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The Mysterious Child: An Adventure Tale Beginning with Numerology

Chapter 244

This academic city has one famous confection.


It's called "Book Pie." A thin, moist pie crust is spread with a mixture of finely chopped dried fruits and cream, layered multiple times, and cut into squares. After pouring melted candy on top and chilling it, you get a mille-feuille pie that looks just like a book.

When you cut into it with a knife, it cracks crisply. You can enjoy a texture that's crispy on the outside and moist on the inside. Its refreshing sweetness goes very well with tea.

It's a popular topic that eating this helps with afternoon studies.


The restaurant serving this Book Pie is popular, and only accepts reservations for lunch.

However, this time Gatlin was thoughtful enough to make a reservation for us yesterday.

He really is an excellent guide. I've got another reason to tip him generously today.


"A taste supreme, pure, and truly blissful!"


Seori, who loves sweets, is praising it straightforwardly, which is rare for her.


Saaya and Elen, who have hearty appetites, along with Punisuke, were eating their after-meal Book Pie with intense focus. Including Gatlin, we're all making a lively noise during lunch, but we're not the only noisy ones in the packed restaurant.

Around us, tourists and regular groups of scholars were eating while chatting happily. The prices are reasonable, and there are even some families here and there.


"Brother, say 'aah'."

"Aah."


By the way, Lilith seems concerned about carbs, so she's sharing half with me.

While being fed by Lilith and munching on Book Pie that tastes a hundred times better, I talk to Gatlin, who was looking around the shop curiously.


"Come to think of it, Gatlin-san, are you from this academic city?"

"No, I'm not. I was born and raised in the Holy Nation. I came to this country five years ago."

"You seem quite familiar with it, though."

"Do I? If so, that makes me happy."


Gatlin laughed, seemingly embarrassed.

I envy his high communication skills.


"Why are you working as a cartographer in this country?"

"I was brought to this city because of my prosthetic leg. When I heard I'd be walking around the city for operational testing, I thought I might as well make maps. Actually, being a cartographer is just a side job, I'm really a 'jack-of-all-trades'. I also do things like delivering letters and running errands, so I'm always running around the city."

"I see. So that's why you're called a runner."

"That's right! But my maps are well-regarded, you know? I even supply them to various guilds."

"I see. Then we were lucky that you directly approached us."

"I-If you say so, I'm glad..."


He smiled wryly, his words trailing off a bit.

He seemed like he wanted to say something, but for some reason, Gatlin fell silent, looking awkward.


"Brother, say 'aah'."

"Aah... By the way, Gatlin-san, about the National Library we're planning to visit next, how big is it? I heard it's using an old royal palace."

"The library has been called the 'Palace Archive' since long ago, and it's the largest library on the continent, built according to Leenbright's will! It's about the same size as the Central Magic Academy, and they say the number of books is now uncountable."

"Is it true that books from all over the world are gathered there?"

"That's right! The government boasts that they make copies of all published books and store them there!"

"Ugh... calm down, my knees...!"


I can't stop fidgeting!

I feel like rushing there right away, but I have to be patient since my companions are still eating. Yes, stay, me. Stay!


"Ruruk-san really likes books! It's surprising for an adventurer."

"Brother has been a bookworm since he was little. He had read all the books in the mansion by the time he was five."


For some reason, Lilith puffed out her chest proudly.

Gatlin seemed a bit uncomfortable with Lilith, answering while slightly distancing himself.


"I-Is that so... Come to think of it, is Ruruk-san Lilith-san's real brother?"

"Didn't I mention it? As an adventurer, I don't use my family name, but my full name is Ruruk Muuteru, and I'm Lilith's half-brother."

"Eh... so Ruruk-san is also a direct descendant of the ducal family?"

"That's right."

"Ehhh!?"


Since the Stampede incident, my relationship with the Muuteru family has become an open secret in the Mataisa Kingdom.

After that, I actually talked with my father and agreed that there was no need to hide it anymore. We don't actively announce it, but like how Lilith is the top of Luney Trading Company, anyone well-informed would already know.


Digray didn't like that I stopped hiding the identity of the "Empress," but the king was quite pleased.

He's really a shrewd king.


"I-I see... I'm sorry for being so familiar."

"No, no, I've pretty much abandoned my position in the ducal family, so please don't worry about it. I'd be happier if you were more casual with me, actually."

"I'll try..."


Somehow, he became overly respectful.

It's not my intention to be distanced because of my position from someone I've just gotten to know. However, I can't force him to treat me like a friend. That feels like it would be an order in itself.

Now I think I understand a bit how Princess Mamared feels.


"Oh, Brother, your cup is empty. Would you like more unsweetened tea?"

"Yeah, thanks. The tea here really goes well with the pie."


It's irresistible for a tea lover like me.


After spending some time enjoying an elegant dessert time, when everyone had finished eating and we were about to head to the library—it happened.

Nagi, who had gone to the restroom before leaving the shop, noticed someone as she was coming back.


"Saaya, that girl is in the corner seat."

"Huh, who?"

"Former Sakuragi."


The person Nagi pointed to was a silver-haired figure in a white coat, sitting at the edge of the counter seats, eating with their face almost buried in the plate.

We can't see their expression because of the thick, bottle-bottom glasses, but that appearance and the long, greasy hair are unmistakable. She probably came to eat during a break from research.

Saaya hesitated a bit and consulted with me.


"...What should we do? Should we call out to her?"

"Hmm. She's eating, so maybe we should leave her alone?"

"You're right. Let's quietly leave then."


Just as Saaya said that, it happened.

As if sensing something, she turned her head around and looked this way. She stood up with bread crumbs still stuck to the corner of her mouth and walked briskly towards us.

She came right up to the side of our table and stared intently at my face from behind her glasses.


"...Ah, I thought so. You're that handsome guy from yesterday, aren't you?"

"Um..."


I didn't expect her to approach us.

Former Sakuragi Mei brought her face close to mine and breathed heavily.


"Nyufufu, you're definitely my type."

"I-Is that so. That's... nice..."

"How about it? Want to do some practical experiments on mating with me?"

"What are you saying in broad daylight!?"


I couldn't help but retort to the pervert who started wiggling her fingers.

The pervert grinned with a lewd smile.


"Nyufufu, I'm just kidding. But since we've met here by chance, could you at least tell me your name? My sensor is reacting, you guys don't seem to be ordinary people."


The pervert's gaze turned to Elen, who was sleepy after the meal.

She probably noticed the special response bracelet from yesterday.


I exchanged glances with Saaya and nodded.


"Alright. We have some things to talk about too."

"Really? Wait a moment, I'll bring my plate."


Saying that, the pervert brought her plate and belongings from the counter and moved to our table.


"I'm Felis. As you know, I'm a researcher at the Central Magic Academy. What's your name, handsome guy?"

"I'm Ruruk. I'm the leader of the adventurer party [Rozewill]."

"Then that child is the Demon Lord candidate, and the rumored Dragon Princess is... that goth loli girl, right?"

"Mm."

"To overlook my true identity... Those eyes, are you also an evil eye user?"

"As you can see, this unfriendly one is Elenora, and the one suffering from an incurable disease is Seori. Then this is Saaya, and next to her is Nagi. And this angel is my sister Lilith."

"Isn't siscon also an incurable disease?"


Nagi-chan, please be quiet.

After we introduced ourselves, Felis stared at my face again.

By the way, Gatlin has thoughtfully left the table.


"It's a harem. Handsome guy, want to add me as a member? My right hand is my lover, but I'm still a virgin, so you can have a fresh catch."

"How about you be quiet too?"


She's a dangerous level of pervert, boldly speaking in broad daylight.

To Felis, who was saying things that could be either jokes or serious, Saaya responded with a sigh.


"You really haven't changed, Mei."

"...Huh?"

"It's me, Azusa. You have memories of your past life too, right? As Sakuragi Mei."

"Oh, it was Azusa. How did you know~"


Felis responded with admiration, without much surprise.


"Am I that easy to recognize? But I can't tell at all with Azusa. Could it be..."

"That's right. Ruruk and Nagi are also from the same class."

"Then handsome guy, could you be Nanairo?"


Huh?


I was surprised because it was the first time since Saaya that someone guessed correctly on the first try.

The past me is usually forgotten. Sniff.


"Yeah, but how did you know?"

"Because the only person I can imagine Azusa falling for is Nanairo."

"Hey, Mei!?"


Saaya flustered.

The basis for her judgment is quite mysterious, but anyway, it's a reunion.


"Can you tell who this Nagi is?"

"Judging by the way she talks and her atmosphere, it's Onitsuka, right? That surly look is just the same."

"Who are you calling surly? I'll cut you."

"Hey, remember when you broke my experimental equipment and pretended not to know? Apologize now. Come on, apologize!"

"I've forgotten such old stories."


Amazing.

She guessed who Nagi and I were without much conversation. Looks like she's not just a pervert.

After arguing with Nagi for a while, Felis nodded several times as if impressed.


"I see~ So everyone was reincarnated too~ I never really thought about it."

"Mei... Felis, how are you? Are you happy now?"

"Of course! Magic is amazing, it's so deep."


Felis breathed heavily again.

I asked something I had been wondering about.


"But in your past life, weren't you originally a child of science? Why did you go into magic research instead of logical arts research?"

"That's why. I mean, there are no computers here, no electron microscopes, and records are handwritten on paper, right? To do the research I wanted to do, there's no foundational environment, so I'd have to design everything from scratch, which is tedious. It would take who knows how many years just to prove basic knowledge. That's a waste of time, isn't it? Sure, I could bask in the superiority of being called a prodigy and feel good about dominating with science or cheating with knowledge, but that's no use for research, right? So I abandoned science. Now magic research is super exciting!"


Felis's glasses gleamed.


I see, that makes sense.

If the joy of life is unraveling unknown things, there's no fun in just tracing over knowledge you already have. Instead, researching magic, which is full of unknowns, must be many times more enjoyable.


For a child of science, this world must have been boring.


"More importantly, handsome guy, do you have time after this? You have magic element deficiency, right? Apparently, there are hardly any research samples because everyone with magic element deficiency dies young, and I want to study the relationship between the magic toxin filtering function and organs, so could you help me out a little? Of course, I won't cut you open or dissect you, just a physical examination... just the tip, please!"

"Ah... we have plans after this, so maybe another time for that talk."

"Ehhh~! Please, handsome guy! I won't do anything naughty... just a little bit! Hey, let's dive into the dizzying world of exploration together!?"


Felis pressed on, nostrils flaring.

I wish she'd lower her voice a bit, this isn't really a conversation for a restaurant.


Besides, there's no need for a long talk in a popular restaurant.

We exchanged glances and nodded, then left the restaurant, almost as if escaping from Felis who still had food left.

I'll treat her as a reunion gift, by the way.


"Ahh, wait! Well, see you next time! It's a promise!"


Well, I'm glad she seems to be enjoying this life too.

And so, our meeting with one of the reincarnated individuals ended (safely?).

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