Published: January 22, 2026
The next morning, after waking up, I took a shower, changed into my exploration outfit, and finally put on the long coat I received when I joined the clan.
"…Does this suit me?"
I looked at myself in the full-length mirror, but I wasn’t sure if it really suited me.
It feels strange now, but I hope I get used to this look quickly.
Seeing myself dressed like this made me realize once again that I had joined the silver rabbits of the night sky.
After changing, I sat down on a chair and ate some homemade portable food.
During dungeon explorations, intense physical activity isn’t uncommon.
If I eat a full meal early in the morning, there’s a risk I might throw up in the worst case.
So, when heading out for a dungeon exploration, I eat a small amount of homemade portable food that still provides good nutrition.
I’ve experimented quite a bit to make sure it’s not too bad tasting.
After finishing this simple breakfast, I went outside and bought three newspapers.
Then I returned to the clan headquarters and headed to the war room, which was today’s meeting place.
On the way, I took a book from the library and entered the war room.
It was just past 7 a.m.
There were about two hours until the meeting time.
I placed the newspapers and the book I brought on the central table and sat down.
I decided to pass the time by reading until the meeting.
◇
After reading for a while, the door suddenly swung open.
“First one here again today! —Wait, Orun-kun’s already here!? You’re early~”
Lucre entered the room in high spirits.
“Good morning.”
Without moving my gaze from the book, I greeted Lucre.
“Yeah, good morning. Reading a book?”
Just then, I finished reading and closed the book, turning my gaze to Lucre.
“Yeah, I had time.”
“But don’t you think you brought too many? You won’t finish reading all of them, right?”
There were thirty-two books on the table.
To my right, three stacks of five books each, totaling thirty books.
On the left side, two books.
“The ones stacked over there are the ones I’ve already finished reading.”
I pointed to the thirty books on the right and answered Lucre’s question.
“…Wait, you mean you’ve been reading nonstop since yesterday? We have a dungeon exploration today!”
“No, I did sleep. I only came here around seven.”
“Oh, good. Then you still can’t read all of these, right!?”
“Lucre’s point makes sense, but I’m a speed reader. That’s why I’ve already finished these books here.”
“O-oh… Speed reading, huh? Reading this many in an hour and a half is amazing!”
Lucre honestly complimented me.
I know I’m a bit cynical, so I usually have trouble with straightforward people, but I don’t have that feeling with Lucre.
I wonder why that is?
“Thanks. Since we have the dungeon exploration later, I was actually taking it easy by just reading.”
Saying that, I stood up and activated magic, making the books float just like when I brought them.
“Eh, magic…? Amazing! I’ve never seen anything like this!”
This is one of my original magics.
It can only lift light objects, so I can’t float people, but it’s very useful in daily life.
I heard the silver rabbits of the night sky have several secret techniques, so I wondered if this might be one, but Lucre’s surprise means it’s probably not used here either.
That’s good to know.
At that moment, the door opened and Ms. Rain came in.
“Lucre, don’t make a fuss so early in the morning, geez. ——— Huh?”
When Ms. Rain scolded Lucre, she apparently saw the floating books.
Seeing the books hovering, she trembled and muttered in a scared voice, “Poltergeist…? A ghost…?”
She was quite frightened.
“Ms. Rain’s not good with ghosts. But inside the dungeon, she’s fine. —Ah, right. Hehe.”
After whispering an explanation to me, Lucre had a mischievous smile as if she had an idea.
“Kyaa, Ms. Rain, scary ghosts!”
Her voice was so flat and unconvincing…
Lucre grinned and looked at Rain, asking for help.
“So it really is a ghost!? I-I’m here for you, Lucre! I-I’ll protect you!”