then lights it with an experimental match and smokes it. Even though it looks like this, it's a medicinal cigar used to reduce inflammation in the lungs and circulatory system, so it's not harmful to your health.

'Glass, you'll have to be angry on Leslie's behalf for that manner of speaking. I can't replace Glass, and vice versa. Besides, you can go to ......
...... and?
'No, it's nothing. For that matter, Glass, like you, I'm going to get some kind of certification and continue to look for a job in the future. Since I'll be in this dormitory for the time being, I'll keep this room in case I ever return to the institute, even temporarily.
'Oh, that helps. Well, I suppose I shouldn't come back, but there's no reason why I shouldn't come back to the Academy for business.

　If I were to come back, it would be after I was recognized by His Highness Astina. It would be when you've achieved something, established your position, and received a leave of absence.

　Or maybe he would complete his role in the West. Either way, it will take a few years, or maybe a decade.

'Well, I think I'll go to town for a drink, at least for today. Let's celebrate and wish our best friend well.
''Glorious or ...... I hope that's the case. First of all, we still need to make sure that they don't tell us we can't use it and revoke our court mage authorization.


　Sven drapes his jacket over the wall and I follow suit. We didn't have that much free money, and unlike other students, our entertainment was limited to modest things.

　Still, I'll never forget the taste of the cheap liquor I drank with Sven that day, even if I go west.

　　　◆◇◆

　The next morning, a carriage was coming to pick me up at the main gate of the Academy of Magic, so I carried my bags and came out front with my formal long coat on over my uniform.

　It was chilly, even though it was early spring, and sometimes there was even a morning frost. It's relatively warm today, but I wonder what the west is like - I'm hoping it's easier to adapt than that, as the northern border area is said to be plagued by low temperatures and snow at high altitude.

'Are you at Glass and ...... Mr Glass Weed?'
...... This is such a surprise. What can I do for you?

　While I was waiting for the carriage, I was approached. I wouldn't be too surprised if that were the case, but the unusual appearance of the person who called out to me caught me off guard and I was unintentionally unnerved.

　The man - though his voice is rather high - is wearing a coat over his black butler-like clothing. He's small, but he gains his height by wearing slightly thick-soled leather shoes, and his eye level is not that different from mine.

　But just facing him face to face, I was surprised because he had his coat collar up to hide his mouth, his hat on, and he also wore dark-colored glasses that only a few teachers use at the Academy of Magic.

(What a stinky outfit ...... No, everyone has their own situation. Maybe it's because he has a high voice and looks like a boy, so he doesn't show his face.)

　I managed to come to terms with myself and accepted the strange demeanor of the man who had approached me.

''Congratulations on being selected as a court mage. My name is Le ...... Lendl. I have been entrusted with the role of squire to the court mage, Master Glass. For this reason, I will now accompany you to the west.
'Lendl: ...... That's a name I've never heard of in a student. Or maybe I just don't know.
'I am not a student, sir, I have been appointed by the Dean of the College on a timely basis and sent by the Society of Stewards.

　When you become a court mage, will you have a secretary just like your sister-in-law? Your sister-in-law has a few female secretaries, but I hear that I will have a male butler.

''Do you mean you're going to be a butler, or rather, my secretary?''
'Yes, sir. Being a military doctor is a very busy job. Please let me know if you need help with anything, such as maintaining the medical records of the Order's members. I will be happy to act as your assistant during your treatment.

　I must confess I'm suspicious of the look of it, but it's very reassuring to have someone to come with me rather than go to a strange place alone.

''I understand, I don't know if I'll be able to start working as a military doctor as soon as I go over there, but I'll do all I can. I look forward to working with you in the future.
It's nice to meet you too, Mr. Glass. ......

　When I held out my right hand, Rendle-san discreetly gripped it back. Even with the gloves on, he's still only small, and his hands are about a size smaller than mine.

...... Huh?
Can I help you? ......?
'No, I'm sorry, I just thought of my friend for some reason. I hope she's well too.

　Leslie didn't come to see me off, but I'm going to write to him when I arrive safely in the west. As a matter of fact, I already wrote it down last night - I'm going to the front line, so anything can happen at any time.

'This is a letter to a friend. Can Mr. Rendle keep it in case something happens? I know it's a heavy thing to ask for at first.
...... No, no, it's not heavy. Sure, I'll take it.
Thank you.

　I leave the letter to Mr. Rendle. He tucked it into the inside pocket of his coat - something about his chest plate looks thicker than his small frame.

'Do you do any martial arts, Mr. Rendle?　The thickness of the chest plate is amazing.
''Gee...... no. This is kind of ...... embarrassing, but I'm pigeon-breasted, so I'm wrapping my bare chest around it.
Oh, ...... Really? Sorry, I didn't mean to ask you that.
No, don't worry about it. And I'm a secretary, so you don't need to use honorific language.
'I understand. Well, feel free to go to ...... Mr. Rendle, the carriage is here, let's go.

　Since you are a man of your own age, I hope you can establish a relationship with Mr. Rendle as a friend as well.

　I climbed into the passenger seat of the covered carriage, and Mr. Rendle came in after me. He doesn't take off his hat when he gets into the carriage - well, some people are like that, so I didn't pursue him in depth.

I'm looking forward to seeing what it's like, as I'm new to ...... western lands myself.

　Thanks to Mr. Rendle talking to me like that, I didn't have to be alone with my thoughts and anxiety until I reached the west.