CHAPTER 21

ZERA'S WORRIES II

No NO no NO no no no NO. Why? Why? Why? What should I do? Why? NO NO what should I do?

After Mr. Argent, the admirable man who helped us on the day of the equinox, agreed to finance the academy, he became the sole and great benefactor of all Galia scholars.

Under his wing, the academy went through several reforms that made it much more efficient. The academics, including myself, now live within the academy.

Considering that before there were many who spent sleepless nights investigating or conducting experiments, this gives them the possibility to take a break at any time they need it and return to their work immediately. There is even a restaurant with a bar so we can eat and everything was bought with Mr. Argent's money.

Meanwhile, Mr. Argent spends days and nights in the inner library, sometimes he takes some books to read them in his room calmly. He is a man completely dedicated to science and knowledge, an example to follow for all academics and is above all, a kind and admirable man who cares for all of us.

To my surprise and joy, he asked me to be his assistant. I never thought that one day I would be happier than when I passed the academy test. But that someone so wonderful asks me to work by his side ... If only he was aware that I am a woman, it would be perfect.

EVEN SO!!

I, who was chosen by himself to assist him, have failed him, I have made an unforgivable mistake.

During the first of the commissions outside the academy he made, he asked me to take care of a valuable object, no matter where I looked at it, the object was some kind of artifact, perhaps from another AS academy. And I was given the task of taking care of it while making some purchases and orders ...

I lost it...

EARTH SWALLOW ME!

I am not dumb, like the money for purchases, I put the object that Mr. Argent gave me in my bag extremely carefully and I started up. While shopping, I regularly checked that all the money and the item were in place. On one of those occasions, I noticed that it wasn't.

I already traveled three times the route I took today and I couldn't find it, nobody in any of the stores or market stalls saw it. I do not know what to do...

I only have left to ... Confess and apologize. Mr. Argent is a great man, I feel he will not punish me, at least not directly, at most he will give me tougher jobs ... Or maybe ... He will fire me as his assistant ... Huuuuuuu ... No, even if he doesn't punish me at all, just knowing how disappointed he will be of me makes me feel a pain in my chest that I can't describe in words.

I'm scared. Afraid of what he would think of me, of the expression he will do when I tell him ... That he won't smile at me like he did until now.

Huuuuuuuuuuuu...

I only delay the inevitable.

The worst thing is that, when I think about whether someone can help me out of this predicament, the first one that comes to mind is Argent himself ...

I must tell him, if its him, maybe he can think of something to find it and the sooner he knows better.

...

"Don't worry about that, you did a good job".

Eh?

"There are more things I want you to do".

"Y-Yes! Anything!"

I don't understand, I find it hard to believe that someone is so equanimous, even Mr. Argent, but the smile he showed me was sincere, I would even say that more than normal, as if something had made him happy ... It will be that this .. Was it a test? To know if I would tell him the truth? ... No, I don't think so, he wouldn't do something like that. I'm just glad he is not disappointed in me.

"By the way, what do you know about Posei's crystals?"

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"Do you mean those who can store and release large amounts of water?"

"That's right. I know there is a lake in the forest of Galia. Galia is not a village, but a city, it would not be reasonable for everyone to make trips to the lake to have water on a daily basis, so I thought of Posei's crystals, they should have some".

"Well, in Galia there are two of them, one in the academy and the other in the mayor's office, from there they supply water for the needs of the citizens".

"I see, it means that in case of fire they have a portable and efficient water source".

"W-Well, yes?"

"Good to know. Thank you, you are a great help".

Test or not, I wouldn't be able to lie to you.

◆◇◆◇

Mr. Argent has revealed to us that a great danger is approaching, the army of Iren that took Galatea days ago comes for us. If you think a little the academy is valuable, like its artifacts, it is not uncommon for them to want it, but we don't have much, while Galia's defenses are very good in comparison.

The director said that Iren was not likely to attack us, but if Mr. Argent says so ... I have no doubt that we are in great danger.

Today, Mr. Argent and his guard have gone on a mission to get the help of the Flying Half that are higher up the mountain. Unfortunately I would only delay them. On the other hand, he entrusted me with the important mission of helping the young nobleman who came as a refugee from Galatea ... What was his name?

Ryuujoi, yes, something like that. He is a noble foreigner who speaks in a language that nobody, not even the director knows, only Mr. Argent. Not only does he know the language, but he speaks it fluently. Thanks to that, the young man who had been incommunicado was finally able to speak with another human being.

If it were me, if I could only speak with one person in the whole world, if that were Mr. Argent, it would suffice ...

I don't even know what I think, even now we speak the same language, even so I can barely speak to him. When I am close to him my heart speeds up and my head is spinning. Besides, I am ashamed of all my mistakes and the worst, I still can't get him out of the misunderstanding .... Huuuu ... He keeps thinking I'm a boy.

It depresses me.

It depresses me a lot. Not only because of the misunderstanding, but because he don't realize that I am a woman. I know I'm not very developed for my age, no doubt not like Berta, but I'm not an ironing board either! It's the uniform's fault! The academy uniform!

Yes! That must be, it's not possible that someone as intelligent as Mr. Argent could mistake me for a boy, if it weren't for this uniform that covers everything, if he could see me without him, surely ... AAAAAAAH !! E-Wha-what am I thinking !?

...

A couple of days passed without Mr. Argent. Finally he was back from his mission, unfortunately, the Half of the mountain didn't want to help us, they dared to reject Mr. Argent's request!

But that was obvious, if it weren't because it is Mr. Argent, I wouldn't believe they could be convinced. The simple fact that he could communicate with them is cause for wonder. But they had no reason to risk their lives against Iren's army, they can fly after all.

Mr. Argent looked unhappy when he told me. You don't have to feel bad, it's impossible to think badly of you, you did what you could. I suffered and regretted myself when I was wrong and I almost needed courage to return and confess. You did nothing wrong. If an unworthy one like me could be forgiven, you don't even need to be forgiven.

In spite of everything, Mr. Argent has no intention of giving up and I ... I'm not afraid anymore. I know he will find a way to save us, I fully trust even with my life in Mr. Argent.

◆◇◆◇

It is simply majestic. Mr. Argent's presence was always incomparable to the rest, but right now it shines with a blinding glow. Not only did he save Galia, but he did it by defeating with his own hands an Iren commander in a fair fight. He did it without even using his weapon or armor, with his bare hands he snatched the spear from the enemy and forced the victory that seemed impossible.

Apparently everything was part of a great plan. The director was aware of this and saved many of the artifacts of the academy, but even he could not predict that Mr. Argent would challenge the enemy commander to a duel and defeat him.

What immeasurable blessing we have received by knowing him.

I will do it. After such an act of courage, I cannot cow anymore. I must speak and resolve the misunderstanding and then ...

"It is time for me to move on".

"Time for me to move on".

"... For me to move on".

Move on...

¿Eh?

◆◇◆◇

No NO no NO no no no NO. Why? Why? Why? What should I do? Why? NO NO what should I do?

No NO no NO no no no NO. Why? Why? Why? Why? Why? NO NO. What should I do? What should I do? What should I do? What should I do? What should I do?...

Huuuuuuuuuuu...

Mr. Argent leaves. Considering his curious nature, he will continue visiting other academies, it will be years before he returns to Galia, if he comes back.

After the matter of Iren was resolved, he decided to go up once more to talk to the Half. Perhaps they did not intend to risk for us in combat, but if it's in a situation of peace, it may be possible to have agreements with them, at least Mr. Argent said before leaving.

When he returns, he will leave Galia and I will not see him again.

Are you okay with that?

Of course not!

But you will let him go?

What else can I do? From the beginning I knew that someone like him would not stay long in a small city like this.

Then he will leave and you will never see him again.

There is nothing I can do to stop him!

And stopping him is the only solution?

Eh?

If he is not going to stay and you don't want to separate from him, then the solution is simple.

...

Finally, Mr. Argent returns from the top and prepares for his trip outside Galia. If I do nothing, this will be the last time I see him, listen to him, feel his presence near me ...

"M-M-Mr. Argent!"

"Mm? What's up Zera?"

You can do it. It's swimming or drowning now!

"P-Please, let me accompany you! Argent !!"

"Sama?"

"Sama?"

Eh? what is he saying about "sama" I don't understand ... But more importantly.

"S-So what does you say?"

If at any time in my life I am going to press someone for an answer, it's now!