“... Honestly, I was hiding from your maid. Your room seemed like the last place she’d investigate,” said Serena as she sheepishly rubbed the back of her neck.

“From Mia…? Do not tell me you are the person she’s currently looking for…”

“Yup, that would be me.”

“Why are you even trying to stay in this mansion?! Do you not live in that house Viktor gave you?”

“Let’s say I’m in a bit of a situation. Well, it’s quite a mess actually... You see, I was expecting you to be back three days ago.”

“What did you do...?”

“... I may have sold more potions than we could supply to a rather large group," Serena admitted with a sigh.

Alice sighed. “Just give them back the money.”

“...”

“You did not spend it, did you?”

“Business growth requires investment. That's all I did.”

“You are unbelievable!”

“It wouldn’t have gone so bad if you came back at the planned date, you know?! I managed to stall the clients at first, but you still hadn’t returned the next day. I tried to send one of my middlemen to smooth things over, but he was almost abducted!”

“W-well, sorry for him…”

“Two days ago, I noticed some strange men prowling around the area where I live, so I’m sure they’re tracking me down… Hence why I returned to your estate. But that red-headed fool is hell-bent on tossing me out-”

At this exact moment, the door to Alice’s room swung open, and her maid stormed in.

“I heard screams in here! Lady Alice, are you alright?!”

As Serena slowly tried to retreat under the sheets, her eyes inadvertently locked with her nemesis.

“You…! Have you no decency at all, mucking up the Lady’s bed?!” Mia exclaimed, her disgust apparent. She stepped forward, grabbing the older woman by the collar. “This time, you are going out!”

“H-how are you so strong?! You were not even that much bigger than Alice when we first met!”

“Any normal person would continue to grow after turning fifteen, you old hag!”

"O-old hag? Me?!"

“T-that means I still have a chance to get a growth spurt!” Alice exclaimed with a spark of hope in her voice despite the ongoing violent scene.

Mia paused mid-rant to scrutinize Alice from head to toe. “You are not normal, Lady Alice.”

“Rude?!”

“T-that was not meant to be rude, my Lady! You are perfect as you are, and growing as tall as me would not suit you! That is all!” the maid stuttered.

"If you put it this way, I cannot get mad at you...”

As Mia sighed in relief, Serena looked at her in disbelief. “If you’re going to ignore me, loosen your grip so that I can escape! And Alice, help me already!”

“R-right… Mia, let go of her. We have things to discuss.”

“But my Lady-!”

“Serena is my guest. Please prepare a bath for both of us. Maybe she could borrow one of Mother’s nightgowns?”

“... Understood,” the maid dejectedly said before she dropped the blond chemist back onto the bed. She then rushed out of the room.

“Well, let us get back to your situation, Serena. What do you plan to do?”

With a deep sigh, Serena glanced at the dim world outside. “It’s too dark to put your magic to work on the potions. I guess it will have to wait for tomorrow. As for the clients, I’ll try to compensate them with a few free potions…”

“Good grief… You should never use the money before it is truly yours.”

“I learned my lesson, don’t worry. I may undo the expansion of the business afterward. Too much effort.”

“... That will not do.”

“Mmh? What will not?”

“Keeping things as they were,” Alice grinned. “Let us strategize, boost production, and share the profits.”

“D-does that mean you’re in?!”

“Well, I am in dire need of funding, currently. I do not even know how to pay for my room at the Guild going forward.”

“Yay!”

“Please do not rejoice over my being broke… Moreover, are you fine with conceding a part of the benefits?”

“Absolutely! If you join, we’ll be able to create a robust structure instead of stealthily saturating a few potions when I get to see you. We’re partners now, Alice!”

“I trust you will be dependable…”

“Leave everything to me!”

***

“Noble baths are something else. I feel like a new person.”

“I get what you mean. A single week living as a commoner made me realize the opulence of this lifestyle…”

“From what you said, you've had it rough. Is that the life you really want?"

“It is not ideal, but it is only the starting point. Once I find a stable party, things will probably become easier.”

“In your place, I would have left this branch for another one. They’re putting too many constraints.”

“Father insisted that I go to this particular branch since he knows the guild master. My first thought was to head for the capital, but he shot down the idea instantly.”

“Honestly, it’s understandable. Even though I know how potent your magic is, I can’t really picture you as an adventurer. With your personality, you must have so much trouble integrating parties.”

“W-well, I do have trouble joining existing parties… I mean, they have known each other for years, and a nobody like me comes in. Everyone would get uneasy…”

“You should quit assuming what people think. That would bring you peace of mind.”

“As if it was this easy…”

“To begin with,” Serena began. “If you have trouble joining a party, why don’t you form your own and recruit individuals yourself?”

“My own…?”

“Knowing you, it should be easier to create bonds with only one person at a time.”

(My very own party…?)

“That does sound interesting, but finding D-ranks willing to join me might take long…”

This narrative has been unlawfully taken from Royal Road. If you see it on Amazon, please report it.

“With our partnership, taking a break from missions for a while shouldn't seriously affect your savings.”

“That is true," Alice started, then remembered something. "Hey, Serena, did you not mention that you used to be an adventurer in the capital?”

“Sorry to disappoint you, but I’m only F-rank. Well, I could have become an E-rank if I decided to pass the graduation exam, as I have all the necessary stars. Or rather, had. I must have lost them since then. ”

“Why did you not pass it?”

“Originally, becoming an adventurer was only an excuse to benefit from the rent reduction,” Serena mused. “Lodging at the Guild as one was significantly cheaper than renting a room at a regular inn. When my branch realized I had no plan to make any progress in my rank, they basically threw me out.”

“What an opportunist…”

“What’s wrong with seizing opportunities and making the most of them? See, you’ve got pajamas and I’ve got a nightgown. That calls for a pajama party, doesn’t it?”

“Give me a break already…”

“Be more honest with yourself, Alice. You’re smiling.”

“A-am I…?”

“Let’s talk to our heart’s content and reminisce about the good times. This counts as your graduation ceremony as well.”

“Well, if this is my instructor’s last demand, I can hardly refuse.”

“What an obedient kid. You really were my best student.”

“I have been your only student all along, dummy!”

***

“It is time, Mia. I will now return to the city. If Serena still has troubles, please let her stay a bit longer in the mansion. She can even take my room while I am away.”

“... Certainly, if that is what you want. Please, do return on the weekend next time. I am sure the Count would love seeing you.”

“I will. Thank you.”

With that, Alice left her estate and ventured into the commoner district of the city. Ducking into an alley, she emerged not as a noble lady but as a concealed adventurer.

Stepping into the Adventuring Guild, Iris knew it was only a matter of time before her former magic tutor would reach out...

“Well, hello, Iris. You seem in high spirits today,” the Guild’s receptionist said. “Did something good happen?”

“Good morning. You could say so,” Iris responded with a smile.

This good mood, however, did not last long.

“Iris. Do you have a moment? We need to talk.”

She spun around and looked up to meet a familiar gaze. A tall woman with chestnut hair with whom she had fought magic dogs.

(Crap.)

“Vivy... It's good to see that you’re fine. What do you need…?”

“... This place is too crowded. Can we talk somewhere more private?”

(S-she’s planning to yell at me, isn’t she? Or maybe even beat me up?)

Iris shot a pleading glance at the nearby clerk, silently begging for assistance, but the latter looked away to read some papers on her desk.

“O-okay, let’s do that…”

Vivy led Iris further away from the Guild to a secluded place where few ventured and stopped.

(I-if she throws herself at me, this will be self-defense...)

The woman turned slowly, with a calm expression. Judging that she really was here to talk, Iris decided to say something first.

"I-I'm sorry, Vivy," she stuttered, looking down and avoiding Vivy's gaze. "For your injury... and I thank you for defending me."

"Stop," Vivy interjected firmly. "Don’t apologize. And about defending you… Well, there's something I've got to say."

Iris gulped. The water mage had a way of making her feel pressured.

"Observing Kiara and George daily, I can see they don't have the best grasp of their mana," Vivy began, her tone thoughtful. “In comparison, I would dare say that I’m good at manipulating mine, as I’ve been doing it for a decade. But you, Iris, you're different.”

“Huh?”

“Even when I was teetering on the edge of consciousness, I sensed something unique about your control. I couldn't help but notice your subtle gestures, your measured breaths... all while channeling a vast surge of mana. It was precise while pulsating in the air, and perceptible to both us and the monsters."

"I..."

"And your expression. It was like you were prepared to shield me from the entire horde. At that moment, you looked... confident?"

"T-that’s just because of my expression. I was in a bit of a panic, I can tell you…"

"Listen," Vivy continued, brushing aside Iris' protests. "I realize you had neither sought my help nor needed it. And Kiara... she was a bit hasty in pushing you out of the group. It seems there was a misunderstanding."

Iris blinked in surprise as Vivy met her gaze, her eyes uncharacteristically soft. "If you're open to it... I could try to convince Kiara to give you another shot with the Mist Slicers."

For a moment, Iris simply stared, taken aback. Then, a soft smile graced her face. "I appreciate the offer, Vivy," she replied, her voice warm. "But I think I'll have to decline."

Vivy averted her gaze and started unconsciously fidgeting with her necklace. "... I get it," she mumbled, her voice softer. "Kiara and I weren't exactly welcoming, were we?"

Iris chuckled lightly. "It’s not my main reason. For the time being, I've decided not to join any party. I'm going to start my own."

She added teasingly, "You're welcome to join, should you wish."

A soft laugh slipped past Vivy's lips, her stern demeanor momentarily faltering. "If your party makes a name for itself, I might consider it." As she turned to leave, she lifted her hand in a casual wave. "Take care."

As Iris watched Vivy heading in the direction of the Guild without a backward glance, she had one thought.

(... I can't just trail after her when she's made such a cool exit, can I? Am I doomed to just stand here like an idiot…?)

A few minutes later, Iris found herself stepping into the Adventuring Guild once again. Glancing towards the tavern, her gaze collided with Vivy's who was seated with her party. The brown-haired mage quickly averted her gaze, her ears completely red.

(She figured it out too...! Second-hand embarrassment is not as bad as the regular kind, but still...)

Deciding that it wasn't her issue to handle, Iris walked through the vast building, studying its adventurers. She halted when her gaze landed on a promising recruit.

(Bingo.)