Aria’s enrollment at the Royal Magic Academy came sooner than I had anticipated.
From what I heard, she should have entered a while ago, but for various reasons, it had been delayed.
“Puppy, I’m leaving, okay?”
“Safe travels, young lady.”
“Don’t let anyone bully you while I’m gone!”
“Ah, yes…”
“Who will give you snacks without me around…?”
“The maids will take good care of that, so don’t worry.”
To be honest, the thought of sending her off made me feel a little sad.
For two years, I had seen her almost every day, and now she was heading off to the academy.
She would now stay in a dedicated dormitory there.
Apparently, it’s one of the most secure and well-guarded places in the kingdom, so I didn’t have to worry about attacks.
On weekends, Lowell would bring her back to the mansion, and he’d ensure her safety when she returned to the academy.
Her safety was nearly guaranteed.
“Oh, I can’t do this…! Get in my bag!”
“Young lady…? I don’t think I’ll even fit halfway.”
“Use your Aura to squeeze in!”
In the end, the young lady clung to me until the very last moment before leaving for the academy.
After she left, the mansion became peaceful… no, dull.
Not only was young lady gone, but Darren and Kaiden, her escort knights and servants, had also accompanied her.
If she could take them, couldn’t she take me as her servant too? I thought bitterly.
But given my complicated status and the fact that she stubbornly refused to change my identity from “dog” to “human”, it seemed that wasn’t an option.
And so, I was left behind in the doghouse.
“Who am I supposed to spar with now?”
“You’ll have to make do with the training dummy.”
“Wonderful.”
Another reason for my staying was that Lowell quietly opposed the idea of taking me along.
Considering what I’d learned of the old man’s personality over the years…
“So, do I have anything to do?”
He must have concluded that I was better off staying here.
But surely he had some tasks lined up for me?
“You catch on quickly.”
“Well, it has been two years.”
I’d spent two years with Lowell. By now, I’d learned to read him fairly well.
“Don’t you think it’s about time you went outside?”
“Outside?”
“Do you remember the last time you stepped out into the world?”
“…I honestly don’t.”
I was sold into slavery as a child, sent straight to the Colosseum, and then confined to the mansion ever since.
I hadn’t truly experienced the world outside.
“You won’t have anything to do while the young lady is away during the weekdays. Use that time to explore.”
Lowell tossed something to me as he spoke.
“What’s this?”
It was a silver seal.
No, it was actual silver?
The emblem in the center was one I recognized.
It was none other than…
“The Boyd family crest.”
Yes, a black hawk brandishing a sword—the Boyd family’s symbol.
“You’re giving this to me?”
“Yes. It’s awarded to loyal retainers as proof of their service. Use it as your identification.”
“Interesting…”
It was effectively an ID that could vouch for me anywhere in the Adel Kingdom.
“I’ll make good use of it.”
More importantly, giving me this meant I had some business to attend to outside, right?
“So, what exactly am I supposed to do out there?”
“For the first week or so, just take a walk and explore.”
“That’s allowed?”
“Except for weekends when the young lady might visit, spend your weekdays getting to know the outside world.”
Lowell threw another pouch at me.
Clink.
The weight and texture alone told me what it was.
“Money?”
“You might not know the way, so I included a map of the capital inside as well.”
“Oh, well, aren’t you thoughtful.”
I opened the pouch slightly to find a small map and a collection of silver coins inside.
…How many silver coins are in here? This looks like quite a hefty amount.
“You’re giving me all this money? You’re quite generous.”
“No, it’s yours.”
“Huh? This money is mine?”
All this money is mine?
At a glance, it seemed like a substantial sum.
“I’ve paid you your salary in advance for this month.”
“…Could you elaborate a bit more?”
A salary?
I’d never received one before.
After all, who would pay a “puppy” that just lay around all day, ate meals, trained, and entertained the young lady?
But if he was giving me a salary now, it meant he planned to assign me work that justified it.
“I’ll ask you to take on some tasks in the future, but I won’t force you. For now, just go outside and explore freely.”
Lowell turned away and headed back toward the mansion, clearly unwilling to divulge more at this time.
Watching him go, I tucked the pouch of coins into my pocket.
…Well, fine.
I couldn’t stay in the mansion forever, after all.
It was about time I ventured out.
*
“You’re going outside?”
“Yes, Lowell suggested I take a walk and look around.”
“Huh!”
The news of my going outside caused quite a stir in the mansion.
“We’ll dress you up properly!”
The maids who had cared for me all this time flocked around, insisting on sprucing me up.
“No, just prepare some plain clothes for me.”
“What? You should at least look like a young master when you go out!”
“I just want to wander quietly and observe.”
This outing’s purpose was simply a walk.
I had no intention of donning an expensive outfit or receiving excessive grooming as usual.
I wanted to blend in with the citizens.
Then again, considering my size—easily two heads taller than the average adult male here—and my well-trained physique, I probably wouldn’t blend in entirely.
Still, I preferred this to looking like a noble or the son of a wealthy family.
“Alright… if you insist.”
Seeing my resolve, the maids reluctantly left with their array of grooming tools, visibly disappointed.
…Why were they so eager to dress me up?
Well, they likely had little else to entertain themselves with, just as I struggled to combat boredom here.
I also struggle with boredom, so I understand.
Anyway, soon enough.
“Here, wear this.”
“Thank you.”
I was handed some plain clothes, likely borrowed from another servant, and I left the mansion.
Clink.
“Have a safe trip.”
Leaving the mansion I had been confined to for nearly two years was remarkably simple.
I just walked to the gate, and the guard opened it for me.
“Alright.”
Before me lay an open road flanked by a small, well-maintained forest.
Walking along the path, I marveled at the influence of the Boyd family, who had even created a private forest near their estate in the capital.
Soon, the vast main road came into view, lined with other grand mansions.
…This seemed to be an upscale residential district.
I took out the map and pinpointed my location.
The map helpfully marked my current position—the Boyd family mansion—with a dot.
According to it, heading east along the main road would lead me to the commercial district.
It seemed to be the heart of the capital, so I decided to head that way.
Though I could easily reach it quickly if I ran, I opted to walk leisurely, admiring the well-maintained forest and distant mansions.
…It was nice.
The garden and sky I had seen from the doghouse were pleasant, but the open world felt entirely different.
Thinking about it, I had only ever seen enclosed spaces—the underground of the Colosseum or its walled arenas.
This might be my first time truly seeing the outside world since being sold at the slave market.
With that new and exhilarating feeling, I walked on and eventually reached the commercial district.
“Hmm…”
Was it because of the nearby noble residences?
The area exuded an air of luxury.
I had expected something like the bustling markets of my previous life, but the shops here were housed in elegant buildings with refined signs.
The passersby were dressed in fine clothing, making my plain shirt and pants stand out even more.
Pausing, I checked the map again.
If I continued along this road, I’d eventually reach a different part of the commercial district, away from the residences.
That seemed worth a visit.
More importantly, I was starting to see why Adel Kingdom was considered prosperous.
In most fantasy worlds, only nobles seemed to live well.
Here, even those who didn’t appear to be nobility were laughing and enjoying themselves on the streets.
The roads were orderly, and carriages moved quietly and gracefully.
…These people probably used to be patrons of the Colosseum.
But seriously, with commoners this wealthy, why was I born in that shack?
I strolled leisurely through the streets, lost in thought about the impoverished home where I was reborn—so vague now in my memory.
As I walked on, the surroundings began to change.
The number of well-dressed people diminished, replaced by individuals dressed similarly to me, exuding a clear “commoner” vibe as they bustled about.
This must be the general commercial district.
The noise of carriages filled the air, and scruffy children loitered on the streets.
Yeah, this is the fantasy world I expected.
“Move out of the way!”
As I walked through the crowd—
Thud.
A boy bumped into me as he passed.
Well, isn’t this a classic scene?
Clink.
Just as the boy tried to snatch my pouch of coins, I grabbed it and secured it back on my belt.
There’s no way I’d fall for such a clumsy pickpocket after all I’ve been through.
If I came back to the mansion with my pockets emptied by some street thief, I’d be humiliated.
Still, deciding to pickpocket someone my size and build? That boy’s got guts, I’ll give him that.
As he attempted his theft, I gave him a quick flick to the forehead. Hopefully, it’ll knock some sense into him and set him on a straighter path.
Anyway.
I continued wandering the streets, occasionally stopping to browse the various street vendors.
I bought an unidentifiable skewer from a food stall and chewed on it while walking.
I also glanced at a shop selling trinkets and ornaments.
Hmm, buying anything here doesn’t feel quite right.
I had intended to pick up some gifts—something for the maids who’ve taken care of me, or perhaps a present for Aria once she’s settled into the academy and starts visiting on weekends.
But those are better purchased back in the upscale commercial district.
After casually exploring the area, I checked the map again and decided to head to the place I was most curious about.
Let’s see… It should be around here.
Ah, there it is.
I stopped in front of a roughly three-story stone building with an impressive design.
At first glance, it looked like the headquarters of a prestigious institution.
But the golden gauntlet emblem emblazoned on its facade and the constant flow of rough-looking individuals in and out told a different story.
This building was none other than the Mercenary Guild.
In a fantasy world, it was a place I had always wanted to visit.
I wondered what kind of mercenaries were inside.
After examining the exterior for a moment, I stepped into the building.
