"Understood. The address is the Royal Academy of Beltrum, for
Professor Celia Claire. We will be sure to deliver it, sir. Your order items
have also been gathered, so please confirm that everything is present."
Lotte's eyes widened faintly when she heard the addressee was Celia, but
only someone who was next to her would recognize the change in her
expression — and only upon close observation.
Rio packed the items into his backpack as he checked them. It was quite
a large number of items, but his backpack was large enough to accommodate
everything. Once the backpack was packed full, Rio swung it over his
shoulder easily, making Lotte's eyes widen in shock.
"I see that you have a lot of strength. Fitting for an adventurer."
"Traveling can be harsh, after all... I made sure to prepare myself for it.
Now, I shall take my leave." Rio said, Lotte's words making him smile. With
those parting words, he bowed once and turned on his heel.
"Thank you for your patronage, sir. If you ever pass through Amande
again, our doors will always be open to you." Lotte gave her words of
farewell, then bowed alongside the attendant next to her. The two kept their
heads lowered until Rio had left the building.
Then, once Rio was outside of the premises... "Celia Claire... The
prodigious daughter of Count Claire, from the famous sorcerer family. The
genius sorceress who graduated early from the Royal Academy," Lotte raised
her head and mumbled.
She was aware of Celia's reputation as Beltrum's genius sorceress,
despite living here in the Kingdom of Galarc all her life. Because of the fact
that simply having good grades wasn't enough to graduate early, an
overwhelming amount of excellence and talent had to be displayed in a
specific area. That was why early graduates were rare — occurring once in a
decade if the Academy was lucky — so any educated individual in a noble
circle would be aware of Celia's name.
On top of that, Celia was the youngest graduate in the history of the
Royal Academy of Beltrum, making her far more famous than even she
realized.
"What a mysterious boy that was, Lady Liselotte." The attendant next to
Lotte — or rather, Liselotte — spoke up.
"I wonder if he's a noble son sneaking out to go on a journey. And I'm
'Lotte' right now, Cosette." Liselotte narrowed her eyes and glared at the girl
named Cosette.
"By the way, inspection time is over. Aria and Natalie sent a message to
hurry back to the estate and finish off the rest of the accumulated paperwork,"
Cosette reported with slumped shoulders.
"Oh my, then we must make haste." The corners of Liselotte's mouth
turned up in a pleasant smile, making Cosette eye her curiously.
"You seem to be in a good mood today."
"It was a good change of pace... The business talks were quite fun."
"Hmm. Ah, I understand now. That boy just now was handsome, wasn't
he?"
"You... are not wrong, but that has nothing to do with it." Liselotte
denied it reflexively out of exasperation, but memories of Rio's facial
features resurfaced in her mind, making her respond in a perplexing way.
Seeing her master's fascinating reaction made Cosette grin cheekily.
"See? That must be the case."
"Enough already. I'm going now!"
With a faint blush tinged on her cheeks, Liselotte walked away briskly.
Cosette gave a small giggle before following close behind.