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Section 4 is a place that is difficult for ordinary people to access. It’s not that there are special restrictions; the atmosphere itself creates that impression.

A splendid street filled with the most luxurious 5-star hotels in the Empire and department stores brimming with luxury goods, boasting immense wealth and power for the Nobles.

We were standing right in such a place.

Although it was a festival season, Section 4 wasn’t crowded compared to other districts.

But everyone walking the streets was either a Noble or their accompanying attendants. There was no one wandering around without attendants, except for the two of us.

“Is, is this really the right place, Instructor Graham? Shouldn’t we go back now?”

“…It’ll be fine.”

With Instructor Rilya Bennett nervously scanning the surroundings as if she were in a place she shouldn’t be, we headed to the restaurant reserved by Silvia.

I had expected that the restaurant Silvia reserved wouldn’t be in a normal location since we entered the section.

Hotel Arcadia. The most luxurious top-class hotel in the Empire where foreign royals and VIP guests stay. And ‘Himmel Garten’ was the restaurant located within that Arcadia Hotel.

The restaurant was decorated in pure white marble fitting its name, the Heavenly Garden, creating a bright and cheerful atmosphere. Even the imperial palace could be seen from a distance through the windows.

Instructor Rilya, with her mouth slightly agape while looking around the restaurant, glancing down at her own dress, seemed to think this was something she was not suited for. She turned pale and clutched my sleeve tightly.

“I, I really don’t think I should be here! I’m not dressed properly for this kind of place…!”

“I think you fit in perfectly.”

“Well…! That’s a nice thing to say, but… That person over there is Lady Rumen, the wife of the merchant guild leader, and that one over there is the Mayor of Capital City and his wife! Everyone here is truly distinguished Nobles, and there’s clearly been a misunderstanding about how easily someone like me could make a reservation in a place like this. You can’t just walk in here with money…!”

“……”

I found it even more curious that Instructor Rilya could recognize who those people were just by looking at their faces.

And I became curious as well. It was surprising to see someone like her, who held a respectable position as an academy instructor along with deep knowledge of the upper class, feel such discomfort in high society.

I wondered what kind of environment had raised Instructor Rilya to have such a mindset.

Regardless of my thoughts, Instructor Rilya tightened her grip on my sleeve and said,

“Ah, anyway… I really don’t belong in a place like this. It’s not too late to turn back now—”

“Hey, you country bumpkins are really out of place here, so could you stop blocking the way and move aside?”

That wasn’t me speaking, but a gray-haired woman in a glamorous dress standing behind us. Her overly revealing dress exposed her back and cleavage, making Instructor Rilya’s eyes widen.

However, what surprised me wasn’t her outfit. Noticing that I looked astonished by her face, Instructor Rilya curiously asked me,

“Do you know her…?”

I lightly shook my head.

Although I didn’t personally know her, I recognized her face.

The Chief Wizard of the Imperial Palace Mage Corps and a companion of the Hero.

The ‘Gray Witch’ Greta von Lunhardt.

With a swift motion, she flipped her characteristic gray hair and spoke in a sharp voice.

“It’s really poor management that such country bumpkins can enter effortlessly. I guess Hotel Arcadia’s standards have fallen quite low.”

Greta attempted to stride into the restaurant, pushing me aside, but instead, she found herself losing balance and sliding back.

Her face contorted in confusion as if she couldn’t understand the situation.

“What? This isn’t some stone pillar… Cough, you! How dare you block the path while the Chief Wizard is walking—huh?”

She placed her hands on her hips and glared at me aggressively. Then Greta’s eyes widened, and her lips fell slightly agape.

After a moment of staring blankly, she began to chuckle mischievously as she openly scrutinized my face. In her eyes, there was a greedy glint typical of a wizard.

“Hmm, not bad for a country bumpkin. Yeah. You might be worth keeping around. What’s your name?”

I maintained my silence in response to her question.

Greta’s eyebrows furrowed slightly at my silence.

“…So, you think you’re something special based on your looks? I’ll let it slide this time. Do you want to go into this restaurant? If you want, I could take you. But your country bumpkin sister isn’t invited.”

At the mention of ‘sister,’ Instructor Rilya flinched, but perhaps recognizing Greta, she merely exchanged anxious glances between me and Greta, ultimately remaining silent.

“Is it just this restaurant? I could take you to the Imperial Palace Ball too. Have you ever been to the palace? Of course not. But it would be possible for me. I’m the Chief Wizard of the Empire and a companion of the Hero, Greta von Lunhardt. You’ve heard of my name, right? Well, then consider it an honor—”

“I’m good.”

Lately, no matter where I went, I kept running into faces I didn’t want to see.

Not wanting to hear any more, I firmly interrupted her. Unintentionally, my voice came out colder and heavier than usual.

My stubborn refusal visibly displeased Greta as she frowned, unable to hide her irritation.

“…Oh, is that so? Guess I’m just kicking my own luck away. Well, you country bumpkins entertain yourselves.”

She flicked her gray hair and walked away with an air of importance this time without pushing me aside. She spoke assertively to the staff standing by the entrance.

“Do you know who I am? Show me to my seat.”

“…Ms. Greta, I’m sorry, but do you have a reservation?”

“Huh? You don’t know who I am? I’m Greta von Lunhardt, the Chief Wizard of the Imperial Palace. Do I need to inform you about my status to use this restaurant?”

“I sincerely apologize, but during the Victory Festival, the number of guests greatly increases, and we must enforce reservations since we announced this two months in advance. Even if it’s Ms. Greta, without a reservation, you cannot dine here.”

“What? Are you out of your mind? Do you think I could stand someone disrespecting me knowing my father is the Grand Mage? If he finds out about this, and lets a meteor fall on this hotel, will you take responsibility?”

“Once again, I’m truly sorry, but even if it were Mr. Lunhardt himself, without a reservation, you cannot use the restaurant.”

“You… you little… how dare…!?”

Greta’s face turned red with rage as she glared at the staff member for what felt like an eternity.

The commotion drew the attention of several guests inside the restaurant, and ultimately, Greta couldn’t conceal her humiliating expression and turned away.

I passed by her and approached the entrance alongside Instructor Rilya. Seeing me, a smile appeared on Greta’s face. It was a smirk as if to say, ‘You think you two can get in here when even I can’t?’

“Welcome, dear guest. Could you please tell me the name of the reservation?”

“Ion Graham.”

“Ion Graham… Ah, here it is. You’ve reserved for two, right? I’ll show you to your seat right away.”

“Wha…!?”

Greta shouted at the staff member with a mix of rage and disbelief.

“Wait, why is he allowed, and I’m not!?”

“Mr. Ion has a reservation, and Ms. Greta does not.”

“Even so, how could that commoner… Ion Graham? Ha! Looking at the name, he’s not even a Noble!”

Ignoring Greta, who was flailing with anger, I entered the restaurant following the staff’s guidance alongside Instructor Rilya.

Rilya glanced back, worry evident in her eyes.

“Instructor Graham, are you okay…?”

“What do you mean?”

“About that person. She knows Instructor Graham’s name… will she take revenge later? Would it be better if we just give up the reservation to her…?”

“No need for that. And I’m fine.”

The Chief Wizard of the Imperial Palace?

Her renown was merely in name, but even that couldn’t compare to the strength of the Red Sage.

Meteor? I had cut and smashed that over dozens of times in the last war. To harm me with magic, one would need to wield at least the Breath of Kainax or the Sage’s Mystic power.

Right now, the only thing occupying my mind was a trivial curiosity regarding how Silvia could make a reservation at this restaurant. The Gray Witch barely ranked above that in my thoughts.

Nevertheless, Instructor Rilya still seemed anxious, or perhaps she hadn’t adapted to the restaurant’s atmosphere, shrinking back like a frightened rabbit.

I let out a short sigh and said,

“Instructor Rilya. Stand tall with your shoulders back.”

“Y-Yes…?”

“You’re much more fit for this place as a mature woman compared to that woman from earlier.”

At those words, Instructor Rilya looked at me with a shocked expression. Her face was a mix of surprise and shyness.

“T-That’s….”

With blushing cheeks, she bit her lip and refrained from saying anything further.

All she did was take a step closer to me.

 

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