Master was as beautiful as ever today.
She was wearing her summer clothes; the arms visible from her short sleeves were pure white, nearly translucent. She had her hair up, neatly gathered in the back. To be blunt, she was stunning. At the very least, her looks were... well, extraordinary.
However, there was no way she could have done that hair herself, so she must have had Carla do it for her.
Master seemed to be in a very good mood. I couldn’t remember the last time I’d seen her smiling so radiantly. But since she was so happy that I had brought along precious friends, it made me happy as well.
I had thought it back then, too... but Master really had known all along.
She knew that the academy would become something irreplaceable to me. The scars I bore from the Far East Campaign still lingered. That was true physically, but also mentally.
However, I would continue to learn alongside these friends.
And I was sure I would learn once again how to be human—an existence surely different from the one Master had ingrained in me.
Thinking that once more, I began introducing everyone.
"Alright, Evi, you’re up first."
"You got it!"
Stepping forward slightly, Evi gave a booming self-introduction.
"I’m Evi Armstrong! Ray and I share a room in the dorms, and we’ve become great friends."
"I am Ray’s master, Lydia Ainsworth. However... ho... so you’re the famous Evi. You’re a big one, aren't you?"
"Can you tell?"
"Yes. I trained Ray thoroughly as well... but you also have an excellent physique. Keep up the hard work. I hope you continue to be a good friend to Ray."
"Of course!"
It seemed Evi had managed to gain her approval.
Master was forced to live in a wheelchair now, but in the past, she possessed a level of muscle one wouldn't expect from a woman. Of course, it was less than what a man might have, but she was always far more severe with herself than she was with others.
That was likely why she recognized the results of Evi’s training.
Next was Elisa’s turn.
"Ah... um... E-Elisa Griffith! I-I’m a half-elf!!"
"I see... You’re quite large too... though in a different sense."
"…Huh?"
"No. It’s nothing. A half-elf, though... I hope you’ll be a good friend to Ray... well, I’d say you pass."
"Huh? What?"
"Heh. Being a bit spacey is a point in your favor, too."
"I-Is that so...? Ah! Also, um... there’s something I’d like to ask..."
"What is it?"
Unusually for Elisa, she was trying to push the conversation a step further. Since she was so shy, I thought she would finish her introduction with Master quickly, but she pulled out a book and showed it to her.
"A-A moment ago... I heard your name... Ainsworth..."
"Ah. I see. You want to ask about Ainsworth the researcher?"
"Y-Yes! Could it be...?"
There was a clear look of anticipation in her eyes.
Come to think of it, I recalled Elisa mentioning she was a fan of the researcher named Ainsworth. Right... I should have told her earlier. I’d been so busy lately that it had completely slipped my mind.
Having caught on, Elisa decided to take the plunge and ask.
"I am the one who discovered Dual-Code Theory. And I still work under the research name Ainsworth today."
The moment Master said that, Elisa’s eyes went wide. Then, in a voice louder than any she had used so far, she continued.
"…!! D-Did you write this book as well?!"
"Hmm? Ah, yes. That brings back memories. That’s just a haphazard compilation of my papers, though... I’m surprised a student would want to read it. The content is closer to a doctoral level."
"U-Um! This! It’s amazing! Er, well... I’m a fan! Please give me your autograph!"
Elisa bowed her head and held the book out to Master.
Master gave a soft chuckle and called out to Carla.
"Carla. Do you have a pen?"
"Yes. Right here..."
Master took the pen Carla had prepared before anyone noticed and began fluently signing the first page. Apparently, Master had a certain dedicated fanbase, and she was often asked for autographs when she attended academic conferences.
"It was Elisa Griffith, correct?"
"Y-Yes!!"
"Alright. There, a precious signed book. I can be quite fickle, you see. More often than not, I refuse to sign... but since I’m in an exceptionally good mood today, I'll make an exception."
"Wh-Whaaaaaaaaah!!"
Upon receiving the signed book, Elisa began to shake as if a current were running through her. She bowed deeply and retreated to the back, where she stood staring fixedly at the signature as if trying to memorize every stroke.
How should I put it... I got to see an unexpected side of Elisa today.
"I-It’s hard to do an introduction after that..."
The one who stepped forward while muttering that was Clarice. She looked nervous, and even her twin-tails seemed a bit limp.
Steeling her resolve, she opened her mouth.
"I-I’m Clawice Cleveland-ith!!"
(Ah, she bit her tongue.)
It was a moment where everyone’s thoughts were in perfect sync.
"Heh... you’re interesting."
"I-Is that so!?"
"Yes. Those twin-tails suit you well. Besides, I’m actually an acquaintance of the head of House Cleveland."
"Eh!? Really?"
"Yeah. Your father is quite the character. He’s completely obsessed with his daughter."
"Hahaha... well, that’s true..."
"So, you want to be a hunter?"
"Eh... how did you know that...?"
Clarice glanced over at me, but I shook my head.
I hadn't explained much about Master to Clarice, but she hadn't specifically asked. I wanted to tell her about my past as well if the opportunity arose, but...
Conversely, I hadn't told Master about Clarice either. She must have obtained that information from another source. Presumably from the head of House Cleveland himself.
"He consulted me once. He said his daughter was talking about wanting to be a hunter..."
"I-I see."
Clarice’s twin-tails wilted. Her family had likely already opposed the idea. She surely expected Master to reject it as well.
"Do you know of any women who have become Platinum Rank hunters?"
"Ray mentioned it... but could it be?"
"That would be me."
Master smoothly pulled out a card that had been tucked between her generous cleavage.
I wanted to ask why she kept it there, but I suppose that would be tactless.
"Eh...!? R-Really...!?"
"That’s right. I’m in this state now, but there was a time in the past when I was active as a hunter. Incidentally, I was the one who raised Ray."
"Fueeeeeeeh…"
Her eyes went wide with shock. Clarice was completely stunned, the only sound coming out of her a faint "Fueeeeeeeh…"
"With that in mind, let me say this... there is no reason you can’t be a hunter just because you’re a noble’s daughter or because you’re a woman. You have a choice. To become a hunter, or not. You don’t necessarily need to make a living solely off that. You could even just get a Hunter License. What matters is taking that first step."
"Taking the first step..."
"Fortunately, you have Ray. I raised that boy thoroughly. You should try asking him all sorts of things at the academy."
"…I-I understand!!"
Bowing deeply, Clarice returned to our side with a happy expression. It seemed that meeting Master had been a good opportunity for her, which made me glad.
And finally, it was Amelia, but... come to think of it, they already had a prior acquaintance.
"I am Amelia Rose. It has been a long time."
"Yeah. We’ve crossed paths a few times at parties."
"Yes."
"…Hmm. The shadow hanging over you has lifted somewhat... but well, you’re still young."
"? What do you mean by that?"
Amelia genuinely seemed to have no idea what she meant, so she asked Master with a puzzled look.
"No. Don't worry about it. That’s something for you to face. Now then, it sounds like you’ve been working hard at the Ainsworth-style Boot Camp lately."
"…Yes."
Hearing that, Amelia’s expression soured. Since the camp was currently ongoing, it must have triggered some unpleasant memories.
After this... kuku, I could vividly imagine Amelia’s face contorting.
Hehehe... Fuhahaha!
No, it wasn't that I wanted to bully Amelia. I just wanted to see the look of surprise on her face. That was all. There was absolutely no ulterior motive. I certainly didn’t mean to imply I’ve come to understand how Master felt back then.
Master gave a smirk and spoke to Amelia.
"Heh... well? It’s tough, isn’t it?"
"To be honest, it’s enough to kill me..."
"Hahaha! That’s right! But Ray was clearing those drills at eight years old! Hahaha!"
"…That’s insane…"
"Yeah. He’s crazy as hell... kuku."
For some reason, I felt like I was being criticized... but as long as Amelia and Master were hitting it off, it was fine.
Then, for some reason, Amelia and Master retired to a separate room, while the rest of us ended up being treated to Carla’s home cooking in the living room.