Chapter 112: Museum

Leslie carefully cleaned her guns as Érica watched her via video call.

“What is South America like? Does it being an empire change anything?” Leslie asked curiously.

The United States of South America or also known as the South American Empire, was an extensive region with vast resources.

However, there were sometimes rude comments and discouraging information.

Since Leslie was thinking about participating in the international tournament, she wanted to know a little more about it and since Érica had traveled there; she was the perfect person to inform herself.

“No. It’s like being in any country. Its regions have different cultures, but it seems prosperous... Of course, I’ve only traveled near the Argentine region,” Érica replied and seeing that Leslie was still curious, she added. “Emperor Victor, even though they call him a tyrant, is well-liked here. The states hold their own elections to choose ‘presidents’, but have a multiplicity of predominant political parties in different areas. Of course, they all follow the emperor’s commands when necessary.”

Classified as a tyrant who seized power, Emperor Victor Pellegrini had a bad image abroad.

That he was an SSS-Rank who used his power to unify the entire half continent no doubt earned him criticism, let alone his harsh policies.

“Mind you. Security and the military are very strict with their rules,” Érica added and seeing that Leslie was interested, she explained. “Yesterday, a shipment of drugs arrived from the United States of North America and caused quite a stir among the forces in charge of security. It made even the Emperor himself move. The media says the emperor was bored, but the point is that those who took part must have disappeared by now.”

“I think I heard something on that subject...” Leslie muttered, remembering a little.

It wasn’t because of the drug shipment that was said to affect the high-ranking individuals, but it was because the emperor had acted.

“I guess since they will hold there the international tournament, he doesn’t want a bad image before it happens,” Leslie commented with a shrug and, looking at Érica, asked. “How’s your training going?”

Where Érica was staying was a very modest little cabin and Leslie, through the window, could see a large amount of snow.

It was likely that if she traveled there, she would freeze to death.

Perhaps she was exaggerating, however, that Érica was wearing more warm clothing did not help her imagination.

If an ice mage was cold, then it was easy to think what would happen to anyone else.

“Excellent. Being here is the best. The magical energy is so high that a normal human would surely faint!” Érica exclaimed excitedly and with a touch of embarrassment at her excitement, she calmed down and added. “The ice element is so dense it makes me wish I could become an S-rank.”

She looked very excited and gave the feeling that she was enjoying her training.

“The only bad thing is that I have to learn too many spells. I’m not in the academy and yet I’m still studying,” Érica muttered in an exhausted voice.

Leslie, hearing those words, gave a smile.

Érica was a battle mage.

Those who were on the front lines casting her spells and were not one of those who stayed in their laboratories or magical towers, creating new spells or improving old theories.

Studying magic was one of the most hard professions in which talent and affinity helped, but it was not all.

Leslie herself had read some magic, and it wasn’t as easy as ‘imagining’ casting a spell, there were so many ways to cast a spell and so many procedures that occurred outside and inside the human body it ended up making it a weighty profession.

“So, how’s your training going?” Érica asked curiously.

Leslie sighed.

“I’m guessing well. I’ve asked my father if he can help me with new designs, but the weapons that Taranis Enterprise designs are pure tech designs, and I need something more varied,” Leslie commented and, with a half-smile, added. “Father has asked me to give you some time to see if he could do something for me.”

The Taranis Company that her father owned were weapons designers using only technology, that meant that magical or psionic designs were not included.

However, that didn’t mean their weapons weren’t excellent, their technology was state-of-the art, and they were getting better and better.

Her father, as always, was helping her and supporting her unconditionally.

“As for advancing in rank. It’s hard for me to know when it will happen. Being a mechanic is a new profession and although my talent is ‘weapons mastery’ I completely depend on technological advancement,” Leslie commented with a half sigh.

Her ‘firearms mastery’ was quite a powerful talent, as despite her name it gave her the ability to make use of weapons as if it was second nature... Like a seasoned veteran with certain particular skills.

Still, it wasn’t like her body was strengthened like a fighter or had a great enhancement, like the swordsmen.

They were slightly stronger humans whose talent depended on the weapon at their disposal.

“I guess you’ll figure it out in due time. Anyway, technology keeps advancing, and it’s easy to think that soon the mechanics will become even stronger than they are,” Clémentine pointed out in a simple tone.

This world matured through the use of technology and science, those were its principal weapons and humanity had weapons comparable to a powerful SSS-rank mage.

While the mage could cast a forbidden spell capable of devastating a city, a powerful country could launch a missile that could cause an even more devastating effect.

Of course, for some, that reliance on external objects made them think they were weak, but...

“Once you have a new rifle, I have no desire to face you.” Murmured Érica, nodding repeatedly to herself.

Only an idiot would underestimate a sniper, and they knew that better than anyone.

They still remembered Niko who, with his rifle, became a scary hunter during the Assault mission.

“By the way, when will you be back? The academic tournament has been organized and registrations for the groups has already started, but we need one more member,” Leslie said, and seeing Érica looking at her curiously, she explained. “I only have Nicole, Clémentine, and Alice. Andrés apparently has a new job and does not wish to take part, as for Aurora. She’s been busy with Princess Cithrel.”

Érica gave a smile as she listened to Leslie’s explanation.

She couldn’t deny that the princess of a foreign world intrigued her, but it wasn’t as if she hadn’t met ‘royalty’ before.

Her father’s guild was affiliated with UK Royalty, so she had acquaintances in that area.

Still, it was very different modern royalty with that of another world and for such a reason; it seemed interesting to meet her.

“I may be back soon,” Érica replied without specifying too much.

She had missed a month of the academy, and all that time she had been training, progressing.

“I understand,” said Leslie, and checking the time, commented. “It’s late. I have to go. Today we are going to visit a museum.”

******

Watching as Venali came out of an ice cream shop and handed a popsicle ice cream to the princess, Aurora blinked.

“Here you go, Your Highness...”

Cithrel received the ice cream and ate in a way that could only be described as charming.

How was it possible that she had to describe it that way? For Aurora, it was difficult to answer.

Cithrel was cute and the way she was eating the ice cream gave an innocent and adorable feeling that was nice to see.

As if that wasn’t enough, the long ears twitched every time she tasted the ice cream, as if the flavor was new, and such a reaction added to her charm.

“Is something wrong?” Cithrel asked as she noticed her gaze, and with a friendly smile, she commented. “If you like, I can share.”

Kind and friendly.

The way she seemed to want to treat her ice cream was cute, and in response, Aurora shook her head dismissively.

Cithrel’s lips tilted upward as if she enjoyed the ‘shyness’ she was showing.

Aurora felt like a damsel in distress again, and all she could do was scratch her cheek shyly at the feeling.

Was she overreacting?

—You have pretty keen instincts. Maybe you pick up on something you don’t know or don’t see with the naked eye.

The response from her system didn’t help.

“Are you done? Let’s go. We need to get to the museum,” Aurora said, pushing those thoughts away.

It wasn’t as if Cithrel had any motive against her; it was just that the way she was acting was so charming and friendly that it made her believe she was being courted.

The problem was that courting could be taken in different ways, and the only downside to the subject was...

“...”

Aurora tried to ignore the look Alice was giving Cithrel.

Softly narrowing her eyes with a bag of chips in her hand, she made it seem as if she was looking at a rival in love.

What was worse was that Aurora knew her sister so well that she was sure she was afraid of being ‘robbed’... Basically, stealing from her personal portable chef.

Sighing to herself inside and lamenting the fact that she always ran into very ‘particular’ individuals, Aurora moved on.

She was now accompanied by a glutton, a lovely princess, and a system that didn’t talk too much. The only ‘normal’ person was here and Venali.

—You can also be considered a ‘particular’ person. After all, you are the center of it all.

At the simple response of her system, Aurora’s lips quivered.

For a text in her mind that seemed emotionless, she looked slightly indignant.

Ignoring that obvious and objective clarification, Aurora led the group to the museum.

Since the meeting at the museum was in the afternoon and they had time available beforehand, Cithrel had done some sightseeing around the city.

Although for many people, the city of Atlantis was just an island, in reality it was a whole metropolis, highly populated and with too many places to see.

As an amalgam of all kinds of cultures, all kinds of interesting places could be found, and adding the sections of the island where they had tourist areas or the park, there were actually many places they could visit.

Walking leisurely, she headed to the museum of magical history, where the most recent history of the last thirty years was located.

The museum was a large place, and since it was a weekend, it was quite crowded.

After greeting Professor Forde, Aurora made her way over to Clementine, Leslie, and Nicole.

“So, how was your promotion test?” Aurora asked Clémentine, who seemed quite cheerful after greeting everyone.

“Good. Officially, I’m a Rank A,” Clémentine answered with a big smile and giving an embarrassed look, before to the satisfied feeling, she muttered. “Still, I have yet to learn more. Experience fighting those of my own strength and different enemies that can cause me trouble.”

Aurora gave a smile at those words.

Humble, but with an immense desire to improve, Clémentine was an excellent student, as always.

“And you, when will you take the test?” Clémentine asked, getting everyone to give her a curious look.

Aurora’s expression quivered subtly.

She couldn’t say that she had lied to avoid having to take part in the tournament... The biggest reason wasn’t that her lie would cause harm, but that registering for the tournament was still possible.

“I don’t know. I have to go back to Zerzura City if I want to take the test and I have too much work now,” Aurora replied with an indifferent expression.

She looked pitiful and indecisive, as if she put her work foremost.

Since she registered with the Zerzura guild, it was normal for her to take the promotion exam there.

Actually, she was using Cithrel as an excuse for not having to take the test, unfortunately...

“Is that so? If you wish I can accompany you. Urfin told me a bit about that city and I would like to see it,” Cithrel commented and with her lips slightly bowed, she added. “Besides, I can give you encouragement.”

Her comment sounded like it was very thoughtful and the problem was that no one but her could see that princess’s blue eyes sparkling with amusement.

Aurora looked for support from her best and greatest ally, but Alice had eaten her chips and was lost in her own world.

“Pay attention, we’re about to start!”

Before she had to answer, Professor Forde stepped in and saved her.

Her classmates, who knew her well and Cithrel herself, let out a small laugh, seeing her cornered.

She was just toying with her, that was because the excuse was not for her classmates who knew her, but for the second and third-year students.

However, if she gave in to the upperclassmen, it was very certain that her classmates would ask her to join their group.

Aurora was not interested in participating in either the academic tournament or the international tournament.

“Since we are all here now, let me be clear. This museum has holographic systems available that can explain to you the entire history of the objects you will find inside. It can also answer your questions. So if you wish you can go independently or with groups, however, you can also follow me and I will explain other matters of interest to you,” Professor Forde explained.

The museum was large, and there were recreated holographic scenarios of some important point in history.

It was difficult to give a tour in a few hours of the entire museum and then say that everything had been explored.

For such a reason, it was best that each student could go where they wished and were most interested.