Sophina

“That was a close call just now.”

Smiling, the pink-haired girl approached me and extended her hand.

“My name is Sophina. You can call me Sophie or Phina, too~ And you are?”

I glanced at the hand offered to me.

Seeing no reason to refuse, and since she had indeed helped me, I chose to shake it.

“My name is Ailena.”

“Ailena… is it? That’s a little surprising.”

“Why do you say that?”

“Well, because…”

She glanced at the carriage behind me.

‘Right… an ordinary commoner wouldn’t be able to afford a carriage like this.’

My salary is quite high now, and the clothes on my back are no longer the tattered rags they once were.

To avoid embarrassing the young lady, I had at least chosen a relatively decent outfit.

So, from my appearance, I probably look more like a minor noble from somewhere.

“I am merely a maid, out to make some purchases for my master. I rented the carriage because I had to travel a long distance.”

“Purchases? In a small town like ours?”

“Yes, the owner of a jewelry shop told me that they have a branch here, and that I might get lucky.”

“A jewelry shop… You must mean Uncle Rog’s shop, right? If you’d like, how about I show you the way?”

‘She must be a resident of the town.’

Seeing the basket of firewood on her back, her home shouldn’t be far from here.

From the way she spoke, she was also quite familiar with the shop owner.

Having her lead the way would be very convenient.

“Alright, thank you for the trouble.”

I gestured for her to get into the carriage.

But she looked surprised.

“Eh? I’m all dirty. Won’t I soil the carriage?”

“It’s alright. This way is faster, and I’m in a bit of a hurry… At worst, I’ll just pay extra.”

‘Anyway, my official reason for being out is to purchase ingredients.’

‘Aside from the cost of the ring, everything else is covered by public funds. The ducal family isn’t short on this little bit of money.’

But the carriage driver generously spoke up:

“It’s no problem, little lasses! It’s just a small thing, don’t worry about it. No need to charge you. If it weren’t for you two, my carriage would have been wrecked. I can’t thank you enough!”

“…Then thank you very much.”

With that said, she no longer declined and boarded the carriage with me.

Perhaps because she was rather enthusiastic, she started chatting with me not long after we got in.

“Speaking of which, you’re really amazing, taking down such a big monster in a single blow.”

“It was nothing amazing. Just an ordinary level of skill, I suppose.”

‘Although it was my first time seeing a magical beast, anyone from the ducal knights could have easily defeated that riffraff.’

‘And yet I was almost ambushed by such a weakling… I still need more practice.’

“Actually, if we’re talking about amazing, aren’t you the more impressive one? To be able to use light-attribute magic.”

—All who can use magic have their own magical aptitudes. The attributes they can wield are limited.

According to the Duke, I am a rare type of practitioner who can use the vast majority of attributes.

But even I do not have an aptitude for the light attribute.

Looking across the entire kingdom, practitioners with this attribute are one in ten thousand.

“I just happen to have a very rare attribute, that’s all… In truth, I’m not that powerful. You saw I couldn’t even defeat that little monster back there.”

“You underestimate yourself. Just being able to send a magical beast a whole size larger than a common mole flying with an ordinary spell is impressive enough.”

‘I’ve only reached this level by borrowing the ducal family’s resources.’

‘When I first started learning magic, I could only produce a tiny flame.’

‘But she not only lacks resources, but can also produce such power with just the most ordinary of spells…’

‘Perhaps her talent for magic is even greater than my own.’

Moreover, light-attribute magic possessed the most special spell that other magic could not replicate—healing magic.

It was precisely for this reason that the Borun National Academy, which had originally only enrolled children of nobility, began to accept talented commoners so as not to let talent go to waste…

When this child comes of age to attend school, she will most likely be recruited.

“By the way, are you gathering firewood for your family?”

I looked at the basket of wood and asked the question that had been on my mind since I first saw her.

“Ah, yes.”

She gave me a slight smile.

“Winter is coming soon, isn’t it? My dad’s legs aren’t so good, so he can only stay home and bake pastries. My mom can’t get away because she has to serve the customers, so I’ve started helping the family prepare firewood.”

‘…What a good child she is, too!’

“But there are many magical beasts around recently, it’s not very peaceful… You should probably go out less.”

Hearing this, she could only give a wry smile.

“But if I don’t prepare firewood now, we won’t make it through the winter…”

“…”

‘She’s right.’

‘We poor folk can only risk our lives to survive… Father was the same, and that’s how he lost his life…’

‘Is there any way I can help her?’

‘…That’s it!’

“Does your family run a pastry shop?”

“Yes, we do.”

“Then take me to your shop later. I’m feeling a bit hungry, as it happens.”

At this, Sophina’s interest was piqued.

“Our family’s pastries are delicious! It’s a taste you’ll never forget once you’ve had it!”

“Well, that’s something to look forward to.”

‘If they’re really that good, I can take some back for the young lady to try… If the young lady likes them, she might even place a long-term order.’

‘That way, I could probably help Sophina’s family solve their urgent problem, and she wouldn’t have to take risks anymore.’

Although I didn’t know why a jewelry shop would open in such a small town, I did indeed find the ring the young lady wanted here, so I decided not to dwell on such minor details.

Right now, Sophina was leading me to her home… Their craftsmanship must be truly excellent; I could smell the sweet fragrance of pastries from a great distance.

A sign with the words “Lauber’s Pastry Shop” came into view.

The shop wasn’t large, but it was almost packed to the brim with customers.

“Sophina, you’re back? You must be tired! Have a few donuts and take a break!”

The woman serving customers at the front saw Sophina from afar and waved a large hand to greet her.

“Never mind that for now, Mom! I brought a customer back!”

Sophina pulled me into the shop, eagerly introducing me to her family.

“This is Ailena, a new friend I just made today!”

‘…A friend? This might be the first time in this life I’ve made a friend my own age.’

“Oh? A friend of Sophie’s? Then we must treat her well!”

Sophina’s mother turned her head and shouted towards the back of the shop:

“Old man, two deluxe crepes!”

“Coming right up!”

Under Sophina’s guidance, we sat down at the only empty table, located in the back.

A moment later, a burly, scruffy-bearded man emerged from the back kitchen, serving us two plates of crepes drenched in honey.

‘…This build doesn’t look like a pastry chef at all. It’d be more believable if you told me he was a mercenary.’

However, the crepes did look quite good.

They were exquisitely presented with an enticing aroma that greatly whetted my appetite.

“Please, dig in!”

Under Sophina’s expectant gaze, I cut off a small piece of crepe and put it in my mouth.

The moment it entered my mouth, a blissful sweetness filled my heart, and the exhaustion from the day’s journey was instantly washed away by the sweetness.

Although I don’t know how to make desserts, I could still taste the immense effort the creator had poured into this crepe.

“How is it? Our crepes are delicious, right?”

“Yes, absolutely delicious!”

I gave Sophina a thumbs-up to express my praise.

“Hehe~ I’m glad you like it.”

After receiving my approval, she also began to enjoy her crepe.

The moment she took a bite, she cupped her cheeks, a look of pure enjoyment on her face.

…I have to say, these crepes were truly delicious.

So much so that I cleared the entire plate in no time.

I don’t know if it’s because my body is that of a girl, but I found myself craving even more sugar… so I ordered a few more types of pastries.

‘…This should count as a ducal expense, right?’

‘Later, I’ll pick out some pastries that can be preserved for longer to take back for the young lady to taste.’