It Takes a Mob to Know a Mob

SHERRY

"I wonder what this is..."

A young girl tilted her head in confusion inside the laboratory.

She was a beauty with hair the color of cherry blossoms. Her serene eyes were fixed on the rows of brown objects nestled inside a box. A sweet aroma wafted from them. She picked one up, turning it over in her hand, but she still couldn't quite identify it.

If I remember correctly, the boy who gave this to me called it "Choco."

"Sherry, is something the matter?"

An elderly man called out to her from behind. His hair was a salt-and-pepper blend, slicked back neatly.

"Vice Academy Director Ruslan..."

"Now now, we promised you’d call me 'Father' when it’s just the two of us."

"Stepfather," Sherry corrected him with a troubled little smile.

"So, what’s the story with that Chocolate?"

"Chocolate? A boy from the Academy for Spellswords gave it to me."

"Oho." Ruslan stroked his mustache. "That is the high-end confectionery all the ladies have been gossiping about lately. I daresay it’s a gift for you."

"Eh? But I didn’t even know him."

"It must have been love at first sight. That’s a legendary, top-shelf Chocolate—the kind you can’t get even if you line up at the crack of dawn. He must have gone to great lengths for your sake."

Love at first sight... Sherry whispered, her cheeks flushing a faint pink.

"And how will you reply?"

"My reply...?"

"I’m sure he’s waiting for an answer."

"B-but, I..." Sherry turned bright red, her eyes darting around the room.

"You should learn more than just research; you need to learn how to interact with people. That’s what an academy is for, after all."

"...Yes." Sherry looked down, and Ruslan gave her a gentle smile.

"So, how is the work on the Artifact coming along?"

"We've only just begun." She gave another troubled smile, her cheeks still slightly rosy.

"I suppose that’s to be expected."

"However, I did discover one thing. A very distinctive cipher is being used on that Artifact."

"A distinctive cipher?"

Sherry spread the documents out in front of Ruslan.

"It was likely used by an ancient nation or organization. And... it bears a striking resemblance to the code my mother used to research."

"I see. Lucreia's code... She truly was a brilliant researcher." Ruslan closed his eyes as if lost in thought.

"I want to know the meaning of the cipher my mother was studying right before she died."

As she stared intensely at the documents, her profile took on the sharp, focused air of a professional scholar.

"You’ve taken on a fine request."

"Yes." Sherry beamed, looking shy as Ruslan patted her head.

"So, where is the Artifact now?"

"It’s being guarded by a knight in a separate room."

"Do you not need it on hand?"

"Only when necessary. It's important to have time to think alone, and I get a bit nervous working in front of the knights."

"Is that so? Cough, hack... E-excuse me..." Ruslan turned away, coughing into his hand.

"Stepfather! Are you alright?"

Sherry hurried over to rub his back. Ruslan’s frame felt frail, and his cheeks looked gaunt.

"I-I’m fine, really. I’m okay." Ruslan steadied his ragged breathing. "My condition had been improving lately, but illness is a fickle thing."

"Stepfather..."

"Don't look so worried. More importantly, another offer for you to study abroad has arrived from the Academic City."

"Academic City Lawagas..."

"The greatest minds in the world are recognizing your work. You could grow so much more if you went to Lawagas. It’s a wonderful opportunity."

Sherry shook her head. "I can’t just leave my sick stepfather behind."

"Sherry, you don't need to worry about me."

"If you hadn't adopted me after my mother died, Stepfather, I surely would have perished. I... I want to be of help to the man who saved me." Sherry pleaded with him, her eyes shimmering with unshed tears.

"Sherry... I am lucky to have such a good daughter." Ruslan smiled warmly. "Keep up the good work on your research. And make sure you eat that Chocolate."

"...Yes."

Ruslan left the laboratory. Left to her own devices, Sherry felt her face heat up as she popped a piece of chocolate into her mouth.

"It's sweet... and delicious."

She reached for a second piece.

CID

I spent the day in blissful peace—no Hyoro, no Jaga, and no Alexia. As I walked home alone through the gardens, the setting sun painting everything in shades of orange, the student population began to thin out. Suddenly, a girl approached me.

She wore the uniform of a second-year from the Academy for Arts and Sciences. Her dark brown hair was pulled back into a bun, and she wore a pair of dowdy glasses that matched her eye color.

To a layman, she was just another student. But after years of honing my mob skills, I knew better. This was the "plain-Jane" beauty type—someone pretending to be a mob.

"Excuse me, do you have a moment to talk?"

I recognized that voice.

"Nu?" I whispered.

Nu gave a small nod. It was honestly impressive how much a refined, mature woman could change her entire vibe with just some glasses, makeup, and a hairstyle.

We kept our voices low as we walked.

"Are you actually attending the academy now?"

"No, this is a borrowed look. I don't stand out as much if I'm wearing a uniform."

"Fair enough."

In an academy this size, you saw more strangers than friends anyway. As long as you were wearing the right clothes, nobody was going to give you a second glance.

"Where should we talk?"

"Let's head to that bench over there."

The bench she pointed out offered a panoramic view of the beautiful garden, and more importantly, there wasn't a soul nearby. We sat down together in the glow of the dazzling sunset.