SRS 135

Both Yohan and Mikael were confused. Suhyeok looked at them with a face full of betrayal. He looked like someone who just found out a close friend, whom he’d trusted to stay by his side, had decided to do a group project with someone else.

“Did you guys seriously forget?”

“Uh…”

Yohan quickly racked his brain at the sight of that shocked expression. He cleared through the latest information that had overloaded his brain—the headmaster, Mikael, the rift, and the divine beast.

Once he organized those thoughts, he remembered an event that had slipped his mind because it was less important than recent developments.

“…The commercial district?”

Of course, this was only “less important” to the Yohan at that time. To any other Fantasiademia student, it was the most important event on the calendar. Yohan himself had been looking forward to that day until he went to the rift.

Suhyeok’s expression brightened at the hesitant question. He winked as if he’d believed in them all along, then jumped up with excitement.

“Yeah, exactly! You didn’t forget we’re going tomorrow, right?”

“Right.”

“Then let’s plan what we’re going to do!”

Suhyeok pulled out a notebook and twirled a pen in his hand. Yohan watched him spin the pen dozens of times with one hand. He then began to write in the notebook.

“First, let’s think about what everyone wants to do. Kylus, the weapon shop’s your first priority, right?”

“Yes.”

“Mikael, how about you?”

It seemed Suhyeok planned to organize the schedule based on the needs of room 304’s individual members. It was a peaceful decision for once. Yohan and his friends agreed with Suhyeok’s method and gave honest answers.

“I think I’ll stop by the bookstore like before.”

“Mikael wants the bookstore. Yohan, what about you?”

“Me? …The general store? The divine beast woke up, so I think I’ll have things to look for. If there’s a separate shop for divine beast supplies, I’d like to go there.”

“A divine beast supply shop? I think I saw one last time… Let’s ask a shop owner after we visit the weapon shop or the bookstore.”

“Sure. Suhyeok, what do you plan to do?”

“Me? I’m all about the snacks, obviously.”

Suhyeok tapped his pen with a serious look.

“I’ve realized something, Yohan. Various snacks that please the palate are what help us survive this harsh academy. The cafeteria doesn’t open outside of meal times, and we can’t take food out, so I can’t stand the boredom in my mouth. Most of all, the Hunter Studies students want them too.”

“The Hunter Studies students?”

“Ah, they asked for a few things since I mentioned I was going to the commercial district.”

“I see.”

It was a comment typical of Suhyeok, who was considered the leader of the first-year hunters. Realization dawned on Yohan.

“…Maybe I should’ve asked the others if they needed anything too.”

Yohan muttered as he thought of his friends who looked like baby birds, always turning to him for interpretations whenever the angel professor gave a difficult explanation. Mikael shook his head.

“You don’t have to do that.”

“Yes, Yohan. That’s not something you need to worry about.”

“Aren’t you already helping them like a babysitter?”

“No, I wouldn’t go as far as to say babysitter…”

Yohan tried to argue that it had only been like that in the beginning, but the three students narrowed their eyes in unison. Yohan only escaped the pressure of their disbelief and suspicion after he finally took back his statement.

“So we’ll definitely visit the weapon shop, the bookstore, the general or divine beast supply store, and the dessert shop. Where should we eat?”

“Let’s avoid the restaurants that professors frequent.”

“That’s a given. I actually called the students together and did some research. These were the three restaurants without professors that the students saw when the first-years visited the commercial district last time. I also asked the seniors in the guard squad.”

Suhyeok spread out a map of the commercial district. Yohan wondered where he’d found such a map. Suhyeok proudly wiped under his nose when he saw Yohan’s amazed look.

“I drew it based on the information the Hunter Studies students and I remembered.”

Everyone in room 304, except Suhyeok, was impressed.

What exactly were hunters?

At this point, they looked like jacks-of-all-trades. Yohan clapped for those who had worked hard and checked the map. Suhyeok marked the locations of three restaurants.

“First is ‘Underclassman Welcome.’ As the name suggests, it’s a restaurant for Fantasiademia’s first, second, and third years. Other grades and professors can’t enter, so we can definitely eat in peace. However, I heard the taste’s a bit poor and the prices are high. But it’s worth considering if we want guaranteed safety.”

“The taste of the food is important.”

Kylus protested in his characteristically blunt voice. Suhyeok nodded as if he’d expected that.

“Then we’ll move this to the bottom of the list. The next restaurant is ‘Griffin Lovers’ Club.’ I heard a senior who chose to live with griffins instead of resurrection founded it. So it’s student-friendly and the food tastes great. However, if you’re unlucky, the owner might come to your table and talk about griffins for three hours. If you listen to the stories, the food’s free. If you get annoyed and send him away or refuse to listen from the start, the cost’s double the original price.”

“…The price’s certainly flexible.”

Mikael replied with a sour tone. Yohan thought of his own shop. His shop’s funds were quite high because he’d fulfilled the headmaster’s requests several times. Raising the divine beast also had a huge impact. Yohan looked at the sleeping white pigeon like it was a lucky charm and spoke up.

“The price is fine. If we go to the ‘Griffin Lovers’ Club,’ I’ll pay for the meal. We decided it by drawing lots, and I’m always grateful to you.”

“Yohan…”

“Ahem…”

“Thank you.”

The three were moved in their own way. Yohan pointed to the location of the final restaurant.

“What about this place?”

“Ah, that’s the ‘Mercenary Tavern.’ People from the outside sometimes enter the commercial district, and most of them are mercenaries on a professor’s request. This tavern is for them, but it doesn’t strictly limit students or professors. Of course, professors don’t visit often so the mercenaries can eat in peace.”

“Oh…”

It didn’t sound bad based on the explanation so far. Yohan gave an inquisitive look to encourage him to continue. Suhyeok scratched his head, looking a bit hesitant.

“The price isn’t bad either. It’s average compared to other shops. …The problem is that the menu isn’t very refined. It’s a bit savage, I guess. Rumors spread among mercenaries that you get stronger if you eat the organs of powerful beasts, so the main dishes are things like lungs, intestines, and liver.”

“Oh.”

Livers? Lungs? Intestines?

…Whose?

Yohan’s face turned pale. Suhyeok drew an X on the map.

“Let’s not go there.”

Yohan was grateful for the quick consideration. The world was vast, and there were many foods Yohan didn’t understand.

“Then let’s vote on the restaurant. Say it on the count of three. …One, two, three!”

“Griffin Lovers’ Club.”

The same name came from all four mouths at once. Yohan and his friends exchanged looks of mutual understanding. They finalized the restaurant without much worry and chatted about other things.

Kylus wanted to see many weapons, and Mikael said one bookstore was enough. Suhyeok decided to look at two snack shops since his pocket situation was a bit tight. Yohan thought it over and suggested that he’d visit one divine beast supply store, but he also wanted to briefly visit a weapon shop.

“I feel like I should properly thank the craftsman.”

Yohan spoke as he lifted his black cloak. It was the dwarf’s brilliant cloak that had protected Yohan during several incidents. His friends immediately nodded because they knew its value. Suhyeok chuckled and nudged Yohan with his elbow.

“Nice, nice. Let’s go there as soon as we reach the commercial area. Who knows? Maybe that old man will get inspired again and make you new clothes when you visit.”

Yohan looked troubled by the dark intention behind the joke.

“…Well, that would be nice, but I’m not going there for that. Let’s not expect it. And I’ll have to pay the full price this time.”

“You’re no fun.”

“Haha.”

Yohan awkwardly laughed as he wondered if the dwarf would really do that again.

He only said that because he didn’t know how persistent the dwarf race was toward their muses.

***

Clang, clang, clang!

The sound of the hammer hitting the anvil echoed through the smithy. Yohan closed his eyes and listened to the hammering as if he were listening to a bell.

“Yohan.”

Despite his peaceful mind, beads of sweat from the heat formed on Yohan’s forehead. Mikael was concerned about his friend and shook him slightly to ask if he was okay. Yohan smiled and replied that he was fine.

He couldn’t exactly leave the spot even if he wasn’t fine.

“Hey, move aside! I can’t see properly!”

Mikael jumped back in surprise at the little old man’s fiery annoyance. Only then did the sound of the elder’s hammering resume.

Yohan was lost in thought as he watched the scene.

What kind of race were dwarves?

Yohan had stopped by the dwarf elder’s shop to check on Kylus’s weapon, but he ended up getting caught again while he tried to thank him. This time, the inspiration came from the sight of Yohan with the white pigeon. The bird had whined to come along and woke Yohan up early on Saturday morning.

The elder insisted that he had to observe them while he worked since he wasn’t making clothes this time. Yohan had been the elder’s model for thirty minutes. The white divine beast in his arms yawned as if it were bored and prepared to sleep. Yohan stroked its back and wiped the sweat from his forehead with a handkerchief.

I wonder when he’ll finish.

“…See. What did I tell you, Yohan?”

Suhyeok whispered. He’d stayed by Yohan’s side because he couldn’t leave his friend behind.

“…You were right.”

Yohan decided that from now on, he’d believe at least half of what Suhyeok said, no matter how suspicious it sounded.