Magic? Muscle Is Much More Important Than Such A Thing! Chapter 34

I thought we would go ask for information about forests at the guild, but Phelia said, “Shouldn't you go and apologize for hounding the receptionist first?”
Certainly I agree that's something I should take care of sooner rather than later, so together with Phelia I head towards the knights' station.

“Wouldn't it be better to bring along some kind of apology gift?”
“Hm, true. Rather than showing up empty-handed.”

Then, let's go shopping.
An apology gift, huh…I've only ever heard the term. What sort of thing am I supposed to buy?
Is this a consequence of isolating myself away from civilization for so long?

“Shall I pick something out for you, Yuri?”

As I was scouring for an apology gift, Phelia offers her help. Today's Phelia is even prettier than usual.
She must have taken more care with her appearance since we're going to apologize.
She's wearing a black dress, which she had bought some time ago for an occasion such as this, that sharply contrasts with her skin.
Practically oozing with elegance, she looks just like a n.o.ble.

By the way, I'm also wearing a suit.
The chest is tight. My pecs feel like they might burst out.

“I can't let Phelia handle it. I'm the one at fault, so I should choose.”
“That sounds reasonable enough, but…let me just say that a dumbbell isn't suitable as an apology gift.”

She says somewhat hesitantly.
Is that right? Even though it's the perfect thing for muscle training.

As a result of our discussion, we decided that I would choose from several articles that Phelia selected.
There's no telling how long it might have taken otherwise, so it couldn't be helped.

With gift in hand, we arrive at the station.
The woman at the reception desk is not the one from before.
Explaining that we would like to arrange a meeting, we are led to one of the rooms. The receptionist from the other day is sitting there.

“I'm sorry.”

I bow my head as soon as we're face to face. Phelia bows her head alongside me. I feel guilty having Phelia bow her head when it's my responsibility. This time I've caused trouble for a number of people. I'm quite conscious of that fact.

“Don't mind it. I've heard the circ.u.mstances from Gauche…I'm glad you were safe.”

When I raise my head, the receptionist is smiling.
So she's forgiven me for blowing up at her? She's a rather tolerant person.

“Thank you. Umm…”
“I am Mina.”
“Mina, thank you very much, really. Come on Yuri, you should properly give your thanks, too.”
“T, thank you very much.”

With formal speech that I'm not used to, I thank her.
I'm bad at speaking formally, but I can at least tell when the situation calls for it.

“Like I said, don't mind it. Moreover…You've been asked to apprehend those fugitives, haven't you?”

The receptionist lowers her voice.
“Do you know something?”, Phelia asks back.

“It really is no simple task to try and apprehend one of them. First, just locating one can be a trial in and of itself with such a high difficulty. Gauche is a good person, but occasionally he'll propose what amounts to an unreasonable demand. I think chances are pretty good that you won't find any, but…are you okay with it?”
“Finding them won't be an issue. We'll just keep looking 'til we do.”
“Yuri, more formally.”
“…until we do.”

With Phelia's help, I finish making my apology to Mina as well as all of the other knights without incident.

“So Yuri can't use formal language, huh. It's so in line with what I would expect that I'm actually surprised.”

After we get back to the inn, Phelia says to me.

“I just don't like such needlessly complicated things. If I had the time to learn all that, I would have used it to train.”

Right right muscle muscle, Phelia says dismissively.

“But, we'll probably start running into more situations where it'll be necessary, don't you think? Like when we're gathering information, it'll be pretty much indispensable.”

I groan.
I'd been thinking it would be a pain to learn formal language, but I guess it'd be even more troublesome if I get blamed for not knowing it.
Moreover—
I think back to Mina's face.

“Mina sure is worthy of respect. It's rare to find the sort who could keep from talking when I put the pressure on them. If I could speak formally when meeting someone like that, it might be useful for showing my respect.”
“Considering that, Mina is quite an amazing person, huh. If it had been me and such an incarnation of muscle were to pester me like that, I think I would have shot them with magic on reflex.”
“…Well, I get why you'd say that.”

It's not so bad if it's the usual me, but it hasn't been just once or twice when I've unleashed my muscles that I'd nearly get reported.
I find it quite sad that no one understands the beauty of these muscles.
…Now that I think about it, Phelia would often put it upon herself to come along with me.

“Please show your appreciation to me more, Yuri.”

Phelia puffs out her chest. Looks like she read my mind again.

“Thanks, Phelia.”

I convey my feelings to her.
Even without her, I probably could have continued living in that forest as I was, but there's no doubt that I never would have had as much of a fulfilling life.
In that way, I am quite grateful to Phelia.

“…If you stare straight at me so much, I'll start getting embarra.s.sed, so please stop.”

Phelia averts her eyes, and I can tell that her cheeks are becoming tinged red.
Even though she's the one to say to show some appreciation, what's up with her getting shy when I actually follow through?

“Anyway, I'll handle teaching you formal language so no need to worry.”
“Ohh, that'll be great. If you would please.”

From that day on for several nights, Phelia and I would take time out to study.
It's not like I particularly dislike studying. As long as the knowledge will come in handy, a willingness to seriously learn is invaluable.
However, I felt that for some reason it was quite fun compared to any of the studying I did in the past. Unfortunately, we finished before I could determine why that was.