Chapter 6 Each Person's Circumstances
"Woah, human voices can change this much."
That was my first thought when Yuruyana finally showed his true self.
There was no hint of magic, so it must come from technology in his body.
"Huh? You're not surprised. Usually, people react better."
Yuruyana tilted his head in confusion, looking stunningly beautiful, as long as you didn't hear the voice.
I sighed, feeling pity for the strangers who had been tricked by him until now.
"I thought that might be the case."
Is it something to be happy about that the skills I learned from my military days, like spotting honey traps and disguise techniques, came in handy now?
When he introduced himself and corrected his pronouns, plus the strong bone structure and rough talking made me think twice.
Honestly, I hoped I was wrong.
"It's my first time getting caught on the first sight. Mr. Tsukumo, you are more than just an Arcane Engineer."
Yuruyana pouted, looking unhappy.
If he had truly been a beautiful girl, it might have been a cute gesture.
"...It's true; there might not be many former soldiers who are engineers."
I didn't want to share too much, but since Yuruyana opened up, I thought it was unfair to keep it hidden.
"A soldier! I heard most are better at martial arts than magic, but to handle magic so delicately is impressive."
"There aren't many, but there is an Arcanist squad."
"So, you've got the qualifications of both an Arcane Engineer and an Arcanist. You're an elite!"
Yuruyana made a 'wow' sound, both impressed and a bit surprised, while jotting down my information on a prescription pad.
As he said, being an Arcanist is a national qualification that many people dream of as specialists in magic.
You need to hold this qualification to use magic that has powerful effects or is dangerous.
──This means you have enough skill and magic power to use strong magic, making it a very useful qualification.
"But you look quite young. How old are you?"
"I'm 21."
Suddenly, Yuruyana became more casual.
"Wow, you really are young. Can I not use honorifics? I'm actually bad at them."
"I'm not good at them either, so that helps."
When talking to someone who looks about the same age, I relax and my speech slips.
It was a straightforward offer I appreciated.
Picking up on the mood, Yuruyana asked.
"...By the way, I heard that Arcanist and Arcane Engineer are things you can only master after 3 years of school."
Usually, students start Arcane Art school at 15 or 16.
Yuruyana was counting on his fingers, as if to say it doesn't add up if he got the qualifications before joining the military.
"It's correct. I graduated in 3 years while doing both Arcane Engineer and Arcanist."
"...Is that even possible?"
"It was a bit tough, but I managed."
Originally, I planned to focus solely on Arcane Engineer, but the school said, 'You have potential!
It would be a waste not to be an Arcanist!' So I jokingly said if they let me do both, I'd be fine, and it actually worked.
Then, doing both drew a lot of attention.
Arcanists called him a slacker for doing Arcane Engineer, and Arcane Engineers teased him about being an Arcanist, so he had to get both in 3 years to silence everyone.
"Huh? Wait, that still doesn't add up. I heard new recruits spend their first 3 years just doing basic tasks and chores, no matter their ability. Even if you joined right after graduating, wouldn't it be too early for the Arcanist unit?"
"You know a lot."
"I had military customers when I was with my master."
Yuruyana looked at me with a strong gaze, as if to say I was hiding something.
I felt myself cave under his stare.
"I entered the Arcane Art Institute at 13. I graduated at 16 and served 5 years in the military."
"Whoa! You're a genius!"
Yuruyana slammed the clipboard down on the floor again.
I wondered if it would break soon.
"That's why I didn't want to say. ...By the way, Yuruyana, how old are you?"
I ask Yuruyana, pointing to his messy hair on his head.
"How old do I look?"
He quickly straightens up and makes a confident wink, saying something like a woman of a certain age, so I shake my head tiredly.
"That kind of thing is enough."
"Geez, you're so dull. I'm 18."
Even though his skirt was a bit long, I stop him from sitting cross-legged on the chair.
His cat, which he had on his head, escapes too much.
"By the way, if you knew I was a guy, you should have said so earlier."
"I wouldn't ask if I wasn't sure what the situation was."
For work like Yuruyana's, where such conversations are necessary, it's a bad move to ask so many questions about someone you just met and don't plan to get close to.
It can even cause other troubles or make a bad impression.
"I'm totally fine."
From Yuruyana's proud face and thumbs-up, it looks like he wanted me to ask more.
So I decide to ask him.
"...Why are you dressed as a girl?"
"Because I look good! And everyone's being nice to me!"
He strikes his best confident pose.
Even if most pharmacists are business-minded, this is impressive.
When I look surprised, Yuruyana frowns at my unenthusiastic reaction, sighs, and switches the topic.
"Well, with this, there are no worries, right? Can you let me stay for one night? If I don't wake up, you can wake me up."
"There's a chance I might not wake up..."
"When you're weak, the medicine can be too strong."
He nods seriously at the end, so I end up agreeing to Yuruyana's request.
"...I'll show you the way, so follow me."
"Yay! Secure the base!"
He's planning to stay here for good, isn't he?
My bad feeling about this keeps hitting the mark.
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