Chapter 209: Outside Encounter |
Morale Support: Scherzo
Patreon: https://patreon.com/ScherzoTranslations
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When Reiner stepped out of Vice Principal Bodoro’s office, it was the hottest part of the afternoon, with summer cicadas noisily chirping, their sharp cries piercing his eardrums.
Reiner thanked the drowsy receptionist and took the elevator down from the main building. Along the way, he saw groups of students yawning as they walked into the teaching building. To them, the world was still full of expectations and beauty.
With his work completed and his investigation temporarily concluded, Reiner could have gone straight back to his residence to escape the scorching summer day, but he felt like something was missing.
So, Reiner wandered aimlessly around the campus, as if hoping to stumble upon some trace of Sirius Odman. In a daze, he found himself at the side entrance of the school, which led to the villa area where the school staff resided.
It also led to Lord Percival’s house.
“This doesn’t seem right.”
But just as Reiner was about to turn around, hesitating whether to leave, an unexpected voice stopped him.
“Mr. Ian Gray?”
Well, this was quite a coincidence, Reiner thought, turning around to see Mrs. Lisa, carrying a small basket and holding her daughter’s hand.
“Mrs. Lisa, and this must be little Yako.”
Reiner couldn’t pretend not to have seen them. He greeted them and saw the six-year-old girl wearing a straw hat, seemingly unaffected by the sweltering summer day, curiously observing her surroundings.
“I’ve made some sweets and I was about to take Yako to visit my father.”
She lifted the basket in her hand, smiling.
“I came to school for some business today, I’m just taking a casual walk around here.”
Reiner said, thinking for a moment before finally speaking up.
“Mrs. Lisa, I actually just came from Vice Principal Bodoro’s office.”
“Oh, dad? What do you need him for?”
Mrs. Lisa was a bit surprised, asking softly.
“It’s about Sirius Odman, a mage who once attended this school. Do you happen to know anything, Mrs. Lisa?”
Unexpectedly, Reiner’s inquiry caused Mrs. Lisa to loosen her grip, and the basket of sweets fell straight to the ground.
Reiner hurriedly used Mage Hand to barely catch the basket.
“Sorry, I’m a bit…”
Mrs. Lisa took the basket from Reiner, her eyes dimming. She hesitated for a moment before speaking.
“Mr. Ian Gray, if it’s convenient, could you wait for me here? I’ll be back in about an hour.”
She took out a business card from her pocket, which belonged to a cafe on the back street of the school. Reiner had seen its sign while walking around last night.
“Okay, I’ll wait.”
A bingo sound resounded in Reiner’s heart. He had originally guessed that since Lord Percival was a classmate of Sirius, his wife Mrs. Lisa might also know something about him. Now it was confirmed.
Moreover, contrary to Reiner’s initial speculation, Mrs. Lisa was very familiar with Sirius Odman.
Watching the mother and daughter heading towards the main building, Reiner hummed a tune and walked to the commercial street known as the Back Street. It was obviously more reliant on the presence of the students as it appeared quite desolate at this time.
Arriving at a cafe called “Midnight,” Reiner found only one table occupied by a male and a female student.
Whether they had no classes in the afternoon or had sneaked out, the two were studying earnestly, with several books and two cups of coffee on the table. It was evident that the girl wasn’t very good at studying, often asking the boy for help, and he patiently answered her questions. They looked like an ordinary student couple working hard together.
The cafe, relatively quiet, was filled with a cool breeze, and the aroma of coffee pervaded the air, making it very conducive to studying.
Reiner had already put away his Committee Review badge. He ordered a regular coffee and took a seat by the window.
He didn’t just sit idly. Reiner took out a bound document from his bag. It was his newly completed theoretical part of a new spell. Now was a good time to check for any oversights.
The two students nearby glanced at Reiner but didn’t pay much attention.
Time passed quickly. Reiner heard the cafe door open with a tinkling sound of the bell. He looked up and saw Mrs. Lisa leading her daughter Yako into the cafe.
Reiner greeted them, and Mrs. Lisa sat down with her daughter.
“Sorry to keep you waiting.”
As soon as she sat down, the cafe server came over with the menu.
“A cup of Midland coffee, and…”
“I want chocolate ice cream!”
Yako immediately exclaimed, causing Mrs. Lisa to smile helplessly.
“And a portion of chocolate ice cream, please.”
After ordering, Mrs. Lisa asked Yako to sit down at the nearby table, facing the chocolate ice cream that was bigger than her head.
“Take it slowly, and don’t gulp it down.”
Mrs. Lisa said, and Yako nodded vigorously.
“Gulp it down…”
Reiner’s lips twitched. It seemed that if it weren’t for her mother’s reminder, this six-year-old girl might really gulp down the entire chocolate ice cream in one go.
“I used to come here often during my student days.”
Mrs. Lisa glanced into the distance, seemingly reminiscing about the two young students resting there, showing a hint of nostalgia on her face.
“Mrs. Lisa, you should also know about Sirius Odman, right?”
Actually, when she told him to wait here, Reiner knew he should be able to learn something from Mrs. Lisa. So he went straight to the point.
“Well, I know Sirius.”
Mrs. Lisa nodded, her eyes showing a rare melancholy. The mother of a six-year-old daughter sighed lightly before continuing.
“To be honest, when I saw you earlier, I felt that you and Sirius were somewhat alike. Not in appearance or status, but there’s a special temperament about you that I can’t quite put my finger on.”
Reiner didn’t interrupt Mrs. Lisa’s narrative, just sipping the slightly bitter coffee in his cup.
“I really miss him. So many years have passed, and I never expected someone would mention his name.”
Mrs. Lisa’s gaze lingered on the two young students playing and laughing, her tone full of reminiscence, as if she could see her younger self in them.
