The classes in the boarding school were conducted 4 out of the seven days each week. Today happened to be one of those days where the students were free from classes.

Actually, the classes were basically subjects like world history, mathematics, language, geography, magic, biology, and physics. They didn’t go much in depth and acted merely as a means to broaden the perspective of the students about the knowledge hidden in plain sight.

“This to table 17, thank you.”

“Quick! Quick! Table 11 ordered another two swigs!”

“On it.”

“Someone clean the tables for table 16 for me, thank you!”

“Son of a bitssH!!”

“Ah.. a fight broke out again..”

“Someone look after the cash register for a bit.”

The hustle and bustle of the guild tavern. It was a place where mercenaries came to have their meals– some of them at least. The food here was cheap, alcohol came in large jugs. Light odor of sweat and vomit amidst the assembly of other smells created a unique scent which Sequencee found a little nauseating.

Sequencee and Leticia were part time waiters working in this branch. Wearing uniforms that matched the staff, they brought food and took orders from the mercenaries that came in waves.

“Here’s your food. That would be 10 silver and 5 copper please.”

“Here you go lad.”

Sequencee bowed.

With the money in hand, he returned to the cash register. He placed the order paper on the counter with the coins stacked on it.

“Thank you Sequencee. Mind helping me check these if those orders there are align by sequence?”

“You know that’s a really old joke now don’t you?”

The cashier guffawed. He was a muscular guy with tawny skin. Beefed up arms and a horrific scar to his face. Though he acted as the cashier and accountant, he was also the guy people turned to whenever a fight broke out.

“Here’s mine too.”

Lecticia, who had completed an order, stacked the coins on the counter just like how Sequencee did.

The guild’s female waiter uniform resembles that of a maids. Charming, frilly, it’s got enough edginess to it that most would find themselves peeking in between the sleeves or underneath the skirt. A red, gold, white colour scheme which matched the colour profile of the guild insignia.

“I’ll go deal with table 16.”

“Right.”

Sequencee took the wet towel and headed over to said table to wipe it clean. Dots of gravy and spilled alcohol, it took a few rounds to mop it clean.

“Okay,” he cheered himself for a work well done.

“Excuse me, is there a menu here?”

“Hm?”

One of the two individuals donning clocks approached Sequencee and asked. It was a rather suspicious getup.

“I’ll go on over to grab the menu, will it be alright if you wait for a bit?” Sequencee proposed.

“Yes, thank you.”

Despite the face of the owner’s voice hidden under the hood, Sequencee could make out that this person was a girl. More specifically, an elf.

Sequencee went to the counter and grabbed the flimsy paper booklet.

“Here you go. If you’ve decided on anything, please raise your hands and someone will come to attend to you.”

“Thank you.”

The two sat down at table 16, Sequencee could hear the crunching of armour from the second individual.

‘One of them is probably acting as an escort. They don’t seem to be from around here.’

“Sequencee my man! Come here!” A shout reverberated.

“Oi.. Yen, didn’t I tell you not to drink so much?” Sequencee shot the guy with a glace.

He heaved a sigh and walked up to the man with a ruddy face.

Having worked here with Leticia over the past two year, they have many kinds of people. Some were transient, others long standing professionals in this line of work.

“Tell me not to drink? Destroying your business eh? Whatever– boy, how’s it going with the two of ya?”

Yen slugged his hands around Sequencee’s shoulders. Those around the table broke into a laugh.

“Excuse me?”

“Ya and her Leticia right? You two made any progress?” his pungent breath stung.

“We’re not in that kind of relationship.”

Sequencee noticed Leticia peeking at him from afar with a worried expression. He waved his hands to say that he was alright.

“Come on now, you know that isn’t right. Ain’t you two from the same house?” Yen grinned.

“Yen, I still have work to do so can you calm down?”

“Yea no..”

“Then would you like it if I sobered you up?”

“Oooh! Of course.”

Rolling his eyes, Sequencee pressed his index finger on his forehead and injected mana.

His mother got drunk often– not that she had the tendency to become violent, nevertheless, whenever that happens she would act in a way that scares him. So when he finds his mom coming home all tipsy, he would sober her up using a detoxification spell.

Life magic or healing magic, it was unknown what category this spell fit into.

“Hahaha, thanks Sequencee. My bad.”

“Yeah, should I do it with the rest too?”

“You betcha. We still have work to do later, can’t let my bois be wasted like that.”

The only reason why Yen would get drunk at this sort of time of day was because he knew that the magic detoxifying Sequencee would be around today. He wouldn’t have permitted his party to drink at this sort of time if not for him.

Call it special service if you will, Sequencee liked to think of it as practicing his magic.

While he was clearing the alcohol from the member of Yen’s part, Leticia noticed a raised hand and went over.

“Can I take your order?” she asked the two hooded people.

“Yes please, I would like..”

Leticia jotted down their orders.

“Before you go, could I ask a simple question?”

“Yes, what may that be?”

“Who is that man?”

Leticia traced the direction of the person’s slender finger which was pointed at Sequencee.

“What about him do you want to know about?” Leticia tried to put her question in another way. It was not appropriate to divulge a person’s name so readily to a stranger.

“He looks to be an excellent mage.”

“Oh, you could tell?”

It wasn’t the first time Leticia had heard such praise from mercenaries. Usually, only those proficient in magic were able to notice the shift in mana in the air around him.

“Though you’re not on his level, you quite the talented individual yourself.”

“Ahaha.. those words are wasted on me.”

‘Yeah right. There’s no way that’s true.. hm?’

Pinch.

“Eh?”

The bead of nature magic overlapped with illusion magic had been held between the two fingers.

“Subconscious activation, and to this degree.. this must have been quite difficult.”

“A-Ah well..”

Leticia quickly reigned in her mana, the bead disappeared.

“Fufu.. you’re making me somewhat jealous. It’s good to see how diligent people like yourself are in this world. Are you aiming for anything perhaps?”

“Erm.. my apologies but could I bring your orders to the kitchen first? Otherwise there would be a delay to the arrival of your food.”

“Ah yes please. Sorry for taking your time.”

Leticia quickly escaped from the table, tore the paper and hung the order on one of the clips.

‘That was embarrassing. To think my illusion magic got found out. I probably slipped a little.’

It was the first time this has happened, which poked at her inferiority complex.

Compared to Sequencee who was activating dozens of elements even now, Leticia would only do one as to not create too much burden in her concentration.

Leticia noticed the girl in the cloak looking her way.

If anything, Leticia didn’t want to get herself involved with people like these. You never know what kind of motive they have hidden beneath their sweet words.

Leticia acted as if she didn’t see it and took orders for another table.

Right now, the most important thing is to get through this final week of work before they leave their job for good.

===

“I’m so tired..”

“Same here.”

“Ugh..”

Leticia nibbled on the dry, husky bread in hand while Sequencee who sat beside her as he observed the sky fading into orange.

They were seated at a park bench with a water fountain gushing nearby. Around them, shrubs and flowers in bloom with radiant flowers.

“Aren’t you hungry?” Leticia looked between her bread and Sequencee’s face.

“I’m good. I think I’ll wait for dinner.”

“Hm…”

‘He’s so economical. Compared to me it’s like..’

Leticia tore a piece from the butt of the bun. She held it out to him.

“Here.”

“If you insist. Thank you.”

Rejecting it here would be kinda awkward, so he just accepted it. He tossed the bread into his mouth. Leticia smiled faintly.

When she finished the beard, they sat in silence for a while.

“Let’s go.”

“Okay.”