“Would you like to go with the course menu?”
“U-um... yes!”
The two of us had arrived for lunch. I was quite accustomed to this place, as Master, Abby-san, and I had visited several times before my enrollment, but Elisa was acting strangely restless.
I needed to take the lead here. I spoke to her in a gentle tone.
“It’s alright. You don't have to worry too much about etiquette.”
“U-um... but, Ray-kun, are you used to places like this?”
“Well, Master used to drag me along to all sorts of places in the past.”
“...I see. Is Lydia-san still... still active as a researcher?”
“That’s right. I heard she’s currently working on research regarding Qualia. I don’t know much about it myself, but are you familiar with it, Elisa?”
“Qualia... I know of it, but, um... I think it’s still just a hypothesis. The idea is that during the Processing stage of Code Theory, a substance called Qualia is involved... something about whether there are further stages to the Code or not.”
“As expected, you’re brilliant, Elisa. You might even become a researcher who surpasses Master one day.”
“N-no way, not someone like me! I still have so far to go!”
Elisa waved her hands frantically in front of her. However, I didn't think for a moment that I was exaggerating.
“No, even Master said it—you understand that book on Dual-Code Theory. I believe you have more than enough talent.”
“Do you really think so?”
“Yeah.”
As we talked, the courses began to arrive one after another, starting with the appetizers.
We savored every bite, eventually concluding our lunch with dessert.
“Elisa, did you enjoy the meal?”
“U-um, yes! It was incredibly delicious! Thank you, Ray-kun!”
“No, the pleasure is mine. If I’ve been able to show my gratitude for everything you’ve done, then I’m happy too.”
Elisa was beaming with a smile the entire time. If she was enjoying herself this much, then it was well worth the treat.
After I settled the bill, the moment we stepped out of the restaurant, Elisa gave a polite bow.
“Ray-kun, thank you for the meal. It was very, very delicious! Thank you for treating me!”
“Uugh... Elisa...”
“W-what’s wrong?!”
I instinctively pressed my fingers to the corners of my eyes, holding back the tears that threatened to overflow.
In the past, Master would constantly sponge off me. “Hey, Ray. Let’s go for sushi, your treat!” “Hey, Ray. Buy me some meat! Meat, I say!” “Hey, Ray. You’ve been making quite a bit of money lately, haven't you? Why don't you buy your Master a drink?”
Of course, Master never said thank you, even when her disciple was paying. She would just laugh and say, “That was tasty. Gahaha!” before ordering even more alcohol. If I tried to caution her, she would glare at me until I was silenced.
And yet, look at this.
Even though I had only treated her to a meal, Elisa thanked me politely and bowed her head.
She truly was Archangel Elisa.
There was no need to even compare her to my gorilla of a Master; I was so overwhelmed by Elisa’s saintly aura that I couldn’t stop the tears from falling.
It felt as though those days from the past were being purified...
When I explained why I was crying, Elisa gave a wry smile.
“A-ahaha... you’ve had a hard time too, Ray-kun.”
“Yeah. I’m sure you know Master well as ‘Ainsworth,’ Elisa, but in reality, that person is like a gorilla. Aside from magic, she’s truly a hopeless human being...”
At that very moment, I felt a sudden surge of killing intent.
I whipped around, but there was no one behind me. Yet there was no mistaking it; someone had just targeted me with lethal intent. It was a trace of magic—a flow of Prima Materia on the level of the Seven Grand Sorcerers, the kind you rarely encountered even during the Far East Campaign.
However, no one was there.
Was it my imagination? No, could it be... just as the thought crossed my mind, Abby-san stepped out from around a corner.
“Abby-san? What are you doing in a place like this?”
“Ray and Elisa Griffith, is it? Well, I ran into a harasser just now. I was just finishing him off in that back alley. A bit of my killing intent must have leaked out.”
“I see. So it was yours, Abby-san. You startled me. To think such killing intent would leak out in broad daylight.”
“Dammit... that Lydia... I’m charging you for this...”
Abby-san muttered something under her breath, but I couldn't catch her words.
“Abby-san? Is something wrong?”
“No. It’s nothing. Ray, enjoy your date! See you later!”
Abby-san, who seemed unusually flustered for some reason, let her hair flutter behind her as she made a dashing exit.
“Well then. Shall we go, Elisa?”
“Eh...?! Ah, right!”
“What’s wrong? Your face is red. Could it be heatstroke?! Be careful, the summer sun is nothing to scoff at. Do you want to take a break?”
“I-I’m fine! Let’s go!”
“Are you sure? If you feel unwell, please tell me immediately.”
“U-um, okay!”
I started walking with the blushing Elisa, but the crowd had grown significantly. If we kept going like this, we would likely get separated.
“Elisa.”
“What is it, Ray-kun?”
“Let’s hold hands.”
“Hold hands?!”
“Yeah. We’ll get separated at this rate.”
“Ah... u-um... okay.”
Taking Elisa’s left hand in mine, we headed toward the bookstores.
Since there were numerous bookstores in the Kingdom's Central District, we visited several of them. I learned about her favorite spots, and she told me about many of the books she recommended. I also introduced my own favorite books to Elisa, and the two of us enjoyed a brief moment of shared peace.
Then, evening arrived.
Bathed in the twilight glow, Elisa and I sat together on a bench in a nearby park.
Since leaving the bookstores, Elisa and I had talked about books, and she also seemed interested in the Anti-Material Code I use, so I told her all about it.
To begin with, Master had only discovered the existence of the Anti-Material Code; she couldn't actually use it.
In this world, as far as I knew, I was currently the only person capable of using the Anti-Material Code.
Consequently, the conversation with Elisa—who had a profound interest in Dual-Code Theory—became very lively. Before I knew it, the sun was beginning to set.
“Elisa, here’s a drink.”
“Thank you, Ray-kun.”
I had bought some drinks and handed one to her.
“I had fun today. Thank you, Elisa. For spending one of your precious summer vacation days with me.”
“I... um, had a lot of fun too! Talking with you is... um, very interesting! Also, the talk about Dual-Code Theory was very helpful. To think that you’re the only sorcerer in the world who can use it... I feel so lucky. I never dreamed I’d be able to hear about it from such a person. Thank you again!”
“I’ll tell you about it anytime. If it’s for your sake, Elisa, I’m more than willing to cooperate.”
When I said that, Elisa pulled a small paper bag out of her bag.
“What’s this?”
“Actually, um... I baked some cookies. Since you treated me to lunch, I thought these could be for an afternoon snack... but, hahaha. It’s already evening. Still... will you eat them?”
“Of course! I’d be honored.”
I took the cookies Elisa had baked and put one in my mouth. And once again, tears began to overflow.
“Uuugh... it’s good. It’s so delicious, Elisa...”
“Eh...?! Was it so good you had to cry...?!”
“No, it’s because of your kindness. I’m always moved to tears by how kind you are.”
“Hahaha... you do cry a lot, don't you, Ray-kun...”
“Yeah. In front of you, I’m overwhelmed by that warmth. When I remember the days with that gorilla of a Master, I just can’t help it.”
“I-I see... well, um... I’m glad. If you liked them, it was worth the effort of making them!”
“Yeah. Well then, Elisa. I'll see you later.”
“Yeah! Ray-kun, today was wonderful! Bye-bye!”
We stood up and headed our separate ways.
Since we were going in opposite directions, this was where I parted with Elisa, but we had spent a truly wonderful time together.
I was in such a good mood that I was humming a tune as I walked, when I saw some familiar faces coming around a corner.
“Whoa...! Wait, Master and Carla-san? What a coincidence.”
“Oh! If it isn't Ray! What a surprise! Ah! What a massive, total coincidence!”
“? Well, it is a coincidence, but what's going on? Do you have business around here?”
When I asked that, Carla-san was the one who answered.
“We came to the city for shopping today, and we were taking a walk on the way back.”
“I see. Quite a coincidence indeed.”
“Alright! Since we're here, shall we go grab some dinner, Ray? Of course, today it's my treat!”
“Of course it’s your treat...? Master, what’s wrong? Did you hit your head? Or perhaps you ate something strange? For you not to sponge off me like usual... it’s suspicious.”
“Hoh... I’ve certainly gained a clear understanding of what you think of me.”
“Master is a beautiful person with no hidden sides!”
“Very well. Shall we go then?”
“Yes!”
And so, the three of us headed off to have dinner together.
By the way, Master actually treated me today, which was incredibly rare... but to the very end, I never did figure out why.