v2 Chapter 17: Haru Makes Her Move
So, what to do now?
“The ideal would be to explain Shouko and Haru's story in detail, convince the Academy Director, and urge restraint, right?” Leon said it nonchalantly.
Haru looked down. She remembered how the professors, who had initially listened to her story with interest, had gradually become exasperated.
“Shouko is here this time,” the High Priest considered. “If they separate the two of you and check the consistency of your stories, they should realize it's the truth. If they look at it with clear eyes, that is.” The High Priest said that, but he folded his arms with a troubled expression. “But what then? The girl named Fia might be saved. However, will the magicians, who have already found this convenient method of using decoys, stop just because of a story they don't even know is true? It doesn't seem like this entire country is heading in a strange direction. If they won't even cherish their own country's children, then judgment should come from within this country.”
“True enough. We'd certainly get angry if people from another country came here and complained about our hunting methods,” Falco responded to the High Priest's words.
“I feel bad for Linus,” the High Priest continued, “but the only thing we can do is take Haru to the Deep Forest. However...” The High Priest looked kindly at Linus. “If you wish to learn the Deep Forest's new healing methods, you are welcome to come anytime. It would be good for the Lakes to have a healer with those skills too.”
“High Priest... Thank you very much. I will definitely go.” Linus vowed to himself that he would definitely go, without using busyness as an excuse. Healers from the Deep Forest wouldn't always be available to come here. The Lakes' problems needed to be handled within the Lakes. Without blaming others, healers should do what healers can.
“Well then,” the High Priest summarized, “tomorrow, as Shouko suggested, along with giving our greetings to formally take Haru in, we'd like to bring back as much of Haru's earnings as possible, but well, don't expect too much. The appointment is first thing in the morning. The discussion should be over by noon. Perhaps we can do some more shopping, and then depart for the Deep Forest the day after tomorrow?”
The High Priest concluded, about to end the meeting.
“Um...” Haru spoke up.
“Yesterday, Shouko mentioned wanting to know the number of times I participated in hunts,” Haru recalled.
“Yes, she did.”
“Is that...” Haru's throat tightened, and she coughed slightly. Still, she said, “Is it perhaps because there's compensation for hunts?”
“Exactly,” the High Priest confirmed. “Even as an apprentice, Shouko receives a salary as a healer. If one is a magician, even an apprentice should receive some kind of compensation for participating in hunts. Isn't that right, Dred?”
“Mm. Honestly, I wasn't interested in how much it was, so I don't even remember, but I believe I had accumulated quite a bit of money by the time I became an adult and independent.” Dred had high magic capacity since childhood, so although it was mainly after he turned 14, he often participated in hunts. “Also, I was wondering, but being at the academy, shouldn't you receive not just room and board, but also some allowance? Some students have no remittances from their home countries. Plus, I thought there was a system for arranging small pocket-money jobs...”
Haru shook her head at Dred's words. “I don't know anything about an allowance. But I did want to earn pocket money, so once I got used to living there, I went to ask about it. But then they asked why someone strong enough to participate in hunts would take an apprentice part-time job, and they wouldn't refer me.”
“That's just...” Sain began.
“Thinking back now, I realize it was strange,” Haru reflected. “But it was so different from my previous life, I didn't know what was right. When I thought maybe I was the one in the wrong, I couldn't say anything. So I just lived thinking only about waiting until I turned 20.”
Haru looked down as she said this. But she immediately raised her head again, “But, even if I was an orphan, I should have been able to get guardians, and then I probably wouldn't have had to go on hunts, and even if I did, I should have received proper compensation, right?” she asked.
Everyone nodded.
“In that case, I will also go to meet the Academy Director tomorrow.”
Everyone was surprised by her determination. Seeing Haru over the past day or two, although she seemed to be recovering, they hadn't thought she had the courage to go that far.
“But,” Shouko said worriedly, “if you meet the Director, the painful memories might come back. They might even say harsh things, like telling you to go on hunts again, or calling you ungrateful.”
Haru looked at Shouko and smiled faintly. Seeing that, Leon swayed as he tried to stand up behind them, only to get elbowed by Falco.
“I'm not alone,” Haru said, looking firmly at the High Priest. “If I get scared, I'll hide behind the High Priest. If I can't say anything, I'll leave it to the High Priest. It might be painful, but when I get back, Shouko will be here, and Leon will be here, and I can tell them how hard it was and get lots of snacks, and then I can just run away. Right, Shouko?”
Shouko nodded firmly. “That's right. There are plenty of adults here. Let's get protected and make a quick getaway.” Relying on others wasn't necessarily a bad thing.
“Well then, Haru,” the High Priest asked, “what is it you want to say when you meet the Academy Director?”
To the High Priest's words, Haru replied, “To thank him for taking care of me. And then, a graduation farewell.” Shouko nodded in agreement. No matter who the other party was, closure was important. Though everyone else looked like they thought it was unnecessary. “And then, the compensation for the hunts, and my graduation qualification. I worked, after all. If there's compensation, I have to receive it.”
To that, everyone nodded.
The next morning, leaving behind Leon who had offered to come along, the High Priest and Haru set off for the Academy together.
