*****

Once my audience with the King wrapped up, I started heading back to the Court Alchemist's workshop, only for a massive figure to suddenly block my path.

「Just because you pulled off a request for His Majesty, don't go getting too big for your boots.」

Yep, it was Master Segrus, popping out out of nowhere with his usual intimidating vibe.

For someone who claims to absolutely despise nobles, he sure has a habit of showing up around one. He must have been worried about me.

I bet what he *actually* wanted to say was, 'You did a fine job handling His Majesty's request. Consider yourself praised.' But since I'm a noble, his pride just wouldn't let him be honest.

(Wow, I'm actually starting to feel a little sorry for him.)

「I have no idea what's going through that head of yours, but keep your pity to yourself.」

Then again, if he's really this incapable of being straightforward, there's a distinct possibility he meant exactly what he said. Maybe my brain is just living in a happy little fairy-tale land, causing me to misunderstand him as a nice guy... or so I'd think.

But the reality was, Master Segrus had already saved our skins. He was the one who had mass-produced an absolute mountain of Purification Potions for us.

He'd brought a few over right around the time the Necklace of Warding was completed, but the miasma's influence was way too heavy to be pacified by just that small amount.

With the mist expanding all the way to the frontline encampment, we found out that the existing stock of potions wasn't going to cut it for the cleanup, even after the magic circle was smashed.

I knew we had to brew a new batch immediately or else breaking the circle would have been completely pointless, but that wasn't a job I could handle all by myself. At the same time, Master Clein was still suffering from severe mana burns, so asking him was completely out of the question.

Right when my shoulders slumped at the thought of Leon and me having to pull an all-nighter to brew them alone, the situation took a massive, unexpected turn. Leon had suddenly marched in hauling a giant crate.

And inside? It was absolutely packed to the brim with Purification Potions.

Apparently, Master Segrus had his own workshop churn them out for us, completely saving the day. Because of that, I was one hundred percent convinced that he was just a textbook case of a guy who couldn't be honest if his life depended on it.

「Thank you so much for brewing that extra batch of Purification Potions. Thanks to you, I was actually able to get some proper rest.」

「Hmph, don't talk nonsense. The Pipsqueak and his *apprentice* were slacking off, so I simply decided our workshop would claim all the credit for this operation. Don't go getting the wrong idea.」

Honestly, between Master Clein and Master Segrus, why are they both so incredibly terrible at making excuses? In a way, those two are cut from the exact same cloth.

But what really caught my attention was—

「An 'apprentice,' you say?」

(Wait, didn't he used to call me a greenhorn?)

「What, do you already think you're a full-fledged alchemist?」

「...No, sir. I am still very much an apprentice.」

Watching him hmph and huffily avert his eyes, I figured it was best not to press the issue.

It looked like I'd finally won Master Segrus's respect. This was just his own roundabout, prideful way of giving me his absolute best congratulations.

「Well, my potion deadlines are getting dangerously tight, so I'll be taking my leave now.」

「You should have finished them sooner. The Pipsqueak really does put you through the wringer, doesn't he?」

「To be fair, the main reason I'm running behind is because I have to do all the paperwork myself since Master Clein is out.」

Even though I'd been working as the Court Alchemist's assistant for a while now, absolutely nobody had ever taught me how to handle the official paperwork. Because of that, putting together the final report for this investigation request was turning out to be an absolute nightmare.

I'd spent the last several days working overtime, comparing current findings with past data documents while muttering to myself like a crazy person.

That's why I had firmly resolved that today, of all days, I was leaving exactly on time to go eat something sweet. My master plan involved buying some strawberry daifuku on the way home and having a blissful, relaxing evening.

Hoping to get back to work as quickly as possible, I gave a polite little bow and went to walk away, but Master Segrus suddenly pulled a business card out of his pocket.

「If the Pipsqueak ever decides to abandon you in the future, I suppose I could take you in out of pity.」

Whoa, a sudden headhunting offer!

For the noble-hating Master Segrus to go out of his way to recruit a noble like me... I wonder what brought on this sudden change of heart?

「Thank you so much for the offer. However, I have absolutely no intention of leaving Master Clein's side.」

「Well, you never know what the future holds. It just so happens that a disciple of mine, who used to have a similar attitude, recently left my workshop.」

「Ah. I-I see...」

It felt like a bit of a touchy subject to pry into, but judging by the warm, proud smile on Master Segrus's face, it seemed like they had parted on great terms.

「Watching a subordinate set off on their own journey isn't a bad feeling at all. It gives you one more thing to look forward to, wondering what kind of legacy they'll carve out for themselves.」

With that, Master Segrus walked away, looking thoroughly satisfied.

I'm sure that was his own gruff way of telling me I'd always have a place to go if I ever truly ran out of options. If I ever find myself in a real bind, maybe I really will pay his workshop a visit.

Reflecting on how much Master Segrus had softened up, I finally made it back to Master Clein's workshop and fished out the door key from my bag.

With Master Clein away on medical leave and Leon's temporary assignment already over, I was completely by myself. It was a little lonely showing up to an empty, quiet workshop, except...

「Huh? Wait, did I forget to lock up yesterday?」

Staring blankly at the already unlocked door, I pushed it open with a tilted head, only for an utterly unexpected sight to greet my eyes.

*****

Thank you for reading. If you want to help my hobby please download and install LDP9 with my link down below. Just Click the small yellow LDPlayer Banner.