Ascendance of a Bookworm

Today, I wore my apprentice clothes because I was going to the Gilberta Trading Company. Starting with the apprentice outfit, all the pretty clothes I have are thin long-sleeved, so it's a bit chilly for the current season. Lately, I've been favoring the hooded poncho that Benno gave me last winter, but I can't keep wearing this forever.

"We really need to start buying winter clothes soon," I said.

"Clothes for the north?" Tulli asked.

I nodded at Tulli's words. Recently, I've been bedridden a lot when I'm at home, so honestly, I don't need casual clothes that much. Since I often go to places like the temple and the Gilberta Trading Company, I need winter clothes suitable for those occasions.

"Invite me when you go shopping. This time, I'll definitely win," Tulli said.

I suddenly remembered that last time, Tulli and Lutz ended in a draw. Since then, Tulli has been seriously interested in clothes.

"Hey, Tulli. Today, I'm going to Benno’s place to deliver a presentation copy, and I was thinking of going shopping for clothes afterward."

"...I have work today," Tulli replied.

She had helped at the myne workshop yesterday because it was her day off. Today, she actually had work. I smiled lightly at Tulli, who was glaring at me resentfully, and put the finished picture book into my usual tote bag.

"Don't make that face, Tulli."

"But..."

"We have to buy winter clothes for the attendants too, so let's go shopping when our days off overlap. If you're going to be the sewing class teacher, it's better for you to have at least one set of clothes for the north, right?"

"What? For me!?"

Tulli has been helping a lot—teaching cooking classes, taking the children to the forest, and soon she will be the sewing class teacher—but I’ve never properly paid her a salary.

Lutz is more like someone seconded from the Gilberta Trading Company, and he’s given some extra pay or money for new products. I was thinking it was about time I gave Tulli some kind of gift.

"Think of it as a salary for being the teacher."

"...That’s expensive, considering you won’t be teaching much."

Tulli pouted, cheeks puffed out, but her face was flushed, and she looked happy. If she’s pleased, that’s all that matters. I’ll splurge a bit.

"Let’s go, Myne."

Lutz came to pick me up, so I grabbed my bag and stepped outside. I could feel the wind gradually turning colder on my skin.

"Good morning, Lutz... You decided to wear that too?"

Lutz had grown quite a bit taller in the past year and had said the poncho was a bit tight and didn’t like it, but it seemed he could no longer resist the cold. He was wearing a poncho the same style as mine, just a different color.

"We were just talking about going shopping for winter clothes when our days off overlap."

"You do need clothes, after all."

Lutz sighed lightly as he looked down at his too-small poncho.

By the way, I’ve grown a bit too. The poncho, which used to be as baggy as a teru teru bōzu doll, now only feels a little loose.

I think this is because I’ve been seriously dedicating my mana and having fewer instances of collapsing from self-eater symptoms. Though I’m still fragile, reducing the number of times I collapse means more chances to eat regular meals. Plus, the meals at the temple are luxurious, like those eaten by nobles.

Because I’ve collapsed less and have been able to eat nutritious food to my fill, I’ve grown a bit. Thank you, Raiden Shaft, the god of the flame of growth!

"Pray to the gods!"

"What’s that all of a sudden?!"

"Ah, sorry. Just felt like it."

Apparently, I’ve gotten quite used to the temple customs. Now I can naturally make the sign of the cross in town. I have to be careful.

People passing by stared, and I wiped the embarrassed sweat from my forehead as Lutz and I finally reached the Gilberta Trading Company.

"Good morning, Mark. I have something I want to show Benno. Is he here?"

"Yes, Master is in the back room. Please wait a moment."

Mark took my message, and Lutz and I stepped into the back room. Benno was at his office desk, busily writing something.